The Wordhord: Daily Life in Old English

Videen, a blogger and medievalist, sifts through centuries of Old English texts to create a portrait of medieval British life in this entertaining linguistic history. As Videen writes, “This book is not like a language primer so much as an old photo album. Old English words are familiar but also strange.” In 12 chapters organized by topics such as food, play, and travel, she provides several “wordhords,” or collections of Old English words and their meanings, and reveals how they have evolved. For example, winter, writing, and god have not changed in over a millennium, while others, including wil-cuma, (or well-comer, a good guest) and un-tima (un-time, a time when something is forbidden) have long since fallen into disuse. Videen walks readers through many examples and historical situations via language—in a section on meals, for example, she reveals that less daylight in winter meant just one meal a day, plus a snack and a glass of wine before bed. She skillfully brings to life early medieval England, describing both its highs and lows: “The thing about joy in Old English literature is that it’s almost always followed by sorrow. With every feast, there is famine ahead.” Well researched and cannily written, this smart survey makes the old feel new. (Apr.)