Background
She is the daughter of Hæreth2.
She is the daughter of Hæreth2.
After Beowulf defeats Grendel and Grendel"s mother, he and his men returned to their native country, where they are received by Hygelac and Hygd. Hygd is beautiful, wise, courteous, and attentive. She pours mead in the drinking horns of the warriors thus fulfilling (in the same vein as Wealhþeow, the queen of Denmark) the important role of hostess and cup-bearer in the poem.
The poet juxtaposes this virtue with the vice of Queen Modþryð (who appears in line 1932).
Beowulf gives her three horses and a magnificent torc (the Brosing, ie Brisingamen, the necklace of the goddess Freyja) that he received from Wealhþeow. Beowulf, however, talks in favour of young Heardred and convinces her to proclaim him King of the Geats instead.
Heardred graciously offers them his protection, which leads to a Swedish invasion in which Heardred is slain. The Swedish warrior Weohstan kills Eanmund, and Beowulf can no longer refuse Hygd"s offer of kingship.
