Pace

English 12CP

Anglo-Saxon Riddles

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Little of Anglo-Saxon literature survived the destruction of the Vikings and the
burning of the monasteries by Henry the VIII. One work that did survive was the
Exeter Book, a tenth century manuscript that includes several Old English works. In
this are several riddles. These riddles were probably told to pass the time in mead
halls across Britain. Riddles were a form of entertainment. See if you can figure out
what the scops (or poets) were describing.

Riddle 11

My garb is ashen and in my garments

bright jewels, garnet-coloured, gleam.
I mislead muddlers, despatch the thoughtless
on fool's errands, and thwart cautious men
in their useful journeys. I can't think
why, addled and led astray, robbed
of their senses, men praise my ways
to everyone. Woe betide addicts
when they bring the dearest of hoards on high
unless they've foregone their foolish habits.
What am I? _________________________________

Riddle 7

Silent is my dress when I step across the earth,

reside in my house, or ruffle the waters.
Sometimes my adornments and this high windy air
lift me over the living of men,
the power of the clouds carries me far
over all people. My white pinions
resound very loudly, ring with a melody,
sing out clearly, when I sleep not on
the soil or settle on grey waters - a travelling spirit.
What am I? _________________________________

Riddle 32

This world is adorned in diverse ways,

decorated with rare ornaments.
I saw a strange contraption, a fine traveler,
grind against the grit and move, screaming.
The strange creature couldn't see; it had
no shoulders, arms or hands; this oddity
has to move on one foot, travel fast
over the salt-fields. IT had many ribs,
and a mouth in its middle, useful to men.
It carries food in plenty, performs a service,
each yeat it yields men a gift used
by rich and poor. Tell me if you can,
O man of wise words, what this creature is.
What am I? _________________________________

Riddle 33

A strange creature came floating over the waves,

she cried her beauty from ship to shore,
resounded loudly; her laughter was terrible
and fearsome to all; her edges were sharp.
She was so fierce - slow to engage,
savage in the fight; she stove in ship's sides.
She bound them with a baleful charm,
and spoke with native cunning:
'My mother, one of the beloved maidens,
is my daughter also, swollen and strong,
known by all people as she falls on the earth,
she stands in joy in every land.'
What am I? _________________________________

Riddle 23

Wob is my name, if you work it out;

I'm a fair creature fashioned for battle.
When I bend, and shoot a deadly shaft
from my stomach, I'm very eager
to send that evil as far away as I can.
When my lord (he thought up this torment)
releases my limbs, I become longer
and, bent upon slaughter, spit out
that deadly poison I swallowed before.
No man's parted easily from the object
I describe; if what flies from my stomach
strikes him, he pays for its poison
with his strength - speedy atonement for his life.
I'll serve no master when unstrung, only when
I'm cunningly notched. Now guess my name.
What am I? _________________________________