The Pope is to secure the settlement on dividing the kingdom
DN 1/15 · 11 Oktbr. 1234 · Perugia
Skule Bårdsson of the Giske family was King Håkon's father-in-law and had received a third of the country when they divided the kingdom. Here he asks the Pope to secure the settlement, to safeguard his own share.
What the letter says
Pope Gregory IX writes at Perugia on 11 October 1234 to Archbishop Sigurd of Nidaros and Bishops Arne of Bergen and Orm of Oslo. Duke Skule has informed the Pope that a dispute arose between him and King Håkon over the division of Norway, but that it was settled amicably with the help of good men. At Skule's request the Pope orders the bishops to see to it, by church penalties, that the settlement is kept. They must not, however, place the kingdom under excommunication or interdict without a special order from the Pope.
The letter in modern English
Bishop Gregory etc. to Archbishop [Sigurd] of Nidaros and Bishops [Arne] of Bergen and [Orm] of Oslo. It has come to our ears from our beloved son, the noble man [Skule], Duke of Norway, that when formerly a dispute arose between our dearest son in Christ [Håkon], the illustrious King of Norway, and himself over the division of the kingdom of Norway, it was at last settled by amicable agreement through the mediation of good men. Therefore the same nobleman has humbly asked us to have this settlement firmly observed, as it is said to be contained more fully in the instruments drawn up concerning it. Since the canons decree that lawful settlements confirmed by the assent of the parties shall be held valid, we command your brotherhood by apostolic letter that you have this settlement firmly observed by ecclesiastical censure, without appeal, as it was prudently made without deceit and freely accepted by both parties. But take care not to pronounce a sentence of excommunication or interdict on the kingdom of Norway unless you have received a special order from us on this. If not all of you, then two of you etc. Given at Perugia five days before the ides of October [11 October] in the eighth year [1234].
Original text
Gregorius episcopus etc. [Sigurdo] archiepiscopo Nidrosiensi, et [Arnoni] Bergensi, et [Ormo] Asloensi episcopis. Ex parte dilecti filii nobilis viri [Sculonis] ducis Norwegie nostris est auribus intimatum, quod cum olim inter carissimum in Christo filium nostrum [Haquinum] Norwegie regem illustrem ac ipsum super divisione regni Norwegie questio exorta fuissset, tandem mediantibus bonis viris amicabili fuit compositione sopita.
Background
Skule Bårdsson (1189 to 1240), of the Giske family through Tora Skoftesdatter, was jarl and father-in-law of King Håkon Håkonsson. Relations between the two grew worse as Håkon grew up and wished to rule himself, and they divided the kingdom between them so that Skule received a third of the country. The letter shows that Skule wanted the Pope as guarantor of the agreement, to secure his share. An interdict meant that all services and sacraments in an area were stopped, and was a very hard penalty. The Pope did not want the bishops to use it against the whole kingdom without his consent. Five years later Skule nevertheless rebelled, took the title of king in 1239 and was killed in Nidaros in 1240.
People: Skule Bårdsson