What is Herot in Beowulf?

Beowulf comes to Herot1 ("palace" for King Hroðgar2), to rid it of a creature (Grendel) that attacks every night. Herot ("Hall of the Hart") is the name of the mead hall, or common gathering place for the Danish people. It functions both as a seat of government and as a residence for the king's warriors(thanes). The hall would be a place of fraternity, celebrating, taking oaths and praising one's king. If the hall were joyous, all people associated with the hall were joyous. If the hall were plagued, the hall and all people of the hall's principality were plagued. Herot was such a hall in Beowulf. 67.185.123.158 02:50, 26 Feb 2008 (UTC)

1.) Beowulf, lines 74-79, spelled Heorot

2.) Beowulf, lines 59-63 introduction of