"Shorthand" versions of these futharks appeared, as did hybrid variants. There is also a variant known as the "short-twig runes" in which the forms are simpler, also called the "Norwegian-Swedish runes". These can be roughly divided into two main types: the first is the "long-branch" or normal Younger Futhark, which are sometimes referred to as the "Danish runes". For instance, the -rune was used for both k and g, while the -rune was used for u, o, ø and w.Įven when dealing with the Younger Futhark, there are several related but slightly different alphabets that vary by place and time. This alphabet uses only sixteen runes, and in many cases one symbol is used to represent many sounds. These include the Elder Futhark, the Younger Futhark, the Anglo-Saxon Futhork, and others.ĭuring the Viking Age, beginning somewhat before 800 AD, the Younger Futhark came into use in Scandinavia. There are several runic alphabets, each used during a different period of time or in a specific location. So, what were runes used for if they weren't being used on manuscripts? Bibliography of sources on runes and runic.Bibliography of sources for medieval Scandinavian.Can you tell me more about medieval Scandinavian OK, I've decided to use a medieval ScandinavianĬalligraphy style instead of runes.Were there no runic manuscripts anywhere?.So, what were runes used for if they weren't being used on manuscripts?.Thus this type of text would represent an oral poem created during the recipient's "lifetime" in the Viking Age, while the actual scroll or small book containing the poem would be from that person's "future". The rationale here is that such a praise poem could reasonably have accompanied an award or gift during the Viking Age, and as we see from poetry preserved in the sagas, poems were remembered and set down and written later. She creates Old Norse poetry, customized for the award recipient and based on their deeds and accomplishments. Mistress Brynhildr jarla Kormáksdóttir uses a different approach. Master Johannes says, "Much easier to store at home than a runestone." He created her "Laurel scroll" as a small book of period sagas, with her award among them in saga format: "There was a woman named Jofridr," etc. Master Johannes created such a saga for the Laurelling of Mistress Jofridr of Mynydd Seren. Since the most precious thing for a Viking Age person was word fame, and to be remembered after their lifetime, this text from their "future" would be an excellent commemoration of the award. He suggests that since the sagas were written 200 to 300 years after the Viking Age in a time when the saga authors looked back with pride upon the accomplishments of their ancestors, the sagas may serve as models for scrolls for Vikings, provided the context of the scroll was understood as a recording of the deeds of the recipient from a time much after their own. If the Gentle Reader really wishes to produce a scroll, then my recommendation would be to produce a Latin scroll text using one of the earlier manuscript hands as described below.Īnother excellent idea is one developed by Master Johannes von Narrenstein. If you have a Viking Age person receiving this award, then it would probably be best to inscribe the runes onto an object, such as a two or four-sided wooden stave, or a sword, a stone, etc. You have fallen prey to a common misconception, that the runic alphabet was commonly used for writing such documents as awards and charters. What kind of runes do I use? (signed) Seeking C&I Info Gentle Reader: Gentle Reader, Runes and Writing Dear Viking Answer Lady: I have been tasked with creating an SCA award scroll for a person with a Viking persona.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |