Bagpipes
While more may have existed and may be discovered in the future, there is only one written reference currently thought to reference a bagpipe from this period: Exeter Riddle 31, and no confirmed archaeological evidence. Compiled in the 10th century, the Exeter Riddles, currently held at Exeter Cathedral, describe a range of objects, although there are no titles or answers, leaving the reader to guess what they may be describing. While some are fairly clear, others are more difficult to understand. The answer of bagpipe for Riddle 31 is fairly likely as there are few other objects that could be described in such a way, and is demonstrated by a drawing of what is described . Bagpipes appear to have been around in England during this period, even if they were ‘rare’.
Exeter Riddle 31
The world is adorned in diverse ways,
Decorated with rare ornaments.
I saw a strange thing singing in a house;
Nothing on earth looked in the least
Like this creature, her shape was so odd.
Her beak pointed upwards, her feet
And talons were those of a bird,
Yet she cannot fly nor even move much,
Though eager to start she sets to work
With her singular skills; often and again
She goes the rounds at gatherings of men,
She sits at the feat and awaits her turn-
It comes soon-to prove her prowess
In the halls of thanes.
But there this creature
Never partakes of what makes men merry.
Daring, eager for fame, she stays dumb;
And yet in her foot she has a fine voice,
The glorious gift of song.
It is so strange that his creature makes sense only
With her dangling foot, richly decorated.
When she holds her hoard, proud of her rings
Yet naked, she bears her brothers on her neck-
A mighty kinswoman. Even a canny poet
Will be hard put to name this creature.
Translation by Kevin Crossley-Holland, 2015
Copies of the Exeter Riddles, including commentaries and possible answers to what they describe can be found in the following books:
-Baum, P.F. (1963) Anglo-Saxon Riddles of the Exeter Book. Durham, North Carolina: Duke University Press.
-Crossley-Holland, K. (2015) The Exeter Riddles. London: Enitharmon Press.
-Williamson, C. (2011) A Feast of Creatures: Anglo-Saxon Riddle-Songs. Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press.
-Williamson, C. (2017) The Old English Riddles of the 'Exeter Book'. North Carolina: UNC Press Books.
Have a go at drawing what the riddle describes. If you enjoy riddles and puzzles try looking up some of the other Exeter Riddles and draw what they describe.
To continue exploring the wind instruments, click here.