The chancellor grants the killer Orm landsvist
DN 1/806 · 26 June 1448 · Oslo
What the letter says
Gunnar Holk, provost of St Mary's church in Oslo and chancellor of Norway, grants Orm Bjørnsson landsvist in Oslo on 26 June 1448 after he had killed Arne Bjørnsson by accident. This is done on behalf of the regent Sir Sigurd Jonsson and the whole Council of the Realm, who have given the chancellor full powers in all cases of killing. Orm must make amends to God and to the heirs, and pay the king three thegn-fines and peace-purchases within twelve months, or he loses his leave to remain. Bjørn Somarlidsson is acquitted, and no one may take revenge on the two.
The letter in modern English
To all men who see or hear this letter, Gunnar Holk, provost of St Mary's church in Oslo and chancellor of the realm of Norway, sends God's greeting and his own. Because the well-born man Sir Sigurd Jonsson, knight, regent of the realm, and the whole Council of the Realm in Norway have given me full power to answer and act on the crown's behalf in all vandræde cases [grave cases such as killings], I have, to the honour of God and according to the proof [the witness statements] that follows here, granted Orm Bjørnsson, who became Arne Bjørnsson's slayer by accident [without intent], landsvist [leave to remain in the country]. This is on the condition that he makes amends to God and to the heirs of the dead man, and pays the king's demesne three full thegn-fines [fines to the king for killing a free man] and three full peace-purchases [fines to have his peace restored, uncertain interpretation of the number], and has paid within twelve months from this day, otherwise he has no leave to remain. The brothers and heirs of the dead man shall take settlement and fines from the said Orm by the judgement of the best men, whom the sysselmann (royal district officer) names from each side. Furthermore I judge by the authority of my office, and according to this proof, that Bjørn Somarlidsson is quit, free and wholly released from the charge that was laid on him for this deed.
Original text
Ollom monnom them som thetta breff se æller høræ sændher Gwnner Holk prowest ath Marie kirkiæ j Oslo ok rikens Noriges canceler q. g. oc sina. saker thes at wælboren man her Sigurd Jonsson riddare rikens forstandare ac alt rikens raad j Norighe haffuer fengit mik fulla makt at svara oc giøræ vppa krononnæ vægnæ vm oll wandrædis maall thwi haffuer ek i heder vidher gud oc effter thy proffwe som her fylgir giffwid Orme Biornssyni er Arne Biornssyni vart at skadhæ wforsynio landzviist med them
Background
King Christopher died in January 1448, and until a new king was chosen the Council of the Realm governed Norway with Sigurd Jonsson as regent. Sigurd himself was named as a candidate for the throne that year. The letter shows how the crown's right to pardon killings was exercised in this interval: the chancellor acted with powers from Sigurd and the council. Landsvist meant that the killer was allowed to stay in the country instead of being an outlaw, in return for paying fines. The thegn-fine (tegngilde) was the fine to the king for killing a free man, and the peace-purchase (fredkjøp) was the payment to have one's peace restored. The witness statements in the case were taken in Skien by Sigurd's own bailiff on 13 June (DN 21/446).
People: Sigurd Jonsson