side-ful, adj: (of good behaviour or manners) honest, modest, virtuous, sober; (of dress) sober, modest, decorous. (SIH-deh-full / ˈsɪ-dɛ-fʌl)
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Dear Dr. Hana Videen, I was reading Chapter 5 of your Book, The Deorhord: An Old English Bestiary. I have a question about p.70 where you discuss the magical hens from Wonders of the East and call them “self-immolating chickens.” From my understanding of the original text, the hens burn the person who wants to touch them, but not themselves: gyf hi hwylc mon niman wile oððe hyra æthrineð ðonne forbærnað hi sona eall his lic. I would like to know more about how you interpret the passage. Thank you very much for your time!
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Hi there, thanks for pointing this out. Looking back at the passage, I think you’re right. The hens do not appear to set themselves on fire. I wonder how it works… are the hens very hot or is it just lyb-lāc?
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I don’t know. It’s a fascinating passage to look at, either way. I also enjoy your analysis of words very much. Thank you for the book.
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