The Anglo-Saxon epic poem Beowulf, which was composed sometime between the 8th century and the 11th century, is beside the Norwegian skaldic poem Ynglingatal (9th century) the oldest source that mentions Eadgils.
It is implied in Beowulf that the Swedish king Ohthere died and was succeeded by his younger brother Onela, because Ohthere's two sons, Eadgils and Eanmund had to seek refuge with Heardred, Hygelac's son and successor as king of the Geats. This caused Onela to attack the Geats, and Heardred was killed. Onela returned home and Beowulf succeeded Heardred as the king of Geatland. In the following lines, Onela is referred to as the Scylfings helmet and the son of Ongenþeow, whereas Eadgils and Eanmund are referred to as the sons of Ohtere:
- ...Hyne wræc-mæcgas
- ofer sæ sohtan, suna Ohteres:
- hæfdon hy forhealden helm Scylfinga,
- þone selestan sæ-cyninga,
- þara þe in Swio-rice sinc brytnade,
- mærne þeoden. Him þæt to mearce wearð;
- he þær orfeorme feorh-wunde hleat
- sweordes swengum, sunu Hygelaces;
- and him eft gewat Ongenþiowes bearn
- hames niosan, syððan Heardred læg;
- let þone brego-stol Biowulf healdan,
- Geatum wealdan: þæt wæs god cyning.
|
- ...Wandering exiles
- sought him o'er seas, the sons of Ohtere,
- who had spurned the sway of the Scylfings'-helmet,
- the bravest and best that broke the rings,
- in Swedish land, of the sea-kings' line,
- haughty hero. Hence Heardred's end.
- For shelter he gave them, sword-death came,
- the blade's fell blow, to bairn of Hygelac;
- but the son of Ongentheow sought again
- house and home when Heardred fell,
- leaving Beowulf lord of Geats
- and gift-seat's master. – A good king he!
|
|
Later in the poem, it tells that during the battle, Eadgils' brother Eanmund was killed by Onela's champion Weohstan, Wiglaf's father. In the following lines, Eanmund also appears as the son of Ohtere and as a brother's child:
- ...hond rond gefeng,
- geolwe linde, gomel swyrd geteah,
- þæt wæs mid eldum Eanmundes laf,
- suna Ohteres, þam æt sæcce wearð
- wracu wine-leasum Weohstanes bana
- meces ecgum, and his magum ætbær
- brun-fagne helm, hringde byrnan,
- eald sweord eotonisc, þæt him Onela forgeaf,
- his gædelinges guð-gewædu,
- fyrd-searo fuslic: no ymbe þa fæhðe spræc,
- þeah þe he his broðor bearn abredwade.
|
- ...The linden yellow,
- his shield, he seized; the old sword he drew: --
- as heirloom of Eanmund earth-dwellers knew it,
- who was slain by the sword-edge, son of Ohtere,
- friendless exile, erst in fray
- killed by Weohstan, who won for his kin
- brown-bright helmet, breastplate ringed,
- old sword of Eotens, Onela's gift,
- weeds of war of the warrior-thane,
- battle-gear brave: though a brother's child
- had been felled, the feud was unfelt by Onela.
|
|
Eadgils, however, survived and later, Beowulf helped Eadgils with weapons and warriors. Eadgils won the war and killed his uncle Onela. In the following lines, Eadgils is mentioned by name and as the son of Ohtere, whereas Onela is referred to as the king:
- Se þæs leod-hryres lean gemunde
- uferan dogrum, Eadgilse wearð
- fea-sceaftum feond. Folce gestepte
- ofer sæ side sunu Ohteres
- wigum and wæpnum: he gewræc syððan
- cealdum cear-siðum, cyning ealdre bineat.
|
- The fall of his lord he was fain to requite
- in after days; and to Eadgils he proved
- friend to the friendless, and forces sent
- over the sea to the son of Ohtere,
- weapons and warriors: well repaid he
- those care-paths cold when the king he slew.
|
|
This event also appears in the Scandinavian sources Skáldskaparmál and Skjöldunga saga, which will be treated below.