Runemaster
A runemaster or runecarver is a term for a specialist in making runestones. More than 100 names of runemasters are known from Viking Age Sweden with most of them from 11th century eastern Svealand.[1] Many anonymous runestones have more or less securely been attributed to these runemasters.[1] During the 11th century, when most runestones were raised, there were a few professional runemasters. They and their apprentices were contracted to make runestones and when the work was finished, they sometimes signed the stone with the name of the runemaster.[2]
Most early medieval Scandinavians were probably literate in runes, and most people probably carved messages on pieces of bone and wood.[2] However, it was difficult to make runestones, and in order to master it one also needed to be a stonemason.[2]
Notable runemasters of the 11th to early 12th centuries include:
- Åsmund Kåresson
- Balle
- Fot
- Frögärd i Ösby
- Gunnborga
- Halvdan
- Öpir
- Torgöt Fotsarve (son of Fot)
- Ulf of Borresta
- Visäte
Notes and references
- ^ a b The article Runristare in Nationalencyklopedin (1995).
- ^ a b c Vilka kunde rista runor? on the Swedish National Heritage Board website, retrieved January 13 2007.