The Beowulf Dictionary: Names and Anglo-Saxon terms
For the benefit of those reading the passage covered on this website, a list of terms which may be difficult to understand has been
composed. Hopefully this list will facilitate the reading and comprehension of the passage:
Hygd: Hygelac's queen; she serves mead to the men in Hygelac's hall.
Modthryth: a woman in a story told in the passage; she was cruel to her suitors when she
was young, but became generous when she married Offa the Angle.
Offa: an Angle who was well-known for his war glory.
Heorot: Hrothgar's mead hall.
Freawaru: the daughter of Hrothgar who is to be a peace weaver between the Danes and
Heatho-Bards.
Heatho-Bards: a tribe which has had an unsuccessful war against the Danes.
Hondscioh: one of the soldiers killed by Grendel in Heorot.
Boar-banner: a pagan sign which brings good luck in battle.
Foot-guests: soldiers.
Heaven's Jewel: the moon.
Mead the drink of the warriors (click on the word for a complete definition)
Ring the rewards of the warriors (click on the word for a complete definiton)
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