Varangian Biker

Stora Rytterne, Västmanland, Sweden

The runestone Vs 1 stands next to the raised stone Vs 2, with an ornamental cross, by the medieval church ruin in Stora Rytterne at the far western side of lake Mälaren.

It has multiple cracks and has been mended with mortar in three places. The runemaster is not known.

The word “Karusm” is debated, and it could either be a misspelling of Garðum meaning Gardariki, or refer to Khwarezm in Turkmenistan.

Inscription

+ kudlefz + seti : stff : auk : sena : dasi : uftiz slakua : sun : sia : etadr : austr ' i ' karusm

Transliteration

+ kuþlefʀ + seti : stff : auk : sena : þasi : uftiʀ slakua : sun : sia : etaþr : austr · i · karusm ·

Old norse transcription

Guðleifr setti staf ok steina þessa eptir Slagva, son sinn, endaðr austr í Gǫrðum(?)/Chorezm(?).

Translation

“Guðleifr placed the staff and these stones in memory of Slagvi, his son, (who) met his end in the east in Garðar(?)/Chorezm(?).”

Location and discovery

Photos

References

• Scandinavian Runic-text Database latest, “Runic inscription Vs 1 ”, Department of Scandinavian Languages, Uppsala University.
• Wikipedia, “Västmanlands runinskrifter 1”