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The women of Beowulf have enjoyed extensive study in recent years, but one has
escaped the limelight: the only daughter of Hygelac, king of the Geats and Beowulf’s
lord. But though this daughter is mentioned only fleetingly, a close examination of
the circumstances of her appearance and the words in which it is couched affords
new perspectives on the role of women in Beowulf and on the nature of Hygelac’s
kingship. Hygelac’s only daughter is given as part of a reward to Hygelac’s retainer
Eofor for the slaying of the Swedish king Ongentheow. Beowulf refers to this reward
with the unique noun ofermaðmas, traditionally understood to mean ‘‘great
treasures’’. I argue, however, that ofermaðmas at least potentially means ‘‘excessive
treasures’’. Developing this reading implies a less favourable assessment of Hygelac’s
actions here than has previously been inferred. I argue further that the excess in
Hygelac’s treasure-giving derives specifically from his gift of his only daughter, and
the consequent loss to the Geats of the possibility of a diplomatic marriage through
which they might end their feud with the Swedes. A reconsideration of Hygelac’s
only daughter, then, offers new perspectives on the semantics of ofermaðum, on
Hygelac’s kingship, and on women in Beowulf
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