What do you think?
Rate this book
Norwegian Runes and Runic Inscriptions
An accessible account of Norwegian runic inscriptions from their first appearance around AD200 until their demise around 1400.
Runes, a unique functional writing system, exclusive to northern and eastern Europe, were used for some 1300 years in Scandinavia, from about AD 200 till around the end of the fourteenth century, when the runic alphabet, called fuþark after the six first characters, finally gave way to the modern writing system.
Runes were not written, but carved - in stone, and on jewellery, weapons, utensils and wood. The content of the inscriptions is very varied, from owner and carpenter attributions on artefacts to memorials to the deceased on erected stones; contrary to popular belief, they are not necessarily magical or mystical, and the post-it notes of today have their forerunners in such runic reminders "Buy salt, and don't forget gloves for Sigrid." The typical medieval runic inscription varies from the deeply religious to the highly trivial [or perhaps crucial], such as "I slept with Vigdis when I wasin Stavanger."
This book presents an accessible account of the Norwegian examples throughout the period of their use. The runic inscriptions are discussed not only from a linguistic point of view but also as sources of information on Norwegian history and culture.
TERJE SPURKLAND is Associate Professor of Nordic Medieval Studies at the University of Oslo.
Runes, a unique functional writing system, exclusive to northern and eastern Europe, were used for some 1300 years in Scandinavia, from about AD 200 till around the end of the fourteenth century, when the runic alphabet, called fuþark after the six first characters, finally gave way to the modern writing system.
Runes were not written, but carved - in stone, and on jewellery, weapons, utensils and wood. The content of the inscriptions is very varied, from owner and carpenter attributions on artefacts to memorials to the deceased on erected stones; contrary to popular belief, they are not necessarily magical or mystical, and the post-it notes of today have their forerunners in such runic reminders "Buy salt, and don't forget gloves for Sigrid." The typical medieval runic inscription varies from the deeply religious to the highly trivial [or perhaps crucial], such as "I slept with Vigdis when I wasin Stavanger."
This book presents an accessible account of the Norwegian examples throughout the period of their use. The runic inscriptions are discussed not only from a linguistic point of view but also as sources of information on Norwegian history and culture.
TERJE SPURKLAND is Associate Professor of Nordic Medieval Studies at the University of Oslo.
206 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
5 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 3, 2020
Superb account of the history of runes in Norway and beyond. Told with great insight and humor.
October 13, 2015
A great book for those who have an understanding of runes, but want to deepen their understanding of how the runes were used in Norway. This is a chronological approach and mainly deals with runestones that dot the Norwegian landscape. The author transliterates the runes, then normalizes them, then translates into English. So it is a great way to test yourself on how well you can transliterate. Great insights into Norwegian culture as well.
December 23, 2018
An engaging and well written introduction to Norwegian runes. It gives a chronologically arranged historical overview with detailed and balanced discussions of individual inscriptions, while still keeping an eye to broader questions of orality, literacy and society.
October 13, 2019
Ei veldig god og velskreven innføring i eit fascinerande tema.
December 7, 2016
Written by a professor with a glint in his eye, this book is both educational and at times straight up hilarious!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews