Ledbergsten
The approximately 2.9 m high 55 to 95 cm wide and 40 cm thick Ledbergsten (Ög 181; RAÄ-Nr. Ledberg 6: 1) is an exception among the otherwise mostly figureless rune stones in Östergötland . It is in the Ledberg cemetery, northwest of Malmslätt in Sweden .
It is more of a picture stone with runes than a rune stone, because figurative representations can be found on three sides, while the rune band runs only on two side edges. The text says that the memorial stone was erected by Bise for his father Torgöt. Perhaps in 1030 he took part in the Battle of Stiklestad in Norway , in which King Olav II of Norway also fell, because stylistically the stone fits into this period. After the text there is a series of magical runes that are supposed to protect the stone from damage. The magic formula has the three troll words: þistil mistil kistil . The first two mean thistle and mistletoe. It is believed that the words were ascribed magical properties. The same magic has been found several times in the Nordic countries ( runestone from Gørlev 1 DR 239 in Denmark ).
The picture probably depicting Torgöt on one broad side of the stone is one of the best images of mainland Swedish warriors from the Viking Age (800–1050 AD). At the top is a figure who shows the usual smock-like costume of a man in full war gear: pointed helmet with nose protection, shield and sword. Below, above and below a warrior with a shield, two depictions of the “big beast” and at the bottom a ship under sail ( Naglfar ) with a series of shields on the railing with the incisions on the other side as a representation of Ragnarök be understood.
On the other broadside, a man in a helmet can be seen being bitten in the heel. At the bottom a bent warrior is shown with arms stretched out. The man above was interpreted as Odin fighting the Fenris Wolf. Different interpretations were presented by Erik Brate (1857–1924) and in 1976 by Sven Birger Fredrik Jansson (1906–1987).
The western narrow side is empty, while the eastern one shows either a cross or Thor's hammer.
The Ledbergs kulle , the biggest grave mound Östergötland is located south of the Church of Ledberg.
literature
- Sigmund Oehrl: On the interpretation of anthropomorphic and theriomorphic images on the late Viking rune stones in Sweden . Vienna Studies in Scandinavian Studies, Vol. 16. (Vienna 2006).
Web links
- Ledbergsten - entry in the database "Fornsök" des Riksantikvarieämbetet (Swedish)
Coordinates: 58 ° 26 ′ 32 " N , 15 ° 26 ′ 48.7" E