Pragmatic Runic Literacy in Scandinavia c. 800-1300: With a Particular Focus on the Bryggen Material

Scandinavian rune stones and ephemeral inscriptions reveal the pragmatic role of runic literacy during the transition from paganism to Christianity (c. 800–1300). Unlike traditional studies focused on monumental inscriptions or manuscript culture, this research highlights the intersection of Christian identity with everyday epigraphic practices—such as rune sticks and church graffiti—showing how literacy was embedded in vernacular cultures. By analyzing both durable rune stones and transient materials (e.g., birchbark documents), the study demonstrates that epigraphic literacy was not confined to clerical or monumental contexts but thrived in diverse, pragmatic settings, including Bryggen's historical material.

Schulte, M. (2012). Pragmatic Runic Literacy in Scandinavia c. 800-1300: With a Particular Focus on the Bryggen Material. Epigraphic Literacy and Christian Identity, 155–182. https://doi.org/10.1484/m.usml-eb.5.100476