The Exeter Book Riddles

This volume brings together enigmatic poems that reflect the daily life, beliefs, and humor of the Anglo-Saxon world.

The riddles personify everyday objects, natural elements, and animals, challenging the reader to guess their true identity.

Kevin Crossley-Holland’s translation preserves the rich alliterative style, lyrical beauty, and wordplay of the original Old English text.

The collection offers a unique cultural window into early medieval society, ranging from the sacred to the highly bawdy.