In Anglo-Saxon culture, the term "comitatus" referred to a code of honor between a lord and his warriors, who were called thanes. The lord provided lands and riches for his vassals, while the thanes pledged their loyalty and vowed to protect their lord even at the cost of their own lives. A man who lived up to the comitatus was deemed a hero in those times. This may look like a typical warrior defending master relationship, but the relationship between a lord and his thanes is far more complex than that. In the first episode, the thane Beowulf protects lord Hrothgar, Beowulf believes in what Hrothgar stands for and is willing to fight for him. The major motivation is a family debt that Beowulf owes to Hrothgar. The young Geat is devoted to the old king because Hrothgar came to the rescue of Beowolf’s father, Ecgtheow, many years before. Now dead, Ecgtheow killed the leader of another tribe in a blood feud. When the tribe wanted vengeance, Hrothgar, protected Beowulf's father and settled the feud by paying off the crime in the form of "fine old treasures" to Ecgtheow's enemies. Not only does Hrothgar give Beowulf treasures, but he also puts his trust in him: "Now Beowulf, best of men, I will love you in my heart like a son; keep to our new kinship from this day on"
When the hero returns to Geatland, he continues his loyalty to his uncle and king, Hygelac, risking his life even when the ideas of attack from Hygelac are not the best. After Hygelac is killed in a poorly advised raid on Frisia, Beowulf makes a heroic escape to Geatland. Queen Hygd offers Beowulf the throne after her husband dies, because she thinks that her young son Heardred is incapable of protecting the kingdom. Beowulf refuses and serves the young king faithfully. When Heardred is killed, Beowulf becomes king and rules with honor and loyalty to his office and his people for 50 years.
Preparing for his last battle with the fiery dragon, Beowulf puts his trust in 11 of his finest men, men who...