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Beowulf became the ruler of the Spear-Danes and was beloved by all. He had an heir, the great Halfdane, whose wisdom and sturdiness guided and protected the people. Halfdane had three sons-Heorogar, Hrothgar, and Halga-and a daughter, who married Onela and became queen of the Swedes. Hrothgar was such a great warrior that men were eager to fight alongside him. His army grew large. He decided to build an enormous hall, the largest anyone had ever seen. From there, he would rule and give everything he could to his people, except for land and his men’s lives. He brought in workmen from all over the world, and his immense and noble hall was soon completed. He named it Heorot. Once inside, he kept his promise to give gifts and treasure to his people. But outside the towering walls of Heorot, death and destruction waited. The day was coming when hatred and murder would return to tear men apart. A demon stalked outside, and he could hardly stand the sounds of music and singing that came from Heorot. The Spear Danes sang about the origin of the world and the glory of the Almighty, who made them and everything they saw. The people lived in happiness until the demon began his evil work. The demon was named Grendel. He lived in the swamps nearby. His Creator had banished him to live among the monsters of Cain’s family. God had driven Cain out of the company of men after he murdered his brother Abel. From Cain sprang a race of giants and elves and evil spirits. They fought against God, though they had no chance of winning.

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Grendel’s attacks were talked about in the nearby kingdom of the Geats. Hygelac, the ruler of the Geats, had a great warrior in his command, a nobleman who was the bravest man alive. No one compared to him. When he heard of Grendel’s deeds, this man ordered that his warship be made ready to sail. He announced that he would sail to the aid of Hrothgar. Though the Geats loved him greatly, they did not stop him from going. They praised him and looked for good omens that fortold success. And the brave man gathered the fourteen best warriors of the Geats and prepared to sail. The boat was ready in the harbor. The men carried their shining weapons and armor on board, while the waves slapped the side of the ship. They pushed off and caught the wind. The boat was like a bird skimming the surface of the sea. On the second day, they saw tall cliffs ahead and knew their journey was over. They anchored their boat and lept ashore, their weapons and armor clanging. They thanked God for a safe voyage.

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So in the nighttime Grendel went to the hall to watch the men, who had been drinking. He came upon them asleep, completely oblivious to the sorrow and pain that awaited them. Full of wrath, Grendel grabbed thirty of the men and took them back to his lair. When dawn broke, the men saw what Grendel had done. They were beside themselves with grief. Even their fearless leader sat paralyzed, completely overwhelmed by the destruction Grendel had caused. But they couldn’t grieve for long, as Grendel returned the next night to claim more victims. Men could be seen fleeing the hall for safety, running to escape Grendel’s hatred. The great hall soon stood empty. For twelve years Hrothgar suffered as a result of Grendel’s attacks. The whole world heard of Grendel’s rage and the murders he carried out on Hrothgar’s people. Grendel refused to stop, even for huge sums of gold, and no man would dare try to negotiate with the foul monster. Old and young alike were terrified, as Grendel hunted them at night in the misty swamps, never stopping his lonely war. Once night fell, he was the ruler of Heorot.