Author: Nick Ibbitson
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The Wayland’s Smithy Ring
The First Artifact of the Wayland Cycle Some stories survive not because they are written in books, but because they become part of the landscape. High on the Berkshire Downs stands an ancient mound known today as Wayland’s Smithy. Built over 5,000 years ago as a Neolithic burial chamber, the monument long predates the Anglo-Saxons…
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The ORÐSTÍR and Warding Rings
The Rings These rings were made as companions to one another.Both draw on early Scandinavian runic traditions from the Viking Age, when runes were used not only for writing but also for marking meaning, memory, and protection. The designs are engraved using a modern tool – a laser – but the forms and ideas behind…
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Riding Through Tolkien Country
How a Motorcycle Ride Led Me into the World of Runes Sometimes inspiration arrives in unexpected ways. For me it began with a motorcycle ride through the hills, forests, and valleys of the Welsh border country. As a rider I’ve always enjoyed exploring quiet roads and old landscapes, and the route between the Forest of…
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Runes in Anglo-Saxon England: Symbols, Poetry, and Belief
Runes were more than a practical writing system in early medieval England. While they were used to mark objects, record names, and carve inscriptions, they also carried layers of cultural meaning that appeared in poetry, symbolism, and belief. In Anglo-Saxon England, the runic alphabet known as the Futhorc developed alongside the language of Old English.…
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Anglo-Saxon Futhorc: The Runic Alphabet of Early England
While many people associate runes with Vikings and Scandinavia, runic writing was also used in early medieval England. The version of the alphabet used there is known as the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc. Developed from earlier Germanic runic systems, the Futhorc expanded the original alphabet to better represent the sounds of Old English. It appeared on objects…
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How Rune Rings Are Made: From Plain Band to Engraved Symbol
Runic rings may appear simple at first glance, but each engraved symbol carries a long history of craftsmanship and meaning. From the selection of the ring itself to the final engraved rune, every step contributes to creating a piece that is both durable and personal. While the Vikings forged their jewellery using the tools available…
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The Story of Wayland the Smith: The Legendary Norse Craftsman
Among the figures of Norse legend, few embody the spirit of craftsmanship as strongly as Wayland the Smith. Known in Old Norse as Völundr, Wayland was said to be a master craftsman whose skill with metal was unmatched. His story appears in Norse and Germanic traditions and was passed down through poetry, sagas, and carvings.…
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Warding Runes: Viking Symbols of Protection
Across the Viking world, symbols were often used to express protection, strength, and resilience. Among these symbols were warding runes—marks intended to guard a person, object, or place from harm. While runes primarily served as a writing system, they were also associated with deeper cultural meaning. Certain runes came to represent ideas such as defence,…
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What Is a Bind Rune? Viking Symbols and Their Meaning
Among the many symbols associated with Norse culture, bind runes are some of the most visually striking. These symbols combine two or more runes into a single design, creating a mark that can carry layered meaning. Bind runes appear in historical inscriptions and have continued to inspire artists, craftsmen, and enthusiasts interested in Norse symbolism.…
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Younger Futhark: The Viking Age Runic Alphabet Explained
When most people think of Viking runes, the symbols they imagine usually belong to a runic alphabet known as Younger Futhark. This was the writing system used throughout the Viking Age, appearing on rune stones, weapons, jewellery, tools, and everyday objects across Scandinavia. Though simple in appearance, the Younger Futhark alphabet played an important role…