Herebeald

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Herebeald was the son of the Geatish king Hreðel in Beowulf. He was killed with an arrow by his brother Hæþcyn in a hunting accident which caused their father Hreðel to die from grief. Then Hæþcyn became king of the Geats. The hero Beowulf was his nephew.

The story is probably related to the myth of Balder's death in Norse mythology. Herebeald would then be corresponding to Balder, Hæþcyn to Höðr and Hreðel to Odin.

                                 Hreðel
                                    |
             ---------------------------------------------
             |              |             |              |
          Herebeald       Hæþcyn       Hygelac        daughter       Ecgþeow
                                          |              |              | 
                                          |              ----------------
                          Hygd            |                       |
                            |             |                    Beowulf 
                            --------------                   
                                   |
                            --------------
                            |             |
                         Heardred      daughter       Eofor
                                          |            |
                                          --------------