Henrik Åkesson writes home from Akershus
DN 10/290 · 8 Septbr. 1502 · Akershus
Henrik Åkesson was present when Knut Alvsson, owner of Giske, was killed, and was acquitted in the verdict that followed. In this letter to Krummedike's wife he mentions Knut only in passing.
What the letter says
Henrik Åkesson (Sparre) writes from Akershus on 8 September 1502 to his kinswoman fru Anne Rud, wife of herr Henrik Krummedike. He tells her that herr Henrik is well and unharmed, and that the expedition may soon be over, so that the realm can have better peace and quiet. The bishop and herr Henrik have got on well. He thanks Anne for offering to send a message to his wife in Denmark, and he expects that she will learn from her husband's letter how things went with herr Knut and his following.
The letter in modern English
Friendly and loving greeting always beforehand with our Lord. Dear fru Anne, kinswoman and especially good friend, you should know, God be praised, that herr Henrik is well and in good health and has come to no harm. With God's help this expedition may soon be ended, so that our gracious lord's realm may come to better peace and quiet than it has had in the time that has passed. I thank you kindly for your willing letter saying that you will help me get a message through to Denmark to my wife. I ask you kindly for this and will gladly repay it. You should also know in truth that the bishop and herr Henrik have got on very well on this expedition, so that they do each other much good. I know of no particular news here that I can write to you now, other than what I expect you will find in your husband's letter, about how things went here with herr Knut and his followers. With this I commend you to Almighty God. Command and bid me as you should. And wish your father many good nights, and Sophie. Written at Akershus on Our Lady's day nativitatis [the Nativity of Mary, 8 September] in the year of the Lord 1502 under my signet. Henrik Åkesson. Outside: To the honourable and well-born woman fru Anne Rud, his dear kinswoman, this letter is to be sent with love.
Original text
Venlig oc kerlig hilssen altiid fforscreffwet met wor herre. Kære ffrv Annæ ffenckæ oc søndherlig godhe wen mo j wide gud thesloff haffue at her Hinrick er karsk oc hilbrede oc skaee jnthet, oc kan met gutz hielp thenne reyse snarlige endis, sa at wor nadige herris rige kan komme til en bære ffrit oc rolighedh som nw i fforledhen tiidh [en nw j] før nw wærith haffuer, Tacker iek edher oc kerlige ffor edher weluilligh scriffuelsse atj sie atj wille flij mig budh fram til Danmarck til myn hustrv,
Background
Henrik Åkesson was one of those present when Knut Alvsson was killed on 18 August 1502, and he was acquitted by the verdict in Oslo eight days later (DN 5/990). The letter was written three weeks after the killing, and it mentions Knut only in passing. Henrik Åkesson leaves it to Krummedike himself to tell what had happened. According to the DN summary the bishop was probably Johan Jepsen Ravensberg of Roskilde. «The expedition» is the campaign against Knut, and the wish for peace and quiet suggests that the king's men saw the matter as settled with Knut's death.
People: Knut Alvsson