The Canterbury charm is an Old Norse runic charm inserted in the lower margin of an Anglo-Saxon manuscript (London, British Library, Cotton Caligula A.xv, folios 123v to 124r) from the year 1073.Macleod and Mees, Bernard (2006:120).
Inscription The runes are clear, and the transliteration of the runes is straight-forward (spaces between words not present in the original):
Similarly, the charm is translated by Macleod and Mees (2006) as: Gyril wound-causer, go now! You are found. May Thor bless you, lord of ogres! Gyril wound-causer. Against blood-vessel pus!
Interpretation The charm is intended for use against a specific ailment, described as "blood-vessel pus." MacLeod and Mees note that while Thor is not revered in surviving sources for his medical abilities, he was well attested as harboring enmity towards giants and as a protector of mankind. MacLeod and Mees compare the charm to the 11th-century Kvinneby amulet (where Thor is also called upon to provide protection), the formula structure of the Sigtuna amulet I, and the inscription on a then-recently discovered rib bone also from Sigtuna, Sweden.
Notes
References Gustavson, Helmer. (2010) Sårfeberbenet från Sigtuna. Situne Dei, 61–76. Relevant parts translated from Swedish by Mindy MacLeod. Macleod, Mindy. Mees, Bernard (2006). Runic Amulets and Magic Objects. Boydell Press
External links Cotton MS Caligula A XV