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Coordinates: 58°55′36″N 17°05′57″E / 58.9266°N 17.09916°E / 58.9266; 17.09916
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{{short description|Set of historic runestones in Sweden}}
[[Image:Aspa bro.JPG|thumb|righ|300px|Sö Fv1948;289 and Sö 141 at Aspa bridge.]]
[[File:Aspa bro.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Sö Fv1948;289 and Sö 141 at Aspa bridge]]
The '''Runestones at Aspa''' are four runestones located at Aspa, which is about six kilometers north of [[Runtuna]], [[Södermanland]], [[Sweden]], where a road has passed a creek since prehistoric times. One of the stones [[#Sö Fv1948;289|Sö Fv1948;289, below]] is the oldest surviving native Scandinavian source that mentions the kingdom of [[Sweden]] beside the runestones [[Simris Runestones#DR 344|DR 344]] and [[Viking Runestones#DR 216|DR 216]]. Another stone Sö 137 is raised in memory of a Viking who had spent time in the west.
The '''Runestones at Aspa''' are a set of four [[runestone]]s located at Aspa, about six kilometers north of [[Runtuna]], [[Södermanland]], [[Sweden]], where a road has passed a creek since prehistoric times. One of the stones, [[#Sö Fv1948;289|Sö Fv1948;289]], is the oldest surviving native Scandinavian source that mentions the [[Kingdom of Sweden]] beside the runestones [[Simris Runestones#DR 344|DR 344]] and [[Viking Runestones#DR 216|DR 216]].<ref>[[Carl L. Thunberg|Thunberg, Carl L.]] (2012). ''Att tolka Svitjod''. Göteborgs universitet. CLTS. pp. 23-24. {{ISBN|978-91-981859-4-2}}.</ref> Another stone, Sö 137, was apparently raised in memory of a Viking who had spent time in the west.

{{coord|58.9266|17.09916|display=title|type:landmark}}


==Tingshögen and Eriksgata==
==Tingshögen and Eriksgata==
Aspa was the location of the local [[thing (assembly)|assembly]] called the ''[[Thing (assembly)|Tingshögen]]'',<ref>{{Cite book |last=Line |first=Philip |authorlink= |title=Kingship and State Formation in Sweden, 1130-1290 |publisher=Brill |year=2007 |location=Leiden |page=154 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=du4gbrqq-xQC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_navlinks_s#v=onepage&q=&f=false |isbn=90-04-15578-3}}</ref> and the newly elected king passed the stones during his [[Eriksgata]]. The Eriksgata was the traditional journey of the newly elected medieval Swedish kings through the important provinces to have their election confirmed by the local assemblies. The actual election took place at the [[Stone of Mora]] in Uppland. Runestones at other locations that tradition holds were associated with the Eriksgata include U 793 at Ulunda and Vg 4 at Stora Ek.<ref name="Sundqvist">{{Cite book |last=Sundqvist |first=Olof |authorlink= |editor-last=Hoops |editor-first=Johannes |editor2-last=Beck |editor2-first=Heinrich |contribution=Reatures of Pre-Christian Inauguration Rituals in Midieval Swedish Laws |title=Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde |publisher=Walter de Gruyter |year=2001 |location= |page=635 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=9gLXVVBT6a8C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false |isbn=3-11-017264-X}}</ref> Originally thee were several runestones erected at the ''Tingshögen'', but today only a few remain, and some of these were recovered from having been reused as constuction materials at a bridge.<ref name="Sundqvist"/>
Aspa was the location of the local [[thing (assembly)|assembly]] called the ''[[Thing (assembly)|Tingshögen]]''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Line |first=Philip |title=Kingship and State Formation in Sweden, 1130&ndash;1290 |publisher=Brill |year=2007 |location=Leiden |page=154 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=du4gbrqq-xQC |isbn=978-90-04-15578-7}}</ref> for the [[List of hundreds of Sweden|Rönö Hundred]] administrative area until 1600, and the newly elected king passed the stones during his [[Eriksgata]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Sanmark |first=Alexandra |title=Administrative Organisation and State Formation: A Case Study of Assembly Sites in Södermanland, Sweden |journal=[[Medieval Archaeology (journal)|Medieval Archaeology]] |volume=53 |pages=205–41 |year=2009 |url=https://uhi.academia.edu/AlexandraSanmark/Papers/133952/Administrative_Organisation_and_State_Formation_A_Case_Study_of_Assembly_Sites_in_Sodermanland_Sweden |issn=0076-6097 |access-date=Dec 28, 2011 |doi=10.1179/007660909X12457506806289|s2cid=161317676 }} pp. 214-16</ref> The Eriksgata was the traditional journey of the newly elected medieval Swedish kings through the important provinces to have their election confirmed by the local assemblies. The actual election took place at the [[Stone of Mora]] in Uppland. Runestones at other locations that tradition holds were associated with the Eriksgata include U 793 at Ulunda and Vg 4 at Stora Ek.<ref name="Sundqvist">{{Cite book |last=Sundqvist |first=Olof |editor-last=Hoops |editor-first=Johannes |editor2-last=Beck |editor2-first=Heinrich |contribution=Reatures of Pre-Christian Inauguration Rituals in Medieval Swedish Laws |title=Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde |publisher=Walter de Gruyter |year=2001 |page=635 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9gLXVVBT6a8C |isbn=3-11-017264-X}}</ref> Originally there were several runestones and standing stones erected at the ''Tingshögen'', but today only a few remain, and some of these were recovered from having been reused as construction materials at a bridge.<ref name="Sundqvist"/>


==Sö Fv1948;289==
==Sö Fv1948;289==
[[Image:Sö Fv1948;289, Aspa.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The runestone Sö Fv1948;289.]]
[[File:Sö Fv1948;289, Aspa.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The runestone Sö Fv1948;289.]]
The inscription on this stone consists of tightly bound columns of text within bands that end in snake heads, and may be indicative of the influence of earlier Danish inscriptions on decorated runestones in Sweden.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fuglesang |first=Signe Horn |authorlink= |editor-last=Düwel |editor-first=Klaus |editor2-last=Hoops |editor2-first=Johannes et al |contribution=Swedish Runestones of the Eleventh Century |title=Runeninschriften als Quellen Interdisziplinärer Forschung |publisher=Walter de Gruyter |year=1998 |location=Berlin |page=199 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=KYqsisEVQHEC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_navlinks_s#v=onepage&q=&f=false |id= |isbn=3-11-015455-2}}</ref> This granite runestone, which is 2.07 meters in height, is classified as being carved in [[runestone style]] Fp, which is the classifiecation for inscriptions with bands that end in animal heads. It was raised in memory of a two men who died in [[Denmark]]. The runic text says that they were the ablest men in Sweden. The runestone was found in 1937 during trench work near a bridge and was moved adjacent to Sö 141.<ref name="Jansson">{{Cite journal |last=Jansson |first=Sven B. F. |authorlink= |title=Sörmländska Runstensfynd |journal=[[Fornvännen]] |volume=43 |pages=282–314 |publisher=[[Swedish National Heritage Board]] |location= |year=1948 |url=http://fornvannen.se/pdf/1940talet/1948_282.pdf |issn=1404-9430 |id= }}</ref> Originally, the stone was probably located at the ''Tingshögen'',<ref name="Zilmer">{{Cite book |last=Zilmer |first=Kristel |authorlink= |title="He Drowned in Holmr's Sea, his Cargo-Ship Drifted to the Sea-Bottom, Only Three Came Out Alive": Records and Representations of Baltic Traffic in the Viking Age and the Early Middle Ages in Early Nordic Sources |publisher=Tartu University Press |year=2005 |location= |pages=80-82 |url= |isbn=9949110890}}</ref> and later reused at the bridge.
The inscription on this stone consists of tightly bound columns of text within bands that end in snake heads, and may be indicative of the influence of earlier Danish inscriptions on decorated runestones in Sweden.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fuglesang |first=Signe Horn |editor-last=Düwel |editor-first=Klaus |editor2-last=Hoops |editor2-first=Johannes|contribution=Swedish Runestones of the Eleventh Century |title=Runeninschriften als Quellen Interdisziplinärer Forschung |publisher=Walter de Gruyter |year=1998 |location=Berlin |page=199 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KYqsisEVQHEC |isbn=3-11-015455-2|display-editors=etal}}</ref> This granite runestone, which is 2.07 meters in height, is classified as being carved in [[runestone style]] Fp, which is the classification for inscriptions with bands that end in animal heads. It was raised in memory of a two men who died in Denmark. The runic text says that they were the ablest men in Sweden. The runestone was found in 1937 during trench work near a bridge and was moved adjacent to Sö 141.<ref name="Jansson">{{Cite journal |last=Jansson |first=Sven B. F. |title=Sörmländska Runstensfynd |journal=[[Fornvännen]] |volume=43 |pages=282–314 |publisher=[[Swedish National Heritage Board]] |year=1948 |url=http://fornvannen.se/pdf/1940talet/1948_282.pdf |issn=1404-9430 }}</ref> Originally, the stone was probably located at the ''Tingshögen'',<ref name="Zilmer">{{Cite book |last=Zilmer |first=Kristel |title="He Drowned in Holmr's Sea, his Cargo-Ship Drifted to the Sea-Bottom, Only Three Came Out Alive": Records and Representations of Baltic Traffic in the Viking Age and the Early Middle Ages in Early Nordic Sources |publisher=Tartu University Press |year=2005 |pages=80–82 |url=http://www.fl.ut.ee/orb.aw/class=file/action=preview/id=110134/zilmer.pdf |isbn=9949-11-089-0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720131505/http://www.fl.ut.ee/orb.aw/class%3Dfile/action%3Dpreview/id%3D110134/zilmer.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-20 }}</ref> and later reused at the bridge. The [[Södermanland runic inscription 140]] ends with a similar message.


The [[Rundata]] designation for this Södermanland inscription, Sö Fv1948;289, refers to the year and page number of the issue of ''[[Fornvännen]]'' in which the runestone was first described.
The [[Rundata]] designation for this Södermanland inscription, Sö Fv1948;289, refers to the year and page number of the issue of ''[[Fornvännen]]'' in which the runestone was first described.


===Inscription===
===Inscription===

====Latin transliteration====
====Latin transliteration====
: '''ostriþ : lit : -ira : ku(m)... ...usi ÷ at : anunt ÷ auk : raknualt : sun : sin ÷: urþu : ta...<small>R</small> : - (t)an...-...(k)u : ua-u : riki<small>R</small> : o rauniki : ak : snialasti<small>R</small> : i : suiþiuþu'''<ref name="Rundata">[http://www.nordiska.uu.se/forskn/samnord.htm Project Samnordisk Runtextdatabas Svensk] - [[Rundata]].</ref>
: '''ostriþ : lit : -ira : ku(m)... ...usi ÷ at : anunt ÷ auk : raknualt : sun : sin ÷: urþu : ta...ʀ : - (t)an...-...(k)u : ua-u : rikiʀ : o rauniki : ak : snialastiʀ : i : suiþiuþu'''<ref name="Rundata">[http://www.nordiska.uu.se/forskn/samnord.htm Project Samnordisk Runtextdatabas Svensk] - [[Rundata]].</ref>


====Old Norse transcription====
====Old Norse transcription====
: ''Astrið let [g]æra kum[bl þa]usi at Anund ok Ragnvald, sun sinn. Urðu da[uði]<small>R</small> [i] Dan[mar]ku, va[<small>R</small>]u riki<small>R</small> a Rauningi ok sniallasti<small>R</small> i Sveþiuðu.''<ref name="Rundata"/>
: ''Astrið let [g]æra kum[bl þa]usi at Anund ok Ragnvald, sun sinn. Urðu da[uði]ʀ [i] Dan[mar]ku, va[ʀ]u rikiʀ a Rauningi ok sniallastiʀ i Sveþiuðu.''<ref name="Rundata"/>


====English translation====
====English translation====
Line 22: Line 26:


==Sö 136==
==Sö 136==
Runestone Sö 136 was documented during the surveys of runestones conducted in the late 1600s, but has since been lost.<ref name="Jansson"/> The inscription, however, is known from records. It is classified as having been carved in runestone style Pr1.
Runestone Sö 136 was documented during the surveys of runestones conducted in the late 17th century, but has since been lost.<ref name="Jansson"/> The inscription, however, is known from records. It is classified as having been carved in runestone style Pr1.


===Inscription===
===Inscription===

====Latin transliteration====
====Latin transliteration====
:[''': suain : iuk : sluia * þai<small>R</small> : raisþu : ---... ... ...-nu * at : faþur : sin : hirsi * uksniauin ian uas : unt hifni bistr''']
:[''': suain : iuk : sluia * þaiʀ : raisþu : ---... ... ...-nu * at : faþur : sin : hirsi * uksniauin ian uas : unt hifni bistr''']


====Old Norse transcription====
====Old Norse transcription====
:''Svæinn ok Sloði(?) þæi<small>R</small> ræisþu ... ... ... at faður sinn, hærsi(?) hugsniallan(?). Hann vas und hifni bæztr.''<ref name="Rundata"/>
:''Svæinn ok Sloði(?) þæiʀ ræisþu ... ... ... at faður sinn, hærsi(?) hugsniallan(?). Hann vas und hifni bæztr.''<ref name="Rundata"/>


====English translation====
====English translation====
Line 35: Line 40:


==Sö 137==
==Sö 137==
[[Image:Sö 137, Aspa (side B).jpg|thumb|righ|200px|Side B of Sö 137.]]
[[File:Sö 137, Aspa (side B).jpg|thumb|right|200px|Side B of Sö 137.]]
This granite runestone, which is 2 meters in height, is classified as being carved in runestone style RAK, which is the classification for inscriptions with bands that are straight and do not end in animal heads. It was engraved with both [[long-branch runes]] and [[staveless runes]]. In the last row all the words but the last one were written with staveless runes. Sö 137 is also considered to be one of the [[Viking runestones]].<ref name="Rundata"/> The runic inscription emphasizes that the stone was originally located at the ''Tingshögen''.<ref name="Zilmer"/>
This granite runestone, which is 2 meters in height, is classified as being carved in runestone style RAK, which is the classification for inscriptions with bands that are straight and do not end in animal heads. It was engraved with both [[long-branch runes]] and [[staveless runes]]. In the last row all the words but the last one were written with staveless runes. Sö 137 is also considered to be one of the [[Viking runestones]].<ref name="Rundata"/> The runic inscription emphasizes that the stone was originally located at the ''Tingshögen''.<ref name="Zilmer"/>


===Inscription===
===Inscription===

====Latin transliteration====
====Latin transliteration====
: A '''þura : raisþi : stin : þ--si at : ubi : buanti : sin'''
: A '''þura : raisþi : stin : þ--si at : ubi : buanti : sin'''
: B ''': stain : sa<small>R</small>:si : stanr : at : ybi : o þik*staþi : at ¶ : þuru : uar : han : uestarla : uakti : karla ¶ [sa þar] * sunr þaþ * raknasuatau(k)i(f)ma<small>R</small>[sua]'''<ref name="Rundata"/>
: B ''': stain : saʀ:si : stanr : at : ybi : o þik*staþi : at ¶ : þuru : uar : han : uestarla : uakti : karla ¶ [sa þar] * sunr þaþ * raknasuatau(k)i(f)maʀ[sua]'''<ref name="Rundata"/>


====Old Norse transcription====
====Old Norse transcription====
: A ''Þora ræisþi stæin þ[ann]si at Øpi, boanda sinn.''
: A ''Þora ræisþi stæin þ[ann]si at Øpi, boanda sinn.''
: B ''Stæinn sa<small>R</small>si standr at Øpi a þingstaði at Þoru ver. Hann vestarla væknti(?) karla, sa þa<small>R</small> sun<small>R</small> það. ...''<ref name="Rundata"/>
: B ''Stæinn saʀsi standr at Øpi a þingstaði at Þoru ver. Hann vestarla væknti(?) karla, sa þaʀ sunʀ það. ...''<ref name="Rundata"/>


====English translation====
====English translation====
: A Þóra raised this stone in memory of Œpir, her husbandman.
: A Þóra raised this stone in memory of Œpir, her husbandman.
: B This stone stands in memory of Œpir, on the Assembly-place in memory of Þóra's husband. He armed(?) (his) men in the west. The son saw this there ...<ref name="Rundata"/>
: B This stone stands in memory of Œpir, on the Assembly-place in memory of Þóra's husband. He armed(?) (his) men in the west. The son saw this there ...<ref name="Rundata"/>


==Sö 138==
==Sö 138==
[[Image:Sö 138, Aspa.jpg|thumb|righ|170px|Sö 138.]]
[[File:Sö 138, Aspa.jpg|thumb|right|170px|Sö 138.]]
This granite runestone, which is 2.1 meters in height, is classified as being carved in runestone style Fp. Similar to Sö 138, it has runic text written in the present tense, and was probably originally located at the ''Tingshögen''.<ref name="Zilmer"/>
This granite runestone, which is 2.1 meters in height, is classified as being carved in runestone style Fp. Similar to Sö 138, it has runic text written in the present tense, and was probably originally located at the ''Tingshögen''.<ref name="Zilmer"/>


===Inscription===
===Inscription===

====Latin transliteration====
====Latin transliteration====
:'''<nowiki>:</nowiki> hiar : stainr : stin : at : kuþan : ybis : arfa : ak : þuruna<small>R</small> kylu : broþurs : kuþ hialbin : at :'''<ref name="Rundata"/>
:'''<nowiki>:</nowiki> hiar : stainr : stin : at : kuþan : ybis : arfa : ak : þurunaʀ kylu : broþurs : kuþ hialbin : at :'''<ref name="Rundata"/>


====Old Norse transcription====
====Old Norse transcription====
:''Hier stændr stæinn at goðan Øpis arfa ok Þorunna<small>R</small>, Gyllu broðurs. Guð hialpin and.''<ref name="Rundata"/>
:''Hier stændr stæinn at goðan Øpis arfa ok Þorunnaʀ, Gyllu broðurs. Guð hialpin and.''<ref name="Rundata"/>


====English transation====
====English translation====
:Here stands the stone in memory of Œpir's and Þórunnr's good heir, Gylla's brother. May God help (his) spirit.<ref name="Rundata"/>
:Here stands the stone in memory of Œpir's and Þórunnr's good heir, Gylla's brother. May God help (his) spirit.<ref name="Rundata"/>


==Sö 141==
==Sö 141==
[[Image:Sö 141, Aspa.jpg|thumb|righ|200px|Sö 141.]]
[[File:Sö 141, Aspa.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Sö 141.]]
This granite runestone was raised by two parents in memory of their son and has a [[Christian cross]] near the top of the inscription. The reference to bridge-building in the runic text is fairly common in runestones during this time period. Some are [[Christian]] references related to the soul passing the bridge into the afterlife. At this time, the [[Catholic Church]] sponsored the building of roads and bridges through the use of [[indulgence]]s in return for the church's intersession for the soul of the departed.<ref name="ASG"> *{{Cite book |last=Gräslund |first=Anne-Sofie |authorlink= |editor-last=Carver |editor-first=Martin |contribution=The Role of Scandinavian Women in Christianisation: The Neglected Evidence |title=The Cross Goes North: Processes of Conversion in Northern Europe, AD 300-1300 |publisher=Boydell Press |year=2003 |location= |pages=483–496 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=4YKrpH222eYC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_navlinks_s#v=onepage&q=&f=false |isbn=1-903153-11-5}} pp. 490-492.</ref> There are many examples of these bridge stones dated from the eleventh century, including runic inscriptions [[Södermanland Runic Inscription 101|Sö 101]], [[Uppland Runic Inscription 489|U 489]], and [[Uppland Runic Inscription 617|U 617]].<ref name="ASG"/>
This granite runestone was raised by two parents in memory of their son and has a [[Christian cross]] near the top of the inscription. The reference to bridge-building in the runic text is fairly common in runestones during this time period. Some are [[Christianity|Christian]] references related to the soul passing the bridge into the afterlife. At this time, the [[Catholic Church]] sponsored the building of roads and bridges through the use of [[indulgence]]s in return for the church's intercession for the soul of the departed.<ref name="ASG">*{{Cite book |last=Gräslund |first=Anne-Sofie |editor-last=Carver |editor-first=Martin |contribution=The Role of Scandinavian Women in Christianisation: The Neglected Evidence |title=The Cross Goes North: Processes of Conversion in Northern Europe, AD 300-1300 |publisher=Boydell Press |year=2003 |pages=483–496 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4YKrpH222eYC |isbn=1-903153-11-5}} pp. 490-492.</ref> There are many examples of these bridge stones dated from the 11th century, including runic inscriptions [[Södermanland Runic Inscription 101|Sö 101]], [[Uppland Runic Inscription 489|U 489]], and [[Uppland Runic Inscription 617|U 617]].<ref name="ASG"/>


===Inscription===
===Inscription===

====Latin transliteration====
====Latin transliteration====
: '''sloþi auk * rahnfriþ * þau * litu * biþi * bro * k(i)ara * a... * (s)...in * ra-(s)n * efti<small>R</small> ihulbiarn * sun sin *'''
: '''sloþi auk * rahnfriþ * þau * litu * biþi * bro * k(i)ara * a... * (s)...in * ra-(s)n * eftiʀ ihulbiarn * sun sin *'''


====Old Norse transcription====
====Old Norse transcription====
: ''Sloði ok Ragnfriðr þau letu baði bro gæra o[k] s[tæ]in ræ[i]sa æfti<small>R</small> Igulbiorn, sun sinn.''
: ''Sloði ok Ragnfriðr þau letu baði bro gæra o[k] s[tæ]in ræ[i]sa æftiʀ Igulbiorn, sun sinn.''


====English translation====
====English translation====
: Slóði and Ragnfríðr, they both had the bridge made and the stone raised in memory of Ígulbjôrn, their son.
: Slóði and Ragnfríðr, they both had the bridge made and the stone raised in memory of Ígulbjôrn, their son.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Ludgo 61 2 sida B.JPG|Side B of Sö 137.
Ludgo 61 2 sida A.jpg|Side A of Sö 137.
Ludgo 61 2 och Ludgo 61 1.JPG|Sö 137 and Sö 138.
Ludgo 61 1 sidan 1.JPG|Side of Sö 138.
Ludgo 61 1 sidan 2.JPG|Side of Sö 138.
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[List of runestones]]


==References==
==References==
Line 83: Line 103:


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.schleugerhard.com/s%C3%B6-101-s%C3%B6-200/ Runeindskrifter fra Södernmanland] - Drawing of Sö 136
* [http://www.kms.raa.se/cocoon/bild/show-image.html?id=16000300013694 Photograph of side A of Sö 137].
* [http://www.kms.raa.se/cocoon/bild/show-image.html?id=16000300013694 Photograph of side A of Sö 137].
* [http://runicdictionary.nottingham.ac.uk/index.php An English Dictionary of Runic Inscriptions of the Younger Futhark, at the university of Nottingham]
* [http://runicdictionary.nottingham.ac.uk/index.php An English Dictionary of Runic Inscriptions of the Younger Futhark, at the university of Nottingham]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Runestones At Aspa}}
[[Category:Runestones in memory of Viking warriors]]
[[Category:Runestones in memory of Viking warriors]]
[[Category:Runestones in Södermanland]]
[[Category:Runestones in Södermanland]]

Latest revision as of 18:53, 2 May 2022

Sö Fv1948;289 and Sö 141 at Aspa bridge

The Runestones at Aspa are a set of four runestones located at Aspa, about six kilometers north of Runtuna, Södermanland, Sweden, where a road has passed a creek since prehistoric times. One of the stones, Sö Fv1948;289, is the oldest surviving native Scandinavian source that mentions the Kingdom of Sweden beside the runestones DR 344 and DR 216.[1] Another stone, Sö 137, was apparently raised in memory of a Viking who had spent time in the west.

58°55′36″N 17°05′57″E / 58.9266°N 17.09916°E / 58.9266; 17.09916

Tingshögen and Eriksgata

[edit]

Aspa was the location of the local assembly called the Tingshögen[2] for the Rönö Hundred administrative area until 1600, and the newly elected king passed the stones during his Eriksgata.[3] The Eriksgata was the traditional journey of the newly elected medieval Swedish kings through the important provinces to have their election confirmed by the local assemblies. The actual election took place at the Stone of Mora in Uppland. Runestones at other locations that tradition holds were associated with the Eriksgata include U 793 at Ulunda and Vg 4 at Stora Ek.[4] Originally there were several runestones and standing stones erected at the Tingshögen, but today only a few remain, and some of these were recovered from having been reused as construction materials at a bridge.[4]

Sö Fv1948;289

[edit]
The runestone Sö Fv1948;289.

The inscription on this stone consists of tightly bound columns of text within bands that end in snake heads, and may be indicative of the influence of earlier Danish inscriptions on decorated runestones in Sweden.[5] This granite runestone, which is 2.07 meters in height, is classified as being carved in runestone style Fp, which is the classification for inscriptions with bands that end in animal heads. It was raised in memory of a two men who died in Denmark. The runic text says that they were the ablest men in Sweden. The runestone was found in 1937 during trench work near a bridge and was moved adjacent to Sö 141.[6] Originally, the stone was probably located at the Tingshögen,[7] and later reused at the bridge. The Södermanland runic inscription 140 ends with a similar message.

The Rundata designation for this Södermanland inscription, Sö Fv1948;289, refers to the year and page number of the issue of Fornvännen in which the runestone was first described.

Inscription

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Latin transliteration

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ostriþ : lit : -ira : ku(m)... ...usi ÷ at : anunt ÷ auk : raknualt : sun : sin ÷: urþu : ta...ʀ : - (t)an...-...(k)u : ua-u : rikiʀ : o rauniki : ak : snialastiʀ : i : suiþiuþu[8]

Old Norse transcription

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Astrið let [g]æra kum[bl þa]usi at Anund ok Ragnvald, sun sinn. Urðu da[uði]ʀ [i] Dan[mar]ku, va[ʀ]u rikiʀ a Rauningi ok sniallastiʀ i Sveþiuðu.[8]

English translation

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Astrid had this memorial made after Anund and Ragnvald, her son. (They) died in Denmark, were powerful in Rauningi and the ablest in Sweden.[8]

Sö 136

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Runestone Sö 136 was documented during the surveys of runestones conducted in the late 17th century, but has since been lost.[6] The inscription, however, is known from records. It is classified as having been carved in runestone style Pr1.

Inscription

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Latin transliteration

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[: suain : iuk : sluia * þaiʀ : raisþu : ---... ... ...-nu * at : faþur : sin : hirsi * uksniauin ian uas : unt hifni bistr]

Old Norse transcription

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Svæinn ok Sloði(?) þæiʀ ræisþu ... ... ... at faður sinn, hærsi(?) hugsniallan(?). Hann vas und hifni bæztr.[8]

English translation

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Sveinn and Slóði(?), they raised ... ... ... in memory of their father, an able-minded(?) chieftain(?) He was the best under heaven.[8]

Sö 137

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Side B of Sö 137.

This granite runestone, which is 2 meters in height, is classified as being carved in runestone style RAK, which is the classification for inscriptions with bands that are straight and do not end in animal heads. It was engraved with both long-branch runes and staveless runes. In the last row all the words but the last one were written with staveless runes. Sö 137 is also considered to be one of the Viking runestones.[8] The runic inscription emphasizes that the stone was originally located at the Tingshögen.[7]

Inscription

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Latin transliteration

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A þura : raisþi : stin : þ--si at : ubi : buanti : sin
B : stain : saʀ:si : stanr : at : ybi : o þik*staþi : at ¶ : þuru : uar : han : uestarla : uakti : karla ¶ [sa þar] * sunr þaþ * raknasuatau(k)i(f)maʀ[sua][8]

Old Norse transcription

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A Þora ræisþi stæin þ[ann]si at Øpi, boanda sinn.
B Stæinn saʀsi standr at Øpi a þingstaði at Þoru ver. Hann vestarla væknti(?) karla, sa þaʀ sunʀ það. ...[8]

English translation

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A Þóra raised this stone in memory of Œpir, her husbandman.
B This stone stands in memory of Œpir, on the Assembly-place in memory of Þóra's husband. He armed(?) (his) men in the west. The son saw this there ...[8]

Sö 138

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Sö 138.

This granite runestone, which is 2.1 meters in height, is classified as being carved in runestone style Fp. Similar to Sö 138, it has runic text written in the present tense, and was probably originally located at the Tingshögen.[7]

Inscription

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Latin transliteration

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: hiar : stainr : stin : at : kuþan : ybis : arfa : ak : þurunaʀ kylu : broþurs : kuþ hialbin : at :[8]

Old Norse transcription

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Hier stændr stæinn at goðan Øpis arfa ok Þorunnaʀ, Gyllu broðurs. Guð hialpin and.[8]

English translation

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Here stands the stone in memory of Œpir's and Þórunnr's good heir, Gylla's brother. May God help (his) spirit.[8]

Sö 141

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Sö 141.

This granite runestone was raised by two parents in memory of their son and has a Christian cross near the top of the inscription. The reference to bridge-building in the runic text is fairly common in runestones during this time period. Some are Christian references related to the soul passing the bridge into the afterlife. At this time, the Catholic Church sponsored the building of roads and bridges through the use of indulgences in return for the church's intercession for the soul of the departed.[9] There are many examples of these bridge stones dated from the 11th century, including runic inscriptions Sö 101, U 489, and U 617.[9]

Inscription

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Latin transliteration

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sloþi auk * rahnfriþ * þau * litu * biþi * bro * k(i)ara * a... * (s)...in * ra-(s)n * eftiʀ ihulbiarn * sun sin *

Old Norse transcription

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Sloði ok Ragnfriðr þau letu baði bro gæra o[k] s[tæ]in ræ[i]sa æftiʀ Igulbiorn, sun sinn.

English translation

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Slóði and Ragnfríðr, they both had the bridge made and the stone raised in memory of Ígulbjôrn, their son.
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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Thunberg, Carl L. (2012). Att tolka Svitjod. Göteborgs universitet. CLTS. pp. 23-24. ISBN 978-91-981859-4-2.
  2. ^ Line, Philip (2007). Kingship and State Formation in Sweden, 1130–1290. Leiden: Brill. p. 154. ISBN 978-90-04-15578-7.
  3. ^ Sanmark, Alexandra (2009). "Administrative Organisation and State Formation: A Case Study of Assembly Sites in Södermanland, Sweden". Medieval Archaeology. 53: 205–41. doi:10.1179/007660909X12457506806289. ISSN 0076-6097. S2CID 161317676. Retrieved Dec 28, 2011. pp. 214-16
  4. ^ a b Sundqvist, Olof (2001). "Reatures of Pre-Christian Inauguration Rituals in Medieval Swedish Laws". In Hoops, Johannes; Beck, Heinrich (eds.). Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde. Walter de Gruyter. p. 635. ISBN 3-11-017264-X.
  5. ^ Fuglesang, Signe Horn (1998). "Swedish Runestones of the Eleventh Century". In Düwel, Klaus; Hoops, Johannes; et al. (eds.). Runeninschriften als Quellen Interdisziplinärer Forschung. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter. p. 199. ISBN 3-11-015455-2.
  6. ^ a b Jansson, Sven B. F. (1948). "Sörmländska Runstensfynd" (PDF). Fornvännen. 43. Swedish National Heritage Board: 282–314. ISSN 1404-9430.
  7. ^ a b c Zilmer, Kristel (2005). "He Drowned in Holmr's Sea, his Cargo-Ship Drifted to the Sea-Bottom, Only Three Came Out Alive": Records and Representations of Baltic Traffic in the Viking Age and the Early Middle Ages in Early Nordic Sources (PDF). Tartu University Press. pp. 80–82. ISBN 9949-11-089-0. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-20.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Project Samnordisk Runtextdatabas Svensk - Rundata.
  9. ^ a b *Gräslund, Anne-Sofie (2003). "The Role of Scandinavian Women in Christianisation: The Neglected Evidence". In Carver, Martin (ed.). The Cross Goes North: Processes of Conversion in Northern Europe, AD 300-1300. Boydell Press. pp. 483–496. ISBN 1-903153-11-5. pp. 490-492.
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