Editing Runestone (section)

===Effect of religion===
[[File:Sö 111, Stenkvista.jpg|right|thumb|upright|The [[Stenkvista runestone]] in Södermanland, Sweden, shows [[Mjölnir|Thor's lightning hammer]] instead of a cross. Only two such runestones are known.<ref name="Larsson176">Larsson 1999:176</ref>]]

In many districts, 50% of the stone inscriptions have traces of Christianity, but, in Uppland, which has the highest concentration of runic inscriptions in the world, about 70% of the 1,196 stone inscriptions are explicitly Christian, which is shown by engraved crosses or added [[Christian prayer]]s, and only a few runestones are not Christian.<ref name="Harrison192"/>

Scholars have suggested that the reason why so many Christian runestones were raised in Uppland is that the district was the focal point in the conflict between [[Norse paganism]] and the newly Christianized [[Monarchy of Sweden|King of Sweden]]. It is possible that the chieftains tried to demonstrate their allegiance to the king and to display their Christian faith to the world and to God by adding Christian crosses and prayers on their runestones. What speaks against this theory is the fact that Norway, Denmark, and [[Götaland]] did not have any corresponding development in the runestone tradition. Moreover, not a single runestone declares that there was any relationship towards the king.<ref name="harrison195">Harrison & Svensson 2007:195</ref> Additionally, the runestones appear to show that the conversion was a rather peaceful process.<ref name="Jansson120">Jansson 1987:120</ref>

According to another theory, it was a social fashion that was popular among certain clans, but not among all of them.<ref name="harrison195"/> Once some clans in southern Uppland [[Risbyle Runestones|had begun to raise runestones]], neighbouring clans [[Jarlabanke Runestones|emulated them]]. However, in parts where these clans were less influential, the runestone raising did not reach the same popularity.<ref name="Harrison195ff">Harrison & Svensson 2007:195ff</ref> Several scholars have pointed out the long Viking expeditions and the considerable amassment of wealth in the district. At this time, Swedish chieftains near Stockholm had created considerable fortunes through trade and pillaging both in the East and in the West. They had seen the Danish [[Jelling stones]] or they had been inspired by Irish [[high cross]]es and other monuments.<ref name="Harrison192"/>

The runestones show the different ways in which Christianity changed Norse society, and one of the greatest changes involved no longer burying the deceased on the clan's [[grave field]] among his ancestors. Instead, he was buried in the cemetery of the church,<ref name="Jansson116">Jansson 1987:116</ref> while the runestone would serve as a memorial at the homestead,<ref name="Jansson118">Jansson 1987:118</ref> but for certain families, there was less change as they had churches built adjoining the family grave field.<ref name="Jansson119">Jansson 1987:119</ref>