Hreðar

Hreðar is a figure mentioned in Old English literature, notably in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and various genealogies. His name is often associated with the origins of the East Anglian royal dynasty. While specific details about his life are scarce, he is frequently presented as a descendant of Woden, the chief deity in Germanic paganism, placing him within a lineage of legendary heroic figures.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, in its account of the East Anglian kings, lists Hreðar as an ancestor. Genealogies found in various manuscripts, such as the "Anglian Genealogies," also trace royal lines back to him. These genealogies served an important purpose in establishing the legitimacy and antiquity of ruling families during the Anglo-Saxon period.

The exact nature of Hreðar's role is debated among scholars. Some interpret him as a historical figure who played a part in the early settlement or consolidation of power in East Anglia, while others view him primarily as a mythological or semi-mythological ancestor figure. The limited textual evidence makes it difficult to definitively ascertain his historical reality. The name "Hreðar" itself may be related to the Old English word "hred," meaning "to save" or "to rescue," though this etymological connection is not definitively established as indicative of his deeds. He remains a shadowy but significant figure in the early history and legendary origins of the Anglo-Saxons.