It is one of the four major anglosaxon literature codices, along with the vercelli book, nowell codex and the c. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book21 wikisource. While the answers to latin riddles were given by their titles the latin riddles being rhetorical word games rather than true enigmas, few of the old english riddles provide solutions. Exeter book riddles riddle numbers are taken from muirs exeter anthology 1994, though i follow williamson in considering the first three as parts of a single riddle riddle songs of the storm. The riddles in the exeter book were probably authored by multiple people and are difficult to date.
I am worthied by men, found widely, brought from the groves and from the hillsides. Jan 17, 2020 in continuing my discussion of cryptic information encoded in runes in the exeter book riddles, in which i argue runic literacy functions as a form of esotericism, i wish to expand the conversation by considering the variety of specialized information contained in a group of old english riddles featured in the collection riddles 710. Exeter book, or the codex exoniensis, is a 10th century book, or codex, that contains most of the surviving anglosaxon poetry. The husbands message project gutenberg selfpublishing.
Both of these blogs note how certain riddles contained in the exeter book exeter cathedral library. Riddle numbers are taken from muirs exeter anthology 1994, though i. Copied in the south of england towards the end of the tenth century, they appear to be a compilation of poetic riddles by. As the oldest extant collection of vernacular riddles in western europe, the ninetyfive old englishriddlesof the exeter book exeter, cathedral library, ms 3501 occupy a unique place within both the history of the genre and the literary heritage of anglosaxon england. For a full site on this dubious literary genre, a medieval organization called the kalamazoo riddle group has the exeter book s anglosaxon riddles. Reading the exeter book riddles as lifewriting the. Skip to main content accessibility help we use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites.
Use the buttons on the right to navigate to each set of riddles. Exeter book riddle 27 is one of the old english riddles found in the later tenth century exeter book. Ive numbered them first, second, third, and so on, for the sake of matching riddle to solution, but in the exeter book they have different numbers. Some of them have been dated as far back as the 7 th century. Excerpt from the riddles of the exeter book the preparation of this first separate edition of 27m riddles of tire exeter book, certainly the most difficult text in the field of anglosaxon, has been to me a. Exeter book riddle 74 and the play of the text john d.
The riddle or, as they are sometimes called by academics, enigmatica is a developed form in anglosaxon poetry, the most important collection of riddles being the exeter book. The exeter book, a late tenthcentury manuscript of early old english poetry, is an anthology of religious homiletic verse, elegiac poetry, and ninetyone lyric riddles. My worldly strength he stripped, then wet me, drowned me in water then drew me out, set me in sunshine, where soon i lost the hair i had. Riddle numbers are taken from muirs exeter anthology 1994, though i follow williamson in considering the first three as parts of a single riddle. In my my most recent blog, encoded references in the exeter book bird riddles, i discuss arcane references in the exeter book riddles and build on a previous piece, reading runes in the exeter book riddles, which explores the cryptic use of runes in this old english riddle collection. The exeter book, exeter cathedral library ms 3501, also known as the codex exoniensis, is a tenthcentury book or codex which is an anthology of anglosaxon poetry. I became a translator of anglosaxon riddles and kennings after falling in love with wulf and eadwacer, a stunning ancient poem from the exeter book. The text can be found online within the internet sacred text archive. The riddles are one of the most wellknown works in the exeter book, and they focus on an eclectic mix of themes.
Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Book details, anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book. The poems in the exeter book known as the old english elegies focus on loss, separation and the transience of earthly things. Riddle 27 anglosaxon poem is a translation of the original anglosaxon exeter book old english poetry by bertha rogers for able muse, volta issue v9. May 01, 2011 riddle 23 is one of the rare riddles of the exeter book that gives its answer. The exeter book, exeter cathedral library ms 3501, also known as the codex exoniensis, is a tenthcentury 1 book or codex which is an anthology of anglosaxon poetry. Exeter book riddle 24 according to the numbering of the anglosaxon poetic records is one of the old english riddles found in the later tenthcentury exeter book. Leofric, the first bishop of exeter, originally donated it to the library of exeter cathedral.
Jan 09, 20 nevertheless, in working with the old english text of the exeter book, i chose to pay close attention to the obscene riddles and how they differ from riddles with the same answer. Niles riddle 74 is one of a handful of old english riddles of the exeter book that have stubbornly resisted a solution. Mike bintley explores these poems, which include the wanderer and the wifes lament, and highlights the parallels between the elegies and the riddles in the exeter book. The exeter book riddles of the four surviving old english poetic codices, only the exeter book contains anglosaxon riddles, 95 in all. Exeter book riddles anglosaxon narrative poetry project. Exeter book, the largest extant collection of old english poetry. One of the worlds most irreplaceable books was used as a. Below, ive included some of the best anglosaxon riddles from the exeter book, followed by the most commonly proposed solutions. Oct 08, 2012 the riddle or, as they are sometimes called by academics, enigmatica is a developed form in anglosaxon poetry, the most important collection of riddles being the exeter book. Exeter book project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. They comprise a rich source of information for the study of anglosaxon concepts of life courses and life stages, but have yet to be treated as such despite current enthusiasm surrounding the study of historical life cycles. Shielded behind glass it will be a little hard to place ones pint of guinness on its covers once more. The lack of riddles in the beowulf, junius, or vercelli.
Thats right, folks, its the one youve been waiting for. We do not have the names of any of these poets, though there is no reason to doubt that some may have cunningly hidden their names in the text. While the poetry of the exeter book is mainly anonymous, some of the authors composing latin riddles are named. Edited with introduction, notes, and glossary, by frederick tupper by tupper, frederick, 18711950. This folded stainlesssteel triangular sculpture is the latest addition to exeter high street. Thp5 sexual riddles of the exef er book the exeter book contains six riddles with explicit sexual content. Aug 26, 2014 anglosaxon exeter book old english riddle 27 riddles solutions wendy hennequin. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article requires login. The old english riddles of the exeter book 9780807898093. The ninetyodd riddles in anglosaxon which have come down to us in a single manuscript are naturally a. The riddles are of particular interest to students of old english poetry and anglosaxon culture, to archeologists, anthropologists, and folklorists. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book, 1963 online. In addition to approximately 95 old english riddles from the exeter book, we have hundreds of latin poetic and prose enigmata by anglosaxon authors that survive in english and european manuscripts.
Whereas the subject matter of most of the extant verse derives from traditions of christian latinity and germanic legend, many of the riddles refer us to the social body of anglosaxon england. Perhaps it is plausible i am merely reading these double entendres into the text. If multiple possibilities are possible, ill give the best or most likely. Join britannicas publishing partner program and our community of experts to gain a global audience for your work. This may be the general character of anglosaxon humor, but fortunately its not the height. Here are ten things you should know about the exeter book. The 17 lines of riddle 60 do not contain the contradictions that are found in the other riddles of the exeter book which are seemingly meant to confound the reader. Jan 30, 2017 the old english riddles of the exeter book chapel hill. Though some of the best have been translated in scattered places, and there is a prose lineforline translation in the e. The exeter book, inscribed in the 10th century, is a rare treasure.
Im sure youll agree with me that nothing helps pass the time like some honesttogoodness smut and when the anglosaxon church was responsible for collating it, you know youre onto something special. The bachelorwarrior of exeter book riddle 20 by tanke. I will refer to these as bird riddles, by which i mean. Sep 07, 20 he had broken his leg, he told us, and needed to spend several months recuperating in hospital. Beyond tolkien using them in the hobbit, riddles in verse are an ancient literary game. As edited by krapp and dobbie in the anglosaxon poetic records series, riddle 27 runs.
The best anglosaxon riddles interesting literature. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The exeter book riddles in my anglosaxon literature recommendations blog post, i gave an overview of the exeter book riddles and included some of my favourites. Were you starting to worry that popular conceptions of the anglosaxons were all made up.
The old english riddles of the exeter book magdalena gracka, janmichael stube. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book27 wikisource, the free. This page collects some of the very best anglosaxon riddles and kennings. Here is a list of solutions for the exeter book riddles as numbered in the translation. The verse riddles of the tenthcentury exeter book, around ninety in number, have on occasion been recognized as tending toward a form of biography. I am worthied by men, found widely, brought from the groves and from the. Made by the artist michael fairfax, it has alternate wings with verses from the exeter riddles which date from the circa 960ad, exeter book, the earliest known example of anglo saxon poetry in existence. Anglosaxon exeter book old english riddle 27 riddles solutions wendy hennequin. Exeter book riddle 27 according to the numbering of the anglosaxon poetic records is one of the old english riddles found in the later tenthcentury exeter book. In continuing my discussion of cryptic information encoded in runes in the exeter book riddles, in which i argue runic literacy functions as a form of esotericism, i wish to expand the conversation by considering the variety of specialized information contained in a group of old english riddles featured in the collection riddles 710.
There is a link to my translations of the poem at the bottom of this page. Pages in category riddles the following 63 pages are in this category, out of 63 total. Aug 03, 2016 here are ten things you should know about the exeter book. Of course, this is not a carousing drinking party of early medieval boisterousness. Which of you heroes is so sharpwitted and so mindcrafty, who can speak. Exeter book riddles solutions anglosaxon narrative poetry. The damage to the manuscript offers several possible reconstructions of the riddles final lines. Housed in exeter cathedral since it was given to the institution by its first bishop, leofric, in the 11th century, the exeter book was written around 970. There may have been an attempt to assemble 100 riddles in the exeter book like in some latin collections. The book was donated to the library of exeter cathedral by leofric, the first bishop. Dec 06, 2019 in continuing my discussion of cryptic information encoded in runes in the exeter book riddles, in which i argue runic literacy functions as a form of esotericism, i wish to expand the conversation by considering the variety of specialized information contained in a group of old english riddles featured in the collection riddles 710. Exeter book riddles an open companion for british literature i. Mar 07, 2014 a selection of riddles from the exeter book riddles.
She likens them to the charms, in particular, as well as to the. Jump to navigation jump to search riddle 20 riddles of the exeter book 1963 translated by paull franklin baum. Riddle 27 by anglosaxon riddles translated by bertha rogers. Every time a work is analyzed or interpreted, we get a little closer to figuring it out simply by producing new ideas and applying different lenses. The riddle is one of a number to include runes as clues. The exeter book medieval studies oxford bibliographies.
Exeter book riddle 74 and the play of the text anglo. Only a few of the exeter book riddles have been examined extensively beyond the search for their solutions and their relationships to other. Exeter book riddles solutions anglosaxon narrative. Riddle 66 from the exeter book, read in the original old english. Encoded references in exeter book birdriddles medieval.
The exeter book is the source of 95 of the 96 old english riddles still known today. The exeter book, an important collection of anglosaxon poetry from the 10 th century, includes a fair number of them. In many cases, answers are just provisional, and still the subject of some discussion. The verse riddles of the tenthcentury exeter book, around ninety in. I am worthied by men, found widely, brought from the groves and from the hillsides, from the valleys and the peaks. Nov 07, 2015 monarchy usa version episode 1 the early kings host david starkey duration. Exeter book riddles 1, 2, 3, 25, 44, 45, 47, 72 summary. A selection of riddles from the exeter book riddles.
Obscene riddles of the exeter book everything english. We love documentaries as much as you do recommended for you. In some very few instances, my idea of the solution differs from the generally accepted range. The new exeter book of riddles crossleyholland, kevin, sail, lawrence, drew, simon on. It seems likely they were composed in the 700s when riddles were popular in english monasteries. This is the 26th riddle from the exeter book translation an enemy came, claiming my life. The lack of riddles in the beowulf, junius, or vercelli manuscripts makes the interpretation of the riddles in codex exoniensis a unique challenge. Exeter book riddle 74 and the play of the text volume 27 john d. In analyzing riddle 12, i am hoping to contribute meaningfully to our understanding of anglosaxon england as a whole, the riddles in the exeter book, and the ox riddle. Well, here comes the alcohol riddle and not the only one at that.
Exeter book riddle 74 and the play of the text anglosaxon. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book wikisource, the. Humanity is a dominant presence in the exeter book riddle collection. The exeter book riddles kevin crossleyholland isbn. The riddles depict master and craftsman and use the familiar human world as a point of orientatio. With all this time now on his hands he decided he would translate these anglosaxon riddles, known as the exeter book, and given to exeter cathedral library by bishop leofric in 1072. The language of the anglosaxon riddles is often difficult, and even those who are fairly familiar with old english cannot read them readily. The consensus of opinion is that these riddles use the language of double entendre. Jul 04, 2008 buy the exeter book riddles revised ed. Dec 11, 20 anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book 27. There is much to be gained from interpreting the tenthcentury exeter book riddles as a characteristically biographical group of texts.
Natural world in the exeter book riddles boydell and brewer. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book27 wikisource, the. Only four collections of old english verse exist, out of which the exeter book is the largest and most impressive. Unesco lists exeter book among worlds principal cultural. In analyzing riddle 12, i am hoping to contribute meaningfully to our understanding of anglosaxon england as a whole, the riddles in the exeter book, and the ox riddle itself. The elegies of the exeter book the british library. Two historical riddles of the old english exeter book. The original exeter book resides in you guessed it exeter castle in the united kingdom. The exeter book riddles in context the british library.
Jump to navigation jump to search riddle 26 riddles of the exeter book 1963. The obscene riddles encompass an area of study littered with double meanings throughout the text. The exeter book riddles occupy a unique place in old english literary history. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book27 wikisource.
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