Alv Knutsson buys land in Bolsøy and on Gossen
DN 1/984 · 28 Oktbr. 1495 · Giske
What the letter says
The lawcourt members Olav Olsson and Anbjørn Assersson from Romsdal were at Giske on 28 October 1495 and saw the handshake between the knight Sir Alv Knutsson and Østen Einarsson. Østen sold Alv and Lady Magnild Oddsdatter everything he owned in Bolsøy in Romsdal and in Ekrem on Gossen in Aukra parish. Østen confirmed that he had received the whole purchase price.
The letter in modern English (excerpt)
We, Olav Olsson and Anbjørn Assersson, members of the lawcourt in Romsdal, make known with this our open letter that we were at Giske on the day of the apostles Simon and Jude (28 October) in the year of our Lord 1495. There we saw and heard a handshake between the well-born man Sir Alv Knutsson, knight, on the one side and the modest man Østen Einarsson on the other. Østen sold Sir Alv Knutsson and Lady Magnild Oddsdatter everything he owned in Bolsøy, which lies in Romsdal in Bolsøy åtting, and everything he owned in Ekrem, which lies on Gossen in Aukra church parish, as the letter shows, from himself and his heirs to Sir Alv Knutsson and Lady Magnild Oddsdatter and their heirs as their property for ever. Østen also acknowledged that he had received the smallest penny and the greatest that was agreed in their purchase, so he was well satisfied. For further truth and proof we hang our seals on this letter, which was written in the year and on the day stated before. Endorsement: On the back, in a later hand: Letter about Bolsøy and Ekrem in Romsdal, which Sir Alv Knutsson bought from Østen Einarsson as property.
Original text (excerpt)
Thet kenis vi epther screffne men Olaff Olssøn och Anbyrn Asserssøn logrettes men y Romsdal gøre vy vitherligth med thetta varth opne breff ath vy vare a Gizskæ in die apostolorum Symonis et Judhe anno domini mcdxc quinto saghe och hørde aa handher bandh there aff eine halffue velbyrdigh man her Alff Knutzsøn riddher en aff andhre halffue beskedeligh man Østen Enerssøn, i saa mothe ath Østen forscreffne solde her Alff Knutzsøn och ffru Magnildh Odz dotter saa møkith som han otthe y Bøllisøn som
Background
Alv Knutsson of Tre Rosor had inherited the Giske estate after Junker Hans Sigurdsson in 1466, and here we see him at Giske nearly 30 years later, shortly before he died around 1496. Members of the lawcourt were sworn farmers who sat in the court and bore witness to agreements. The handshake was the legal act that made the purchase binding, and the letter is a witness letter stating that it took place. Such letters were made so that the buyer could later prove his right. The purchase shows that the Giske estate was still being enlarged with land along the coast of Romsdal, near the good fishing grounds.
People: Alv Knutsson, Magnhild Oddsdatter