Skern Runestone
Encyclopedia
The Skern Runestone, designated as Danish Runic Inscription 81 or DR 81 in the Rundata
catalog, is a Viking Age
memorial
runestone located in Skjern
, Denmark
. The stone features a facial mask and an inscription which ends in a curse
. A fragment of a second runestone designated as DR 80 was also found in Skjern.
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 Scandinavia
n 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
. The Skern Runestone was discovered in 1843 in the foundation of a staircase in the ruins of a local castle dating from the 1300s, 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.
The runic text states that the stone was raised by a woman named Sasgerðr in memory of Óðinkárr Ásbjôrnson, who is described in Old Norse
as þan dyra meaning "valued" or "the dear one." 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." 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. 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.
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. 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. 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. 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. In addition, it has been suggested that the name Kárr is used as a cultic initiate on inscription Vg 56 in Källby.
DR 81 is known locally as the Skjern-sten 2.
, who was a king of Denmark from about 958 to 985 or 986.
Locally, the stone is known as the Skjern-sten 1.
Rundata
The Scandinavian Runic-text Data Base is a project involving the creation and maintenance of a database of runic inscriptions. The project's goal is to comprehensively catalog runestones in a machine-readable way for future research...
catalog, is a Viking Age
Viking Age
Viking Age is the term for the period in European history, especially Northern European and Scandinavian history, spanning the late 8th to 11th centuries. Scandinavian Vikings explored Europe by its oceans and rivers through trade and warfare. The Vikings also reached Iceland, Greenland,...
memorial
Memorial
A memorial is an object which serves as a focus for memory of something, usually a person or an event. Popular forms of memorials include landmark objects or art objects such as sculptures, statues or fountains, and even entire parks....
runestone located in Skjern
Skjern, Denmark
Skjern is a railway town located in western Jutland, Denmark with a population of 7,665 . It was the main town in now abolished Skjern Municipality. From 2007 it is, with Ringkøbing, the co-administrative seat of Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality....
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. The stone features a facial mask and an inscription which ends in a curse
Curse
A curse is any expressed wish that some form of adversity or misfortune will befall or attach to some other entity—one or more persons, a place, or an object...
. A fragment of a second runestone designated as DR 80 was also found in Skjern.
Description
This inscription consists of runic text in the younger futharkYounger Futhark
The Younger Futhark, also called Scandinavian runes, is a runic alphabet, a reduced form of the Elder Futhark, consisting of only 16 characters, in use from ca. 800 CE...
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
Runestone styles
The runestone styles varied during the Viking Age. The early runestones were simple in design, but towards the end of the runestone era they became increasingly complex and made by travelling runemasters such as Öpir and Visäte....
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 Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
n runestones including DR 62 in Sjelle, DR 66 in Århus, DR 258 in Bösarp, the now-lost DR 286
Hunnestad Monument
The Hunnestad Monument , listed as DR 282 through 286 in the Rundata catalog, were once located at Hunnestad in Marsvinsholm north-west of Ystad, Sweden. It was the largest and most famous of the Viking Age monuments in Scania, and in Denmark, only comparable to the Jelling stones...
in Hunnestad, DR 314
Lund 1 Runestone
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 Allhelgona church in Lund, Scania, Sweden.-Description:...
in Lund, DR 335
Västra Strö 2 Runestone
The Västra Strö 2 Runestone, listed as DR 335 in the Rundata catalog, is a Viking Age memorial runestone located at the Västra Strö Monument, which is at a church that is about four kilometers northwest of Eslöv, Skåne County, Sweden.-Description:...
in Västra Strö, Vg 106 in Lassegården, Sö 86
Södermanland Runic Inscription 86
thumb|300px|right|A drawing of runic inscription Sö 86 published in 1876.Sö 86 is the Rundata catalog number for a Viking Age memorial runic inscription located in Åby, Södermanland, Sweden...
in Åby ägor, Sö 112 in Kolunda, Sö 167 in Landshammar, Sö 367
Södermanland Runic Inscription 367
Södermanland Runic Inscription 367 or Sö 367 is the Rundata catalog designation for a Viking Age memorial runestone located in Släbro, which is one kilometer north of Nyköping, Södermanland County, Sweden, which was in the historic province of Södermanland...
in Släbro, Nä 34
Nasta Runestone
The Nasta Runestone, listed as Nä 34 in the Rundata catalog, is a Viking Age memorial runestone located in Nasta, which is 3 kilometers northwest of Glanshammar, Örebro County, Sweden, which was in the historic province of Närke.-Description:...
in Nasta, U 508 in Gillberga, U 670 in Rölunda, U 678 in Skokloster, U 824
Uppland Runic Inscription 824
Uppland Runic Inscription 824 is the Rundata catalog number for a Viking Age memorial runestone located at Holms, which is about eight kilometers east of Örsundsbro, Uppsala County, Sweden. The inscription features a facial mask and a bind rune in the text....
in Holms, U 1034
Uppland Runic Inscription 1034
Uppland Runic Inscription 1034 or U 1034 is the Rundata catalog number for a runic inscription on a runestone located at the Tensta church in Uppland, Sweden, that was carved in the late 11th or early 12th century...
in Tensta, and U 1150 in Björklinge, and on the Sjellebro Stone
Sjellebro Stone
The Sjellebro Stone is a Viking Age image stone located at Sjellbro, which is about 12 kilometers southeast of Randers, Denmark. The stone is inscribed with a facial mask.-Description:...
. The Skern Runestone was discovered in 1843 in the foundation of a staircase in the ruins of a local castle dating from the 1300s, 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.
The runic text states that the stone was raised by a woman named Sasgerðr in memory of Óðinkárr Ásbjôrnson, who is described in Old Norse
Old Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
as þan dyra meaning "valued" or "the dear one." 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
Seiðr
Seid or seiðr is an Old Norse term for a type of sorcery or witchcraft which was practiced by the pre-Christian Norse. Sometimes anglicized as "seidhr," "seidh," "seidr," "seithr," or "seith," the term is also used to refer to modern Neopagan reconstructions or emulations of the...
worker." During the Viking Age the practice of seiðr by men had connotations of unmanliness or effeminacy known as ergi
Ergi
Ergi and argr are two Old Norse terms of insult, denoting effeminacy or other unmanly behavior. Argr is "unmanly" and ergi is "unmanliness"; the terms have cognates in other Germanic languages such as earh, earg, arag, arug, and so on.-Ergi in the Viking Age:To accuse another man of being argr...
, and aspects of this sorcery ran counter to the male ideal of forthright, open behavior. Other runestones with similar curses include DR 83 in Sønder Vinge, DR 209
Glavendrup stone
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.-Description:...
in Glavendrup, DR 230
Tryggevælde Runestone
Tryggevælde Runestone, designated as DR 230 under Rundata, is a runestone housed in the National Museum of Denmark, in Copenhagen. It is classified as being carved in runestone style RAK, and is dated to about 900 CE.-Description:...
from Tryggevælde, DR 338 in Glemminge, and Vg 67
Saleby Runestone
The Saleby Runestone, designated as Vg 67 in the Rundata catalog, was originally located in Saleby, Västergötland, Sweden, and is one of the few runestones that is raised in memory of a woman.-Description:...
in Saleby.
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. The runes uþinkaur are translated as Óðinkárr, a theophoric name that refers to the Norse pagan
Norse paganism
Norse paganism is the religious traditions of the Norsemen, a Germanic people living in the Nordic countries. Norse paganism is therefore a subset of Germanic paganism, which was practiced in the lands inhabited by the Germanic tribes across most of Northern and Central Europe in the Viking Age...
god Odin
Odin
Odin is a major god in Norse mythology and the ruler of Asgard. Homologous with the Anglo-Saxon "Wōden" and the Old High German "Wotan", the name is descended from Proto-Germanic "*Wodanaz" or "*Wōđanaz"....
and a curl of hair, suggesting that the name originally may have referred to cultic
Cult (religious practice)
In traditional usage, the cult of a religion, quite apart from its sacred writings , its theology or myths, or the personal faith of its believers, is the totality of external religious practice and observance, the neglect of which is the definition of impiety. Cult in this primary sense is...
initiates
Initiation
Initiation is a rite of passage ceremony marking entrance or acceptance into a group or society. It could also be a formal admission to adulthood in a community or one of its formal components...
who grew long hair. 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. 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. In addition, it has been suggested that the name Kárr is used as a cultic initiate on inscription Vg 56 in Källby.
DR 81 is known locally as the Skjern-sten 2.
Transliteration of the runes into Latin characters
- A: soskiriþr : risþi : stin : finulfs : tutiR : at : uþinkaur : usbiarnaR : sun : þoh : tura : uk : hin : turutin:fasta :
- B: siþi : sa : monr : is ¶ : þusi : kubl : ub : biruti
Transcription into Old Norse
- A: Sasgærþr resþi sten, Finulfs dottiR, at Oþinkor AsbiarnaR sun, þan dyra ok hin drottinfasta.
- B: Siþi sa mannr æs þøsi kumbl of briuti.
Translation in English
- A: Sasgerðr, Finnulfr's daughter, raised the stone, in memory of Óðinkárr Ásbjôrn's son, the valued and loyal to his lord.
- B: A sorcerer (be) the man who breaks this monument!
DR 80
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 Ásbjôrn referring to the same person on both stones. In addition, it has been speculated that the name Harald may refer to Harold BluetoothHarald I of Denmark
Harald "Bluetooth" Gormsson was the son of King Gorm the Old and of Thyra Dannebod. He died in 985 or 986 having ruled as King of Denmark from around 958 and King of Norway for a few years probably around 970...
, who was a king of Denmark from about 958 to 985 or 986.
Locally, the stone is known as the Skjern-sten 1.
Transliteration of the runes into Latin characters
- ... usbiaur... ... ¶ ... ¶ ...ur : si(n) ¶ ... harals : h...
External links
- Maskesten - Billedsten fra Vikingtiden - Arild Hauge page on mask stones