Product Description

Part of the "Everyman" series which has been re-set with wide margins for notes and easy-to-read type. Each title includes a themed introduction by leading authorities on the subject, life-and-times chronology of the author, text summaries, annotated reading lists and selected criticism and notes.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #91501 in Books
• Published on: 1995-02-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 624 pages

Customer Reviews

THE entry to Anglo-Saxon poetry, also for bed-time reading
Bradley's collection gives a broad insight into Anglo-Saxon Poetry. Prose translations from the four main miscellanies of the Anglo-Saxon period form the basis of this work. The works included are: Cædmon's Hymn, The Ruthwell Cross Inscription, Bede's Death-song, Genesis, Exodus, Daniel, Christ and Satan, Andreas, The Fates of the Apostles, The Dream of the Rood, Elene, Christ I, Christ II, Christ III, Guthlac A, Guthlac B, The Phoenix, Juliana, The Wanderer, The Gifts of Men, The Seafarer, Widsith, The Fortunes of Men, Maxims I, The Panther, The Whale, Soul and Body II, Deor, Wulf and Eadwacer, some of the Exeter Book Riddles, The Wife's Lament, Resignation, The Descent into Hell, Alms-giving, The Husband's Message, The Ruin, Beowulf, Judith, The Battle of Finnsburh, Waldere, Maxims II, The Battle of Brunanburh, The Battle of Maldon, Judgement Day II, The Lord's Prayer, The Creed, Fragments of Psalms, Some metrical charms

Good edition
Bradley's edition of his translations of almost the entire body of extant Anglo-Saxon poetry is well presented and easy to use. He provides a useful introduction to each poem and each manuscript, with summaries of what is known about their dating, provenance and authorship. Each text is provided with line numbers at the beginning of each paragraph, which is invaluable if you're using them alongside the original texts.

Be warned that Bradley's translation is not always exact or infallible, although this isn't necessarily a failing - he doesn't try to provide a word-for word version of the texts, but rather an idiomatic rendering which lets the reader into the characteristic style of Anglo-Saxon vernacular poetry. Some of the longer poems, such as Genesis, are abbreviated, but Bradley is sensitive about leaving out only what is likely to be of least interest to the general student.

An excellent introduction to the texts, for an excellent price.