The English rune alphabet, also known as the Anglo-Saxon futhorc, is a writing system that was used in England during the Anglo-Saxon period (5th to 11th centuries). It is a derivative of the older Germanic runic alphabet, but with some distinct variations. The English rune alphabet consists of 33 characters, known as runes, which are made up of straight lines and angles. Each rune represents a specific sound or phoneme in the English language. These runes were typically inscribed on various surfaces such as wood, metal, and stone. One unique feature of the English rune alphabet is that it includes additional runes for sounds that were not present in the earlier Germanic runic alphabet.
writan (= to carve runes) and ridan (= to interpret runes) became our words write and read.
They were used in England until the 10th or 11th centuries, though after the 9th century they were mainly used in manuscripts and were of interest to antiquarians, and their use ceased after the Norman conquest in 1066. The poem can be found written in the Latin Alphabet in the Vercelli Book, and its inclusion on the Ruthwell Cross is significant as it shows a move away from the formulaic inscription of just writing the futhorc.
One unique feature of the English rune alphabet is that it includes additional runes for sounds that were not present in the earlier Germanic runic alphabet. This was likely due to the influence of the Latin alphabet, which was introduced to England by Christian missionaries. As a result, the English rune alphabet was more adaptable to the evolving English language.
The Riddles in Old English Runes
For this blog Lorna has been looking at three different objects with Old English Runes and their interpretations.
The English rune alphabet was widely used for various purposes, such as writing inscriptions on monuments, coins, and personal belongings. It was also used for writing manuscripts, especially during the early Christian period when Latin and Old English were written side by side. While the English rune alphabet was eventually phased out with the emergence of the Latin alphabet as the dominant writing system, it played a significant role in the development of written English. The runes and their associated sounds influenced the spelling and pronunciation of Old English words, and traces of their influence can still be found in modern English. Today, the English rune alphabet is primarily of interest to scholars and enthusiasts of Anglo-Saxon history and culture. Various resources and translations exist to help decipher the runes and understand their meaning in a linguistic and historical context..
Reviews for "The Spiritual Connection of the English Rune Alphabet"
- Sarah - 1/5 stars - The English rune alphabet was a complete waste of my time. I thought it would be interesting to learn about the history and significance of runes, but instead, I was presented with a shallow and poorly researched explanation. The book lacked depth and failed to provide any real insight into the subject matter. Overall, I was highly disappointed and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a comprehensive guide on runes.
- Mark - 2/5 stars - While the English rune alphabet was mildly interesting, it fell short of my expectations. The book seemed rushed and poorly structured, making it difficult to follow at times. Additionally, the author's writing style was dry and lacking creativity. I was hoping for a more engaging and informative read, but unfortunately, this was not the case.
- Emily - 2/5 stars - I found the English rune alphabet to be confusing and poorly explained. The book included brief descriptions of each rune, but it lacked the necessary context to fully understand their meanings and significance. The author assumed prior knowledge on the subject, leaving beginners like myself feeling lost. I would suggest looking for a more beginner-friendly resource if you're interested in learning about runes.