Heardred (Proto-Norse *Harðurāðaz[1]), died c. 530, is the son of Hygelac, king of the Geats, and his queen Hygd, in Beowulf.
Beowulf, however, declares his trust in the young man and Heardred is proclaimed king.
However, further north in Sweden (then restricted to Svealand), the Swedish king Ohthere dies and is succeeded by his younger brother Onela.
Ohthere's sons Eadgils and Eanmund flee to the Geats and are received by Heardred.
[2] Heardred is succeeded by his cousin Beowulf, who avenges Eanmund by helping Eadgils kill Onela, an event which also appears in Scandinavian sources.