Part 2

If we find difficulty in determining the period when the mound was first raised, almost equal difficulty arises in assigning to any fixed time the engraving of the numerous inscriptions. Many of them are no doubt to be attributed to the Crusaders, but there are others of probably far earlier date than the twelfth century, when, as stated by Professor Munch, the Orkney Jarl, Ragnvald, about the year 1152-3, organized his naval expedition to the Holy Land. That the writings have been engraved at intervals during a long period of time--perhaps, as suggested by Professor Stephens, during the ninth, tenth, and eleventh centuries, or even later--is sufficiently obvious. Some of the stones have the words very faintly and imperfectly engraved, while in others the lines are sharply and distinctly cut. The absence of division between the letters (for the _dots_ are very uncertain in their position, and are probably for the most part accidental) sufficiently accounts for the difference of reading, in several of the inscriptions. The variety of type--there being no fewer than 18 different forms of A, many of them it is true, _like_, but still _different_; to say nothing of Diphthongs, the Bind-runes, or consonants and vowels connected, as [rune] (ae) or [rune] (a) and [rune] (k) [rune] or (a) and ([rune]) forming AK, Ar, and others of a similar nature--necessarily renders the task of translation, more especially when the letters are indistinct and perhaps unfinished, one of difficulty and uncertainty.

Very few of the _old_ Northern letters are found. The "Dragon" and "Worm Knot" are still perfectly distinct, and have evidently been carved by superior artists. With the exception of two stones--one of which is shewn in the drawing of the interior of the tumulus, and on which four letters are carved--none have been found bearing any inscription amongst the debris, nor is there any reason to suppose that stones bearing inscriptions have been removed from the walls. The two stones before alluded to had evidently been used to close up the cells, and lay on the basement floor just below the entrances to the cells from which they had been rudely torn. In one of the cells, that on the left side of the chamber, a few letters were indistinctly written. By accident they were forgotten, and no casts were taken of them. It is not easy to account for the various elevations at which the carvings were made. Those on the higher parts could not have been reached by persons standing at the bottom, but they might have been inscribed after the roof had been broken in, and when the building was in a partially ruined state. Many of the marks, possibly some of the "scratches" or "scribbles" to which no importance is attached, and perhaps even some of the doubtful letters, may be the result of violence used in breaking in the roof. Most of the Runes belong to the Norwegian division of the Scandinavian class, and have nothing to do with the Gothic or older alphabet, but, in the opinion of Professor Munch, they exhibit some archaicisms which prevent their being placed in the latest times of the Norwegian class; they must therefore be referred to about A. D. 1150.

[Sidenote: _Date of Inscriptions._]

The meaning of the word Maes-Howe is very obscure. It is, as Professor Munch remarks, not easy to explain. The haugr, pronounced how, is plain enough; the word Maes might have been derived from Meitis, pronounced almost like Meiss, Meitir, gen. Meiris, which was the name of a fabulous sea king, and was afterwards used to denominate any mighty king or warrior. Meiris-haugr therefore might have been synonymous with the how, or tumulus of this fabulous sea king. This opinion of Professor Munch's is at all events not unlikely to be correct; certainly local tradition has always ascribed a sepulchral character to the mound. Professor Rafn thinks that the word is derived from Mar,[3] the name of a man, and that valuable information might be obtained if it were found possible to read with a greater degree of accuracy the Runes Nos. 6 and 7, since Orki and Mar are named in these inscriptions, and it is to be inferred that Mar Orkason had engraved some of these Runes.

Nos. 13 and 20 are justly attributed to the times of the Crusaders,[4] but many of the other inscriptions must have been engraved by different persons at different times. Professor Stephens believes that most of them are of a much earlier date than the twelfth century, and this opinion is much strengthened by the worn appearance of some of the Runes, and the uncertain character of others. Some of the proper names cannot be read as certainly correct, owing to the marks and abrasures in the stones. Two of them, Orki and Oframr, are supposed to be hitherto quite unknown, and may therefore perhaps be referred to the earlier inhabitants of the How, whilst Gawkr and Trandill both belong to an historical person in Iceland. The other names are common, and known from Runic inscriptions, as well as from ancient manuscripts and documents. The name Ingibiorg, occurs several times in the Orkneyinga Saga, and was by no means an uncommon name in Orkney. Ingibiorg, the widow of earl Thorfinn (who died in 1064) afterwards married Malcolm, king of Scotland; but it cannot be safely asserted that this was the Ingibiorg mentioned in No. 8. On the whole, it seems not unreasonable to suppose that all the names found inscribed on the walls may belong to persons who lived since the construction of the barrow, and that we have as yet no certain evidence to justify us in determining either the name of the builder, or the period when the tumulus was first erected.

Most of the inscriptions are in the subjoined form of the later Runic alphabet, or the "Norwegian division of the Scandinavian Runes" as described by Professor Munch. The dots inside the B, and G, do not occur here, and the [rune] (y) is not often used.

In the earlier or "Gothic" Alphabet, many of the letters are quite different.

READINGS OF THE INSCRIPTIONS BY PROFESSORS STEPHENS, MUNCH, RAFN.

[Sidenote: _Plate VII._]

No. I.

THATIR VIKINKR . . . A, KOM, VTIR, HIR, TIL.

_Thatir the Viking, came here to weary--(perhaps from the sea, or from battle.)_

The inscription is incomplete, several letters being obliterated. The a in the Bind-rune Ak is probably the termination of the word Fra, from.--Professor STEPHENS.

THATIR VIKINKR . . . KOMUTIRHIRTIL.

_That which the Wicing . . . came outerly here to._

This is only a fragment, some of the letters being obliterated. It may mean that a pirate or Wicing had been at the tumulus and found something, or that some person had found what the Wicing had left. It may however be merely the name of some person, as Vikingr is sometimes used as a Christian name.--Professor MUNCH.

THAT IR VIKINGR . . . A KOM UT IRHIRTIL.

_This is a Viking . . . come out is hereto._

The inscription is incomplete. Vikingr may be the name of a man.--Professor RAFN.

No. II.

MOLFR KOLBAINSSONR RAEIST RUNA THESA GHAUT.

_Molf Kolbainsson carved these Runes to Gaut._

Probably a memorial to a comrade who had fallen in battle.--Professor STEPHENS.

THOLFR KOLBEINSSONR RAEIST RUNAR THESA.

_Tholf Colbanesson engraved these Runes._

The last word, read as haua, seems superfluous. It is possible there may have been some mis-spelling, the first [rune] (a) in haua may have been an [rune] (e) the dot having been a little prolonged, [rune] and the [rune] (u or v) may have been intended for an R, the word would then read her a, hereon, or on this stone.--Professor MUNCH.

THOLFR KOLBEINSSONR REIST RUNAR THESSAR HATT.

_Tholf Kolbeinsson carved these Runes on High._--Professor RAFN.

(_Note._--Nos. 1 and 2 are both engraved on the upper part of the building.--J. F.)

No. III.

BRA HOH THANA.

_Bra hewed this._

The third letter [rune] (a) is very rare, and is an indication of the great antiquity of the inscription. The word hew is often used for carve or write.--Professor STEPHENS.

BRE HOH THENA, _or_, BRAUT HAUG THENNA.

_Broke this tumulus._

The inscription seems to be incomplete, some words may have been engraved on another stone and lost.--Professor MUNCH.

(_Note._--The present state of the stone hardly justifies this supposition.--J. F.)

BRE HOeH THENA, BRE HOH THENNA.

Professor Rafn does not translate this. He remarks that what precedes is "incomplete and undecipherable."

No. IV.

VEMUNTR RAEIST.

_Vemunt carved._--Professor STEPHENS.

VEMUNTR RAEIST.

_Wemund engraved (these Runes)._--Professor MUNCH.

VIMUNDR RAEIST.

_Vemund carved (the Runes)._--Professor RAFN.

No. V.

F, U, Th, O, R, K, H, N, I, A, S, T, B, M, L, Y.

This is the Scandinavian Runic Futhork, or Alphabet. The form of the second letter is very rare, the last three are also very unusual, and may be considered as an indication that the building had been for a long period of time in the hands of many people. It was the custom to write the Alphabet wherever it was most likely to meet the eye, and a passing visitor, or treasure seeker, would have hardly taken so much trouble.--Professor STEPHENS.

F, U, Th, O, R, K, H, N, I, A, S, T, B, U, L, U.

The Runic Alphabet--Some of the letters here have been placed out of their proper order, owing probably to carelessness on the part of the writer. Time has also produced its effects upon the letters, the [rune] is clearly [rune], and the long stroke in the third letter [rune] (th) is also accidental.--Professor MUNCH.

F U Th O R K H N I A S T B M L R.

The common Runic Alphabet.--Professor RAFN.

No. VI.

ORKASONR, SAGHTHI, A, RUNOM, THAEIM, IR, HAN, RISTU.

_Orkason said, in the Runes which he wrote._

No. VII.

NUARI KULTURMR, SIKURTHR, IRU, FALNIR, KIAEBIK, UIL SAEGHIAN IR, SO, MAIR.

_Orkason said in the Runes which he wrote--Nuari, Kulturmr Sikurthr, Iru, are fallen. Kiaebik will say ye (tell you) so more._

These two inscriptions must be taken together; they have been written at the same time, and by the same person. It is probably a military message from some battle-field, sent through a trusty officer who is commissioned to make known the details. The word Nuari is very doubtful; this part of the inscription is very indistinct. It becomes more legible advancing from left to right.--Professor STEPHENS.

ORKASONR SAGTHI A RUN OM THEIM ER HALIR RISTU.

_The son of Orca dictated the Runes which heroes engraved._

There seems to have been some blunder in the writing. If the dot on the right side of the letter [rune] has been the end of a stroke, it would convert the letter into the Bind-rune [rune] (Al.) and if the [rune] were a combination of L and R, the word would then read Halir, that is Men-fellows-heroes. The second part of the inscription, No. 7, is only a fragment--perhaps some part of a verse, but it is doubtful.--Professor MUNCH.

ORKASON SAHTHI A RUNUM THAEIM IR HAN RISTI . . . SAETHIAN IR SO MAUR

_The resolution which this Mar Orkason mentioned in the Runes he carved._

The two inscriptions are to be read together, but much of No. 7, is very indistinct.--Professor RAFN.

[Sidenote: _Plate VIII._]

No. VIII.

INGIBIORGH, HIN, FARET, LUTIN, HIR, MIGHIL, OFL, ATE.

_Ingibiorgh, the fair lady. Many a woman hath fared skinclad (or bent) here, (who) great wealth owned._

Ingibiorgh probably resided here for safety, and, as the word Lutin signifies _bent_, it may refer to the low cells which are within the walls of the How. (_Note._--The entrance also is very low and narrow.) The six Crypt Runes, or secret staves, represent the letters, A. AE. R. L. I. K. R., and signify Aalikr or Erling, a proper name, or perhaps the beginning of some sentence.--Professor STEPHENS.

INKIBIORH, HIN, FAHRA, AEHKIA MORHK, KONA, HAEFER, FARET, LUT, IN HIR MIKIL OFLATI.

_Ingiburg, the fair widow! Many a woman has wandered stooping in here (although) ever so haughty._

The writer is probably recording the name of some fair woman, who has perhaps slighted him, and then reflects that the women who had been buried here, though ever so haughty, had been curbed by death. Ingibjorg, or Inkibiorh, is a common female name in the north. The other characters in the third line are known as Limouna, or Bough Runes. They were used in the later times of the Runic period, in the same manner as the Irish Ogum, but are not here intelligible. The writer probably intended to represent the chief vowels--A. E. I. O. Y. U. The Runic alphabet was divided into classes; the strokes on the left of the vertical line indicating the class, and those on the right the rune itself. Figures of fishes were occasionally in use, and were known as Fish-runes.--Professor MUNCH.

INGIBIORG HIN FAHRA AEHKIA A MORHG KONA HAEFIR FARIT LUT IN HIR MIHKIL OFLATI.

_Ingibiorg, the fair widow, or Ingibiorg the Fair, the widow. Many a rather proud woman did walk here stooping (bent forward), or did walk stooping here in (into)._

The Palm-runes underneath cannot be read in the usual manner; the first, third, and fourth of the runes being a, o, and i; the writer probably intended to give all the vowels, but some of the letters have been obviously miscarved, and have perhaps been altered and defaced at a later period by other persons. In the first of them a cross line has been added to shew that the letter [rune] or (a) is intended.--Professor RAFN.

No. IX.

THORNY SAERTH . . . HAELGHIS RAEISTO.

_The javelin pierceth . . . Haelghis carved._

Haelghis was probably an Englishman or Frislander. The inscription is much worn, and evidently very old. The last letter [rune] is the old northern [rune].--Professor STEPHENS.

THORNU SAERTH . . . HAELHI RAEIST R.

_Thorny . . . Haelhi engraved._

Thorny is a female name. Saerth is unintelligible; something is wanting here; the last letter R. is clearly the beginning of the word Runar.--Professor MUNCH.

THORNY SAERTH . . . HAELHI RAEIST.

_Thorny Saerd . . . Helge carved._

The word Saerth is of doubtful meaning.--Professor RAFN.

[Sidenote: _Plate IX._]

No. X.

THORER FORMIR, a proper name.

or

_Thorer Fonkmir._ Thorer, follow me.--Professor STEPHENS.

Probably the name of a man: there is a rude figure of a horse engraved.--Professor MUNCH.

Thorir Fomir, a name of doubtful import. Fa mer, perhaps procure me. Thorer, procure me the cross. The great cross underneath may refer to the Crusade. (_Note._--This cross has been apparently engraved at a comparatively late period.)--Professor RAFN.

No. XI.

RAEIST RUNAR THESAR OFRAMR SIGHURTHERSONR.

_Ofram Sigurthson carved these Runes._

Several of the letters at the beginning are obliterated. The crosses may be intended for ornament.--Professor STEPHENS.

REIST RUNAR THESSAR UFRAMR SIGURTHARSONR.

_Ofram, the son of Siward, engraved these Runes._--Professor MUNCH.

RAEIST RUNAR THAESIR OFRAMR SIHURTHARSONR.

_Ofram Sigurdson carved these Runes._

The word Oframr, or Uframr, is hardly to be found anywhere else. It signifies "the modest," "the reserved." The seven crosses denote that this man was one of the Crusaders.--Professor RAFN.

No. XII.

OTAR, FILA, RAEIST, RUNAR THESAR.

_Otar Fila carved these runes._--Professor STEPHENS.

IOTAR, FILA, REIST RUNAR THESSAR.

_Iotar Fila engraved these runes._--Professor MUNCH.

IOTA FILA RAEIST RUNAR THISAR.

_Iotar Fila carved these runes._

This is an unknown name.--Professor RAFN.

No. XIII.

THAT, MAN, SAT, IR, EKIAE, HE, AT, FEUAR, FORT, ABROT, THRIM NOTOM, UARFI, BROT, FORT, HAELTR, AENTHAEIR.

This is to be read from right to left. (The figure at the beginning is probably a mere scratch. J. F.) It reads thus:--That man who sat here in ache (sorrowfully) He at the Fee-Ware (at the treasure-gate--from the treasure-guard) forth a broke, with three comrades from the stronghold broke forth the Hero AEnthaeir. This probably announces the escape of a prisoner, perhaps an Englishman, as is indicated by some of the words--That for Sa, He for Han, as examples. He boasts of his escape. He may, however, have intended to record a message.--Professor STEPHENS.

No. XIV.

JORSALA MEN BURTU HAUK.

_Jerusalam Men broke into How._

AEhiiminii, a proper name; the second word is too faintly written to be translated; AEmisris, a proper name. There are some more very indistinct letters; probably they once indicated--

Ireskir Maen . . . Irish Men.

The stone exhibits traces of former writings, which renders the new carvings very doubtful.--Professor STEPHENS.

THAT MAN SAT . . . AEHE AT FEUAR FORT. ABROT THRIM NOTOM VAR FI BROT FORT HAELTR. AEN THAEIR (No. XIV.), JORSALAMEN BURTU HAUK THAENA.

Professor Munch reads Nos. XIII. and XIV. together.

To be read from right to left, and No. XIV. taken in conjunction with it. This does not that (fool!) remember that the treasury was (already) carried away. Three nights was the treasury carried away rather (_i. e._, before) than the Jerusalem travellers broke this tumulus.--Professor MUNCH.

THAT MAN SAT ER IGI SAEHI AT FE VAR FOERT ABROT THRIM NOTTOM VAR FE BROeT FOERT HAELDR AEN THAEIR IORSALAMEN BURTU HAUG THAENA.

It is true indeed, as Inge states, that the goods were carried away during three nights. The goods were carried away before the Ioraslamen broke open this barrow. Many of the other runes cannot be made out; some of the smaller ones are very indistinct.--Professor RAFN.

(_Note._--Nos. XIII. and XIV. appear to be read as one inscription by the Professor.--J. F.)

[Sidenote: _Plate X._]

No. XV.

ARNFITHR, MATR, RAEIST RUNAR THAESAR.

_Arnfith Mate carved these Runes._

The word Matr may signify "the mighty," or "the greedy."--Professor STEPHENS.

ARNFITHR MATR RAEIST RUNAR THAESAR.

_Arnfinn Mat (perhaps the greedy) engraved these runes._

Matr was a nickname.--Professor MUNCH.

ARNFITHR MATR RAEIST RUNAR THAESAR.

_Arnfinn, glutton, carved these Runes._--Professor RAFN.

No. XVI.

MAETH, THAERI, OGHSE, ER, ATE, KOR, UKR. TRAENILSONR, FYRIR, SUNAN LANT.

_With that Axe which Kor owned hews. Traenaldson along South-lying lands._--Professor STEPHENS.

MAETH, THAEIREI [RUNE]HSE ERATI KOUKR TRAENILSONR. FYRIR SUNAN LANT.

_With this Axe which Goukr Traenaldson owned or possessed on the south side of the country._

The beginning of the inscription is wanting. Gauk Trandilson was the foster-brother of Asgrim Elsdagrimson--described in "Burnt Njal," one of the chiefs in the south of Iceland about 990. The writer probably means to say that these runes were engraved with the same axe which Gauk Trandilson possessed at the end of the 10th century. The runes here found were perhaps engraved about the year 1152. No doubt "the land" here spoken of is Iceland, and the engraver an Icelander, perhaps even a descendant of the old chieftain.--Professor MUNCH.

MAETH THAERI OeHSE ER ATI GOeUKR TRAEN ILS SONR FYRIR SUNAN LAND.

_With this Axe, owned by Gauk, the son of Trandil, in the South of the country._--Professor RAFN.

No. XVII.

HAEMUNTR, HARTHEKSI, RAEIST RUN.

_Haermunt Hardaxe carved these Runes._--Professor STEPHENS.

HAERMUNTR HARTHEKSI RAEIST RUN.

_Hermund Hardaxe engraved these Runes._--Professor MUNCH.

HAERMUNDR HARTHIGSI RAEIST RUN.

_Hermund Hardaxe carved the Runes._

Hermund probably had in his possession the axe which formerly belonged to Gauk Trandilson, and was used by him in carving the runes.--Professor RAFN.

(_Note._--Professors Stephens, Munch, and Rafn, all agree that some letters have been lost or miscarried. The letters, [rune] [rune] at the end of the word run are obviously wanting.--J. F.)

No. XVIII.

RIST SA MATHR ER RUNSTR ER FYRIR VAESTAN HAF.

_The man did cut most versed in Runes in the western countries._

Professor Rafn gives nearly the same description of Gauk as Professor Munch. He reads Nos. xvi. and xviii. together. The words Fyrir vaestan haf, to the west of the sea, refer to the western countries, more especially the British Isles. The Palm-runes are rarely capable of being deciphered.

(_Note._--This No. is taken in conjunction with No. xvi. by Professor Rafn.--J. F.)

RIST, SA, MATHR, ER, RUNSTR, ER, FYRIR, VAESTAN HAF.

_(These runes) risted that man, in Runes most skilful o'er the Western Seas._

The Palm Runes on the first line indicate Thisar Runar--these Runes.--Professor STEPHENS.

RIST SA MATHR ER RUNSTR ER FYRIR UAESTAN HAF.

_That man engraved who is the best runed West of the Ocean._

No doubt the writer belonged to Orkney, or to some of the other Norwegian possessions. The Bough-runes are not easy to decipher.--Professor MUNCH.

No. XIX.

SIA, HOUGHR, UAR, FYRLATHIN HAELR, THAEIR, UORO, HUATER, SLITU, ORO, UT, NORTHR, ER, OLGHIT, MIKIT, THAT, UAR. SIMON, SIGHRIK. SIGRITH. INRONINSE AEI.

_This How was closed up--was quite abandoned. Out North is Fee (treasure) buried much. That was in Roninsey (North Ronaldshay Island)._

The writing is in different hands apparently, and it is probable that the How was abandoned when the inscriptions were engraved. The three names are most likely the names of the writers: they point to treasure buried in North Ronaldshay.--Professor STEPHENS.

(_Note._--North Ronaldshay is a wild island half-way between Kirkwall and the Fair Isle, and not easy of access.--J. F.)

No. XX.

LOTHEBROKRA SYNAR,{1} GHAENAR, MAEN, SAEM, THAEIR, UORO, FYRI, SIR,{2}-- IORSALAFARAR, BRUTU, ORKOUGH{3}--LIFMUT SA, LI, AI, ARIS, LOFTIR,{4}--HIR UAR, FI FOLGHIT MIKIT.{5} (RAEIST). SAEL ER, SA, ER, FINA, MA, THAN, OUTH, HIN, MIKLA.{6} OKO, NAEKN, BAR, FIRR, OUGHI, THISUM.{7}

{1}_Lothbrok's sons._ {2}_Doughty men as they were for them, or, what doughty men they were._ {3}_Ierusalem Farers (pilgrims) broke open Ork How_--{4}_Shelter mound; that ill (this bad retreat) aye ariseth lofty (still stands erect)._ {5}_Here was fee buried much._ {6}_Happy is he who find may that treasure the mickle (that great wealth)._ {7}_Otho Naern bare past part how this. Otho was carried past this How in the ship Naern._

Written apparently by seven different persons, perhaps some of Lothbrok's sons. This first writing was probably inscribed about the year 870 or 880, by the celebrated Scandinavian sea kings, and the others at a later period. One appears to complain of the mound itself--that bad retreat--perhaps on account of its affording shelter to the pirates who devastated the island; another inscription describes the breaking into the How by the Jerusalem travellers, and the later writings refer to the common belief at that time of the existence of concealed treasure. Naern is frequently used as a name for ships in Scandinavia. The word Baeirt (at the end of the fourth line) is not in the same hand as the rest of this line, and can only be considered as a mere scribble.--Professor STEPHENS.

Nos. XIX. and XX.

These must be taken together. The two first lines in both numbers, the 3d in No. xix. and the 4th in No. xx., must be read in continuation.

SIA HOUHR UAR FYLATHIN H . . . R LOTHBROKAR SYNER, HAENAR, THAEIRUORO HUATER SLETUORO MAEN SAEM THAEIR UORO FYRISIR.

_This tumulus was formerly erected as tumulus_ (_for_ Lodbrok, if Haugr is read, or "_as that_ of" if we read hennar) _her sons they were gallant, hardly (there) were men (such as they were). For themselves_ (_i. e._ shewed themselves).

Then read line 3 in No. xx.--

IORSALAFARAR BRUTU ORKHAUG.

_The Jerusulem travellers broke the Orkhill._

Then line 3 in No. xix. and 4 in xx., 4 in xix. and 5 in xx., taken in continuation, give--

UTNORTHR ER FE FOLGIT MIKIT THAT ER LA EFTIR, HER VA FE FOLGIT MIKIT (RAEIST SIMON SIGB. . . . SIGRITH) SAELL ER SA ER FINNA MA THAN OUTH HIN MIKLA.

_North-westerly is much money absconded, that which lay behind, here was much money absconded (Simon----engraved); lucky is he who may find that great treasure._

The raeist Simon, etc., was written afterwards, and does not belong to the sentence.

The 6th and last line in No. xx. is--

OKONAEKN BAR FE UR HAUGI THESSUM.