gannet's bath a gannet is a large sea bird; its "bath," therefore, would be the sea itself.
Garmund Offa's father.
garrote a metal collar used for execution by strangulation or breaking the neck.
Geats also called Weder-Folk or Weders. This is Beowulf's tribe in southwestern Sweden.
the giants here a reference to the Frisians.
gift from the sea a reference to Grendel's head, which Beowulf brings back from the mere.
Gifthas eastern Germanic tribe.
God's opponent Grendel.
gold-laced hall Heorot
gray-bearded elders Hrothgar's senior advisors.
guest-house Heorot.
Guthlaf and Oslaf Half-Dane thanes.
Haereth Hygd's father.
Haethcyn killed in battle at Ravenswood (in Sweden) by Ongentheow while avenging battle of Sorrow Hill. Hygelac immediately took over leadership of the Geats.
Hama, Brosing, and Eormanric For a thorough discussion of the necklace and the Goths, see Chickering, pp. 331–333.
hand-spike a kenning referring to the nail on Grendel's claw.
Healfdene father of Hrothgar.
Heaven's hall-ruler God is metaphorically spoken of as a Germanic king.
Helmings Wealhtheow's original tribe.
Heorogar brother of Hrothgar.
Heoroweard son of Heorogar.
Herebeald, Haethcyn, and Hygelac sons of Hrethel, in order of seniority.
Heremod Danish king who ruled disgracefully before Scyld rose to power.
Hereric Queen Hygd's brother.
Hetware joined with the Franks against Hygelac.
Hetware technically, the Chattuarii; here indistinguishable from Frisians; joined with Franks against Hygelac.
high battle flames a funeral pyre suitable for a great warrior.
his heirloom sword Beowulf's sword in the dragon fight is called "Naegling."
Hoc father of Hildeburh and Hnaef.
Hondscio literally, "hand-shoe" or glove. A Geat warrior, he was Grendel's first target the night that Beowulf killed the ogre.
Hrethel father of Geats' King Hygelac; maternal grandfather of Beowulf.
Hrethric Hrothgar and Wealhtheow's elder son.
Hrothulf son of Halga, nephew of Hrothgar.
Hugas a Frisian subgroup or family.
Hugas a Frisian subgroup or family.
Hunlaf's son a Half-Dane warrior who presents the sword to Hengest.
Ingeld a prince of the Heathobards. He will later lead a raid on Heorot and burn it before being routed.
Ingwines another name for the Danes, literally "friends of Ing."
Ingwines another name for the Scyldings.
