Erling hands over Bjarne's soul gifts to Nidaros
DN 1/141 · 20 March 1314 · Nidaros
After Bjarne Erlingsson of Giske died in 1313, his nephew Erling Vidkunsson settled his affairs. The letter shows that Erling handed over the land Bjarne had given St Olaf's church for his soul, so that the inheritance could be divided in peace.
What the letter says
Archbishop Eilif of Nidaros declares on 20 March 1314 that Erling Vidkunsson has handed over to St Olaf's church in Nidaros all the land that Lord Bjarne of Giske gave for his soul in his testament. Erling has given up all right to the land, and the archbishop received it on the terms set out in the testament. The archbishop put his seal to the letter.
The letter in modern English
To all God's friends and his who see or hear this letter, Eilif, by God's mercy archbishop in Nidaros, sends God's greeting and his own. Be it known to all that we acknowledge and declare openly before every man by this letter that Erling Vidkunsson has delivered to us, and fully given up for himself, to the see and church of the holy King Olaf all the lands that Lord Bjarne of Giske gave there for his soul. We received them on all the terms and with all the points that his testament witnesses and sets out. In true witness we set our seal to this letter, which was made in Nidaros on the feast of the blessed Bishop Cuthbert (20 March) in the year of our Lord 1314.
Original text
Allum guðrs vinum ok sinum þeim sem þetta bref sea æda hœyra, sændir Eilifr mæðr guðrs miskunn ærkibiskup i Nidarose Q. G. ok sina. Þat see allum kunnigt at ver gangum þi viðr ok lysum openberlæga firir huerium manne vm þetta bref, at Erlingr Vikunnar son lauk oss, ok ser fullkomlæga afsiuiaðe, vndir stað ok kirkiu hins hælga Olafs konungs iardar þær allar sem herra Biarne i Gizska gaf firir saal sina þanigh. Tokom ver þær mæðr þeim hætte allum ok grein sem vattar ok greinir i hans testamento.
Background
Bjarne Erlingsson of Giske and Bjarkøy died in 1313, and his nephew Erling Vidkunsson, then about 22, was responsible for settling his affairs. A soul gift was land given to the church in return for masses said for the giver's soul. The letter shows that Erling actually handed over what his uncle had promised away, so that the inheritance could be divided in peace. St Olaf's church in Nidaros is the cathedral where Olaf the Holy lay, and the archbishop was the most powerful churchman in the realm. Cuthbert's day, 20 March, is the feast of the English saint and bishop Cuthbert, who was well known in Norway.
People: Bjarne Erlingsson, Erling Vidkunsson