what is a scop

A scop was an Anglo-Saxon poet who recited poetry and entertained people in medieval times. They were typically attached to a court on a relatively permanent basis and received rich gifts for their performances. The scop was a reciter of poetry, but their duties also included composing their own poetry in different situations, such as eulogizing their master. The performances often featured the recitation of recognizable texts such as the "old pagan legends of the Germanic tribes". Scops were known to travel from village to village, but many had permanent posts in the king’s court or mead halls. Their performances were usually short, but there were usually many lines of verse. The entertainment they provided was not meant to be relaxing; it was meant to produce thought and stern feelings. The scops were very important to Anglo-Saxon society and were messengers of traditional morality.