# Higelac — Beowulf character guide > Higelac in Beowulf by Anonymous. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** King Higelac, Geatish Higelac **First appearance:** 0031-xxix-beowulf-and-higelac ## Snapshot King of the Geats and Beowulf's uncle, the lord whose court the hero returns to with tales of Danish monsters and treasure. ## Who they are Higelac rules the Geats and is the political center of Beowulf's home world, the king whose favor the hero serves and whose feuds shape Geatish history. He is not a warrior of Beowulf's stature, and his reign is shadowed by old wars with the Swedes and Frisians that the poem recalls in grim detail. His court is where Beowulf's deeds are received and rewarded, and his eventual death leaves the Geats exposed, making his kingship part of the poem's larger anxiety about what happens when a strong lord is gone. ## Relationships ### [Beowulf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/beowulf) _family_ Higelac is Beowulf's uncle and king, to whom Beowulf is a loyal nephew and retainer. ### [Grendel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/grendel) _rivalry_ Grendel is an enemy of the Geatish people, including their king Higelac, due to his attacks on Danes and Geats. ### [Ecgtheow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/ecgtheow) _professional_ Ecgtheow served as a warrior under King Higelac, fathering Beowulf within the Geatish court. ### [Ohthere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/ohthere) _rivalry_ Higelac and Ohthere are rival kings of the Geats and Swedes, engaged in ongoing border conflicts. ### [Hrothgar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/hrothgar) _friendship_ Higelac and Hrothgar maintain diplomatic ties, with Higelac sending Beowulf to aid Hrothgar against Grendel. ### [Beowulf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/beowulf) _family_ Higelac is Beowulf's uncle and king, to whom Beowulf is a loyal nephew and retainer. ### [Ecgtheow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/ecgtheow) _professional_ Ecgtheow served as a warrior under King Higelac, fathering Beowulf within the Geatish court. ### [Ohthere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/ohthere) _rivalry_ Higelac and Ohthere are rival kings of the Geats and Swedes, engaged in ongoing border conflicts. ### [Grendel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/grendel) _rivalry_ Grendel is an enemy of the Geatish people, including their king Higelac, due to his attacks on Danes and Geats. ## In the story ### [The Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/the-story) King of the Geats, Beowulf's uncle and lord. ### [IV: Beowulf Goes to Hrothgar’s Assistance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/iv-beowulf-goes-to-hrothgar-s-assistance) King of the Geats; Beowulf is referred to as 'Higelac's liegeman,' indicating his allegiance. ### [The Geats Reach Heorot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/v-the-geats-reach-heorot) King of the Geats, mentioned as the lord and hearth-friend of Beowulf and his warriors. ### [VI: Beowulf Introduces Himself at the Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/vi-beowulf-introduces-himself-at-the-palace) Mentioned as Beowulf's lord and king of the Geats. ### [Hrothgar and Beowulf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/vii-hrothgar-and-beowulf) Beowulf's lord and kinsman, referenced as the Geatish king. ### [XII: Grendel and Beowulf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xii-grendel-and-beowulf) Referenced as Beowulf's liege-king; Beowulf is called 'Higelac's kinsman' and 'liege-kinsman worthy of Higelac.' ### [Grendel Is Vanquished](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xiii-grendel-is-vanquished) Beowulf's lord and king, mentioned as the kinsman of the victorious hero. ### [Rejoicing of the Danes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xiv-rejoicing-of-the-danes) Beowulf is called 'Higelac's kinsman,' highlighting his loyalty and connection to his lord. ### [XIX: Beowulf Receives Further Honor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xix-beowulf-receives-further-honor) Mentioned as the Geatish king who last had the great necklace before falling in battle against the Frisians. ### [XXIII: Beowulf’s Fight with Grendel’s Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxiii-beowulf-s-fight-with-grendel-s-mother) Beowulf asks Hrothgar to send his treasures to Higelac, the lord of the Geatmen. ### [XXIV: Beowulf Is Double-Conqueror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxiv-beowulf-is-double-conqueror) Referenced as Beowulf's lord ('Higelac's vassal') during the fight. ### [XXVII: Sorrow at Parting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxvii-sorrow-at-parting) Mentioned as the Geatish king Beowulf intends to return to; Hrothgar notes Higelac will permit Beowulf to bring forces if needed. ### [XXVIII: The Homeward Journey—The Two Queens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxviii-the-homeward-journey-the-two-queens) King of the Geats, remains at home near the sea-coast; recipient of Beowulf's report. ### [Beowulf and Higelac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxix-beowulf-and-higelac) King of the Geats who questions Beowulf about his adventures. ### [XXX: Beowulf Narrates His Adventures to Higelac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxx-beowulf-narrates-his-adventures-to-higelac) King Higelac listens as Beowulf recounts his deeds in Daneland. ### [Gift-Giving Is Mutual](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxxi-gift-giving-is-mutual) King of the Geats, receives Beowulf's report and gifts, and rewards him with Hrethel's heirloom and lands. ### [XXXIII: Brave Though Aged—Reminiscences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxxiii-brave-though-aged-reminiscences) Mentioned as the slain king of the Geatmen, whose death Beowulf survived by swimming away with thirty suits of armor. ### [XXXIV: Beowulf Seeks the Dragon—Beowulf’s Reminiscences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxxiv-beowulf-seeks-the-dragon-beowulf-s-reminiscences) Beowulf's lord and king, mentioned as one of Hrethel's sons. ### [XXXIX: The Dead Foes—Wiglaf’s Bitter Taunts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxxix-the-dead-foes-wiglaf-s-bitter-taunts) Not present in this chapter; no mention. ### [XL: The Messenger of Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xl-the-messenger-of-death) Recalled as having fallen in battle against the Franks in Friesland. ### [The Messenger's Retrospect](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xli-the-messenger-s-retrospect) King of the Geats who receives Ongentheow's armor and rewards Eofor and Wulf with treasures and his daughter. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/higelac - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters