Rune sticks in Uvdal Stave Church

Runes are often associated with pre-Christian beliefs and customs. Still, runes were also used within the Christian church, as this was the common written language in the Middle Ages. Runes therefore also allowed the church to spread the Christian message to the masses. The church was an important meeting place for people where exchanges of ideas took place. Therefore, runic inscriptions are common in medieval churches, on walls, pillars, and throughout the interior, and on amulets and prayer sticks hidden and forgotten under the church floors. 

Two runic prayer sticks have been found under the church floor in Uvdal Stave Church. One of them is 15 cm long and carved with the message “Eirik, write me runes!” The inscription is dated to the latter half of the 13th century. The other item is a larger piece with inscriptions on three sides. The runes are hard to interpret, but it is carved in Latin and therefore probably a liturgical text. However, the text gives little meaning. Perhaps the carver made some typos with the tricky Latin text?