Names of God in Old English poetry

In Old English poetry, many descriptive epithets for God were used to satisfy alliterative requirements. These epithets include:

List MainName (Old English)Name meaningAttestationsCyning"King"wuldres Cyning"King of Glory"The Dream of the RoodSwanton, p. 133DryhtenDerived from dryht ("troop", "company"), emphasizing a noble's role as lord of a band of warriors."Lord"ece Dryhten"eternal Lord"Cædmon's hymnWhallondryhntes dreamas"the joys of the Lord"The SeafarerGodden, p. 188heofones Dryhten"heaven's Lord"The Dream of the RoodSwanton, p. 138EaldorDerived from eald "old". ealdor can also mean "elder" (but "elder" derives from ealdra "older" rather than from ealdor)."Prince"wuldres Ealdor"Prince of Glory"The Dream of the RoodSwanton, p. 138Fæder"Father"Heahfæder"Highfather"The Dream of the RoodWuldorfæder"Glorious Father"Cædmon's hymnFreaFrom Proto-Germanic *frauwaz; emphasizes a lord's domestic rulership. In later Old English, it becomes a word for husband."Lord"Frea ælmihtig"Master almighty"Cædmon's hymnFrea mancynnes"Mankind's Master"The Dream of the RoodSwanton, p. 139God"God"God ælmihtig"God almighty"The Dream of the RoodSwanton, p. 95weruda God"God of hosts"The Dream of the RoodHælendFrom hælan ("heal"); often translated "Saviour"."Healer"Hælend"Healer"The Dream of the RoodMetod Also meotod cf. Old Norse mjötuðr ("god", "fate"). Also translated as 'creator' and often used for the concept of "fate" (also known in O.E. as wyrd). The word is possibly from a root meaning "measurer" or "one who measures" related to the O.E. metan ("measure") and its descendant the Mod.E. mete in the term "to mete out"."Maker"Metod"Maker"Beowulf (110) Whalloneald Metod"Old Maker"Beowulf (945)WhallonWealdendFrom wealdan ("rule", "control"; cf. modern English wield)."Ruler"Wealdend"Ruler"The Dream of the RoodSwanton, p. 146Al-wealda"all-ruler"Meters of Boethius (11)wuldor alwealda"Glorious all-ruler"Codex Exoniensisfæder alwealda"Father all-ruler"Beowulf (630)WeardEmphasizes both guardianship and ownership."Guard"heofonrices WeardHeofon is "Heaven", and rice is "kingdom" (cf. the German reich)."the heavenly kingdom's Guard"Cædmon's hymnBeowulfWhallon "Ælmihtiga," "Drihten," "Metod," as they appear in the Beowulf.

See also Name of God in Christianity Wuldor List of kennings List of names of Odin List of names of Freyr

Notes

References

Swanton, Michael James, The Dream of the Rood. Godden, Malcolm, Michael Lapidge. The Cambridge companion to Old English literature. 2002. University of Cambridge Press.