Department of English Philology

Anastasija Vaitkeviciute

Motifs of Hall and Feasting in the Exeter Book Riddles

Between 970 and 980 A.D. Library of Exeter Cathedral

Suffered severe damage94 riddles leftPossibly 100 riddles originally

Iron helmet with bronze decorations Anglo-Saxon, 7th century ADSutton Hoo, England

Sword Anglo-Saxon, 7th century ADSutton Hoo, England

Londesborough Brooch Ireland, 8th- 9th century AD

Physical splendor

Purse lid Anglo-Saxon, 7th century ADSutton Hoo, England

Buckle from sword belt Anglo-Saxon, 7th century ADSutton Hoo, England

Shield (reconstruction) Anglo-Saxon, 7th century ADSutton Hoo, England

Hanging bowl Medieval Celtic,6th-7th century ADSutton Hoo, England

Drinking

Drinking cupAnglo-Saxon, 7th century ADSutton Hoo, England

Silver bowls and spoons Anglo-Saxon, 7th century ADSutton Hoo, England

Lyre (reconstruction) Anglo-Saxon, 7th century ADSutton Hoo, England

Music

Presence of Women

Shoulder clasps Anglo-Saxon, 7th century ADSutton Hoo, England

Triple dress pin set Anglo-Saxon, 8th century ADRiver Witham at Fiskerton, England

Gold brooch hoop Early Medieval, 7th century AD

Probably from Wales

The Strickland Brooch Anglo-Saxon, 9th century AD

Reconstructed hall

Reconstructed hall in the film Beowulf and Grendel

Reconstructed hall in the film Beowulf and Grendel

Ic eom wynnstaþol winsum, hwær weras wlonce

Scir wered of wunderfatum wingedrincað.

Beorhtiaþ bencsweg in beorsele wlitig,

Hwilum dryncfæt glæd mid golde duguð deorað,

Hwilum maðþumfæt gefylleð mægð beaghroden,

Ond æþelumedo segþ eadignes of agyfe æðele

On fagne flor. Min giedd fæger galaneð

Fram gomenwudu goldhroden , gærsum fæted.

, d , mec nemnað, swylce , s , ond , l, [M], [S], [L]

, y , fullesteð , b , ond , e , [Y], [B], [E]

Nu me þisses gieddes ondsware ywe,

Swa þa siex stafas sweotule becnaþ.

I am a place of joy delightful, where proud men

Drink bright sweet drink from wonderous vessels

Music rings out from the bench in beautiful meadhall,

While kinsmen praise a drinking cup glad with gold.

Sometimes ring-adorned queen fills a precious cup

And mead sings happiness of pleasant reward

On the patterned floor. My riddle is pleasant.

It comes from joy-wood, a plaited gift,

Adorned with gold. My name is spelled

With S, A, and F - also an E, and a T –

If you can with courage grasp this riddle,

Say what these five letters clearly spell.

Thank you