
An Introduction to English Runes
R.I. Page(Author)
Boydell Press
Published on 1. January 1973
Book
Hardback
266 pages
978-0-85115-768-9 (ISBN)
Description
Runes are quite frequently mentioned in modern writings, usually imprecisely as a source of mystic knowledge, power or insight. This book sets the record straight. It shows runes working as a practical script for a variety of purposes in early English times, among both indigenous Anglo-Saxons and incoming Vikings. In a scholarly yet readable way it examines the introduction of the runic alphabet (the futhorc) to England in the fifth and sixth centuries, the forms and values of its letters, and the ways in which it developed, up until its decline at the end of the Anglo-Saxon period. It discusses how runes were used for informal and day-to-day purposes, on formal monuments, as decorative letters in prestigious manuscripts, for owners' or makers' names on everyday objects, perhaps even in private letters.
For the first time, the book presents, together with earlier finds, the many runic objects discoveredover the last twenty years, with a range of inscriptions on bone, metal and stone, even including tourists' scratched signatures found on the pilgrimage routes through Italy. It gives an idea of the immense range of information on language and social history contained in these unique documents. Professor R.I. PAGE is former Elrington and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon in the University of Cambridge, and Librarian of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.
For the first time, the book presents, together with earlier finds, the many runic objects discoveredover the last twenty years, with a range of inscriptions on bone, metal and stone, even including tourists' scratched signatures found on the pilgrimage routes through Italy. It gives an idea of the immense range of information on language and social history contained in these unique documents. Professor R.I. PAGE is former Elrington and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon in the University of Cambridge, and Librarian of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.
Reviews / Votes
Remains the only book-length study providing a comprehensive and scholarly guide to the Anglo-Saxon use of runes. The new edition has been substantially updated and expanded...No serious library of Anglo-Saxon studies should be without it. -- John Hines * JOURNAL OF ENGLISH AND GERMANIC PHILOLOGY *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Woodbridge
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Boydell & Brewer Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
23 b/w. 54 line.
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-85115-768-9 (9780851157689)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

R.I. Page
An Introduction to English Runes
Book
05/2006
Boydell Press
€37.30
Shipment within 15-20 days
Previous edition
R. I. Page
Introduction to English Runes
Book
09/1973
Methuen young books
€37.33
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Content
Runes and runesters; when and where; the Anglo-Saxon runic letters; condition, preservation and record; "Runica manuscripta" and the rune-names; the divided "futhorc" and runic codes; runic or rune-like; how to use runes; runic coins; rune-stones; runes elsewhere; more manuscript runes; Anglo-Saxon and Viking; runic and Roman; the study of runes.