Runemaster

[5] After the spread of Christianity in these regions, and the increase in runic literacy that followed, runes were used for record-keeping and found on things like weapons, ivory, and coins.

[2] Some attributions were given to runic skalds, or poets, indicating that many of the runemasters were likely authors of skaldic poetry and oral tradition who had connection to royalty by way of documenting their deeds and offering counsel.

[7] A number of historians have theorized that there may be a connection between the word erilaz (individual proficient in runes) in the proto-Scandinavian priesthood and the old Norse title "jarl" (chieftain, heir to the throne).

[8] This claim is corroborated by the geographical distribution of runestones throughout Eastern Norway,[9] but there is not enough linguistic or philological evidence to strongly support it.

Whether or not a linguistic link can be made, however, it is likely that the runemasters in Norway during the Viking Age would have formed an upper class due to their portrayal in ruins as near the top of the social hierarchy but still subservient to the chieftain.