Thorkel (born 505) was a Geatish warrior, Skald, and companion of Beowulf during the famed expedition to aid King Hrothgar of the Danes in his struggle against Grendel and the Sea Hag. Known for his strength, loyalty, and grim resolve, Thorkel was among the thirteen warriors selected by Beowulf for the dangerous sea-voyage to Denmark.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Thorkel was into born to clan of warriors and skalds in southern Geatland, he trained from youth in martial skills and seamanship, like many young men of his tribe. He developed a reputation as a storyteller and a reliable fighter earned him a place among Beowulf’s closest retainers.
Voyage to Denmark[]
When news reached Geatland that King Hrothgar’s great hall, Heorot, had been ravaged by Grendel in 525, Beowulf petitioned King Hygelac for permission to sail and aid the Danes. Thorkel was among the thirteen chosen warriors who accompanied him across the sea. Upon arrival, Thorkel witnessed the despair of the Danish settlement. A Christian monk from Ireland, Brendan the Celt arrived in Denmark as a part of the Hiberno-Scottish mission of the Insular Church and took the opportunity to perform missionary work and encourage conversion to Christianity. The tensions between pagan and Christian villagers remained mostly subdued and the effort was tolerated by Hrothgar whose depression had allowed the monk to remain for the novelty of his efforts. For his part, Thorkel was among those bemused by the monk.
During the early nights of the Geats’ stay, Grendel, who unbeknownst to the Danes and Geats was a member of a dwindling genetically isolated human population, continued to stalk the village, refusing to fight Beowulf directly, as Beowulf had committed no wrong against him. Thorkel helped maintain watch and attempt to shield the villagers from nocturnal raids.
When a newly converted villager offered to guide the Geats to the precipice above Grendel’s cave, Thorkel was among the party that accompanied Beowulf. Finding themselves without a rope to descend the cliff, the Geats were forced to turn back. After the villager was discovered dead, the Geats returned with proper equipment.
Thorkel participated in the second descent into the cave, witnessing a primitive shrine containing the mummified head of Grendel’s father. Here, Hondscioh, mutilated the head; an act that would soon provoke Grendel’s wrath.
That night, Grendel assaulted the hall, killing the warrior who had desecrated his father’s remains. Beowulf set a trap for the creature and Thorkel aided in the ensuing struggle, though Grendel ultimately escaped by tearing off his own arm.
Thorkel remained in Hrothgar’s service long enough to witness the recovery of Grendel’s arm and the confession of Hrothgar, who admitted he had once slain Grendel’s father. Days later, Hrothgar’s hall was assaulted again, this time by Grendel’s Mother. Thorkel fought in the defense, though several Danes were slain before the trophy arm was reclaimed by the mother.
Thorkel joined the third expedition into Grendel’s cave, where he helped uncover the submerged tunnel leading to Grendel's Mother’s cave. Only Beowulf entered, and the Geats, including Thorkel, waited anxiously until their lord emerged victorious with news of Grendel’s Mother's death.
Thorkel later took part in the ceremonial burial of Grendel and his mother before returning to his homeland, the only member of the party to have been successfully converted to Christianity. On the journey back to Geatland, Thorkel began composing an epic poem regarding the ordeal, incorporating the idea that Grendel was a descendant of the biblical Cain; This would spread through tradition and serve as the basis for the Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf.
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