When it comes to Viking culture, one of the most distinct elements is the runic alphabet that they used to tell stories of their people, record their beliefs, and in this case, threaten curses upon people.
The Glavendrup Stone, which is a large runestone that dates back to the early 10th century (the middle of the Viking age), resides in Funen, Denmark. It stands at the end of a stone ship, which is a burial site where—as the name suggests—various stones are placed to form the shape of a ship. Nine graves have been found within the stone ship, all of which are empty.
Discovered in 1794, the Glavendrup Stone is the second largest text on a runic stone in Denmark at 210 characters long. The text translates to:
Discovered in 1794, the Glavendrup Stone is the second largest text on a runic stone in Denmark at 210 characters long. The text translates to:
Ragnhild placed this stone in memory of Alle, priest of the Soelve, honorable clan chieftain. Alle's sons made these runes after their father and his wife after her husband. And Sote carved these runes in memory of his master. Thor hallow these runes. To a "something you do not want to become" become he who uses violence on this stone or drags it away to stand in memory of somebody else.
There is some debate concerning the translation of one of the words (i.e "something you do not want to become"), but it is believed to be along the lines of "warlock," "wretch," and "outcast"—the bottom line being Thor will not be very happy with you if you vandalize the Glavendrup Stone.
Works Cited
- “Glavendrup Stone Ship And Runic Stone.” Viking Denmark, 1 Jan. 2008, www.vikingdenmark.com/glavendrup-stone-ship-runic-stone-funen-denmark.html.
- “Rune Stones.” National Museum of Denmark, en.natmus.dk/historical-knowledge/denmark/prehistoric-period-until-1050-ad/the-viking-age/power-and-aristocracy/rune-stones/.
If all the graves are empty, could they have been symbolic to warriors or people whose bodies were never found? I'm always amazed when languages are able to be translated and wonder about how much referencing is done to complete the messages, yet even here it is not completely understood. This is a very interesting glimpse into Viking ritual and how our knowledge of the past is never finite!
ReplyDeleteGreat images, unusual topic! Also nice style, including hyperlinks, making it easy for us to get more info. I like the reference to the primary source--including "Thor hallow these runes." All references to the supernatural--that above the natural world--provide close ways to understand human relations and how they made sense of the world.
ReplyDeleteFascinating! Makes me think of the curse inscription on Shakespeare's tomb.
ReplyDeleteWhat gives this stone a little more attention is the hallowing of the stone by Thor. The idea that a person would be struck down or cursed by a stone hallowed by an older god is amazing to study as a students and probably terrifying to come across.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea vikings believed in or even used curses. That's cool! The formation of the stones is really cool too! I love artifacts like this!
ReplyDelete