{16e} The exact story to which this episode
refers in summary is not to be determined, but the following account of it
is reasonable and has good support among scholars. Finn, a Frisian
chieftain, who nevertheless has a “castle” outside the Frisian
border, marries Hildeburh, a Danish princess; and her brother, Hnaef, with
many other Danes, pays Finn a visit. Relations between the two peoples
have been strained before. Something starts the old feud anew; and the
visitors are attacked in their quarters. Hnaef is killed; so is a son of
Hildeburh. Many fall on both sides. Peace is patched up; a stately funeral
is held; and the surviving visitors become in a way vassals or liegemen of
Finn, going back with him to Frisia. So matters rest a while. Hengest is
now leader of the Danes; but he is set upon revenge for his former lord,
Hnaef. Probably he is killed in feud; but his clansmen, Guthlaf and Oslaf,
gather at their home a force of sturdy Danes, come back to Frisia, storm
Finn’s stronghold, kill him, and carry back their kinswoman
Hildeburh.