gift from the sea a reference to Grendel's head, which Beowulf brings back from the mere.
God's opponent Grendel.
race of giants here, some of the descendants of Cain.
runes letters of an alphabet used by ancient Germanic peoples, especially Scandinavians and Anglo-Saxons; sometimes cryptic.
woven snake-blade in constructing swords, numerous thin iron rods were woven together and forged to form a single blade.
Ecgwela a former Danish leader.
Heaven's hall-ruler God is metaphorically spoken of as a Germanic king.
Hrethric Hrothgar and Wealhtheow's elder son.
Hrethel father of Geats' King Hygelac; maternal grandfather of Beowulf.
gannet's bath a gannet is a large sea bird; its "bath," therefore, would be the sea itself.
