The History of English Podcast – Episode 58: Bibliophiles and Bookworms

Host: Kevin Stroud
Release Date: February 18, 2015

Introduction and Context

In Episode 58, titled "Bibliophiles and Bookworms," Kevin Stroud delves into the Wessex literary revival of the late 10th century. He explores the significant texts produced and preserved during this period and highlights the crucial role played by dedicated bibliophiles and book collectors in safeguarding these manuscripts for posterity.

"The golden age of Old English literature in the mid to late nine hundreds..." [00:09]

Wessex Literary Revival

Stroud begins by contextualizing the late Old English period, noting the impending Norman influence that would transition the language into the Middle English period. He emphasizes the monastic reforms spearheaded by clerics like Dunstan, which led to the establishment of new monasteries and monastic schools. These institutions became centers of literacy and manuscript production, fostering a “great literary renaissance” where scribes not only copied existing works but also curated collections that preserved a diverse array of texts.

"Those 10th century scribes weren't just scribes. They were also book collectors and bookworms." [00:09]

The Anglo Saxon Chronicle

A focal point of the episode is the Anglo Saxon Chronicle, an annual record of the Anglo-Saxon people’s history, notable for being written in the vernacular rather than Latin. Stroud details its origins during the reign of Alfred the Great and its subsequent maintenance across various monasteries until the Norman Conquest.

"The Anglo Saxon Chronicle was an attempt to record the annual history of the Anglo Saxon people in English." [00:09]

He discusses the Parker Chronicle, the oldest surviving copy, and its fragmented preservation history, underscoring the Chronicle's reliability and occasional embellishments by scribes.

Preservation of Manuscripts

Stroud highlights the precarious journey of these manuscripts through war, religion, and language change. He explains how events like Viking and Norman invasions, along with Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries, led to the loss and destruction of many texts.

"War and religion and politics all played a role in the loss of many of those old manuscripts." [00:09]

However, a few manuscripts survived due to the efforts of passionate collectors who valued these works beyond their immediate readability.

Robert Cotton and His Collection

One such pivotal figure is Sir Robert Cotton, a renowned book collector whose vast collection became foundational to what is now the British Library. Stroud narrates Cotton’s dedication to preserving Old English texts post-dissolution, his role in Parliament, and the eventual challenges he faced from King Charles I.

"Cotton opened his library to anyone doing research and study." [00:09]

Despite attempts by Charles I to suppress the library, Cotton's collection endured, albeit with some losses due to fires. Notably, Cotton’s library housed a copy of Magna Carta and the Beowulf manuscript, which, despite damage, was largely preserved.

"The fate of Cotton's collection was ironically sealed when Charles I was confined in his library during his trial." [00:09]

Old English Poetry and the Exeter Book

Transitioning to Old English poetry, Stroud introduces the Exeter Book, one of the four great codices of Old English poetry. He outlines its origin with Bishop Leofrich of Exeter, who bequeathed his collection to the cathedral’s library in 1072.

"The Exeter Book is the largest of the four collections of Old English poetry." [00:09]

The Exeter Book houses over 30 individual poems and 95 riddles, making it a treasure trove for scholars. Stroud discusses the thematic diversity of the poems, particularly focusing on travel and exile as seen in works like Widsith, Dare, The Wanderer, and The Seafarer.

Analysis of Key Poems

Stroud provides insightful analyses of these poems:

• Widsith: A narrative from a traveling poet’s perspective, cataloging various tribes and leaders, many of whom overlap with figures in Beowulf.

  "Widsith literally means wide traveler or far traveler." [00:09]

• Dare: Explores the role of the poet in Germanic culture, emphasizing themes of transience and the inevitability of fate.

  "Der reminds us of the crucial role of the poet or shop in Germanic culture." [00:09]

• The Wanderer: Depicts a man’s fall from grace, his solitary exile, and the transient nature of earthly possessions, ultimately finding solace in faith.

  "The poem expresses the temporary nature of earthly things with the following..." [00:09]

• The Seafarer: Mirrors The Wanderer but with a more pronounced Christian influence, highlighting the seafarer's longing for divine purpose over earthly existence.

  "The poet describes the perils and hardships of the sea..." [00:09]

The Exeter Book Riddles

A standout feature of the Exeter Book is its collection of riddles, which Stroud presents as a testament to Anglo-Saxon wordplay and intellectual curiosity. He explains the tradition of compiling riddles into groups of 100, influenced by Roman practices introduced by Christian missionaries.

"The Exeter book riddles are somewhat unique in that they're longer than traditional Latin riddles." [00:09]

Stroud shares examples of these riddles, illustrating their complexity and the intricate connections between reading, interpretation, and wordplay. He emphasizes that these riddles often require deep interpretation, akin to reading between the lines.

"The words 'riddle' and 'read' are cognate. They share the same Germanic root." [00:09]

Etymology and Linguistic Insights

Throughout the episode, Stroud intertwines etymological explorations to shed light on the origins and transformations of English words. For instance, he traces the word "news" from its Old English roots to its modern usage, debunking the myth surrounding the Chevy Nova. He also delves into words like "wyrd" (fate) and "meted", illustrating their evolution and how they reflect broader cultural and linguistic shifts.

"The original Indo European root word was 'wer,' and it meant to twist or turn." [00:09]

Conclusion and Episode Preview

Concluding the episode, Stroud underscores the significance of bibliophiles and book collectors in preserving Old English literature. He hints at the upcoming transition in the podcast series, setting the stage for discussions on King Edgar, the rise of his son Athelred the Unready, and the impending Norman Conquest.

"Next time we'll explore why that late coronation was so significant and then we'll see what happened after he died." [00:09]

Stroud promises to continue unraveling the rich tapestry of English history, bridging the Old English period to the transformative Middle English era.

Notable Quotes:

• "As we enrolled to explore the Anglo Saxon Chronicle...'" [00:09]
• "The real story is far more dramatic than that." [00:09]
• "Bookmaking has always had this connection to the word work..." [00:09]
• "A good man covered me with protecting boards..." [00:09]

For more detailed translations of the Exeter Book riddles mentioned in this episode, visit the History of English Podcast website.