Hygelac was King of the Geats from 515 to 521, succeeding Haethcyn and preceding Heardred.
Biography[]
Hygelac was the third son of King Hrethel of the Geats and the younger brother of Herebeald and Haethcyn. He was a brave warrior, and he avenged the death of his brother Haethcyn by defeating the invading Swedish army of Ongentheow at Hrefnesholt. Hygelac's warriors slew Ongentheow, and Hygelac succeeded his brother as the king of Geatland. Hygelac would later die during a Viking raid on Frisia, being slain by the Frankish king Theuderic I's son Theudebert I. Heardred succeeded him as king.