Exeter Book: Difference between revisions
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The '''Exeter Book''' is a collection of [[Anglo-Saxon Poetry]], including a number of [[riddles]]. The earliest history of the book remains obscure, but we do know that it was bequeathed to the library of Exeter Cathedral by Leofric, Exeter's first [[Bishop]], in 1072. The [[manuscript]] itself has been [[paleography|paleographically]] dated to the [[10th Century]], though it is thought to have been copied from a collection compiled as early as the [[8th Century]]. The manuscript has taken a battering over the years, having been scarred by cuts, mug stains and in some places fire, which have rendered portions unreadable. |
The '''Exeter Book''' is a collection of [[Anglo-Saxon Poetry]], including a number of [[riddles]]. The earliest history of the book remains obscure, but we do know that it was bequeathed to the [[library]] of Exeter [[Cathedral]] by Leofric, Exeter's first [[Bishop]], in 1072. The [[manuscript]] itself has been [[paleography|paleographically]] dated to the [[10th Century]], though it is thought to have been copied from a collection compiled as early as the [[8th Century]]. The manuscript has taken a battering over the years, having been scarred by cuts, mug stains and in some places [[fire]], which have rendered portions unreadable. |
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==The Riddles== |
==The Riddles== |
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There are 95 riddles contained in The Exeter Book, although some of these are incomplete, and others are yet to be solved. |
There are 95 riddles contained in The Exeter Book, although some of these are incomplete, and others are yet to be solved. |
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Although there are several riddles translated directly from popular versions in [[Latin]], the riddles seem to be mainly of [[Anglo-Saxon]] origin. They can be divided into three classes of riddles: Religious, Obscene ([[Exeter Riddle 25]]) and Mundane. The obscene riddles seem to describe something distasteful, but are in fact innocent. The mundane riddles may describe natural, domestic or military objects. |
Although there are several riddles translated directly from popular versions in [[Latin]], the riddles seem to be mainly of [[Anglo-Saxon]] origin. They can be divided into three classes of riddles: [[Religious]] ([[Exeter Riddle 26]]), Obscene ([[Exeter Riddle 25]]) and Mundane. The obscene riddles seem to describe something distasteful, but are in fact innocent. The mundane riddles may describe natural ([[Exeter Riddle 9]]), domestic ([[Exeter Riddle 34]]) or [[military]] ([[Exeter Riddle 5]]) objects. |
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* [[Exeter Riddle 5]] |
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* [[Exeter Riddle 9]] |
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* [[Exeter Riddle 25]] |
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* [[Exeter Riddle 26]] |
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* [[Exeter Riddle 34]] |
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* [[Exeter Riddle 37]] |
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==Other Poems== |
==Other Poems== |
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The first poems of the Exeter Book tend to be longer religious ones, while later poems tend to be shorter, and cover both religious and [[secular]] themes. Notable poems include ''The Phoenix'', ''Deor'' and ''The Ruin''. |
The first poems of the Exeter Book tend to be longer religious ones, while later poems tend to be shorter, and cover both religious and [[secular]] themes. Notable poems include ''The [[Phoenix]]'', ''Deor'' and ''The Ruin''. |
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Latest revision as of 11:51, 22 September 2008
The Exeter Book is a collection of Anglo-Saxon Poetry, including a number of riddles. The earliest history of the book remains obscure, but we do know that it was bequeathed to the library of Exeter Cathedral by Leofric, Exeter's first Bishop, in 1072. The manuscript itself has been paleographically dated to the 10th Century, though it is thought to have been copied from a collection compiled as early as the 8th Century. The manuscript has taken a battering over the years, having been scarred by cuts, mug stains and in some places fire, which have rendered portions unreadable.
The Riddles
There are 95 riddles contained in The Exeter Book, although some of these are incomplete, and others are yet to be solved.
Although there are several riddles translated directly from popular versions in Latin, the riddles seem to be mainly of Anglo-Saxon origin. They can be divided into three classes of riddles: Religious (Exeter Riddle 26), Obscene (Exeter Riddle 25) and Mundane. The obscene riddles seem to describe something distasteful, but are in fact innocent. The mundane riddles may describe natural (Exeter Riddle 9), domestic (Exeter Riddle 34) or military (Exeter Riddle 5) objects.
Other Poems
The first poems of the Exeter Book tend to be longer religious ones, while later poems tend to be shorter, and cover both religious and secular themes. Notable poems include The Phoenix, Deor and The Ruin.
