No. XIX.
| Sia, Houghr, Uar, Fyrlathin Haelr, Thaeir, Uoro, Huater, Slitu, Oro, Ut, Northr, Er, Olghit, Mikit, That, Uar. Simon, Sighrik. Sigrith. Inroninse Æi. |
This How was closed up—was quite abandoned. Out North is Fee (treasure) buried much.
That was in Roninsey (North Ronaldshay Island).
The writing is in different hands apparently, and it is probable that the How was abandoned when the inscriptions were engraved. The three names are most likely the names of the writers: they point to treasure buried in North Ronaldshay.—Professor Stephens.
(Note.—North Ronaldshay is a wild island half-way between Kirkwall and the Fair Isle, and not easy of access.—J. F.)
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.