Vikings, renowned seafarers, traders, and raiders, left their mark across northwestern Europe from the 8th to the 11th centuries. Their voyages extended even to North America. Recent archaeological discoveries in Denmark, including the remnants of a Viking hall and the analysis of runestones, shed new light on their history, particularly on a powerful woman named Queen Thyra.
Two groups of runestones, the Jelling stones located at a royal site in Jutland and the Ravnunge-Tue stones named after their carver, have been the subject of intense scrutiny. These inscriptions, referencing a woman named “Thyra,” have led archaeologists to a compelling conclusion: the Thyra mentioned is one and the same – Queen Thyra, wife of Gorm the Old and mother of Harald Bluetooth, the Viking king whose name graces modern wireless technology.
Unraveling the Runes: Connecting Thyra to History
The research, published in Antiquity, aimed to establish a link between the two sets of runestones. Lisbeth Imer, an archaeologist at the National Museum of Denmark and lead author of the study, explained, “We wanted to see if we could find the same rune carver on some of these stones… If there was a connection, it would be highly likely that all the stones referred to the same woman, Thyra, mother of Harald Bluetooth.”
One of the Ravnunge-Tue stones, known as the Læborg Stone, explicitly states: “Ravnunge-Tue carved these runes in memory of Thyra, his queen.” However, the term “queen” in that era could also refer to a wife or mistress, and “Thyra” was a common name. This ambiguity raised questions about the identity of the woman mentioned.
The Læborg stone, which mentions Thyra.The Læborg stone, featuring the inscription mentioning Thyra. Image: Roberto Fortuna, National Museum of Denmark
Harald Bluetooth: A Legacy Forged in Viking Denmark
Harald Bluetooth, son of Thyra and Gorm the Old, reigned as king of Denmark in the mid-10th century. He is credited with bringing Christianity to Denmark and unifying Norway and Denmark in 958. His unusual nickname, according to the Bluetooth company website, originates from a bluish-gray dead tooth. Interestingly, the technology bearing his name initially used “Bluetooth” as a temporary code name, but it ultimately became permanent. The technology’s logo even incorporates the Younger Futhark runes representing Harald Bluetooth’s initials (ᚼ and ᛒ).
3D Scanning and Modern Techniques Reveal a Shared Carver
To decipher the mysteries of the runestones, archaeologists employed 3D scanning to analyze the shape of the runes and the carving techniques. They compared the historic inscriptions with runes carved by contemporary stoneworkers to gain insights into the original creation process.
Researchers used 3D scanning to compare the runes.Researchers utilized 3D scanning to compare the runes on different stones. Image: Lisbeth Imer, National Museum of Denmark
Their analysis revealed a crucial piece of evidence: one of the Jelling stones and one of the Ravnunge-Tue stones shared the same carver. This strongly suggests that the “Thyra” mentioned on both stones was indeed the same person.
Thyra’s Undeniable Influence on Denmark’s Formation
Imer emphasized the significance of this discovery, stating, “No other Viking man or woman in Denmark has been mentioned on that many runestones… It underlines her undeniable importance for the assembling of the realm under the rule of her son, Harald Bluetooth.”
The fact that Harald Bluetooth himself commissioned the Jelling stones further reinforces Thyra’s prominence. It seems highly improbable that Ravnunge-Tue would have also been connected to a different woman named Thyra.
Queen Thyra: A Force in Viking Society
The evidence points towards Queen Thyra being a figure of considerable power and influence in Viking-era Denmark. Her role in shaping the kingdom during this pivotal period is now being recognized thanks to the meticulous study of these ancient runestones. These inscriptions offer a glimpse into the past and reveal the story of a woman who played a vital role in the foundation of modern Denmark.
