CONTENTS

List of Plates    xii
list of Figures    xiv
List of Maps    xv
List of Tables    xvi
Sources, Abbreviations, and Conventions    xvii

Introduction 1

SURVEY
1. Rune-stones, their Distribution and Historical Background    7
1.1. The rune-stones and their distribution    7
1.2. Previous work    15
1.3. Why were the rune-stones erected?    16
1.4. Historical background    20
2. Presentation of the Corpus and its Subgroup; Bases of Analyses    24
I. The Corpus
2.1. Variables    24
2.2. General features    25
2.3. Regional groupings    27
2.4. Chronology and datingproblems    28
II. The Relationship Subgroup and Categories of Relationship
2.5. The nature of relationships between sponsors and deceased    37
2.6. Sponsorship patterns    38
2.7. Complex relationships    41
III. Bases of Analyses
2.8. Inscriptions    42
2.9. Relationships    43
3. Property and Inheritance    47
I. The Inscriptions as Declarations of Inheritance
3.1. The importance of individual details in interpreting
runic inscriptions    51
3.2. The sponsorship pattern as reflecting property rights    57
II. The Sponsors as Holders of Joint or Inherited Property
3.3. Joint ownership    59
3.4. Inheritance customs    63
3.5. Unspecified relationships    66
3.6. Conclusion    68
4. Inheritance: Customs and Laws    71
4.1. Inheritance and other devolutions of property    72
4.2. The runic evidence    74
4.3. Gradual and parentela principles    77
4.4. The sponsorship patterns    78
4.5. Why were different inheritance principles preferred?    83
4.6. The laws    84
4.7. Sponsorship patterns and the laws    86
4.8. Differences within Uppland    87
4.9. Conclusion    90
5. Societyand Status    92
5.1. Sponsors and deceased    92
5.2. Title-bearers    99
5.3. Epithets    101
5.4. Thegns and drengs    103   
5.5. Boni homines    107
5.6. Women as landholders
5.7. Travellers    116
5.8. Conclusion    122
6. Conversion    124
6.1. Transition: pagan and/or Christian?    125
6.2. Pagan features    129
6.3. Christian features    133
6.4. Conclusion    145   
7. Conclusion and Future Research    146
7.1. The rune-stone fashion    146
7.2. Late Viking-Age society    152
7.3. Future research    154
Excursus: The Tug-of-War over Thyre    158
Appendices
1. Distribution of Rune-stones    167   
2. Categories of Sponsors and Deceased    168
3. Frequency of Relationships    169
4. Inheritances    170
5. Unspecified Relationships Implying Inheritance    172
6. Titles    174
7. Epithets    178
8. 'Bonder'    184   
9. Travellers    185
10. Bridge-builders    186
CATALOGUE
Explanatory Notes
Denmark and Bornholm        200
Further Particulars        206
Norway        207
Further Particulars        209
Sweden (excluding Uppland)    210
Further Particulars        233
Uppland        238
Further Particulars        257

References        263