The Exeter Book

The Exeter Book• Takes its name from Exeter Cathedral in

whose library it was housed, donated by Leofric, (d.1072) first bishop of Exeter

• Originally 131 parchment leaves, 12.5”x8.6”, Bound between birch boards (German for “birch” gives English “book”) probably written by a single scribe, probably in late 10th cen.

• Largest surviving collection of OE literature; contains 31 poems, 96 riddles

The Exeter Book

• Only surviving source for most of its contents• Survived fire, storms, civil war, two world

wars but does have damage:– knife cuts suggesting its use as a cutting board– ring from a beer mug and stains from a beer spill– some missing initial leaves– large burn on several end leaves