The Pope grants an indulgence for visiting Giske chapel
DN 1/294 · 14 June 1345 · Avignon
What the letter says
In June 1345, at Villeneuve near Avignon, Pope Clement VI grants an indulgence of one hundred days to all who repent, confess and visit the chapel on Giske on the feast days of the Virgin Mary, John the Evangelist and Nicholas. The Pope writes that the forefathers of the knight Erling Vidkunsson founded, built and endowed the chapel with property. The letter's own dating corresponds to 11 June, while the editor gives 14 June.
The letter in modern English (excerpt)
Clement, bishop, etc., to all Christ's faithful who see this letter, greeting, etc. The splendour of the Father's glory, which lights the world with its unspeakable brightness, meets the devout wishes of the faithful with special favour when they put their hope in His most gracious majesty and their devout humility is aided by the prayers and merits of the saints. We wish the chapel on Giske to be visited with the honour it deserves. It is said that the forefathers of our beloved son, the noble man Erling Vidkunsson, knight in the diocese of Nidaros, founded, built and endowed the chapel with property, in honour of and in the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints John the Evangelist and Nicholas the Confessor. We also wish Christ's faithful to flock there in devotion, the more willingly the more richly they see themselves strengthened there by the gift of heavenly grace. Therefore, trusting in the mercy of Almighty God and in the authority of His blessed apostles Peter and Paul, we mercifully remit one hundred days of the penance imposed on them to all who truly repent and have confessed, and who visit the chapel each year on the feast days of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady, and of the saints John the Evangelist and Nicholas the Confessor. The indulgence applies to each of these feast days on which they visit the chapel. Given at Villeneuve near Avignon, in the diocese of Avignon, on the third day before the ides of June (11 June), in the fourth year of our pontificate, that is
Original text (excerpt)
Clemens episcopus etc. Universis Christi fidelibus presentes litteras inspecturis salutem etc. Splendor paterne glorie, que sua mundum illuminat ineffabili claritate, pia vota fidelium de clementissima ipsius maiestate sperantium tunc precipue benigno favore proseqvitur, cum devota ipsorum humilitas sanctorum precibus et meritis adiuvatur. Cupientes igitur ut capella Gizka, quam predecessores dilecti filii nobilis viri Erlingi Vithkunni militis Nidrosiensis diocesis sub honore et vocabulo beate
Background
Erling Vidkunsson of Bjarkøy and Giske had been drottsete (steward of the realm), that is, regent, for King Magnus Eriksson from 1323 to 1332. At this time the popes resided in Avignon in southern France. A papal letter of indulgence (avlat) was something a powerful man had to apply and pay for, so the letter probably shows that Erling himself was behind the application. An indulgence meant that part of the penance for sins was remitted, and it was meant to make people go on pilgrimage to the chapel and give gifts. The letter is an important witness that the church on Giske was the family's own church, and to which saints it was dedicated. That the forefathers founded the chapel is what the Pope had been told, and the letter does not say when it happened.
People: Erling Vidkunsson