In Beowulf, the Geatish queen who is Hygelac’s wife is Hygd.
Hygd appears when Beowulf returns to Geatland after his battles in Denmark. She is the wife of King Hygelac and the mother of Heardred, the young prince who later becomes king. The poem depicts her as wise and generous, qualities that help distinguish her from the hostile or disorderly figures elsewhere in the story.
After Hygelac dies, Beowulf serves as protector and eventually rules the Geats. When Heardred is killed, Beowulf becomes king. Hygd’s role is brief, but it links the poem’s Danish episodes with the political history of the Geats.
Readers sometimes confuse Hygd with Wealhtheow, who is queen of the Danes and Hrothgar’s wife. They are separate queens from different kingdoms. Hygd belongs to the Geatish royal household, while Wealhtheow belongs to Heorot’s Danish court.