 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.A number of historians have theorized that there may be a connection between the word "erulaR" (individual proficient in runes) in the proto-Scandinavian priesthood and the old Norse title "jarl" (chieftain, heir to the throne).This suggests that it is possible that those who were versed in runic arts formed their own secular upper class of learned runemasters.