[gothic-l] Traditions of origin - Gaut/Geat/Gaus(us)

[Tore Gannholm]

>Hi Bertil,
>One more question here, where you wrote:
>
>>and points to a Gautic-Swedish influence in England, as noticed both in
>>Beowulf
>
>
>I do not think any *Gaut or Geat is mentioned in Beowulf at all.
>There are however "the Geats". But that is the name of a group of people
>similar ro the "Götar", but such name need not bear any relationship to
>a person, a king , a god or an ancestor, or whatever your meaning is.
>It is more likely merely the name of the inhabitants of the region near
>the Göta älv in SW Sweden.
>
>But you are right when you say that Sweden is mentioned in Beowulf.
>However, so is Denmark and the Danes, and so is Frysland and the
>Frysians. In fact, Denmark and the Danes are mentioned at least
>34 times there. Frisland and the Frisians at least 9 times,
>but Sweden and the Swedes only about 7 times. This alone gives
>overwhelming evidence for Denmark.

Gotland and the Gutnish people are mentioned still more times. They are in
Beowulf called the "Wedder" people. The wedder is the official symbol of
Gotland and was used as the official seal for the Gutnish republic.
Not Sweden but Svear are mentined many times as part of Beowulf deals with
the wars between the Svear and the Gutnish people.
Tore


>
>Of the Danes there are mentioned Hringdene, Norþdene, Suþdene,
>Westdene and Healfdene.   (interesting)
>
>No evidence for *Gaut in Beowulf.
>
>
>Regards
>Keth
>


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