Andreas (poem)

Andreas is an Old English poem of 1722 lines, preserved in the Vercelli Book. It is generally considered one of the four major Old English poems, alongside Beowulf, The Dream of the Rood, and Judith.

The poem recounts the legendary adventures of Saint Andrew the Apostle, specifically his journey to rescue Saint Matthew from the land of the Mermedonians. These Mermedonians are depicted as a barbaric, cannibalistic people who imprison and blind Matthew, intending to fatten him up for future consumption.

Andreas, commanded by God, travels by sea to the land of the Mermedonians, accompanied by a group of warriors (generally interpreted as angels). During his journey, Andreas performs several miracles, including calming the sea and providing water for his thirsty companions. Upon arriving in the Mermedonian city, he engages in various trials, culminating in his freeing Matthew and blinding the Mermedonians. A flood follows, killing many, and the survivors are converted to Christianity.

Scholarly debate surrounds the poem’s authorship, dating, and interpretation. Some scholars believe Andreas is a translation or adaptation of a Latin source, though no definitive source has been found. Other scholars argue for an original Old English composition, drawing parallels with other heroic narratives and religious texts of the period. Stylistically, Andreas is notable for its use of traditional Old English poetic devices, such as alliteration, kennings, and variation.

The poem's themes include faith, obedience to God, divine intervention, the conflict between good and evil, and the establishment of Christianity. Andreas offers insights into Anglo-Saxon religious beliefs and their understanding of the heroic ideal within a Christian context.