Stenkvista runestone, Norse runestone at Stenkvista Church, Sweden
The Stenkvista runestone is a granite memorial 2.2 metres tall, now standing in the churchyard near Stenkvista Church. It is carved in runestone style Fp, with runic bands ending in serpent or animal heads seen from above. The runemaster placed the name Þjóðmundr and the words fôður sinn ("their father") directly below a depiction of Thor's hammer, Mjöllnir.
The Stenkvista runestone is a late Viking Age memorial, carved in runestone style Fp, in which the runic bands end in serpent or animal heads seen from above. Its inscription records that three sons—Helgi, Freygeirr and Þorgautr—raised the stone in memory of their father Þjóðmundr. The carving includes a depiction of Thor's hammer Mjöllnir, placed above the runes for the father's name.
The inscription names the three brothers Helgi, Freygeirr and Þorgautr, who raised the stone in memory of their father Þjóðmundr. Two of their names contain the names of pagan gods: Freygeirr means "Freyr's spear" and Þorgautr "Thor-Goth". The hammer of Thor carved on the stone is one of only a few such depictions in Scandinavia.
The stone sits in the churchyard beside the building and remains accessible year-round as an outdoor monument. It is located about two kilometers east of Skogstorp, making it convenient to visit during a stop in the area.
The runemaster placed the runes þiuþmunt (for the name Þjóðmundr) and faþur * sin ("their father") directly below the hanging Thor's hammer. The inscription also names two gods in personal names: Freygeirr means "Freyr's Spear" and Þorgautr "Thor-Goth".
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