Exeter Book Riddle 83 facts for kids
The Exeter Book Riddle 83 is a fascinating Old English riddle found in a very old book called the Exeter Book. This book was written around the late 900s. Riddles from this time are like puzzles in poetry. People have studied Riddle 83 a lot, and most think it's about 'Ore,' 'Gold,' or 'Metal.' Many believe it means something like 'precious metal' or 'gold.' One expert, John D. Niles, even suggested the Old English word ōra, which could mean both 'ore' and a type of silver coin.
What the Riddle Says
This riddle is a poem that asks you to guess what it is. It talks about something that comes from the earth, is changed by fire, and can cause both good and bad things for people.
Here is the riddle in its original Old English, along with a translation into modern English:
Frōd wæs mīn fromcynn [MS. from cym] [..................] |
My ancestral family was venerable [...], |
Similar Riddles
Riddles like this one were popular a long time ago. Another riddle that is very similar to Exeter Book Riddle 83 is Riddle 91 by a writer named Symphosius. His riddle is about 'money' and also talks about something that was once just earth but then changed by fire to become valuable.
Here is Symphosius's riddle:
Terra fui primo, latebris abscondita terrae; |
Earth-child I was, skulking in ground |