The Skjern Stone

Just by the porch of Skjern Church, stand two stones, both of which mention a certain Osbjørn. One is just a fragment, and the full text is unfortunately not known, but from what remains, we can read: “Osbjørn ... his brother/father ... Harald’s ..” The stone has been dated to the second half of the 900s, so it is not impossible that the Harald mentioned is King Harald Bluetooth. The stone is only 20km south of the Fyrkat fortress, built during the reign of Harald Bluetooth, so the king may well have travelled through these areas.  The other stone, found in the ruins of nearby Skjern Voldsted, is on the other hand complete. The full inscription reads: “Sasgerd, Finulv’s daughter, raised this stone in memory of Odinkar, Osbjørn’s son, the valued and loyal to his lord. A sorcerer [be] the man who breaks this monument.”  This stone, too, contains a royal reference, emphasising that Odinkar was loyal to his lord, which is to say, the king. On this stone, a Mammen-style mask has been carved, as on the stones at Bjerring Kirke 14km southwest of here, and at Sjellebro 30km west, south of Randers.