Uppland Runic Inscription 896
Encyclopedia
Uppland Runic Inscription 896 or U 896 is the Rundata
catalog listing for a Viking Age
memorial
runestone originally located at Håga in the historic province of Uppland
, Sweden
, but is now at the Universitetsparken ("University Park") of Uppsala University
.
within a text band along the edge of a tall and narrow runestone, which is made of granite and is 1.7 meters in height, with a second text band within the first on the left side. Two crosses
are enclosed by the text bands. The bottom portion of the stone is missing. The inscription is tentatively classified due to its damage as being carved in runestone style Pr1, which is also known as Ringerike style
. Inscriptions with this classification have runic text bands with attached serpent or beast heads depicted in profile. In 1867 this runestone, along with U 489 from Morby and U 1011 from Örby, was exhibited in the Exposition Universelle
in Paris
. When it was returned to Sweden, the stone was raised at Uppsala University.
The runic text, which is missing in one section of the damaged runestone, states that the stone was raised in memory of a man probably named Eyndar, and was probably sponsored by the man's parents. The text states that the deceased died i hvitavadhum, an Old Norse
phrase which is usually translated as meaning "in christening robes
." Other runestones using this phrase include the now-lost U 243 in Molnby, U 364 in Gådersta, U 613 in Torsätra, U 699 in Amnö, U 1036 in Tensta, and U Fv1973;194 at the Uppsala Cathedral
. The text also indicates that the deceased probably died in Denmark
. Other inscriptions mentioning Denmark include Öl 1
in Karlevi, Sö Fv1948;289 in Aspa bro, U 699 in Amnö, DR 41
and DR 42
in Jelling, DR 133 in Skivum, and N 239 in Stangeland.
The text also states in the inner text band that Reð runaR ØpiR or that "Œpir arranged the runes." The runemaster
Öpir
, which is the normalized
name, was active in the Uppland region from the late 11th to the early 12th centuries. The same phrase is also used on U 940 in Torget by Öpir, and other inscriptions stating that they were arranged include U 913 in Brunnby and U 961
in Vaksala. U 896 and U 940 are stylistically unlike any of the other inscriptions signed by Öpir, and it has been suggested that these two inscriptions along with U 1022 represent works from the beginning of Öpir's career.
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...
catalog 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 originally located at Håga in the historic province of Uppland
Uppland
Uppland is a historical province or landskap on the eastern coast of Sweden, just north of Stockholm, the capital. It borders Södermanland, Västmanland and Gästrikland. It is also bounded by lake Mälaren and the Baltic sea...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, but is now at the Universitetsparken ("University Park") of Uppsala University
Uppsala University
Uppsala University is a research university in Uppsala, Sweden, and is the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. It consistently ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe in international rankings and is generally considered one of the most prestigious institutions of...
.
Description
The inscription on U 896 consists of runic text in the younger futharkYounger Futhark
The Younger Futhark, also called Scandinavian runes, is a runic alphabet, a reduced form of the Elder Futhark, consisting of only 16 characters, in use from ca. 800 CE...
within a text band along the edge of a tall and narrow runestone, which is made of granite and is 1.7 meters in height, with a second text band within the first on the left side. Two crosses
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...
are enclosed by the text bands. The bottom portion of the stone is missing. The inscription is tentatively classified due to its damage as being carved in runestone style Pr1, which is also known as Ringerike style
Ringerike style
The Ringerike style is a Scandinavian animal style from the late 10th century and the 11th century, which evolved out of the earlier Mammen style. It has received its name from a group of runestones with animal and plant motifs in the Ringerike district north of Oslo. The most common motifs are...
. Inscriptions with this classification have runic text bands with attached serpent or beast heads depicted in profile. In 1867 this runestone, along with U 489 from Morby and U 1011 from Örby, was exhibited in the Exposition Universelle
Exposition Universelle (1867)
The Exposition Universelle of 1867 was a World Exposition held in Paris, France, in 1867.-Conception:In 1864, Emperor Napoleon III decreed that an international exposition should be held in Paris in 1867. A commission was appointed with Prince Jerome Napoleon as president, under whose direction...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. When it was returned to Sweden, the stone was raised at Uppsala University.
The runic text, which is missing in one section of the damaged runestone, states that the stone was raised in memory of a man probably named Eyndar, and was probably sponsored by the man's parents. The text states that the deceased died i hvitavadhum, 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....
phrase which is usually translated as meaning "in christening robes
Baptismal clothing
Baptismal clothing is apparel worn by Christian proselytes during the ceremony of baptism.-Eastern Orthodoxy:...
." Other runestones using this phrase include the now-lost U 243 in Molnby, U 364 in Gådersta, U 613 in Torsätra, U 699 in Amnö, U 1036 in Tensta, and U Fv1973;194 at the Uppsala Cathedral
Uppsala Cathedral
Uppsala Cathedral is a cathedral located centrally in the city of Uppsala, Sweden. It dates back to the late 13th century and at a height of 118.7 m is the tallest church building in Scandinavia. Originally built under Roman Catholicism and used for coronations of the Swedish monarch, since the...
. The text also indicates that the deceased probably died in 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...
. Other inscriptions mentioning Denmark include Öl 1
Karlevi Runestone
The Karlevi Runestone, designated as Öl 1 by Rundata, is commonly dated to the late 10th century and located near the Kalmarsund straight in Karlevi on the island of Öland, Sweden...
in Karlevi, Sö Fv1948;289 in Aspa bro, U 699 in Amnö, DR 41
Jelling stones
The Jelling stones are massive carved runestones from the 10th century, found at the town of Jelling in Denmark. The older of the two Jelling stones was raised by King Gorm the Old in memory of his wife Thyra...
and DR 42
Jelling stones
The Jelling stones are massive carved runestones from the 10th century, found at the town of Jelling in Denmark. The older of the two Jelling stones was raised by King Gorm the Old in memory of his wife Thyra...
in Jelling, DR 133 in Skivum, and N 239 in Stangeland.
The text also states in the inner text band that Reð runaR ØpiR or that "Œpir arranged the runes." The runemaster
Runemaster
A runemaster or runecarver is a specialist in making runestones.Most early medieval Scandinavians were probably literate in runes, and most people probably carved messages on pieces of bone and wood. However, it was difficult to make runestones, and in order to master it one also needed to be a...
Öpir
Öpir
Öpir or Öper was a runemaster who flourished during the late 11th century and early 12th century in Uppland, Sweden...
, which is the normalized
Old Norse orthography
The orthography of the Old Norse language was diverse, being written in both Runic and Latin alphabets, with many spelling conventions, variant letterforms, and unique letters and signs. In modern times, scholars established a standardized spelling for the language. When Old Norse names are used in...
name, was active in the Uppland region from the late 11th to the early 12th centuries. The same phrase is also used on U 940 in Torget by Öpir, and other inscriptions stating that they were arranged include U 913 in Brunnby and U 961
Vaksala Runestone
The Vaksala Runestone, designated as U 961 under the Rundata catalog, is a Viking Age memorial runestone that is located in Vaksala parish near Uppsala, Sweden.-Description:...
in Vaksala. U 896 and U 940 are stylistically unlike any of the other inscriptions signed by Öpir, and it has been suggested that these two inscriptions along with U 1022 represent works from the beginning of Öpir's career.
Transliteration of the runes into Latin characters
- ... [l]itu raisa stain + fir ' ont * iy--m + sun + sain + tauþr + fita+faþum ' i tai'ma... ... riþ runaR ubiR
Transcription into Old Norse
- ... letu ræisa stæin fyr and Øy[nda]R(?), sun sinn, dauðr [i] hvitavaðum i Danma[rku](?) ... Reð runaR ØpiR.
Translation in English
- ... had the stone raised for the spirit of Eyndar(?), their son, (who) died in christening robes in Denmark(?) ... Œpir arranged the runes.