"The rune stones of the Viking period were erected in memory of the dead – mostly powerful people – and their honorable deeds. The stones often stood near roads or bridges, where many people passed by.
The rune stones bring us very close to the Vikings. Their inscriptions feature the names of the people who lived and died at this time. They also provide information about the travels, great achievements and sad fates of these individuals. Rune stones are by and large only found in Scandinavia. Around 250 rune stones are known from Viking Age Denmark. Most of the Scandinavian examples are from Sweden, where there are over 3000 inscriptions.
The tradition apparently only became widespread in Denmark after Harald Bluetooth erected the large Jelling Stone for his father, Gorm the Old, and his mother, Thyra, around 970. Most of the rune stones in Denmark were raised in the period c. 975-1025.
The tradition of erecting rune stones was typically associated with the rich and powerful families of the Viking Age, but was not their exclusive preserve. For example, the Hørning stone, found close to Aarhus, displays an inscription stating that it was erected by an emancipated slave.
Stones that were raised by rich women, often commemorated their husbands. Many rune stones were erected for Viking warriors."
