Hæþcyn

Who is Hæþcyn?

Hæthcyn was the son of the Geatish king Hreðel in Beowulf. The hero Beowulf was his nephew. Hæþcyn killed her elder brother Herebeald with an arrow in a hunting accident, which caused their father Hrethel to die from grief. Then Hæþcyn became king of Geatland.

During, the Swedish-Geatish wars, Hæþcyn kidnapped the Swedish queen, and was killed fighting with the Swedish king Ongenþeow who saved her. The Geatish warriors sought refuge in Hrefnesholt, where they were rescued by Hygelac who arrived the next day with reinforcements. His warrior Eofor killed the Swedish king. Hæþcyn was succeeded by Hygelac.