Karlevi Runestone
56°37′N 16°27′E / 56.61°N 16.45°E
The Karlevi Runestone, designated as Öl 1 by Rundata, is commonly dated to the late 10th century[1] and located near the Kalmarsund straight in Karlevi on the island of Öland, Sweden. It is one of the most notable and prominent runestones and constitutes the oldest record of a stanza of skaldic verse.[2]
Description
The
The stone is contemporary with the
The inscription, which is on a granite stone that is 1.4 meters in height, is classified as being in
Inscription
Transliteration of the runes into Latin characters, and transcription into Old Norse (the Swedish-Danish dialect):[9]
+
s-a...
S[t]æ[inn]
--(s)-
[sa]s[i]
i(a)s
es
*
satr
sattr
*
aiftir
æftiʀ
*
si(b)(a)
Sibba
*
kuþa
Goða,
*
sun
sun
*
fultars
Fuldars,
*
in
en
hons
hans
**
liþi
liði
*
sati
satti
*
at
at
*
u
...
*
-ausa-þ-...
...
+:
fulkin
Fulginn
:
likr
liggʀ
:
hins
hinns
:
fulkþu
fylgðu,
:
flaistr
flæstr
(:)*
uisi
vissi
*
þat
þat,
*
maistar
mæstaʀ
*
taiþir
dæðiʀ
:
tulka
dolga
*
þruþar
Þruðaʀ
:
traukr
draugʀ
:
i
i
:
þaimsi
þæimsi
*
huki
haugi;
*
munat
munat
:
raiþ:uiþur
Ræið-Viðurr
:
raþa
raða
:
ruk:starkr
rogstarkʀ
*
i
i
*
tanmarku
Danmarku
:
--ntils
[Æ]ndils
:
iarmun**kruntar
iarmungrundaʀ
:
urkrontari
uʀgrandaʀi
:
lonti
landi.
- Older translation
This stone is set up in memory of Sibbi Góði/Goði, son of Foldarr, and his retinue set on ...
- Hidden lies the one
- whom followed (most know that)
- the greatest deeds,
- Þrud's warrior of battles,
- in this mound.
- Never will a more honest,
- hard-fighting 'wagon-Viðurr' upon
- Endill's expanses rule the land in Denmark.
- Newer translation
This stone is placed in memory of Sibbi the Good, Fuldarr's son, and his retinue placed on ... ...
- He lies concealed,
- he who was followed
- by the greatest deeds (most men knew that),
- a chieftain (battle-tree of [the Goddess] Þrúðr)
- in this howe;
- Never again shall such a battle-hardened sea-warrior (Viðurr-of-the-Carriage of [the Sea-king]
- Endill's mighty dominion ( = God of the vessels of the sea) ),
- rule unsurpassed over land in Denmark.
A more idiomatic English translation of the poetic stanza is provided by Foote & Wilson:
- Tree of Thrúd of hostilities, the man whom the greatest virtues accompanied - most men know that - lies buried in this mound; a more upright chariot-Vidur of wondrous-wide ground of Endil will not rule, strife-strong, land in Denmark.[10]
The reverse side of the stone also has a non-runic inscription In nomin[e] (?) Ie[su] (?) which may mean "In the name of Jesus."[9]
Notes
- ISBN 9949-11-089-0.
- ISBN 0-521-63112-2.
- ISBN 0-85115-826-9.
- ISBN 978-91-981859-5-9.
- ^ The article Karlevistenen in Nordisk familjebok (1910).
- ^ Thunberg (2012), pp. 82-83.
- ISBN 3-11-015455-2.
- ISBN 3-900538-81-6.
- ^ a b Project Samnordisk Runtextdatabas Svensk - Rundata entry for Öl 1.
- ^ Foote & Wilson, p. 329.
External links
- A presentation with pictures at the Foteviken Museum website.
Bibliography
- Foote, Peter & Wilson, David M.: The Viking Achievement. 1989 ISBN 0-283-97926-7.
- Jansson Sven B. F.: Runinskrifter i Sverige. 1984. 201 pages.
- Salberger, Evert: "Dedikationen på Karlevi-Stenen, Mansnamn och Versform." Sydsvenska Ortnamnssällskapets Årsskrift 1997. pp. 88–115.
- Strid, Jan Paul: Runstenar. Malmö 1991. 119 pages.
- Söderberg, Sven: Sveriges Runinskrifter. Bd 1, "Ölands Runinskrifter." Stockholm 1900–1906.