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LA TROSE v RSITY
THE
THRESHOLD OF ANGLO-SAXON
PUBLISHED BY THE SYNDICS OF THE CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
Bentley House, 200 Euston Road, London, N.W.i American Branch: 32 East 57th Street, New York 22, N.Y.
First Edition 1926 Reprinted 1929
Second Edition 1935 Reprinted 1939
1958
Printed in Great Britain at the University Press, Cambridge
(Brooke Crutchley, University Printer)
THE
THRESHOLD OF ANGLO-SAXON
BY
A. J. WYATT
CAMBRIDGE AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS
1958
sua TO
R. W. CHAMBERS
MAGISTER DISCIPULO
DISCIPULUS MAGISTRO
L A TROBE u-;]V£RsnrY U:?^ARY
i
P R E F A C E
E L E M E N T A R Y 'readers' in all languages are wont to be dull, and those in Anglo-Saxon the dullest of all;
the editors, of w h o m I a m one, have chosen the wrong material for a beginner. Some people maintain that Anglo-Saxon is dull from beginning to end. W e have lately heard, ex cathedra, that "unfortunately there is
little Old English prose that can be regarded as sufficiently interesting to hold the attention of any but the most earnest worker." If that be so, I hope I have been fortunate enough to find that little, and I hope also to find the earnest worker. But I suspect that the taste
of that critic is "spiced." The simple narratives of Moses and the Prodigal Son are almost as moving in Anglo-Saxon as they are in Tyndale's version. And the m a n who is not stirred by the graphic stories of the struggle between E d m u n d Ironside and Cnut and of the
rebellion of Godwin and his sons is presumably prejudiced against his native language.
M y set purpose in this little book is to avoid dullness and difficulty: to show that it is possible to bring some of the most interesting passages in Anglo-Saxon prose and poetry within the range of the beginner, by means of a normalised text, copious notes, and a simple glossary. I have relied mainly on The Chronicle and
Beowulf; and I have been surprised and delighted to find how, unless I am grievously in error, some of the thrilling narratives of The Chronicle, hitherto kept from the beginner by the corruptness of the late forms, and
vi PREFACE
the story of Beowulf, comprised in carefully selected extracts welded together by an interspersed summary,
have lent themselves to this aim. All I ask is for a fair examination and trial at the hands of those who have hitherto regarded Anglo-Saxon as too difficult or too dull. I want the reader to "romp through" this book
as Keats did through The Faery Queen. The glossary is the work of m y former pupil, Miss
E. C. Latham of Sittingbourne. I have worked through the text with the glossary, and through the glossary
with the text; but in the main it is her work; and I a m
greatly indebted to her for the ability and ardour she
has brought to the task. Dr R. W . Chambers has kindly allowed m e to dedicate
this libellus to him. I a m painfully conscious how unworthy it is of his fine scholarship. But it m a y be m y
last, and thus it had to be offered as a humble tribute to a friendship of which it is difficult for m e to speak.
A lonely student in a great university, for many years now with but few friends at hand interested in m y particular studies—Chambers has never failed to send me a word of encouragement and cheer when I most needed it. One of these is too good to be lost; modesty must let others enjoy it: " M e > m Reader licatS leng swa wel, leofa Wyatt." I have no more ardent wish than that the same happy fate may befall this book.
ALFRED J. WYATT
CAMBRIDGE,
January, 1926
CONTENTS GRAMMAR •
I. PROSE
I. The Bible .
2. The Story of Apollonius
3. A Conversation
4. The Chronicle
5. Laws
6. A Charter .
7. Leechdoms .
8. A Charm
II. POETRY
9. Gnomic Verses
10. Beowulf
11. The Seafarer
12. The Later Genesis
13. Judith
14. A Riddle
Glossary
Persons and Places
page ix
TEXT
I
. 3
. 6
• 9
. 29
• 3i
• 3i
• 32
• 33
. 35
• 59
. 60
. 62
• 65
. 91
. 123
NOTES
67
68
69
70
80
80
81
81
81
82
89
89
89
90
GRAMMAR No rapid and sure progress is possible in an inflected
language without some knowledge of the grammar; the indispensable minimum is contained in the following pages:
Nom. Ace. Gen. Dot.
N. Ace. Gen. Dat.
MASC.
stan, stone
stan
stanes
stane
stanas
stana stanum
PARADIGMS
STRONG NOUNS
NEUT.
Singular
(short) (long) scip, ship word, word
scip word
scipes wordes
scipe worde
Plural
scipu word scipa worda scipum wordum
WEAK NOUNS
FEM.
(short) giefu, gift
giefe
giefe
giefe
giefa, -e
giefa giefum
(long) lar, lore
lare
lare
lare
lara, -e
lara
larum
MASC. NEUT.
Singular
FEM.
Nom, Ace. Gen. Dat.
N. Ace. Gen.
Dat.
guma, man guman gum an guman
guman gumena gumma
eage, eye
eage
eagan eagan
Plural
eagan
eagena eagum
heorte, heart heortan
heortan
heortan
heortan
heortena
heortum
X GRAMMAR
I.
MASC.
(short) Nom. til, good Ace. tilne Gen. Dai.
Instr.
N. Aec. tile v
Gen.
Dat.
ADJECTIVES
STRONG FORM
NEUT
Singular
(long)
god, good til godne til tiles godes tilum godum tile gode
gode
Plural
tilu
tilra tilum
g6d god
gad
godra godum
tilu tile tilre tilre
tila,
FEM.
god gode godre godre
-e goda, -e
II. W E A K FORM (after demonstratives)
MASC. NEUT. FEM.
Nom. Ace.
Gen. Dat.
Nom.
Ace. Gen.
Dat.
goda godan
Sing.
ic me min
me
Singular
gode gode
godan godan
PRONOUNS It j n
Dual
wit unc nncer nnc
gode godan i
Plural
we us
Ore tis
Plural
godan
godra godum
GRAMMAR xi
PRONOUNS (continued)
"Thou"
Nom. Ace. Gen. Dat.
Nom. Ace. Gen. Dat,
Nom. Ace. Gen. Dal. Instr.
Sing. Su Se Sin Se
"He"
he hine
Dual
git inc incer inc
"It"
Singular
hit hit
bis him
MASC.
se Sone
Saes Ssem
Sy
"She"
heo hie hiere hiere
"The," "that"
NEUT.
Singular
Saet Sat
FEM.
seo Sa Sasre Ssere
Plural
ge eow eower eow
i
1
1
"They"
Plural
hie
hiera him
Plural
Sa
Sara S*m
"This'
Nom. Aec. Gen. Dat. Instr.
Singular
Ses Sis Sisne Sis
Sis(s)es Sis(s)um Sys
Seos Sas Sisse Sisse
i Plural
Sas
Sissa Bis(s)um
xii GRAMMAR
PRONOUNS (continued)
'Who?" "What?1
MASC. NEUT. Singular
Nom. Ace. Gen. Dat. Instr.
Sing. i. 2.
3 Plur.
Sing. Plur.
Class I. II. Ilia. III6. IV. V. VI.
hwa hwone
hwaes hwjem
hwy
VERBS
I. STRONG
PRESENT
helpe, help hilpst hilpS
helpaS
helpe helpen
Indicative
Subjunctive
Imperative help (sg.), helpaS (pi.)
Infinitive helpan, dat. to helpanne
helpende Participles
Principal Parts of Strong
Infin. scinan, shine creopan, creep helpan, help drincan, drink beran, bear tredan, tread faran, fare
3rd Past Sing. Sing. scinS scan criepS creap hilpS healp drincS drone birS bser tritt traed faerS for
hwaet hwaet
PAST
healp
hulpe healp
hulpon
hulpe hulpen
geholpen
Verbs Past PI.
scinon crupon hulpon druncon baron trsedon
foron
Past Part.
scinen cropen holpen druncen
boren
treden faren
Sing. i.
2.
3-Plur.
Sing.
Plur.
Sing. i.
2.
3-Plur.
Sing.
Plur.
Sing.
Plur.
GRAMMAR
VERBS (continued)
II. W E A K
(I) -an Verb
P R E S E N T Indicative
deme, judge
dem(e)st
dem(e)S
demaS
P R E S E N T Subjunctive
deme
demen
P A S T Indicative
demde
demdest
demde
demdon
P A S T Subjunctive
demde
demden
Imperative
dem
demaS
(2) -tan Verb
locie, look
locast
locaS
lociaS
locie
locien
locode
locodest
locode
locodon
locode
locoden
loca
lociaS
xni
Infinitive
deman locian
Participles
:. demende
1 gedemed
lociende
geldcod
xiv GRAMMAR
VERBS (continued)
III. "To be"
PRESENT
Indicative
Imperative wes, wesaS beo, beoS
Infinitive wesan beon
PAST
Sing.
Plur.
Sing. Plur.
i.
2.
3-
eorn eart is sind(on)
sie sien
beo bist biS beoS
Subjunctive
beo beon
waes ware waes wasron
ware waren
wesende Participles
beonde wanting
THE THRESHOLD OF ANGLO-SAXON
I. THE BIBLE
i. THE FINDING OF MOSES
(Exodus ii, i-io.)
I iEfter f>isum for an esne of Levies hiwnedene ond
nam wif on his agenum cynne.
2 Seo geeacnode ond cende sunu; ond J?a heo geseah J?aet he faeger waes, |?a hydde heo hine ]?ri monSas.
3 pa heo J>a hine bedlglian ne mihte, ]?a nam heo anne 5
riscenne windel on scipwisan gesceapenne, ond smirode
hine mid tyrwan ond mid pice, ond lede f>aet cild J?8eron,
ond asette hyne on anum hreodbedde be J»aes flodes ofre.
4 Ond his swustor stod feorran, ond beheold hu ]?aet f>ing gewurde. 10
5 pa. eode Pharaones dohtor ond wolde hi J?wean set
J?am wsetere, and hyre masdenu eodon be J733S wasteres
ofre. pa. heo geseah J>one windel on J?am riscum, J>a sende
heo ane hire J?inena ]?ider ond het hyne feccan.
6 pa heo ]?one windel undyde ond J?aet cild ]7seron 15
geseah wepende, J?a gemiltsode heo him, ond cwaeS: "pis ys of J?33ra Ebrea cildum."
7 Pa cwaaS J?aes cildes swustor: " Wilt ]?u J?aet ic ga ond
chpie pe Ebreisc wif, pset ]?is cild fedan masge?"
8 pa. andswarode heo ond cwaeS: "Ga." pa eode p&t 20
mseden ond clypode J?aas cildes modor.
9 Ond Pharaones dohtor cwaeS to hire: "Underfoh J?is cild ond fed hit me, ond ic sylle )?e J>ine mede." paet
wif underfeng }>one cnapan, ond bine fedde ond sealde
Pharaones dehter. 25
W T
2 THE PRODIGAL SON
10 Ond heo hine lufode ond haefde for sunu hyre, ond nemde his naman Moises, ond cwaeS: "Forpampe ic hine of wsstere genam."
2. THE PRODIGAL SON
(St Luke xv, 11-24.)
11 SoSlice sum man haefde twegen suna.
30 12 pa cwaeS se gingra to his faeder: "Faeder, syle m e minne diel minre sehte, pe m e to gebyrep." pa dselde he
him his sehte. 13 D a aefter feawum dagum ealle his ping gegaderode
se gingra sunu, ond ferde wraecHce on feorlen rice, ond
35 forspilde pser his sehta, lybbende on his gaelsan.
14 D a he hi haefde ealle amyrrede, pa wearS mycel hungor on pam rice, ond he wearS wsedla.
15 pa. ferde he ond folgode anum burhsittendan men
pses rices; 3a sende he hine to his tune paet he heolde his 40 swin.
16 D a gewilnode he his wambe gefyllan of pam
beancoddum pe Sa swin aaton; ond him man ne sealde.
17 pa. bepohte he hine ond cwaeS: "Eala, hu fela hyrhnga on mines faeder huse hlai genohne habbaS, ond
45 ic her on hungre forweorSe.
18 Ic arise, ond ic fare to rrhnum faeder, ond ic secge him:'Eala, faeder, ic syngode on heofenas ond beforanpe;
19 nu ic neom wyrSe paet ic beo pin sunu nemned, do
m e swa anne of pinum hyrlingum.'" 50 20 Ond he aras pa. ond com to his faeder. Ond pa gyt
pa he waes feorr, his faeder he hyne geseah, ond wearS mid
mildheortnesse astyrod, ond ongean hine arn, ond hine beclypte ond cyste hine.
T H E STORY OF APOLLONIUS OF T Y R E 3
21 Da cwaeS his sunu: "Faeder, ic syngode on heofon ond beforan Se; nu ic ne eom wyrpe paet ic pin sunu beo 55 genemned."
22 Da cwaep se faeder t5 his peowum: "BringaS raSe bone selestan gegyrelan ond scrydaS hyne; ond syllaS him hring on his hand ond gescy to his fotum;
23 ond bringaS an fsett styric ond ofsleaS; ond uton 60 etan ond gewistfullian;
24 forpampes min sunu waes dead, ond he geedcucode; he forwearS, ond he is gemet."
II. T H E STORY OF APOLLONIUS OF T Y R E
Apollonius, fleeing from King Antiochus, came to Cyrene, and there married the daughter of King Archistrates. He sailed back with his wife to claim his possessions; on the voyage she seemed to die in childbirth, and was buried at sea. In reality both mother and daughter lived; but all this part is missing in the Old English version. W e know, however, what happened from the Latin version, as well as from the Shakespearean play of Pericles, which follows the same story pretty closely. Our extract gives the conclusion: Apollonius has recovered his daughter, who is married; the wife and mother is priestess of Diana of Ephesus; and there they find her. Da waes hyre gecyd, pe Sair ealdor waes, paet pasr waare cumen sum cyng, mid his aSume ond mid his dehter, mid miclum gifum. Midpampe heo paet gehirde, heo hi silfe
mid cynelicum reafe gefraetwode, ond mid purpuran gescrydde, ond hire heafod mid golde ond mid gimmum 5
geglengde, ond, mid miclum fsemnena heape ymbtrymed, com togeanes pam cynge. Heo waes, soSlice, pearle wlitig, ond, for psere miclan lufe psere clslnnesse, hi ssedon ealle
i-a
4 THE STORY OF APOLLONIUS OF TYRE
paet pser naere nan Dianan swa gecweme swa heo. Mid-10 pampe Apollonius paet geseah, he mid his aSume ond mid
his dehter to hyre urnon, ond feollon ealle to hire fotum, ond wendon paet heo Diana wssre, seo gyden, for hyre
miclan beorhtnesse ond wlite. paet hahgern wearS Sa
geopenod, ond pa lac waeron in gebrohte. Ond Apollonius 15 ongan Sa sprecan ond cweSan: "Ic fram cildhade waes
Apollonius genemned, on Tyrum geboren. Midpampe ic becom to fullum andgite, pa naes nan craeft, Se waere fram
cyngum began oSSe fram aeSelum mannum, pe ic ne ciiSe.
.. .Pa wearS ic on sas forhden, ond com to Cyrenense; Sa 20 underfeng m e Arcestrates se cyng mid swa micelre lufe,
paet ic aet nyhstan geearnode, paet he geaf m e his acennedan dohtor to gemaeccan. Seo for Sa mid m e to onfonne
minum cynerice, ond pas mine dohtor, pe ic beforan Se, Diana, geandweard haebbe, acende on sse, ond hire gast
25 alet. Ic pa hi mid cynelican reafe gescrydde, ond mid golde ond gewrite on ciste alegde, paet se, pe hi funde, hi wurSlice bebyrigde; ond pas mine dohtor befseste pam
manfullestan mannum to fedanne. For m e pa to Egipta-lande feowertyne gear on heofe. D a ic ongean com, pa
30 ssedon hi m e paet min dohtor waere forSfaren, ond m e waes
min sar eal geedniwod." Midpampe he Sas ping eal areht haefde, Arcestrate
soSlice, his wif, up aras ond hine ymbclypte. D a nyste na Apollonius ne ne gelif de, paet heo his gemaecca wsere, ac
35 sceaf hi fram him. Heo Sa micelre stefne clipode, ond
cwaeS mid wope: "Ic eom Arcestrate, pin gemaecca,
Arcestrates dohtor, paes cynges, ond pu eart Apollonius, min lareow, pe m e lserdest. pu eart se forlidena man Se ic lufode, na for galnesse, ac for wisdome. Hwser is min
40 dohtor?" H e bewende hine pa to Thasian ond cwaeS:
THE STORY OF APOLLONIUS OF TYRE 5
"pis heo is "; ond hig weopon Sa ealle, ond eac blissodon. Ond paet word sprang geond eal paet land, paet Apollonius, se msera cyng, haefde funden his wif. Ond pier wearS ormsete bliss; ond pa organa wseron getogene, ond pa byman geblawene; ond pser wearS bliSe gebeorscipe ge- 45
gearwod betwux pam cynge ond pam folce. Ond heo gesette hyre gingran, pe hire folgode, t5 sacerde; ond, mid blisse ond heofe ealre psere maagSe on Efesum, heo for mid
hire were ond mid hire aSume ond mid hire dehter Apollonius for siSSan on scipe to Pentapolim, psere 50
Cyreniscan byrig.ond com to Arcestrates pam cynge; ond se cyng blissode on his ylde, paet he geseah his nefenan mid hire were. Hi wunodon togaedere an gear fullice; ond se cyning siSSan, Arcestrates, fulfremedre ylde forSferde
betwux him eallum, ond becwaeS healf his rice Apollonio, 55 healf his dehter.
Disum eallum Sus gedSnum, eode Apollonius, se maera cyng, wiS Sa sse; pa geseah he pone ealdan fiscere, pe hine aer nacodne underfeng. pa het se cyng hine faarlice gelaec-can ond to Ssere cynelican healle gelsedan. DaSa se fiscere 60
paet geseah, paet hine pa cempan woldon niman, pa wende he aerest, paet hine m a n scolde ofslean. Ac, midpampe he
com into Saes cynges healle, pa het se cyning hine laMan toforan psere cwene, ond pus cwaeS: " Eala pu eadige cwen, pis is min tacenbora, pe m e nacodne underfeng, ond m e 65 getsehte paet ic t5 pe becom." D a beseah Apollonius se
cyng to Sam fiscere ond cwaeS: "Eala welwillenda ealda, ic eom Apollonius se Tyrisca, pam pu sealdest healfne
pinne wsefels." H i m geaf Sa se cyng twa hund gildenra peninga, ond haefde hine to geferan pa hwile pe he hfde.... 7c Ond he sylfa welwillendlice lifde mid his gemaeccan
seofon ond hundseofontig geara, ond heold paet cynerice
6 A CONVERSATION
on Antiochia ond on Tyrum ond on Cyrenense; ond he lifode on stilnesse ond on bhsse ealle pa tid his lifes aefter
75 his earfoSnesse. Ond twa bee he silf gesette be his fare; ond ane asette on Sam temple Diane, oSre on bibliotheca.
Her endaS ge wea ge wela Apollonius paes Tyriscan;
rsede se pe wille; ond, gif hi hwa raade, ic bidde paet he
pas awendednesse ne tsele, ac paet he hele swahwaetswa 8o pseron sy to tsele.
III. A C O N V E R S A T I O N
The Colloquium of Mlixic, abbot of Eynsham (1005 A.D.), is a dialogue intended as a manual of Latin conversation for his scholars. The English translation, of which parts are here given, is most probably not by jElfric himself. The Colloquy is noteworthy because it deals with familiar topics, and contains many words not often met with elsewhere in Old English literature.
...Magister (master). Sceaphyrde, haefst pu aanig gedeorf?
Opilio (shepherd). Gea, leof, ic haebbe; on foreweardne morgen ic drife sceap min to heora lsese, ond stande ofer
5 hig, on hsete ond on cyle, mid hundum, pelaes wulfas
forswelgen hig; ond ic agenlsede hig to heora locum, ond meolce hig twiwa on daeg; ond cyse ond buteran ic do; ond ic eom getrywe hlaforde minum.
M. Eala, oxanhyrde, hwaet wyrcst pu?
io Bubulcus (neatherd). Eala, hlaford min, micel ic
gedeorfe. Donne se yrpling unscenp pa oxan, ic lsede hig t5 lease, ond ealle niht ic stande ofer hig waciende for
peofum; ond eft on jernemergen ic betaece hig pam yrphnge, wel gefylde ond gewaeterode. >
A C O N V E R S A T I O N 7
M. Hwaet ssegst pu, fugelere? H u beswicst pii fugelas? 15 Auceps (fowler). On fela wisan ic beswice fugelas;
hwilum mid netum, hwilum mid grinum, hwilum mid lime, hwilum mid hwistlunge, hwilum mid hafoce,
hwilum mid treppan. M. Haefst pu hafoc? 20
A. Ic haebbe. M. Canst pu temian hig? A. Gea, ic cann. Hwaet sceoldon hig fremian me,
buton ic ciipe temian hig? Venator (hunter). Syle m e senne hafoc. 25 A. Ic sylle lustlice, gyf pu sylst me senne swyf tne hund.
Hwylcne hafoc wilt pu habban, hwaeper pone maran pe
pone lsessan? V. Syle m e pone maran. M. Hii afetst pii pine hafocas? 30 A. Hig f edap hig sylf e ond m e in wintra; ond on lencten
ic lsete hig aetwindan to wuda, ond genyme m e briddas on
haerfeste, ond temige hig. M. Ond forhwi forlsetst pii pa getemedan aetwindan
fram pe? 35 A. Forpam ic nelle fedan hig on sumera, forpampe hig
pearle etap. M. Manige fedap pa getemedan ofer sumor, paet eft
hig habben gearuwe. A. Gea, swa hig dop; ac ic nelle swa micel deorfan ofer 4°
hig, forpam ic cann opre, napaetan aenne, ac eac swilce
manige, gefon. M. Hwaet segst pii, baecere? H w a m fremep pin craeft,
oppe hwaeper we butan pe magon lif adreogan?
Pistor (baker). Ge magon purh sum faec butan minum 45 craefte lif adreogan, ac na lange, ne to wel; soplice butan
8 A C O N V E R S A T I O N
minum craefte selc beod semtig bip gesewen, ond buton hlafe selc mete to wlsettan bip gehwyrfed. Ic heortan
mannes gestrangie; ic maegen wera eom; ond furpon
50 lltlingas nellap forbigan me. M. Hwaet secgap we be coce, hwaeper we bepurfon his
on ffinigum craefte? Cocus (cook). Gif ge m e fit adrifap fram eowrum gefer-
scype, ge etap eowre wyrta grene, ond eowre flsescmettas
55 hreawe, ond ne furpon faett brop ge magon butan minum
craefte habban. M. W e ne reccap be pinum craefte, ne he us neodpearf
is, forpam we sylfe magon seopan pa ping pe t5 seopanne
synd ond brsedan pa ping pe to brsedanne synd. 60 C. Gif ge forpy m e fram adryfap, ponne beo ge ealle
prselas, ond nan eower ne bip hlaford; ond peahhwaepere
biiton minum craefte ge ne etap. M. Hwaet segst pu, wisa? hwilc craeft pe is gepiiht
betwux pas furpra wesan? 65 Consiliarius (counsellor). Ic secge pe, m e is gepuht
Godes peowdom betweoh pas craeftas ealdorscype healdan,
swaswa hit is geraed on godspelle: "Fyrmest seceaS rice Godes ond rihtwisnesse his, ond pas ping ealle beop
togeflite eow." 7° M. Ond hwilc pe is gepuht betwux woruldcraeftas
healdan ealdordom? C. Eorptilp, forpam se yrpling us ealle fett. Se smip segS: " Hwanon pam yrphnge sylan scear oppe
culter, pe na gade haefp buton of minum craefte? Hwanon 75 fiscere angel, oppe sceowyrhtan ael, oppe seamere nsedl?
Nis hit of minum geweorce? " Se gepeahtend andswarap: " Sop witodlice pu saegst; ac
eallum us leof re is wician mid psem yrplinge ponne mid pe,
THE CHRONICLE 9
forpam se yrpling sylS us hlaf ond drenc. pu, hwaet sylst pu us on smippan pinre, buton isene fyrspearcan, ond 80 sweginga beatendra slecgea ond blawendra belga?"
Se treowwyrhta segS: " Hwilc eower ne notap minum craefte, ponne hus ond mistlice fatu ond scipu eow eallum
ic wyrce?" Se smip andwyrt: " Eala, treowwyrhta, forhwi swa 85
spriest pu, ponne ne furpon an pyrel buton minum craefte
pu ne miht don?" Se gepeahtend saegp: " Eala, geferan ond gode wyrhtan,
uton toweorpan hwaetlicor pas geflitu, ond sy sibb ond gepwsernes betweoh us, ond fremige anra gehwyle oprum 90 on his craefte, ond geSwserien simble mid pam yrplinge, pser we bigleofan us, ond fodor urum horsum, habbap. Ond pis gepeaht ic sylle eallum wyrhtum, paet anra
gehwyle his craeft geornlice begange; forpam se pe craeft his forlset, he bip forlseten fram pam craefte. SwahwaeSer 95
pu sy, swa maessepreost, swa munuc, swa ceorl, swa cempa, bega oppe behwyrf pe sylfne on pisum, ond beo
paet pu eart; forpam micel hynS ond sceamu hit is menn nellan wesan paet paet he is ond paet pe he wesan sceal."
IV. T H E C H R O N I C L E
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is the greatest monument of Old English prose. The best parts have the twofold interest of historic fact and of graphic narrative. Sometimes, as in the story of Godwin, an undertone of patriotic indignation is clearly heard. The earliest annal is dated 60 B.C., the latest 1154 A.D. The Chronicle has come down to us in seven recensions,
the most important of which are those connected with Winchester (Parker MS.), Abingdon (known as C), Wor-
10 SOME EARLY ANNALS
cestershire (D), and Peterborough (E). The annals given below are from the Parker MS., except where one of the letters, C, D, E, is prefixed to the date.
i. S O M E E A R L Y A N N A L S
M R Cristes geflsescnesse lx wintra Gaius Iulius se
Casere serest Romana Bretenlond gesohte, ond Brettas
mid gefeohte cnysede, ond hie oferswipde, ond swapeah ne meahte pser rice gewinnan.
5 A N N O I. Octauianus ricsode lvi wintra, ond on pam
xlii geare his rices Crist waes acenned. 2. pa tungelwitgan of eastdasle cwomon toponpaet hie
Crist weorpeden, ond pa cild on Bethlem ofslaegene wserun for Cristes ehtnesse from Herode.
to 33. Her waes Crist ahangen, from fruman middan-
geardes ymb v pusendo wintra ond cc ond xxvi wintra.
34. Her waes Paulus gehwierf ed, ond sanctus Stephanus oftorfod.
47. Her Claudius 5per Romana cyninga Bretene lond
15 gesShte, ond pone msestan dsel paes ealondes on his gewald onfeng, ond eac swelce Orcadus pa ealond Romana cynedome underpeodde.
81. Her Titus feng to rice, sepe ssede paet he pone daeg
forlure, pe he n5ht to gode on ne gedyde.
20 189. Her Seuerus onfeng rice, ond ricsode xvii winter. Se Bretenlond mid dice begyrdde from saa op sas.
409. Her Gotan abraecon Romeburg, ond nsefre sippan Romane ne ricsodon on Bretene.
449. Her Martianus ond Ualentinus onfengon rice, ond 25 ricsodon vii winter. Ond on hiera dagum Hengest ond
Horsa, from Wyrtgeorne gelapode, Bretta kyninge,
gesohton Bretene on pam stape pe is genemned Ypwines-
fleot, serest Brettum t6 fultume, ac hie eft on hie fuhton.
SOME EARLY ANNALS n
473. Her Hengest ond Msc gefuhton wip Walas, ond genamon unarimedhco herereaf, ond pa Walas flugon pa 3° Englan swa fyr.
540. Her sunne apiestrode on xii Kal. Julii, ond steorran
hie eetiewdon ful neah healfe tid ofer undern. 565. Her Columba maessepreost com of Scottum on
Bryttas, Peohtas to lseranne, ond on Hii pam ealande 35
mynster worhte. 671. Her waes paet micle fugla wael. 734. Her waes se mona swelce he wsere mid blode
begoten. 761. Her waes se mycla winter. 40 773. Her opiewde read Cristes maal on heofenum aefter
sunnan setlgonge. Ond wunderlicu nsedran wasron gese-wene on Supseaxna londe.
787. Her nom Beorhtric cyning Off an dohtor Eadburge. Ond on his dagum cwomon serest hi scipu; ond pa se 45 gerefa pserto rad ond hie wolde drifan to paes cyninges tune, py he nyste hwaet hie wseron; ond hiene mon of slog:
paet waaron pa serestan scipu Deniscra monna pe Angel-cynnes lond gesohton.
835. Her cwom micel sciphere on Westwalas; ond hie 50 to anum gecierdon, ond wip Ecgbryht, Westseaxna
cyning, winnende waeron. pa he paet hierde, ond mid fierde ferde, ond him wip feaht aet Hengestdune, ond paer gefliemde ge pa Walas ge pa Deniscan.
851. Her haepne men serest ofer winter sseton. Ond py 55
ilcan geare cwom f eorSe healf hund scipa on Temesemupan; ond brsecon Contwaraburg ond Lundenburg, ond gefliem-
don Beorhtwulf Miercna cyning mid his fierde, ond foron
pa sup ofer Temese on Suprige. Ond him gefeaht wip
^Epelwulf cyning ond jEpelbald his sunu aet Aclea mid 60
12 ALFRED THE GREAT
Westseaxna fierde; ond pser paet mseste wael gesldgon on
hsepnum herige pe we secgan hierdon op pisne ondweardan
daeg, ond pser sige namon. 867. Her for se here of Eastenglum ofer Humbremiipan
65 to Eoforwicceastre on Norphymbre. Ond paer waes micel
unpwaernes psere peode betweox him selfum; ond hie
haefdun hiera cyning aworpenne Osbryht, ond ungecyndne cyning underfengon /Elian. Ond hie late on geare to pam
gecirdon, paet hie wip pone here winnende wseren; ond hie
70 peah micle fierd gegadrodon, ond pone here sohton aet Eoforwicceastre, ond on pa ceastre brsecon, ond hie sume
inne wurdon; ond pser was ungemetlic wael geslaegen Norpanhymbra, sume binnan, sume butan; ond pa
cyningas begen ofslaegene; ond sio laf wip pone here frip
75 nam.
2. ALFRED THE GREAT
878. Her hiene bestael se here on midne winter ofer
twelftan niht to Cippanhamme; ond geridon Wesseaxna lond ond gesaston, ond micel paes folces ofer sis adrsefdon; ond paes opres pone msestan dsel hie geridon, ond him
80 t5 gecirdon, buton pam cyninge Elfrede. Ond he lytle
werode uniepelice aefter wudum for, ond on morfaestenum. Ond paes ilcan wintra waes Inwaeres bropor ond Healf denes
on Westseaxum, on Defenascire, mid xxiii scipum; ond
hiene mon pser ofslog, ond dccc monna mid him ond xl 85 monna his heres. Ond paes on Eastron worhte JElired
cyning lytle werode geweorc aet pelingaige, ond of pam
geweorce waes winnende wip pone here, ond Sumorssetna se dsel se pser niehst waes.
pa on psere seofoSan wican ofer Eastron he gerad to
9o Ecgbryhtesstane beeastan Sealwudu; ond him to cSmp&r
EDWARD THE ELDER 13
ongean Sumors&ste ealle, ond Wilssetan, ond Harntunsclr
(se dsel se hiere bebinon sse waes); ond bis gefaegene wserun. Ond he for y m b ane niht of pam wicum to Tglea ond paes
y m b ane to Epandune; ond pser gefeaht wip ealnepone
here, ond hiene gefliemde, ond him aefter rad op paet 95
geweorc, ond paer saet xiiii niht. Ond pa sealde se here him
foregislas, ond micle apas paet hie of his rice woldon; ond
him eac geheton paet hiera kyning fulwihte onfon wolde;
ond hie paet gelseston swa. Ond paes y m b iii wican com
se cyning to him Godrum, pritiga sum para monna pe in 100
pam here weorposte wseron aet Aire (ond paet is wip
iEpelingaige). Ond his se cyning pser onfeng set fulwihte;
ond his crismlising was aet Wedmor; ond he was xii niht
mid pam cyninge; ond he hine miclum, ond his geferan,
mid feo weorSode. 105 882. Her for se here up onlong Msese feor on Fronclond,
ond paer saet an gear. Ond py ilcan geare for Alfred cyning
mid scipum fit on sse, ond gefeaht wip feower sciphlaestas Deniscra monna, ond para scipa tu genam; ond pa men
ofslaegene wseron pe Sseron wseron; ond twegen scip- n o
hlaestas him on hond eodon; ond pa waeron miclum for-
slaegene ond forwundode, aer hie on hond eodon.
901. Her gefor iElfred Apulfing, syx nihtum aer ealra
haligra maessan. Se waes cyning ofer eall Ongelcyn, butan
Ssem daele pe under Dena onwealde waes, ond he heold paet 115
rice oprum healfum lses pe xxx wintra. Ond pa feng
Eadweard his sunu to rice.
3. EDWARD THE ELDER
911. Her braec se here on NorShymbrum pone friS; ond
forsawon selc riht pe Eadweard cyng ond his witan him
budon, ond hergodon ofer Myrcna lond. Ond se cyng r2o
14 EDWARD THE ELDER
haefde gegadrod sum hund scipa, ond waes pa on Cent; ond pa scipu f5ron besuSaneast andlang sae togeanes him. pa wende se here paet his fultumes se msesta dael wsere on
paem scipum, ond paet hie mehten faran unbefohtene
125 pserpser hie wolden. pa geascade se cyng paet, paet hie fit on hergaS foron, pa sende he his fird segSerge of West-
seaxum ge of Myrcum; ond hie offoron Sone here hindan,
pa he hamweard waes; ond him pa wip gef uhton, ond pone here gefliemdon, ond his fela pusenda ofslogon; ond paer
13° waes Ecwils cyng ofslaegen. 912. Her gefor ESered, ealdormon on Myrcum; ond
Eadweard cyng feng to Lundenbyrg ond to Oxnaforda, ond t5 Seem landum eallum pe paerto hierdon.
918. Her on pysum geare com micel sciphere hider ofer
135 supan of Lidwiccum, ond twegen eorlas mid, Ohtor ond Hroald; ond foron west onbutan, paet hie gedydon innan Saefernemupan; ond hergodon on Norpwealas aeghwaer be pam sse, peer hie ponne onhagode; ond gefengon Cameleac
biscop on Ircingafelda, ond lseddon hine mid him to
140 scipum; ond pa aliesde Eadweard cyning hine eft mid xl pundum. pa aefter pam for se here eall up, ond wolde faran pagiet on hergap wiS Ircingafeldes; pa gemetton pa
men hie of Hereforda ond of Gleaweceastre ond of pam
niehstum burgum, ond him wiS gefuhton, ond hie ge-145 fliemdon; ond ofslogon pone eorl Hroald, ond paes opres
eorles bropor Ohteres, ond micel paes heres; ond bedrifon
hie on anne pearruc, ond besaeton hie paer utan, oS hie him sealdon gislas, paet hie of Eadweardes cyninges
anwalde afaran woldon. Ond se cyng haefde funden, paet
150 him mon saet wip, on suphealfe Saefernmupan, westan from Wealum east op Afenemupan, paet hie ne dorston paet land
nahwaer gesecan on pa healfe. pa bestselon hie hie peah
EDWARD THE ELDER 15
nihtes upp set sumum twam cierrum, set oprum cierre beeastan Wseced, ond aet oprum cierre aet Portlocan; pa
slog hie mon aet jegprum cierre, paet hira feawa onweg 155 comon, buton pa ane pe pser fit setswummon to pam scipum. Ond pa sseton hie fite on pam iglande aet Bradan ReUce, op pone first pe hie wurdon swipe metelease; ond
monige men hungre acwselon, forpon hie ne meahton nanne mete gersecan. 160
922. Her on Sysum gere, betweox gangdagum ond middum sumera, for Eadweard cyng mid firde to Stanf orda,
ond het gewyrcan Sa burg on suShealfe Ssere eas; ond Saet folc eal, Se to Ssere norperran byrig hierde, him beah t5; ond sohton hine him to hlaforde. Ond pa on psem setle 165 Se he peer saet, pa gefor pelflsed his sweostor set Tame-
worpige xii nihtum aer middum sumera. Ond pa gerad he pa burg aet Tameworpige, ond him cierde to eall se peod-scype on Myrcna lande pe Epelflsede aer underpeoded waes; ond pa cyningas on Norpwealum ond eall Norpweal-170
cyn hine sohton him to hlaforde. pa for he ponan to Snotingaham, ond gefor pa burg, ond het hie gebetan, ond gesettan segperge mid Enghscum mannum ge mid Deniscum. Ond him cierde eall paet folc to pe on Myrcna
lande geseten waes, segperge Denisc ge Englisc. 175 924. Ond hine geceas pa to faeder ond to hlaforde Scotta
cyning ond eall Scotta peod; ond ealle pa pe on Norp-hymbrum bugeap, segperge EngHsce ge Denisce ge Norp-men ge 5pre; ond eac Straecledweala cyning, ond ealle
Straecledwealas. !8o 925. Her Eadweard cing forpferde, ond Epelstan his
sunu feng to rice.
16 M A R T Y R D O M OF T H E ARCHBISHOP
4. T H E M A R T Y R D O M OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF
CANTERBURY
E. 1012. pa on pone Saeternesdaeg wearS swiSe astyred se here ongean pone biscop, forponpe he nolde him nan
185 feoh behatan ond forbead paet man nan ping wiS him syllan ne moste. Wseron hi eac swySe druncene, forpam
peer wses gebroht win suSan. Genamon pa pone biscop,
lseddon hine to heora hustinge on pone Sunnansefen octabas Paschae, ond hine pa peer oftorfodon mid banum
ego ond mid hrySera heafdum. Ond sloh hine pa an heora
mid anre eaxe yre on paet heafod, paet he mid pam dynte
niSer asah, ond his haiige blod on Sa eorSan feoll; ond his haligan sawle to Godes rice asende. Ond pa biscopas
EadnoS ond Elfhun ond seo burhwaru underfengon pone
195 haligan lichaman on mergen, ond feredon hine to Lundene mid ealre arwurSnesse; ond hine bebyrigdon on Sanctus Paulus mynstre.
5. CNUT, KING OF ENGLAND
E. 1014. Her on pissum geare Swegen geendode his
dagas to candelmaessan, iii N° Febr. Ond se flota eall 200 gecuron Cnut to cyninge. Da geraeddon pa witan ealle,
gehadode, gelaewede.paet man aefterpam cyninge ESelrede sende; ond cwsedon paet him naji leofre hlaford naere ponne
heora gecynda hlaford, gif he hi rihtlicor healdan wolde ponne he aer dyde. Da sende se cyng his sunu Eadweard
205 mid his aerendracum hider, ond het gretan ealne his
leodscipe, ond cwaeS: paet he heom hold hlaford beon wolde, ond selc piera pinga betan pe hi ealle ascunodon;
ond aelc psera pinga forgifen beon sceolde, pe him gedon oSSe gecweden wsere, wiSpampe hi ealle anraedhce buton
210 swicd5me to him gecyrdon. Ond man pa f ullne freondscipe
CNUT, KING OF ENGLAND 17
gefaestnode mid worde ond mid wsedde on segSere healf e; ond sefre aelcne Deniscne cyning utlah of Englalande gecwsedon. D a com ESelred cyning innan pam lenctene ham to his agenre Seode, ond he glaedlice fram heom
eallum onfangen waes. Ond pa, sySSon Swegen dead waes, 215 saet Cnut mid his here on Gegnesburh oS Sa Eastron. Ond gewearS him ond pam folce on Lindesige anes, paet hi hine horsian sceoldon, ond sySSan ealle aetgaedere faran ond hergian. D a com se cyning iESelred mid fulre fyrde pider, ser hi gearwe wseron, to Lindesige; ond man pa hergode 220 ond baernde ond sloh eall paet mancynn paet man araecan mihte. Se Cnut gewende him fit mid his flotan (ond wearS paet earme folc pus beswicen purh hine), ond wende pa suSweard oSpaet he com to Sandwic; ond let paer up pa gislas pe his faeder gesealde wseron, ond cearf of heora 225
handa ond heora nosa. Ond buton eallum pisum yfelum se cyning het gyldan pam here pe on Grenewic laeg xxi pusend punda. Ond on pissum geare on Sancte Michaeles maessesef en com paet mycele saeflod geond wide pisne eard, ond arn swa feor up swa nsefre aer ne dyde; ond adrencte 230
fela tuna ond manncynnes unarimedlic getael. E. 1016. Her on pissum geare com Cnut cyning mid his
here, clx scipa, ond Eadric ealdormann mid him, ofer Temese into Myrcan set Craeciiade; ond wendon pa to Waeringsclre innon psere middewintres tide, ond hergodon 235
ond baerndon ond slogon eall paet hi to c5mon. D a ongan se aeSeling Eadmund to gadrienne fyrde. pa seo fyrd
gesomnod waes, pa ne onhagode him, buton se cyng pser waere ond hi haefden psere burhware fultum of Lundene;
geswicon pa psere fyrdinge, ond ferde selc mann him ham. 240 Da aefter paere tide pa bead man eft fyrde be fullum wite,
paet selc mann pe fere wsere forS gewende; ond man sende
w 3
18 CNUT, KING OF ENGLAND
to pam cyninge to Lundene; ond bsedon bine paet he come
ongean pa fyrde mid pam fultume pe he gegaderian mihte.
245 Da hi ealle tosomne comon, pa ne beheoid hit naht pe ma pe hit oftor aer dyde. pa cydde man pam cyninge paet
hine man beswican wolde, pa pe him on fultume beon sceoldon; forlet Sa pa fyrde, ond cyrde him eft to Lundene.
D a rad se aepeKng Eadmund t5 NorShymbrum to Uhtrede 250 eorle; ond wende aelc mann paet hi woldon fyrde somnian
ongean Cnut cyng. pa ferdon hi into Staeffordscire ond into Scrobbesbyrig ond to Legaceastre; ond hergodon hi on heora healfe, ond Cnut on his; ond wende him pa fit
purh Buccingahamscire into Bedanfordscire, ond panon
255 to Huntandunscire, ond swa into Hamtfinscire, andlang fennes to Stanforda, ond Sa into Lincolnescire, panon to
Snotingahamscire, ond swa to NorShymbrum to Eoforwic
weard. D a Uhtred geaxode pis, Sa forlet he his hergunga ond efste norSweard; ond beah pa for nyde, ond ealle
260 NorShymbran mid him, ond he gislode; ond hine man
SeahhwaeSere ofsloh. Ond pa aefter pam se cyng Cnut
gesette Yric into NorShymbrum to eorle, eall swa Uhtred waes; ond sySSan wende him sfiSweard oSres weges, eall
bewestan. Ond com pa eall se here toforan pam Eastron
265 to scipum. Ond seaepeling Eadmund wende to Lundene to his faeder. Ond pa aefter Eastron wende se cyng Cnut mid eallum his scipum to Lundene weard.
D a gelamp hit paet se cyng jBSelred forSferde ser Sa
scipu comon; he geendode his dagas on Sanctus Georgius
270 maessedaege, aefter myclum geswince ond earfoSnissum his lifes. Ond pa aefter his ende ealle pa witan pe on Lundene
wseron ond seo burhwaru gecuron Eadmund to cynge; ond his rice he heardlice werode pa hwile pe his tima waes.
pa comon pa scipo to Grenawic to pam gangdagum; ond
CNUT, KING OF ENGLAND 19
binnon lytlum faece wendon to Lundene; ond dulfon pa 275 ane mycle die on Sa suShealfe, ond drogon heora scipu on westhealfe psere bryege; ond bedicodon sySSon pa burh uton, paet nan mann ne mihte ne inn ne fit; ond oftrsedlice on Sa burh fuhton, ac hi heom heardlice wiSstodon. pa waes Eadmund cyng ser pam gewend fit; ond gerad pa 280
Westseaxan, ond him beah eall folc to. Ond raSe aefter pam he gefeaht wiS pone here set Peonnan wiS Gillinga-ham. Ond oSer gefeoht he gefeaht aefter middansumera aet Sceorstane; ond paer mycel wael feoll on segSre healfe; ond pa heras him sylfe toeodon on Sam gefeohte. Ond 285 Eadric ealdorman waes pam here on fultume ongean Eadmund cyng. Ond pa gegaderode he priddan siSe fyrde, ond ferde to Lundene, ond pa burhware ahredde, ond
pone here aflymde to scipum. Ond pa waes y m b twa niht paet se cyning gewende ofer aet Brentforda; ond pa wiS 290 pone here gefeaht ond hine aflymde. Ond pser adranc mycel Englisces folces on heora agenre gymeleaste, pa Se ferdon beforan psere fyrde ond fang woldon fon. Ond se cyning wende aefter pam to Westseaxum, ond his fyrde
gesomnode. D a gewende se here sona to Lundene; ond 295 pa burh utone besseton, ond hire stranglice wiSfeaht ge be waetere ge be lande; ac se aelmihtiga God hi ahredde.
Se here gewende pa aefter pam fram Lundene mid heora scipum into Arwan; ond pser fip foron, ond ferdon on Myrcan, ond slogon ond baerndon swahwaetswa hi ofer- 300
foron, swa heora gewuna waes, ond heom metes tilodon. Ond hi drifon segSerge scipu ge heora draf a into Medewaege. Da gesomnode Eadmund cyng feorpan sipe ealle Engla
peode, ond ferde ofer Temese to Brentforda, ond ferde innan Cent; ond se here him fleah beforan mid hira 305
horsum into Sceapige ond se cyng ofsloh heora swa fela
2-2
CNUT, KING OF E N G L A N D
swa he offaran mihte. Ond Eadric ealdormann gewende pa Sone cyng ongean aet iEgelesforda: naes nan maxe
unrsed gersed ponne se waes. 310 Se here gewende eft up on Eastseaxan, ond ferde into
Myrcan; ond fordydon eall paet he oferferde. D a se cyng geaxode paet se here uppe waes, Sa gesomnode he fiftsin
siSe ealle Engla peode, ond ferde him aethindan, ond offerde hi innan Eastseaxum aet paere dune pe man hast
315 Assandfin; ond pser togaedere heardlice fengon. D a dyde Eadric ealdormann swa he of tor aer dyde: astealde pone
fleam sarest mid Magessetam, ond swa aswac his cynehia-
forde ond ealre peode. peer haefde Cnut sige; ond gefeaht
him eall Englaland. paer wearS ofslagen eall seo duguS
320 on Angelcynne. D a aefter pisum gefeohte wende Cnut cyning upp mid
his here t5 Gleawceasterscire. peer he gehyrde secgan
paet se cyning waes, Eadmund. D a gersedde Eadric ealdor
mann, ond pa witan pe Sair wseron, paet pa cyningas seht
325 namen heom betweonan. Ond pa cyningas comon togaedere aet Olanige; ond heora f reondscipe pser gef aestnodon
ge mid wedde ge mid aSe; ond paet gyld setton wiS pone
here. Ond hi tShwurfon pa mid pisum sehte; ond feng Eadmund cyng t5 Westseaxum ond Cnut to Myrceum.
330 Se here gewende pa to scipum mid pam pingum pe hi ge-
fangen haefdon. Ond Lundenewaru griSede wiS pone here, ond heom friS gebohton; ond se here gebrohton heora
scipu on Lundene, ond heom wintersetl pserinne namon.
D a t5 Sanctus Andreas maessan forSferde se cyng Ead-335 mund, ond is byrged mid bis ealdan faeder Eadgaxe on
Glaestingabyrig.
E. 1017. Her on pisum geare feng Cnut cyning to ealles
Angelcynnes rice. Ond on pisum geare waes Eadric
EDWARD THE CONFESSOR AND GODWIN 21
ealdormann ofslagen. Ond pa toforan kal. August! het se
cyng feccan him iESelredes lafe paes oSres cynges him to 34°
cwene, Ricardes dohtor.
E. 1018. On pisum geare waes paet gafol gelsest ofer eall
Angelcynn; paet waes ealles twa ond hundseofontigpusend
punda, buton pam pe seo burhwaru on Lundene guidon,
endlif te healf pusend punda. Ond se here ferde pa sum t5 345
Denemearcan; ond xl scipo belaf mid pam cyninge Cnute.
Ond Dene ond Engle wurdon sammsele aet Oxnaforda.
6. EDWARD THE CONFESSOR AND GODWIN
D. 1052 (= 1051). Her forSferde Elfric arcebisceop on
Eoferwic, swiSe arwyrSe wer ond wis. Ond on pam ylcan
geare alede Ead ward cyng past heregyld paet iEpelred cyng 350
aer astealde; paet waes on pam nigon ond prittigoSan geare
paespe he hit ongunnon haefde. paet gyld gedrehte ealle
Engla peode on swa langum fyrste swa hit bufan her
awriten is. paet waes aefre aetforan oSrum gyldum, pe man
mislice geald, ond men mid manigfealdlice drehte. 355
On pam ylcan geare com Eustatius up aet Dofran, se
haefde Eadwardes cynges sweostor to wife; ond gewende
to Sam cynge, ond spaec wiS hine paet paet he pa wolde,
ond gewende pa hamweard. pa he com t5 Cantwarabyrig
east, pa snsedde he paer ond his menn, ond t5 Dofran 360
gewende. D a he waes sume mila oSSe mare beheonan
Dofran, pa dyde he on his byrnan, ond his geferan ealle,
ond foron to Dofran. pa hi pider comon, pa woldon hi
innian hi paer heom sylfum gelicode. pa com an his manna
ond wolde wician aet anes bundan hfise his unSances; ond 365
gewundode pone hfisbundan; ond se husbfinda ofsloh pone
oSerne. D a wearS Eustatius uppon his horse, ond his
geferan uppon heora, ond ferdon t5 pam hfisbundan, ond
22 EDWARD THE CONFESSOR AND GODWIN
ofslSgon hine binnan his agnum heorSe; ond wendon him 370 pa up to psere burge weard, ond ofslogon, segSerge wiSin-
nan ge wiSutan, m a panne xx manna. Ond pa burhmen ofslogon xix menn on 6Sre healfe, ond gewundodon paet hi nyston hu fela. Ond Eustatius aetbaerst mid feawum
mannum, ond gewende ongean to pam cynge, ond cydde
375 be dsele hu hi gefaren haefdon. Ond wearS se cyng swipe gram wiS pa burhware. Ond ofsende se cyng Godwine
eorl, ond baed hine faran into Cent mid unfriSe to Dofran;
forpan Eustatius haefde gecydd pam cynge paet hit sceolde beon mara gylt psere burhware ponne his: ac hit naes na
380 swa. pa undernam Godwine eorl swySe paet on his eorl-dome sceolde swilc geweorSan; ongan pa gadrian folc ofer
eall his eorldom, ond Swegen eorl his sunu ofer his, ond
Harold his 63er sunu ofer his eorldom. Ond hi gegadere-don ealle on Gleawceasterscire aet Langatreo, mycel fyrd
385 ond unarimedlic, ealle gearwe to wige ongean pone cyng, buton man ageafe Eustatius, ond his men heom t5 hand
scufe, ond eac pa Frencyscan pe on pam castelle waeron. pis waes gedon vii nihtum aer psere laetran Sancta Maria
maessan. pa waes Eadward cyng on Gleawceastre sittende.
390 Sende pa aefter Leofrice eorle, ond norS aefter Siwaxde
eorle, ond baed heora genges. Ond hi him pa to comon serest mid medemum fultume; ac, siSSan hy wiston hu
hit paer besuSan waes, pa sendon hi norS ofer ealne heora eorldom, ond leton beodan mycele fyrde heora hlaforde
395 to helpe, ond Raulf eac ofer his eorldom; ond comon Sa
ealle to Gleawceastre pam cynge to helpe, peah hit laet waere. Wurdon pa ealle swa anrsede mid pam cynge paet
hy woldon Godwines fyrde gesecan, gif se cyng paet wolde. pa leton hy sume paet paet mycel unraed wsere, paet hy
400 togaedere comen, forpam paer wses mssst paet rotoste paet
E D W A R D T H E CONFESSOR A N D GODWIN 23
waes on Englalande on pam twam gefylcum; ond leton
paet hi firum feondum rymden to lande ond betwyx us sylfum to myclum forwyrde. Gerseddon papaet man sealde
gislas betweonan; ond setton stefna fit to Lundene. Ond man bead pa folce pider fit ofer ealne pisne norSende, on 4°5 Siwardes eorldome, ond on Leofrices, ond eac elles-
gehwser; ond sceolde Godwine eorl ond his suna pser cuman to wipermale. pa comon hy to Sfipgeweorce ond micel manegeo mid heom of Westseaxum; ac his wered wanode sefre pe leng pe swiSor. Ond man borhfaeste pam 410
kyninge ealle pa pegnas pe wseron Haroldes eorles, his suna; ond man utlagode pa Swegen eorl, his oSerne sunu. Pa ne onhagode him to cumenne to wiSermale ongean pone cyng ond ongean pone here pe him mid waes; for Sa
on niht aweg. Ond se cyng haefde paes on morgen witena- 415 gemot, ond cwaeS hine utlah, hine ond ealle his suna.
Ond he wende suS to pornege, ond his wif, ond Swegen his sunu, ond Tostig ond his wif, Baldwines mage aet Brycge, ond GyrS his sunu; ond Harold eorl ond Leofwine foron to Brycgstowe on paet scip pe Swegen eorl haefde 420
him silfum ser gegearcod ond gemetsod. Ond se cyning
sende Ealdredbisceop of Lundene midgenge; ondsceoldon hine ofridan aer he to scipe come; ac hi ne mihton, oSSe hi noldon. Ond he wende pa fit of AfenemuSan, ond feng
swa stiS weder paet he uneaSe aweg com, ond him pser 425 micel forferde; wende pa forS to Irlande, Sa him weder com. Ond Godwine ond pa pe mid him waeron wendon of
Dornege to Brycge, to Baldwines lande, on anum scipe
mid swa miclum gaersuman swa hi mihton paeron msest gelogian to eelcum mannum. paet wolde Syncan wundorlic 430
ffilcum men pe on Englalande waes, gif senig man ser pam ssede paet hit swa geweorpan sceolde; forSampe he waes ser
24 EDWARD THE CONFESSOR AND GODWIN
topam swySe upahafen, swylce he weolde paes cynges ond ealles Englalandes; ond his suna waeron eorlas ond paes
435 cynges dyrlingas; ond his dohtor pjem cynge beweddod ond besewnod: pa man gebrohte to Hwerwellan, ond hy
psere abbodessan betsehton. D a sona c5m Willelm eorl fram geondan sse mid myclum
werode Frenciscra manna; ond se cyning hine underfeng,
440 ond swa fela his geferena swa him to onhagode; ond let
hine eft ongean. C. 1052. Her com Harold eorl of Trlande mid scipum
on SaifernmuSan neahSumersaetnagemaerum ondDefene-
scire, ond pser mycel gehergode. Ond paet lstndfolc him 445 ongean gaderodon aegSerge of Sumerssetum ge of Defene-
scire; ond he hig aflymde, ond paer ofsloh m a ponne xxx godra pegna, bfitan oSrum folce; ond sona aefter pam f5r
abfitan PenwiSsteort. Ond pa let Eadward cyng scipian xl snacca; Sa lagon aet Sandwic manega wucan; pa sceol-
45° don ssetnian Godwines eorles, pe on Brycge waes pone winter; ond he peah com hider to lande serest, swa hig
hit nysten. Ond on Sam fyrste, pe he her on lande waes, he gespeon him to ealle Centingas, ond ealle pa butsecarlas
of Haestingum ond pser asghwax be pjere sae riman, ond
455 eallne pone eastende, ond SfiSsexan, ond SfiSrigan, ond mycel elles toeacan pam. pa cwsedon ealle paet hi mid him woldon lybban ond licgan. D a geaxedon paet KS paet
on Sandwic laeg ymbe Godwines fare; setton pa aefter; ond
he heom aetbaerst, ond him sylf an gebearh paerpaer he pa 460 mihte; ond paet liS wende ongean to Sandwic, ond swa
hamweard to Lundenbyrig. Dapa Godwine geaxode paet paet liS pe on Sandwic laeg waes ham gewend, pa for he eft
ongean to Wiht, ond pserabfitsm be pam sseriman swa lange laeg paet hig comon togaedere, Harold eorl his sunu
E D W A R D T H E CONFESSOR A N D GODWIN 25
ond he. Ond hi na mycelne hearm ne dydon sySSan hig 465 togaedere cSmon, buton paet heo metsunge namon; ac speonon heom eall paet landfolc to be Sam sseriman, ond
eac fip on lande; ond hig foron toweard Sandwic, ond laason aefre forS mid heom ealle pa butsecarlas pe heo gemetton, ond comon pa to Sandwic mid geotendum here. Da 470
Eadward cyng paet geaxode, pa sende he up aefter maran fultume; ac hi comon swySe late. Ond Godwine sah
him aefre toweard Lundene mid his liSe, paet he com to SuSgeweorce, ond pser onbad sume hwile 08 paet flod up eode. On pam fyrste he eac gefadode wiS pa burhware, 475 paet hi woldon maast ealle paet paet he wolde. pa he haefde ealle his fare gerecenod, pa com paet flod; ond hig brfidon up Sa sona heora ancran, ond heoldon purh pa brycge be
Sam sfiSlande; ond seo landfyrd com ufenan, ond trym-edon hig be pam strande; ond hi hwemdon pa mid pam 48° scipum wiS paes norSlandes, swylce hig woldon paes cynges scipu abutan betrymman. Se cyng haefde eac mycle land-
fyrde on his healfe toeacan his scipmannum. Ac hit waes heom msest eallum laS, to feohtanne wiS heora agenes cynnes mannum; forpam pser waes lytel elles, pe aht 485
mycel mihton, bfiton Enghsce men on aegSre healfe; ond eac hig noldon paet fitlendiscum peodum waere pes eard
purh paet pe swiSor gerymed, pe hi heom sylfe selc oSerne forfore. Gerseddon papset man sende wise men betweonan; ond setton griS on segSre healfe. Ond Godwine for upp 490 ond Harold his sunu, ond heora HS swa mycel swa heom pa gepuhte. Ond waes pa witenagemot: ond man sealde
Godwine clsene his eorldom, swa full ond swa forS swa he fyrmest ahte; ond his sunum eallum eall paet hi ser ahton;
ond his wife ond his dehter swa full ond swa forS swa hi 495 ser ahton. Ond hi gefaestnodon pa fulne freondscipe heom
26 T H E BATTLE OF HASTINGS
betweonan, ond eallum folce gode lage beheton. Ond
gefitlagedon pa ealle Frencisce men pe ser unlage raerdon ond undom demdon ond unraed rseddon into Sissum earde,
500 bfiton swa fela swa hig gerseddon paet pam cynge gelicode mid him to habbenne, pe him getreowe wseron ond eallum
his folce. Ond Rodbeard arcebisceop ond Willelm bisceop
ond Ulf bisceop uneaSe aetburston mid pam Frenciscum mannum pe heom mid wseron, ond swa ofer sae comon. Ond
5°5 Godwine eorl ond Harold ond seo cwen saeton on heora axe.
7. THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS
D. 1066. On pissum geare com Harold cyng of Eoforwic
to Westmynstre, to pam Eastron pe wseron aefter pam middanwintre pe se cyng forSferde; ond waeron pa
Eastron on pone daeg xvi kal. Maii. pa wearS geond eall 510 Englaland swylc tacen on heofenum gesewen swylc nan
mann ser ne geseah. Sume menn cwaedon paet hit cometa
se steorra waere, pone sume menn hataS pone feaxedan steorran; ond he aeteowde aerest on pone sefen Letania
Maior (viii kal. Maii), ond swa scan ealle pa seofon niht.
515 Ond sona psersefter com Tostig eorl fram begeondan saa into Wiht mid swa miclum liSe swa he begitan mihte, ond him man geald paer segperge feoh ge metsunge. Ond
Harold cyng his bropor gegadrade swa micelne sciphere ond eac landhere, swa nan cyng her on lande aer ne dyde,
520 forpampe him waes gecySd paet Willelm bastard wolde
hider ond Sis land gewinnan, eall swa hit sySSan aeode.
Ond pa hwile c5m Tostig eorl into Humbran mid sixtigum scipum; ond Eadwine eorl com mid landfyrde ond adraf
hine fit; ond pa butsecarlas hine forsocon; ond he for to 525 Scotlande mid xii snaccum. Ond hine gemette paar Harold
cyng of Norwegan mid prim hund scipum; ond Tostig
T H E B A T T L E O F H A S T I N G S 27
him t5 beah, ond his mann wearS. Ond hi foron pa begen
into Humbran, oSpaet hi comon to Eoforwic; ond heom pser wiS fuhton Eadwine eorl ond Morcar eorl his broSor; ac pa NorSmen ahton sige. Man cySde pa Harolde Engla 53° cynge paet pis waes pus gefaren; ond pis gefeoht waes on
Vigilia Sancti Mathei. D a com Harold fire cyng on unwaer on pa NorSmenn, ond hitte hi begeondan Eoforwic aet Stanfordbrycge mid micclum here Englisces folces; ond
pser wearS on daeg swiSe stranglic gefeoht on ba healfe. 535 Par wearS ofslaegen Harold Harfagera ond Tostig eorl; ond pa NorSmen, pe pser t5 laf e wseron, wurdon on fleame.
Ond pa Engliscan hi hindan hetelice slogon, oSpaet hig sume to scype c5mon, sume adruncon, ond sume eac forburnon; ond swa mislice forfSron, paet pser waes lyt to 540 lafe: ond Engle ahton waelstowe geweald. Se kyng pa
geaf gryS Olafe, paes NorSmanna cynges suna, ond heora bisceope, ond pam eorle of Orcanege, ond eallum pam pe on
pam scypum to lafe wseron. Ond hi foron pa upp to firum kyninge, ond sworon aSas paet hi aafre woldon fryS ond 545 freondscype into pisum lande healdan; ond se cyng hi let
ham faran mid xxiiii scypum. pas twa folcgefeoht wseron gefremmede binnan fif nihtum.
D a com Willelm eorl of Normandige into Pefnesea on Sancte Michaeles maesseaefen. Ond sona paes hi fere waeron, 550
worhton castel aet Haestinga port, pis wearS pa Harolde cynge gecydd; ond he gaderadepa mycelne here, ond com him togeanes aet psere haran apuldran. Ond Willelm him
com ongean on unwaer aer his folc gefylced waere; ac se kyng peah him swiSe heardlice wiS feaht mid pam man- 555
num pe him gelsestan woldon. Ond pser wearS micel wael geslaegen on segSre healfe. Dser wearS ofslaegen Harold kyng, ond Leofwine eorl his broSor, ond GyrS eorl his
28 T H E BATTLE OF HASTINGS
broSor, ond fela godra manna. Ond pa Frenciscan ahton
56owaelstowe geweald, eall swa heom God fiSe for folces synnum. Ealdred arcebisceop ond seo burhwaru on
Lundene woldon habban pa Eadgar cild to kynge, eall swa him wel gecynde waes; ond Eadwine ond Morcar him
beheton paet hi mid him feohtan woldon. Ac swa hit aafre
565 forShcor beon sceolde, swa wearS hit fram daege to daege laetre ond wyrse: eall swa hit aet pam ende eall geferde.
Ond Willelm eorl for eft ongean to Haestingum, ond geanbidode paer hwaeSer man him t5 bfigan wolde. Ac
pa he ongeat paet man him to cuman nolde, he for upp mid
570 eallum his here, pe him to lafe waes ond him sySSan fram ofer sse c5m, ond hergade ealne pone ende pe he oferferde,
oSpaet he com to Beorhhamstede. Ond pser him com
ongean Ealdred arcebisceop ond Eadgar cild ond Eadwine eorl ond Morcar eorl ond ealle pa betstan men of Lundene,
575 ond bugon pa for nyde, pa maest waes to hearme gedon
(ond paet waes micel unraed paet man aaror swa ne dyde, pa hit God betan nolde for firum synnum), ond gysledon ond
sworon him aSas; ond he heom behet paet he wolde heom
hold hlaford beon: ond peah onmang pisum hi hergedon 580 eall paet hi oferforon. Da on midwintres daeg hine halgode
to kynge Ealdred arcebisceop on Westmynstre. Ond he
sealde him on hand mid Cristes bee ond eacswor, aarpanpe
he wolde pa corona him on heafode settan, paet he wolde pisne peodscype swa wel healdan swa aenig kyng aetforan
585 him betst dyde, gif hi him holde beon woldon. Swapeah
legde gyld on mannum swiSe stiS. Ond for pa on pam lenctene ofer saa to Normandlge; ond nam mid him Stigand
arcebisceop ond EgelnaS abbud on Glaestingabyrig ond
Eadgar cild ond Eadwine eorl ond Morcar eorl ond Waelpeof 590 eorl ond manege oSre g5de men of Englalande. Ond D"da
DOOMSDAY BOOK 29
bisceop ond Willelm eorl belifon her aefter, ond worhton castelas wide geond pas peode, ond earm folc swencton.
Ond a sySSan hit yflade swiSe. WeorSe god se ende ponne
God wylle.
8. DOOMSDAY BOOK
E. 1085. D a td pam midwintre waes se cyng on Gleaw- 595
ceastre mid his witan, ond heold paar his hired v dagas.
jEfter pisum haefde se cyng mycel gepeaht ond swiSe
deope spsece wiS his witan ymbe pis land, hu hit wsere ge-
sett, oSSe mid hwylcum mannum. Sende pa ofer eall
Englaland into selcre scire his men; ond let agan fit hu 600
fela hundred hyda waaron innon psere scire, oSSe hwaet se
cyng him sylf haefde landes ond orf es innan pam lande, oSSe
hwilcegerihte he ahte to habbanne to xii monpum of Ssere
scire. Eac he let gewritan hfi mycel landes his arcebisceopas
haefdon, ond his leodbisceopas, ond his abbudas, ond his 605
eorlas; ond, peah ic hit lengre telle, hwaet oSSe hfi mycel
selc mann haefde, pe landsittende wses innan Englalande,
on lande oSSe on orfe; ond hu mycel feos hit waare wurS.
Swa swySe nearolice he hit let fit aspyrian, paet naes an
anlipig hyd ne an gyrd landes, ne furSon (hit is sceamu t5 610
tellanne, ac hit ne puhte him nan sceamu t5 donne) an
oxa ne an cfi ne an swin naes belifen, paet naes geset on his
gewrite. Ond eallepa gewritu waeron gebr5ht to him sySSan.
V. LAWS
EngHsh law before the Norman Conquest was so utterly different from that of to-day that many of its enactments come with a kind of shock. There were no professional lawyers; there were no judges in our sense; there was not even a policeman. There was no executive power. The two
30 LAWS OF INE AND ALFRED
main things were money-values and oaths. Everyone, everything, even oaths, had a money-value. See Sir Frederick Pollock's illuminating chapter on English Law before the Norman Conquest in Alfred the Great, ed. Bowker (London 1899).
1. LAWS OF INE
1 Erest we bebeodaS paette Godes Seowas hiora
ryhtregol on ryht healden. Miter pam we bebeodaS paette
ealles folces aew ond domas Sus sien gehealdene.
2. Cild binnan Sritegum nihta sie gefulwod; gif hit swa
5 ne sie, xxx scillinga gebete. Gif hit Sonne sie dead bfitan
fulwihte, gebete he hit mid eallum Sam Se he age.
10. Gif hwa binnan pam gemaarum fires rices reaflac
ond niednaame do, agife he Sone reaflac ond geselle lx scillinga to wite.
10 18. Cierhsc mon, gif he oft betigen waare, gif he set
siSestan sie gefongen, slea mon hond oSSe fot of.
2. LAWS OF ALFRED
56. Gif se Suma biS ofaslaegen, pam sceal xxx scillinga
to bote. Gif se naegl biS ofaslaegen, Sam sculon v scillingas to bote.
i5 57. Gif se scytefinger biS ofaslaegen, seo bot biS xv scilhngas; his naegles biS iii scillingas.
59. Gif se goldfinger sie ofaslaegen, to pam sculon
xvii scilhngas to bote, ond his naegles iiii scillingas to bote.
64. Gif seo micle ta biS ofaslaegen, geselle him mon
20 xx scillinga to bote. Gif bit sie seo aefterre ta, xv scil
lingas to bote geselle him mon. Gif seo midleste ta sie
ofaslaegen, paer sculon viiii scilhngas to bote. Gif bit biS
seo f eorpe ta, Saer sculon vi scillingas to bote. Gif seo lytle
ta sie ofaslaegen, geselle him v scillingas.
A CHARTER 3i
VI. A CHARTER
Anglo-Saxon possesses a very large number of charters, rich in varied interest. Many give details of bequests; many fix the boundaries of estates and holdings. The best collection is Birch's Cartularium Saxonicum. A good edition is greatly needed.
Ic, ZElfred aldormon, ond Werburg min gefera begseton Sas bee set hseSnum herge mid uncre clsene feo; Saet Sonne waes mid clsene golde. Ond Saet wit dydon for Godes lufe
ond uncre sawle Searfe, ond forSonSe wit noldon Saet Sas halgan bee leng in Saere hseSennesse wunoden. Ond nu 5 willaS heo gesellan into Cristes cyrcan, Gode to lofe ond to wuldre ond to weorSunga, ond his Srowunga to Son-
cunga, ond Saem godcundan geferscipe to brucanne Se in Cristes cyrcan daeghwsemlice Godes lof rseraS; to Saam getade: Saet heo m o n arsede aeghwelce monaSe for Elfrede 10 ond for Werburge ond for AlhSrySe, heora sawlum to
ecum lsecedome, Sa hwile Se God gesegen haebbe Saet fulwiht aet Sisse stowe beon mote. Eac swelce ic, Alfred
dux, ond Werburg biddaS ond halsiaS, on Godes almihtiges noman ond on eallra his hahgra, Saet naanig m o n sie toSon 15 gedyrstig Saette Sas halgan bee aselle oSSe aSeode from Cristes cyrcan, Sa hwile Se fulwiht stondan mote.
iElfred. Werburg. AlhSryS eorum fiha.
VII. L E E C H D O M S
The great collection of these quaint old prescriptions is Cockayne's Leechdoms, Wortcunning, and Starcraft of Early England (London 1864-6). J. F. Payne's English Medicine in the A.S. Times (Oxford 1904) is a useful book on the subject. The leechdoms have a strong family like-
32 A C H A R M
ness, and one soon tires of them. Probably the patients did too.
i. WiS MONASSEOCNESSE
Wipponpe mon sie monapseoc, nim mereswines fel,
wyrc to swipan; swing mid pone man: sona biS sel. Amen.
2. WiS A~SWOLLENUM EAGUM
Genim cucune haefern, ado pa eagan of, ond eft cucune
gebring on waetre; ond do pa eagan pam men on sweoran,
5 pe him pearf sie. He bip sona hal.
3. T H E VIRTUES OF JET
Be pam stane pe gagates hatte is saad, paet he viii maegen
haebbe. An is: ponne punorrad bip, ne scepeS pam men pe
pone stan mid him haefS. Oper maegen is: on swahwilcum hfise swa he bip, ne maeg pserinne feond wesan. pridde
10 maegen is: paet nan attor pam men ne maeg sceppan pe pone stan mid him hafap. Feorpe maegen is: paet se man
sepe pone lapan feond on him deagollice haefp, gif he paes stanes gesceafenes hwilcne dsel on waatan onfehS, ponne
bip sona sweotol aeteowod on him paet aer deagol maS. 15 Fifte maegen is: se pe senigre adle gedreht bip, gif he pone
stan on wsetan pigep, him bip sona sel. Syxte maegen is:
paet diycraeft pam men ne derep sepe hine mid him haefS.
Seofope maegen is: paet se, pe pone stan on drince onfehS, he haefp py smepran lichoman. Eahtope is paes stanes
20 maegen: paet nan nsedran cynnes bite pam sceppan ne maeg, pe pone stan on wsetan byrigp.
VIII. A CHARM
The Anglo-Saxon charms are of special interest to the student of folklore. They are a curious blend of paganism and Christianity: for the most part, the ceremonies are
G N O M I C V E R S E S 33
pagan, the incantations Christian. The charm for lost or stolen cattle given below is almost completely overlaid with Christian elements. See Cockayne's Leechdoms (ut sup.).
Dis man sceal cweSan, Sonne his ceapa hwilcne man forstolenne hsefS; cweS ser pfi senig oper word cweSe: Bethlem hatte seo burh Se Crist on geboren waes;
seo is gemaarsod ofer ealne middangeard. Swa Seos deed weorpe for monnum maere, 5
per crucem Christi. Ond gebide pe ponne priwa east, ond cweS priwa: " Crux Christi ab oriente reducat"; ond priwa west ond cweS: "Crux Christi ab occidente reducat"; ond priwa sup ond cweS priwa: " Crux Christi a meridie reducat"; ond priwa 10
norS ond cweS: "Crux Christi abscondita est et inuenta
est." Jfideas Crist ahengon; gedydon him dseda pa wyrstan;
haalon paet hi forhelan ne mihton. Swa nsefre Seos dsed
forholen ne weorSe, per crucem Christi I 15
IX. G N O M I C V E R S E S
The Anglo-Saxon gnomes are mainly pagan, and may be of great antiquity. They seem to stand for an early proverbial philosophy. One unkind critic calls them'' half-baked proverbs." Their uniqueness lends them a certain charm. Wyrd byS swiSost. Winter byS cealdost;
lencten hrimigost, he byS lengest ceald; sumor sunwlitegost; swegel byS hatost;
haerfest hreSeadegost, haeleSum bringeS geares waestmas, pape him God sendeS.
w 3
34 G N O M I C V E R S E S
S68 biS swutolost; sine byS deorost, gold, gumena gehwam; ond gomol snoterost,
fyrngearum frod, sepe aar fela gebideS. W e a biS wundrum clibbor. Wolcnu scriSaS.
10 Geongne aepeling sceolon gode gesiSas byldan to beaduwe ond to beahgife. EUensceal on eorle; ecg sceal wiS helme
hilde gebidan. Hafuc sceal on glofe
wilde gewunian; wulf sceal on bearowe,
15 earm anhaga; eofor sceal on holte, toSmaegenes trum. Til sceal on eSle
domes wyrcean. DaroS sceal on handa,
gar golde fah. Gim sceal on hringe standan steap ond geap. Stream sceal on ySum
20 mengan mereflode. Maest sceal on ceole,
segelgyrd, seomiaxi. Sweord sceal on bearme, drihtlic isern. Draca sceal on hlaewe, frod, fraetwum wlanc. Fisc sceal on waetere
cynren cennan. Cyning sceal on healle 25 beagas daalan. Bera sceal on haeSe
eald ond egesfull. Ea of dfine sceal,
flod grseg, feran. Fyrd sceal aetsomne, tirfaestra getrum. Treow sceal on eorle, wisdom on were. W u d u sceal on foldan
30 blaadumblowan; beorh sceal on eorpan
grene standan. God sceal on heofenum
daeda demend. Duru sceal on healle,
rfim recedes mfiS. Rand sceal on scylde, faest fingra gebeorh. Fugel uppe sceal
35 lacan on lyfte. Leax sceal on waale mid sceote scriSan.
BEOWULF 35
X. BEOWULF Beowulf is the greatest monument of Anglo-Saxon poetry, great especially in the character of the hero, of w h o m Watts-Dunton wrote: "This Beowulf is simply the type of the fierce, yet tender and even homely, sea-heroes of England, who have made her what she is—the father of Drake and of Grenville, of Blake and of Nelson—this Beowulf, whose exploits belong to English poetry alone. A more complete and blameless fighting hero is not to be found in poetry."
Since it is not possible to select extracts that wouid give the main story without including several pieces that are too difficult for our purpose, William Morris's summary of the poem is given below with many of the simpler passages interspersed. Hrothgar, king of the Danes, lives happily and peacefully,
and bethinks him to build a glorious hall called Hart. But a little after, one Grendel, of the kindred of the evil wights that are come of Cain, hears the merry noise of Hart and cannot abide it; so he enters thereinto by night, and slays and carries off and devours thirty of Hrothgar's thanes. Thereby he makes Hart waste for twelve years, and the tidings of this mishap are borne widely about lands. Then comes to the helping of Hrothgar Beowulf, the son of Ecgtheow, a thane of king Hygelac of the Geats, with fourteen fellows. They are met on the shore by the land-warder, and by him shown to Hart and the stead of Hrothgar, who receives them gladly, and to whom Beowulf tells his errand, that he will help him against Grendel.
i. BEOWULF CROSSES FROM SWEDEN TO DENMARK AND IS CHALLENGED BY THE LAND-WARDER
Fyrst forS gewat; flota waes on ySum, 2ro bat under beorge. Beornas gearwe on stefn stigon; streamas wundon, sund wiS sande; secgas baaron on bearm nacan beorhte fraetwe,
3-s
36 BEOWULF
215 gfiSsearo geatollc; guman fit scufon, weras on wilsiS, wudu bundenne. Gewat pa ofer wsegholm winde gefysed flota famigheals fugle gelicost,
oSpaet y m b surtld opres dogores 220 wundenstefna gewaden haefde,
paet Sa liSende land gesawon,
brimchfu blicaxt, beorgas steape, side saansessas.
panon fip hraSe 225 Wedera leode on wang stigon,
ssewudu sasldon; syrcam hrysedon, gfiSgewsedo; Gode pancedon,
paespe him yplade eaSe wurdon.
Pa of wealle geseah weard Scyldinga, 230 sepe holrnclifu healdan scolde,
beran ofer bolcan beorhte randas,
fyrdsearu ffislicu; hine fyrwyt braec modgehygdum, hwaet pa men waeron.
Gewat him pa to waroSe wicge ridan 235 pegn HroSgares, p r y m m u m cwehte
maegenwudu mundum, mepelwordum fraegn:
"Hwaet syndon ge searohaebbendra byrnum werede, pe pus brontne ceol
ofer lagustraate Isedan cwomon, 240 hider ofer holmas?...
Naafre ic maran geseah
eorla ofer eorpan, Sonne is eower sum,
secg onsearwum; nis paet seldguma 250 waepnum geweorSad, naefne him his wlite leoge,
senlic ansyn. N Q ic eower sceal
frumcyn witan, ser ge fyr heonan,
BEOWULF 37
leassceaweras, on land Dena furpur feran. Nu ge feorbuend,
mereliSende, minne gehyraS 255 anfealdne gepoht; ofost is selest to gecySanne hwanan eowre cyme syndon."
2. AFTER BEOWULF'S REPLY THE LAND-WARDER
WELCOMES THE GEATS
Weard mapelode, Saar on wicge saet, ombiht unforht: "jEghwaepres sceal scearp scyldwiga gescad witan,
worda ond worca, sepe wel penceS. Ic paet gehyre, paet pis is hold weorod 290 frean Scyldinga. Gewitap forS beran waapen ond gewaadu, ic eow wisige; swylce ic magupegnas mine hate
wiS feonda gehwone flotan eowerne, niwtyrwodne nacan on sande, 295
arum healdan, oppaet eft byreS ofer lagustreamas leofne mannan
wudu wundenhals to Wedermearce. Godfremmendra swylcum gifepe biS paet pone hilderaas hal gedigeS." 300
3. BEOWULF ASKS THAT HE MAY TELL HIS ERRAND
TO H ROTHGAR
Street waes stanfag, stig wisode 320 gumum aetgaedere. GuSbyrne scan
heard hondlocen, hringiren scir song in searwum, pa hie to sele furSum
in hyra gryregeatwum gangan cwomon. Setton ssemepe side 9cyldas, 325
38 BEOWULF
rondas regnhearde, wiS paes recedes weal,
bugon pa to bence; byrnan hringdon, guSsearo gumena; garas stodon,
saamanna searo, ssimod aetgaedere, 330 aescholt ufan graag; waes se irenpreat
waapnum gewurpad. pa Saar wlonc haeleS oretmecgas aefter aepelum fraegn: "Hwanon ferigeaS ge fsette scyldas,
graage syrcan ond grimhelmas,
335 heresceafta heap? Ic eom HroSgares ar ond ombiht. Ne seah ic elpeodige
pus manige men modiglicran.
Wen' ic paet ge for wlenco, nalles for wraecsiSum ac for higeprymmum, HroSgar sohton."
34° Him pa ellenrof andswarode,
wlanc Wedera leod word aefter sprsec, heard under helme: " W e synt Hygelaces beodgeneatas; Beowulf is min nama.
Wille ic asecgan suna Healfdenes, 345 maarum peodne, min aarende,
aldre pinum, gif he fis geunnan wile
paet we hine swa godne gretan moton."
Wulfgar mapelode (past waes Wendla leod, waes his modsefa manegum gecySed,
35o wig ond wisdom): " Ic paes wine Deniga, frean Scyldinga, frinan wille,
beaga bryttan, swa pu bena eart, peoden maarne, y m b pinne siS,
ond pe pa ondsware aadre gecySan, 355 Se m e se goda agifan penceS."
Hwearf pa hraedlice, pser HroSgar saet eald ond anhar mid his eorla gedriht;
BEOWULF 39
eode ellenrof, paet he for eaxlum gestod
Deniga frean; cupe he duguSe peaw.
Wulfgar maSelode to his winedrihtne: 360
" Her syndon geferede, feorran cumene ofer geofenes begang, Geata leode;
pone yldestan oretmecgas
Beowulf nemnaS. Hy benan synt,
paet hie, peoden min, wiS pe moton 365
wordum wrixlan; no Su him wearne geteoh Sinra gegncwida, glaedman HroSgar.
Hy on wiggetawum wyrSe pynceaS
eorlageaehtlan; huru se ealdor deah,
se psem heaSorincum hider wisade." 370
4. BEOWULF ASKS HROTHGAR THAT HE, WEAPONLESS,
MAY PURGE HEOROT
" Ic pe nfiSa,
brego Beorhtdena, biddan wille,
eodor Scyldinga, anre bene,
paet Su me ne forwyrne, wigendra hleo,
freowine folca, nu ic pus feorran c5m, 430
paet ic mote ana ond minra eorla gedryht,
pes hearda heap, Heorot faalsian.
Haebbe ic eac geascod, paet se aglaaca
for his wonhydum waapna ne recceS;
ic paet ponne forhicge (swa me Hygelac sie, 435 min mondrihten, modes bliSe),
paet ic sweord bere opSe sidne scyld,
geolorand, to gfipe; ac ic mid grape sceal
f5n wiS feonde, ond ymb feorh sacan laS wiS lapum." 440
40 BEOWULF
They feast in the hall, and one Unferth, son of Ecglaf, taunts Beowulf through jealousy that he was outdone by Breca in swimming. Beowulf tells the true tale thereof. And a little after, at nightfall, Hrothgar and his folk leave the hall Hart, and it is given in charge to Beowulf, who with his Geats abides there the coming of Grendel.
5- WEALHTHEOW, HROTHGAR'S QUEEN, BEARS THE
MEAD-CUP TO BEOWULF
Dser waes haelepa hleahtor, hlyn swynsode, word wseron wynsume. Eode Wealhpeow forS, cwen HrSSgares, cynna gemyndig, grette goldhroden guman on healle;
615 ond pa freolic wif ful gesealde aerest Eastdena epelwearde, baed hine bliSne aet psere beorpege,
leodum leofne; he on lust gepeah symbel ond seleful, sigerof cyning.
620 Ymbeode pa ides Helminga dugupe ond geogope dsel seghwylcne, sincfato sealde, oppaet ssel alamp
paet heo Beowulfe, beaghroden cwen,
mode gepungen, medoful aetbaer; 625 grette Geata leod, Gode pancode
wisfaest wordum, paesSe hire se willa gelamp, paet heo on aanigne eorl gelyfde fyrena frofre. H e paet ful gepeah,
waelhreow wiga, aet Wealhpeowe, 630 ond pa gyddode gupe gefysed;
Beowulf mapelode, beam Ecgpeowes: " Ic paet hogode, pa ic on holm gestah, ssebat gesaet mid minra secga gedriht, paet ic anunga eowra ISoda
BEOWULF 4i
willan geworhte, opSe on wael crunge 635 feondgrapum faest. Ic gefremman sceal
eorllic ellen, opSe endedaeg on pisse meoduhealle minne gebidan."
D a m wife pa word wel licodon, gilpcwide Geates; eode goldhroden 640 freolic folccwen to hire frean sittan.
6. HROTHGAR ENTRUSTS THE GUARDING OF H A R T TO
B E O W U L F
Werod eall aras;
gegrette pa guma operne, HroSgar Beowulf, ond him haal abead, winaernes geweald, ond paet word acwaeS: "Naefre ic senegum m e n ser alyfde, 655 sipSan ic hond ond rond hebban mihte,
Srypaern Dena, bfiton pe nfiSa. Hafa nfi ond geheald hfisa selest, gemyne maarpo, maegenellen cyS, waca wiS wrapum. N e biS pe wilna gad, 660 gif pfi pset ellenweorc aldre gedigest." D a him Hropgar gewat mid his haelepa gedryht,
eodor Scyldinga, fit of healle.
Soon comes Grendel to the hall, and slays a man of the Geats, hight Handshoe, and then grapples with Beowulf, who will use no weapon against him: Grendel feels himself overmastered and makes for the door, and gets out, but leaves his hand and arm behind him with Beowulf: men on the wall hear the great noise of this battle and the wailing of Grendel. In the morning the Danes rejoice, and follow the bloody slot of Grendel, and return to Hart racing and telling old tales, as of Sigemund and the Worm. Then come the king and his thanes to look on the token of victory, Grendel's hand and arm, which Beowulf has let fasten to the hall-gable.
42 BEOWULF
7. GRENDEL DEVOURS A GEAT WARRIOR
Rape aefter pon
725 on fagne flor feond treddode,
eode yrremod; him of eagum stod
lige gelicost leoht unfseger.
Geseah he in recede rinca manige,
swefan sibbegedriht samod aetgaedere,
730 magorinca heap. pa his mod ahlog;
mynte paet he gedaalde, aarpon daeg cwome,
atol aglseca, anra gehwylces
lif wiS lice, pa him alumpen waes
wistfylle wen. Ne waes paet wyrd pagen,
735 paet he m a moste manna cynnes
Sicgean ofer pa niht. PrySswyS beheold
maag Higelaces hfi se manscaSa
under faargripum gefaran wolde.
Ne paet se aglseca yldan pohte,
740 ac he gefeng hraSe forman siSe
slsependne rinc, slat unwearnum,
bat banlocan, blod sedrum dranc,
synsnaedumswealh; sona haefde
unlyfigendes eal gefeormod,
745 fet ond folma.
8. BEOWULF WRENCHES ONE OF GRENDEL'S ARMS
OUT OF ITS SOCKET
D a paet onfunde se pe fela aaror, 810 modes myrSe, manna cynne
fyrene gefremede, he fah wiS God,
paet him se lichoma laastan nolde,
ac hine se m5diga maag Hygelaces
haefde be honda; waes gehwaeper 65rum
BEOWULF 43
lifigende laS. Licsar gebad 815 atol aglseca; him on eaxle wearS syndolh sweotol; seonowe onsprungon, burston banlocan. Beowulfe wearS gfiShreS gyfepe; scolde Grendel ponan
feorhseoc fleon under fenhleoSu, 820 secean wynleas wic; wiste pe geornor, paet his aldres waes ende gegongen,
dogora daegrim. Denum eallum wearS aefter pam waelrsese willa gelumpen.
Haefde pa gefaalsod se pe ser feorran com, 825 snotor ond swySferhS, sele HroSgares, genered wiS niSe.
The king praises Beowulf and rewards him, and they feast in Hart, and the tale of Finn and Hengest is told. Then Hrothgar leaves Hart, and so does Beowulf also with his Geats, but the Danes keep guard there.
9. HROTHGAR MAKES RECOMPENSE FOR THE DEAD
GEAT WARRIOR
Dagyt aaghwylcum eorla drihten, IO50
para pe mid Beowulfe brimlade teah, on psere medubence mapSum gesealde, yrfelafe; ond pone senne heht golde forgyldan poneSe Grendel ser
mane acwealde, swa he hyra m a wolde, I05-nefne him witig God wyrd forstode,
ond Saes mannes mod. Metod eallum weold gumena cynnes, swa he nugit deS; forpan biS andgit aaghwaar selest, ferhSes forepanc. Fela sceal gebidan lo6o
leofes ond lapes se pe longe her
on Syssum windagum worolde bruceS.
44 BEOWULF
10. WEALHTHEOW HANDS THE FESTAL CUP TO
HROTHGAR Spraec Sa ides Scyldinga:
" Onfoh pissum fulle, freodrihten min,
ri7o sinces brytta; pu on sselum wes,
goldwine gumena, ond to Geatum spree
mildum wordum, swa sceal m a n don.
Beo wiS Geatas glaed, geofena gemyndig;
nean ond feorran pu nfi gen5g hafast.
1175 M e m a n saegde, paet pfi Se for sunu wolde
hererinc habban. Heorot is gefaelsod,
beahsele beorhta; brfic penden pu mote
manigra meda, ond pinum m a g u m laaf
folc ond rice, ponne Sfi forS scyle
u8o metodsceaft seon."
u. WEALHTHEOW ADDRESSES BEOWULF
1215 WealhSeow mapelode, heo fore psem werede spraec: " Brfic Sisses beages, Beowulf leofa,
hyse, mid haale, ond pisses hraegles neot,
peodgestreona, ond gepih tela;
cen pec mid craefte, ond pyssum cnyhtum wes
1220 lara liSe; ic pe paes lean geman.
Hafast pu gefered, paet Se feor ond neah
ealne wideferhp weras eahtigaS,
efne swa side swa sse bebugeS
windgeaxd, weallas. Wes, penden pu lifige, 1225 aepeling eadig; ic pe an tela
sincgestreona."
In the night comes in Grendel's Mother, and catches up Aeschere, a thane of Hrothgar, and carries him off to her lair. In the morning is Beowulf fetched to Hrothgar, who tells him of this new grief and craves his help.
BEOWULF 45
12. HROTHGAR TELLS BEOWULF THE TIDINGS OF
THE NIGHT
HroSgar mapelode, helm Scyldinga: "Ne frin pu aefter saalum; sorh is geniwod
Denigea leodum. Dead is Eschere,
Yrmenlafes yldra bropor,
min rfinwita ond min raedbora, 1325
eaxlgestealla, Sonne we on orlege
hafelan weredon, ponne hniton fepan,
eoferas cnysedon. Swylc scolde eorl wesan,
aepeling aargod, swylc Eschere waes.
WearS him on Heorote to handbanan 1330
waelgast waafre; ic ne wat hwider
atol, aase wlanc, eftsiSas teah,
fylle gefraagnod. Heo pa fsehSe wraec,
pe pfi gystran niht Grendel cwealdest
purh haastne had heardum clammum, 1335
forpan he to lange leode mine
wanode ond wyrde. H e aet wige gecrang
ealdres scyldig, ond nu oper cwom
mihtig manscaSa, wolde hyre maag wrecan,
ge feor hafaS faahSe gestseled." 1340
13. BEOWULF PROMISES TO AVENGE AESCHERE
Beowulf mapelode, beam Ecgpeowes:
"Ne sorga, snotor guma; selre biS seghwaem,
paet he his freond wrece, ponne he fela murne. 1385
Ure aaghwylc sceal ende gebidan
worolde lifes; wyrce se pe mote
domes aer deape; paet biS drihtguman
unlifgendum aefter selest.
Aris, rices weard; uton hrape feran 1390
46 BEOWULF
Grendles magan gang sceawigan. Icbitpegehate: n6 heo on helm losap, ne on foldan faepm, ne on fyrgenholt, ne on gyfenes grund, ga paer heo wille.
1395 Dys dSgor pfi gepyld hafa weana gehwylces, swa ic pe wene to."
Ahleop Sa se gomela, Gode pancode, mihtigan Drihtne, paes se m a n gesprsec. pa waes HroSgare hors gebaated,
1400 wicg wundenfeax; wisa fengel geatolic gengde; gumfepa stop
lindhaebbendra. Lastas wseron aefter waldswapum wide gesyne, gang ofer grundas; pser heo gegnum for
1405 ofer myrcan mor, magopegna baer pone selestan sawolleasne,
para pe mid HroSgare h a m eahtode.
Then they follow up the slot and come to a great waterside, and find thereby Aeschere's head, and the place is known for the lair of those two: monsters are playing in the deep, and Beowulf shoots one of them to death. Then Beowulf dights him and leaps into the water, and is a main while of the day reaching the bottom. There he is straightway caught hold of by Grendel's Mother, who bears him into her hall. When he gets free he falls on her, but the edge of the sword Hrunting (lent to him by Unferth) fails him, and she casts him to the ground and draws her sax to slay him; but he rises up, and sees an old sword of the giants hanging on the wall; he takes it and smites off her head therewith. 14. BEOWULF COMMENDS HIS MEN TO HROTHGAR'S CARE
Beowulf mapelode, beam Ecgpeowes: "Gepencnu, se msera maga Healfdenes,
1475 snottra fengel, nfi ic eom siSes ffis,
B E O W U L F 47 goldwine gumena, hwaet wit geo spnecon: gif ic aet pearfe pinre scolde aldre linnan, paet Sfi me a wsere forS gewitenum on faeder staale.
Wes pu mundbora minum magopegnum, r48o hondgesellum, gif mechild nime;
swylce pu Sa maSmas, pe pu me sealdest, HroSgar leofa, Hygelace onsend.
Maeg ponne on psem golde ongitan Geata dryhten,
geseon sunu HreSles, ponne he on paet sine staraS, 1485 paet ic gumcystum godne funde beaga bryttan, breac ponne moste."
15. THE FIGHT WITH GRENDEL'S MOTHER
Sona paet onfunde seo Se floda begong beorogifre beheold hund missera, grim ond graadig, paet paer gumena sum aelwihta eard ufan cunnode. 1500 Grap pa t5geanes, guSrinc gefeng
atolan clommum; no py aar in gescod halan lice; hring Qtan ymbbearh,
paet heo pone fyrdhom Surhfon ne mihte, locene leoSosyrcan, lapan fingrum. 1505 Baer pa seo brimwylf, pa heo to botme com, hringa pengel to hofe sinum,
swa he ne mihte no (he peah modig waes)
waapna gewealdan; ac hine wundra paes fela swencte on sunde, ssedeor monig 1510 hildetfiscum heresyrcan braec, ehton aglaecan. Da se eorl ongeat,
paet he in niSsele nathwylcum waes,
48 BEOWULF
pser him nsenig waeter wihte ne scepede,
1515 ne him for hrofsele hrinan ne mehte fsergripe flodes; fyrleoht geseah,
blacne leoman beorhte scinan. Ongeat pa se goda grundwyrgenne,
merewif mihtig; maegenrses forgeaf
1520 hildebille, hond sweng ne ofteah, paet hire on hafelan hringmaal agol
graadig guSleoS. D a se gist onfand, paet se beadoleoma bitan nolde,
aldre scepSan, ac seo ecg geswac 1525 Seodne aet pearfe; Solode aar fela
hondgemota, helm oft gescaer, faages fyrdhraegl; Sa waes forma siS
deorum maSme, paet his dom alaeg. Eft waes axirsed, nailes elnes laet,
1530 maerSa gemyndig, maeg Hygelaces. Wearp Sa wundenmaal wraattum gebunden
yrre oretta, paet hit on eorSan laeg,
stiS ond stylecg; strenge getruwode, mundgripe maegenes. Swa sceal m a n don,
1535 ponne he aet gfiSe gegaa penceS longsumne lof, na y m b bis lif ceaxaS. Gefeng pa be eaxle (nailes for faehSe mearn)
GuSgeata leod Grendles modor,
braegd pa beadwe heard, pa he gebolgen waes,
1540 feorhgeniSlan, paet heo on flet gebeah. Heo him eft hrape andlean forgeald
grimman grapum, ond him togeanes feng; of erwearp pa werigmod wigena strengest,
fepecempa, paet he on fylle wearS. 1545 Of saet pa pone selegyst, ond hyre seax geteah
BEOWULF 49
brad ond brfinecg, wolde hire beam wrecan, angan eaferan. H i m on eaxle laeg breostnet broden; paet gebearh feore,
wiS ord ond wiS ecge ingang forstod. Haefde Sa forsiSod sunu Ecgpeowes 1550 under gynne grand, Geata cempa, nemne him heaSobyme helpe gefremede,
herenet hearde, ond hahg God geweold wigsigor, witig Drihten; rodera Raadend hit on ryht gesced 1555
ySelice; sypSan he eft astod. Geseah Sa on searwum sigeeadig bil, eald sweord eotenisc, ecgum pyhtig, wigena weorSmynd; paet waes wsepna cyst, buton hit waes mare Sonne senig m o n oSer r56o t5 beadulace aetberan meahte,
god ond geatolic, giganta geweorc. H e gefeng pa fetelhilt, freca Scyldinga hreoh ond heorogrim hringmaal gebraegd,
aldres orwena yrringa sloh, 1565 paet hire wiS healse heard grapode, banhringas braec; bil eal Surhwod fsegne flaaschoman; heo on flet gecrong. Sweord waes swatig; secg weorce gefeah.
He sees Grendel lying dead, and his head also he strikes off; but the blade of the sword is molten in his venomous blood. Then Beowulf strikes upward, taking with him the head of Grendel and the hilts of the sword. When he comes to the shore he finds his Geats there alone; for the Danes left when they saw the blood floating in the water. They go up to Hrothgar's stead, and four men must needs bear the head. They come to Hrothgar, and Beowulf gives him the hilts and
w 4
50 BEOWULF
tells him what he has done. Much praise is given to Beowulf; and they feast together. On the morrow Beowulf bids farewell to Hrothgar, more gifts are given, and messages are sent to Hygelac: Beowulf departs with the full love of Hrothgar. The Geats come to their ship and reward the ship-warder, and put off and sail to their own land. Beowulf comes to Hygelac's house. Hygelac is told of, and his wife Hygd.
16. THE GEAT KING ASKS BEOWULF WHAT HAS
BEFALLEN TO HIM
Hygelac ongan sinne geseldan in sele p a m hean
1985 faagre fricgean, hyne fyrwyt braec,
hwylce Ssegeata siSsis waeron:
" Hfi lomp eow on lade, leofa Beowulf,
pa Su faaringa feorr gehogodest
saecce secean ofer sealt waeter,
1990 hilde t5 Heorote? Ac Su HroSgare
widcfiSne wean wihte gebettest,
maarum Seodne? Ic Saes modceare
sorhwylmum seaS, siSe ne truwode
leofes mannes. Ic Se lange baed,
1995 paet Su pone waelgast wihte ne grette,
lete SfiSdene sylfe geweorSan
gfiSe wiS Grendel. Gode ic pane secge,
paesSe ic Se gesundne geseon moste."
Beowulf tells all the tale of his doings in full to Hygelac, and gives him his gifts. Here is told of Beowulf, and how he was contemned in his youth, and is now grown so renowned.
Time wears; Hygelac is slain in battle; Heardred, his son, reigns in his stead, he is slain by the Swedes, and Beowulf is made king.
BEOWULF 5i
17. How HYGELAC CAME BY HIS DEATH.
BEOWULF REFUSES THE THRONE
N o paet laesest waes
hondgemota, pser m o n Hygelac sloh, 2355 sySSan Geata cyning gfiSe reesum, freawine folca Fryslondum on,
HreSles eafora, heorodryncum swealt bille gebeaten; ponan Beowulf com
sylfes craefte, sundnytte dreah; 2360 haefde him on earme ana pritig hildegeatwa, pa he to holme stag. Nealles Hetware hremge porfton
feSewiges, pe him foran ongean
linde baaron; lyt eft becwom 2365 fram pam hildfrecan hames neosan.
Oferswam Sa sioleSa bigong sunu EcgSeowes, earm anhaga, eft to leodum,
pser him Hygd gebead hord ond rice,
beagas ond bregostol; beame ne truwode, 237o paet he wiS aelfylcum epelstolas healdan cuSe, Sa waes Hygelac dead.
No Sy aar feasceafte findan meahton aet Sam aeSehnge aanige Singa,
paet he Heardrede hlaford waare, oSSe pone cynedom ceosan wolde;
hwaeSre he hine on folce freondlarum heold, estum mid axe, oSSaet he yldra wearS, Wedergeatum weold.
When he is grown old, and has been king for fifty years, come new tidings. A great dragon finds on the sea-shore a mound wherein is stored the treasure of ancient folk
2375
4-«
52 BEOWULF
departed. The said dragon abides there, and broods the gold for 300 years.
Now a certain thrall, who had misdone against his lord and was fleeing from his wrath, haps on the said treasure and takes a cup thence, which he brings to his lord to appease his wrath. The Worm waketh, and findeth his treasure lessened, but can find no man who hath done the deed. Therefore he turns on the folk, and wars on them, and burns Beowulf's house. Now Beowulf will go and meet the Worm. He has an iron shield made, and sets forth with eleven men and the thrall the thirteenth. He comes to the ness, and speaks to his men, telling them of his past days, and gives them his last greeting: then he cries out a challenge to the Worm, who comes forth, and the battle begins: Beowulf's sword will not bite on the Worm.
18. BEOWULF CHALLENGES THE DRAGON
2550 Let Sa of breostum, Sa he gebolgen waes, Wedergeata leod word fit faran, stearcheort styrmde; stefn in becom heaSotorht hlynnan under harne stan; hete waes onhrered, hordweard oncneow
2555 mannes reorde; naes Saar maxa fyrst
freode to friclan. From aarest cwom oruS aglaacan fit of stane,
hat hildeswat; hrfise dynede.
Beorn under beorge bordrand onswaf 2560 wiS Sam gryregieste, Geata dryhten;
Sa waes hringbogan heorte gefysed saecce t5 seceanne.
Wiglaf eggs on the others to come to Beowulf's help, and goes himself straightway, and offers himself to Beowulf; the Worm comes on again, and Beowulf breaks his sword Naegling on him, and the Worm wounds Beowulf. Wiglaf smites the Worm in the belly; Beowulf draws his sax, and between them they slay the Worm.
BEOWULF 53 19. W I G L A F E X H O R T S HIS C O M R A D E S , A N D G O E S T O
B E O W U L F ' S A I D
Wiglaf maSelode, wordrihta f ela saegde gesiSum (him waes sefa geomor): " Ic Saet maal geman pser we medu psegun, ponne we geheton Qssum hlaforde in beorsele, Se us Sas beagas geaf, 2635
paet we him Sa gfiSgeatwa gyldan woldon, gif him pyshcu pearf gelumpe, helmas ond heard sweord. D y he fisic on herge geceas to Syssum siSfaete sylfes willum, onmunde fisic maarSa, ond m e pas maSmas geaf, 2640 py he fisic garwigend gode tealde,
hwate helmberend, peahSe hlaford fis pis ellenweorc ana aSohte to gefremmanne, folces hyrde,
forSam he manna msest maarSa gefremede, 2645 daada dolllcra. N u is se daeg cumen,
paet fire mandryhten maegenes behofaS godra gfiSrinca; uton gongan to,
helpan hildfruman, penden haete sy, gledegesa grim. God wat on mec, 2650 paet m e is micle leof re paet minne lichaman mid minne goldgyfan gled faeSmie. Ne pynceS m e gerysne, paet we rondas beren eft to earde, nemne we aeror maegen
fahne gefyllan, feorh ealgian 2655 Wedra Seodnes. Ic wat geare,
paet naeron eald gewyrht, paet he ana scyle Geata duguSe gnom prSwian,
gesigan aet saecce; fis sceal sweord ond helm,
byme ond beaduscrfid, bam gemaane." 2660
54 BEOWULF
W o d pa purh pone waelrec, wigheafolan baer
frean on fultum, fea worda cwaeS: " Leofa Beowulf, laast eall tela, swa Su on geoguSfeore geara gecwsede,
2665 paet Sfi ne alaate be Se hfigendum dom gedreosan; scealt nfi daedum rof,
seSehng anhydig, ealle maegene
feorh ealgian; ic Se fullaestu."
20. BEOWULF AND WIGLAF KILL THE DRAGON
pagen gfiScyning mserSa gemunde, maegenstrengo sloh hildebille, paet hyt on heafolan stod
2680 nipe genyded; Naeghng forbaerst, geswac aet saecce sweord Beowulfes, gomol ond graagmaal. H i m paet gifeSe ne waes;
paet him irena ecge mihton helpan aet hilde; waes seo hond to strong,
2685 seoSe meca gehwane, mine gefraage, swenge ofersohte, ponne he to saecce baer waepen w u n d m m heard; naes him wihte Se sel.
pa wses peodsceaSa priddan siSe,
frecne fyrdraca, faahSa gemyndig, 2690 rsesde on Sone rofan, pa him rfim ageald,
hat ond heaSogrim, heals ealne ymbefeng biteran banum; he geblodegod wearS
sawuldreore; swat ySum weoll. D a ic aet pearfe gefraegn peodcyninges
2695 andlongne eorl eUen cySan, craeft ond cenSu, swa him gecynde waes; ne hedde he paes heafolan (ac seo hand gebarn
modiges mannes, pser he his mseges healp),
BEOWULF 55 paet he pone niSgaest nioSor hwene sloh,
secg on searwum, paet Saet sweord gedeaf 2700 fag ond faated, paet Saet fyr ongon sweSrian sySSan. pagen sylf cyning geweold his gewitte, waelseaxe gebraad biter ond beaduscearp, paet he on byrnan waeg;
forwrat Wedra helm wyrm on middan. 2705
Beowulf now feels his wounds, and knows that he is hurt deadly; he sits down by the wall, and Wiglaf bathes his wounds. Beowulf speaks, tells how he would give his armour to his son if he had one; thanks God that he has not sworn falsely or done guilefully; and prays Wiglaf to bear out the treasure that he may see it before he dies.
21. BEOWULF ASKS THAT THE DRAGON'S HOARD MAY
BE BROUGHT OUT FOR HIM TO SEE
Beowulf mapelode: he ofer benne spraec, wunde waelbleate; wisse he gearwe, 2725 paet he daeghwila gedrogen haefde eorSan wynne; Sa waes eall sceacen
dogorgerimes, deaS ungemete neah: "Nfiic suna minum syllan wolde
gfiSgewaadu, paer me gifeSe swa 2730 aenig yrfeweaxd aefter wurde lice gelenge. Ic Sas leode heold fiftig wintra; naes se folccyning ymbesittendra aenig Sara,
pe mec gfiSwinum gretan dorste, 2735 egesan Sywan. Ic on earde bad mselgesceafta, heold min tela,
ne sohte searoniSas, ne me swor fela aSa on unriht. Ic Saes ealles maeg
56 BEOWULF
2740 feorhbennum seoc gefean habban; forSam m e witan ne Searf Waldend fira morSorbealo nraga, ponne min sceaceS
lif of lice. Nfi Sfi lungre gong hord sceawian under hame stan,
2745 Wiglaf leofa, nfi se wyrm hgeS, swefeS saxe wund, since bereafod. Beo nfi on ofoste, paet ic serwelan,
goldseht, ongite, geare sceawige swegle searogimmas, paet ic Sy seft maege
2750 aefter maSSumwelan min alaatan
fif ond leodscipe, pone ic longe heold."
Wiglaf fetches out the treasure, and again bathes Beowulf's wounds; Beowulf speaks again, rejoices over the sight of the treasure; gives to Wiglaf his ring and his armour, and bids the manner of his bale-fire. With that he passes away.
22. B E O W U L F ' S L A S T W O R D S
Beowulf reordode, gomol on geohSe gold sceawode: " Ic Sara f raetwa Frean ealles Sane,
2795 Wuldorcyninge, wordum secge, ecum Dryhtne, pe ic her on starie, paesSe ic moste minum leodum aer swyltdaege swylc gestrynan.
Nfi ic on maSma hord mine bebohte 2800 frode feorhlege, fremmaS gena
leoda pearfe; ne maeg ic her leng wesan. HataS heaSomaare hlaaw gewyrcean beorhtne aefter baale aet brimes nosan; se sceal to gemyndum minum leodum
2805 heah hlifian on Hronesnaesse,
BEOWULF 57
pset hit saaliSend sySSan haten Beowulfes beorh, SaSe brentingas ofer floda genipu feorran drifaS." Dyde him of healse hring gyldenne peodenpristhydig; pegne gesealde, 2810 geongum garwigan, goldfagne helm,
beah ond byrnan, het hyne brfican wel. "pfi eaxt endelaf usses cynnes, Wsegmundinga; ealle wyrd forsweop mine magas to metodsceafte, 2815
eorlas on elne; ic him aefter sceal." Paet waes pam gomelan gingeste word
breostgehygdum, ser he baal cure, hate heaSowylmas; him of hreSre gewat sawol secean s53faestra dom. 2820
Now the dastards come thereto and find Wiglaf vainly bathing his dead lord. He casteth shame upon them with great wrath. Thence he sends a messenger to the barriers of the town, who comes to the host, and tells them of the death of Beowulf. 23. T H E M E S S E N G E R SAYS PLAINLY W H A T W I L L E N S U E
Nfi is ofost betost, paet we peodcyning paar sceawien, ond pone gebringen, pe us beagas geaf, on adfaere. Ne sceal anes hwaet 3010
meltan mid pam modigan, ac paar is maSma hord, gold unrime, grimme geceapod,
ond nfi aet siSestan sylfes feore beagas gebohte; pa sceal brond fretan, aaled peccean, nailes eorl wegan 3015 maSSum to gemyndum, ne maegS scyne habban on healse hringweorSunge,
58 BEOWULF ac sceal geomormod, golde bereafod,
oft, nailes aane, elland tredan, 3020 nfi se herewisa hleahtor alegde,
gamen ond gleodream. ForSon sceal gar wesan, monig morgenceald, mundum bewunden,
haefen on handa, nailes hearpan sweg
wigend weccean, ac se wonna hrefn 3025 ffls ofer faegum fela reordian,
earne secgan hfi him aet sete speow,
penden he wiS wulfe wael reafode."
The warriors go to look on Beowulf, and find him and the Worm lying dead together. Wiglaf chooses out seven of them to go void the treasure-house, after having bidden them gather wood for the bale-fire. They shove the Worm over the cliff into the sea, and bear off the treasure in a wain. Then they bring Beowulf's corpse to bale, and they kindle it: and twelve children of the athelings ride round the bale, and bemoan Beowulf and praise him: and thus ends the poem.
24. T H E BALE-FIRE O N H R O N E S N E S S
Dracan eac scufun, wyrm, ofer weallclif, leton waag niman, flod faeSmian, fraetwa hyrde.
pa waes wunden gold on waan hladen,
3135 aaghwaes unrim; aepeling boren, hax hilderinc, to Hronesnaesse.
Him Sa gegiredon Geata leode ad on eorSan unwaclicne,
helmum behongen, bildebordum, 3140 beorhtum byrnum, swa he bena waes;
alegdon Sa tomiddes rnaarne peoden haeleS heofende, hlaford leofne.
Ongunnon pa on beorge baalfyra maast wigend weccan.
THE SEAFARER 59
25. BEOWULF'S BARROW. HIS PEOPLE PRAISE HIM
Geworhton Sa Wedra leode hlaaw on hliSe, se waes heah ond brad, wsegliSendum wide gesyne,
ond betimbredon on tyn dagum
beadurofes beacn; brondalafe 3160
wealle beworhton, swa hyt weorSlicost
foresnotre men findan mihton.
Hi on beorg dydon beag ond siglu,
ealle swylce hyrsta, swylce on horde aar niShedige men genumen haefdon; 3165
forleton eorla gestreon eorSan healdan,
gold on greote, pser hit nugen hfaS
yldum swa unnyt, swa hit aaror waes.
pa ymbe hlaaw ridon hildedeore
aepelinga beam eaha twelfa, 3170
woldon ceare cwiSan, cyning maanan, wordgyd wrecan, ond y m b wer sprecan;
eahtodon eorlscipe, ond his ellenweorc
duguSum demdon, swa hit gedefe biS
paet mon his winedryhten wordum herige, 3175
ferhSum freoge, ponne he forS scyle
of lichaman laeded weorSan.
Swa begnornodon Geata leode
hlafordes hryre, heorSgeneatas;
cwaadon paet he waare woruldcyning, 3180
manna mildost ond monSwaarost,
leodum liSost, ond lofgeornost.
XL THE SEAFARER
Here is given the opening of one of the greatest of Anglo-Saxon poems.
60 T H E L A T E R GENESIS
Maeg ic be m e sylfum s53gied wrecan,
sipas secgan, hfi ic geswincdagum
earfoShwile oft prowade,
bitre breostceare gebiden haebbe,
5 gecunnad in ceole cearselda fela,
atol ypa gewealc. Pser mec oft bigeat
nearo nihtwaco aet nacan stefnan, ponne he be chfum cnossaS; calde geprungen
waeron mine fet, forste gebunden,
10 caldum clommum; paar pa ceare seofedun
hate ymb heortan, hungor innan slat
merewerges mod. paet se mon ne wat,
pe him on foldan faagrost limpeS,
hu ic earmcearig iscealdne sse
15 winter wunade wraeccan lastum wynnum biloren, winemaagum bidroren,
bihongen hrimgicelum; haegl scfirum fleag.
pser ic ne gehyrde bfitan hlimman saa,
iscaldne wseg, hwilum ylfete song;
20 dyde ic m e to gomene ganetes hleopor,
ond hwilpan sweg fore hleahtre wera,
maaw singende fore medodrince.
XII. THE LATER GENESIS
The Later Genesis, or Genesis B, is an insertion in the Caedmonian Genesis of 617 lines translated from an Old Saxon poem. It may be said to be an infusion into Old English of the spirit of some of the best Old Saxon poetry, without loss in the rendering.
1. ADAM REBUFFS THE TEMPTER
" Hwaet I ic pinra bysna ne maeg,
worda ne wisna, wiht oncnawan,
THE LATER GENESIS 61
siSes ne sagona. Ic wat hwaet he me self bebead, 535 Nergend user, pa ic hine nehst geseah; he het me his word weorSian ond wel healdan, lsestan his lare. pfi gelic ne bist senigum his engla, pe ic aer geseah, ne pu me oSiewdest aenig tacen, 540 pe he me purh treowe to onsende, min Hearra purh hyldo. py ic pe hyran ne cann, acpfi meahtpeforS faran. Ichaebbemefaestnegeleafan up to pam aelmihtigan Gode, pe me mid his earmum
worhte, her mid handum sinum; he maeg me of his hean rice 545 gifian mid goda gehwilcum, peah he his gingran ne
sende."
2. ADAM REPROACHES EVE
" Nys unc wiht beforan t5 scursceade, ne sceattes wiht to mete gemearcod; ac unc is mihtig God, Wealdend, wraSmod. T5 hwon sculon wit weorSan nfi? 815 Nfi me maeg ahreowan, paet ic baed heofones God, Wealdend pone godan, paet he pe her worhte to me of liSum minum, nfi pfi me forlsered haefst on mines Hearran hete; swa me nfi hreowan maeg aafre to ealdre, pset ic pe minum eagum geseah." 820
Da spraec Eue eft, idesa scienost, wif a wlitigost; heo waes geweorc Godes, peah heo pa on deofles craeft bedroren wurde: "pu meaht hit me witan, wine min Adam, wordum pinum; hit pe peah wyrs ne maeg 825 on pinum hyge hreowan, ponne hit me aet heortan
deS."
62 J U D I T H
XIII. J U D I T H
The story of Judith may be read in the Apocrypha. Holofernes, the general of Nebuchadnezzar, has invaded Judaea and invested Bethulia. Judith, a Jewess, gains access to him by her beauty. After feasting his warriors he has her brought to his pavilion. She cuts off his head in his drunken stupor, escapes with her maid, and emboldens her countrymen to fall on their foes. The Assyrians come to rouse their general and find only a headless corpse. The rout of their enemies by the Jews is complete. Our extract gives the return of Judith to Bethulia with the head of Holofernes, her exhortation to the Jews, and the resulting onslaught.
Wigend saaton, weras waeccende weaxde heoldon,
in Sam faestenne, swa Sam folce ser geomormodum Ifidith bebead,
145 searoSoncol maegS, pa heo on siS gewat, ides ellenrof. Waes Sa eft cumen
leof to leodum; ond Sa lungre het gleawhydig wif gumena sumne
of Saere ginnan byrig hyre tSgeanes gan, 150 ond hi ofostlice in forlaetan
purh Saes wealles geat; ond paet word acwaeS to Sam sigefolce: " Ic eow secgan maeg poncwyrSe ping, paet ge ne pyrfen leng
murnan on mode; eow ys Metod bliSe,
155 cyninga Wuldor; paet gecySed wearS
geond woruld wide, paet eow ys wuldorblsed torhtlic toweard, ond tir gifeSe para lseSSa pe ge lange dragon."
pa wurdon bliSe burhsittende,
160 sySSan hi gehyrdon hu seo halige spraec
J U D I T H 63
ofer heanne weall. Here waes on lustum, wiS paes faestengeates folc onette,
weras wif somod, wornum ond heapum, Sreatum ond Srymmum, prungon ond urnon ongean Sa peodnes maegS pfisendmaalum 165 ealde ge geonge; seghwylcum wearS men on Ssere medobyrig mod areted,
sySSan hie ongeaton paet waes Iudith cumen eft to eSle; ond Sa ofostlice
hie mid eaSmedum in forleton. 170 pa seo gleawe het, golde gefraetwod, hyre Sinenne pancolmode paes herewaaSan heafod onwriSan, ond hit to behSe blodig aetywan
pam burgleodum, hfi hyre aet beadwe gespeow. 175 Spraec Sa seo aeSele to eallum pam folce:
"Her ge magon sweotole, sigerofe haeleS, leoda raaswan, on Saes laSestan hseSenes heaSorinces heafod starian,
Holofernus unlyfigendes, 180 pe us monna maast morSra gefremede,
sarra sorga; ond paet swySor gyt yean wolde, ac him ne fiSe God lengran lifes paet he mid laaSSum us
eglan moste; ic him ealdor oSprong 185
purh Godes fultum. Nfi ic gumena gehwone pyssa burgleoda biddan wylle,
randwigendra, paet ge recene eow
fysan to gefeohte, sySSan frymSa God, arfaest Cyning, eastan sende IQ0
leohtne leoman; beraS linde forS,
bord for breostum ond byrnhomas,
64 JUDITH
scire helmas, in sceaSena gemong fyllan folctogan fagum sweordum,
195 f*g e frumgaras. Fynd syndon eowre gedemed to deaSe, ond ge dom agon, tir aet tohtan, swa eow getacnod hafaS
mihtig Dryhten purh mine hand." pa wearS snelra werod snfide gegeaxwod,
200 cenratocampe; stopon cynerofe secgas ond gesiSas, baaron sigepfifas,
foron to gefeohte forS on gerihte, haeleS under helmum, of Saare haligan byrig onSaetdaegredsylf; dynedon scildas,
205 hlude hlummon. paes se hlanca gefeah wulf in walde, ond se wanna hrefn,
waelgifre fugel; wiston begen paet him Sa peodguman pohton tilian fylle on faagum; ac him fleag on last
210 earn setes georn, urigfeSera, salowigpada, sang hildeleoS, hyrnednebba. Stopon heaSorincas, beornas, to beadwe bordum beSeahte,
hwealfum hndum, paSe hwile aer
215 elSeodigra edwit poledon, haeSenra hosp; him paet hearde wearS
aet Sam aescplegan eallum for^olden,
Assyrium, sySSan Ebreas under gfiSfanum gegan haefdon
220 to Sam fyrdwicum. Hie Sa fromlice leton forS fleogan flana scfiras,
hildensedran, of hornbogan, straalas stedehearde; styrmdon hlfide
grame gfiSfrecan, gaxas sendon
A R I D D L E 65
in heaxdra gemang. HaeleS wseron yrre, landbfiende, laSum cynne;
stopon styrnmode, stercedferhSe, wrehton unsofte ealdgeniSlan medowerige; mundum brugdon
scealcas of sceaSum scirmaaled sweord ecgum gecoste, slogon eomoste Assiria oretmaecgas
niShycgende; nanne ne sparedon paes herefolces heanne ne ricne
cwicra manna, pe hie ofercuman mihton.
XIV. A RIDDLE
The A.S. riddles, or enigmas, are descriptions of objects which are to be guessed. The intention of the composer is to be at once accurate and misleading. Nearly a hundred riddles are extant. They must have been one of the winter amusements of our ancestors.
Hraegl min swigaS, ponne ic hrfisan txede oppe pa wic buge oppe wado drefe.
Hwilum mec ahebbaS ofer haelepa byht hyrste mine ond peos hea lyft,
ond mec ponne wide wolcna strengu ofer folc byreS; fraetwe mine swogaS hlfide ond swinsiaS, torhte singaS, ponne ic getenge ne beo flode ond foldan, ferende gaast.
w 5
NOTES
T H E following abbreviations m a y be used in the Notes:
A.S.: v. OE. B.T.: Anglo-Saxon Dictionary by Bosworth and Toller (Ox
ford, 1898, 1908, 1916, 1921). Chron.: A.S. Chronicle. Dial. Diet.: Wright's English Dialect Dictionary. EWS.: Early West Saxon. Gram.: A. J. Wyatt's OE. Grammar (Cambridge Press,
1918): referred to by sections, not pages. LWS.: Late West Saxon. ME.: Middle English. N.E.D.: New English Dictionary. OE. = A.S. = Anglo-Saxon or Old English. N.B. The first one or two words only of a translated passage
are given where no confusion can result; in such cases the translation is in inverted commas.
p = 8: in the texts, and where a text is quoted, the MS. is followed; elsewhere in Notes and Glossary, 8 is used exclusively.
I. THE BIBLE
1. of rarely, if ever, indicates possession merely. 3. pa when, correlative with pa, then (1. 4). 'When' is
often dada or da...da (11. 5, 50). 7. lede = legde; Gram. 160. 11. Afrefl. 'herself.' 12. pdm referring to flod (8), river.
msedenu = msegdenu neut. pi.; Gram. 22, 160. 14. Pinena = pignena, of her maidens; cp. msedenu. 17. Psera: when the article precedes a dependent geni
tive, it usually agrees with it and not with the following noun. W e have an exception in 4, 235.
5-a
68 NOTES
31. me td to me; a. prep, often follows the word it governs.
33. ealle his ping all his things; in E W S . eall his ping. It must be remembered that long neuters, nouns and adjs., drop the pi. inflection -u (Gram. 9, 42 (e)); hence great care is needed to distinguish neuter plurals from singulars.
36. hi pi., because sehta is pi. 46. arise: the A.S. verb has no future tense; the pres.
is used instead. 47. on against; a common usage. 48. nu the conjunction 'now,' 'now that'; again in
1. 55, and frequently. neom = ne eom, as in 1. 55 (Gram. 96).
51. weard: weordan and wesan axe both used to form the passive voice; werden alone is used in German.
59. on with ace. 'onto' (literally).
II. APOLLONIUS
1. hyre the wife of Apollonius. waere opt. of indirect statement or question.
8. paere her; this use of the demonstrative for the personal pron. is not rare; cp. the use of er and der in German.
9. nan 'no one so pleasing to Diana.' 13. hdligern temple, made up of halig, holy, and asm,
building. 17. waere opt., 'might be.'
fram by; this prep, is regularly used with the passive voice to denote the agent.
28. me refl. dat., very common with verbs of motion. 29. feowertyne gear accus. of duration of time. 40. Thasian Thaisa; but in Pericles the names are
Pericles (Apollonius), Thaisa (Arcestrate), Marina (Thaisa). 41. hig a later form of hl(e). 44. pa organa 'the organ was played.' Chaucer also
uses the pi. (Lat. organa): Cant. Tales, B. 4041, G. 134.
NOTES 69
"What we now call 'an organ' was formerly styled 'the organs'" (Anecdotes of the English Language, 1844).
48. Efesum Ephesus; cp. Acts xix. 50. In Pericles Simonides (Arcestrates) is king of
Pentapolis. 54. fulfremedre ylde of advanced age, full of years. 57. Disum 'all these things being so done'; not a
native construction, but imitated from the Latin ablative absolute.
65. tdcenbora is elsewhere the equivalent of Lat. signi-fer, standard-bearer; here it translates Lat. paranymphus, 'best man'; the fisherman had led Apollonius to where he found his bride.
III. A CONVERSATION
3. on 'early in the morning.' On with ace. often marks a point of time: cp. on aernemergen (13), where aer takes the ace. masc. inflection; on lencten (31); on midne winter (4.76).
12. for because of, against. 14. gefylde ond gewaeterode: these are pps. with the pi.
inflection -e. 16. On 'in many ways.' Fela is usu. a neut. sing., fol
lowed by gen. pi.; here it agrees with wlsan, though un-inflected.
34. getemedan sc. hafocas. 39. hig nom., with ace. hig, hawks, understood. 44. oppe hwxper or whether. The direct question Hwam
fremep is irregularly followed by an indirect question (cp. 1. 51), and oppe is redundant.
47. bip gesewen seems, in imitation of uidetur in the Latin text. See 1. 63.
51. bepurfon his need him: bedurfan (Gram. 95) usu. governs the gen. case.
57. We 'we don't care about'; Gram. 90. 63. is gepuht seems (lit. is seemed); Lat. uidetur.
70 NOTES
64. furpra wesan Lat. prior esse. The equivalent phrases ealdorscype (66), ealdordom (71), healdan translate Lat. tenere, retinere, primatum. 69. togelhte pp. pi. of tolcan (Gram. 88). It is unusual
to retain the pp. prefix ge- after another prefix. 81. sweginga noises, ace. pi. fem., followed by four
words in gen. pi. 82. eower of you; so Ore, of us, 10, 1386. Mm, din,
uncer, incer, ure, lower all have a double use: they are gen. cases of personal prons., as here; they are also possessive adjs., my, our, etc. Chaucer still used oure in the former way; Cant. T. A. 799, 823:
Up roos oure Hoost and was oure aller cok, i.e. cock of us all. 89. hwaetllcor Lat. citius, pretty quickly; this use of the
compar. adv. is Latin, not A.S. 90. fremige 'let everyone (lit. each of the ones) help
others'; jussive subjunctive. 92. paer from whom. 98. menn 'to a man not to be wilhng to be.' It must
be remembered that menn is dat. sg. as well as nom. ace. pi. (Gram. 39).
IV. THE CHRONICLE
1. wintra: note the use of winter for 'year' and niht for'day' (93, 96). 2. wrest' was the first of the Romans to invade Britain.'
The construction is the same in 1. 14. 9. wserun with the old ending of the past pi. 10. Her here, i.e. at this place in the annals, i.e. in this
year. Later, e.g. in 918 A.D., we often find Her onPysum geare. The earlier portion of the Parker MS. is ruled into spaces, one for each year.
11. ymb, here redundant, before nouns of time means 'at,' 'after,'not'about.'
19. Pe he 'on which he did no good.' The same saying
NOTES 71
is quoted in Alfred's translation of Orosius. Since it is not in the original Latin of Orosius, we may infer that it was a favourite saying with the King; we may probably also infer that he had a hand in compiling the Chronicle.
26. from 'invited by Vortigern.' 28. Brettum to fultume to help the Britons. This com
mon construction is to be noted; Brettum is a dat. of advantage, and to fultume may be regarded as a predicative dat.
30. flugon 'fled from the English like fire.' The diction of this passage, with its alliteration and simile, shows that it is taken from some old poem.—Sweet.
32. xii Kal. Julii the eleventh day (as we reckon) before the 1st of July, i.e. June 20.
33. undern the third hour, 9 a.m. Cp. Cant. T. B. 4412. 35. Bryttas. T w o things are to be noted. The names of
peoples and tribes are freely used to denote the lands, districts, shires that they lived in. Bryttas (Brettas), Walas (foreigners), and Bretwdlas are all used for the Celtic inhabitants of Britain.
45. scipu sc. Nordmanna (which is in all the other MSS.) = Deniscra monna (48).
50. Westwdlas Cornwall; consequently Norpwealas (137) = Wales, not North Wales. Gram. 19, 137, 159. 51. to anum 'made common cause, combined their
forces.' 55. h&pne 'the Northmen remained through the winter
for the first time.' 56. feorde healf hund fourth half hundred, i.e. 3^ hun
dred, i.e. 350. Gram. 54 (2). 65. to 'to York in Northumbria,' fit. 'into N. to York.' 67. aworpenne ace. masc. sing, agreeing with the pre
ceding object cyning. The agreement of the pp. in this construction is not uncommon, but is not the rule.
68. Milan: this is the Alia of Chaucer's Man of Law's Tale.
72 N O T E S
td pam 'came to the resolution that they would be fighting against the horde.' To pam is used, like Ger. dazu, to anticipate the following noun clause.
70. peah nevertheless, i.e. though it was late in the year.
71. hie sume 'some of them got in.' This is the usual construction with sum, in apposition with the nom.
74. ofslsegene sc. wurdon or waeron. wip with, but not without a trace of its usual
meaning, 'against.' 76. hiene bestael (refl.) stole away. 77. twelftan niht the Epiphany, Jan. 6.
geridon 'they conquered Wessex and occupied it.' Ge-, more often than not, makes no difference in the meaning of a word. But prefixed to verbs of motion and a few other verbs, it changes their meaning, giving in-trans. verbs trans, force. Rldan, ride, geridon, ride over, conquer; ascian, ask, geascian, learn (by asking), 1. 125.
79. him to 'brought them into subjection (to themselves).'
81. aefter wudumfor kept in the woods. 82. paes ilcan wintra gen. of time; something between
the dat. of a point of time and the ace. of duration of time. Gram. 36.
84. dccc monna ' 840 men of his army with him.' 85. paes on Eastron thereafter at Easter, the following
Easter. 86. lytle werode (instr.) with a small troop or band. 87. ond Sumorsabtna ' and that part of Somerset which
was nearest Athelney,' meaning 'the men of that part' —remoter subject of waes winnende. This passage and Sumorsaete (men of Somerset, 91), which takes a sing. verb though qualified by a pi. adj., are remarkable illustrations of the note on 1. 35.
92. se dsel lit. 'that part which of it was on this side sea,' i.e. those men of Hants who had not been driven
NOTES 73
over sea; see 1. 78. Note that dael se hiere is the regular order in A.S.
his 'were fain of him.' 93. Paes ymb dne one night thereafter, the next day. 95. Paet geweorc, Chippenham. 97. woldon sc. gdn. 99. com 'came king G. to him.' 100. prltiga sum one of 30, i.e. with 29 others—the
regular idiom. 102. his se 'Alfred there stood sponsor for him at
baptism.' 103. crismllsing, chrisom-loosing, is believed to have
been the leaving off of the baptismal headcloth or white robe.
aet Wedmor: should be Wedmore. But he who would correct all irregularities in proper names, even in a normalised text, would be too daring.
113. syx 'six days before Allhallowmass,' the feast of All Saints (Nov. 1), i.e. Oct. 26.
116. oprum 'one and a half less than 30 years,' i.e. 28^ years; see note on 1. 56. For the date of Alfred's death see Two Saxon Chronicles, ed. Earle and Plummer (Oxford, 1892-9), vol. 2, p. 112. 122. besudaneast andlang sse: this must be a landsman's
way of saying 'south-east along the coast.' 125. Paet this (roSe), viz. that they were going (or had
gone) a-harrying. This use of daet to anticipate a noun clause must be noted; it occurs frequently.
127. offoron...hindan lit. 'overtook from behind.' Redundant advs. in -an, indicating 'direction from,' are usual in this and similar expressions; see besaeton...utan (147)-
129. his of the horde (here). 131. Mdered ^Ethelred, the famous 'alderman' of
Mercia, who had married Alfred's famous daughter /Ethelflsed, "lady of the Mercians." See 922 A.D.
74 NOTES
133. hlerdon with dat. 'obeyed,' 'were subject.' 134. hider ofer siipan ofover hither from the south from. 136. west onbiitan ' west about, i.e. round Land's End,
till they arrived.' 142. pa gemetton 'then the men from Hereford, etc.,
found them.' 150. westan 'from Cornwall on the west eastwards as
far as Avonmouth.' 152. besteelon 'nevertheless they stole away and landed
(upp) by night.' 156. pa ane for pa anan, those only. 157. aet: this redundant aet is not rare; we find in
Chron. 552 A.D. "in paare stowe pe is genemned aet Searo-byrg" (Old Sarum).
158. op 'until the time when.' 161. gangdagum Rogation days, the three days before
Ascension Day; they were so called because of the processions held on them. 163. dsere eas Gram. 30. 164. norperran strictly a compar. adj. (Gram. 51), but
to be rendered, like nordweard, 'north part of.' 165. him to hlaforde see note on 1. 28. 183. Pone 'the Saturday after Easter Sunday.' 185. nan 'anything in exchange for him, to ransom
him.' 188. Sunnansefen ' Saturday evening in the octave of
Easter.' 191. eaxe=aexe; see aex. 199. candelmaessan ' at Candlemas, on Feb. 3.' Candle
mas, the Purification of the Virgin Mary, is Feb. 2; but, as the exact date follows, 'at Candlemas' may well be an approximation. Candlemas is so called because, as MlMc says, "we sceolon on oisum daege beran ure leoht to cyrcan, ond laetan hi tSaer bletsian." 201. aefter 'should send for the king,' who, as the
annal for 1013 tells us, had taken refuge with his queen's brother, Richard the Good, duke of Normandy. See 1.340.
N O T E S 75
202. him to them. 217. geweard 'it was agreed between him and the
people of Lindsey that they should provide him with horses.' B.T. gives only one other example of the impers. geweordan dnes with dat. pers. and a clause.
224. let p§er up put ashore. 228. Sancte 'the eve of Michaelmas day.' 229. geond wide for wide geond lit. 'widely over.' 235. psere see note on 1, 17. 238. pd ne 'then it did not suit, please, them unless.' 241. Dd...pd then; usually the duplicated dd = when.
befullum wite under full penalties (for not answering the summons). 245. pd ne beheold 'then it availed no more than it had
often (lit. oftener) done before.' 247. pdpe 'those who should have been a help to him.' 257. to Eoforwic weard = toweard Eoforwic towards
York. Cp. "to us-ward" (Ps. xl. 5). 259. blah submitted (to Cnut). 262. gesette 'appointed Eric to be his earl (or "alder
man") in Northumbria.' 270. maessedaege April 23. St George was recognised as
the patron saint of England in the reign of Edward III. 273. ond his rice ' and he resolutely defended his realm
while his time lasted,' i.e. during his brief reign. 280. gewend ut gone out (of London). Gram. 89. 282. aet Peonnan: Pen Selwood, about five miles from
Gilhngham, Dorset, is the reputed site of this battle. The exact force of wid here is hard to determine: 'by,' 'near,' 'over against.' 286. pam here 'helping the horde.' See 1. 28. 289. pd waes 'then, two days after, the king crossed
(the Thames).' 294. aefter pdm after that. 299. up foron 'landed and marched into Mercia.' 301. heom 'procured supplies for themselves.'
76 N O T E S
302. drifon 'took both their ships and their droves up along the Medway.'
304. to = aet (290). 307. gewende...waes. It is clear that the chronicler
means by these words to describe the submission of Edric to Edmund after the battle of Oxford, and his contemptuous comment refers to the folly of Edmund in accepting that submission.—P(lummer). 311. fordydon 'they destroyed all that it (se here) over
ran.' It is possible, but not probable, that the annalist was thinking of the horde distributively in fordydon and collectively in oferflrde; such variations are too frequent.
315. togaedere 'they joined battle with determination.' 318. gefeaht 'won by fighting all England for himself.'
See note on 1. 77. 327. paet gyld ' they fixed the tribute to be paid to the
horde.' 334. to 'on St Andrew's day,' Nov. 30. 339. toforan 'before Aug. 1.' 340. Mdelrldes lafe Elfgifu, relict of Ethelred; she was
daughter of Richard I of Normandy and sister of Richard II. See note on 1. 201.
344. buton pam pe besides what. 345. se here 'then part of the horde went.' 352. hi Ethelred. The chronicler seems to date the
regular establishment of the tax from about 1013, though he regards the payment of 991 as the first Danegeld.—P.
355. ond [pe man] men 'and wherewith men were oppressed in various ways'; mid governs pe. 356. com...up landed; Eustace II, count of Boulogne,
married to Godgifu. 357. ond gewende. From these words down to ac hit
nses na swa (380) I have taken from E. 1048 (= 1051) as, in this part, the more satisfactory account.
358. wid has here, already, the exact force of with, and again in 1. 598. See note on 1. 74.
N O T E S 77
365. his undances 'against the will (of the householder).' Undances is adverbial gen. governing his, of him. 369. wendon him went. See 2, 28. 372. gewundodon 'wounded (so that) they knew not
how many.' 375. be dStle in part. The significance of this will not
be missed. 378. gecydd ' made it appear to the king that the guilt
of the citizens was greater than his.' Sceolde beon, 'was reported to be,' is here redundant. For gecydd v. Gram. 88-9. 381. sceolde 'such things should have happened.' 384. Langatreo. That Godwin owned property in Long-
tree Hundred is shown by Domesday Book.—P. 386. ond his lit. ' and unless one shoved Eustace's men
into their hand,' i.e. gave them into their power. 388. aer psere 'before the later (second) mass of St
Mary.' The first is the Assumption, Aug. 15, the later the Nativity, Sept. 8. 390-1. eorle — ealdormon, chief officer of a province;
here, of Mercia and Northumbria respectively. 392. hu hit 'how matters stood there in the south.' 394. leton blodan caused to be summoned, had...sum
moned. 395. eorldom Herefordshire. 397. Wurdon 'then were they all so of one mind with
the king.' Wurdon has here the force that it has in a passive voice: see 1, 51. 400. togaedere: this adv. is used with cuman, gan, and
fon (315) with the same meaning, 'join battle.' msest 'most of what was most noble.'
401. llton 'considered that they would clear a way to the land for our foes and to great destruction among ourselves.' 404. setton...ut issued summonses. 405. man 'the people were then called out thither.'
78 NOTES
418. Baldwines ' a kinswoman of Baldwin V of Bruges,' count of Flanders. 422. of horn. 423. hine Harold. 425. him pser 'he sustained much loss there.' 426. weder favourable weather. Weather is now used
in dialect to mean bad weather; I have heard: 'We've had a deal of weather lately.' 429. swa miclum gsersuman swa.. .maest the most treasure
that. 430. eelcum mannum (pi.) = aelcum men(n) (431).
wolde dyncan would have seemed. 433. topam ' so greatly exalted, as if.' 436. pa, emphatic, 'her.' 440. let 'let him go back again.' 443. nlah ' near the borders of Somerset and Devon.' 445. ongean against; it often means 'to meet.' 449. da lagon those lay. Gram. 105.
sceoldon were to. 451. &rest 'without their knowing it.' 456. mycel 'many other parts besides those.' 458. setton 'then they went in pursuit.' 463. be pam saeriman: cp. 1. 454 and explain the differ
ence. 464. comon togsedere not here in the hostile sense of
1. 400. 466. buton pcet except that. 467. speonon Gram. 78 Note.
to governs heom. 468. up 'up country, inland.' Cp. Cant. T. A. 702. 472. sdh him moved, lit. sank. See 2, 28. 474. Paet flod a spring tide; the context clearly indicates
a longer interval than that between low tide and high tide. 476. hi...maest ealle almost all of them. The vulgar
'most all' proves to be a scion of blue blood!
NOTES 79
479. ufenan 'from above,' so all authorities, as if it came from heaven. The army came down to the river bank, either from the higher ground in the rear, or from higher up the river. 485. pe dht 'who were of much account.' The pi.
mihton shows that lytel elles is in effect pi. 487. Pat utlendiscum 'that this land should be still
more opened up to foreign peoples because they themselves destroyed each other.' Work out the exact construction.
491. ond heora 'and their fleet, as much of it as then seemed good to them.'
493. swa full...dhte: a stereotyped phrase in O E . charters. 497 gode lage good law; cp. unlage (498). 500. buton lit.' except as many as they arranged that,'
i.e. agreed upon, whom. 505. seo cwln Edith, daughter of Godwin. 506. Harold Godwineson. 508. se cyng Edward the Confessor. 509. pone dseg 'April 16.' 513. pone sefen 'the eve of the Greater Litany (April
24).' The Litany of the Saints when chanted on the feast of St Mark (April 25) is called the Greater. 519. hlr on lande in this land. 520. wolde se. cuman; omission of a verb of motion is
not infrequent. Cp. 97. 522. pa hwile meanwhile. 532. Vigilia: St Matthew's day is Sept. 21, the Vigil
Sept. 20. 535. on dseg in or during the day. 536. Hdrfagera: this mistake of Harfager for Hardrada
runs through almost all the authorities.—P. 560. eall swa precisely as. 562. Eadgar cild Edgar Atheling, a distant relative of
Edward the Confessor, and brother of St Margaret.
8o N O T E S
563. him wel 'was natural and rightful for him.' 564. Ac swa 'but as things should ever have been
forwarder, so they became from day to day backwarder and worse: exactly so it all turned out in the end.'
576. pd seeing that. 579. onmang pisum in the midst of all this (Fr. sur ces
entrefaites). 582. sealde 'he promised him on the Gospels.' From
the clasping of hands in conclusion of a bargain (still common, e.g. in the cheesemarket at Alkmaar in Holland), on hand sellan, comes the word 'handsel' (see N.E.D. and Dial. Diet.).
583. pa then; corona Lat., hence uninflected. 591. belifon 'remained behind here.' 599. odde and; for us, or would be illogical; so also in
601-2, 608. But in 606 odde = or. 600. lit lit. 'let go out,' i.e. had it ascertained. 603. hwilce gerihte late neut. pi. = hwilc geriht. Gram,
42(f). to xii monpum yearly.
606. lengre compar. adj. agreeing with hit, for leng, compar. adv., 'at greater length.' Apparently the meaning is: ' if I were to tell it at greater length, this is what it would all come to.'
V. LAWS 4. Cild 'let a child be baptised within 30 days (of its
birth).' Gram. 55 (e). Sie jussive subjunctive. 11. slla 'let one strike hand or foot off.' Slla...of
might be taken as a separable verb, ofsllan, as in German ; but why introduce such monstrosities into English?
12. pam = to pam (17), for it. 16. his naegles sc. bot, 'the compensation for its nail.'
VI. A CHARTER
2. mid 'with the true money of us two'; instr. case; how is this known from the dat. ?
NOTES 81
4. uncre for uncerre gen. sg. fem. 6. hlo them, obj. of gesellan.
Cristes cyrcan Christ Church, Canterbury, now the cathedral. 7. owi his ' and as a thankoffering for his sufferings.' n. heora 'as an eternal leechdom for their souls.' 15. ond on sc. noman.
VII. LEECHDOMS
2. o>yrc ' make it into a whip'; mid with it. 4. />aw men 'on the neck of the man who may need
it'; pdm men poss. dat.; pe him Gram. 60 (d). 6. maegen virtues; E W S . maegenu. 12. pass 'some portion of the shavings of the stone,'
lit. of the shaved stone. 19. py 'so much the smoother body.' The (adv.) before
a compar. is derived from dy, instr. of se. 20. naedran cynnes of any kind of snake.
VIII. A CHARM
1. Dis: what would the A.S. be if the meaning were 'this man'?
donne 'when someone has stolen any one of his cattle.' See 4, 67. 5. Probably this fine originally ran: 'Swa Seos dsed
msere for monnum weorpe,' with the alliteration distributed as in the other fines. 7-12. The Latin means: ' Let the cross of Christ bring
back from the east, from the west, from the south; the cross of Christ has been concealed and has been found.'
IX. GNOMIC VERSES
8. fyrnglarum frod old through the lapse of years. Frod means 'wise' and 'old,' and either meaning would suit here. But the parallels, with which these verses
w 6
82 N O T E S
abound, seem to refer to the subject in each instance (here, gomoV), not the pred. (here, snoterosf).
sepe 'who has endured much'; aer with a pres. may be rendered as a perf., just as it often turns a past into a pluperf.
12. sceal sc. blon. 33. Rand. The hand was protected by a hollow conical
boss, called rand, fixed to the wood by its brim, but projecting considerably.—R.W.C.
X. BEOWULF
210. Fyrst 'time passed on.' 212. stefn the timber at either extremity of a vessel,
to which the ends of the side-planks were fastened; hence, either the prow or the stern.—N.E.D.
218. fugle gellcost, llge gellcost (727): two of the rare similes found in this poem.
231. beran saw [them] bear; ace. and infin., with the ace. subject understood.
232. hine 'curiosity tormented him (as to).' This phrase must be compared with 1. 1985, where it is used as a parallel to fricgean, and therefore has interrogative force.
237. Hwaet' what axe ye of warriors, what warriors are ye?' This nom. with gen. construction is so common that it must be remembered. Cp. mdran eorla, lower sum (247-8), rinca manige (728), Ure seghwylc (1386). 238. werede pp. pi. 249. nis 'that is no mere hall-man, house-carl, retainer.' 257. to_'in making known'; dat. infin. 287. Mghwaepres 'of both, of words and works.' 290. past this (roBe), anticipating the following noun
clause; cp. 632, where the clause follows in 634. (This note is intentionally repeated here because of its importance.)
293. The order of the thought is: 'swylce ic hate mine
N O T E S »3
magupegnas healdan arum eowerne flotan wi$ feonda gehwone, oppaet wudu wundenhals eft byreS etc' 322. hringlren 'the bright iron rings in the armour
rang.' 330. ufan graeg grey above, i.e. the spears were placed
point upward. 344. suna H. Hrothgar; in 1. 1474 he is maga H. 350. Pass about this, gen. governed by frlnan; a con
struction similar to that in 290, but anticipating ymb plnne sld. 356. paer to where. 434. for because of. 435. swd 'so may H. be to me.' This form of adjura
tion or asseveration was very common in early times; see e.g. Cant. T. B. 4166, 4348. It survives in the legal oath, 'So help m e God,' and in the vulgar 's'elp me.' 617. baed 'bade him be blithe at the revel, be dear to
his people.' 620. ides H. Hrothgar's queen, Wealhtheow. 627. on aenigne 'that she believed in any warrior for
comfort from crimes'; frofre is ace. after gelyfde. 653. him hael 'bade him hail, entrusted to him the
keeping of the winehalT; dblad is a zeugma. 655. In what case is men} 660. Ne bid 'there shall be no lack to thee of thy de
sires '; wilna gen. pi. of willa. 730. pa 'then his mood laughed aloud.' 732. anra 'the hfe from the body of each one'; lit.
'each of the ones,' a common idiom. 734. Ne waes 'that was not still (no longer) his weird
(fate).' 740. forman side at the first (time), to start with. 809. Da paet ' then he found out this, he who before,
"de gaiete de coeur," had framed much of crime against mankind, he a foe to God, that his body would not hold out.'
6-2
84 NOTES
1051. brimldde tlah took the ocean-way. Tlah, sing., is in accordance with O E . syntax: aeghwylcum, not pdra, is taken as the antecedent of pe. So in 1407, the antecedent of pe is Pone sllestan.
1054. ponede ace. sg. masc. of side, who. 1056. nefne 'unless the wise God had averted fate
from them.' 1179. ponne 'when thou must forth to see the Creator's
glory.' 1219. cenpec 'declare thyself by power'; pec is the old
form of dl, ace. 1220. lara ' gentle in lore (teaching), I will remember
guerdon to thee therefor.' 1222. ealne wldeferhp all wide life (lit.), for all time to
come; ace. of time. 1225. ic pi' I grant thee plenty (lit. well) of treasures.' 1330. to handbanan his handslayer; predicative dat. 1332. eftsldas tlah took her ways back. Cp. 1051. 1334. Pe in which. I335- Purh 'hi a violent manner.' 1388. paet bid 'that will afterwards be best for the
warrior when he is dead.' 1392. hit this; in place of the more usual daet (290). 1395. dogor dat. (instr.); Gram. 25 (1). 1396. swd ic ' as I expect from thee.' 1398. pass for what. 1403. aefter along. Still common in dialect; a Devon
boy gave as bis reason for being late: 'I was picking blackberries after the hedges.'
1479. on 'in the stead of a father.' Beowulf's men would then need a protector and Hrothgar would take Beowulf's place.
i486, gumcystum godne good in munificence, munificent.
1487. brlac 'enjoyed while I might.' 1498. beheold had held, guarded.
N O T E S 85
1501. Grap 'then she clutched at him.' 1502. atolan = atolum; Gram. 42 (c).
no Py 'no whit the sooner did she pierce (injure within) his hale body.' Gram. 80.
1503. hring 'his ringmail surrounded and protected him.'
1508. swa hi' so that he could not (yet he was brave) wield his weapons.' 1509. ac hine ' but so many monsters molested him in
the water.' 1512. Ihton 'they pursued the warrior,' or possibly
'the monsters pursued.' 1513. ndthwylcum some, lit. I know not which (cp. Fr.
'je ne sais quel'). 1518. H o w is it Beowulf had not seen her before?
I conceive that she had grasped him from behind, pinned his arms so that he could not defend himself, conveyed him thus into her subterranean hall or cavern, and there freed him. 1530. maeg: Ecgpeow, Beowulf's father, married Hyge-
lac's sister. 1539. braegd 'then the brave one in battle threw his
fife-foe.' 1542. him 'closed with him.' 1544. on lit. 'in fall became,' i.e. fell. 1549. w*°* ord 'against point and against edge.' 1550. Haefde had = would have. 1553. hearde weak form of the adj.; not infrequent in
poetry where the strong form would be normal. Gram. 41, ond and [unless].
1560. buton but, except that. 1566. pset hire ' so that it held hard against her neck.'
This is the common quasi-adverbial use of the adj. heard (agreeing with hringmsll). 1985. See note on 1. 232. 1990. Ac merely indicating a question. Whether an
86 N O T E S
affirmative or a negative answer is expected is not clear to me.
1992. Ic daes 'I therefore brooded over (lit. seethed) mind-care in wellings of sorrow.'
1994. llofes mannes of [thee,] dear man. 1996. geweordan gilde settle the strife. 1998. moste might; we should have expected mote,
may. 2358. Hrldles eafora Hrethel's son, Hygelac.
heorodryncum from sword-drinks (fit.), i.e. 'died by the thirsty sword.'
2360. sundnytte drlah achieved a feat of swimming. 2361. ana all alone; better taken with pa he in next
fine. 2363. hremge sc. blon 'needed to be exultant.' Gram.
10. 2364. him 'forwards against him.' 2365. lyt sc. Mr a few of them. 2370. bearne in her son, Heaxdred (2375). 2373. findan 'could (obtain from) prevail with the
atheling (Beowulf) by any means (gen. pi.).' 2377. frlondlarum heold guided and upheld him with
friendly counsel. 2553. hlynnan infin., but render 'resounding.' 2556. freode 'friendship to seek for'; to with infin.,
instead of the usual dat. infin. (2562). From forth.
2559. under beorge below the dragon's barrow; Beowulf had the disadvantage in position.
2633. paegun Gram. 80, 66 (e). 2634. iissum = urum, our; Gram. 58 (2). 2638. helmas etc. in apposition to gudgeatwa.
Dy...py therefore...because (2641). usic old ace. = us; so mec (2650) = me, ace;
Gram. 56 (1). 2642. us dat. commodi.
N O T E S 87
2645. hi 'he of [all] men performed most exploits (gen. pi.).'
2648. to to him, thither. 2649. penden ' so long as heat may be.' 2651. ml lit. 'to m e it is much liefer,' 'I would much
rather.' 2656. Wedra = Wederglata (2551). 2657. paet naeron 'his deserts, merits, of old were not
such, that he alone of the Geats' doughty warriors should suffer sorrow.' 2659. us sceal...bam gemsene to us both shall [be] in
common. 2665. be dl 'in thy lifetime, while thou livest.' 2668. fullsJstu Gram. 66 (c). 2678. msegenstrengo 'with might and main struck with
his sword.' 2680. nipe ' driven by force.' 2685. mine ht. 'by m y hearsay,' 'as I have heard say.' 2686. swenge 'overtaxed with the swing (of the hand
and arm).' 2687. naes 'it was no whit the better for him.' 2692. biteran bdnum with sharp teeth. 2694. ic: this curious intrusion of the nameless bard is
found in other OE. poems, e.g. Judith. 2695. andlongne 'that the earl (Wiglaf) upstanding
showed courage'; ace. and infin. after gefragn. 2699. niodor hwene a trifle lower. 2704. biter uninflected, but qualifying wcelseaxe. 2726. daeghwlla 'had spent his days of earth's joy.' 2730. Pair...swa if so be that. 2733. naes 'there was not any folk-king of the neigh
bouring peoples.' 2736. bad 'abided the appointed time(s).' 2738. ne ml' (for myself) swore not many oaths wrong
fully,' i.e. none at all, with the characteristic OE. understatement; ml is reflex., not ethic, dat.
88 NOTES
2739. daes ealles for all that, dependent on gefean. 2741. ml witan 'reproach m e (dat.) with the murder
(ace.) of kinsmen.' 2794. dara...pe 'thanks to the Lord of all for the
precious things...which.' 2799. Nu ic 'now that I have sold the laying down of
m y old life for a hoard of treasures.' 2809. Dyde ' took from off his neck.' 2812. brucan wel use [them] well. 2816. ic him ' I must after them.' 2818. wr hi 'ere he chose the funeral pile.' I cannot
substitute some commonplace for the fine 'chose/ audit is perfectly clear.
3010. Ne sceal 'not a part only shall melt'; dnes is gen. after hwaet.
3019. nailes sane 'by no means once only.' 3021. Fordon 'therefore shall m a n y a spear, cold in
the morn, be grasped by hands.' 3025. fela 'chatter much,' dependent on sceal (3021). 3027. wid wulfe always rendered 'with the wolf'; but
I think the meaning is 'against the wolf,' disputing with the wolf for the carcases of the slain.
3135. aeghwass unrlm a countless number of every kind, or an altogether countless store.
3140. swd 'as he had begged.' 3142. hasted' lamenting heroes,' subj. of dlegdon; Gram.
39(5)-3144. wigend Gram. 38. 3160. bronda 'what was left (pi.) from the burning (pi.)
they surrounded with a wall.' 3166. forllton 'they let earth hold the earls' treasure.' 3170. ealra 'twelve in all.' 3174. dugudum (dat. pi.) doughtily.
N O T E S 89
XI. T H E S E A F A R E R
5. gecunnad 'experienced on shipboard many places of sorrow.' 6. mec 'strict nightwatch oft occupied me.' 8. Ponne 'when it tosses about near the cliffs.' The
common rendering ' dashes on the rocks' is surely incompatible with oft.
10. ceare cares. 12. past this, anticipating hu ic etc. (14). 13. pe him to whom. 15. winter ace. of duration.
wraeccan lastum in an exile's tracks. 18. ne gehyrde 'heard naught but the sea roaring.' 20. dyde 'made m y sport of.'
XII. THE LATER GENESIS
533. ic plnra 'I can understand naught of thy precepts, words or ways, course of action or sayings.' Gram.
40 (4)-543. pi refl. pron. with faran. 546. goda lit. ' each of good things.' 812. Nys unc ' there is naught before us two for pro
tection against storms, not a penny assigned for food.' 815. To hwon 'what shall become of us two now?' 816. me 'it can grieve me.' Cp. 819. 820. aefre 'for ever and ever.' 823. on ' deceived through the devil's cunning.'
XIII. JUDITH 149. hyre 'to go to meet her.' 157. toweard in store. 163. weras ' men, women, together, in hosts and heaps,
in crowds and crashes, thronged and ran.' The splendid realism of the diction will not be overlooked. 165. piisendmselum in thousands; cp. piecemeal.
go NOTES
166. seghwylcum...men to each man. 174. to blhde...hu as a token, how. 180. Hblofernus: the initial H obscures the alliteration. 181. Perhaps imitated from Beowulf2645 (q.v.). 185. ic him ' I deprived him of life.' 189. syddan as soon as; sende m a y send, sends. 193. in 'into the midst of the foe to fell their com
manders.' Cp. 225. 195. frumgaras chieftains; cp. Lat. primipili. 199. snelra of the keen ones. 202. ford 'straight forward.' 204. on ' at the moment of dawn.' 205. pass thereat, governed by gefeoh. Cp. 11. 205-12
with Beowulf 3024-7. 209. him 'behind them flew.' 216. him 'to them all that was hard repaid in the
spear-play (battle).' 226. Iddum cynne with the hated race. 229. medowlrige weary through drinking mead, drunk.
mundum 'with their hands the soldiers drew out of their sheaths.'
234. heanne from hlan, mean, poor, not from heah, high.
XIV. A RIDDLE 4. hyrste etc., subj. of dhebbad. 7. swogad hlude sound loudly; cp. 1. 1. 8. ponne 'when I a m not touching flood or (and) field
(earth), a faring sprite.'
PLAN OF GLOSSARY
A careful reading of this plan will greatly facilitate the use of the glossary. References are to extract (not page) and line. The order of words is strictly alphabetical. To aid the beginner, some cross-references are given
for parts of verbs; but the sooner an outline of the grammar is mastered, the better. Attention is called to the parts of strong verbs given at the foot of p. xii; this will make it easy to find the infinitives, under which all verbs are glossed.
Two points require special notice: i. Past participles in ge-. These are usually glossed
under the simple verb: e.g. genemned under nemnan. But some important verbs often have a different meaning when ge- is prefixed to them: e.g. dscian and gedscian, rldan and geridon; yet the two verbs, in each instance, have the same past participle, gedscod, geriden. The only way is to look for every psist participle under the simple verb; then, if the required meaning is not found, it must be sought under the ge- compound.
2. Words are glossed under forms which actually occur in the Reader. But words occur in varying forms, e.g. hond and hand, wald and weald. It is an advantage to have all compounds of hond, for example, glossed together; this has been done, and the slight difference in spelling removed. It will expedite the finding of required words if the following equations are carefully noted; words will usually be found under the form on the right of each equation: in any position in a word an, a m = on, o m
al = eal (short and long) io = eo
ie = i = y.
9 2 GLOSSARY
The following abbreviations are used:
i-7 a adjp asm etc. av comp cv d ds, dpi 8 imp indecl intr is n opt
classes of strong verbs accusative adj ective-pronoun accus. sing, masc, etc. anomalous verb comparative contracted verb dative dat. sing., dat. plural genitive imperative indeclinable intransitive instrumental sing. neuter subjunctive
pi pp pr prp pt s refl sup swo tr usu w wadj wm etc. wpv wv
plural past participle present present participle past singular reflexive superlative strong-weak verb transitive usually with weak adjective weak masc, etc. weak-present verb weak verb
a adv ever, always abbud, -od m abbot abbudisse wf abbess abeodan 2 bid, announce, offer; him hsel abead wished him health
abrecan 4 take by storm abutan v. onbutan ac conj but, moreover acennan wv bear, bring forth; pp acenned (his) own
acwelan 4 die acwellan wv kill acwedan 5 say, speak out ad m funeral pile, pyre adfaru / way to the funeral pile
adl/disease adon av take away, cast out adrsefan wv drive away adrencan wv immerse, drown adreogan 2 endure; live adrifan 1 drive (out) adrincan 3 be drowned aeder/stream aedre adv quickly sefen mn evening sefre adv ever
asfter adv after, afterwards, in pursuit
setter prep after; along; concerning
Eeft(e)ra comp adj next, second seghwa, aighwaet pron each seghwser adv everywhere aeghwaes (gs of seghwset) ado in every respect, altogether
aeghwaeSer, sgSer pron either, each, both
seghwelc, -hwylc adjp each, everyone
segSerge conj both; Sgoerge .. .ge both.. .and
ffiht/power, wealth, property sel m awl aelc adjp each, any, every(one) seled m fire aelfylce n foreign nation aelmihtig (al-) adj almighty aslwiht/ strange monster £em(e)tig adj empty sene adv once, once only a=nig adjp any, anyone senlic adj unique, peerless aenne one; v. an aeode v. agan
GLOSSARY 93 5er adv before, formerly; no J>y aer none the sooner; aeror comp before, formerly, first; serest sup first
aer prep ere, before asr conj ere, before aarcebiscep (arce-) m archbishop aarende n errand serendraca wm messenger serest sup adj first asrfasder m (fore)father aergod adj very good Bern n house aernemergen m early morning aerSon(Se) conj ere, before airwela wm ancient wealth ass n carrion aescholt n ash-wood, spear aescplega wm play of spears, battle
s=t prep at, from, in; 4157 (note) set m food, meal, feast aetberan 4 bear (to), carry to astberstan 3 escape seteowian v. setiewan setforan prep before astgaedere adv together; samod setgaedere all together
sethindan prep behind aetiewan, seteowian wv show, reveal; appear
setsomne adv together aetswimman 3 escape by swimming
astwindan 3 escape, flee away as5ele adj noble, excellent asoeling m nobleman, chief, prince
aeoelu n noble descent, lineage Sew n law sex,33sc/axe afaran 6 depart afedan wv feed, nourish aflieman wv put to flight, drive away
agalan 6 sing, ring agan swv own, possess, have, hold, rule
agan av go (away), pass; happen agen adj (pp) own agenlsedan wv lead back agi (e )fan 5 give, give up, restore aglaeca, aeglaeca wm monster; warrior
agyldan 3 offer itself; sael ageald opportunity offered
ahebban 6 wpv lift up, raise ahleapan 7 leap up ahliehhan 6 wpv laugh aloud ahon 7 cv hang, crucify ahreddan wv save, rescue ahreowan 2 affect with regret 12 816 (note)
ahsian v. ascian aht pron aught, anything alasdan wv lead away, take away alsetan 7 leave, let alecgan wv lay, lay down, place; abolish; pt alede 4 330
alicg(e)an 5 fail, cease aliesan wv release alimpan 3 befall amyrran wv hinder, waste an grant; v. unnan an num a, an, one; asm aenne; gp anra gehwyle each one
ana (weak form of an one) adj only
ancra wm anchor andlang adj upstanding andlang prep along wg 4 255 anga wadj only angel m fish-hook anhaga (-hoga) wm lonely person, solitary
anhar adj very hoary anhydig adj resolute anlipig adj single anraM adj of one mind; resolute anrsedlice adv unanimously, resolutely
antid / corresponding hour of the next day
Snunga adv once for all, utterly anweadd mn territory apulder/ apple-tree
94 GLOSSARY
ar m messenger ar / honour, favour, mercy; property; dpi arum healdan hold in honour, keep safe
araecan wv reach arsedan wv read (out) arecc(e)an wv declare, explain aretan wv cheer arfaest adj gracious, kind arlsan i arise arn ran; v. iernan arwyrSe adj venerable, distinguished
arwyrSnes (-wur5-)/reverence, honour
ascian wv ask ascunian wv shun, hate asecgan wv say out, declare asellanow deliver; expel, banish asendan wv send (away) asettan wv place, put aslgan i sink down, fall down aspyrian wv investigate astellan wv begin, set on foot, institute
astondan 3 stand, stand up astyrian wv stir, move; pp angry 4 183
aswellan 3 swell aswican 1 betray atol adj dire, horrible ator (attor) n poison a8 m oath adeodan wv disjoin, separate adiestrian wv be echpsed a5um m son-in-law aweg away; v. onweg awendednes / change; translation
aweorpan 3 expel awritan 1 write, copy baecere m baker bssl n fire, burning, funeral pile baelfyr n fire of the funeral pile baernan wv tr burn baetan wv furnish with a bit or bridle
ban n bone (of dragon's teeth)
banhring m bone-ring, vertebra banloca wm body bastard m bastard bat m boat be prep by, along, near; about, concerning
beacen n beacon beadoleoma wm (battle-gleam) sword
beadu/battle, war beadulac n battle(-play) beadurof adj strong in batde beaduscearp adj sharp in battle beaduscrud « coat of mail beeewnian wv join in marriage beag m ring, circlet beaghroden adj ring-adorned beangifu/ring-giving, liberality beahsele m ring-hall, hall in which rings are given
beancodd m beanpod, husk bearm m lap, bosom; posses-sion
beam « child, son beam m wood, grove beatan 7 beat, smite bebeodan 2 order, command bebugan 2 surround, encompass bebycgan wv sell bebyrgan wv bury beclyppan wv embrace, encom. pass
becuman 4 come, arrive; happen becwe5an 5 bequeath bedician wv surround with a dyke
bediglian wv hide, conceal bedreosan 2 deceive; pp be-droren
bedrifan 1 drive beeastan prep east of befaestan wv entrust, hand over beforan prep before began av practise, exercise begen m, bu n, b a / adj both begeondan prep beyond begeotan 2 pour over, sprinkle begietan 5 get, obtain, acquire; occupy
GLOSSARY 95 beginnan 3 begin begnornian wv bewail begong m extent, expanse begongan 7 practise, pursue begyrdan wv begird, surround behatan 7 promise behealdan 7 hold; behold; avail beheonan, behinon prep on this side of
behofian wv wg need behon 7 cv hang round with beh3/proof, sign, token behwyrfan wv exercise, practise beleosan 2 be deprived of belg m bellows belgan 3 swell with anger; pp gebolgen
belifan 1 be left, remain over ben/ prayer, boon, request bena wm suppliant bene/ bench benn/wound beod m table beodan 2 command; wd summon, call out
beodgeneat m table-companion beon avbe; see p. xiv beorg m mountain, hill; 'barrow,' grave-mound
beorht adj bright beorhte adv brightly beorn m man, hero, warrior beorsele m beerhall beoroegu/ beer-drinking bera wm bear beran 4 bear; carry; bring forth; pp geboren
bereanan wv bereave berstan 3 burst beseon s cv look; turn besittan 5 wpv besiege bestelan 4 reft steal away, depart stealthily
besuSan adv in the south besuSan prep south of beswican 1 deceive, betray, ensnare
betaecan wv hand over, dehver up, entrust
betan wv amend beteon 1 cv accuse betimbran wv build betryrnman wv surround betst sup adj best betweon, betweox prep among betweonan adv between them, mutually
betweonan prep between, a-mong
betwuh, betwux, betwyx prep between, among
be5eccan wv cover (over), conceal
beSencan wv consider, bear in mind
beourfan swv need, require beweddian wv marry bewendan wv turn bewestan adv in the west bewindan 3 wind about, grasp biblio5ece / library bidan 1 abide, wait for biddan 5 wpv ask (for), beg, pray; bid, order
bigeat v. begietan bigleofa wm food bil(l) n sword bindan 3 bind binnan prep within, on bisc(e)op m bishop bisen / example, precept bitan 1 bite bite m bite biter adj bitter, painful, cutting, sharp
Mac adj bright, brilliant bleed m life; glory; bounty, riches
blaBd / blossom, flower, foliage, fruit
blawan 7 blow blican 1 shine bliss/ bliss, merriment blissian wv rejoice blioe adj blithe, joyful; friendly, gracious
blod n blood blodegian wv make bloody
96 GLOSSARY
blbdig adj bloody hlowan 7 flower, bloom boc/book; charter bolca wm gangway bord n shield bordrand m shield borgfasstan wv bind by pledge, exact pledges from
bot / remedy, compensation botm m bottom brad adj broad braedan wv roast brecan 4 break; take by storm bregdan 3 brandish; draw, draw out; weave
brego m prince, lord, king bregostol m throne brenting m (high) ship breost n breast breos tcearu / anxiety breostgehygd/n thought of the heart
breostnet n coat of chain-mail bridd m young of birds brim n sea, ocean brimclif n sea-cliff brimlad/ ocean-way brimwylf / she mere-wolf bringan 3 and wv bring; pt brohte
broden v. bregdan brond m burning, fire; sword bront adj high, towering bro5 n broth brooor m brother brucan 2 usu wg use, enjoy, profit from
brudon v. bregdan brunecg adj brown-edged brycg/bridge brytta torn distributor, giver buan, bug(i)an wv dwell; inhabit 14 2
bufan prep above bugan 2 bow, bend; flee; submit bunda m householder burg (burh)/stronghold, town, city
burhleode mpl citizens burhmonn m citizen burhsittend m citizen burhsittende adj inhabiting a town
burhwaru / inhabitants of a town or city collectively
butan, -onprep except; without; besides; outside
butan, -on conj unless butere wf butter butsecarl m boatman, sailor byht«(?) dwelling, abode byldan wv encourage, excite byme wf trumpet byre3 v. beran byrigan wv taste, partake of byrne wf byrny, corslet byrnhoma wm byrny, corslet calend m kalend camp m battle candelmaesse wf Candlemas Casere m emperor castel m castle, fort ceald n cold ceald adj cold ceap m cattle; property ceapian wv purchase cearian wv care cearseld n place of sorrow cearu/ care, sorrow ceaster/ town, city cempa wm warrior, fighter, champion
cene adj keen, bold, brave cennan wv beget, bear, bring forth; declare
cen3u/keenness, boldness ceol m ship ceorfan 3 carve, cut ceorl m churl, peasant ceosan 2, choose, accept cierlisc adj of the class of ceorl, rustic
ci(e)rT m time, occasion cierran wv turn; submit cild n child
GLOSSARY 97 cildhad m childhood cirice wf church cist/ chest clsene adj clean, free from alloy, pure
clsene adv entirely clssnnes / purity clibbor adj sticky, adhesive lif n cliff cli(o)pian wv call, summon clomm m bond, chain; grip, clasp
clyppan wv embrace, cherish cnapa wm boy cniht m boy cnossian wv dash; toss about cnyssan wv strike, beat, press hard; crash, clash
coc m cook corona/ (Lat.) crown craeft m strength, might, skill cringan 3 fall crismlising / chrisom-loosing 4 103 (note)
cu/cow cucu v. cwicu culter m coulter cum an 4 come; cuman up land
cunnan swv know how to, be able, can
cunnian wv try, make trial of, explore; experience
cweccan wv brandish cwellan wv kill cwen/woman; queen cwedan 5 say cwic(u) adj alive, living cwl3an wv lament cydde, gecydd v. cySan cyle m cold cyme m coming cynedom m kingdom cynehlaford m royal lord cynelic adj royal cynerice n kingdom cynerof adj noble, (royally) famous
cyning, cyng m king cynn n kin, race; etiquette, courtesy
cynren n kindred Cyrenisc adj Cyrenian cyse m cheese cyssan wv kiss cyst/choice; the choicest 101559 cySan wv make known, announce, show, testify
cy85(u) / knowledge; friendship ; native land
died/ deed da?g m day daeghwamllce adv daily daeghwll/ day dasgred n daybreak dasgrim n number of days dasl m part; be daele in part, partially
da;lan wv divide daroS m dart, javelin, spear dead adj dead deagol, deogol v. dygel deagollice adv secretly dead m death delfan 3 delve, dig deman wv judge; assign; extol demend m judge Denisc adj Danish dgofol n devil deop adj deep dgor adj bold, brave; fierce dgore v. dyre deorfan 3 labour derian wv wd injure die m ditch, trench dogor n day dogorgerim n number of days dohtor / daughter; ds dehter dollic adj rash, desperate, audacious
dom m doom, judgment; glory, honour
don av do; make dorste dared; v. durran draca wm drake, dragon
w 1
98 GLOSSARY
draf/drove dragan 6 drag, draw dreccan wv vex, oppress, afflict drefan wv stir up, trouble drenc m drink dreogan 2 suffer, endure, experience
drifan 1 drive drinca wm drink drincan 3 drink drycrseft m sorcery dryhtenw? lord, master; the Lord dryhtguma wm warrior dryhtlic adj lordly dugan swv be doughty, avail duguS / the doughty, tried warriors, often contrasted with geoguS, the youthful warriors; nobles; dp duguSum doughtily
dun/ down, mountain; of dune adv down
[durran] swv dare duru/ door dux (Lat.) leader dygel adj secret, hidden dynian, dynnan wv make a din, resound
dynt m dint, blow dyre, deore adj dear; costly dyrling m darling, favourite ea/ river eac adv also; even; Sac swelce also, likewise
eadig adj happy, blessed; rich, prosperous
eafora wm child, son eage wn eye eahtian wv esteem, praise; watch over
eahtooa num. eighth eala interj O! alas! eald adj old; comp yldra; sup yldesta eldest, chief; eald feeder grandfather
ealdgenidla wm ancient foe, Satan
ealdor m chief, lord, prince; chief (priestess)
ealdordom m preeminence ealdormon m 'alderman,'earl, chief officer of a shire; nobleman, prince
ealdorscipe m supremacy ealgian wv defend, protect eald) adj all; is ealle altogether; gpl ealra in all
eal(l) adv all, entirely, exactly; eall... swa exactly as
ealles adv in all, altogether ealond n island eard m country, home earfo5hwil/hard time earfoones/ difficulty earm m arm earm adj poor, wretched earmcearig adj careworn, sorrowful
earn m eagle east adv eastwards eastan adv from the east eastdasl m eastern part eastende m eastern end Eastre wf; nearly always in pi and indecl Eastron Easter
eaSe, y3e adj easy, pleasant ea5medu npl humility; reverence
eaxl/shoulder eaxlgestealla wm shoulder-comrade
See adj eternal ecg/ edge (of a weapon) edneowian wv renew, restore edwit« reproach, scorn efhe adv even efstan wv hasten eft adv again, back, after, afterwards; eft ongean back again
eftsio" m return egesa wm fear, terror egesful adj terrible eglan wv afflict ehtan wv pursue, persecute ehtnes/ persecution
"T OSSARY 99 elland n alien land, foreign country
ellen n strength, valour, courage _
ellenrof adj courageous, strong ellenweorc n deed of courage elles adv otherwise, else ellesgehwasr adv elsewhere el5eodig adj of alien nation, foreign, barbarous
ende m end; part endedasg m day of death endelaf / last remnant endian wv end endlyfta num eleventh engel m angel Englisc adj English eode v. gan eodor m protector, prince eofor m boar, boar-image on a helmet
eorl m earl; in poetry man, warrior
eorldom m earldom eorlic adj noble eorlscipe m courage, heroic deeds
eornoste adv vigorously, energetically
eorSe wf earth eor3til3/ agriculture eotenisc adj gigantic eower poss adj your esne m servant, man est / favour, grace; dpi estum graciously, gladly
etan 5 eat e3el m country, fatherland, home
e3elstol m native seat; pi country
eSelweard m guardian of his country
fasc n space of time feeder m father taage adj 'fey,' doomed faeger, fseger adj fair, beautiful
fffig(e)re aa, ~„urteously, pleasantly; well
fash5/feud, hostility fMsian wv cleanse fasmne wf maid fiergripe m sudden grip fBsringa adv suddenly fasrlice adv suddenly faest adj fast, firm, strong fassten n fortress, stronghold fasstengeat n gate of fortress or city
fast n vessel fasted, fasti adj (pp) (gold-) plated
fastt adj fat, fatted fas3m m embrace; protection; bosom
fas3mian wv embrace fag (fah) adj adorned, decorated, bright, shining
fah (fag) adj hostile famigheals adj foamy-necked fang m booty faran 6 go, journey, march, happen; fare 4 375; faran up land, march inland
faru / journey; plans, plan of action 4 477
fea, feawe, feawa adj few feallan 7 fall feasceaft adj wretched, destitute
feaxede adj long-haired feccan wv fetch fedan wv feed, nourish, bring up
fela n indecl, usually with noun in gpl much, many; as adv much
fel(l) n hide, skin feng v. fon fengel m prince fenhli5 n fen-slope; pi 10 820 fenn n fen, moor, swamp feoh n cattle; property; money, wealth
feohtan 3 fight feond m enemy
7-2
100
fSondgrap/gripof » feor adj and aJ"™*' afar» eomP advtyr
feorbuend m dweller afar feorh mn life feorhgeniSla wm deadly foe feorhlegti/ laying down of life feorhseoc adj mortally wounded feorlen adj distant feormian wv eat, devour feorran adv from afar, at a distance
feorda num fourth feowertyne num fourteen feran wv go, journey fere adj able to go, capable of military service
ferh3 mn heart, mind ferian wv carry, lead, bring pp pi geferede
fetelhilt n belted or ringed hilt fe3a wm troop of foot-soldiers, troop
feSecempa wm foot-warrior fg5ewig m battle on foot fi(e)rd/native army, army fif num five fifta num fifth findan 3 find; obtain; provide, devise, contrive
finger m finger firas mpl men firen/crime; violence first m time, space of time fisc m fish fiscere m fisherman flasschoma wm body flasscmete m flesh, meat flan mf arrow fleam m flight fleogan z fly Aeon 2 cv flee flet n floor (of a hall) flod mn flood, tide, sea flor m floor flota wm ship, fleet fodor n fodder, food folc n folk, nation, people; army
GLOSSARX— folccwen/ queen of the folk
f olccyning m king of a nation folcgefeoht n pitched battle folctoga wm chief, general folde wf earth folgian v. fylgan folrn/hand fon 7 cv take, catch (in the act), seize; grapple; meet with; fon to come to, succeed to; togaedere fon engage in battle
for prep before; for, on account of, because of
foran adv before, forwards forbaernan wv tr burn forbeodan 2 forbid, prohibit forbeornan 3 be burnt to death forberstan 3 burst, break in pieces, snap
forbigan wv bow down; depreciate, abase, humiliate; avoid, pass by
fordon av destroy fore prep before; for, instead of foregisel m hostage foresnotor adj very wise foreSanc m forethought foreweard adj early forfaran 6 perish; destroy; obstruct, blockade .
forferan wv perish, be lost forgi(e)fan 5 grant, give forgieldan 3 repay forhelan 4 conceal forhwi adv wherefore, why forhycgan wv despise, reject forlaBran wv lead astray forlsetan 7 let, leave, forsake; allow
forleosan 2 lose forll3an 1 suffer shipwreck; pp forliden
forma sup adj first forsacan 6 forsake forseon 5 cv despise, refuse with contempt
fors!3ian wv perish forspillan wv squander, destroy
GLOSSARY IOI
forst m frost forstellan 4 steal forstondan3 defend; withstand, avert
forswapan 7 sweep away, off forswelgan 3 swallow up for3 adv forth, on; continuously for3am(3e) v. for3on(5e) forSfaran 6 die forSferan wv die for51ic adj forward for3on, -3am, -3y adv therefore for5on3e, for3am3e conj because
forweorSan 3 perish, be ruined forwritan 1 cut asunder forwundian wv wound forwyrd fn destruction forwyrnan wv refuse fot m foot frastwa, fraetwe fpl adornments, jewels; (decorated) armour
frea wm lord; the Lord freca wm warrior, hero frecne adj terrible; daring, audacious
fremian, fremman wv do, bring about; fulfil; fight; wd profit, benefit; pp pi gefremmede 4 548
Frencisc adj French freod / friendship freodryhten m (noble) lord freogan wv love freolic adj noble freondiar / friendly counsel freondscipe m friendship freowine m (noble) lord fretan 5 devour, consume fricgean 5 wpv ask frignan, frlnan 3 ask, inquire fri5 mn peace frod adj wise; old frofor / solace, comfort from adv away, forth from prep wd from, away from; of, concerning; wpass voice by
fromllce adv boldly fruma wm beginning frumcyn n origin, lineage frumgar m leader, chieftain frym3 mf origin; pi creation fugelere m fowler, bird-catcher fugol (-el) m bird ful(l) n cup ful(l) adj full ful(l) adv full, very; fully fullasstan wv wd help fullfremman wv fulfil, finish, perfect
fullice adv fully fultum m help, aid; reinforcements
fulwian wv baptize fulwiht, fulluht n baptism fur5or, -ur comp adv further fur3ra comp adj greater,superior fur3um (fur5on) adv even; first fus adj ready, eager fuslic adj ready fylcian wv collect, assemble fylgan, folgian wv follow fyll m fall fyllan wv cause to fall, fell fyll(u)/fill, fulness, abundance fyr n fire fyr v. feor fyrdhom m coat of mail fyrdhraegl n coat of mail fyrdhwast adj warlike, brave fyrding / expedition, campaign fyrdraca wm fiery dragon fyrdsearu n armour fyrdwlc n camp fyrgenholt n mountain-wood fyrleoht n firelight fyrmest sup adj and adv first (of all)
fyrngear n bygone year fyrspearca wm fire-spark fyrwyt n curiosity fysan wv make ready; incite gad n lack gad(e)rian wv gather, collect
102 GLOSSARY
gaslsa wm wantonness, pride gasrsuma m treasure gaest v. gast gafol n tribute gagates m jet gaines/lust gan av go; pt eode gang m track gang go; v. gongan gangdagas mpl Rogation days 4 161 (note)
ganot m gannet, sea-bird gar m spear garwiga wm spear-warrior garwigend m spear-warrior gast, gsest m ghost, spirit ge conj and; ge...ge both...and gea adv yea geaehtle wf (high) esteem geanbidian wv wait (to see) geandweard adj present geap adj open, spread out, broad
gear, ger n year geara (gpl of gear) adv of yore, formerly, once
gearu adj ready, prepared gearwe, geare, gearo adv well; gearwe ne not at all
gearwian wv prepare geascian, -axian wv learn (by asking), hear of, discover
geat n gate, passage geatolic adj stately, splendid geatwa/pZ garniture gebarn v. gebyrnan gebeodan 2 proclaim; offer, give gebeorg n protection gebeorgan 3 wd save, protect gebeorscipe m banquet, feast gebetan wv amend, make good, requite, pay in compensation; repair 4 172
gebidan 1 abide, await, endure, experience
gebiddan 5 wpv refl pray gebregdan 3 draw; wis pt ge-brasd 10 2703
gebringan 3 bring, put gebugan 2 bow, bend, fall gebycgan wv buy gebyrian wv happen, pertain, belong, befit
gebyrnan 3 burn, be burnt geceosan 2 choose geci(e)rran wv turn; resolve; submit; reduce to subjection
gecost adj tried, proved, chosen gecringan 3 fall gecweme adj pleasant, pleasing gecwe3an 5 say, declare; agree, settle; resolve
gecynd n nature gecynde adj natural, hereditary gecy5an wv make known gedaslan wv divide, sunder gedefe adj meet, fitting gedeorf n labour, trouble gedeorfan 3 labour gedlgan wv survive, escape gedon av cause, do, make; grant; arrive at, reach 4 136
gedreccan wv oppress, afflict; pt gedrehte
gedreosan 2 fall, fail, decline gedryht/band, troop gedufan 2 dive in, sink in gedyrstig adj daring, bold geeacnian wv add; conceive geearnian wv earn, deserve geedcucian wv come to life again geendian wv end, finish gefadian wv arrange, settle gefasgen adj fain, glad gefaestnian wv fasten, secure; confirm, ratify
gefaran 6 fare, go; die; accomplish; experience; capture, occupy
gefea wm joy gefeoht n fight, batde gefeohtan 3 fight; win by fighting
gefeon 5 cv rejoice gefera wm companion, comrade
GLOSSARY 103
geferan wv tr go to, reach, gain, bring about; intr go; turn out
geferscipe m fraternity, guild, company
geflasscnes/ incarnation geflieman wv put to flight geflit n strife, contest gefon 7 cv take, seize, capture gefrasge n hearsay gefrasgnian wv make famous gefrastwian wv adorn, deck, trim
gefremian, gefremman wv frame, do, render, accomplish, achieve
gefrignan 3 learn, hear (of) gefylce n division, army gefyllan wv fill, satisfy, complete
gefyllan wv fell 10 2655 gegad(e)rian wv gather (together), assemble; intr 4 383
gegan av intr go, come, happen; tr gain (by going), obtain, conquer
geglengan wv adorn, beautify gegncwide m reply gegnum adv forwards, straight on
gegretan wv greet gegyr(e)la wm apparel, garment gegyrwan wv prepare gehadian wv ordain; pp in holy orders
gehatan 7 promise, vow gehealdan 7 hold gehergian wv harry, plunder gehieran wv hear, learn gehogode v. gehycgan geh3o/sorrow, care gehwa, gehwast pron each (one), every one
gehwas3er pron each, either; both
gehwelc, gehwyle adjp each gehycgan wv purpose gelasccan wv seize, catch gelasdan wv lead, bring
gelasstan wv follow; help; do; pay
gelaswede adj lay geleafa wm faith, trust gelenge adj belonging to gelic adj like gellcian wv impers wd please gelifan wv believe gelimpan 3 happen, befall geldgian wv lodge, place, put in gemascca wm mate, consort gemasne adj common, in common
gemasre n boundary gemetan wv find gemiltsian wv pity gemong n troop gemunan swv have in mind, remember; pr geman; imp s gemyne
gemyndig adj mindful gen(a) adv again, yet, still gengan go; v. gongan genge n troop, forces geniman 4 take genip n mist genog adj enough genunga adv wholly, utterly geo adv formerly geofon, gyfen n ocean geofugift; v. gifu geogo3 / youth; the younger warriors
geogo3feorh n days of youth geolorand m yellow shield geomor adj sad geomormod adj sorrowful geond prep throughout, over geondan prep beyond geong (iung) adj young; comp gingra; sup gingest youngest, last
geongra servant; v. gingra georn adj eager georne eagerly; comp geornor more surely
geornlice adv eagerly, diligently
104 GLOSSARY geotan 2 flow; pour; geotende here overwhelming army
ger v. gear gerad n condition gerascan wv reach, get at, obtain gerasdan wv advise, decide (on), order
gerecenian wv arrange, settle gerefa wm reeve, sheriff gereordian wv prepare a feast geridan 1 intr ride; tr gain by riding, take possession of, conquer
geriht n right gerihte n straight direction; right, due; on gerihte straight
gerysne adj befitting gescad n difference gesceadan 7 decide gesce33an 6 wpv scathe, injure; pt gescod 10 1502
gescieran 4 shear, cut in two; pt gescasr 10 1526
gescrydan wv clothe gescy npl pair of shoes gesec(e)an wv seek out, go to, attack
gesegen, gesewen v. seon geselda wm comrade gesellan wv give (up), pay geseon 5 cv see, behold gesettan wv place, set, settle, people, occupy, fill; appoint
gesigan 1 sink, fall gesittan 5 wpv sit (together); sit down in, occupy
geslS m companion, retainer geslean 6 cv slay, smite; wael geslean make slaughter 4 61
gesomnian wv assemble, collect gesponan 6 entice gespbwan 7 impers wd speed, prosper
gesprecan 5 speak gestigan 1 go down gestondan 3 stand gestrangian wv strengthen gestreon n possession, treasure
gestrynan aw obtain, acquire gesund adj sound, safe and sound
geswican 1 wg cease; wd fail geswinc n toil geswincdagas mpl days of hardship
gesyne adj evident, visible getascan wv teach, guide; pt getsshte
getael n number getenge adj resting on geteon 2 cv tug, draw; deliver getogene played; v. teon getrum n army, company getruwian wv trust getrywe, getreowe adj true, trusty, faithful
ge5eaht fn thought, counsel, deliberation
geSeahtend m counsellor gedencan wv think geSeon 1 cv thrive 10 1218 gedicgan 5 wpv take, receive, accept 10 618
ge3oht m thought geSungen adj (pp) excellent, distinguished
ge3waerian aw be in accord, be agreeable
gedwsBrnes / concord, agreement
ge3yld/ patience ge3yncan wv impers wd seem good
geunnan swv grant geutlagian wv oudaw gewasde n armour gewealc n rolling geweald n power, control, command, dominion
gewealdan 7 control, possess; wield; bring about; wd 10 2703
gewendan wv turn, return; wend, go; w refld 4 222; g. ofer cross (the river) 4 290
geweorc n work; camp
GLOSSARY 105
geweor3an 3 become, happen, be; agree about, settie; g. anes agree 4 217 (note)
gewilnian wv desire gewinnan 3 gain by fighting, win, conquer
gewistfullian wv feast gewitan i go, depart gewitt n wit, senses gewrit n writing, document gewritan 1 write gewuna wm wont, custom gewundian wv wound gewunian wv dwell; dwell with
gewurde mightfall out, happen; v. geweor3an
gewyrc(e)an wv work, make, accomplish, achieve; fortify 4163 t ,
gewyrht n desert gi(e)fan 5 give gield n tribute, payment, tax gi(e)ldan 3 pay giemeleast/ carelessness giest m guest, stranger, hostile stranger
gif conj if, whether gife3e adj granted, given (by fate or God)
giflan wv endow gifu/gift gigant m giant gilpcwide m boasting speech gim(m) m gem, jewel gingest v. geong gingra (comp of geong) zom servant, vassal, angel
gingra adj v. geong ginn adj wide, spacious giohSo v. geh3o gis(e)l m hostage gislian wv give (send) hostages git adv yet, still gladian wv shine triumphantly glasd adj glad; gracious glaedlice adv gladly glsedmanorf? gladsome, gracious
gleaw adj penetrating, wise gleawhydig adj heedful, prudent
gled/'gleed,' ember, fire gledegesa wm terror of fire gleodream m mirth glof / glove gnorn m sorrow gnornian wv mourn God m God god n good (thing), good gift god adj good (usually of religious or moral character; but also of reputation, position, and wealth)
godcund adj religious, divine godfremmend m framer of good, one who acts well or bravely
godspel(l) n gospel gold n gold goldasht/treasure in gold goldfag adj adorned with gold goldfinger m ring-finger goldgyfa wm gold-giver goldhroden adj gold-adorned goldwine m prince gomen n mirth, joy gomol adj old gongan, gengan 7 go; imp gang;/" gengde 10 1401
grasdig adj greedy grasg adj grey grasgmasl adj grey-coloured grap/grip, clutch grapian wv grasp, seize grene adj green greot n grit, earth gretan wv greet, salute; approach, seek out, attack
grim(m) adj grim grimhelm m visored helmet grimme adv grimly, terribly grin/snare gripan 1 grasp, seize grio n truce, peace gri3ian wv make a truce grom adj angry
io6 GLOSSARY grund m ground, earth, bottom, floor
grundwyrgen/ hag of the sea-bottom
gryregeatwa fpl warlike trappings
gryregiest m terrible stranger guma wm man gumcyst/manly virtue, munificence 10 i486 (note)
gumfe3a wm troop of warriors gu3/ war, battle gu3byrne wf coat of mail guScyning m war-king guSfana wm war-banner gu5freca wm warrior gu5geatwa./p/war-equipments, armour
gu3gewasde n armour gu5hre5 m war-fame gu31eo3 n battle-song gu5rinc m warrior gudsearo n war-armour gu5wine m war-friend, sword gyddian wv sing, recite gyden/ goddess gyfen ocean; v. geofon gylden adj golden gylt m guilt gyrd/ yard, rod, staff gystra adj yester habban wv have had m condition, manner hasten v. hebban hasfern m crab hasgl m hail hasl/ health, good luck, greeting haslan wv heal haele, hasle3 m m an, hero, war ri or hasrfest m harvest, autumn halste adj violent hastu/heat has5/heath, waste, uncultivated land
hasden adj heathen hasoennes / heathenism hafela, heafola wm head
hafoc, hafuc m hawk hal adj whole, hale, safe and sound
halga wm (of halig) saint halgian wv consecrate halig adj holy haligern n holy place, sanctuary ham m home; as adv home, homewards
hamweard(es) adv homewards har adj hoar, old; hoary, grey hat adj hot hatan 7 order, command; name, call hatte passive, pr and pt is named, was called 8 3
he, heo, hit pron he, she, it; pi hi(e), hig
heafod n head heafola v. hafela heah adj high; weak ds hean 12 545
healdan 7 tr hold, keep, govern, possess; intr hold on one's course
healf/half healf adj half heall/ hall heals m neck healsian wv entreat, conjure hean adj poor 13 234 heap m heap, band, company heard adj hard; strong, brave, bold
heardhce adv valiantly hearm m harm, damage hearpe wf harp Hearra wm Lord hea3obyrne wf coat of mail hea3ogrim adj battie-grim hea3omasre adj famed in battle hea3orinc m warrior headotorht adj clear as a battle-cry
hea3owylm m batde-surge, surge of fire
hebban 6 wpv heave, raise, lift, pp hasten 10 3023
GLOSSARY 107
hedan wv wg heed helan 5 hide, conceal helm m helmet; protector, king; protection, refuge, covert 10 1392
helm-berend m helmeted warrior
help/help helpan 3 help; wg 10 2698 heof m lamentation heofan 2 lament heofon mf heaven, sky heolde might tend; v. healdan heonan adv hence heorodrync m sword-drink 10 2358 (note)
heorogifre adj fiercely greedy heorte wf heart heor3 m hearth heor5geneat m hearth-comrade heorogrim adj fiercely grim, terrible
her adv here here m raiding army, army herefolc n army heregield n war-tax herenet n coat of ring-mail herereaf n war spoil, booty hererinc m warrior heresceaft m spear heresyrce wf battle-sark, shirt of mail
herewasSa wm warrior herewisa wm army-leader hergian wv harry, ravage, plunder
hergo3 m plundering hergung / ' harrying,' plundering
herian wv praise hete m hate hetelice adv excessively, fiercely hider adv hither hieran wv hear, learn; wd obey, belong
hig they a 41 (note); v. he hild/ battle, war hildebil(l) n (battle-)sword
hildebord n (battle-)shield hildedeor adj bold in battle hild(e)freca wm warrior hildeleoS n battle-song hildenasdre wf war-adder, arrow hilderass m rush, onset, of battle hilderinc m warrior hildeswat m war-breath (of the dragon)
hildetux (=tusc) m tusk serving as a weapon
hildfruma wm battle-chief hindan adv from behind hired m household, family, court
hittan wv ' hit' or come upon hiwrasden / household, family, tribe
hladan 6 lade, load hlasw m mound, burial mound hlaf m ioaf, bread hlaford m lord, master hlanc adj lank hleahtor m laughter hleapan 7 leap, gallop hleo m refuge, protection; protector
hleo3or n sound, song, cry hlifian wv tower blimman 3 sound, roar 11 18 (note)
hli3 n cliff, slope hlud adj loud hlude adv loudly hlyn m din, noise hlynnan wv resound 10 2553 hhitan 1 clash hof n court, dwelling, mansion hogian v. hycgan hold adj gracious, kind; true, faithful
holinga adv without reason holm m ocean, sea, mere holmclif n sea-cliff holt n wood hond / hand 4 582 (note); on hond gan submit, yield 4 111
hondbona wm hand-slayer
io8 GLOSSARY hondgemOt n hand to hand fight hondgesella wm comrade hondlocen adj(pp)linke& byhand hord n hoard, treasure hordweard m hoard-keeper hornboga wm bow tipped with horn or curved like a horn
hors n horse horsian wv provide with horses hosp m reproach hrasdllce adv quickly hrasgl n dress; armour hra3e, ra3e adv quickly hreaw adj raw hrefn, hraefen m raven hremig adj exultant hreodbedd n reed-bed hreoh adj rough, fierce hreowan 2 impers wd affect with regret or contrition
hre3eadig adj glorious; sup 9 4 hre3er n breast, heart hrimgiecel m icicle hrimig adj rimy, covered with hoar-frost
hrinan 1 touch hring m ring, ring-mail hringan wv ring, rattle hringboga wm dragon coiled in a ring
hringiren n ring-mail hringmasl adj ring-adorned; as noun ring-sword
hringweor3ung / ring-adornment
hri3er n cattle hrofsele m roofed hall hruse wf earth hryre m fall hryssan wv shake, rattle hu adv how hund mdog hund, hundred n hundred hundseofontig num seventy hungor m hunger huru adv indeed, especially hus n house husbunda wm householder
husting n hustings, council, tribunal
hwa, h wast inter rpron who, what hwa, hwast indef pron anyone, some one, a certain one 10 3010 (note)
hwasr adv where hwaet adj active, keen, bold; hwata (weak), hwate etc., v. Gram. 44
hwast interj lo hwastlice adv quickly hwae3er conj whether hwas3(e)re adv however hwealf adj hollow, concave hwelc, hwilc interr adjp which, what, what kind of
hwelc, hwilc indef adjp any, anyone
h w e m m a n wv slope, incline hwene adv a little hweorfan 3 turn, wander, go hwider adv whither hwierfan wv turn, change; convert
hwil / time, space of time; 3a hwile meanwhile; 3a hwile 5e the while that, while
hwilpa wm sea-bird hwilum (-on) adv sometimes hwistlung / whistling hwonon adv whence hycgan wv think, resolve upon hyd/hide, skin hydan wv hide, conceal hyge m mind, purpose hyge3rymm m magnanimity hyldo/ favour, grace hyn3/disgrace hyrde m keeper, guardian hyrling m hireling hyrnednebba wadj horny-beaked
hyrst/ornament; trappings hyse m youth ic pron I; as mec 10 1481; apt
usic
GLOSSARY 109
ides/woman, lady iernan 3 run iglond n island ilea adjp same in adv in in prep in, on; into ingang m entrance innan adv within innan prep within, in inne adv inside, within innian wv refl, lodge, billet themselves
into prep into, to; in 4 499 iren n iron; sword iren3reat m troop of armed men
isceald adj ice-cold isen adj iron, made of iron isern n iron; sword lac nf play; battle; offering; gift
lacan7 play; fly lad/ way, journey lascedom m 'leechdom,' remedy lasdan wv lead, bring; carry away, take
lasfan wv leave lasran wv teach, exhort lass/pasture lass comp (of lyt) adv less lasssa comp (of lytel) adj less; sup lassest least
lasstan wv last; follow, help; do; pay
last adj slow, late lastan 7 let; let go; consider, think 4 399; lastan up put ashore
la?33u/injury, wrong laf/leaving, remnant; widow; to lafe remaining, left
lagu/law lagustrast/way ovei the sea lagustream m current, tide lax / lore, instruction, guidance lareow m teacher last m track
late adv late la3 adj hated, hostile; hateful, loathsome; as noun (loathed) foe
Ia3ian wv invite; pp pi gela3ode lean n reward leassceawere m spy leax m salmon lecgan wv lay lencten m spring leng longer; v. longe leod m prince, chief leod/nation, people leodhisceop m bishop leodscipe m nation leof adj dear, beloved; sir leogan 2 lie; belie leoht n light, brilliance leoht adj light, bright leoma wm ray of light, gleam leo3osyrce wf limb-sark, shirt of mail
lesan 5 collect; lasson asfre for3 mid heom they kept on adding to their numbers
lettan wv let, hinder libban wv live lie n body licgan 5 wpv lie lichoma wm body lician wv please licsar n wound lif n life lig m flame lim m lime limpan 3 happen, befall Und/shield lindhasbbende m shield-warrior linnan 3 cease, be deprived; wd 10 1478
li3 n fleet li3 n limb li5e adj gentle, mild; sup liSost liSend m sailor loc n lock; enclosure locen v. lucan lof n praise lofgeorn adj eager for praise
no GLOSSARY
lond n land londbuend m inhabitant of a country
londfolc n people of a country londfyrd/land forces, militia londhere marray of Danes living in England
londsittende adj occupying land
long adj long; comp lengra longe adv long, a long time; comp leng
longsum adj long, protracted losian wv escape lucan 2 lock; interlock lufian wv love lufu/love lungre adv quickly lust m pleasure, joy, delight; on lust with joy
lustlice adv gladly, joyfully lyt adv (but) little; wg few 10 _236s (note) lytel adj little lytling m little one, child ma comp adv more; sup masst
most, best; almost maiden n maiden maeg can; v. magan mseg m kinsman msegen n 'main,' might, strength, power; virtue
masgenellen n mighty valour masgenrass m mighty onslaught maegenwudu m strong spear masg3/ maiden mffig3/ family, tribe, nation mael n cross; time maslgesceaft/appointed time masnan wv mourn, lament masre adj great, renowned, glorious
msersian wv make famous; honour
masr3u/ glory, fame msesse wf mass msesseasfen m eve of a festival masssedasg m mass-day, festival
maessepreost m mass-priest msest m mast maest adj v. mara, adv v. ma m a e w m 'mew,' seagull maga wm son [magan] swv can, may mage wf kinswoman magorinc m warrior magoSegn m thane; warrior manful! adj wicked manscaoa wm deadly foe mara adj comp (of micel) more, greater; sup maest most, greatest
maoelian wv speak ma55umwela wm wealth of treasure
me(a)hte could; v. magan mearcian wv appoint mec me; v. ic mece m sword med/meed, reward medeme adj moderate medu m mead medubenc/ mead-bench meduburh / mead-city, festive city
medudrinc m niead-drinking meduful n mead-cup meduwerig adj overpowered with mead
meltan 3 melt mengan wv mingle, mix me(o)duheall/ mead-hall meolcian wv milk mereflod m sea-flood, deluge mereli5end m sailor mereswin n porpoise merewerig adj sea-weary merewif n mere-woman mete m meat, food meteleas adj without food Metod m (originahy) fate; God the Creator
metodsceaft / appointed doom 10 2815,1180 (Creator's glory)
metsian wv victual, provision metsung / provisions, supplies me3elword n formal word
GLOSSARY i n
micel adj much, great; dp as adv mic(c)lum greatly
micel adv much, gready mid prep with, among mid(d) adj middle, mid middangeard m earth, world middanwinter m midwinter middel adj middle; sup midlest mid3y3e, mid3am3e adv when, while
midwinter m midwinter, Christmas
mihte could; v. magan mihtig adj mighty mil/mile milde adj mild min pass adj my missenlic, mis(t)lic adj diverse, various, divers
missenlice, mislice adv variously, in various ways
missere n half-year mi5an i keep secret mod n heart, mind modcearu / sorrow of mind modgehygd fn mind-thought modig, -lie adj brave, proud modor/ mother mon indef pron one mona wm moon mona5 m month; pi monoas monaSseoc adj lunatic monadseocnes / lunacy mondryhten m lord mon i g adj many monigfealdlice adv in many ways
mon(n) m man monna wm man mon(n)cynn n mankind monowasre adj gentle mor m moor morfassten n moor-fastness morgen m morning, morrow morgenceald adj cold in the morning
mor3or n murder, deed of violence
mor3orbealo n murder
[motan] swv may, be permitted; pt moste 10 1998 (note)
mundy hand mundbora wm protector mundgripe m hand-grip munuc m monk murnan 3 care, be anxious; mourn
mu3 m mouth mynster n monastery, convent; church of a monastery
myntan wv intend myrce adj murky myr3 / mirth na adv never, not, not at all naca wm bark, craft nacod adj naked, destitute nasdl/needle nasdre wf adder nasfre adv never nasgl m nail nasnig adjp none; no one naes =ne wass was not nahwasr adv nowhere nan (=ne an) adjp none, not any; no one
nathwyle adjp some naSastan adv not only nawiht, naht, noht adv naught, nothing at all; not (at all)
ne (ne emphatic) neg particle not; ne...ne neither...nor
neah adj nigh, near; sup niehst; aet niehstan at last, finally
neah adv nigh, near, nearly; sup nehst last 12 536
nealles adv not at all, by no means
nean adv from near, near nearo adj narrow; accompanied by hardship
nearolice adv accurately nefene wf granddaughter nefhe, nemne conj unless nellan will not; v. willan nemnan wv name, give a name to, call
112 GLOSSARY
neom am not; v. wesan neosan wv wg visit, revisit neotan 2 wg use, enjoy Nergend m the Saviour nerian wv save nett n net nied/need, necessity rriednasm / taking by force, rapine
nied3earf / necessity niehst v. neah nigon num nine niht/night nihtwacu/ night watch niman 4 take; marry nio3or comp adv further down nl5 m hate; violence, war ni3er adv down, downwards niSgasst m malicious guest nlShedig adj war-minded niShycgende adj having hatred in the heart, hostile
niSsele m hostile hall niwian wv renew niwtyrwed adj new-tarred noht naught; v. nawiht nolde would not; v. willan nom, nomon v. niman noma torn name nor3 adv northwards nor3ende m north part nor3er(r)a comp adj more northern; north part of 4 164
nor5land n north shore nor3weard adv northwards nose wf naze, cape nosu / nose notian wv use nu adv now nu conj now (that), seeing that nugen adv still nu3a adv now; therefore nydan, wv force nytan, nyste v. witan of adv off of prep from, of ofaslean 6 cv strike, smite off or out
ofer prep over; throughout; after
ofer m shore of ercuman 4 overcome, subdue; reach
oferfaran 6 cross; meet with oferferan wv cross, pass over ofersec(e)an wv overtax, test too severely
oferswimman 3 swim over oferswi3an 1 overpower oferweorpan 3 stumble offaran 6 intercept, overtake offeran wv overtake ofost/haste ofostlice adv quickly, hastily ofridan 1 overtake by riding ofsendan wv send for, summon
ofsittan 5 wpv sit upon ofslean 6 cv slay oft adv often; comp oftor=oft 4.246, 316
ofteon 2 cv withhold oftorfian wv stone to death oftrasdlice adv frequendy ombiht m servant, officer, messenger
on adv on on prep in, into, on; against; among
onbidan 1 wait onbutan adv thereabout, round the coast
onbutan, abutan prep about, (a)round
oncnawan 7 know, recognise, perceive
ond conj and ondgit n intellect, understanding; meaning
ondlean m requital ondswarian wv answer ondswaru/ answer ondweard adj present ondwyrdan wv answer onettan wv hasten onflndan 3 find out, perceive onfon 7 cv receive, accept, take,
GLOSSARY 113
seize; wg stand sponsor for 4 102
ongean adv again, back; to meet ongean prep against, towards, at; to meet; after its object 4 3°8, 573
ongi(e)tan 5 perceive, understand, know
onginnan 3 begin; attempt, undertake
onhagian wv impers suit, please onhreran wv (a)rouse, stir up onmang prep among, in the midst of, during
onmunan swv remind onscunian wv shun, detest onsendan wv send onspringan 3 spring apart onswifan 1 swing forward, raise onsyn/ appearance onwadan 6 assail onweald m power, rule onweg, aweg adv away onwri5an 1 unwrap openian wv open ord n point oretmecg m warrior oretta wm warrior orf n cattle organa npl organ orlege n battle, war ormaste adj immeasurable, immense
oru3 n breath orwena wadj wg hopeless, despairing
o3 prep until do'eradj second, next; (an)other; the rest
o3iewan wv appear; show oSspringan 3 deprive o55ast conj until o33e conj or; and oxa wm ox oxanhyrde m ox-herd pearruc m enclosure, 'park' peni(n)g m penny
pic n pitch port m port, town pund n pound purpure wf purple (stuff)
reedan wv advise; decide on rasdbora wm counsellor RjSdend m Ruler, God rasran wv raise; commit rass m rush, onslaught rassan wv race, rush rasswa wm chief ra3e quickly; v. hra3e read adj red reaf n dress, garment reafian wv rob, plunder reaflac n robbery recan, reccan wv reck, care (for), take care (of)
recc(e)an wv declare; decide reced n house, hall recene adv instantly, quickly regnheard adj wondrous hard reord/speech reordian wv speak rice n kingdom, realm rice adj powerful, mighty; rich ricsian wv reign, rule ridan 1 ride riht (ryht) n right, justice, law; on riht according to right, rightly
rihtlice adv rightly, properly rihtregol m correct rule, canon rihtwisnes/ righteousness rima wm coast rinc m man, warrior rise/rush riscen adj of rushes rodor m sky, heavens rof adj strong, brave; renowned rond m shield rondwiggend m shield-warrior rot adj glad; excellent, noble rum m room, space rum adj roomy, spacious runwita wm wise man, councillor
w 8
ii4 GLOSSARY
ryinan wv open up; make room; leave
sacan 6 strive sacerd m priest sas mf sea saBbat m sea-boat sascc/ strife, fight sled n seed sasdeor n sea-monster seeflod m sea-flood sasl mf time; happiness saslan wv bind, secure sasliSend m seafarer, sailor sasmann m sea-man sfemede adj sea-weary sse-nasss m headland sasrima wm seaboard, coast Sasternesdasg m Saturday sastnian wv wg lie in wait for saswudu m ship sagu/ statement, report salowigpada wadj having dark plumage
sammasle adj agreed Sancte, Sancta, Sanctus (Lat.) Saint
sand n sand sar adj sore, painful sare adv sorely saw(u)l/ soul sawuldreor mn lifeblood sawulleas adj lifeless sc(e)acan 6 shake; go, depart sc(e)afan 6 shave, plane scealc m servant; man, warrior sceamu/ shame sceap n sheep scear n ploughshare scearp adj sharp sceat m quarter (of the earth) sceatt m money scea5 / sheath sc(e)a3a wm foe sceawi(g)an wv see, view, observe
sc(e)ot n shooting, darting sceota wm trout sceowyrhta wm shoemaker
sce33an 6 wpv wd scathe, injure scieppan 6 wpv shape, form, create, make
scieran 4 shear, cut scilling m silver coin, 'shilling' scinan 1 shine scip « ship sciphere m fleet sciphlasst m shipload, crew scipian wv m a n or equip scipmann m sailor scipwise/ form of a ship scir/ shire scir adj bright, clear scirmasled adj brighdy adorned scriSan 1 move, glide scrydan wv clothe, dress scufan 2 shove, thrust, push; pt pi scufun 10 3131
sculan swv shall, must, ought, be obliged or compelled; opt scyle
scur m shower scursceadu / protection against storms
scyld m shield scyldig adj wg guilty; ealdres scyldig having forfeited his life 10 1338
scyldwiga wm shield-warrior scyne adj beauteous, fair scytefinger m forefinger sealt adj salt seamere m tailor searo n skill; device; armour sear ogimm m cunning gem searogrim adj cunningly fierce or fierce in battle
searohsebbend m warrior searoniS m wile, plot searodancol adj cunning, wise seax n knife, dagger sec(e)an wv seek; attack se, seo, Saet adj that, the se, seo, 3ast demon pron he, she, it; that
se, seo, 3aet relpron who, which, what; he who, etc. secg m man, warrior
GLOSSARY "5 secgan wv say, tell sefa wm mind, heart seft v. softe seht m peace, pact sel comp adv better, rather seldguma wm hall-man 10 249 (note)
sele m hall seleful n hall-cup selegyst m hall-guest self, sylf adjp self, very, same sellan (syllan) wv give, bestow selhc, syllic adj rare, strange selra comp adj better; sup selest best
sendan wv send seoc adj sick, sick unto death seofe3a num seventh seofian wv sigh, lament seofon num seven seolfor, silfor n silver seomian wv lie at rest, remain seon s cv see; see good, provide 6i2,;pp gesewen, gesegen
seonu/ sinew seoSan 2 seethe, boil setl n abode, residence, stay 4 165 (stay that he made there); seat, throne
setlgang m setting settan wv set, place, occupy; fix; settan sefter go in pursuit
se3e, seo3e, 3aet3e rel pron who, which, that 10 1054 (note)
sib(b) / friendship, peace sibbegedriht/band of kindred warriors
Sid adj wide, broad side adv widely sigan 1 sink, march down, move sige m victory sigeeadig adj rich in victories sigefolc n victorious people sigerof adj victorious sige3uf m banner of victory sigle n sun-shaped ornament, jewel
silfor silver; v. seolfor
sim(b)le adv always sin poss adj his, her, their sine n treasure sincfast n costly vessel sincgestreon n treasure singan 3 sing 10 323 (note) sioloS w? still water sit tan 5 wpv sit, remain, settle; encamp, take up quarters
si3 m way, journey, adventure; time
Si3 adv late, after a time; sup si3est latest, last; aet si-3estan at last
si3fast m expedition si3ian wv journey si33an adv since, after(wards) siSSan conj since, after (that); when
six num six sixta adj sixth sixtig adj sixty slaepan 7 and wv sleep slean 6 cv strike; slay slecg / hammer slitan 1 slit, tear to pieces sme5e adj smooth smirwan wv smear smiS m smith smiSSe wf smithy snacc m small vessel of war snasdan wv take a meal snel(l) adj brisk, bold snot(t)or adj wise, prudent snude adv quickly softe adv softly, easily; comp seft
somnian iw collect, assemble somod adv together sona adv at once, forthwith; soon; sona 3ass soon after
song m song sorg/ sorrow sorgian wv sorrow, care sorhwyhn m surge of sorrow so3 n sooth, truth soSfasst adj just soSgiedd n true recital or song soSlice adv truly
3-a
u6 GLOSSARY
spanan 6 allure sparian wv spare, show mercy to spowan 7 speed, succeed sp(r)aec / speech sprecan 5 speak, say springan 3 spring, spread stasl m place, stead staslan wv avenge; pp 10 1340: "she has gone far in avenging the feud"
staeppan proceed; v. steppan staeo n shore, river-bank stan m stone, rock stanclif n rocky cliff stanfag adj paved, or inlaid, with stones
starian wv stare steap adj lofty, prominent stearcheort adj stout-hearted stedeheard adj firm, very hard stefn / voice; summons 4 404 (note)
stefn m stem (of a ship), prow stefna wm prow, or stern, of a ship
steorra wm star steppan 6 wpv step, go, march stercedferh3 adj stout of heart, bold
stag/path stigan 1 go, ascend, descend stilnes/stillness, peace Sti3 adj stiff, stout, strong sti3e adv strongly, severely stondan 6 stand stow/place strasl/m arrow strast/ street, road strand n strand stream m stream strengu/ strength strong adj strong; sup strengest stronglic adj strong stronglice adv strongly, stoutly stylecg adj steel-edged styric n stirk, calf styrman wv storm, rage styrnmod adj stern of mood
sulh/ plough sum adjp some, one, a certain; hie sume some of them
sumor m summer sund n swimming; sound, channel, sea
sundnytt/ feat of swimming Sunnanaefen m Saturday evening
sunne wf sun sunu m son sunwlitig adj beautiful with the sun; sup 9 3
suS adv southwards sudan adv from the south suSerne adj southern suSeweard adj southward, the south of
suShealf / south side suSland n south shore sudweard adv southwards swa adv so; as swahwaetswa pron whatever swahwaeSer adjp whichever (of two)
swahwelcswa, swashwylc... swa adjp whatsoever
swat mn blood swatig adj bloody swaSeah adv and conj nevertheless ; although
swefan 5 sleep, sleep the sleep of death
sweg m sound, noise sweging/noise, clanging swegl n sky, heavens swegl adj bright, clear swelc adjp such, such as, as; swelc... swelc such.. .as
swelce adv likewise, as well as, also, just as; as it were
swelce conj as, as if swelgan 3 swallow sweltan 3 die swencan wv vex, distress, oppress
sweng m swing, stroke sweora torn neck
GLOSSARY 117
sweord n sword sweostor / sister sweotol (swutol) adj clear, distinct; as adus.seteowod clearly shown, made manifest 714
sweotole adv clearly, openly swerian 6 wpv swear swe3rian wv wane, lessen swican 1 fail, disappear, escape swicdom m deception, fraud, treachery
swift adj swift, fleet swigian wv be silent swimman 3 swim swin n swine swingan 3 strike, whip swinsian tvv make melody, resound
swipu/ whip swio adj strong swiSe adv greatly, completely; w adj or adv very; comp swi3or more
swi3ferh3 adj stout-hearted swogan 7 sound, rustle swutol clear; v. sweotol swylc, swylce v. swelc, swelce swyltdasg m day of death syla wm ploughman sylf v. self syllan v. sellan syllic v. sellic symbel n feast, banquet syndolh n incurable wound syngian wv sin synn/sin, crime synsnasd/huge gulp syrce wf' sark,' shirt of mail ta/toe tacen n token, sign tacnbora m 2 65 (note) tacnian wv betoken, indicate, show
tallan wv blame, censure tela adv well tellan wv tell, reckon temian wv tame
tempel n temple teon 2 cv tug, draw; take, play s 44, 10 1051 (note)
tid/' tide,' time; hour til adj good, useful, excellent tilian wv obtain, procure; wg rei and dpers 4 301 (note)
tima wm time timbran wv build tir m glory tirfasst adj glorious to prep to, towards; at; for to adv too toeacanprep besides, in addition to
toforan prep before togasdere adv. together; togas-
dere cuman engage in battle togan av separate; pt pi toeo-don
togeanes adv 10 1501 (note) togeanes prep against, towards tohte wf battle tohweorfan 3 intr disperse, part
toican wv increase, add; pp pi 3 69 (note)
tomiddes adv in the midst torhte adv clearly, beautifully torhtlic adj splendid tosomne adv together; to-somne cuman engage in battle 4 245
t63masgen n strength of teeth or tusks
t65on adv to that degree, so to3on5aet conj in order that toweard adj imminent, future toweard prep towards; tmesis to...weard 4 257 (note), 370
toweorpan 3 overthrow, settle tredan 5 tread treddian wv tread, go treow/ truth, faith treowwyrhta wm carpenter treppe wf trap trum adj firm, strong truwian wv trust, believe
n8 GLOSSARY trymian, trymman wv draw up, array
tun m enclosure, farm, 'town' tungolwitega wm astrologer twegen, twa, tu num two twelf num twelve twelfta num twelfth twiwa (tweowa) adv twice ¥fn num ten yrisc adj Tyrian
tyrwa wm tar 3a adv then; when 10 2372;
seeing that 4 576; 3a...3a (in same clause) usu when, rarely then; 3a...3a (in different clauses) when...then
Sasr adv there; rel adv where Sasr conj if 10 2730 dasrabutan adv thereabout Sierasfter adv thereafter, after Jhis
3Eerinne adv therein, inside 5jeron adv therein, thereon 3aert6 adv thereto, thither 3jgr3asr adv where, wherever 3aes adv from that time, thereafter; therefore
5aes3e conj because 3ast rel pron what 7 14 Sset, 3aette conj that, so that; until; because
Sagen adv still, once more Sagiet adv still, yet, yet again Sancolmod adj thoughtful, wise 8e rel particle indecl who, which,
as 3e conj than; or 5eah (oeh) adv yet, nevertheless, however
3gahhwae3re adv nevertheless 5eah5e conj though, although 3earf / need 3earle a<foseverely, greatly, very Seaw m custom 3eccean wv cover 36g(e)n m 'thane'; warrior 3elaes v. Sylaes
Sencan wv think, deliberate 3enden conj while, whilst 3engel m prince, king Seod/people, nation Seodcyning m king of a people Seoden m prince, king Seodgestreon n nation-treasure, national possession
3eodguma wm warrior SeodsceaSa wm national foe Seodscipe m people, population
Seof m thief 3eon 1 cv thrive, succeed Seow m servant Seowdom m slavery, service 3es, 3eos, Sis adjp this Sicgan 5 wpv take, receive; partake of, eat
3ider adv thither Sin poss adj thy 3inen, Signen/handmaid Sing n thing Sohan wv endure Sonan adv thence Sonc m thanks Soncian wv thank; wg rei and a pers 10 1397
3oncung / thanksgiving, thankfulness
SoncwyrSe adj thankworthy, acceptable
Sonne adv then; when 3onne conj (after a comp) than Srasl m thrall, serf 3reat m crowd, troop Sridda num third Srie m, Sreofand n, num three Sringan 3 press, throng; afflict Sristhydig adj boldminded Sritig num thirty SritigoSa num thirtieth Sriwa adv thrice Srowian wv suffer Srowung/ suffering, passion S r y m m m might, force; host; dpi as adv 3 r y m m u m powerfully
GLOSSARY 119
3ry3asrn « mighty house, noble hall
SrySswyS adj strong in might bnpron thou ;as Sec ioi2i9(note) Suma wm thumb 3unorrad/ thunderclap 3urfan swv need; opt 3yrfen 3urh prep through 5urhfon 7 cv penetrate Surhwadan 6 pierce, penetrate 3us adv thus Susend num thousand Susendmaslum adv in thousands 3wean 6 cv wash 3y (3e), 3on (instr. of se) adv and conj because, in that, by that; therefore; w comps the
Syhtig adj doughty, strong 3ylass conj lest, that not Byncan wv impers seem 6yrfen need; v. 3urfan 5yslic adj such 3ywan wv oppress ufan adv from above, above ufenan adv 4 479 (note) unarimed (pp) unnumbered, innumerable
unarimedlic adj innumerable unbefohten (pp) unfought oncer poss adj our=of us two under prep tinder, during underfon 7 cv receive, accept undern m 9 ajn. 4 33 (note) underniman 4 blame; be indignant
underSeodan wv subject undom m unjust judgment undon av undo uneaSe adv with difficulty unfasger adj 'unfair,' ghastly unforht adj unafraid, fearless unfriS m hostility, war ungecynde adj without natirral right
ungemete adv immeasurably ungemetlic adj immense unieSelice adv with difficulty
unlagu/ bad law, oppression unliflgende (prp) lifeless, dead unnan swv wg grant, give; pt u3e unnyt adj useless unrsed m folly, evil counsel unriht n wrong unrim n countless number unrime adj countless unscennan wv unyoke, unharness
unsofte adv with difficulty undanc m disinclination 4 365 (note)
unSwasrnes/ dissension unwaclic adj firm, strong unwasr adj unaware; on unwaer unawares
unwearnum adv without hindrance
up, upp adv up; inland, up country
upahebban 6 wpv raise uppe adv up, on the scene uppon prep upon Ore, user poss adj our urigfe3era wadj dewy-winged usic us; v. ic ut adv out utan adv from without, outside ute adv out, outside utlaga wm outlaw utlagian wv outlaw utlah adj outlawed utlendisc adj foreign uton (1 pers pi opt of witan go) let us
utone, utene adv outside utweard adj outward, outside of u3e granted; v. unnan wacian wv watch wadan 6 go wasccan wv watch waed « water, flood; pi wado waBdl/ poverty wasdla wm poor man wasfels mn covering, cloak wasfre adj wandering
120 GLOSSARY
wseg m wave wasgholm m the billowy sea wasgliSend m seafarer wael n slaughter, carnage; the slain
wall m pool, deep pool waslbleat adj; wunde wael-bleate his deathly pitiful wound
wselgaest m murderous sprite waelgifre adj greedy of slaughter wasl(h)reow adj bloodthirsty, cruel, fierce
waslrass m deadly strife wselrec m deadly fumes waelseax n slaughter-knife, dagger
wselstow/ battlefield wsen m wagon waspen n weapon waestm mn growth, fruit waBta wm wet, water waster n water waeterian wv water waldswaSu/ forest- track w a m b / stomach wanian wv wane; diminish, curtail
waroS m shore wea wm woe, misery wealdan 7 'wield,' have control over, possess, rule
Wealdend m God weal(l) m wall, cliff weallan 7 weli, boil weallclif n sea-cliff weard m guard, guardian wearn/refusal wecc(e)an wv awaken; kindle wed(d) n pledge weder w weather 4 426 (note) wegan 5 carry, bear; wear wela wm wealth, well-being wel(l) adv -well, rightly, much; very
welwillende adj kind, benevolent
welwillendlice adv lovingly wen / expectation
wenan wv 'ween, suppose, imagine, think; expect
wendan wv turn, return; wend, go
weorc n work, deed weorpan 3 throw weoro adj worthy, honoured weor5an 3 become, be, happen, arise; get 4 72, 367
weor3ian wv honour, worship weor51ice adv worthily weor3mynd mfn honour, glory weorSunjg/ honour, worship wepan 7 wpv weep wer m man; husband werian wv defend, guard werigmod adj weary (of mood) werod, weorod n troop, band. host
wesan av he; see p. xiv; neg form neom am not
west adv westwards westan adv from the west westhealf / west side wic n, often pi dwelling(-place), camp
wice week; v. wucu wicg n horse, steed wician wv dwell, lodge, encamp
widcuS adj widely known wide adv widely, far and wide wideferh3 m 10 1222 (note) wif n woman; wife wigf n war, battie; prowess wiga wm warrior wigend m warrior wiggetawa/f)/ war-equipments wigheafola wm war-helmet wigsigor m victory in war wiht/n being; whit, aught, anything; as adv, usu to emphasize a negative at all, (not) a whit
wilde adj wild, uncontrolled willa wm will, wish; desire, desirable thing; gp wilna 10 660
willan av will, desire, intend,
GLOSSARY 121
try ;p*wolde; negform nellan will not; pt nolde
wilsiS m willing journey win n wine winaern n wine-hall wind m wind windasg m day of strife windan 3 wind, twist; roll windel m basket windgeard m dwelling of the winds
wine m friend (and lord), friendly ruler
winedryhten m friendly ruler winemasg m friendly or dear kinsman
winnan 3 fight winter mn winter, year wintersetl n winter quarters wis adj wise wisdom m wisdom wise wf 'wise,' manner wisfasst adj wise wisian wv wd or a direct, guide, lead; show
wistfyllo/ abundant meal wit pron (dual of ic) we two wita wm wise man, councillor; pi the national council, the 'witenagemot'
witan swv know; pt wiste; neg form nytan, pt nyste
witan 1 wa rei and d pers reproach 10 2741
wite« punishment, fine, penalty witenagemot n (meeting of) the national council
witig adj wise witodlice adv certainly wiS prep against; towards, in the direction of, to; with; opposite, over against 4 101
wi3ermal n defence wi3innan adv within wiSstondan 6 withstand, resist
wi33am3e, 3on5e conj provided that, on condition that, if
wlastta wm loathing; an object of loathing
wlenco/pride, bravado, daring wlite m beauty, appearance, form
wlitig adj beautiful wlonc adj proud wolcen n cloud; pi wolcnu wolde would; v. willan won(n) adj dark, dusky wong m plain wonhyd / carelessness, rashness
wop m weeping word n word wordgyd n dirge wordriht n right or befitting word
worn m number, multitude woruld, weorold/ world woruldcrasft m secular craft woruldcyntng m world-king wrascca wm exile wraeclice adv in exile wrascsiS m exile, banishment wraet(t) / ornament, jewel wra3 adj wroth, hostile; as noun foe
wraSmod adj wrathful wrecan 5 drive, drive out; avenge; utter
wreccan wv arouse; pt wrehte wrixlan wv exchange; wordum w. exchange words, converse
wucu, wice wf week wudu m wood wuldor n glory wuldorblaed m glorious success Wuldorcyning m the King of glory
wulf m wolf wulf hliS n wolf-slope wund/wound wund adj wounded wundenfeax adj with twisted mane
wundenhals adj with curved prow
122 GLOSSARY wundenmasl n sword with curved adornments
wundenstefna wm ship with curved prow
wunderlic adj wonderful wundor n wonder; monster; dpi wundrum wondrously
wunian wv dwell, abide wurdon v. weorSan wynleas adj joyless wynn / joy wyrc(e)an wv work, make, build; wg strive after, win
wyrd / fate wyrdan wv destroy wyrni m worm, dragon wyrs comp adv worse wyrsa adj comp (of yfel) worse; sup wyrsta worst
wyrt/herb, vegetable wyrSe adj worthy yfel n evil yfel adj evil, bad yfele adv evilly, ill yfiian wv grow worse
yldan wv delay ylde mpl men yldesta, yldra v. eald yld(u)/age ylfetu/swan ymb, ymbe prep about, concerning; before nouns of time after
ymbbeorgan 3 surround and protect
ymbclyppan wv embrace ymbefon 7 cv encircle, enclose ymbesittend m neighbour ymbgan av go about, go around ymbtrymian wv surround yr m back of axe yrfelaf / heirloom yrre adj angry yrrem6d adj angry-minded yrringa adv angrily yrSling m husbandman, farmer yS/wave y3e easy; v. eaSe yBelice adv easily y31ad / wave-path, way over the sea
PERSONS AND PLACES Aclea Ockley in Surrey ^gelesford Aylesford in Kent .iElf hun bishop of London Alfred 6 i probably' alderman' of Surrey
Mile 4 68 (note) Msc son of Hengest, joint king with him
iESelbald v. -SSelwulf .3D5elfl3sd 4 131 (note), 166 ^ESelingaig Athelney in Somerset
^ESelred Ethelred II, called the Unready, king 979-1016
,<E3elwulf, king of Wessex (83 9-857): his four sons, .ffithel-bald (857-860), .ffithelberht (860-866), Ethelred I (866-871), Alfred (871-901: 4 116 note), reigned after him
Afenemu3a wm Avonmouth, at the mouth of the Bristol Avon
Aller Aller in Somerset Angelcyn(n) n the English race or people, England
Ar(e)we R. Orwell, Suffolk Assandun Ashingdon in Essex A3ulfing son of iEthelwulf (q .v.) Baldwin 4 418 (note) Bedanfordscir/ Bedfordshire Beorhhamsted Berkhamstead, Herts.
Beorhtdene pi (Bright-)Danes, in allusion to their armour
Beorhtric king of the West Saxons 784-800
Bradan Relice (aet), Flatholm, island in Bristol Channel, off Penarth
Brentford on Thames, in Middlesex
Breten /, Bretenlond n Britain
Brycg Bruges Brycgstow Bristol Bryttas Britons 4 3 5 (note) Buccingahamscir / Buckinghamshire
Cantwaraburg/ Canterbury Cent indecl Kent Centingas pi men of Kent Cippanhamm Chippenham in Wilts.
Claudius Roman emperor 41-54A.D.
Craecilad Cricklade in Wilts. Crist Christ Cyrenense Cyrene, or Cyrenaica (v. Pentapolis), in N. Africa
Defenascir / Devonshire Dene pi Danes Denemearce wf Denmark Dofre wf Dover
Eadgar cild 4 562 (note) Eadmund Edmund Ironside, son of /Ethelred II; king of
_ England 1016 Eadn 55 bishop of Dorchester in _ Oxon. Eadric traitorous ' alderman' of _ Mercia Eadward Edward the Con-_ fessor, king 1042-66 Eadweard Edward the Elder, _ king 901-925 Eadwine earl of Mercia Ealdred bishop of Worcester, archbishop of York (1060-8)
Eastdene pi (East-)Danes Eastengle pi East Anglia(ns) Eastseaxe, -an pi (men of) Essex
Ebreas pi Hebrews, Jews
124 PERSONS AND PLACES
Ebreisc adj Hebrew Ecgbryht Egbert, king of Wessex 802-839, father of iEthel-wulf
Ecghryhtesstan Brixton De-verill, Wilts.
Ecwils Danish king Egiptaland n Egypt Englaland n England Engle, -an pi Angles, English Eoforwic(ceaster) York ESandun Edington in Wilts. Eustatius 4 356 (note) Fron eland n land of the Franks,
France Fryslond pi land of the West Frisians on the Rhine
Gaius Iulius Julius Cassar Geat the Geat (i.e. Beowulf) Geatas pi Gears (Swed. Gotar, O. Norse Gautar)
Gegnesburh Gainsborough in Lines.
Gillingaham Gillingham in Dorset
Glsestingaburh Glastonbury in Somerset
Gleaw(e)ceaster Gloucester Gleawceasterscir / Gloucestershire
Godrurn Danish king Gotan pi Goths Grenawic Greenwich Gu3geatas pi (War-)Geats Gyr3 son of Godwin Hsestingas pi (district of) Hastings
Hamtunscir/ Northants 4 255 Harold son of Godwin, elected king in succession to Edward the Confessor 1066
Harold Harfagera 4 536 (note) Healfdene Danish king Heardred son of Hygelac, king of the Geats
Hengestdun Hingston Down, Cornwall
Heorot Hrothgar's hall Herodes Herod the Great Hetware pi Hattuarii, a Frank-ish people on the Rhine
H U island of Iona in Scotland HreSel king of the Geats, father of Hygelac, and grandfather of Beowulf
Hroald Danish jarl (earl) Hronesnaess Whale's Ness Humbre wf, or Humbra wm, Humber
HumhremuSa wm mouth of Humber
Huntadunscir / Huntingdonshire
Hwerwella wm Wherwell in Hants.
Iglea Highley Common in Wilts. Inwasre Danish chieftain lr(a)land n Ireland Ircingafeld Archenfield, a district north-west of the Forest of Dean
Judeas pi Jews
Langatreo Longtree Hundred, Glos.
Legaceaster Chester Leofwine son of Godwin Lidwiccas pi Bretons, Brittany Lincolnescir/ Lincolnshire Lindesig Lindsey, a division of Lines.
Lunden, Lundenburg/ London Lundenware pi, Lundenewaru fs, inhabitants of London
Mass the river Maas or Meuse Magesaste pi a tribe on the borders of Herefordshire and Gloucestershire
Martianus joint Roman emperor
PERSONS AND PLACES 125
Medewaege Med way Mierce, Myrce pi Mercians Morcar earl of Northumberland, brother of Eadwine
Nor3(an)hymbre, -an pi Northumbrians)
Normandig Normandy NorSmen(n) pi Scandinavians NorSwealas pi Wales, the Welsh
Norwege wf Norway
Octauianus the emperor Augustus
Oda bishop of Bayeux Offa king of the Mercians Ohtor Danish jarl Oiaf the Peaceful, king of Norway, son of Harold Hardrada (4 536 note)
Olanignear Deerhurst,Glouces-tershire
Orcadus, Orcaneg the Orkneys Osbryht king of the Northumbrians
Oxenaford Oxford Pefnesea Pevensey Pentapolis the five chief cities of Cyrenaica in N. Africa, including Cyrene
Penwi3steort Land's End Peohtas pi Picts Peonnum, -an (set) 4 282 (note) Portloca Porlock in Somerset
Raulf earl of Herefordshire Ricard 4 340 (note) Rodbeard Robert of Jumifcges, archbishop of Canterbury
Romeburg Rome
Sasfern(e)mu3a wm mouth of Severn
Sasgeatas pi (Sea-)Geats Sandwic Sandwich in Kent
Sceapig island of Sheppey Sceorstan Sherston, Wilts. Scottas pi Irish, Ireland 4 34; Scots 4 176
Scrobbesburg/ Shrewsbury Scyldingas pi Danes (claiming descent from Scyld)
Sealwudu Selwood Forest in Somerset
Seuerus Roman emperor Snotingaham Nottingham Snotingahamscir/ Notts. Staeffordscir/ Staffordshire Stanford Stamford, Lines. Stanfordbrycg Stamford Bridge, near York
Stigand archbishop of Canterbury
Strascledwealas pi Strathclyde Welsh_
Sumorsaste pi Somerset 4 87 (note)
SuSdene pi (South-)Danes SuSgeweorc Southwark Su3rige pi (men of) Surrey Su3se(a)xe, -an pi (men of) Sussex
Swegen king of Denmark 4 198 Swegen son of Godwin, had been earl of Herefordshire (v. Raulf) 4 382
TameworSig Tamworth, Staffs. Temes Thames Temesemu3a wm mouth of Thames
Titus Roman emperor Tostig son of Godwin Dorneg Thomey, an island off the coast of Sussex and Hants.
Ill, Ualentinus Valentinian Roman emperor
Uhtred earl of Northumbria Ulf bishop of Dorchester
Wseced Watchet in Somerset
126 PERSONS AND PLACES
Wasl3eof earl of Northumberland
Wasringscir / Warwickshire Wealas, Walas pi British, Welsh; Cornish
Wederas p£=Wedergeatas a name of the Geats
Wedermearc land of the (Weder-)Geats
Wedmor Wedmore in Somerset Wendlas probably inhabitants of N. Jutland
Wes(t)seaxe, -an pi (men of) Wessex
Westwalas pi (men of) Cornwall
Wiht Isle of Wight Willelm William the Conqueror
Willelm 4 591 William Fitzos-bern, earl of Hereford
Wttsaetan wpl (men of) Wiltshire
Wyrtgeorn Vortigern, king ol the Britons
Ypwinesfleot Ebbsfleet in Thanet
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