The Mystery of the Names Götrad and Åstrad

The Mystery of the Names Götrad and Åstrad

Explore the 11th-century Replösa Stone, which bears the uncommon names Götrad and Åstrad alongside a reference to Finnveden.

The Replösa Stone, also known as Småland Runic Inscription 35, is a granite runestone located in Replösa near Ljungby. The stone stands 185 centimetres tall and 90 centimetres wide. On its southeastern side, it features runiform ornaments and an 11th-century inscription with runes reaching heights of 13 to 15 centimetres.

The inscription contains the uncommon Danish-sounding names Götrad and Åstrad. While Åstrad is known to have been borne by a few people during the Middle Ages, Götrad does not appear on any other known runestone. The stone also mentions Finnveden, a region that was later included in the province of Småland. Finnveden is mentioned on three runestones: Sm 35, Sm 52 in Småland, and U 130 in Uppland.

The word "thane" (þegna) is also visible in the runic inscription. Scholars are divided on its meaning, with two main opinions being "free farmer, odalman" or "warrior, member of the king's hird." Just south of the stone lies Ljungby 29:1, a partly restored ship setting. It is 17 metres long and 6 metres wide, made of seven stones that are 80 to 150 centimetres tall, though historical data suggests there were originally twelve stones.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons

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Written by Nik Frost

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