For Loss or Theft of Cattle

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"For Loss or Theft of Cattle," or "For Loss of Cattle," is the name given to three Anglo-Saxon metrical charms that were intended for use in keeping cattle from being stolen and ensuring their return.[1]

Facsimile of a miniature in an Anglo-Saxon manuscript with oxen pulling a plough

Charm V and Charm X represent two versions of the same macaronic text in Old English and Latin. Felix Grendon pointed out that lines 6–19 of Charm IX are significantly more "heathen" than the prose introduction.[2]

Charm V (For Loss of Cattle 1)

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This charm is found in the Lacnunga manuscript.[3]

Charm IX (For Loss of Cattle 2)

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This charm, entirely in Old English, was found in the margins of CCCC 41, a manuscript believed to be from Southern England.[6]

Charm X (For Loss of Cattle 3)

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This charm is found in CCCC 41.[3]

Notes

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  1. ^ Also read as "Elenan"[3]
  2. ^ Also translated as "The Jews"[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Anglo-Saxon metrical charms - Profilbaru.Com". profilbaru.com.
  2. ^ The Anglo-Saxon Poetic Records: A Collective Edition. (1931:cxxxvi). United States: Columbia University Press.
  3. ^ a b c d Fraaije, Karel Felix; (2021) Magical Verse from Early Medieval England: The Metrical Charms in Context. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
  4. ^ "Metrical Charm 5: For Loss of Cattle". www.sacred-texts.com.
  5. ^ a b c "The Metrical Charms | Old English Poetry Project | Rutgers University". oldenglishpoetry.camden.rutgers.edu.
  6. ^ "Manuscript: CCCC 41 | DigiPal". www.digipal.eu.
  7. ^ "Metrical Charm 9: For Loss of Cattle". www.sacred-texts.com.
  8. ^ "Metrical Charm 10: For Loss of Cattle". www.sacred-texts.com.
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