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Runologiska bidrag utgivna av Institutionen för nordiska språk vid Uppsala universitet 14 David N. ParsonsRECASTING THE RUNESThe Reform of the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc |
Pris: SEK 132 + porto.
 beställ! SWEDISH SCIENCE PRESS Box 118 SE-751 04 Uppsala SWEDEN Telefon: +46 (0)18-36 55 66 Fax: +46 (0)18-36 52 77 ISSN 1100-1690 ISBN 91-506-1379-0 |
Runic writing was introduced to England by Anglo-Saxon settlers in the fifth and sixth centuries; it continued to be used in parts of the country for hundreds of years, surviving long after the introduction of Christianity and roman script. The Anglo-Saxons developed a version of the runic alphabet distinct in various ways from the ancient Germanic futhark: we know this English alphabet as a futhorc, the alteration to the name reflecting some of the alterations that had been made to the script This book explores the development of runes in England in an attempt better to understand the transition from futhark to futhorc. It presents a detailed study of the earliest Anglo-Saxon inscriptions, and seeks to demonstrate that runic usage underwent a subtle, but clearly perceptible, change during the seventh century. This change, it is argued, is likely to reflect a previously, unrecognised alphabet-reform. Possible contexts for such a reform are explored, as are related matters like the nature of pre-Christian literacy, and the relationship between runic and roman scripts n later Anglo-Saxon society.
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