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BarleyFields
A field of barley in England

Beowa (also spelled Beaw, Bēow, Beo, or Bedwig) is an important figure from ancient Anglo-Saxon beliefs. The Anglo-Saxons were people who lived in England a long time ago. Beowa is linked to barley and farming. Barley is a type of grain used to make food and drinks. Old stories say Beowa was the son of Scyld and the grandson of Sceafa. Some people think Beowa might be connected to the famous hero Beowulf or the folk song character John Barleycorn.

What's in a Name? The Meaning of Beowa

The name Beow comes from an Old English word that means "barley." Old English was the language spoken by the Anglo-Saxons. Beowa's father or grandfather was named Sceafa, which is an Old English word for "sheaf." A sheaf is a bundle of cut grain.

The word beow is similar to the Old Norse word Bygg, which means "grain." Old Norse was spoken by Vikings. Some experts also compare Beowa to a character named Byggvir. Byggvir is mentioned in an old Norse book called the Prose Edda as a helper to the god Freyr.

Who Was Beowa? Exploring Ancient Connections

Many scholars believe there is a link between the mythical figure of Beowa and the legendary hero Beowulf. Beowulf is the main character in a very old and famous English poem. Both Beowa and Beowulf share some similar qualities. Some suggest that a god named Beowa, who was part of ancient myths, might have been mixed up with the hero Beowulf over time.

Beowulf: A Name Mystery

At the start of the Beowulf poem, there is a character also called Beowulf. This character is the son of Scyld Scefing. However, this is not the same Beowulf who is the main hero of the poem. To avoid confusion, many modern versions of the poem change this first character's name to "Beow."

J. R. R. Tolkien, the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, thought that using "Beowulf" for Scyld's son was a mistake made by the scribes (people who copied texts). He noted that the scribes who wrote the Beowulf manuscript were "careless with proper names." Tolkien called this name mix-up "one of the oddest facts in Old English literature."

Beowa and John Barleycorn

Another interesting idea connects Beowa to the character of John Barleycorn. John Barleycorn appears in traditional English folk songs. Kathleen Herbert, a scholar, believes Beowa and John Barleycorn are the same figure. The folk songs about John Barleycorn tell a story of his suffering, death, and then his "resurrection." They also celebrate the good feelings that come from drinking his "blood," which refers to drinks made from barley, like beer.

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