Knut Alvsson pledges Børøen to Archbishop Gaute
DN 1/995 · 28 Decbr. 1498 · Kastelle
What the letter says
In Kastelle monastery near Konghelle on 28 December 1498 Knut Alvsson, knight and commander at Akershus, borrows 200 marks from Archbishop Gaute of Nidaros and pledges the estate Børøen in Naumdalen as security. The archbishop is to have the estate for four years and deduct the land rent from the debt. If the estate is not redeemed within four years, it is to go to Nidaros Cathedral for the value set by assessors.
The letter in modern English (excerpt)
To all who see or hear this letter, I, Knut Alvsson, knight and commander at Akershus, acknowledge: I have now borrowed from the most worthy father Sir Gaute, archbishop of Nidaros, two hundred marks in money, reckoned at 16 shillings to each mark. Of these, 40 were David guilders, reckoned at 30 shillings each, and the rest in ready money. For these 200 marks I pledge to him my estate Børøen with the farms and properties that belong to it. His Grace shall have and keep Børøen and the Børø estate as a pledge for four consecutive years from now, on the condition that the land rent he collects and receives in these four years shall be deducted from the sum at 12 shillings for each pound of butter [uncertain interpretation]. If the estate is not redeemed within the four years, it shall fall to the holy Nidaros Cathedral as its property for ever, for as much money as it is worth according to the valuation of discerning men. This was the consent and good will of us both. For greater certainty that this shall be held firm and unbroken, I have my seal hung under this letter, given in Kastelle monastery near Konghelle on the fourth day of Christmas (28 December) in the year of our Lord 1498.
Original text (excerpt)
For alle the som thette breff see eller høre kiennes ieg Knudtt Alssenn ridder och høffuitzmand paa Aggershuss att ieg haffuer nu tagett till lens aff werdugste fader her Gauthe erchiebischop i Nidross tou hundritt marck penning xvi #S regnnett i huer marck, war ther wdj xl Dauids gildenn regnede for xxx #S huer thære thett andre alsamenn i rede penninge for huilkæ ij. march penning setther ieg hanom i pantt mitt gotzs Børiøøn mett the garde oc egnn ther tiill liggæ, skall hans naade haffue oc b
Background
Knut Alvsson of Tre Rosor was the son of Alv Knutsson and heir to the Giske estate, and as commander at Akershus he was one of the most powerful men in Norway. A letter of pledge like this was a common way of borrowing money: the lender received the income from the land as interest and repayment. That part of the loan was paid in David guilders, foreign gold coins, shows that gold coin was in use among the magnates. The letter also shows how the Church and the archiepiscopal see in Nidaros was a major financial player that could lend money and gather land. Four years later, in 1502, Knut was killed after the rebellion against King Hans, and it is unclear whether the pledge was ever redeemed.
People: Knut Alvsson