Notice of Runic Inscriptions Discovered during Recent Excavations in the Orkneys

Readings of the Inscriptions by ProfessorsStephens, Munch, Rafn

Plate VII.

The inscription is incomplete, several letters being obliterated. The a in the Bind-rune Ak is probably the termination of the word Fra, from. – Professor Stephens.

This is only a fragment, some of the letters being obliterated. It may mean that a pirate or Wicing had been at the tumulus and found something, or that some person had found what the Wicing had left. It may however be merely the name of some person, as Vikingr is sometimes used as a Christian name. – Professor Munch.

The inscription is incomplete. Vikingr may be the name of a man. – Professor Rafn.

Probably a memorial to a comrade who had fallen in battle. – Professor Stephens.

The last word, read as haua, seems superfluous. It is possible there may have been some mis-spelling, the first

(Note.– Nos. 1 and 2 are both engraved on the upper part of the building. – J. F.)

The third letter

The inscription seems to be incomplete, some words may have been engraved on another stone and lost. – Professor Munch.

(Note.– The present state of the stone hardly justifies this supposition. – J. F.)

Professor Rafn does not translate this. He remarks that what precedes is “incomplete and undecipherable.”

This is the Scandinavian Runic Futhork, or Alphabet. The form of the second letter is very rare, the last three are also very unusual, and may be considered as an indication that the building had been for a long period of time in the hands of many people. It was the custom to write the Alphabet wherever it was most likely to meet the eye, and a passing visitor, or treasure seeker, would have hardly taken so much trouble. – Professor Stephens.

The Runic Alphabet – Some of the letters here have been placed out of their proper order, owing probably to carelessness on the part of the writer. Time has also produced its effects upon the letters, the ǁ is clearly

The common Runic Alphabet. – Professor Rafn.

These two inscriptions must be taken together; they have been written at the same time, and by the same person. It is probably a military message from some battle-field, sent through a trusty officer who is commissioned to make known the details. The word Nuari is very doubtful; this part of the inscription is very indistinct. It becomes more legible advancing from left to right. – Professor Stephens.

There seems to have been some blunder in the writing. If the dot on the right side of the letter

The two inscriptions are to be read together, but much of No. 7, is very indistinct. – Professor Rafn.

Plate VIII.

Ingibiorgh probably resided here for safety, and, as the word Lutin signifies bent, it may refer to the low cells which are within the walls of the How. (Note.– The entrance also is very low and narrow.) The six Crypt Runes, or secret staves, represent the letters, A. Æ. R. L. I. K. R., and signify Aalikr or Erling, a proper name, or perhaps the beginning of some sentence. – Professor Stephens.

The writer is probably recording the name of some fair woman, who has perhaps slighted him, and then reflects that the women who had been buried here, though ever so haughty, had been curbed by death. Ingibjorg, or Inkibiorh, is a common female name in the north. The other characters in the third line are known as Limouna, or Bough Runes. They were used in the later times of the Runic period, in the same manner as the Irish Ogum, but are not here intelligible. The writer probably intended to represent the chief vowels – A. E. I. O. Y. U. The Runic alphabet was divided into classes; the strokes on the left of the vertical line indicating the class, and those on the right the rune itself. Figures of fishes were occasionally in use, and were known as Fish-runes. – Professor Munch.

The Palm-runes underneath cannot be read in the usual manner; the first, third, and fourth of the runes being a, o, and i; the writer probably intended to give all the vowels, but some of the letters have been obviously miscarved, and have perhaps been altered and defaced at a later period by other persons. In the first of them a cross line has been added to shew that the letter

Haelghis was probably an Englishman or Frislander. The inscription is much worn, and evidently very old. The last letter

Thorny is a female name. Saerth is unintelligible; something is wanting here; the last letter R. is clearly the beginning of the word Runar. – Professor Munch.

The word Saerth is of doubtful meaning. – Professor Rafn.

Plate IX.

Probably the name of a man: there is a rude figure of a horse engraved. – Professor Munch.

Thorir Fomir, a name of doubtful import. Fá mèr, perhaps procure me. Thorer, procure me the cross. The great cross underneath may refer to the Crusade. (Note.– This cross has been apparently engraved at a comparatively late period.) – Professor Rafn.

Several of the letters at the beginning are obliterated. The crosses may be intended for ornament. – Professor Stephens.

The word Oframr, or Uframr, is hardly to be found anywhere else. It signifies “the modest,” “the reserved.” The seven crosses denote that this man was one of the Crusaders. – Professor Rafn.

This is an unknown name. – Professor Rafn.

This is to be read from right to left. (The figure at the beginning is probably a mere scratch. J. F.) It reads thus: – That man who sat here in ache (sorrowfully) He at the Fee-Ware (at the treasure-gate – from the treasure-guard) forth a broke, with three comrades from the stronghold broke forth the Hero Ænthaeir. This probably announces the escape of a prisoner, perhaps an Englishman, as is indicated by some of the words – That for Sa, He for Han, as examples. He boasts of his escape. He may, however, have intended to record a message. – Professor Stephens.

Æhiiminii, a proper name; the second word is too faintly written to be translated; Æmisris, a proper name. There are some more very indistinct letters; probably they once indicated —

The stone exhibits traces of former writings, which renders the new carvings very doubtful. – Professor Stephens.

That Man Sat.. Æhe at Feuar Fort.

Abrot Thrim Notom Var Fi Brot Fort Haeltr.

Æn Thaeir (No. XIV.), Jorsalamen Burtu Hauk thaena.

Professor Munch reads Nos. XIII. and XIV. together.

To be read from right to left, and No. XIV. taken in conjunction with it. This does not that (fool!) remember that the treasury was (already) carried away. Three nights was the treasury carried away rather (i. e., before) than the Jerusalem travellers broke this tumulus. – Professor Munch.

That Man Sat Er Igi Saehi At Fe Var Fœrt

Abrot Thrim Nottom Var Fe Bröt Fœrt

Haeldr Æn Thaeir

Iorsalamen Burtu haug Thaena.

It is true indeed, as Inge states, that the goods were carried away during three nights. The goods were carried away before the Ioraslamen broke open this barrow. Many of the other runes cannot be made out; some of the smaller ones are very indistinct. – Professor Rafn.

(Note.– Nos. XIII. and XIV. appear to be read as one inscription by the Professor. – J. F.)

Plate X.

The word Matr may signify “the mighty,” or “the greedy.” – Professor Stephens.

Matr was a nickname. – Professor Munch.

The beginning of the inscription is wanting. Gauk Trandilson was the foster-brother of Asgrim Elsdagrimson – described in “Burnt Njal,” one of the chiefs in the south of Iceland about 990. The writer probably means to say that these runes were engraved with the same axe which Gauk Trandilson possessed at the end of the 10th century. The runes here found were perhaps engraved about the year 1152. No doubt “the land” here spoken of is Iceland, and the engraver an Icelander, perhaps even a descendant of the old chieftain. – Professor Munch.

Hermund probably had in his possession the axe which formerly belonged to Gauk Trandilson, and was used by him in carving the runes. – Professor Rafn.

(Note. – Professors Stephens, Munch, and Rafn, all agree that some letters have been lost or miscarried. The letters,

Professor Rafn gives nearly the same description of Gauk as Professor Munch. He reads Nos. xvi. and xviii. together. The words Fyrir vaestan haf, to the west of the sea, refer to the western countries, more especially the British Isles. The Palm-runes are rarely capable of being deciphered.

(Note.– This No. is taken in conjunction with No. xvi. by Professor Rafn. – J. F.)

The Palm Runes on the first line indicate Thisar Runar – these Runes. – Professor Stephens.

No doubt the writer belonged to Orkney, or to some of the other Norwegian possessions. The Bough-runes are not easy to decipher. – Professor Munch.

Sia, Houghr, Uar, Fyrlathin Haelr,

Thaeir, Uoro, Huater, Slitu, Oro,

Ut, Northr, Er, Olghit, Mikit, That, Uar.

Simon, Sighrik.

Sigrith. Inroninse Æi.

The writing is in different hands apparently, and it is probable that the How was abandoned when the inscriptions were engraved. The three names are most likely the names of the writers: they point to treasure buried in North Ronaldshay. – Professor Stephens.

(Note.– North Ronaldshay is a wild island half-way between Kirkwall and the Fair Isle, and not easy of access. – J. F.)

Lothebrokra Synar,1 Ghaenar,

Maen, Saem, Thaeir, Uoro, Fyri, Sir,2 —

Iorsalafarar, Brutu, Orkough3 – Lifmut

Sa, Li, Ai, Aris, Loftir,4 – Hir Uar, Fi Folghit

Mikit.5 (Raeist). Sael Er, Sa, Er, Fina,

Ma, Than, Outh, Hin, Mikla.6

Oko, Naekn, Bar, Firr, Oughi, Thisum.7

1 Lothbrok’s sons. 2Doughty men as they were for them, or, what doughty men they were. 3Ierusalem Farers (pilgrims) broke open Ork How– 4Shelter mound; that ill (this bad retreat) aye ariseth lofty (still stands erect). 5Here was fee buried much. 6Happy is he who find may that treasure the mickle (that great wealth). 7Otho Naern bare past part how this. Otho was carried past this How in the ship Naern.

Written apparently by seven different persons, perhaps some of Lothbrok’s sons. This first writing was probably inscribed about the year 870 or 880, by the celebrated Scandinavian sea kings, and the others at a later period. One appears to complain of the mound itself – that bad retreat – perhaps on account of its affording shelter to the pirates who devastated the island; another inscription describes the breaking into the How by the Jerusalem travellers, and the later writings refer to the common belief at that time of the existence of concealed treasure. Naern is frequently used as a name for ships in Scandinavia. The word Baeirt (at the end of the fourth line) is not in the same hand as the rest of this line, and can only be considered as a mere scribble. – Professor Stephens.

These must be taken together. The two first lines in both numbers, the 3d in No. xix. and the 4th in No. xx., must be read in continuation.

This tumulus was formerly erected as tumulus (for Lodbrok, if Haugr is read, or “as that of” if we read hennar) her sons they were gallant, hardly (there) were men (such as they were). For themselves (i. e. shewed themselves).

Then read line 3 in No. xx. —

Then line 3 in No. xix. and 4 in xx., 4 in xix. and 5 in xx., taken in continuation, give —

The raeist Simon, etc., was written afterwards, and does not belong to the sentence.

The 6th and last line in No. xx. is —

It seems, then, that it was supposed to have been originally erected for a mighty woman called Lodbrok, who had gallant sons, and that the Jerusalem pilgrims had dug into the Orkhill, which was probably a different place to this Maes-Howe, that the treasure contained there had been taken away, and that he would be lucky who found it. It also implies that Okonaekn carried off some of the treasure. – Professor Munch.

Sia Höuhr, Var Fyr Lathin Haelr Lothbrokar

Syner Haenar Thaeir Vöro Hvatir Slikt Vöro

Maen Saem Thaeir Vöro Fyri Sir

Iorsalafarar Brutu Orkhöuh Lifmnd

Sailia Iarls Ut Northr Ir Fe Folhit Mikit

That Urlofoir Hir Var Fi Folhget Mikit

Raeist Simon Sihr in Tho Ingi Sihrith

Saelir Sa Ir Fina Ma Than Outh Hin

Mikla. Ogdonaegn Bar Fi yr

Ouhi Thisum.

This barrow was formerly a sorcery hall, erected for Lodbrok; her sons were brave, such were men as they were for themselves (such we may call valiant men, such as they were in their achievements).

The Iorsalafarar (visitors of Jerusalem) broke open Orkhow.. Earls.

To the north-west a great treasure has been hid (but few believe that), a great treasure was hid here. 5 Simon sigr (victor) carved (the Runes) and afterwards Inge.

Happy he who may discover this great wealth. Ogdonaegn carried away the goods from this barrow.

Ogdonagn is probably a Gaelic name, perhaps corresponding to the present O’Donavan, and the person alluded to may have been of Scottish or Irish origin. – Professor Rafn.

Plate XI.

The beginning of an unfinished formula. – Professor Stephens.

The other letters are defective and give no distinct meaning. – Professor Munch.

It may also be a fanciful Alphabet. – Professor Stephens.