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Rune Pages HomeI: What Are the Runes II: A Brief History of the RunesIII: The Rune PoemsIV: The Old English Rune PoemV: Translation & Commentary of the 1st AEtt of the Rune Poem VI: Translation & Commentary of the 2nd AEtt of the Rune PoemVII: Translation & Commentary of the 3rd AEtt of the Rune PoemVIII: Translation & Commentary of the Additional Rune VersesIX: Rune MagicAppendix A: The Common Germanic or Elder FutharkAppendix B: The Old Norse or Younger FutharkAppendix C: WordhoardAppendix D: BookhoardEric Wodening's Web Site

Runes. Everyone knows that they were the letters of the ancient Germanic alphabet. Fewer people know that the runes were also the mysteries of the universe in the Germanic world view. And, unfortunately, all too many people think they know more about the runes than they actually do.

It is difficult to say when the runes were first used. The earliest inscriptions date from about the third century CE, so that they were at least used before that time. The runes continued to be used throughout the Germanic world even after the conversion to Christianity, although their use slowly declined thereafter. They nearly ceased being used in England after the ninth or tenth century, although their use continued on a somewhat limited basis in Scandinavia and Iceland.

For many centuries the runes continued to be at best a curiosity for antiquarians. By the time of the Enlightenment, however, interest in the runes was rekindled. The rune poems were transcribed and the first studies into the runes and runic inscriptions were made. By the nineteenth century many scholars had chosen to study the runes; by the twentieth century runology would be a well established branch of Germanic Studies. It would only be a matter of time before the runes would become known to the public at large.

By the mid-twentieth century the runes had been somewhat popularised by Tolkien and other fantasy writers, not to mention various heavy metal bands. At last the mid-Eighties saw a fad towards the runes and anything runic. A large number of books on the runes were published, so many that sometimes it seemed that bookstore shelves were lined with them. Unfortunately, only a few of these books  had any real basis in the lore and often substituted New Age fantasies for good, old fashioned research. Perhaps the worst offender in this respect was also the most popular. Ralph Blum's books, sold with a complimentary set of runes, started the fad and continued throughout most of it to be the best sellers in the genre. This was perhaps unfortunate, as Blum drew very little upon the lore and even created his own order for the rune row instead of relying upon the traditional futhark.

Eventually the rune fad came to an end, though its legacy is still with us, including many of the misconceptions regarding the runes. The serious student of the runes performing a search on the subject on the web will find only a little information that is of any use to him.  Most of the pages he finds will often depend less on sound, scholarly research and more upon the New Age fantasies mentioned earlier. Often these pages draw their information directly from Blum and nearly as often without giving him credit.

Quite clearly, then, there is a need for quality web pages on the runes, pages which draw upon the old lore and the conclusions of modern scholars of the runes. It is hoped that the Wednesbury Rune Pages will fill this niche. Using the Java applet above or the non-Java index, the surfer has access to articles on the runes  that have a sound basis in both the ancient lore of the runes and modern day runology, including a translation of the Old English Rune Poem with a commentary on its verses. The appendices include charts showing the shapes of the runes and their names in the Common Germanic Futhark and the Younger Futhark, as well as a bookhoard (bibliography) and a word hoard (glossary). Though primarily meant for the individual who believes in the power of the runes, the Wednesbury Rune Pages have been written so that even sceptics can read them without feeling embarrassed.

The runes were a central part of the ancient Germanic world view. To understand the runes, one must then look to the elder sources of the Germanic peoples. In gathering information from these sources and the theories of modern day scholars, it is hoped that the Wednesbury Rune Pages will prove to be a worthwhile resource for all serious students of the runes.