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Eofor

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Eofor (Proto-Norse *Eburaz [1]), son of Wonred, was a Geatish warrior in Beowulf. When the Swedes invaded Geatland (Götaland), the Geatish king Hæþcyn was killed by the Swedish king Ongenþeow. Hygelac, who became the new king, sent Eofor and his brother Wulf to fight against the hoary-bearded Swedish king. During the fight Wulf was severely wounded, but Eofor slew Ongenþeow and carried Ongenþeow's arms to Hygelac. Eofor and Wulf were not only richly recompensed, but Eofor was given the greatest possible gift for his service, the daughter of Hygelac.

J. R. R. Tolkien, who studied Beowulf intensively, used the name Éofor as the name of a prince of a warrior people in the background history for The Lord of the Rings.

Eofor is Old English for "boar".

Hrethlings
Swerting[i]
daughterHreðel
HerebealdHæþcynHygelacdaughterEcgþeow
HygdBeowulf
HeardreddaughterEofor

Notes

  1. ^ The relationship between Swerting and Hreðel is not clear from the poem. He may also have been his father, or his brother-in-law.