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Swerting (Proto-Norse *Swartingaz [1]) is briefly mentioned in Beowulf, where he had the son or son-in-law Hrethel, who was the maternal grandfather of the hero Beowulf.
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The Heaðobard tradition
A Swerting of the same timeframe also appears in Scandinavian traditions as the killer of a Danish king named Fróði/Frotho, who corresponds to Froda, the Heaðobard, in Beowulf. In the Scandinavian traditions, Froda's son Ingeld also appears with the name forms Ingjald or Ingellus.
Skjöldunga saga and Bjarkarímur
The Skjöldunga saga and the Bjarkarímur tell that the king of Sweden, Jorund, was defeated by the Danish king Fróði, who made him a tributary and took his daughter. The daughter gave birth to Halfdan, but another woman became Fróði's legitimate wife and gave him an heir named Ingjaldr. Together with one of his earls, Swerting, Jorund conspired against Fróði and killed him during the blót.
Gesta Danorum
There is also a second version in Gesta Danorum, concerning the adventures of Starkad, and which is based on the old warrior who restarted the conflict between the Heaðobards and the Danes. The Danish king Frotho (Froda) was killed through treachery by a Saxon named Swerting (Swertingus) (cf. the Swedish earl, above). Frotho's son Ingellus (Ingeld) lived a wanton life and married one of Swerting's daughters. This angered Starkad so much that he enlisted at the Swedish king Halfdan's (Haldanus) court instead. As Ingellus continued his sinful life and did not do his duty to avenge his father, Starkad appeared during a banquet that Ingellus had with the sons of Swerting, his father's slayer. Starkad strongly admonished Ingellus and humiliated his queen who tried to calm Starkad with kindness and her costly ribbon. Starkad succeeded in exciting Ingellus to kill Swerting's sons and to divorce his Saxon bride.
Historia Brittonum
The pedigree of king Aella of Deira given in Historia Brittonum includes the name "Sguerthing" as great-grandfather of the king, and this has been interpreted as a reference to the Swerting of Beowulf. The name does not appear in other versions of the royal pedigree and may represent an attempt by the author of Historia Brittonum to interpose this heroic character into the royal pedigree.
Notes: Although this is unlikely as this Sguerthing would most likely reside in England and is other pedigrees except for this one the name listed is Westorualcna (West Falcon).
Maybe the author had knowledge of the Siklings as the top of all pedigrees list Siggar/Sigegar as Aella of Deiras ancestor.A family clan listed as legendary kings of Gautland who feuded with the Volsung clan. As Swerting was a King of Gautland maybe his name was changed in this document because of that. Although it could all be just misinformation or an scribal error.
Another note to make if Aella's ancestors were Geatish/Swedish is this could explain his good relationship with Redwald of East Anglia as it has been suggested his ancestors were Geatish/Swedish also.
Notes on Swerting
Swerting is known through Beowulf to be a King of the Geats. Hrethel was either his nephew, stepson or his grandson. As the meaning of "Higelac Geata, nefa Swertinges" is 'nephew, grandson or stepson' of Swerting. Since it is doubtful a stepson would inherit, he was most likely a nephew or grandson.
In different sources, he is mentioned as the killer of Fróði, now while it is suggested in two sources(Skjöldunga saga and Bjarkarímur) that this Fróði was father of Halfdan this is unlikely as Hrolf Kraki and Róar/Hrothgar would not accept Beowulf/Bödvar Bjarki so welcomingly if Swerting was Halfdans killer. This does shed some light on the relationship of the Hrothgar family and Hrethel family relationship as Swerting slayed the Hrothgars fathers killer. Beowulf as Swertings kin would have been welcomed with open arms. Another point to make is that if Ingellus did kill Swerting's sons, he would have also killed Beowulf's kin, which would render this whole ordeal a huge blood feud between different families.