England runestones

The England runestones (Swedish: Englandsstenarna) are a group of about 30 runestones in Scandinavia which refer to Viking Age voyages to England. They constitute one of the largest groups of runestones that mention voyages to other countries, and they are comparable in number only to the approximately 30 Greece Runestones and the 26 Ingvar Runestones, of which the latter refer to a Viking expedition to the Caspian Sea region. They were engraved in Old Norse with the Younger Futhark.

Oslo

Copenhagen

Stockholm

class=notpageimage|

Map of the geographic distribution of the England Runestones in southern Scandinavia and northernmost Germany (modern administrative borders and cities are shown)

The Anglo-Saxon rulers paid large sums, Danegelds, to Scandinavian Vikings who arrived to the English shores during the 990s and the first decades of the 11th century. Some runestones relate of these Danegelds, such as the Yttergärde runestone, U 344, which tells of Ulf of Borresta who received the danegeld three times, and the last one he received from Canute the Great. Canute sent home most of the Vikings who had helped him conquer England, but he kept a strong bodyguard, the Thingmen, and its members are also mentioned on several runestones.

The vast majority of the runestones, 27, were raised in modern-day Sweden and 17 in the Swedish provinces around lake Mälaren. In contrast, modern-day Denmark has no such runestones, but there is a runestone in Scania which mentions London. There is also a runestone in Norway and a Swedish one in Schleswig, Germany.

Some Vikings, such as Guðvér did not only attack England, but also Saxony, as reported by the Grinda Runestone Sö 166 in Södermanland:

Grjótgarðr (and) Einriði, the sons made (the stone) in memory of (their) able father. Guðvér was in the west; divided (up) payment in England; manfully attacked townships in Saxony.

Below follows a presentation of the England Runestones based on information collected from the Rundata project, organized according to location. The transcriptions from runic inscriptions into standardized Old Norse are in the Swedish and Danish dialect to facilitate comparison with the inscriptions, while the English translation provided by Rundata give the names in standard dialect (the Icelandic and Norwegian dialect).

Uppland

There are eight runestones in Uppland that mention voyages to England. Several of them were raised in memory of men who had partaken in the Danegeld in England.

U 194

U 194

This secluded runestone is located in a grove near Väsby, Uppland, Sweden. It was raised by a Viking in commemoration of his receiving one danegeld in England. It is classified as being carved in runestone style Pr3 and, together with U 344, it has been said to be the earliest example of an Urnes style inscription in Uppland. The runic text follows a common rule to only carve a single rune for two consecutive letters, even when the letters were at the end of one word and the beginning of a second word. When the text shown as Latin characters, the transliterated runes are doubled and separate words are shown. For U 194 has three examples where this occurred, þinoftiʀ is transliterated as þino| |oftiʀ, tuknuts as tuk| |knuts, and anklanti as a| |anklanti.

al|i|

Ali/Alli

|l|it

let

raisa

ræisa

stain

stæin

þino|

þenna

|oftiʀ

æftiʀ

sik

sik

sialfan

sialfan.

'

 

hon

Hann

tuk|

tok

|knuts

Knuts

kialt

giald

a|

a

|anklanti

Ænglandi.

'

 

kuþ

Guð

hialbi

hialpi

hons

hans

ant

and.

al|i| |l|it raisa stain þino| |oftiʀ sik sialfan ' hon tuk| |knuts kialt a| |anklanti ' kuþ hialbi hons ant

Ali/Alli let ræisa stæin þenna æftiʀ sik sialfan. {} Hann tok Knuts giald a Ænglandi. {} Guð hialpi hans and.

"Áli/Alli had this stone raised in memory of himself. He took Knútr's payment in England. May God help his spirit."

U 241

U 241

Main article: Lingsberg Runestones

This runestone is one of the Lingsberg Runestones and was part of a paired monument with U 240. It is located on the courtyard of the estate Lingsberg in Uppland. It was raised by the grandchildren of Ulfríkr in commemoration of his receiving two danegelds in England. It is carved in runestone style Pr3.

n

En

tan

Dan

auk

ok

huskarl

Huskarl

'

 

auk

ok

sua(i)n

Svæinn

'

 

l(i)tu

letu

rita

retta

stin

stæin

aftiʀ

æftiʀ

'

 

ulfrik

Ulfrik,

'

 

faþurfaþur

faðurfaður

sino

sinn.

'

 

hon

Hann

hafþi

hafði

o|

a

|onklanti

Ænglandi

tuh

tu

kialt|

giald

|takit

takit.

+

 

kuþ

Guð

hialbi

hialpi

þiʀa

þæiʀa

kiþka

fæðga

salu|

salu

|uk|

ok

|kuþs

Guðs

muþ(i)

moðiʀ.

n tan auk huskarl ' auk sua(i)n ' l(i)tu rita stin aftiʀ ' ulfrik ' faþurfaþur sino ' hon hafþi o| |onklanti tuh kialt| |takit + kuþ hialbi þiʀa kiþka salu| |uk| |kuþs muþ(i)

En Dan ok Huskarl {} ok Svæinn {} letu retta stæin æftiʀ {} Ulfrik, {} faðurfaður sinn. {} Hann hafði a Ænglandi tu giald takit. {} Guð hialpi þæiʀa fæðga salu ok Guðs moðiʀ.

"And Danr and Húskarl and Sveinn had the stone erected in memory of Ulfríkr, their father's father. He had taken two payments in England. May God and God's mother help the souls of the father and son."

U 344

U 344

The runestone U 344, in the style Pr3, was found in 1868, at Yttergärde, by Richard Dybeck, but it is today raised at the church of Orkesta, see Orkesta Runestones. Together with U 194, it is considered to be the earliest example of the Urnes style in Uppland.

The runes are written from right to left with the orientation of the runes going in the same direction, but the last words outside the runic band have the usual left-right orientation. It can be dated to the first half of the 11th century because of its use of the ansuz rune for the a and æ phonemes, and because of its lack of dotted runes.

This stone is notable because it commemorates that the Viking Ulf of Borresta had taken three danegelds in England. The first one was with Skagul Toste in 991, the second one with Thorkel the High in 1012 and the last one with Canute the Great in 1018. Since there were many years between the danegelds, it is likely that Ulfr returned to Sweden after each danegeld to live as a wealthy magnate.

in

En

ulfr

Ulfʀ

hafiʀ

hafiʀ

o|

a

|onklati

Ænglandi

'

 

þru

þry

kialt|

giald

|takat

takit.

þit

Þet

uas

vas

fursta

fyrsta

þis

þet's

tusti

Tosti

ka-t

ga[l]t.

'

 

þ(a)

Þa

----

[galt]

(þ)urktil

Þorkætill.

'

 

þa

Þa

kalt

galt

knutr

Knutr.

in ulfr hafiʀ o| |onklati ' þru kialt| |takat þit uas fursta þis tusti ka-t ' þ(a) ---- (þ)urktil ' þa kalt knutr

En Ulfʀ hafiʀ a Ænglandi {} þry giald takit. Þet vas fyrsta þet's Tosti ga[l]t. {} Þa [galt] Þorkætill. {} Þa galt Knutr.

"And Ulfr has taken three payments in England. That was the first that Tosti paid. Then Þorketill paid. Then Knútr paid."

U 539

Side C of U 539

This runestone is located at the church of Husby-Sjuhundra. It is one of the older runestones as it is in the style RAK. It is raised in memory of Sveinn who intended to go to England but died en route in Jutland. Omeljan Pritsak comments that Sveinn probably died in the Limfjord, Jutland, as the fjord was usually the starting point for campaigns against England. Jansson dates Svein's death to 1015, when Canute the Great's great invasion fleet had been assembled in the Limfjord, a fleet that had many young warriors from Uppland. When the fleet departed for England, Sveinn was no longer aboard.

The hope that God and God's mother would treat the man better than he deserved is an expression that appears on several runestones, and it is not understood as an expression of his having a bad character but it is a request that he should be favoured in the afterlife.

A

tiarfʀ

Diarfʀ

×

 

uki

ok

×

 

urika

Orøkia

×

 

uk

ok

'

 

uiki

Vigi

×

 

uk

ok

×

 

iukiʀ

Iogæiʀʀ

×

 

uk

ok

×

 

kiʀialmʀ

Gæiʀhialmʀ,

×

 

þiʀ

þæiʀ

bryþr

brøðr

×

 

aliʀ

alliʀ

×

 

litu

letu

×

 

risa

ræisa

×

 

tiarfʀ × uki × urika × uk ' uiki × uk × iukiʀ × uk × kiʀialmʀ × þiʀ bryþr × aliʀ × litu × risa ×

Diarfʀ {} ok {} Orøkia {} ok {} Vigi {} ok {} Iogæiʀʀ {} ok {} Gæiʀhialmʀ, {} þæiʀ brøðr {} alliʀ {} letu {} ræisa {}

"Djarfr and Órœkja and Vígi and Jógeirr and Geirhjalmr, all of these brothers had"

B

stin

stæin

þina

þenna

×

 

iftiʀ

æftiʀ

×

 

suin

Svæin,

×

 

bruþur

broður

×

 

sin

sinn.

×

 

saʀ

Saʀ

×

 

uarþ

varð

×

 

tuþr

dauðr

a

a

×

 

iut(l)ati

Iutlandi.

×

 

on

Hann

skulti

skuldi

stin þina × iftiʀ × suin × bruþur × sin × saʀ × uarþ × tuþr a × iut(l)ati × on skulti

stæin þenna {} æftiʀ {} Svæin, {} broður {} sinn. {} Saʀ {} varð {} dauðr a {} Iutlandi. {} Hann skuldi

"this stone raised in memory of Sveinn, their brother. He died in Jútland. He meant to"

C

fara

fara

×

 

til

til

×

 

iklanþs

Ænglands.

×

 

kuþ

Guð

×

 

ialbi

hialpi

×

 

(o)ns

hans

×

 

at

and

uk

ok

salu

salu

×

 

uk|

ok

×|

 

kus

Guðs

muþiʀ

moðiʀ

×

 

betr

bætr

×

 

þan

þan

an

hann

karþi

gærði

til

til.

fara × til × iklanþs × kuþ × ialbi × (o)ns × at uk salu × uk| ×| kus muþiʀ × betr × þan an karþi til

fara {} til {} Ænglands. {} Guð {} hialpi {} hans {} and ok salu {} ok {} Guðs moðiʀ {} bætr {} þan hann gærði til.

"travel to England. May God and God's mother help his spirit and soul better than he deserved."

U 616

U 616

This runestone is located at Tång, and it is raised in memory of a man who died in battle in England. It is classified as being carved in runestone style Pr1, but the runemaster is considered to have had little experience in the craft. The runic text contains a bind rune, which is a ligature combining two runes, for an a-rune and a l-rune, which may have been done simply to save space.

fir--(r)iui

<fir--riui>

:

 

lit

let

rita

retta

*

 

kuml

kuml

:

 

yfitiʀr

æftiʀ

:

 

fnþur

faður

:

 

sih

sinn

:

 

baosa

Bosa(?)/Bausa(?)

:

 

auk

ok

:

 

boruþur

broður

:

 

kuru-

<kuru->.

*

 

kuþ

Guð

hi=a=l-...

hial[pi]

*

 

ul

<ul>

kuru

<kuru>

-ial

[f]ioll

uti

uti

*

 

a|

a

|akla--

Ængla[ndi].

fir--(r)iui : lit rita * kuml : yfitiʀr : fnþur : sih : baosa : auk : boruþur : kuru- * kuþ hi=a=l-... * ul kuru -ial uti * a| |akla--

<fir--riui> {} let retta {} kuml {} æftiʀ {} faður {} sinn {} Bosa(?)/Bausa(?) {} ok {} broður {} <kuru->. {} Guð hial[pi] {} <ul> <kuru> [f]ioll uti {} a Ængla[ndi].

"<fir--riui> had the monument erected in memory of his father Bósi(?)/Bausi(?) and (his) brother <kuru->. May God help <ul> <kuru> fell abroad in England."

U 812

U 812

This runestone is carved in runestone style Pr2 and was raised at the church of Hjälsta. It was raised in memory of a man's father who died in England. Based on its size and runic text, it has been suggested that U 812 was once part of a coupled monument located in a cemetery, but that the runestone with the first half of the overall text has been lost. Other pairs of runestones that may have formed a coupled monument in a cemetery are U 49 and U 50 in Lovö and Sö Fv1948;282 and Sö 134 in Ludgo.

×

 

faþur

faður

×

 

sin

sinn.

×

 

saʀ

Saʀ

×

 

uarþ

varð

×

 

tauþr

dauðr

×

 

o

a

eg×loti

Ænglandi.

×

 

× faþur × sin × saʀ × uarþ × tauþr × o eg×loti ×

{} faður {} sinn. {} Saʀ {} varð {} dauðr {} a Ænglandi. {}

"his father. He died in England."

U 978

U 978

This stone is located in the wall of the church of Gamla Uppsala. It is carved in runestone style Pr2 and made of sandstone. It was made by a man who called himself "traveller to England" in memory of his father.

sihuiþr

Sigviðr

...-i

[ræist]i

+

 

stain

stæin

+

 

þina

þenna

+

 

iklats+fari

Ænglandsfari

+

 

iftir

æftiʀ

+

 

uitarf

Vidiarf,

+

 

faþ(u)(r)

faður

[+

 

-...

...

...sia]...

...

...ku---

...

sihuiþr ...-i + stain + þina + iklats+fari + iftir + uitarf + faþ(u)(r) [+ -... ...sia]... ...ku---

Sigviðr [ræist]i {} stæin {} þenna {} Ænglandsfari {} æftiʀ {} Vidiarf, {} faður {} ... ... ...

"Sigviðr, traveller to England, raised this stone in memory of Védjarfr, (his) father ... ... ..."

U 1181

U 1181

This fragmented runestone is classified as being carved in the runestone style Fp and is located at Lilla Runhällen. It was raised by a man who had travelled to England in memory of himself.

...-(i)

...

×

 

lit

let

×

 

(a)kua

haggva

...

...

...[k

[si]k

×

 

sa](l)fan

sialfan,

×

 

ek-...ns*fari

Æng[la]ndsfari,

'

 

a(f)i

afi

×

 

kunu-s

<kunu-s>.

*

 

...-(i) × lit × (a)kua ... ...[k × sa](l)fan × ek-...ns*fari ' a(f)i × kunu-s *

... {} let {} haggva ... [si]k {} sialfan, {} Æng[la]ndsfari, {} afi {} <kunu-s>. {}

"... had (the stone) cut ... (in memory of) himself, traveller to England, grandfather of <kunu-s>."

Södermanland

There are six known runestones in Södermanland that mention men who had travelled to England.

Sö 46

Sö 46

This runestone was found in Hormesta, and it is one of the older runestones as it is classified as being carved in runestone style RAK, which is considered to be the oldest style. It is raised by two men in memory of their brother who died in England.

iskil

Æskell

:

 

auk

ok

:

 

knauþimanr

Gnauðimandr(?)

:

 

raistu

ræistu

:

 

stain

stæin

:

 

þansi

þannsi

:

 

at

at

:

 

bruþur

broður

:

 

sin

sinn

:

 

suera

Sværra(?),

:

 

as

es

:

 

uarþ

varð

:

 

tauþr

dauðr

*

 

o

a

*

 

eklanti

Ænglandi.

kuml

Kumbl

*

 

kiarþu

giærðu

:

 

þatsi

þatsi

:

 

[kitil

Kætill

 

[ok]

slakʀ]

Stakkʀ.

iskil : auk : knauþimanr : raistu : stain : þansi : at : bruþur : sin : suera : as : uarþ : tauþr * o * eklanti kuml * kiarþu : þatsi : [kitil {} slakʀ]

Æskell {} ok {} Gnauðimandr(?) {} ræistu {} stæin {} þannsi {} at {} broður {} sinn {} Sværra(?), {} es {} varð {} dauðr {} a {} Ænglandi. Kumbl {} giærðu {} þatsi {} Kætill [ok] Stakkʀ.

"Áskell and Gnauðimaðr(?) raised this stone in memory of their brother Sverri(?), who died in England. Ketill and Stakkr made this monument."

Sö 55

Sö 55

This runestone in Bjudby was raised by a man in memory of his son Hefnir who went to England and back, and instead of having a warrior's death overseas, he died at home. Due to the use of the ansuz rune for the o phoneme, Erik Brate argues that Hefnir participated in a late 11th-century expedition to England. He suggests that Hefnir was part of the invasion force sent to England by Sweyn Estridsson, in 1069, and which was intended to defeat William the Conqueror's Normans. The invasion had been planned for two years, but William the conqueror bought off the commander of the force who was Sweyn Estridsson's brother Asbjörn. The inscription is in runestone style Pr2 and was carved by two runemasters whose names are normalized as Slóði and Brúni. Brúni's signature is also on Sö 178 at Gripsholm Castle.

þorstain

Þorstæinn

(l)(i)...

le[t

...sa

ræi]sa

:

 

stain

stæin

:

 

þena

þenna

:

 

...

[æftiʀ]

sik

sik

:

 

sialfan

sialfan

:

 

auk

ok

:

 

sun

sun

:

 

sin

sinn

:

 

hefni

Hæfni.

:

 

uaʀ

Vaʀ

til

til

:

 

enklans

Ænglands

:

 

ukr

ungʀ

:

 

trenkr

drængʀ

:

 

farin

farinn,

:

 

uarþ

varð

:

 

þa

þa

*

 

haima

hæima

:

 

at

at

:

 

harmi

harmi

tauþr

dauðr.

kuþ

Guð

hialbi

hialpi

:

 

sialu

sialu

:

 

þaima

þæiʀa.

bruni

Bruni

:

 

auk

ok

:

 

sloþi

Sloði

:

 

þaiʀ

þæiʀ

...(u)

[rist]u

stan

stæin

þena

þenna.

þorstain (l)(i)... ...sa : stain : þena : ... sik : sialfan : auk : sun : sin : hefni : uaʀ til : enklans : ukr : trenkr : farin : uarþ : þa * haima : at : harmi tauþr kuþ hialbi : sialu : þaima bruni : auk : sloþi : þaiʀ ...(u) stan þena

Þorstæinn le[t ræi]sa {} stæin {} þenna {} [æftiʀ] sik {} sialfan {} ok {} sun {} sinn {} Hæfni. {} Vaʀ til {} Ænglands {} ungʀ {} drængʀ {} farinn, {} varð {} þa {} hæima {} at {} harmi dauðr. Guð hialpi {} sialu {} þæiʀa. Bruni {} ok {} Sloði {} þæiʀ [rist]u stæin þenna.

"Þorsteinn had this stone raised in memory of himself and his son Hefnir. The young valiant man travelled to England; then died grievously at home. May God help their souls. Brúni and Slóði, they carved this stone."

Sö 83

17th-century drawing by Johan Peringskiöld of Sö 83

This runestone has disappeared, but it was located at the church of Tumbo. It is classified as possibly being in runestone style Pr4. The inscription has been attributed based on stylistic analysis to the runemaster Näsbjörn, and what little remained of the stone when it was discovered said that a man drowned in England.

[...an

[H]ann

:

 

truknaþi

drunknaði

:

 

i

i

eklans

Ænglands

:

 

han...]

...

[...an : truknaþi : i eklans : han...]

[H]ann {} drunknaði {} i Ænglands {} ...

"He drowned in England's ..."

Sö 160

Sö 160

This runestone is located at the church of Råby. Like the Kolsta Runestone, it is raised in memory of a man who died in the assembly retinue (þingalið) in England.

:

 

aybirn

Øybiorn

:

 

raisþi

ræisþi

:

 

stain

stæin

:

 

þansi

þannsi

:

 

at

at

:

 

karþi

Skærði.

:

 

han

Hann

uarþ

varð

:

 

tauþr

dauðr

:

 

o|

a

|oklati

Ænglandi

i

i

liþi

liði.

: aybirn : raisþi : stain : þansi : at : karþi : han uarþ : tauþr : o| |oklati i liþi

{} Øybiorn {} ræisþi {} stæin {} þannsi {} at {} Skærði. {} Hann varð {} dauðr {} a Ænglandi i liði.

"Eybjǫrn raised this stone in memory of Skerðir. He died in the retinue in England."

Sö 166

Sö 166

This runestone which is located in Grinda is in the style RAK. It is raised in memory of a father who divided up gold in England and attacked some towns in northern Germany. According to Omeljan Pritsak, the gold which was divided was part of the danegeld, and Erik Brate argues that it was the same expedition as the one mentioned on the Berga Runestone.

:

 

kriutkarþr

Griutgarðr,

:

 

ainriþi

Æinriði,

:

 

suniʀ

syniʀ,

:

 

kiarþu

giærðu

:

 

at

at

:

 

faþur

faður

:

 

snialan

sniallan.

:

 

kuþuiʀ

Guðveʀ

:

 

uaʀ

vaʀ

uastr

vestr

:

 

a

a

:

 

aklati

Ænglandi,

:

 

kialti

gialdi

:

 

skifti

skifti,

:

 

burkiʀ

borgiʀ

:

 

a

a

:

 

sahks:lanti

Saxlandi

:

 

suti

sotti

:

 

kaula

karla.

: kriutkarþr : ainriþi : suniʀ : kiarþu : at : faþur : snialan : kuþuiʀ : uaʀ uastr : a : aklati : kialti : skifti : burkiʀ : a : sahks:lanti : suti : kaula

{} Griutgarðr, {} Æinriði, {} syniʀ, {} giærðu {} at {} faður {} sniallan. {} Guðveʀ {} vaʀ vestr {} a {} Ænglandi, {} gialdi {} skifti, {} borgiʀ {} a {} Saxlandi {} sotti {} karla.

"Grjótgarðr (and) Einriði, the sons made (the stone) in memory of (their) able father. Guðvér was in the west; divided (up) payment in England; manfully attacked townships in Saxony."

Sö 207

Sö 207

This runestone is located at the church of Överselö. It is made of sandstone and carved in runestone style Fp. It is in memory of a father who travelled to England.

kuþr...

Guð...

...

...

(f)aþur

faður

sin

sinn.

*

 

fur

For

*

 

hfila

hæfila

*

 

hn

hann

*

 

til

til

*

 

iklans

Ænglands.

*

 

kuþ

Guð

halbi

hialpi

*

 

sil

sal

hns

hans.

kuþr... ... (f)aþur sin * fur * hfila * hn * til * iklans * kuþ halbi * sil hns

Guð... ... faður sinn. {} For {} hæfila {} hann {} til {} Ænglands. {} Guð hialpi {} sal hans.

"Guð-... ... his father. He competently travelled to England. May God help his soul."

Västmanland

In Västmanland, there are three runestones that refer to voyages to England.

Vs 5

Vs 5

This runestone is located in the garden of the farm Vändle and it is tentatively categorized as being carved in runestone style Fp. It is raised in memory of a man who travelled to England.

[kra-hni-

<kra-hni->

×

 

lit

let

×

 

resa

ræisa

×

 

s...

s[tæin]

...]

...

+

 

uas

vas

×

 

farin

farinn

+

 

til

til

+

 

ekla-s

Ængla[nd]s.

[×

 

(t)u

Do

i

i

×

 

sbelbuþa

Spiallbuða

×

 

--s(a)þu

...

×

 

helb]i

Hialpi

×

 

kuþ

Guð

[×

 

se...

se[lu

...

hans]

...

...

sigi

Siggi

*

 

iuk

hiogg

×

 

-u...]

[r]u[naʀ].

[kra-hni- × lit × resa × s... ...] + uas × farin + til + ekla-s [× (t)u i × sbelbuþa × --s(a)þu × helb]i × kuþ [× se... ... ... sigi * iuk × -u...]

<kra-hni-> {} let {} ræisa {} s[tæin] ... {} vas {} farinn {} til {} Ængla[nd]s. {} Do i {} Spiallbuða {} ... {} Hialpi {} Guð {} se[lu hans] ... Siggi {} hiogg {} [r]u[naʀ].

"<kra-hni-> had the stone raised ... travelled to England, died in Spjallboði's ... May God help his soul ... Siggi cut the runes."

Vs 9

The runestone Vs 9

This runestone is located near the bridge of Saltängsbron and it is in the style Pr3. It is in memory of a man who died in England.

×

 

kisl

Gisl

×

 

lit

let

×

 

kera

gærva

×

 

buru

bro

×

 

eftʀ

æftiʀ

×

 

osl

Asl/ǫsl,

×

 

sun

sun

×

 

sin

sinn.

×

 

han

Hann

u(a)[rþ]

varð

×

 

tyþr

dauðr

×

 

a

a

eklati

Ænglandi.

×

 

kuþ

Guð

ialbi

hialpi

×

 

has

hans

×

 

ont

and

auk

ok

×

 

selu

selu.

× kisl × lit × kera × buru × eftʀ × osl × sun × sin × han u(a)[rþ] × tyþr × a eklati × kuþ ialbi × has × ont auk × selu

{} Gisl {} let {} gærva {} bro {} æftiʀ {} Asl/ǫsl, {} sun {} sinn. {} Hann varð {} dauðr {} a Ænglandi. {} Guð hialpi {} hans {} and ok {} selu.

"Gísl had the bridge made in memory of Ásl/ǫsl, his son. He died in England. May God help his spirit and soul."

Vs 18

The runestone Vs 18

This runestone is located in Berga and is classified as being carved in runestone style Fp. It was carved by the same runemaster as the Ingvar runestone Vs 19. Similar to the inscription on U 194, the runic text has an example where a single rune was used for two consecutive letters with one at the end of one word and the other at the start of a second word. The runemaster on both Vs 18 and Vs 19 used the same runes trekuþan which were transliterated to show two letters and separate words as trek| |kuþan. Vs 18 and Vs 19 were also sponsored by the same person, Gunnvaldr.

(k)hunaltr

Gunnaldr

*

 

liet

let

resa

ræisa

*

 

sthin

stæin

*

 

þensa

þennsa

*

 

iftir

æftiʀ

*

 

kerfast

Gæiʀfast,

*

 

sun

sun

sen

sinn,

*

 

trek|

dræng

|kuþan

goðan,

*

 

auk

ok

*

 

uas

vas

farin

farinn

*

 

til

til

eklans

Ænglands.

*

 

hiolbi

Hialpi

*

 

kuþ

Guð

*

 

salu

salu

*

 

hans

hans.

(k)hunaltr * liet resa * sthin * þensa * iftir * kerfast * sun sen * trek| |kuþan * auk * uas farin * til eklans * hiolbi * kuþ * salu * hans

Gunnaldr {} let ræisa {} stæin {} þennsa {} æftiʀ {} Gæiʀfast, {} sun sinn, {} dræng goðan, {} ok {} vas farinn {} til Ænglands. {} Hialpi {} Guð {} salu {} hans.

"Gunnvaldr had this stone raised in memory of Geirfastr, his son, a good valiant man. And (he) had travelled to England. May God help his soul."

Gästrikland

In Gästrikland, there is only one runestone that mentions a voyage to England.

Gs 8

Gs 8

This is a fragment that remains of a runestone. It was found in 1927 in Västra Hästbo near the church of Torsåker, and today it is almost hidden behind a pillar inside the church. It is in sandstone and it is one of the older runestones as it is carved in runestone style RAK. This the classification for inscriptions with runic band ends which do not have any attached serpent or beast heads. The runic text indicates that it was raised in memory of a man who went to England. The last word has a bind rune that combines a k-rune and u-rune, but it has been suggested that this was done to correct an error made when carving the text.

asmuntr

Asmundr

-...

...

...faþ-...

...

han

Hann

:

 

uas

vas

:

 

uist

vestr

:

 

---

[ut a]

ikla-ti

Ængla[n]di

...k=uust--

...

asmuntr -... ...faþ-... han : uas : uist : --- ikla-ti ...k=uust--

Asmundr ... ... Hann {} vas {} vestr {} {[ut a]} Ængla[n]di ...

"Ásmundr ... ... He was abroad in the west in England ..."

Östergötland

In Östergötland, there are two runestones that mention men who travelled to England, and both men died there.

Ög 104

Ög 104

This runestone is located in Gillberga. It is in the style Fp and it is raised in memory of a brother who died in England. The stone is located near an ancient road and was raised to its current position in 1866.

:

 

ruþr

Rauðr

:

 

risti

ræisti

:

 

stin

stæin

:

 

þinsi

þennsi

:

 

iftiʀ

æftiʀ

:

 

tuk-

Tok[a],

:

 

bruþur

broður

:

 

sin

sinn,

:

 

saʀ

saʀ

:

 

uarþ

varð

:

 

trbin

drepinn

:

 

a

a

:

 

ilati

Ænglandi,

:

 

triʀ

drængʀ

:

 

arþa

harða

:

 

kuþr

goðr.

:

 

: ruþr : risti : stin : þinsi : iftiʀ : tuk- : bruþur : sin : saʀ : uarþ : trbin : a : ilati : triʀ : arþa : kuþr :

{} Rauðr {} ræisti {} stæin {} þennsi {} æftiʀ {} Tok[a], {} broður {} sinn, {} saʀ {} varð {} drepinn {} a {} Ænglandi, {} drængʀ {} harða {} goðr. {}

"Rauðr raised this stone in memory of Tóki, his brother, a very good valiant man, who was killed in England."

Ög Fv1950;341

Ög Fv1950;341

This runestone is dated to around 1025, and was raised in memory of a father who died in England. It was discovered in 1950 lying with the text downwards on the property of the farm Kallerstad, only 200 metres from Ög 113. It was probably found in its original location since a road used to pass the stone. The stone had been broken into two pieces, but was reassembled and raised outside of the county museum of Linköping. The stone is in greyish red granite and it is 3.95 m tall (2.98 above soil) and 1.43 m wide, and the surface is quite weathered. The name Vígfastr is otherwise unattested on runestones and also the name Helga was quite rare. It is carved in runestone style Fp.

The Rundata designation for this Östergötland inscription, Ög Fv1950;341, refers to the year and page number of the issue of Fornvännen in which the runestone was first described.

...-iur-

...[b]ior[n]

:

 

auk

ok

:

 

as-iurn

As[b]iorn

:

 

þiʀ

þæiʀ

:

 

ristu

ræistu

:

 

stin

stæin

:

 

þasi

þasi

:

 

eft-ʀ

æft[i]ʀ

:

 

uikfast

Vigfast,

:

 

faþur

faður

:

 

sin

sinn,

:

 

es

es

uas

vas

:

 

tuþr

dauðr

:

 

o

a

:

 

eklati

Ænglandi,

:

 

sun

sun

:

 

helgu

Hælgu.

...-iur- : auk : as-iurn : þiʀ : ristu : stin : þasi : eft-ʀ : uikfast : faþur : sin : es uas : tuþr : o : eklati : sun : helgu

...[b]ior[n] {} ok {} As[b]iorn {} þæiʀ {} ræistu {} stæin {} þasi {} æft[i]ʀ {} Vigfast, {} faður {} sinn, {} es vas {} dauðr {} a {} Ænglandi, {} sun {} Hælgu.

"...-bjǫrn and Ásbjǫrn, they raised this stone in memory of Vígfastr, their father, Helga's son. He died in England."

Småland

In Småland, there are five or six runestones that mention voyages to England. One of them (Sm 77) mentions a man who was a marshal (stallari) in England.

Sm 5

Sides B and C of Sm 5

This runestone is located in Transjö. It is one of the older stones as it is in the style RAK. The runes are unusual as the m-runes are dotted () and the k-runes have a stroke to the left instead of to the right. The stone was raised in memory of a son who died in England named Ketill, who was described as being óníðingr. Óníðingr, which with the ó- prefix means the opposite of the Old Norse pejorative word níðingr, was used to describe a man as being virtuous and is translated in the Rundata database as "unvillainous." It is used as a descriptive term on inscriptions Sö 189 in Åkerby, Sm 37 in Rörbro, Sm 147 in Vasta Ed, and DR 68 in Århus, and appears as a name or part of a name on inscriptions Ög 77 in Hovgården, Ög 217 in Oppeby, Sm 2 in Aringsås, and Sm 131 in Hjortholmen. The text on Sm 5, Sm 37, and Ög 77 use the same exact phrase manna mæstr oniðingʀ or "most unvillainous of men" to describe the deceased, and DR 68 uses a variant of this phrase.

A

:

 

kotr

Gautr

:

 

sati

satti

:

 

sten

stæin

:

 

þana

þenna

:

 

eftʀ

æftiʀ

:

 

ketil

Kætil,

:

 

: kotr : sati : sten : þana : eftʀ : ketil :

{} Gautr {} satti {} stæin {} þenna {} æftiʀ {} Kætil, {}

"Gautr placed this stone in memory of Ketill"

B

:

 

sun

sun

:

 

sin

sinn.

:

 

han

Hann

:

 

faʀ

vaʀ

:

 

: sun : sin : han : faʀ :

{} sun {} sinn. {} Hann {} vaʀ {}

"his son. He was"

C

:

 

mana

manna

:

 

mesr

mæstr

o:niþikʀ

oniðingʀ,

:

 

eʀ

eʀ

a

a

:

 

eklati

Ænglandi

:

 

ali

aldri

:

 

tunþi

tyndi.

: mana : mesr o:niþikʀ : eʀ a : eklati : ali : tunþi

{} manna {} mæstr oniðingʀ, {} eʀ a {} Ænglandi {} aldri {} tyndi.

"the most unvillainous of men, who forfeited his life in England."

Sm 27

Sm 27

This runestone is raised on the cemetery of the church of Berga. It is classified as being in runestone style RAK and it is consequently one of the older runestones. It is raised in memory of a man who died in England.

--rþr

[Þo]rðr

*

 

ris(t)i

ræisti

*

 

kuml

kumbl

*

 

þe...

þe[ssi]/þe[tta]

...

...

...-aþis

[ænd]aðis

*

 

o

a

*

 

eklanti

Ænglandi.

*

 

--rþr * ris(t)i * kuml * þe... ... ...-aþis * o * eklanti *

[Þo]rðr {} ræisti {} kumbl {} þe[ssi]/þe[tta] ... [ænd]aðis {} a {} Ænglandi. {}

"Þórðr raised this/these(?) monument(s) ... met his end in England."

Sm 29

Sm 29

This runestone is located in Ingelstad. It is carved in runestone style RAK and is consequently one of the older runestones. It was raised in memory of a father who died in England.

...r

...

rsþi

ræisþi

*

 

stin

stæin

*

 

iftiʀ

æftiʀ

*

 

þur--(ʀ)

Þor[gæi]ʀ,

*

 

fa-ur

fa[ð]ur

*

 

sin

sinn.

*

 

saʀ

Saʀ

*

 

etaþis

ændaðis

*

 

o

a

*

 

-klanti

[Æ]nglandi.

*

 

...r rsþi * stin * iftiʀ * þur--(ʀ) * fa-ur * sin * saʀ * etaþis * o * -klanti *

... ræisþi {} stæin {} æftiʀ {} Þor[gæi]ʀ, {} fa[ð]ur {} sinn. {} Saʀ {} ændaðis {} a {} [Æ]nglandi. {}

"... raised the stone in memory of Þorgeirr, his father. He met his end in England."

Sm 77

Sm 77

This runestone is located in Sävsjö, and it is raised by Vrái in memory of a brother who died in England. Later, Vrái would also receive a memorial, the nearby Komstad Runestone which tells that Vrái had been the marshall (stallari) of an earl Hakon, who was probably the earl Håkon Eiriksson.

:

 

urai

Vrai

:

 

sati

satti

:

 

stin

stæin

:

 

þonsi

þannsi

:

 

eftiʀ

æftiʀ

:

 

kuna

Gunna,

:

 

bruþur

broður

:

 

sin

sinn.

:

 

han

Hann

:

 

uaʀ

vaʀ

tauþr

dauðr

:

 

o

a

:

 

iklati

Ænglandi.

: urai : sati : stin : þonsi : eftiʀ : kuna : bruþur : sin : han : uaʀ tauþr : o : iklati

{} Vrai {} satti {} stæin {} þannsi {} æftiʀ {} Gunna, {} broður {} sinn. {} Hann {} vaʀ dauðr {} a {} Ænglandi.

"Vrái placed this stone in memory of Gunni, his brother. He died in England."

Sm 101

Sm 101

The Nävelsjö runestone is located at the estate of Nöbbelesholm, and it is raised in memory of a father who died in England and was buried by his brother in Bath, Somerset.

:

 

kun(t)(k)el

Gunnkell

:

 

sati

satti

:

 

sten

stæin

:

 

þansi

þannsi

:

 

eftiʀ

æftiʀ

:

 

kunar

Gunnar,

:

 

faþur

faður

:

 

sin

sinn,

:

 

sun

sun

:

 

hruþa

Hroða.

:

 

halgi

Hælgi

:

 

lagþi

lagði

:

 

han

hann

:

 

i

i

:

 

sten:þr

stæinþro,

:

 

bruþur

broður

:

 

sin

sinn,

:

 

a

a

:

 

haklati

Ænglandi

:

 

i

i

:

 

baþum

Baðum.

: kun(t)(k)el : sati : sten : þansi : eftiʀ : kunar : faþur : sin : sun : hruþa : halgi : lagþi : han : i : sten:þr : bruþur : sin : a : haklati : i : baþum

{} Gunnkell {} satti {} stæin {} þannsi {} æftiʀ {} Gunnar, {} faður {} sinn, {} sun {} Hroða. {} Hælgi {} lagði {} hann {} i {} stæinþro, {} broður {} sinn, {} a {} Ænglandi {} i {} Baðum.

"Gunnkell placed this stone in memory of Gunnarr, his father, Hróði's son. Helgi, his brother, laid him in a stone coffin in Bath in England."

Sm 104

Sm 104

This fragment of a runestone is located in the atrium of the church of Vetlanda and what remains appears to say "in the west in England."

...(l)ika

...

:

 

uastr

vestr

*

 

a

a

*

 

i...-ti

Æ[nglan]di(?).

...(l)ika : uastr * a * i...-ti

... {} vestr {} a {} Æ[nglan]di(?).

"... in the west in England(?)."

Västergötland

Vg 20

Vg 20

This runestone is located in Västanåker and is classified as being carved in runestone style RAK. It was raised as a memorial to a son who died in England.

...

...

risti

ræisti

×

 

stin

stæin

×

 

iftiʀ

æftiʀ

×

 

kurmar

Guðmar(?),

×

 

sun

sun

×

 

sin

sinn.

+

 

iaʀ

Eʀ

×

 

uaʀ

vaʀ

+

 

trbin

drepinn

×

 

a

a

×

 

iklanti

Ænglandi.

×

 

... risti × stin × iftiʀ × kurmar × sun × sin + iaʀ × uaʀ + trbin × a × iklanti ×

... ræisti {} stæin {} æftiʀ {} Guðmar(?), {} sun {} sinn. {} Eʀ {} vaʀ {} drepinn {} a {} Ænglandi. {}

"... raised the stone in memory of Guðmarr(?), his son, who was killed in England."

Vg 187

Vg 187

This runestone is located at the church of Vist. It is carved in runestone style RAK and it is thus one of the older runestones. It was raised in memory of a brother who died in England.

+

 

giʀi

Gæiʀi

*

 

sati

satti

*

 

stin

stæin

*

 

þana

þenna

*

 

eftiʀ

æftiʀ

*

 

kuþa

Guða,

*

 

bruþur

broður

*

 

sin

sinn.

*

 

eʀ

Eʀ

*

 

a

a

ok*lanti

Ænglandi

*

 

altri

aldri

*

 

tynþi

tynði.

×

 

+ giʀi * sati * stin * þana * eftiʀ * kuþa * bruþur * sin * eʀ * a ok*lanti * altri * tynþi ×

{} Gæiʀi {} satti {} stæin {} þenna {} æftiʀ {} Guða, {} broður {} sinn. {} Eʀ {} a Ænglandi {} aldri {} tynði. {}

"Geiri placed this stone in memory of Guði, his brother, who forfeited his life in England."

Scania

DR 337

Both sides of DR 337

This runestone is located in Valleberga at "runestone hill" in Lund. It is one of the older runestones as it is classified as being carved in runestone style RAK.

A

:

 

suin

Swen

:

 

auk

ok

:

 

þurgutr

Þorgotr/Þorgundr

:

 

kiaurþu

gærþu

:

 

kubl

kumbl

:

 

þisi

þæssi

¶

 

eftiʀ

æftiʀ

:

 

mana

Manna

¶

 

auk

ok

*

 

suina

Swena.

: suin : auk : þurgutr : kiaurþu : kubl : þisi ¶ eftiʀ : mana ¶ auk * suina

{} Swen {} ok {} Þorgotr/Þorgundr {} gærþu {} kumbl {} þæssi {} æftiʀ {} Manna {} ok {} Swena.

"Sveinn and Þorgautr/Þorgunn made this monument in memory of Manni and Sveini."

B

kuþ

Guþ

:

 

hialbi

hialpi

:

 

siaul

siol

:

 

þeʀa

þeʀa

:

 

uel

wæl,

:

 

ian

æn

:

 

þeʀ

þeʀ

:

 

likia

liggia

:

 

i

i

:

 

luntunum

Lundunum.

kuþ : hialbi : siaul : þeʀa : uel : ian : þeʀ : likia : i : luntunum

Guþ {} hialpi {} siol {} þeʀa {} wæl, {} æn {} þeʀ {} liggia {} i {} Lundunum.

"May God well help their souls. And they lie in London."

Germany

DR 6

Runestone DR 6; the inscriptions are ordered C, B, A

This runestone is located in Schleswig Cathedral. The ornamentation shows that it was made by a Swede. It was made in memory of a man who lay dead in a location called Skía in Old Norse in England. According to Omeljan Pritsak, Skía was probably Shoebury in Essex or Skidby in Yorkshire.

A

...

l(i)t

(:)

r(i)(s)(a)

:

stain

:

e...

... l(i)t (:) r(i)(s)(a) : stain : e...

"... had the stone raised in memory of"

B

...-an

...

:

 

s(u)(l)...

...

¶

 

...

...

...(a)uþr

[d]øþr

:

 

...

...

¶

 

...(n)

...

:

 

auk

ok

:

 

kuþmuntr

Guþmundr

:

 

þaʀ

þeʀ

[:]

 

[r]...

r[istu

...[(a)ʀ]

run]aʀ.

...-an : s(u)(l)... ¶ ... ...(a)uþr : ... ¶ ...(n) : auk : kuþmuntr : þaʀ [:] [r]... ...[(a)ʀ]

... {} ... {} ... [d]øþr {} ... {} ... {} ok {} Guþmundr {} þeʀ {} r[istu run]aʀ.

"... ... ... dead ... ... and Guðmundr, they carved the runes."

C

:

 

a

A

enklanti

Ænglandi

:

 

i

i

skiu

Skiu

(:)

 

-uilis

[h]wilis.

:

 

kr...

Kr[istr](?)

...

...

...

...

: a enklanti : i skiu (:) -uilis : kr... ... ...

{} A Ænglandi {} i Skiu {} [h]wilis. {} Kr[istr](?) ... ...

"(He) rests at Skía in England. Christ ... ..."

United Kingdom

E 2

Main article: English runic inscription 2

E 2

Illustration

This runestone, also known as Br E2), is a Viking Age runic inscription from the early 11th century, in a coffin of limestone in Saint Paul's Cathedral in London. The stone is in style Pr2, also known as Ringerike style. It has remains of dark blue and red colour. The stone is placed in the Museum of London.

It is possible that it was made in memory of a Viking warrior who died in service of king Canute the Great, and the creature on the stone may represent Sleipnir, Odin's eight-legged horse.

:

 

k-na

G[i]nna(?)/G[í]na(?)

:

 

let

lét

:

 

legia

leggja

:

 

st¶in

stein

:

 

þensi

þenna

:

 

auk

ok

:

 

tuki

Tóki.

:

 

: k-na : let : legia : st¶in : þensi : auk : tuki :

{} G[i]nna(?)/G[í]na(?) {} lét {} leggja {} stein {} þenna {} ok {} Tóki. {}

"Ginna(?)/Gína(?) had this stone laid and (i.e. with) Tóki."

Norway

N 184

N 184

This runestone is located in Galteland in Aust-Agder. It is an older runestone as it is classified as being in runestone style RAK. It was raised in memory of a son who died in service with the army of Canute the Great when he attacked England.

arn×[stin]

Arnsteinn

×

 

risti

reisti

×

 

stin

stein

×

 

þi[na]

þenna

×

 

iftir

eptir

×

 

bior

Bjór,

×

 

[s]un

son

×

 

sin

sinn.

×

 

[sa

Sá

×

 

uar]

varð

tuþr

dauðr

×

 

i

í

liþi

liði,

×

 

þ[(o)s

þá's

×

 

knutr

Knútr

soti

sótti

×

 

iklot

England.

+]

 

¶

 

×

 

in

Einn

is

er

ko[þ]

Guð.

arn×[stin] × risti × stin × þi[na] × iftir × bior × [s]un × sin × [sa × uar] tuþr × i liþi × þ[(o)s × knutr soti × iklot +] ¶ × in is ko[þ]

Arnsteinn {} reisti {} stein {} þenna {} eptir {} Bjór, {} son {} sinn. {} Sá {} varð dauðr {} í liði, {} þá's {} Knútr sótti {} England. {} {} {} Einn er Guð.

"Arnsteinn raised this stone in memory of Bjórr his son who died in the retinue when Knútr attacked England. God is one."

See also

• List of runestones

Sources

• Bäckvall, Maja (2010), "Dvärgstenen U 359 Skepptuna k:a (pre-symposium version)" (PDF), Runes in Context, Seventh International Symposium on Runes and Runic Inscriptions, Oslo, Norway, archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-16, retrieved 2010-09-28{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
• Brate, Erik. (1922). Sverges Runinskrifter. Stockholm, Natur & Kultur.
• Enoksen, Lars Magnar. (1998). Runor : Historia, Tydning, Tolkning. Historiska Media, Falun. ISBN 91-88930-32-7
• Harrison, D. & Svensson, K. (2007). Vikingaliv. Fälth & Hässler, Värnamo. ISBN 978-91-27-35725-9.
• Horn Fuglesang, Signe. (1998). Swedish Runestones of the Eleventh Century: Ornament and Dating, Runeninschriften als Quellen Interdisziplinärer Forschung (K.Düwel ed.). Göttingen ISBN 3-11-015455-2
• Jansson, Sven B. F. (1950). "Några Nyligen Uppdagade Runstenar" (PDF). Fornvännen. 45. Swedish National Heritage Board: 330–344. ISSN 1404-9430. Retrieved 17 August 2010.
• Jansson, Sven B. F. (1980). Runstenar. STF, Stockholm. ISBN 91-7156-015-7
• Jansson, Sven B. F. (1987), Runes in Sweden, Gidlunds, ISBN 917844067X
• MacLeod, Mindy (2002). Bind-Runes: An Investigation of Ligatures in Runic Epigraphy. Uppsala Universitet. ISBN 91-506-1534-3.
• Naumann, Hans-Peter (1994). ""Hann var manna mestr oniðingr": Zer Poetizität Metrischer Runeninschriften". In Hoops, Johannes; Beck, Heinrich (eds.). Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde (in German). Berlin: Walter de Gruyter. pp. 490–502. ISBN 3-11-012978-7.
• Page, Raymond Ian (1987). Runes. University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-06114-4.
• Peterson, Lena. Nordisk Runnamslexikon at the Swedish Institute for Linguistics and Heritage (Institutet för språk och folkminnen).
• Pritsak, Omeljan. (1981). The Origin of Rus'. Cambridge, Mass.: Distributed by Harvard University Press for the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute. ISBN 0-674-64465-4
• Zilmer, Kristel (2005). "He Drowned in Holmr's Sea": Baltic Traffic in Early Nordic Sources (PDF). Tartu University Press. ISBN 9949-11-090-4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-20.
• Project Samnordisk Runtextdatabas Svensk - Rundata

External links

• An English Dictionary of Runic Inscriptions of the Younger Futhark, at the University of Nottingham
• Seventh International Symposium on Runes and Runic Inscriptions