Old English Poetry Book Garners UNESCO 'Memory of the World' Status

The Exeter Book, one of four surviving poetry manuscripts written in Old English, received this special jurisdiction in Cardiff (U.K.) on Monday. A compendium of poetry and riddles written in 970 AD, it was granted "Memory of the World" status for its "outstanding significance" to British history. It joins an esteemed list of significant literary artifacts that includes Magna Carta, the Bayeux Tapestry, the Book of Kells and the Diary of Anne Frank. More from the BBC:

A poetry book written in Old English has been granted Unesco status for its "outstanding significance" to British history.

The Exeter Book, kept at Exeter Cathedral's library, is an anthology of poetry and riddles written in 970 AD.

The book was the gift of Exeter's first bishop, Leofric, in the 11th Century and contains 40 poems.

It is now one of 50 items on the UK register of important historical documents.

Associate professor of medieval literature at Exeter University, Professor Emma Cayley, said: "This recognition now puts the Exeter Book in the same category as the Magna Carta, the Bayeux Tapestry, the Book of Kells and the Diary of Anne Frank in terms of significance."

She added: "It's so important it stays in Exeter."

Riddle 44 - from the Exeter Book Riddles
A wondrous thing hangs by a man's thigh,
under its lord's clothing. In front there is a hole.
It stands stiff and hard. It has a good home.
When the servant raises his own garment
up over his knee, he wants to greet
with his dangling head that well-known hole,
of equal length, which he has often filled before.
Q. What am I?

Read more at the BBC.