Two historical riddles of the old english exeter book iowa state. Southern is a literal translation, meaning perhaps a skilled workman as opposed to the cruder man from northern districts. Yet the poems, drawn as they were from an earlier tradition, predate the exeter book perhaps by centuries. Riddle numbers are taken from muirs exeter anthology 1994, though i follow williamson in considering the first three as parts of a single. 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. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book wikisource, the. Niles riddle 74 is one of a handful of old english riddles of the exeter book that have stubbornly resisted a solution. Exeter book project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. This is a riddle from the year old exeter book manuscript in exeter cathedral in devonshire. This is a translation of the 96 anglosaxon poems from the 11thcentury exeter book. Edited with introduction, notes, and glossary, by frederick tupper by tupper, frederick, 18711950. The riddler pokes fun at the pedantic worm, transformed into wordwolf or midnight marauder, who devours the substance without the spirit. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book79 wikisource. The original exeter book resides in you guessed it exeter castle in the united kingdom.
Although scholars once believed them to be the work of one eighthcentury poet, cynewulf, the variety of styles, subject matter, and levels of. In fact, the oxford english dictionary does not even acknowledge the term. Thp5 sexual riddles of the exef er book the exeter book contains six riddles with explicit sexual content. Perhaps it is plausible i am merely reading these double entendres into the text. Use the buttons on the right to navigate to each set of riddles. Ranging from natural phenomena to animal and bird life, from the christian concept of creation to prosaic domestic objects, the riddles are full of sharp observation and earthy humour. There is much to be gained from interpreting the tenthcentury exeter book riddles as a characteristically biographical group of texts. Riddle hero play and poetry in the exeter book riddles eric.
The language of the anglosaxon riddles is often difficult, and even those who are fairly familiar with old english cannot read them readily. The riddles survive through the exeter book, a manuscript dating back to the year, left to exeter cathedral by its first bishop, leofric. 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. 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 book was donated to the library of exeter cathedral by leofric, the first bishop. Krapp and dobbies edition treats the first line as riddle 79 and the remainder of the poem as riddle 80. It is one of the four major anglosaxon literature codices, along with the vercelli book, nowell codex and the c. 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 old english riddles of the exeter book magdalena gracka, janmichael stube. Full text of the riddles of the exeter book internet archive. In the sixteenth century the enigmas were translated into greek by joachim camerarius ca. Exeter book riddle 74 and the play of the text john d. Reading the exeter book riddles as lifewriting the. The consensus of opinion is that these riddles use the language of double entendre.
Unlike the exeter book riddles, the anglosaxon enigmata are presented in. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book, 1963 online. Exeter book riddles solutions anglosaxon narrative. Wondrous creatures in the exeter book riddles jstor. 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. Read the fulltext online edition of anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book 1963.
The verse riddles of the tenthcentury exeter book, around ninety in number, have. Though some of the best have been translated in scattered places, and there is a prose lineforline translation in the e. 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. The exeter book is on display at exeter cathedral library and archives, and it is available for visitors to see on select days throughout the year, check exeter cathedrals website for viewing dates.
An unsolved riddle ic waes faemne geong, faexhar cwene, ond aenlic rinc on ane tid. 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. D clothes make no sound when i tread ground or dwell in dwellings or disturb the flow. Obscene riddles of the exeter book everything english. Anglosaxon riddles are part of anglosaxon literature. 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. The riddle was a major, prestigious literary genre in anglosaxon england, and riddles were written both in latin and old english verse. Exeter book riddle 47 according to the numbering of the anglosaxon poetic records is one of the most famous of the old english riddles found in the later tenthcentury exeter book. Shielded behind glass it will be a little hard to place ones pint of guinness on its covers once more.
Click on the links below to travel to each riddle s translation and commentary. The riddles in the exeter book were probably authored by multiple people and are difficult to date. The ninetysix anglosaxon riddles in the eleventhcentury exeter book are poems of great charm, zest, and subtlety. The exeter books riddles were never published with the answers. In many cases, answers are just provisional, and still the subject of some discussion. Below are links to texts of the riddles accompanied by translations. The riddle is one of a number to include runes as clues. This is one of the 95 riddles found in the exeter book exeter, cathedral library ms 3501, a book of old english poetry which was given to exeter cathedral by bishop leofric in the eleventh century and has remained there ever since. 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. Exeter book riddle 8 in old english anglosaxon youtube. Originals and analogues xxix in editions of lactantius. Thus, the answers in this book are not necessarily what the anglosaxons intended, but just accepted answers. Jump to navigation jump to search riddle 19 riddles of the exeter book 1963 translated by paull franklin baum. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book 1963 translated by paull franklin baum index of solutions 1190584 anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book paull franklin baum 1963.
In the exeter book is preserved a collection of some ninety riddles in alliterative verse. This riddle is from the exeter book, circa 960990 a. These questions date back to the 10th century and have been chosen from the 96 riddles in the exeter book, a tome kept safe in exeter cathedral. 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. Anglosaxonexeter bookold englishriddle 79riddle 80riddlessolutions. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter booknumbering of the translations and the krappdobbie edition.
Exeter book riddles anglosaxon narrative poetry project. Kevin crossleyholland has also published a complete translation of the riddles in his book. A selection of riddles from the exeter book riddles. The author discusses the exeter book riddles, some of the earliest poems in english. There has, therefore, been little debate about the solution. Craig williamson well known among teachers and scholars of old english for his translation of the exeter book of riddles, a feast of creatures, first published. Jump to navigation jump to search riddles riddle 79 riddles of the exeter book 1963. Riddle 1 translation and commentary riddle 2 translation and commentary riddle 3 translation and commentary riddle 4 translation and commentary riddle 5 translation and commentary riddle 6 translation and commentary riddle 7 translation and commentary riddle 8 translation and commentary riddle 9. 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. The four strange beings, if you were wondering, are a pen and the three fingers which hold it. These riddles are descriptions or characterizations of objects, from which the object itself, which is not named, must be guessed. This work is licensed under a creative commons attributionsharealike 3.
Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book80 wikisource. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book 1963 translated by paull franklin baum. It seems likely they were composed in the 700s when riddles were popular in english monasteries. Exeter book riddles 1, 2, 3, 25, 44, 45, 47, 72 summary. Old english riddles, translations and commentaries. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book20 wikisource. Some of the riddles are translated from latin, such as the leiden riddle. And depending on who in the scholarly world you talk to, the numbers of riddles, and the translation of those riddles. And depending on who in the scholarly world you talk to, the numbers of riddles, and the translation of those riddles is quite different. Here is a list of solutions for the exeter book riddles as numbered in the translation. The riddle is usually solved as reed pen, although such pens were not in use in anglosaxon times, rather being roman technology. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter booknumbering of the. If multiple possibilities are possible, ill give the best or most likely. Leo spitzer, charade, philological quarterly 23 1944.
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