Gullög’s Runestone is found in Morby, a town in Uppland, Sweden. The stone was shipped from Morby to Paris in 1867, but it now resides in a park at Uppsala University. The translation of the runic inscription reads, “Gullög made the bridge for her daughter Gillög’s soul, who was the wife of Ulf. Öpir cut the runes.” There is also a prominent cross etched into the top part of the stone. The stone was created in the hope of both commemorating Gillög and saving her soul from eternal damnation. By erecting the stone, Gullögs also demonstrates her piety, as the stone served to inform passing travelers of her devotion to God. These goals exemplify the growing Christian tradition in Sweden. The Church encouraged road building in rural areas like this by declaring road building a charitable act akin giving alms out to the poor¹. Presumably there was a bridge or road nearby original location of the runestone, which served to credit the patron. The Church played a significant role in societal development in Scandinavia, and this focus on building infrastructure was only one small part of the transformation that Scandinavia saw under Christianity.

However, the runestone also signifies the presence of women with at least some power or wealth in society. It is actually rather significant that the runestone was erected by a woman, for a woman. Gullög certainly had enough money and influence to erect the rune stone, and then to build the bridge or road that was supposedly nearby. How she acquired this wealth is unclear, but the runestone stands testament to the fact that she was able to use it as she wished. In this case, Gullög chose to ensure salvation for her daughter.

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