loyal to him and followed their lord in battles. People did not get identified on a demographic basis, but by their belonging to a particular king or ring-giver. Hrothgar rewards his people whenever they win battles or accomplish a task correctly; he especially gave to Beowulf after Beowulf overcomes his battles with Grendel and Grendel's mother:
             Then the guardian of thanes, the famous king,
             ordered the Hrethel's gold-adorned heirloom
             be brought in; no sword was so treasured
             in all Geatland; he laid it in Beowulf's lap,
             and gave him seven thousand hides of land
             a hall and princely throne. Both men
             in that country; but the more spacious kingdom
             had fallen to Hygelec, who was of higher rank. (1610-1618)
             The idea of kinship is demonstrated in other parts of the epic. When Beowulf prepared to fight the dragon, Wiglaf
             ...