The archbishop on fru Inger, Lunge and the ship Bergergrip
DN 12/451 · 21 Oktbr. 1529 · Throndhjem
Fru Inger of Austrått and Vincens Lunge held Giske in these years and were in conflict with the archbishop. In the letter the archbishop defends his seizure of Lunge's ship Bergergrip, and he names fru Inger before Lunge when he refers to the dispute.
What the letter says
Archbishop Olav writes from Nidaros on 21 October 1529 to Esge Bille at Bergenhus and thanks him for his kindness in Bergen in the summer and towards the estate steward Jon Teiste. On the conflict with fru Inger and Vincens Lunge he explains that the envoys from Duke Christian have arranged a truce until the assembly of lords next summer. He took the ship Bergergrip because Lunge himself calls it his, and the matter of the ship will be resolved when they are reconciled. He also promises an account of the revenue from Helgeland and the arrears from Finnmark, and the clerk Mats is on his way to Bergen with the other prisoners.
The letter in modern English
Olav, by the grace of God Archbishop of Nidaros and legate of the Apostolic See. [in Latin] With friendly greeting sent before and our sincere favour. Dear Lord Eske, especially good friend. We lovingly thank you for the honour and kindness you showed us this summer when we were in Bergen, and likewise for the favour and goodwill you have since shown our estate steward Jon Teiste. We will gladly repay you for it. Further, dear Lord Eske, as you write to us wishing that the discord and dispute between fru Inger, Lord Vincens and us might come to a friendly settlement or to a safe truce, we lovingly let you know this: the high-born prince Duke Christian etc., our dearest most gracious lord's dear son, with the Councils of Denmark and Norway, who were gathered in Oslo this past summer, sent out the worthy father Bishop Hans of Oslo and the honourable and well-born men Lord Olav Galde, knight, and Peder Hansson. Among other missions and errands they were charged to settle and end this discord. And for the sake of the letters and wishes of the high-born prince and the Councils of Denmark and Norway we have conceded everything that was possible for us in that dealing, so that there should be a safe truce between them and us until the assembly of lords that is set for this coming summer.
Original text
Olauus dej gratia archiepiscopus Nidrosiensis et apostolice sedis legatusPremissa amicalj salutacione cum nostro sincero fauore kiere her Eskill besynderlig gode wen tacke wij ether kierligen for ære och dygdt szom i oss beuiste i sommers tha wij wore i Bergen och thesligest for gynst oc weluillighett szom i siiden haffue beuist wor wmbutzmandt Jon Teiste huelchett wij wille gerne mett ether forskylde Framdelis kiere her Eskill som i schriffue oss tiill begerindes att then twedrecht oc messemie
Background
In June 1529 Archbishop Olav Engelbrektsson had his men seize Vincens Lunge's ship, coming from Holland, off Bergen (DN 13/536). Here he explains that he regarded the ship as Lunge's property and thus as lawful prize in the conflict. Esge Bille was the new commander of Bergenhus and son-in-law of Henrik Krummedike, whom the archbishop mentions with thanks. Fru Inger of Austrått (died 1555) is named first in the conflict, before Lunge. Helgeland and Finnmark came under the fief of Bergenhus, which Lunge had held, and the archbishop's men had probably collected revenues there, so these had to be settled with Esge. The arrears were what remained unpaid of taxes and dues. The mention of «the other prisoners» shows that the conflict had led to people being taken captive on both sides, as DN 10/588 also describes.
People: Ingerd Ottesdatter (fru Inger)