This
necklace
was afterwards given by Beowulf to Hygd, ll.
Beowulf
wægen, made into a vb. by -ian, like _own, drown_, etc. Cf. hafenian ( <
hafen, < hebban), etc.
l. 1196. E. takes the expression to mean "mantle and its rings or
broaches. " "Rail" long survived in Mid. Eng. (_Piers Plow. _, etc. ).
l. 1196.
This necklace was afterwards given by Beowulf to Hygd, ll. 2173,
2174.
ll. 1199-1215. From the obscure hints in the passage, a part of the poem
may be approximately dated,--if Hygelāc is the _Chochi-laicus_ of Gregory
of Tours, _Hist. Francorum_, iii. 3,--about A. D. 512-20.
l. 1200. The Breosinga men (Icel. _Brisinga men_) is the necklace of the
goddess Freya; cf. _Elder Edda, Hamarshemt. _ Hāma stole the necklace from
the Gothic King Eormenrīc; cf. _Traveller's Song_, ll.
