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Hygd is the young queen of Geatland and the wife of its king Hygelac, in Beowulf.
When Beowulf and his men returned to their country they are received by Hygelac and Hygd. Hygd is described as beautiful and wise. She is also courteous and attentive and she pours mead in the drinking horns of the warriors as befitted a Germanic hostess.
Beowulf gives her three horses and a magnificent torque (the Brosing, i.e. Brisingamen, the necklace of the goddess Freya) that he had received from Wealtheow, the queen of Denmark.
Hygd's wisdom and love for her Geatish people is shown when her husband Hygelac has fallen in the raid in Frisia against the Franks. Instead of securing the throne for her own offspring, she offers the throne to Beowulf as she considers her son Heardred to be too inexperienced to defend Geatland against the Swedes . Beowulf, however, talks in favour of young Heardred and convinces her to proclaim him king of the Geats instead.
Unfortunately, two Swedish princes arrive, Eadgils and Eanmund, who ask for protection as their uncle Onela had murdered their father Ohthere and usurped the Swedish throne. Heardred graciously offer them his protection, which leads to a Swedish invasion in which Heardred is slain. Eanmund is killed by the Swedish warrior Weohstan.
Now Beowulf can no longer refuse Hygd's offer of kingship.
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