Which legendary Danish king had a champion named Bödvar Bjarki?

Which legendary Danish king had a champion named Bödvar Bjarki? Hrolf Kraki is the answer.

Hrólfr Kraki, commonly written Hrolf Kraki in English, is a legendary Danish king associated with the royal hall at Lejre. His story survives in Hrólfs saga kraka, the Latin epitome of the lost Skjöldunga saga, and Saxo Grammaticus’s Gesta Danorum. Bödvar Bjarki is his most famous champion and a trusted adviser.

Bjarki arrives at Hrolf’s court after a life marked by supernatural transformation and difficult family history. At Lejre, he protects the abused thrall Hott and helps defeat a monster that has been ravaging the king’s hall. Hott is later renamed Hjalti and becomes Bjarki’s companion. Bjarki also fights berserkers, advises Hrolf, and joins him in the expedition to recover treasure from the Swedish king Adils.

The names can be confusing because Hrolf appears as Hrólfr, Rolf, or Hroðulf in related traditions. Bödvar Bjarki is not Beowulf, although scholars have long compared the two heroes because both arrive in Denmark and defeat a hall-haunting monster. Hrothgar is another related but distinct legendary king.