The Form and Function of the Swedish Rune Poem Compared to the Other Nordic Rune Poems

Abstract After an overview of previous editions of the Nordic rune poems and characterization of their form and original function, this article compares the form and content of the Swedish rune poem to the Norwegian and Icelandic ones. While largely building on previous work by Quak (1987) and Bauer (2003), this article directs its focus on the poetic form and possible function of the poem, taking into account the Abecedarium Nordmannicum as point of comparison. It is concluded that the Swedish poem draws on old alliterative lines in common with West Norse, and, in line with remarks by Quak (1987), that the poem should be seen primarily a mnemonic of not only rune values, but also for the order of the rune sequence, given as consecutive alliterative rune kennings.