Hrothgar appears in the Anglo-Saxon epics Beowulf and Widsith, in Norse sagas and poems, and in medieval Danish chronicles.
12 Facts About Hrothgar
2.
In both Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian tradition, Hrothgar is a Scylding, the son of Halfdan, the brother of Halga, and the uncle of Hrolfr Kraki.
3.
When Hrothgar is introduced in Beowulf, it is explained that he was the second of four children of King Healfdene: he had an older brother, Heorogar, who was king before him; a younger brother Halga; and a sister, who was married to the king of Sweden.
4.
The poem further tells that Hrothgar was "slain in war" and so his kinsmen eagerly followed him.
5.
Hrothgar is both honest and generous: "Hrothgar broke no oaths, dealt out rings, treasures at his table".
6.
When Hrothgar welcomes Beowulf, he recalls his friendship with Beowulf's family.
7.
Hrothgar remains the son of Healfdene and the elder brother of Halga.
8.
Hrothgar asks Hroarr if he at least could have a look at the ring, whereupon he takes the ring and throws it into the water.
9.
Hrothgar is succeeded by Hrolfr Kraki, his son by Yrsa.
10.
The only reason for assuming that Hroarr is the same as Hrothgar, the Scylding, is that only Hrothgar would be a personage of old so famous so as not to need any further identification than his name.
11.
Hrothgar is reported as founding the town of Roskilde, which coincides with the information in Beowulf that he built Heorot.
12.
The second time it tells of Froda and Ingeld is in Book 7, but here Hrothgar is replaced by a Harald and Halga by a Haldanus.