Swerting

Background
Swerting was the son of a Saxon king, Aella of Deira; a pagan ruler. Deira is a kingdom that use to exist around present-day Yorkshire. King Aella was a well-respected ruler, and his people were known throughout the land. On one occasion Pope Gerald the Great said their “Not Angles, but Angels” and that “The name Aella should be sing in Deira”. Swerting, a prince of the old king, may have one day ruled himself however his father’s kingdom fell by the hands of the king of Bernicia. Swerting and his whole family were forced to flee the country.

Swerting is known in Scandinavian lore for killing the Danish king, Froda. Swerting, a portion of his court, and one of the king’s earls conspired together to take the life of the king. Once successful, Swerting earned the title “King of the Geats”. Despite this overthrow, one of Froda’s sons, Ingellus, ended up marrying one of Swerting’s daughters. Starkad held deep resentment toward Ingellus for not avenging his father’s death. He managed to meet Ingellus in a court alongside his brothers-in-law (Swerting’s sons) and managed to convince him to kill them and divorce his Saxon wife. It is known that Hrethl, Beowulf’s maternal grandfather, marries an immediate relative of Swerting, potentially a daughter or sister, proving his connection to the Epic.

Strengths
Swerting was intelligent and deceptive. He infiltrated a Danish kingdom and assassinated the king. He was a man of strong fervor. He managed to make a name for himself and progress his family line even after his father was slain and he was forced into exile.

Weaknesses
Despite his success, Swerting does not seem receive the respect that his father did. He dishonorably killed a king and instigated a long line of revenge killings and violence between the Heaðobards and the Danes. His unresolved troubles and lack of following the Hero’s Code are Swerting’s weaknesses and most likely his greatest regrets.

Significance
In the epic, Beowulf, Swerting plays the role of Beowulf’s maternal great grandfather. Though his role in the Epic is minor, he influences the story historically through events that came about due to his actions and drama regarding the ancestry of many characters.

Appearances
Appears in lines 1202-1205

“Hygelac the Geat, grandson of Swerting,//

Wore the ring given to Beowulf, when he//

On his last raid, under his banner, defended//

His spoils, his wealth in war.”