Spolia are stones taken from an old structure such as a wall or tower and are repurposed for new construction or for decorative purposes. The literary version of spoliation is borrowing words and phrases from ancient texts and reusing them or altering their composition to inform something new.
Tangible spoliation is an ancient and widespread practice whereby stone that has been quarried, cut and used in a structure is carried away to be used elsewhere.
In this book, medieval literature scholar Denis Ferhatovié ponders reused language and exposes the parallels and paradoxes inherent in the reuse of these remnants. One chapter is devoted to a selection of Old English riddles in the Exeter Book, while others explore elements of the poetry in Exodus, Andreas, Judith, and Beowulf.