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Books > Language & Literature > Language & linguistics > Palaeography
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 futhark 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.
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