Grendel (died c. 873) was the giant son of an Anglo-Saxon farmer.
Biography[]
Born with a size deformity, Grendel's mother was told he would not survive. However, the boy grew much in size and strength but not in mind. He was also afflicted with a contagious mold that would spread to anyone he touched. His mother, to protect him from the villagers, fled with him to Grime's Graves to raise him.[1] By 873, he was as tall as two men and almost as wide as such. With still the mind of a child, Grendel wished to play, although his method of play proved to be too fatal for others. Not knowing his own strength, he killed cattle in a village near Brisleah Farm and infected their corpses with his mold.[2]
As he left the village, he left a trail of mold to the Brisleah Farm church where he "played" with the soldiers of the Finnmarking raider Hrothgar. Again, he unknowingly killed them and infected them, although he only wounded Hrothgar, who crawled away to die. Revealing his name to his victims, he stated his plan to return and left for the night. After he returned the next night, he was attacked by the Viking shieldmaiden Eivor Varinsdottir of the Raven Clan, who was investigating the mysterious circumstances of the soldiers' death. Being dealt a killing blow, Grendel called out to his mother before succumbing to his wound.[3]
Legacy[]
Grendel's story was adapted into an epic poem by Abbess Wulfhilda, though at the request of Eivor, she omitted the Viking's involvement in the ordeal and instead made the story about heroes and glory. Wulfhilda named the hero of the story Beowulf after her, while Grendel and his mother were depicted as the villains.[1]
Personality and traits[]
Grendel had the appearance of a giant but the mental capacity of a child, and like all children, Grendel only wished to play, though his immense size and strength made his attempts turn inadvertently murderous. Grendel was also afflicted by a contagious mold that covered his hands and part of his face.[3]
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – The Legend of Beowulf – Ever As Fate Must
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – The Legend of Beowulf – A Fiend out of Hell
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – The Legend of Beowulf – Prey in the High Hall