Danish Runic Inscription 107
Encyclopedia
Danish Runic Inscription 107 or DR 107 is the Rundata
listing for a Viking Age
memorial
runestone that was found at Egå
, Denmark
.
RAK, which is the classification for runic text bands that have straight ends with no attached serpent or beast heads. It was first recorded, with its top section missing, as being part of a wall in Egå. Before the historic significance of runestones was understood, they were often re-used as material in the construction of bridges, walls, and buildings. It was noted that prior to this, the stone had been in the bank near a bridge. The top section was located in 1839, and the repaired stone is 1.08 meters in height. The runestone was moved to Copenhagen, and is now in the Danish National Museum.
The runic text states that the stone was raised as a memorial by Alfkell and his sons in memory of his deceased relative Manni. Manni is described as being a landhirþiR or landhirdhi, an Old Norse
word that means "guard of land" but is often translated as being a land or estate overseer or steward. Another inscription which uses this term is DR 134 in Ravnkilde. The owner of the land is named as Ketill the Norwegian
. Here the word norrøna means Norseman but was used in Denmark to denote a Norwegian. A small cross
was carved at the top of the stone within the runic band separating the words suniR and risþu.
The runestone is known locally as the Egå-sten.
Rundata
The Scandinavian Runic-text Data Base is a project involving the creation and maintenance of a database of runic inscriptions. The project's goal is to comprehensively catalog runestones in a machine-readable way for future research...
listing for a Viking Age
Viking Age
Viking Age is the term for the period in European history, especially Northern European and Scandinavian history, spanning the late 8th to 11th centuries. Scandinavian Vikings explored Europe by its oceans and rivers through trade and warfare. The Vikings also reached Iceland, Greenland,...
memorial
Memorial
A memorial is an object which serves as a focus for memory of something, usually a person or an event. Popular forms of memorials include landmark objects or art objects such as sculptures, statues or fountains, and even entire parks....
runestone that was found at Egå
Egå
Egå is a suburban area of Aarhus in Denmark located approximately 7 km from the city centre.The Egå Sailclub is also the home of one of the most successful youth sailing clubs in Denmark.-See also:Danish Runic Inscription 107...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
.
Description
The inscription on DR 107 consists of three runic text bands, two in arches with the third band in the center. The inscription is classified as being carved in runestone styleRunestone styles
The runestone styles varied during the Viking Age. The early runestones were simple in design, but towards the end of the runestone era they became increasingly complex and made by travelling runemasters such as Öpir and Visäte....
RAK, which is the classification for runic text bands that have straight ends with no attached serpent or beast heads. It was first recorded, with its top section missing, as being part of a wall in Egå. Before the historic significance of runestones was understood, they were often re-used as material in the construction of bridges, walls, and buildings. It was noted that prior to this, the stone had been in the bank near a bridge. The top section was located in 1839, and the repaired stone is 1.08 meters in height. The runestone was moved to Copenhagen, and is now in the Danish National Museum.
The runic text states that the stone was raised as a memorial by Alfkell and his sons in memory of his deceased relative Manni. Manni is described as being a landhirþiR or landhirdhi, an Old Norse
Old Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
word that means "guard of land" but is often translated as being a land or estate overseer or steward. Another inscription which uses this term is DR 134 in Ravnkilde. The owner of the land is named as Ketill the Norwegian
Norwegians
Norwegians constitute both a nation and an ethnic group native to Norway. They share a common culture and speak the Norwegian language. Norwegian people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in United States, Canada and Brazil.-History:Towards the end of the 3rd...
. Here the word norrøna means Norseman but was used in Denmark to denote a Norwegian. A small cross
Christian cross
The Christian cross, seen as a representation of the instrument of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, is the best-known religious symbol of Christianity...
was carved at the top of the stone within the runic band separating the words suniR and risþu.
The runestone is known locally as the Egå-sten.
Transliteration of the runes into Latin characters
- alfkil ÷ uk ÷ hns ÷ suniR ÷ risþu : stin : þansi : ift : ¶ * mana : sin : frinta : þans × uas * lantirþi ÷ kitils ÷ þis ÷ ¶ nuruna ÷
Transcription into Old Norse
- Alfkel ok hans syniR resþu sten þænsi æft Manna, sin frænda, þans was landhirþiR Kætils þæs norrøna.
Translation in English
- Alfkell and his sons raised this stone in memory of Manni, their kinsman, who was Ketill the Norwegian's estate-steward.
