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Author Archives: Hana Videen

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gange-wæfre

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Hana Videen

gange-wæfre, f.n: spider (walker-weaver). (GONG-guh-WAV-ruh / ˈgaŋ-gə-ˌwæv-rə)

Medieval manuscript image of a rather unrealistic pair of spiders, each with eight legs, a horse-like head, horns and wings.
Old English Herbarium; England, 11th century; British Library, Cotton MS Vitellius C III, f. 23v. [bl.uk]
Posted in animals, deorhord book, hord highlights, kennings Leave a comment

hrȳþer

Posted on February 25, 2024 by Hana Videen

hrȳþer, n.n: ox, cow. (H’RUE-ther / ˈhryː-θɛr)

Posted in animals, deorhord book Leave a comment

læssa igil

Posted on February 24, 2024 by Hana Videen

læssa igil, n: hedgehog (smaller igil). (LASS-ah IH-yill / ˈlæs-sa ˈɪ-jɪl)

Medieval manuscript image of seven little hedgehogs impaling fruit on their spines beneath a curvy-branched tree or vines.
Aberdeen Bestiary; England, c. 1200; Aberdeen University Library, MS 24, f. 24r. [abdn.ac.uk]
Posted in animals, deorhord book Leave a comment

māra igil

Posted on February 23, 2024 by Hana Videen

māra igil, n: porcupine (greater igil). (MA-ra IH-yill / ˈmaː-ra ˈɪ-jɪl)

Medieval manuscript image of a porcupine standing on a patch of grass.
Jacob van Maerlant’s Der Naturen Bloeme; Netherlands, c. 1300-1325; British Library, Add MS 11390, f. 16v. [bestiary.ca]
Posted in animals, deorhord book Leave a comment

heorot

Posted on February 22, 2024 by Hana Videen

heorot, m.n: male deer, hart, stag (occasionally also used of the female), perhaps the red deer specifically. (HEH-o-rot / ˈhɛɔ-rɔt)

Posted in animals, deorhord book Leave a comment

gīw

Posted on February 21, 2024 by Hana Videen

gīw, m.n: griffin. (YEE-ew / ˈjiːw)

This week’s Wordhord Wednesday post is on lore-smiths. Read it on Patreon.

Medieval manuscript image of an orangey-brown griffin, sporting a pair of feathery wings, four talon-like feet and an eagle’s hooked beak; it poses sedately with one forefoot in the air.
Wonders of the East; England, mid 11th century; British Library, Cotton MS Tiberius B V/1, f. 86v. [bl.uk]
Posted in animals, deorhord book Leave a comment

bōc-rǣding

Posted on February 20, 2024 by Hana Videen

bōc-rǣding, f.n: reading of books. (BOAK-RAD-ing / ˈboːk-ˌræː-dɪŋ)

Today is publication day for The Deorhord: An Old English Bestiary in the US/Canada. The next week of words will include various animals from the hoard.

And today there’s a book launch at Type Books (883 Queen St. West), so if you happen to be in Toronto, stop by at 7 PM to get your Deorhord signed!

Poster with an image of ‘The Deorhord: An Old English Bestiary’ by Hana Videen and the author’s photo. Book Launch and Signing at Type Books, 883 Queen Street West, on Tuesday February 20th at 7 PM.
Posted in deorhord book, education + knowledge Leave a comment

folc-gedrēfnes

Posted on February 19, 2024 by Hana Videen

folc-gedrēfnes, f.n: disturbance of the people, confusion of mankind (people-trouble). (FOLK-yeh-DRAVE-ness / ˈfɔlk-jɛ-ˌdreːv-nɛs)

Posted in deorhord book Leave a comment

sǣnig

Posted on February 18, 2024 by Hana Videen

sǣnig, adj: marine. (SAE-nih / ˈsæː-nɪj)

Medieval manuscript image of a boat carrying two sailors floating beside a giant fish, on which rests a cooking pot and two other sailors, one of whom is falling into the sea; the giant fish plunges down to swallow some small fish.
Bestiary; France (formerly Flanders), c. 1270; Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig XV 3, f. 89v. [getty.edu]
Posted in water Leave a comment

henge-clif

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Hana Videen

henge-clif, n.n: a steep, precipitous cliff. (HENG-guh-CLIFF / ˈhɛŋ-gə-ˌklɪf)

Posted in places Leave a comment

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