Summary
• Finn, a Frisian (may have been a sub-tribe of the
Jutes), and his warriors attack Danish King Hnaf in
Hnaf’s own mead-hall—It is a sneak attack.

• Hnaf’s sister (or daughter depending on translation) named Hildeburh is married to Finn, thus this is a violation of a sacred trust, the political marriage.

• Hildeburh loses her brother
Hnaf and her own son in the battle.

• Hildeburh’s other brother
Hengest becomes Danish
King and is offered peace by
Finn (who was unable to win); they divide the kingdom and treasure.

• Hengest is really out for revenge. He waits until spring and then kills
Finn.

Purposes:
• Stresses the themes of revenge, wergild, political marriage
.

• Like Hermod, Finn is an example of an unwise and treacherous ruler. He is contrasted w/ Beowulf,
Hrothgar, Higlac, Shild, etc.

Foreshadowing:
• Freaw’s (Hrothgar’s daughter) marriage to
Ingeld, the Hathobard. This is an attempt to bring peace to the two nations —it does not work.

• Welthow asks her nephew
Hrothulf to look after her two sons Hrethric and
Hrothmond after her death.
Later, he kills Hrethric in an attempt to become king.

• Higlac’s death by the Frisians

Questions:
• What does this say about the role of women or of changes to the old vengeance code?
• Why does the vengeance code retain such a hold on people's actions?