<p>Abstract</p><p>The aim of this study is to describe similarities and differences in the inscriptions of runestones in</p><p>today's county of Kronoberg, the former county of Värend and, in addition, a part of the former</p><p>county of Sunnerbo. The study is based on 27 remaining runestones which are analysed through</p><p>choice of words and runes, orthography and decorations.</p><p>The section of choice of words and runes are categorised and based on the choice of choosing</p><p>one particular word over another and of choosing one particular rune over another. Orthography is</p><p>based on the spelling of five particular words; efter, sten, reste, hjälpe and och. Monophtongisation</p><p>is discussed and analysed. The section of decorations has two subsections; 1) crucifixes and</p><p>”suns”, and 2) other forms of decoration.</p><p>The study showed that the runestones had some significant numbers of similarities and</p><p>differences. The study also showed that the option of choosing one word, or rune, over another was</p><p>probably a conscious choice made by the runic inscriber himself. The spelling of the five words</p><p>revealed a limited number of spelling choices, and that monophtongisation had occurred in some</p><p>words. The majority of the runestones had some form of decoration, usually a crucifix, which were</p><p>categorised. However, attribution could only be made in a few cases, due to the limited amount of</p><p>criteria used.</p><p>Keywords: crucifixes, decorations, Kronoberg, monophtongisation, runes, runestones, Sunnerbo,</p><p>Värend</p>

Abstract The aim of this study is to describe similarities and differences in the inscriptions of runestones in today's county of Kronoberg, the former county of Värend and, in addition, a part of the former county of Sunnerbo. The study is based on 27 remaining runestones which are analysed through choice of words and runes, orthography and decorations. The section of choice of words and runes are categorised and based on the choice of choosing one particular word over another and of choosing one particular rune over another. Orthography is based on the spelling of five particular words; efter, sten, reste, hjälpe and och. Monophtongisation is discussed and analysed. The section of decorations has two subsections; 1) crucifixes and ”suns”, and 2) other forms of decoration. The study showed that the runestones had some significant numbers of similarities and differences. The study also showed that the option of choosing one word, or rune, over another was probably a conscious choice made by the runic inscriber himself. The spelling of the five words revealed a limited number of spelling choices, and that monophtongisation had occurred in some words. The majority of the runestones had some form of decoration, usually a crucifix, which were categorised. However, attribution could only be made in a few cases, due to the limited amount of criteria used. Keywords: crucifixes, decorations, Kronoberg, monophtongisation, runes, runestones, Sunnerbo, Värend