Although the question of humour in the surviving corpus of Old English literature has rarely been discussed, the potential for analyzing this literature in terms of its humor is in fact considerable. In the essays especially commissioned for this volume, the first book-length treatment of Anglo-Saxon humor, eight of the foremost scholars in the field use different approaches to explore humor in the surviving literature of Anglo-Saxon England, in such works as 'Beowulf' and 'The Battle of Maldon', the riddles of the Exeter book, and Old English saints' lives. The articles are prefaced with an introduction surveying the field. Through its unusual focus, this collection will provide an appealing introduction to both famous and lesser-known works for those new to Old English literature, while those familiar with the usual contours of Old English literary criticism will find here the value of a fresh approach. JONATHAN WILCOX is Associate Professor of English at the University of Iowa and editor of the 'Old English Newsletter'.

Relevant and dynamic... When taken as a whole shows that there is quite a lot of humour in the notoriusly unfunny Old English corpus, and establishes that humorous strand as an important strand of literary critical enquiry.'

Source: Medieval Review

Leaves no doubt that the Anglo-Saxons enjoyed a laugh just as much as we do.'

Source: Speculum