The Deorhord: Old English Bestiary

Introducing an audiobook narrated by Isabel Adomakoh Young, The Deorhord: A Wondrous Journey Through Old English Words for Animals. From the author of The Wordhord: Daily Life in Old English, which was praised by Neil Gaiman as “a delightful book,” comes a captivating exploration of the Old English vocabulary used to describe animals.

In our daily lives, we encounter a variety of animals ranging from pets and farm animals to wild creatures of the fields and forests, many of which have remained unchanged since medieval times. However, the words we use to identify and characterize them have evolved significantly over the years. Beginning with the Old English word “deor” (pronounced DAY-or) for “animal,” The Deorhord by Hana Videen presents a fascinating Old English bestiary featuring real and imaginary animals, both big and small, ordinary and extraordinary.

From walker-weavers (spiders) and grey-cloaked ones (eagles) to moon-heads (mysterious beings yet to be identified by historians), The Deorhord introduces a world filled with familiar yet strange creatures where insects could be monstrous and panthers could be companions. Dog-headed men were as real as elephants and whales were as cunning as wolves. The intriguing tales behind these words offer a glimpse into the language, literature, and culture of Old English speakers, who lived over a thousand years ago during the era of Beowulf.

Embark on a delightful journey through the enchanting world of Old English with The Deorhord, a magical collection of new creatures and words awaiting discovery by modern English listeners. Explore the curious and extraordinary realm of Old English animals in this audiobook, where the past comes to life through captivating stories and captivating insights.

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