Sceaf
Anglo Saxon · mortal · heroic age · Recorded classification
NO EDGE TO SCYLD, DELIBERATELY. Whether 'Scefing' makes Scyld his son is exactly what the sources leave open, and an edge would decide it. THE TWO RECORDS SIT SIDE BY SIDE IN THE CORPUS WITH THE SAME ARRIVAL STORY AND NOTHING BETWEEN THEM, which is the honest shape of the evidence. Carries a verified-solitary verdict.
Sources
- Sceaf is the child who comes ashore alone in a boat on a sheaf of grain and is made king, whose story Beowulf transfers to Scyld.: Reference treatments of Sceafa and of the opening of Beowulf. (secondary)