Norwegian Runes and Runic Inscriptions
Regular price
€38.99
14 days return policy
Shipping & Delivery
A01=Terje Spurkland
Author_Terje Spurkland
Category=CFF
Category=CFLA
eq_bestseller
eq_dictionaries-language-reference
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
Medieval
Norwegian Runes
Runic Inscriptions
Scandinavia
Product details
- ISBN 9781843831860
- Weight: 488g
- Dimensions: 156 x 234mm
- Publication Date: 03 Nov 2005
- Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Hardback
Secure
checkout
Fast Shipping
Easy returns
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 as: "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.
