Introduction : a riddle wrapped in a mystery -- A tale of a whale and other stories -- Deciphering the message -- When, where and why? -- Puzzling out the past.
Summary:
The whale-bone box known as the Franks Casket has intrigued and puzzled viewers since its discovery in the nineteenth century in France. Made in northern England in the eighth century ad, the sides and lid of the rectangular casket carry some of the most intricate and intriguing carvings known from Anglo-Saxon times. The lively scenes depicted are drawn from a variety of sources, including Germanic and Roman legends and Jewish and Christian stories. They are accompanied by texts in both Old English and Latin, using the runic and Roman alphabets -- Setting the Franks Casket in its political and religious context, and looking at the significance of its ingenious images and inscriptions, this book explores the meaning, function and history of this extraordinary icon of Anglo-Saxon culture --Book Jacket.
