The timeline for the runes is a bit complicated, I will only be mentioning their major events here but will be adding to the list as soon as I find more dates and events.
1300BC
Some of the Scandinavian rune stones have been dated to this period, although some authors of modern texts have stated that they may be as old as 2500 BC, although evidence for this is inconclusive.
400BC
This is the date that the Negau Helmet has been dated to. The Negau Helmet was named after Negau, near the Austro - Yugoslav border, where it was found and is the earliest use of runes on an object other than stone. It was discovered in 1812 AD, along with a group of other helmets, it being defined by an inscription in a mixture of Latin letters and runes. This has been translated as being dedicated to a war god of the period. So from this, the runes where in use as a common written text among certain tribes in 400 BC in Europe.
From this period to 98AD, the history of the runes remains quiet.
In the first century, Tacitus, author of 'Germania', chronicled the use of a lot casting system in use in Britain. He noted that: -
"… To the casting of lots they pay attention beyond any other people.. Their method…. is a simple one: they cut a branch from a fruit bearing tree and divide it into pieces which they then mark with distinctive signs. Then the priest of the community, if the lots are consulted publicly, or the father of the family, if the lots are consulted privately…Picks up three pieces one at a time and interprets them according to the signs previously marked upon them…"
6th Century AD
Runes where in common use in Scandinavia and the first runic objects where dated in Britain. The 6th Century was the date for an Anglo-Saxon cremation burial in Caistor-by- Norwich, Norfolk. This seems unremarkable until the grave goods are examined. Among the goods where 30 sheep anklebones, one of them marked with six runes.
The bone amulet of Lindholm, Sweden was dated to the 6th Century. This is the earliest example of the runes being used on a small object, which was possibly used as a charm or protection symbol. This bears the words "ek erilaR sa WilagaR hateka', translating as :- 'I am a Herulian, I am called the cunning one'.
9th Century
"…In the Mid - 9th Century, the Swedish king Arund was exiled and asked the Danes for help, offering to support them with his fleet of eleven ships on a raid in the east Swedish town of Birka. They found Birka unprotected with only the 'praefectus' Herigar in charge. The townspeople and himself took refuge in the town of Sigtuna. Herigar met Arund and handed over 100lbs of silver in ransom. The Danes, however, stayed, feeling they could get more from the rich town. Arund proposed to the Danes that they should cast lots to discover the will of the gods on wether they should plunder the town or not.
It continues: - As his words where in accord with their custom they could not refuse to adopt his suggestion. Accordingly they sought to discover the will of the gods by casting lots and they ascertained that it would be impossible to accomplish their purpose without endangering their own welfare and that God would not permit this place to be ravaged by them. They asked further where they should go in order to obtain money for themselves so that they might not have to return home without having gained that for which they had hoped. They ascertained by the casting of lots that they ought to go to a certain town, which was situated at a distance on the borders of the lands bordering to the Slavonians. The Danes, then, believing that this order had come from heaven, retired from this place and hastened to go by direct route to that town…"
The earliest rune poem, the Anglo-Saxon rune poem was also dated to this period.
13th Century
The Norweigan rune poem dated to this period. Also in the 13th Century, the Saga of Erik the Red was written. The author of this wrote: -
"…She wore a cloak set with stones along the hem. Around her neck and covering her head she wore a hood lined with white catskins. In one hand she carried a staff with a knob on the end and at her belt, holding together her long dress, hung a charm pouch. She wore calfskin shoes and catskin mittens to cover her hands at all times…"
15th Century
The Icelandic rune poem is dated to this period
In 1639 AD, the Icelandic Government banned the use of runes by law. It was then illegal to draw, carve or posses anything to do with runecraft.
Fifty years after this amazing occurrence, Olaf Rudbeck chronicled the use of Runestocks in Sweden. These, according to his description, where a small square wand of wood, carved with runes on each of the four sides.
1705
In Britain, a man called George Hickes published his thesaurus. In it he included a copy of the Anglo-Saxon rune poem as an example of an 'ancient alphabet'.
1731
The original manuscript of the Anglo Saxon rune poem is destroyed by fire
1852
The only complete British runic memorial gravestone was found when builders extended St Paul's Cathedral.
1902
A man called Guido von List, 'discovered' the Armenian rune system during a period of temporary blindness. This eventually became the basis for the use of Nazi rune lore during their reign in Germany thirty years later.
1944
a theory was suggested that they had developed from a mix of Latin and Etruscan. Of the three main theories of its development, the Northern Italic theory helps to explain its creation the best: -
"…In some Germanic tribe someone had the time and sense to create the Futhark from an Etruscan and Latin mix somewhere between c. 250 - 150 BC. Rune writing was not it's common usage so it's other use of lot casting or divination by chance is more likely to have been the reason for it's creation. This theory receives evidence from Caesar, Livy, Tacitus and Plutarch who all underline the importance of such rituals with the Germanic people…"
1970's
JRR Tolkien, an Anglo-Saxon scholar, published his books, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. These held many elements of Germanic lore, including runes, used to label the maps in the inside covers of the books.
1980's
The New Age boom. This saw a huge influx and interest generated in all things different. The runes enjoyed a brief respite here, but never really took off.
This, now 20 years ago, was the last major development in the history of the runes.
Like I said, it's a bit bitty. It needs more dates and places. If you know of any, please E - mail me with them and I will add them as soon as I can. I am working on adding all the dates for the rune stones in sweden to this list, so it should get miles longer soon!