Färentuna Runestones

• 1. Discovery And Location

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  During the renovation of the church at Färentuna, workers found fragments U 20 and U 21 hidden under plaster in a wall. These pieces were originally part of one large runestone before being broken apart. The discovery happened when builders were working on the structure that now houses them to the left of the front gate. It is likely other fragments remain inside the church walls with their inscriptions facing inward. This placement suggests they were incorporated into the building during its construction or later repairs.

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• 2. Family Memorial Narrative

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  Inga raised this stone to honor her husband Eric and her father Godric. The inscription records the relationship between these three people from the 11th century. Eric appears as Eiríkr while Godric goes by Guðríkr in the text. Their names appear together on the same monument despite being different generations. This arrangement creates a rare family record for Uppland, Sweden. The stone serves as a permanent declaration of kinship within the community.

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• 3. Runemaster Attribution

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  Torbjörn Skald carved the letters on this fragment using his distinctive hand. He also signed the Hillersjö stone with his name. The stylistic features match his known work patterns from the period. Scholars attribute both stones to him based on letter forms and carving techniques. His signature appears on the Hillersjö piece which links the two monuments. This connection helps identify the creator behind the Färentuna work.

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• 4. Stylistic Classification

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  The runic text on U 22 snakes around the edge inside a serpent design. Experts classify this carving style as either Pr2 or Pr3. The snake pattern wraps tightly against the border of the stone. This specific artistic choice marks it as part of the younger futhark tradition. The visual complexity distinguishes it from simpler inscriptions found elsewhere. Such designs were common among skilled carvers of that era.

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• 5. Genealogical Connections

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  Gerlög and Inga appear across multiple regional monuments including the Snottsta and Vreta stones. Their family story extends beyond just the Färentuna location. The Hillersjö stone adds another layer to their genealogy. Together these pieces form a network of family records in Uppland. Each monument contributes details about the same lineage. This web of evidence allows historians to reconstruct relationships that would otherwise be lost.

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