A New Solution for the Exeter Book Riddle Number 70—A Double Flute

Abstract

IN the course of the past centuries the wiht in riddle number 70 verses 1 to 4 1 from the Exeter Book has received various answers to the challenge ‘Say my name’. Before 1900 F. Dietrich 2 and F. M. Padelford 3 suggested a shawm. Later a bell, a harp, a lighthouse 4 , a ‘nose’ 5 and more have been among the suggested answers. I would here like to offer a new or maybe the 6 overlooked answer to this old question: namely a ‘double flute’ of the type of a double shawm. The double shawm is closely related to the aulos (αὐλός) and tibia flute used by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Although double reed-pipe instruments are typologically shawms, 7 and not flutes I have chosen the term ‘double flute’ because it is now commonly used for all types of double pipe instruments. 8 The special shape of such a flute with its two double-reed mouthpieces follows the characteristics of the riddle’s elusive wiht quite conveniently. Wiht is wrætlic þam þe hyra wisan ne conn: singeð þurh sidan; is se sweora woh orþoncum geworht; hafaþ eaxle tua, scearp on gescyldrum. His gesceapo … 9 It is a splendid thing when one knows not its ways. It sings through its sides. Its neck is curved and cunningly wrought. It has two shoulders, which are sharp, on its back. It follows its fate. 10