Exeter book riddle 60 according to the numbering of the anglosaxon poetic records is one of the old english riddles found in the later tenthcentury exeter book. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. 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. Publication date 1910 topics riddles, english old publisher boston ginn collection robarts. Unesco lists exeter book among worlds principal cultural. The translations are mine, so that the clunky literalism is preserved. 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.
Jan 31, 2018 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. It might not be as immediately obvious for a modern. Mar 31, 2016 peter thomas cathedral librarian gives a short introduction to ms 3501, more commonly known as the exeter book. 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. At the end of the exeter book, there are almost a hundred riddles or enigmata, a dozen or so which are considered to be sexual in nature. Jump to navigation jump to search riddle 20 riddles of the exeter book 1963 translated by paull franklin baum. The riddles in the exeter book were probably authored by multiple people and are difficult to date.
Among the other texts in the exeter book, there are over ninety riddles. Niles has recently encouraged us to answer the exeter book riddles in their own old english, though sometimes latin tongue whenever possible. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Most of the editors have been shy about their double meanings. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book, 1963 online.
Exeter book riddles solutions anglosaxon narrative. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book wikisource, the. Exeter book riddle 83 according to the numbering of the anglosaxon poetic records is one of the old english riddles found in the later tenthcentury exeter book. It is one of the four major anglosaxon literature codices, along with the vercelli book, nowell codex and the c.
The riddles are of particular interest to students of old english poetry and anglosaxon culture, to archeologists, anthropologists, and folklorists. The new exeter book of riddles crossleyholland, kevin, sail, lawrence, drew, simon on. George phillip krapp and elliot van kirk dobbie, the exeter book. In the past ten years, the exeter books hitherto somewhat overlooked riddle 12 has become rather a cause celebre in the realm of old english poetic scholarship, thanks to the combination of its apparently sensational, and salacious, subject matter with critical issues of class, sex, and gender. Riddle 74 is a good test case for larger arguments because it is short and com. Feb 26, 2012 the obscene riddles obscene is a troublesome word for both legal and lay minds, but there is nothing uncertain about these few anglosaxon riddles which go under that name. Aug 03, 2016 the exeter book also contains ninetyfive riddles. It includes contributions from a hundred contemporary poets, among them alan brownjohn, gillian clarke, vicki feaver, michael longley, roger mcgough and kit wright. The following translations have been grouped according to subject. Among those who have sought to undo the gates of the treasurehouses of the exeter book riddles e. Riddle 23 is one of the rare riddles of the exeter book that gives its answer. The riddle is one of a number to include runes as clues. An intriguing riposte to the famous collection of anglosaxon riddles in the original exeter book.
Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book wikisource, the free. The original exeter book resides in you guessed it exeter castle in the united kingdom. Its interpretation has occasioned a range of scholarly investigations, but it is taken to mean oregoldmetal, with most commentators preferring precious metal or gold, and john d. Two historical riddles of the old english exeter book.
Tupper, for example, puts the matter delicately, saying of 74 below, that the solution is not the chief concern of the jest. Natural world in the exeter book riddles boydell and brewer. If were to do so with riddle 43, one half of the answer should correspond to the masculine noun hlaford i. There may have been an attempt to assemble 100 riddles in the exeter book like in some latin collections. 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.
Exeter book riddle 74 and the play of the text cambridge core. Exeter book, the largest extant collection of old english poetry. There has, therefore, been little debate about the solution. Frederick tupper, the riddles of the exeter book new york, 1911. Exeter book riddles solutions anglosaxon narrative poetry. 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. Riddle numbers are taken from muirs exeter anthology 1994, though i follow. Jun 22, 2016 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. If multiple possibilities are possible, ill give the best or most likely. 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.
At the same time, wiga, the word that precedes this challenge, may suggest a meta. The riddles depict master and craftsman and use the familiar human world as a point of orientation within a. The ninetyodd riddles in anglosaxon which have come down to us in a single manuscript are naturally a miscellaneous collection of varying merit. The riddles that were recorded in the exeter book were likely extremely common in anglosaxon society, as someone deemed them important enough to physically record them into this ornate production. She likens them to the charms, in particular, as well as to the wisdom debate or monologue, and she discusses these genres. 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.
Scholars believe that a number were composed in the the exeter book riddles. There is no list of upsidedown answers at the end of the exeter book where these riddles are found. Exeter book riddle 30 is one of the old english riddles found in the later tenth century exeter book. May 01, 2011 riddle 23 is one of the rare riddles of the exeter book that gives its answer. The bachelorwarrior of exeter book riddle 20 by tanke. Exeter book riddle 74 and the play of the text gist,8 gathering materials from various sources and making an effort to put like things together, but what these principles of likeness were is not altogether clear, nor were they necessarily followed consistently. The exeter book contains one of largest collection of old english literature and anglosaxon poetry written in the middle ages consisting of mainly poems, elegies and riddles. The document seen in this video is a facsimile copy of the original 10th century.
The exeter book is thought to have been written in the late 10th century, and is revered as the largest collection of old english poetry in existence. The riddle is usually solved as reed pen, although such pens were not in use in anglosaxon times, rather being roman technology. 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. Niles riddle 74 is one of a handful of old english riddles of the exeter book that have stubbornly resisted a solution. The natural world in the exeter book riddles on jstor. A hundred contemporary poets, among them alan brownjohn, gillian clarke, vicki feaver, michael longley, roger mcgough and kit wright. The book was donated to the library of exeter cathedral by leofric, the first bishop. The bookworm riddle can be found in the exeter book, one of the greatest literary treasures to survive from anglosaxon england. May 12, 2016 pause the video each time the screen fades to black to try to guess the answers to the riddles. Anglosaxon riddles are part of anglosaxon literature.
Riddle 43s commentary is once again by the terribly clever james paz, lecturer in early medieval english literature at the university of manchester i imagine that solving riddle 43 would have been fairly easy for most anglosaxon readers of the exeter book, especially if were to picture this riddling taking place in a monastic setting. Working with the anglosaxon riddles proved to be quite a challenge compared to some other old english text i have encounter throughout my course of study. 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. Two historical riddles of the old english exeter book by john donald hosler a thesis submitted to the graduate faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of master of arts major. Pause the video each time the screen fades to black to try to guess the answers to the riddles. Sep 07, 20 he had broken his leg, he told us, and needed to spend several months recuperating in hospital. While the poetry of the exeter book is mainly anonymous, some of the authors composing latin riddles are named. She likens them to the charms, in particular, as well as to the. Obscene is a troublesome word for both legal and lay minds, but there is nothing uncertain about these few anglosaxon riddles which go under that name. In many cases, answers are just provisional, and still the subject of some discussion.
Humanity is a dominant presence in the exeter book riddle collection. 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. Riddles and runes go together, at least in some of those found in the medieval codex known as the exeter book of old english poetry exeter. Often such observations have been made on the level of individual poems, as in the case of riddle 9, the cuckoo riddle, which marie nelson. Though some of the best have been translated in scattered places, and there is a prose lineforline translation in the e. Several of these poems and riddles can only be found in the exeter book. They are written in the style of anglosaxon poetry and range in. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book21 wikisource.
Shielded behind glass it will be a little hard to place ones pint of guinness on its covers once more. The exeter book riddles occupy a unique place in old english literary history. The riddles depict master and craftsman and use the familiar human world as a point of orientatio. Use the buttons on the right to navigate to each set of riddles. Poems found in the book of exeter include the wanderer and the wifes lament greenblatt and abrams. Exeter book riddles anglosaxon narrative poetry project.
Heres a fun party game for the meadhall that gives you a sense of anglosaxon hilarity. Exeter book riddles 1, 2, 3, 25, 44, 45, 47, 72 summary. The date of authorship of many of the riddles is unclear. Riddle 7 the exeter book anthony wilson september 7, 20 october 5, 2017 education. Reading runes in the exeter book riddles medieval studies. 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.
It is frequently shown using, shaping and binding the physical world in which it lives. In some very few instances, my idea of the solution differs from the generally accepted range. Exeter book riddles 1, 2, 3, 25, 44, 45, 47, 72 summary and. 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. The exeter book riddles in context the british library.
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. Riddle 12 is something of a peculiarity among its fellows and is consequently quite. This folded stainlesssteel triangular sculpture is the latest addition to exeter high street. In the manuscript the riddles appear in no particular order. The ninetysix anglosaxon riddles in the eleventhcentury exeter book are poems of great charm, zest, and subtlety. Here are ten things you should know about the exeter book.
Following these are a number of shorter religious verses intermingled with poems of. The riddles depict master and craftsman and use the familiar human world as a point of orientation within a vast, overwhelming cosmos. The new exeter book of riddles, compiled and edited by kevin crossleyholland and lawrence sail, is a lively and intriguing riposte to the famous collection of anglosaxon riddles in the original exeter book. Performed by jefferson reardon produced by timmie vitz. Exeter book riddle 74 and the play of the text john d. Here is a list of solutions for the exeter book riddles as numbered in the translation. The riddles are one of the most wellknown works in the exeter book, and they focus on an eclectic mix of themes. The exeter book was created by the first bishop of exeter in the eleventh century, when he collected poetry and riddles into a single tome. Ranging from natural phenomena such as icebergs and storms at sea to animal and bird life, from the christian concept of the creation to prosaic domestic objects such as a rake and a pair of bellows, and from weaponry to the peaceful pursuits of music and writing, they are. 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 which of you heroes is so sharpwitted.
The riddle was a major, prestigious literary genre in anglosaxon england, and riddles were written both in latin and old english verse. The most famous anglosaxon riddles are in old english and found in the tenthcentury exeter book, while the preeminent anglosaxon composer of latin riddles was the seventh to eighthcentury scholar. In addition, it is important to recognize when the author is playing with the reader as in riddles 74 and 75 versus taking a straightforward approach in riddles 39 and 33. It seems likely they were composed in the 700s when riddles were popular in english monasteries. The dark welsh as slaves and slave traders in exeter book riddles 52 and 72.