GP 90 Fröjel kyrka

Context and Discovery
The stone was discovered by Beata Böttger-Niedenzu in 1983. Böttger-Niedenzu submitted her master’s thesis on Gotland’s picture stones to the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, and during the years 1981 to 1985, she visited the Gotlandic rural churches, discovering not fewer than 38 previously unknown picture stones, which she published in a brief catalogue in 1988. The stone from Fröjel church has been incorporated into the floor of the choir, just behind the altar, between the altar and the eastern wall of the choir. The western long side of the rectangular slab borders the altar, and its eastern long side borders the wall. Around 1300, the present rectangular Gothic-style choir replaced a Romanesque apsidal choir of the 12th century. The present nave dates to the 12th century, while the tower was erected in the beginning of the 13th century.

Measurements, Material and Condition
The picture stone has been trimmed to roughly rectangular shape, 1.02 m in length and 0.38 m maximum width. The surface of the grey limestone slab appears a bit dirty, partly covered by red rust spots, a large black spot just in the middle, and many scratches originating from different devices which are stored behind the altar (candle holders, a ladder, a chest, et cetera). Even though the surface has been somewhat smoothed by footsteps, the bas-relief is still in remarkably good condition and mostly discernable with the naked eye.

Description of Ornament and Images
The fragment bears the main part of a ship depiction, sailing to the right (i.e., north), its sail bordering the altar in the west. The hull of the vessel is not preserved; however, the stern and the stem, the mast, a small part of the sail and the rigging, as well as eight-armed crewman are discernable. The stern (to the left, i.e., south) is strongly curved and almost hook-shaped, while the stem is less curved and apparently ends in an animal head, which, according to Böttger-Niedenzu’s drawing, resembles a horse. Four crewmen to the left and four crewmen to the right of the mast are discernable. Except for the man next to the stern (the steersman?), all crewmen raise their swords, just as depicted on the fourth panel in the neck area of GP 253 Lärbro St. Hammars I (the ʻHildr panelʼ). Some of these warriors seem to wear headgear (helmets?) and chin beards. The entire lower sail and a small part of the left frame of the sail are preserved. Only a small section of the checkered sail itself is visible. The rhombi are slightly raised but their broad outlines are carved into the stone. The intersections of these outlines are marked with tiny raised rhombi. This elaborate design is the same as on the Type C/D stones GP 5 Alskog Tjängvide I, GP 21 Ardre kyrka VIII and GP 162 Halla Broa IV. Two ropes appear to be tied to the stern and the stem, running obliquely across the sail, probably towards the (not preserved) upper part of the mast. Two more ropes or sheets are running from both sides of the lower part of the mast to the lower framing of the sail. The left (southern) short side of the slab represents the original edge of the picture stone, preserving the border decoration with an interlace pattern. Overall, the bas-relief on the picture stone is remarkably well preserved.
GP 253 Lärbro Stora Hammars I
GP 5 Alskog Tjängvide I
GP 21 Ardre kyrka VIII
GP 162 Halla Broa IV

Interpretation of the Imagery
No interpretation

Type and Dating
The bas-relief, the dimensions of the monument, the ship motif with swordsmen and the interlace pattern certainly indicate a Type C/D picture stone (see VI), dating to between the 8th and the 10th centuries. The best parallel concerning the sword-waving crewman is GP 253 Lärbro St. Hammars I. The interlace pattern would fit into the ʻLärbro groupʼ as well.
GP 253 Lärbro Stora Hammars I

References
Böttger-Niedenzu 1988, pp. 7–8, drawing 4.

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