Sønder Vissing Church

Halfway between Silkeborg and Horsens, approximately 12km south of Ry, lies Sønder Vissing Church, which contains two rune stones. One of these is particularly interesting, as it relates to the Jelling dynasty and to people we also know about from other sources. It was raised by Tove, the daughter of Mistivir and wife of Harald Gormsson the Good (the king we know as Harald Bluetooth), as a memorial to her mother. Tove’s father, Mistivir, was king of the Abodrites, a Wendish tribe who were important allies of Harald Bluetooth in his struggles against the Germans. The location of the stone, just under 40km north of Jelling, indicates that the new royal power had widespread influence.