No. XX
Lothebrokra Synar,1 Ghaenar,
Maen, Saem, Thaeir, Uoro, Fyri, Sir,2—
Iorsalafarar, Brutu, Orkough3—Lifmut
Sa, Li, Ai, Aris, Loftir,4—Hir Uar, Fi Folghit
Mikit.5 (Raeist). Sael Er, Sa, Er, Fina,
Ma, Than, Outh, Hin, Mikla.6
Oko, Naekn, Bar, Firr, Oughi, Thisum.7
1Lothbrok’s sons. 2Doughty men as they were for them, or, what doughty men they were. 3Ierusalem Farers (pilgrims) broke open Ork How—4Shelter mound; that ill (this bad retreat) aye ariseth lofty (still stands erect). 5Here was fee buried much. 6Happy is he who find may that treasure the mickle (that great wealth). 7Otho Naern bare past part how this. Otho was carried past this How in the ship Naern.
Written apparently by seven different persons, perhaps some of Lothbrok’s sons. This first writing was probably inscribed about the year 870 or 880, by the celebrated Scandinavian sea kings, and the others at a later period. One appears to complain of the mound itself—that bad retreat—perhaps on account of its affording shelter to the pirates who devastated the island; another inscription describes the breaking into the How by the Jerusalem travellers, and the later writings refer to the common belief at that time of the existence of concealed treasure. Naern is frequently used as a name for ships in Scandinavia. The word Baeirt (at the end of the fourth line) is not in the same hand as the rest of this line, and can only be considered as a mere scribble.—Professor Stephens.
Nos. XIX. and XX.
These must be taken together. The two first lines in both numbers, the 3d in No. xix. and the 4th in No. xx., must be read in continuation.
Sia Houhr Uar Fylathin H... r Lothbrokar Syner, Haenar, Thaeiruoro Huater
Sletuoro Maen Saem Thaeir Uoro Fyrisir.
This tumulus was formerly erected as tumulus (for Lodbrok, if Haugr is read, or “as that of” if we read hennar) her sons they were gallant, hardly (there) were men (such as they were). For themselves (i. e. shewed themselves).
Then read line 3 in No. xx.—
Iorsalafarar brutu Orkhaug.
The Jerusulem travellers broke the Orkhill.
Then line 3 in No. xix. and 4 in xx., 4 in xix. and 5 in xx., taken in continuation, give—
Utnorthr Er fe folgit Mikit that er la eftir, her va fe folgit Mikit (raeist Simon Sigb.... Sigrith) Saell er sa er finna ma than outh hin mikla. North-westerly is much money absconded, that which lay behind, here was much money absconded (Simon——engraved); lucky is he who may find that great treasure.
The raeist Simon, etc., was written afterwards, and does not belong to the sentence.
The 6th and last line in No. xx. is—
Okonaekn Bar Fe Ur haugi thessum.
Okonaekn bore money out of (away from) this tumulus.
It seems, then, that it was supposed to have been originally erected for a mighty woman called Lodbrok, who had gallant sons, and that the Jerusalem pilgrims had dug into the Orkhill, which was probably a different place to this Maes-Howe, that the treasure contained there had been taken away, and that he would be lucky who found it. It also implies that Okonaekn carried off some of the treasure.—Professor Munch.
Nos. XIX. and XX.
Sia Höuhr, Var Fyr Lathin Haelr Lothbrokar
Syner Haenar Thaeir Vöro Hvatir Slikt Vöro
Maen Saem Thaeir Vöro Fyri Sir
Iorsalafarar Brutu Orkhöuh Lifmnd
Sailia Iarls Ut Northr Ir Fe Folhit Mikit
That Urlofoir Hir Var Fi Folhget Mikit
Raeist Simon Sihr in Tho Ingi Sihrith
Saelir Sa Ir Fina Ma Than Outh Hin
Mikla. Ogdonaegn Bar Fi yr
Ouhi Thisum.
This barrow was formerly a sorcery hall, erected for Lodbrok; her sons were brave, such were men as they were for themselves (such we may call valiant men, such as they were in their achievements).
The Iorsalafarar (visitors of Jerusalem) broke open Orkhow... Earls.
To the north-west a great treasure has been hid (but few believe that), a great treasure was hid here.5 Simon sigr (victor) carved (the Runes) and afterwards Inge.
Happy he who may discover this great wealth. Ogdonaegn carried away the goods from this barrow.
Ogdonagn is probably a Gaelic name, perhaps corresponding to the present O’Donavan, and the person alluded to may have been of Scottish or Irish origin.—Professor Rafn.
Plate XI .