We are very pleased to be offering tours of Delapre abbey as part of our launch event on September the 15th in Northampton. #events #whatson #northamptonshire #nene #nenevalleyfestival #neneriver #nenelake #familys #fun #active #community
A gold ring was found in the Nene River near Peterborough in 1855 [1]. Dated from AD 700-900, the ring has two circular bezels set across from each other on the hoop with three granules of gold applied to each side. Now in the British Museum, the Nene River finger-ring is seen as a beautiful example of late Anglo-Saxon artistry, however, the incised decoration seems to imply a Viking influence.
Incised and set with niello are geometric patterns on the outside of both bezels as well as the the hoop. On one bezel is a delicate pattern of intersecting circles and loops, combining in the centre in a quatrefoil motif. On the other side is a design of three intersecting triangles. This design, which has commonly been described without an interpretation, is a clear imitation of the Old Norse symbol for Valknut, an image of the occult.
Often accompanied with representations of the god Odin in Scandinavian artwork, Valknut is assumed to signify death and ideas surrounding death, including the afterlife, battle, and sacrifice [2]. Pronounced as Val-knoot, it is comprised of a rendition of valr, meaning ‘the dead’ or ‘the slain,’ and knut, meaning “knot,” therefore literally meaning “the knot of the dead/slain” [3,4]. Valknut has been found on numerous rune stones and objects in Scandinavia including the famous Oseberg ship burial, the grave of a prominent Viking lady. Engraved onto a bedpost that was buried with the ship in AD 834 [5].
Apart from the Nene River finger-ring, it has also been found on 10th century hogback grave markers in Yorkshire and a stone cross from Andreas, on the Isle of Man. On the 9th century Larbro picture stone in Gotland, Sweden, Valknut can be seen towards the top of the slab above a figure lying face down on a pyre [5]. Whether this is a representation of a human sacrifice to the god Odin or a funeral for a fallen warrior, it is difficult to say. The presence of birds on the stone could furthermore symbolize Odin, as he is often personified as an eagle, as well as two ravens. Regardless of the uncertain interpretation of the Larbro stone, Valknut very clearly is associated with the ideas of death, warriors, and of possibly the spirit of the fallen rising up into Valhalla.
So what does this mean for the Nene River ring? The interlaced triangle design has been interpreted as an amulet to distract the evil eye and keep malicious spirits away with confusing lines [6]. With this new interpretation as the Valknut, a very Scandinavian icon, the Nene River finger-ring appears to have been influenced by Viking artistry. Being as the Vikings rarely used gold for their ornaments, preferring silver, and the craftsmanship of the finger-ring closely resembles other intricate gold rings dated to the Late Anglo-Saxon period in Britain (ie. the gold rings found in the West Yorkshire Hoard, the Berkeley Castle ring, and the unprovenanced “Joan Evans ring” in the Ashmolean), we can say that the ring is of Anglo-Saxon make.
The artistic influence of the Scandinavian immigrants in Britain beginning in the late 8th century can readily be seen on the more frequent items such as brooches, whilst the smaller and more scarce finger-rings have evidence that is not so obvious. The Nene River ring is just one of these that can be given a Scandinavian inspiration, and other finger-rings that I have studied will be discussed in future entries.
References:
1. Johnson, C. 2014. A Typological Assessment of Late Anglo-Saxon and Viking-Age Finger-Rings from Britain Dating from AD 600-1100 (Unpublished master’s thesis). University College London. London, UK.
2. Stone, A. 1999. The Knots of Death. Internet Book of Shadows. http://www.sacred-texts.com/bos/bos649.htm
3. The Viking Rune. http://www.vikingrune.com/2009/01/valknut-viking-symbol/
4. McCoy, D. The Valknut. Norse Mythology for Smart People. http://norse-mythology.org/symbols/the-valknut/
5. Borromean Triangles: A Viking Symbol. 2007. http://www.liv.ac.uk/~spmr02/rings/vikings.html
6. Meaney, A.L. 1981. Anglo-Saxon Amulets and Curing Stones. British Archaeological Reports, British Series, 96. Oxford.
Images:
The pictures of the Nene River ring have been retrieved from its description on the British Museum website. http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=85521&partId=1
