The Skern Runestone, designated as Danish Runic Inscription 81 or DR 81 in the Rundata catalog, is a Viking Age memorial runestone located in the small village of Skjern, Denmark between Viborg and Randers. The stone features a facial mask and a runic inscription which ends in a curse. A fragment of a second runestone designated as DR 80 was also found in Skjern.
This inscription consists of runic text in the younger futhark that circles a facial mask, with text listed as line B located on the top of the stone. The inscription is classified as being carved in runestone style RAK, which is the oldest classification. This classification is used for inscriptions where the runic bands have straight ends without any attached serpent or beast heads. The facial mask on this stone is a common motif and is found on several other Scandinavian runestones including DR 62 in Sjelle, DR 66 in Århus, DR 258 in Bösarp, the now-lost DR 286 in Hunnestad, DR 314 in Lund, DR 335 in Västra Strö, Vg 106 in Lassegården, Sö 86 in Åby ägor, Sö 112 in Kolunda, Sö 167 in Landshammar, Sö 367 in Släbro, Nä 34 in Nasta, U 508 in Gillberga, U 670 in Rölunda, U 678 in Skokloster, U 824 in Holms, U 1034 in Tensta, and U 1150 in Björklinge, and on the Sjellebro Stone. [2] The Skern Runestone was discovered in 1843 [3] in the foundation of a staircase in the ruins of a local castle dating from the 14th century, which had been razed in 1626 during the Thirty Years War. Before the cultural and historic significance of runestones was understood, they were often re-used in the construction of roads, bridges, walls, and buildings. The inscription has been dated as being carved approximately 1000 C.E. [4]
The runic text states that the stone was raised by a woman named Sasgerðr in memory of Óðinkárr Ásbjǫrnson, who is described in Old Norse as þan dyra meaning "valued" or "the dear one." [5] The runic text ends in a curse, which is on line B on the top of the stone, and calls anyone who would break the monument a siþi. This word is translated in Rundata as "sorcerer," but actually refers to a "seiðr worker." [4] During the Viking Age the practice of seiðr by men had connotations of unmanliness or effeminacy known as ergi, and aspects of this sorcery ran counter to the male ideal of forthright, open behavior. [4] Other runestones with similar curses include DR 83 in Sønder Vinge, DR 209 in Glavendrup, DR 230 from Tryggevælde, DR 338 in Glemminge, and Vg 67 in Saleby. [6]
Two of names on the stone have been of interest to scholars. Sasgerðr is otherwise unknown, but is likely derived from the common name Ásgerðr, perhaps as a result of children's speech. [7] The runes uþinkaur are translated as Óðinkárr, a theophoric name that refers to the Norse pagan god Odin and a curl of hair, suggesting that the name originally may have referred to cultic initiates who grew long hair. [8] [9] In this connection, it is possible that the drott or lord from the text could refer to Odin, although it is likely that the lord was a king or other person of rank. [9] The name Óðinkárr is also used in the inscriptions in a possible cultic reference on DR 4 in Hedeby, DR 133 in Skivum, and DR 239 in Gørlev. [8] [9] In addition, it has been suggested that Kárr is used as the name of a cultic initiate on inscription Vg 56 in Källby and the son of a Norse priest on Vg 73 in Synnerby. [9]
DR 81 is known locally as the Skjern-sten 2.
soskiriþr
Sasgærþr
:
risþi
resþi
:
stin
sten,
:
finulfs
Finulfs
:
tutiʀ
dottiʀ,
:
at
at
:
uþinkaur
Oþinkor
:
usbiarnaʀ
Asbiarna
:
sun
sun,
:
þoh
þan
:
tura
dyra
:
uk
ok
:
hin
hin
:
turutin:fasta
drottinfasta.
:
Sasgerðr, Finnulfr's daughter, raised the stone, in memory of Óðinkárr Ásbjǫrn's son, the valued and loyal to his lord.
siþi
Siþi
:
sa
sa
:
monr
mannr
:
is
æs
¶
:
þusi
þøsi
:
kubl
kumbl
:
ub
of
:
biruti
briuti.
A sorcerer (be) the man who breaks this monument! [10]
DR 80 is the Rundata designation for a fragment of a runestone that was discovered in the 1830s in the foundation of a church in Skjern. It has been suggested that the stone is associated with DR 81, with Ásbjǫrn referring to the same person on both stones. [11] In addition, it has been speculated that the name Harald may refer to Harold Bluetooth, who was a king of Denmark from about 958 to 985 or 986. [11]
Locally, the stone is known as the Skjern-sten 1.
...
...
usbiaur...
Asbior[n]
...
...
¶
...
...
¶
...ur
...
:
si(n)
sin
¶
...
...
harals
Haralds
:
h...
...
... Ásbjǫrn ... ... ... his ... Haraldr's ... [12]
The Stone of Eric, listed as DR 1 in the Rundata catalog, is a memorial runestone that was found in Northern Germany. This area was part of Denmark during the Viking Age.
The two Sigtrygg Runestones, designated as DR 2 and DR 4 in the Rundata catalog, are two of the Hedeby stones that were found in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, which during the Viking Age was part of Denmark. The runestones were raised after the Danish king Sigtrygg Gnupasson by his mother Ásfriðr. Together with the account of Adam of Bremen, the two inscriptions constitute evidence for the House of Olaf on the Danish throne.
Danish Runic Inscription 66 or DR 66, also known as the Mask stone, is a granite Viking Age memorial runestone that was discovered in Aarhus, Denmark. The inscription features a facial mask and memorializes a man who died in a battle.
The Glavendrup stone, designated as DR 209 by Rundata, is a runestone on the island of Funen in Denmark and dates from the early 10th century. It contains Denmark's longest runic inscription and ends in a curse.
The Gunderup Runestone, or DR 143, is located in Gunderup, North Jutland County, Jutland, Denmark. It is notable because it is one of few runestones raised in commemoration of a woman.
The Saleby Runestone, designated as Vg 67 in the Rundata catalog, was originally located in Saleby, Västra Götaland County, Sweden, which is in the historic province of Västergötland, and is one of the few runestones that is raised in memory of a woman.
Sønder Vissing I or DR 55 is a runestone located in the church of Sønder Vissing in eastern Jutland, Denmark. Sønder Vissing is a small settlement located in Horsens municipality approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) south of Silkeborg, 20 kilometres (12 mi) west of Skanderborg and 40 kilometres (25 mi) northeast of the Viking monuments of Jelling.
The Hällestad Runestones are three runestones located in the walls of Hällestad Church in Torna-Hällestad, about 20 kilometers east of Lund in Skåne, southern Sweden. Their Rundata identifiers are DR 295, 296, and 297. DR 295 is notable because it is held to be raised in memory of a warrior who fell in the legendary Battle of the Fýrisvellir, near Uppsala, Sweden between the Jomsvikings led by Styrbjörn the Strong and Styrbjörn's uncle Eric the Victorious, the king of Sweden, c. 985. The other stones were raised by the same people, and they probably formed a monument together in memory of comrades lost in the battle. The Karlevi Runestone, the Egtved Runestone and the Sjörup Runestone may be connected to them.
The Stenkvista runestone, designated as runic inscription Sö 111 in the Rundata catalog, is a memorial runestone located near the church at Stenkvista, which is two kilometers east of Skogstorp, Södermanland County, Sweden, which was formerly part of the historic Södermanland, and which features a depiction of Thor's hammer, Mjöllnir. This runestone is one of several runestones in Scandinavia that has a dedication to Thor. While the tradition of carving inscriptions into boulders began in the 4th century and lasted into the 12th century, most runestones in Scandinavia date from the late Viking Age.
Sö 86 is the Rundata catalog number for a Viking Age memorial runic inscription located in Åby, which is about one kilometer north of Ålberga, Södermanland County, Sweden, and in the historic province of Södermanland. The inscription features a depiction of the hammer of the Norse pagan god Thor named Mjöllnir and a facial mask.
The Lund 1 Runestone, designated as DR 314 in the Rundata catalog, is a Viking Age memorial runestone originally located on the grounds of the All Saints Church in Lund, Scania, Sweden.
The Holmby Runestone, listed as DR 328 in the Rundata catalog, is a Viking Age memorial runestone bearing the image of a ship. It is in Holmby, which is about two kilometers southeast of Flyinge, Scania, Sweden.
The Bjäresjö Runestones are three Viking Age memorial runestones originally located adjacent to Bjäresjö Church in Bjäresjö, which is about 3 kilometers northwest of Ystad, Skåne County, Sweden. Two of the stones were discovered near the church, and two of the stones have been moved to other nearby locations. Although these three stones are located in Sweden, they have been given Danish designations because Scania was part of the historic Denmark.
Danish Runic Inscription 48 or DR 48 is the Rundata catalog number for a Viking Age memorial runestone from Hanning, which is about 8 km north of Skjern, Denmark. The runic inscription features a depiction of a hammer, which some have interpreted as a representation of the Norse pagan god Thor, although this interpretation is controversial.
The Västra Nöbbelöv Runestone, listed as DR 278 in the Rundata catalog, is a Viking Age memorial runestone located in Västra Nöbbelöv, which is about 3 kilometers east of Skivarp, Skåne County, Sweden, and was in the historic province of Scania.
The Ålum Runestones are four Viking Age memorial runestones which are located at the church in Ålum, which is 9 km west of Randers, Denmark. One of the stones refers to a man with the title drengr and two of the other stones were raised by the same family.
The Asferg Runestone, listed as DR 121 in the Rundata catalog, is a Viking Age memorial runestone found at Asferg, which is about 10 km northeast of Randers, Aarhus County, Region Midtjylland, Denmark.
DR 110, or the Virring stone, is a runestone made of granite that measures 155 cm (61 in) in height, 120 cm (47 in) in width and 27 cm (11 in) in thickness. It is written in Old East Norse in the Younger Futhark, and the runestone style is in a form called RAK.
The Sønder Vinge stone 2 or DR 83 is a Viking Age runestone engraved in Old Norse with the Younger Futhark runic alphabet. The stone is in granite and was discovered in 1866 as a corner stone of Sønder Vinge Church, positioned with the runic inscription outwards. It is presently located in the porch of the church. It is probably from the period 970-1020 due to runic and linguistic features. It is 180 cm tall, 132 cm wide and 35 cm thick. Parts of the runic inscription have eroded which makes some runes hard to read. The style of the runestone is the runestone style RAK.
The Glemminge stone or DR 338 is a Viking Age runestone engraved in Old Norse with the Younger Futhark runic alphabet. It is found in the wall of Glimminge church in Scania, in Ystad Municipality in Sweden. The style of the runestone is the runestone style RAK.
