Färentuna Runestones
The Färentuna runestones are three carved stones from the 11th century, found in Färentuna in Uppland, Sweden. Two of them came to light in an unlikely place. During a renovation of the church at Färentuna, two fragments of carved stone turned up beneath the plaster of a wall. Someone had once built them into the building and covered them over. What were those fragments part of, and who ordered the carving? A third stone nearby carries its message in a very different shape. And a family story that stretches across several other stones in the region ties the whole set together.
The Rundata catalog, the standard reference for runic inscriptions, labels the Färentuna stones U 20, U 21 and U 22. U 20 and U 21 were entered as separate items. Yet they are two pieces of a single original runestone, so scholars now refer to the stone as U 20/21. The inscriptions on all three are written in the younger futhark, the runic alphabet used in Scandinavia during this period. Researchers think the story may not end with the two known pieces. Other fragments of the same stone are likely still inside the church fabric, with their carved faces turned inward and out of sight.
A woman named Inga stands behind the stone known as U 20/21. It is believed that she raised it in memory of two men: her husband Eric, written Eiríkr in the old language, and her father Godric, written Guðríkr. The stone does not stand alone. It belongs to a small group that includes the Hillersjö stone and the Snottsta and Vreta stones. Together they tell the story of the family of Gerlög and Inga, which makes U 20/21 probably the most interesting of the Färentuna stones. The carving has also been attributed to a runemaster known as Torbjörn, or Þorbjôrn Skald. He signed the Hillersjö stone, so his name links the Färentuna fragments to that neighboring monument.
The third stone, U 22, takes a different form from its fragmentary neighbors. Its runic text is carved inside a serpent that circles the edge of the stone, so the inscription follows the creature's coiled body. Specialists classify this design as runestone style Pr2 or Pr3, and the sources do not settle which of the two applies. The uncertainty is a reminder of how much about these stones is still a matter of careful judgment. Meanwhile the hidden pieces of U 20/21 may yet be found inside the church walls.
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Common questions
What are the Färentuna runestones?
The Färentuna runestones are three 11th century runestones labelled U 20, U 21 and U 22 in the Rundata catalog. They are located in Färentuna, Uppland, Sweden, and are inscribed in the younger futhark.
Why are the Färentuna runestones U 20 and U 21 called U 20/21?
U 20 and U 21 were registered separately, but they are fragments of the same original runestone. For that reason the stone is called U 20/21.
Where were the Färentuna runestone fragments U 20 and U 21 found?
The fragments were discovered under the plaster of a wall during the renovation of the church at Färentuna. Other fragments of the same stone may also be in the church, with their inscriptions facing inwards.
Who raised the Färentuna runestone U 20/21 and for whom?
The runestone is believed to have been raised by Inga in memory of her husband Eric (Eiríkr) and her father Godric (Guðríkr). It is attributed to the runemaster Torbjörn, or Þorbjôrn Skald.
How is the Färentuna runestone U 20/21 connected to other runestones?
Together with the Hillersjö stone and the Snottsta and Vreta stones, it tells the story of the family of Gerlög and Inga. Torbjörn Skald, the runemaster credited with U 20/21, also signed the Hillersjö stone.
What is special about the Färentuna runestone U 22?
The runic text of U 22 is carved within a serpent that circles the edge of the stone. It is classified as runestone style Pr2 or Pr3.
All sources
3 references cited across the entry
- 1Svärdström 1970:301-305.
- 3JournalRunfynd 1969Elisabeth Svärdström — Swedish National Heritage Board — 1970