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Answers Lesson 9 - Tests and Reading

Comprehension Test

1. What happens to the Ansuz rune in the Frisian runes?
   It was renamed Aesc, moved to the end and replaced by a new Os rune

2. When approximately did the Frisian runes appear?
   late 5th century/early sixth century

3. What general type of change in language necessitated changes to the runes?
   The introduction of new sounds

4. How many Frisian runes were there?
   28

5. How many runes in the Younger Futhark?
   16

6. What meaning does Uruz have in the Younger Futhark?
   "Drizzle"

7. What general name is given to the Saxon runic alphabet(s)?
   Furthorc or Futhork

8. In what languages do we find Rune Poems?
   Old English, Icelandic and Norwegian

9. What caused the change in meaning of the runes as reflected in the Old English Rune Poem?
   The effects of Christianity

10. Why did the Elder Futhark not include any rune glyphs with curves or horizontal lines?
    It was intended for carving on wood which meant curves or horizontal lines would have caused a problem with the wood's grain

Reading

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Further Exercises

1. If you came up with an interesting rune, we would be delighted to see it. Don't be surprised if you struggled though. A rune is about much more than an attractive glyph. At the Rune School, the idea of modifying the Futhark is not unthinkable but nor is it something to be done lightly. Within the Elder Futhark there is a little of everything. It is very finely balanced. There is a harmony and a progression in the arrangement of the runes which any changes could easily destroy. Replacing a single rune means that something which was represented there must now be lacking. Whereas adding a rune brings to an end the symmetry of the Aetts. Both historically, and, as we will see in the next lecture, in modern times too, people have made changes to the runes but nonetheless for very good reasons, most rune readers choose to stick with the Elder Futhark. Our intention in this exercise was to give you a practical opportunity to find out why.

2. Hopefully you didn't find the examination too difficult and passed, however if you did not, our course team will contact you shortly to discuss the gaps in your knowledge and understanding which need to be addressed.

If you have any questions, comments or difficulties with the exercises and you have formally registered with the Rune School please email coursehelp@werewood.com