These eight riddles, simplified by rosalind kerven, come from an ancient manuscript known as the exeter book, written in the old anglo saxon language more than 1,000 years ago. Jul 31, 2017 a couple of months ago, i mentioned that i had translated some riddles from the anglo saxon exeter book in order to publicise the anglian strand of the york festival of ideas. A couple of months ago, i mentioned that i had translated some riddles from the anglosaxon exeter book in order to publicise the anglian strand of the york festival of ideas. The riddle was a major, prestigious literary genre in anglosaxon england, and riddles were written both in latin and old english verse. The first stage of this part of the angosaxonriddles provides the anglosaxon texts of all the riddles in the exeter book, accompanied by translations, as those appear in craig williamsons two important books. This is an uncurated book entry from our extended bookshelves, readable online now but without a stable link here. Read the fulltext online edition of anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book 1963. The riddle was a major, prestigious literary genre in anglo saxon england, and riddles were written both in latin and old english verse. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book wikisource, the. Among those who have sought to undo the gates of the treasurehouses of the exeter book riddles e.
Eight anglosaxon riddles free primary ks2 teaching. This activity requires students to try to provide answers for eight anglosaxon riddles along with the thought process they used to arrive at the answer. In fact, to get started, i read some of these riddles with my students. Exeter book riddles solutions anglosaxon narrative. Tolkien was an expert on the language and poetry of anglo saxon. As i was going to st ives, i met a man with seven wives. Riddle hero play and poetry in the exeter book riddles eric. 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. Exeter book riddle 9 in old english anglosaxon youtube. The book contains 96 riddles as well as many other poems. Anglosaxon riddles 2017 festival, the university of york. Two dumb creatures make him grow bright between them. This is a translation of the 96 anglosaxon poems from the 11thcentury exeter book. Eight anglosaxon riddles free primary ks2 teaching resource.
Use the buttons on the right to navigate to each set of riddles. They were written in both old english and latin, and the content can be religious, scholarly, comical or obscene. Among the collections of riddles we have are those made by aldhelm d. Commentary for riddle 43 the riddle ages an anglosaxon. The ninetyodd riddles in anglosaxon which have come down to us in a single manuscript are naturally a. It was probably written during the first half of the eight century.
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. Robinson remark, scholars have suggested answersbut none satisfies all the conditions set forth in the poem. After studying beowulf, seniors in my classes are assigned an outside project consisting of writing a riddle. If multiple possibilities are possible, ill give the best or most likely. Old english lyric preserved in the exeter book, one of the few surviving love lyrics from the anglosaxon period.
Here you will meet a oneeyed garlic seller, a bookworm, an iceberg, an oyster, the sun and moon and a host of others from the everyday life and imagination of the anglo saxons. There is some disorder in the manuscript, the gatherings indicating the loss of a whole folio, which contained the conclusion of this riddle and perhaps other riddles. Not only do we have a good time, students learn and get to hear what constitutes an appropriate riddle. The best anglosaxon riddles interesting literature. The paper investigates the parallels between the old english wisdom poetry and a group of riddles contained in the exeter book. Exeter book riddles anglosaxon narrative poetry project. The old english riddles of the exeter book magdalena gracka, janmichael stube. 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. This box is known as the franks casket after the curator who bought it for the british museum in the ad 1800s. Shielded behind glass it will be a little hard to place ones pint of guinness on its covers once more. 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 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.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. This is a very famous manuscript which has many of the best anglosaxon poems in it. Teaching history with 100 objects an anglosaxon carved box. The original exeter book resides in you guessed it exeter castle in the united kingdom. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book, 1963 online. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book 1963 translated by paull franklin baum 1190586 anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book paull franklin baum 1963 index of solutions. Anglosaxon riddles for use with beowulf by britlitwit tpt. In many cases, answers are just provisional, and still the subject of some discussion. It is believed originally to have contained 1 leaves, of which the first 8. Exeter book riddles 1, 2, 3, 25, 44, 45, 47, 72 summary.
Here is a list of solutions for the exeter book riddles as numbered in the translation. Below, ive included some of the best anglosaxon riddles from the exeter book, followed by the most commonly proposed solutions. These eight riddles come from an ancient manuscript known as the exeter book, written in the old anglo saxon language more than 1,000 years ago. Theyre an amusing game for children and adults, a connection to history, and a. The most famous anglosaxon riddles are in old english and found in the tenth century exeter book, while the pre. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. It is one of the four major anglosaxon literature codices, along with the vercelli book, nowell codex and the c. This may be the general character of anglo saxon humor, but fortunately its not the height. Look for editions of this book at your library, or elsewhere. Feb 26, 2012 anglo saxon riddles of the exeter book 1963 translated by paull franklin baum 1190586 anglo saxon riddles of the exeter book paull franklin baum 1963 index of solutions. Students are free to model their riddles after the anglo saxon riddles that are preserved in the exeter book. Here are ten things you should know about the exeter book.
Riddle numbers are taken from muirs exeter anthology 1994, though i follow williamson in considering the first three as parts of a single riddle. Audens poem the wanderer is inspired by the poem the wanderer found in the exeter book. The ninetysix anglosaxon riddles in the eleventhcentury exeter book are poems of great charm, zest, and subtlety. The main text of this volume contains kevin crossleyhollands newlyrevised. These eight riddles come from an ancient manuscript known as the exeter book, written in the old. Italy, contain nearly all that is left of anglosaxon poetry. The love of wordplay extended to riddles, and close to one hundred riddles of the anglo saxon period have been recorded in the exeter book, a manuscript written about 975, and still kept at exeter cathedral library. Although we ended up selecting three riddles for the festival, i translated ten in total, and produced five finished translations, which are below. Riddle 43s commentary is once again by the terribly clever james paz, lecturer in early medieval english literature at the university of manchester. 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. Several of these poems and riddles can only be found in the exeter book. Jump to navigation jump to search riddle 46 riddles of the exeter book 1963 translated by paull franklin baum.
Many a fearful fight have i seen, when hope there was none, or help in the thick of it. During the middle ages, scandinavians prided themselves on their intelligence and wit. They often battled one another with riddle contests. The riddles are of particular interest to students of old english poetry and anglosaxon culture, to archeologists, anthropologists, and folklorists. These eight riddles come from an ancient manuscript known as the exeter book, written in the old anglosaxon language more than 1,000 years ago. Eight anglosaxon riddles the anglosaxons loved to play guessing. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter bookindex of solutions. Gashed by the iron, gored by the point of it, sick of battlework, battered and scarred. Anglosaxon riddlesongs middle ages williamson, craig on.
Heres a fun party game for the meadhall that gives you a sense of anglosaxon hilarity. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book51 wikisource. This is a translation of the 96 anglo saxon poems from the 11thcentury exeter book. The main text of this volume contains kevin crossleyhollands newly revised. At the end of the exeter book, there are almost a hundred riddles or enigmata. The most famous anglosaxon riddles are in old english and found in the tenthcentury exeter book, while the pre. There are about 95 riddles included in exeter book the number sometimes changes when translators group multiple riddles into one.
The anglosaxons loved to play guessing games with riddles. 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. The two dumb creatures in the second line are two sticks rubbed together to make a flame or two stones struck. The elements of anglosaxon wisdom poetry in the exeter.
You should not bookmark this page, but you can request that we add this book to our curated collection, which has stable links. Exeter book riddle 5 in old english anglosaxon youtube. The bookworm riddle can be found in the exeter book, one of the greatest literary treasures to survive from anglosaxon england. One of his works was the enigmata, which contained 100 riddles written in latin verse. Sep 01, 2016 the language of the anglo saxon riddles is often difficult, and even those who are fairly familiar with old english cannot read them readily. The anglosaxon riddles contained in the exeter book were probably written in the early eighth century. The old english riddles of the exeter book chapel hill. Use these anglosaxons teaching resources for ks2 students with our wide range of materials exploring the facts of the anglosaxons from 449 ad until 1066, the battle of hastings. Edited with introduction, notes, and glossary, by frederick tupper by tupper, frederick, 18711950. It is remarkable for its ingenious form and for its emotive power. Tolkien was an expert on the language and poetry of anglosaxon. Anglosaxon riddles are part of anglosaxon literature. The best anglosaxon riddles and kennings kenning definition, history and examples riddle definition, history and examples this page collects some of the very best anglosaxon riddles and kennings.
The more famous riddles, though, come from the exeter book. Riddles were popular in the middle ages it was a tool to teach language, and a way to entertain friends. In some very few instances, my idea of the solution differs from the generally accepted range. Tolkiens riddlepoems in the hobbit, there is an important scene in which bilbo baggins plays the riddlegame with gollum in the orc passages of the misty mountains. There is no list of upsidedown answers at the end of the exeter book where these riddles are found. The exeter book riddles in context the british library. Aug 17, 2015 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.
Sep 10, 2010 verse indeterminate saxon ic eom anhaga iserne wund, bille gebennad, beadoweorca s. Exeter book riddle 74 and the play of the text anglo. The book was donated to the library of exeter cathedral by leofric, the first bishop of exeter, in 1072. Students are free to model their riddles after the anglosaxon riddles that are preserved in the exeter book. The riddles are of particular interest to students of old english poetry and anglo saxon culture, to archeologists, anthropologists, and folklorists. Craig williamson recasts nearly one hundred old english riddles of the exeter book into a modern verse mode that yokes the cadences of aelfric with. And every wife upon her back, had seven cats in a cloth sack. Although the riddle form in general as well as the anglosaxon riddles in particular can he identified with broadly understood didactic functions, several of the exeter riddles appear to be especially interested in the nature of wisdom and in the. The ninetysix anglosaxon riddles in the eleventhcentury exeter book are poems. Exeter book riddles solutions anglosaxon narrative poetry. In the tenthcentury old english manuscript known as the exeter book, after nearly. These eight riddles, simplified by rosalind kerven, come from an ancient manuscript known as the exeter book, written in the old anglosaxon language more than 1,000 years ago pdf 900 kb.
The two dumb creatures in the second line are two sticks rubbed together to make a flame or two stones struck together to make a spark. Riddles are a quirky part of the anglosaxon literature which survives to us today. The michael morpurgo version of the anglosaxon classic beowulf is a popular choice for upper ks2 or for more confident readers. What more appropriate image to illustrate the sexual nature of some anglosaxon riddles.
Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book47 wikisource. I became a translator of anglo saxon riddles and kennings after falling in love with wulf and eadwacer, a stunning ancient poem from the exeter. Jul 04, 2008 the ninetysix anglo saxon riddles in the eleventhcentury exeter book are poems of great charm, zest, and subtlety. The translations are mine, so that the clunky literalism is preserved. The first stage of this part of the angosaxonriddles provides the anglo saxon texts of all the riddles in the exeter book, accompanied by translations, as those appear in craig williamsons two important books.
Publication date 1910 topics riddles, english old publisher boston ginn collection robarts. The elements of anglosaxon wisdom poetry in the exeter book. Riddle 74 is one of a handful of old english riddles of the exeter book that have stubbornly resisted a solution. There is a rich history you can teach with the support of our fantastic worksheets, powerpoint presentations, ebooks and display packs. Anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book wikisource, the free. Morpurgo draws on the style of the original text, using rich, alliterative language but mixes it with modern themes as he retells the story of beowulfs epic quest to destroy the monstrous grendel. There is a rich history you can teach with the support of our fantastic worksheets.
The language of the anglosaxon riddles is often difficult, and even those who are fairly familiar with old english cannot read them readily. What are some of the themes of the riddles in the exeter book. Made in northumbria, it shows scenes from anglosaxon myths, from the story of christ and from roman history and legend. The casket can be used to explore the diversity of traditions within anglosaxon art and culture and to introduce aspects of anglosaxon literature and language.
The best anglo saxon riddles and kennings kenning definition, history and examples riddle definition, history and examples this page collects some of the very best anglo saxon riddles and kennings. Some of them have been dated as far back as the 7 th century. One of his works was the enigmata, which contained 100 riddles. The love of wordplay extended to riddles, and close to one hundred riddles of the anglosaxon period have been recorded in the exeter book, a manuscript written about 975, and still kept at exeter cathedral library. Exeter book riddle 74 and the play of the text anglosaxon. This is a book full of ingenious characters who speak their names in riddles. I became a translator of anglosaxon riddles and kennings after falling in love with wulf and eadwacer, a stunning ancient poem from the exeter.
The most famous anglo saxon riddles are in old english and found in the tenthcentury exeter book, while the preeminent anglo saxon composer of latin riddles was the seventh to eighthcentury scholar aldhelm. Sep 03, 2009 eight anglo saxon riddles the anglo saxons loved to play guessing games with riddles. Book details, anglosaxon riddles of the exeter book. His most recent book for children is bracelet of bones, in which a viking girl.
Eight anglosaxon riddles primary ks2 teaching resource. Aug 03, 2016 here are ten things you should know about the exeter book. Riddles make us look at the world around us in different ways, and, as is the nature of riddles, have a hidden meaning. John porters sparkling translations retain all the vigour and subtly of the original old english poems, transporting us back over a thousand years to the roots of our language and literature.