Grendel

In Anglo-Saxon myth, Grendel was a fearsome monster (described as a descendant of the Biblical Cain) who had been attacking the Heorot (the mead hall of the legendary Danish king Hrothgar), killing and eating anyone he finds there. At Hrothgar's request, the Geat hero Beowulf travelled from Geatland to find and destroy Grendel. Beowulf mortally wounded Grendel by ripping off his arm, as a result of which Grendel died in his cave under the swamp. Beowulf then killed Grendel's mother, unearthed Grendel's corpse and removed the head to keep as a trophy.