# Healfdene — Beowulf character guide

> Healfdene in Beowulf by Anonymous.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** King Healfdene, Kinsman of Healfdene

**First appearance:** 0004-ii-scyld-s-successors-hrothgar-s-great-mead-hall

## Who they are

Father of Hrothgar and former Danish king.

## Relationships

### [Beowulf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/beowulf)

_social_

Healfdene is Hrothgar's father and a former Danish king, known to Beowulf through lineage and history.

### [Grendel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/grendel)

_rivalry_

Grendel's attacks on Heorot began during Healfdene's reign, making him an ancestral enemy of the Danish royal line.

### [Grendel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/grendel)

_rivalry_

Grendel's attacks on Heorot began during Healfdene's reign, making him an ancestral enemy of the Danish royal line.

### [Beowulf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/beowulf)

_social_

Healfdene is Hrothgar's father and a former Danish king, known to Beowulf through lineage and history.

## In the story

### [II: Scyld’s Successors—Hrothgar’s Great Mead-Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/ii-scyld-s-successors-hrothgar-s-great-mead-hall)

Great-minded ruler of the Danes, father of Heorogar, Hrothgar, Halga, and Elan.

### [IV: Beowulf Goes to Hrothgar’s Assistance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/iv-beowulf-goes-to-hrothgar-s-assistance)

Mentioned as 'Healfdene's kinsman' (Hrothgar), who constantly muses on his sorrow from Grendel's attacks.

### [The Geats Reach Heorot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/v-the-geats-reach-heorot)

Father of King Hrothgar, mentioned as the son of Healfdene.

### [VI: Beowulf Introduces Himself at the Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/vi-beowulf-introduces-himself-at-the-palace)

Mentioned as the father of Hrothgar, to whom Beowulf refers as 'the bairn of Healfdene'.

### [Hrothgar and Beowulf—Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/viii-hrothgar-and-beowulf-continued)

Healfdene is referenced as Hrothgar's father, who was better than Hrothgar.

### [X: Beowulf Silences Unferth—Glee Is High](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/x-beowulf-silences-unferth-glee-is-high)

Mentioned as Hrothgar's father when Hrothgar is called 'Healfdene's son'.

### [XVI: Hrothgar Lavishes Gifts Upon His Deliverer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xvi-hrothgar-lavishes-gifts-upon-his-deliverer)

Mentioned as the father of Hrothgar, referenced in the context of the king's lineage and the gift-giving.

### [XXIII: Beowulf’s Fight with Grendel’s Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxiii-beowulf-s-fight-with-grendel-s-mother)

Referenced as 'kinsman of Healfdene' (Hrothgar).

### [XXV: Beowulf Brings His Trophies—Hrothgar's Gratitude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxv-beowulf-brings-his-trophies-hrothgar-s-gratitude)

Addressed as 'bairn of Healfdene' (Hrothgar) and 'son of old Healfdene'.

### [XXVII: Sorrow at Parting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxvii-sorrow-at-parting)

Referenced as 'Kinsman of Healfdene' in the context of Hrothgar giving gifts.

### [Beowulf and Higelac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxix-beowulf-and-higelac)

Hrothgar's father, mentioned as the scion of Healfdene.

### [XXX: Beowulf Narrates His Adventures to Higelac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxx-beowulf-narrates-his-adventures-to-higelac)

Referenced as 'kinsman of Healfdene' in relation to Hrothgar's lineage.

### [Gift-Giving Is Mutual](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxxi-gift-giving-is-mutual)

Mentioned as the father of Hrothgar ('Healfdene his bairn').

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/healfdene
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters