Hrothgar

Hrothgar is best known from the Anglo-Saxon epic poem, Beowulf, where he appears in a background role as the king whose hall is attacked by the troll, Grendel. This book aims to put Hrothgar in the foreground. His story is fleshed out with information from other sources, particularly the Gesta Danorum of Saxo Grammaticus. I should also pay tribute to two other works which inspired this book: Hrolf Kraki's Saga, by Poul Anderson (1973) gave me many ideas about language and style, and the film Beowulf (2007, directed by Robert Zemeckis) gave me the idea of adding some kind of twist to Hrothgar's character. In the film, the twist is that he is Grendel's father; in my book, the twist is - but that would be a story spoiler! - You'll have to read the book if you want to find out!