The original runes, with Latin transliteration.

The Canterbury charm is an Old Norse runic charm discovered inserted in the margin of an Anglo-Saxon manuscript from the year 1073.[1]

Inscription

The runes are clear, and the transliteration of the runes is straight-forward (spaces between words not present in the original):

kuril sarþuara far þu nu funtin is tu þur uigi þikþorsa trutin iuril sarþuara uiþr aþra uari ·[2]

Gustavson (2010) normalizes it as

Gyrils sārþvara far þū nū! Fundinn eʀ þū! Þōrr vīgi þik, þursa drōttinn, Gyrils sārþvara. Viðr aðravari.[2]

and translates it as

Gyrill's wound-tap, you go now! You are found! May Thor hallow you, lord of the trolls. Gyrill's wound-tap. Against pus in the veins (blood poisoning).[2]

Similarly, the charm is translated by Macleod and Mees (2006) as:

Gyril wound-causer, go now! You are found. May Thor bless you, lord of ogres! Gyril wound-causer. Against blood-vessel pus![1]

Interpretation

The charm is intended for use against a specific ailment, described as "blood-vessel pus." MacLeod and Mees note that while Thor is not revered in surviving sources for his medical abilities, he was well attested as harboring enmity towards giants and as a protector of mankind. MacLeod and Mees compare the charm to the 11th-century Kvinneby amulet (where Thor is also called upon to provide protection), the formula structure of the Sigtuna amulet I, and the inscription on a then-recently discovered rib bone also from Sigtuna, Sweden.[1]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Macleod and Mees, Bernard (2006:120).
  2. 1 2 3 Gustavson, Helmer. (2010)

References

  • Gustavson, Helmer. (2010) Sårfeberbenet från Sigtuna. Situne Dei, 61-76. Relevant parts translated from Swedish by Mindy MacLeod.
  • Macleod, Mindy. Mees, Bernard (2006). Runic Amulets and Magic Objects. Boydell Press ISBN 1-84383-205-4
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