Alphabet
Alphabets of Old Norse.
Latin (normalized) + extra
a á b d ð e é f g h i í j k l m n o ó ö ø ǫ p r s t þ u ú v w y ý æ
After Christianization ~11–12th c., scribes added þ (thorn = th in thing) and ð (eth = th in the) plus length marks (á, é…) to fit Latin to Norse sounds.
Younger Futhark (16, Viking Age)
ᚠ ᚢ ᚦ ᚬ ᚱ ᚴ ᚼ ᚾ ᛁ ᛅ ᛋ ᛏ ᛒ ᛘ ᛚ ᛦ
Angular for carving stone/wood/metal. 16 symbols for a richer sound system — so t/d share ᛏ, b/p share ᛒ, many vowels share ᛅ/ᚢ.
Why two systems?
Runes were for short, durable inscriptions. Latin took over for manuscripts (sagas, Eddas) under Church influence — better for long texts. Modern editions use normalized Old Norse (Old Icelandic orthography) for readability.