Hrothgar facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hrothgar
Queen Wealhþeow serving Hrothgar (background, centre) and his men. Illustration from a 1908 children's book.
Died	6th-century AD
Known for	Semi-legendary Danish king

Hrothgar (Old English: Hrōðgār [ˈr̥oːðɡɑːr]) was a famous Danish king from long ago, around the 500s AD. He is known from old English poems like Beowulf and Widsith. You can also find him in Norse stories called sagas and in old Danish history books.

In all these stories, Hrothgar is part of the Scylding family, a powerful ruling group. He was the son of Halfdan and the brother of Halga. He was also the uncle of Hrólfr Kraki. These stories agree that Hrothgar lived at the same time as the Swedish king Eadgils. They also mention that Hrothgar had conflicts with people named Fróði and Ingeld. Most historians agree that all these stories are about the same person.

What's in a Name?

Hrothgar's name, also written as Hrōðgār, comes from Old English. This is how he is called in the oldest writings, Beowulf and Widsith. In other languages, his name appears in similar ways. For example, in Old Norse stories, he is called Hróarr or Hroar. In old Danish history books written in Latin, he is called Ro or Roe.

The name Hrōðgār probably comes from an even older language called Proto-Norse. It might have meant "famous spear." The Old Norse name Hróarr could mean "famous defender" or "famous warrior."

Hrothgar in Old English Poems

Hrothgar appears in two important Old English poems: Beowulf and Widsith. The poem Beowulf tells us more about Hrothgar. It describes how the hero Beowulf from the Geats came to help Hrothgar's people. Beowulf helped them get rid of a scary monster named Grendel.

The poem Widsith only mentions Hrothgar, his great hall Heorot, his nephew Hroðulf, and their enemy Ingeld. But Widsith helps us understand parts of the Beowulf story better, especially about how the fight with Ingeld ended.

The Story of Beowulf

A mention of Hrothgar in Beowulf

In the long poem Beowulf, Hrothgar is known for building the amazing hall called Heorot. He was the king of Denmark. The story begins when the hero Beowulf arrives to defeat the monster Grendel.

The poem explains that Hrothgar was one of King Healfdene's four children. He had an older brother, Heorogar, who was king before him. He also had a younger brother, Halga, and a sister who married the king of Sweden. The poem doesn't name his sister, and historians have different ideas about her name.

The poem also says that Hrothgar was "slain in war," meaning he died in battle. He is described as an honest and generous king. He always kept his promises and gave out many treasures. When Beowulf came to Denmark, he spoke highly of Hrothgar. He called him a "famed king" and a "protector of the Scyldings," who were the ruling family. Beowulf described Hrothgar as "old and good." The poem says that the Danes "did not find fault" with Hrothgar because he was a good king.

After Beowulf defeated Grendel, Hrothgar rewarded Beowulf and his men with many valuable gifts. This showed how thankful and generous he was. The poet says that Hrothgar was so generous that "no man could fault him."

Hrothgar was married to a woman named Wealhþeow. She was from the Helming family, possibly related to Helm, the ruler of the Wulfings. When Hrothgar welcomed Beowulf, he remembered his friendship with Beowulf's family. He had met Beowulf's father, Ecgþeow, when Hrothgar first became king. Hrothgar also helped Ecgþeow settle a blood feud (a long-standing fight between families) with the Wulfings. Hrothgar thanked God for Beowulf's arrival and victory. He promised to love Beowulf like his own son.

The poem introduces Hroðulf (who is Hrólfr Kraki in Scandinavian stories) as Hrothgar's helper and close friend. Hroðulf was Hrothgar's nephew, and they were very loyal to each other. Wealhþeow and Hrothgar had two sons, Hreðric and Hroðmund. If Hrothgar died before his sons grew up, Hroðulf was supposed to rule in their place. Hrothgar was an old man, having been king for "fifty winters." This suggests that Wealhþeow might have been much younger than him.

Hrothgar became very sad and worried after Grendel's mother attacked his hall and killed his best friend. But Beowulf told him not to give up. Beowulf said, "it is better to avenge our friends than to mourn overmuch." Hrothgar immediately felt better and thanked God for Beowulf's wise words. He then led the Danes and Geats to attack the lake where Grendel's mother lived.

After Beowulf defeated Grendel's mother, Hrothgar rewarded him again. Hrothgar then gave Beowulf a speech, warning him to be careful not to become too proud or forget about God.

Beowulf then left Hrothgar to go back home. Hrothgar hugged him and cried, knowing they would likely not meet again because Hrothgar was very old. This is the last time Hrothgar appears in the poem. When Beowulf told his lord Hygelac about his adventures, he mentioned that Hrothgar also had a daughter named Freawaru. It's not clear if Freawaru was Wealhþeow's daughter or from an earlier marriage.

The Danes were fighting with the Heaðobards, whose king Froda had been killed by the Danes. To try and end this fight, Hrothgar sent Freawaru to marry Froda's son, Ingeld. But this attempt to make peace did not work. Beowulf predicted that Ingeld would eventually turn against his father-in-law, Hrothgar.

Earlier in the poem, it is mentioned that the great hall Heorot was eventually destroyed by fire:

This suggests that the new war with Ingeld might have led to Heorot burning down. However, the poem says these events were not close in time. According to the poem Widsith (mentioned below), Hrothgar and Hroðulf defeated Ingeld. Scandinavian stories suggest Hrothgar himself might have been killed by a relative or the king of Sweden, but his younger brother Halga avenged him.

The Poem Widsith

While Beowulf doesn't say how the battle with Ingeld ended, the older poem Widsith tells us that Hrothgar and Hroðulf defeated Ingeld at Heorot:

This part shows that the fight between the Scyldings (Hrothgar and Hroðulf) and the Heaðobards (Froda and Ingeld) was well known in Anglo-Saxon England. This conflict also appears in Scandinavian stories. However, in the Norse tradition, the Heaðobards tribe was forgotten. So, the conflict became a family feud instead. The Norse stories also talk about the defeat of Ingeld or Froda.

Hrothgar in Scandinavian Stories

In Scandinavian stories, including Norse sagas, Icelandic poems, and Danish history books, Hrothgar also appears as a Danish king from the Scylding family. He is still the son of Healfdene and the older brother of Halga. He is also still the uncle of Hroðulf. The Scandinavian stories agree with Beowulf that Hrothgar lived at the same time as the Swedish king Eadgils. It's amazing that these stories, written 700 to 800 years after the events, and 300 to 400 years after Beowulf, still agree on these points.

However, there are some differences. The Heaðobards, Ingeld and Froda, also appear in Scandinavian stories. But their tribe, the Heaðobards, had been forgotten. So, the tribal feud became a family feud. Their relationship as father and son was also sometimes switched. So, either Ingeld or Froda is said to be Halfdan's brother. Ingeld or Froda murdered Halfdan, but Hrothgar and Halga later killed him in revenge. Also, in Scandinavian stories, Hrothgar is less important compared to his nephew Hroðulf. These differences show that Beowulf and the Scandinavian stories come from different traditions.

The names of Hrothgar and others in these stories are in their Old Icelandic or Latinized Old Danish forms. These are not the original Old English or older Proto-Norse forms.

Some scholars have wondered if the hero Beowulf could be the same as Hroðulf's warrior Bödvar Bjarki, who appears in Scandinavian stories.

The most famous Scandinavian story, Hrólfr Kraki's saga, is quite different from Beowulf. One big difference is that Hrothgar gives the rule of Denmark to his younger brother Halga and moves to Northumbria. Because of this, scholars often focus on Hrólfr Kraki's saga when comparing characters from Beowulf to those in Scandinavian stories. Scandinavian stories have also added some details that appear in Beowulf studies but are not actually in Beowulf itself. For example, the idea that Halga was Hroðulf's father. Another example is the existence of a woman named Yrsa, whose role has changed in some stories.

Norse Sagas and Poems

In Icelandic stories, Hrothgar, Halga, and Hroðulf are called Hróarr, Helgi, and Hrólfr (with the nickname Kraki). In the Skjöldunga saga, only a Latin summary remains, so their names are in Latin. The Icelandic stories can be divided into two groups: Hrólfr Kraki's saga and the Skjöldunga saga with Bjarkarímur. Both groups tell a version of Hrothgar and Halga's fight with Froda (Fróði) and Ingeld (Ingjaldr).

However, Hrólfr Kraki's saga says Froda was Halfdan's brother. But the Skjöldunga saga and Bjarkarímur say Ingeld was Halfdan's brother. Hrólfr Kraki's saga also differs from all other works by moving Hrothgar from the throne of Denmark to Northumbria.

Hrólfr Kraki's Saga

Hrólfr Kraki's saga tells that Halfdan had three children: Hróarr, Helgi, and a daughter named Signý. Signý was married to Sævil Jarl. Halfdan had a brother named Fróði. Both Halfdan and Fróði ruled a kingdom. Halfdan was kind, but Fróði was cruel. Fróði attacked and killed Halfdan, making himself king of all Denmark. He then tried to get rid of his nephews, Hróarr and Helgi.

However, the two brothers survived by hiding on an island, protected by a man named Vivil. After some adventures, they got revenge for their father by killing Fróði.

Hróarr is described as "meek and blithe" (gentle and cheerful). He decided not to rule the kingdom and left it to his brother Helgi. Instead, he joined Norðri, the king of Northumberland, and married Ögn, the king's daughter. As payment for Hróarr's share of the Danish kingdom, Helgi gave him a golden ring.

Sævil Jarl's son Hrókr (Hróarr and Helgi's nephew) became jealous because he didn't inherit anything from his grandfather Halfdan. He went to his uncle Helgi to claim his inheritance. Helgi refused to give him a third of Denmark. So, Hrókr went to Northumbria to claim the golden ring. He asked Hróarr if he could just look at the ring. Then, Hrókr took the ring and threw it into the water. Hróarr was very angry and cut off Hrókr's feet, sending him back to his ships. Hrókr couldn't live with this, so he returned with a large army and killed Hróarr. Helgi avenged his brother by also cutting off Hrókr's arms. Hróarr's son Agnar found the ring by diving into the water, which made him very famous. Agnar is said to have become even greater than his father.

Helgi attacked Sweden to get back Yrsa, who was both his daughter and his lover. But he was killed by Aðils, the king of Sweden. Helgi was then replaced by Hrólfr Kraki, his son by Yrsa.

This story agrees with other Scandinavian sources about Halga's relationship with his daughter Yrsa. But it disagrees with all of them and with Beowulf by removing Hrothgar as the king of Denmark. Instead, his brother Halga takes his place. Hrothgar is sent to Northumberland, where he marries Ögn, the daughter of a king named Norðri (who is likely made up and named after Northumberland). Historians are not sure if there's a connection between Hrothgar's wife Wealhþeow in Beowulf and his wife Ögn in Hrólfr Kraki's saga. Another difference is that Hrothgar's sons Hreðric and Hroðmund do not appear in Scandinavian stories. However, Agnar in Hrólfr Kraki's saga might be similar to them.

Skjöldunga Saga and Bjarkarímur

The Skjöldunga saga and Bjarkarímur tell a similar story to Hrólfr Kraki's saga, but with some big differences. Ingeld (Ingjaldus) from Beowulf reappears. But here, Ingeld is the father of Froda (Frodo). And unlike in Hrólf Kraki's saga, Ingeld takes Froda's place as the half-brother of Healfdene (Haldan).

These stories say that Haldan had a half-brother named Ingjaldus and a queen named Sigrith. Haldan and Sigrith had three children: sons Roas and Helgo, and a daughter named Signy.

Ingjaldus was jealous of his half-brother Haldan. So, he attacked and killed him, then married Sigrith. Ingjaldus and Sigrith then had two sons named Rærecus and Frodo. Their half-sister Signy stayed with her mother until she married Sævil, the jarl of Zealand. Ingjaldus was worried that his nephews would want revenge. He tried to find and kill them. But Roas and Helgo survived by hiding on an island near Skåne. When they were old enough, they got revenge for their father by killing Ingjaldus.

The two brothers both became kings of Denmark. Roas married the daughter of the king of England. When Helgo's son Rolfo (who Helgo had with his own daughter Yrsa) was eight years old, Helgo died, and Rolfo became king. Not long after, Roas was killed by his half-brothers Rærecus and Frodo. Then, Rolfo became the only king of Denmark.

This version agrees with other stories about Hrothgar (Roas) and Halga (Helgo). It says they were sons of Healfdene (Haldan) and that Hrothgar was the uncle of Hroðulf (Rolfo). It agrees with Beowulf and Hrólfr Kraki's saga by mentioning they had a sister. It also talks about their fight with Froda (Frodo) and Ingeld (Ingjaldus), though the roles are switched. It agrees with other Scandinavian versions about Halga's relationship with his own daughter Yrsa. Also, it agrees with all other versions, except Hrólfr Kraki's saga, by showing Hrothgar as a king of Denmark. But it agrees with Hrólfr Kraki's saga by saying Hrothgar married an Anglo-Saxon woman. Another agreement with Hrólfr Kraki's saga is that their sister married a Sævil Jarl. And that they had to hide on an island from their uncle, who killed their relative, before they could kill him and get revenge for their father.

Hversu Noregr byggdist

The Old Norse family history book Hversu Noregr byggdist says that Hróarr had a son named Valdar. Valdar was the father of Harald the Old, who was the father of Halfdan the Valiant. Halfdan the Valiant was the father of Ivar Vidfamne, who was the grandfather of Harald Wartooth on his mother's side. Harald died at the Battle of the Brávellir fighting his nephew Sigurd Hring, a king of Sweden and the father of Ragnar Lodbrok.

This account isn't about Hrothgar's life. It's about showing how Harald Fairhair was related to famous kings and heroes in Scandinavian stories. The only reason to think Hróarr is the same as Hrothgar, the Scylding, is that Hrothgar was so famous that his name alone would be enough to identify him. However, the Skjöldunga saga says that a Valdar argued that Rörek, Halga's cousin, should not become king after Hroðulf (Hrólfr Kraki). After a war, Rörek took Zealand, while Valdar took Skåne. If this is based on the same tradition as Hversu Noregr byggdist, Valdar would have had the right to claim the throne because he was the son of the former king Hrothgar.

Danish Medieval History Books

In the Chronicon Lethrense, Annales Lundenses, and Gesta Danorum (history books from the 1100s written in Latin), King Hrothgar is called Ro or Roe. His father Healfdene is called Haldan or Haldanus. His brother Halga is called Helghe or Helgo. Hroðulf is called Roluo Krage or Rolf Krage. Their Swedish enemy, King Eadgils, is called Athislus or Athisl. (The Chronicon Lethrense calls him Hakon.)

Only the Gesta Danorum keeps the stories about the fight with Ingeld and Froda.

Chronicon Lethrense and Annales Lundenses

The Chronicon Lethrense and the Annales Lundenses say that Ro and Helghe were the sons of Haldan, who died of old age. The two brothers shared the rule: Ro took the land, and Helghe took the water (meaning the fleet). They also say that Ro founded the market town of Roskilde and gave it his name. He was buried in Lejre. However, before Ro's nephew Rolf Krage (Hroðulf), who was Helghe's son by his own daughter Yrse, could become king, the rule of Denmark was given to a dog. This happened because of orders from the Swedish king Hakon/Athisl (who is Eadgils).

The Chronicon Lethrense and the Annales Lundenses agree with Beowulf that Hrothgar (Ro) and his brother Halga (Helghe) were the sons of Healfdene (Haldan). However, they don't describe Hrothgar's personality like Beowulf does. They also don't mention his wife or children. But they do say that Hrothgar and Halga shared power, with Halga only controlling the fleet. Hrothgar is said to have founded Roskilde, which matches the idea in Beowulf that he built Heorot. The information that Hroðulf (Rolf) was the son of Halga and his own daughter Yrse only appears in Scandinavian stories. Like Beowulf, the Annales Lundenses says Hrothgar lived at the same time as Eadgils (Athisl). But the Chronicon Lethrense calls the Swedish king Hakon.

Gesta Danorum

The Gesta Danorum (book 2), by Saxo Grammaticus, tells a similar story to Beowulf, the Chronicon Lethrense, and the Annales Lundenses. It says that Ro was the son of Haldanus and the brother of Helgo. He was also the uncle of his successor Roluo Krage (Hroðulf). It only says about Ro that he was "short and spare." He founded the town of Roskilde. When their father Haldanus died of old age, Ro shared the kingdom with his brother Helgo. Ro took the land, and Helgo took the water.

Ro could not defend his kingdom against the Swedish king Hothbrodd. Hothbrodd wanted to expand his empire and fought against the Danes. He challenged King Ro in three battles and killed him.

Ro was avenged by his brother Helgo. Helgo then went east and died in shame (because he found out he had fathered Roluo Krake with his own daughter Urse). Roluo then became king of Denmark after his father and uncle.

The Gesta Danorum also agrees with Beowulf that Hrothgar (Ro) and Halga (Helgo) were brothers and sons of Healfdene (Haldanus). Also, like the Chronicon Lethrense and the Annales Lundenses, it says Hroðulf (Roluo) was the son of Halga and his own daughter. A big difference is that the Swedish king Eadgils (Athisl) is placed a generation later. Instead, Saxo says Hothbrodd, Hrothgar's killer, was the father of Eadgils. Other stories say Ohthere was Eadgils's father. A similar detail is found in the Chronicon Lethrense and the Annales Lundenses, where Halga had to kill a man named Hodbrod to win all of Denmark. However, Saxo also adds the god Höðr as Eadgils's brother to tell a humanized version of the Baldr myth later on.

The story of the fight with the Heaðobards Ingeld and Froda appears twice in the Gesta Danorum. The first time is in Book 2. Here, Ingeld (called Ingild) appears with his son Agnar. In this version, Ingeld's son was going to marry Hroðulf's sister Rute. But a fight broke out, and Agnar died in a duel with Bödvar Bjarki (called Biarco).

The second time Froda and Ingeld are mentioned is in Book 7. But here, Hrothgar is called Harald, and Halga is called Haldanus. This is the Scandinavian version of the feud, similar to the one in the Skjöldunga saga, Bjarkarímur, and Hrólfr Kraki's saga. In this version, the Heaðobards are forgotten, and the fight with Froda and Ingeld has become a family feud. The main story is that Ingeld had sons named Frodo (Froda) and Harald (who is like Healfdene). The relationship between Ingeld and Froda was switched. Froda killed his brother and tried to get rid of his nephews Harald (who is like Hrothgar) and Haldanus (who is like Halga). After some adventures, the two brothers burned their uncle to death in his house and got revenge for their father.

What We Learn About Hrothgar

Except for Hversu Noregr byggdist, where he is just a name on a list, three things are common in all the stories about Hrothgar:

• He was the son of a Danish king named Healfdene.
• He was the brother of Halga.
• He was the uncle of Hroðulf.

Also, the Scandinavian stories all focus on the relationship between Halga and his daughter Yrsa, which led to Hroðulf's birth. This story was either not in Beowulf or the poet didn't know it. The Danish history books (Chronicon Lethrense, Annales Lundenses, Gesta Danorum) all agree with Beowulf that Hrothgar was the king of Denmark. The Icelandic stories (Skjöldunga saga, Bjarkarímur, Hrólf Kraki's saga) all agree with Beowulf by mentioning that Hrothgar and Halga had a sister. They also mention their fight with Froda and Ingeld, even if some details are changed. What is special about the Icelandic versions are the adventures Hrothgar and Halga had before one of them became king.

The similarities between Beowulf and these Scandinavian stories are not the only ones. Other characters mentioned in Beowulf also appear in stories before and after Hrothgar's time. You can learn more about this by looking up origins for Beowulf and Hrólf Kraki.

Images for kids

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  Queen Wealhþeow serving Hrothgar (background, centre) and his men. Illustration from a 1908 children's book.

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  A mention of Hrothgar in Beowulf

See also

In Spanish: Hroðgar para niños