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Before his defeat at the hands of Beowulf, Grendel harassed the Danish court at Heorot, ceaselessly and with impunity, for a period of twelve long years (lines I46b-I49a). During that time, the Scyldings' misfortune at the mercy of the monster became so notorious that it even made its way into song and story (lines I49b-I54a). It made sense then that the Scylding king repaid Beowulf's unexpected and much longed-for victory over Grendel with gifts of extraordinary generosity. Thus, Hrothgar does not content himself with bestowing on the hero four splendid pieces of battle-gear (including the famous sword of Healfdene, Hrothgar's father; lines 1020-34). He also provides Beowulf with a team of eight horses, among which is Hrothgar's own warhorse:
Heht Ða eorla hlēo eahta mēaras
fætedhleore on flet téon,
(in) under eoderas; þara ānum stöd
sadol searwum fāh, since gewurþad;
þæt wæs hildesetl hēahcyninges
Ðonne sweorda gelāc sunu Healfdenes
efnan wolde - næfre on öre læg
wídcuþes wīg þonne walu fēollon. (1035-1042)
(Then the warriors' protector commanded eight horses with cheek-guards be brought onto the floor of the hall, in under the shelters; on one of them stood a skilfully decorated saddle, adorned with jewels; that was the high king's war-seat when the son of Healfdene would participate in sword-play - the courage of the famous one never failed in the vanguard, when the slain in battle fell.)1
As can be seen, the poet first singles out one horse from the rest (line 1037b), then proceeds to remark on its lavishly ornamented saddle (line 1038), and finally announces that it is none other than the steed upon which Hrothgar himself rode in battle (lines i039-4ia). The special focus accorded this particular horse, along with its meaningful bestowal on Beowulf (which marks him as a royal figure and a potential successor to the Danish throne), surely made it appear as quite an outstanding and memorable creature in the eyes of the audience.2
It is therefore rather remarkable that later in the poem, when Beowulf gives away the Danish king's gifts to Hygelac and Hygd, no mention is made of Hrothgar's warhorse. Immediately after handing out the four pieces of war-gear to Hygelac, Beowulf gives his uncle four of Hrothgar's horses, among which the royal war-steed does...