Lawman Herlog two days before Knut Alvsson's death
DN 15/130 · 16 August [1502] · Kjölestad
What the letter says
On 16 August 1502 Herlog, lawman in Viken, writes from Kjølestad to the district bailiff Peter Jonsson. He has been with Henrik Krummedike in Oslo, won his friendship and been told that the jurymen are to come to Oslo at once, except those from certain districts who are to stay at home as a local defence force. He says that Knut Alvsson was to negotiate with the Council of the Realm at a peaceful meeting on the Friday after St Lawrence's Day, but that he himself left before the meeting and does not know how it went.
The letter in modern English (excerpt)
Friendly greeting sent with Jesus Christ. Dear Peter Jonsson, you shall know that I have been with Sir Henrik (Krummedike) now in Oslo. He has promised me well and given me his friendship, thanked me for coming to him and asked me to tell you that you are to let the jurymen come to Oslo at once. But those from Lana ship district (skipreide), Saurebygden and Sten, Tungahæret and Stanganess are to stay at home and send no jury. They are to lie as a local defence force if it is needed, etc. Further, Sir Knut (Alvsson) was now to be in negotiations with the council of the realm on the Friday after St Lawrence's Day (10 August), at a peaceful meeting that had been agreed by letter. I left there on the Thursday before, and so I do not know how the negotiations went. With this I commend you to God and St Olaf. Whatever you wish, I will gladly do to the best of my ability. Further, I am now sending Hallvard to his mother. If he needs anything from you, I ask you lovingly to be so kind as to help him. Further, the letters that Hallvard has, and which Lady Anna is to have: Sir Henrik asked me to deliver them to you. Written at Kjølestad on the day after the Assumption of Mary (15 August), that is, 16 August, in the year etc. (1502). Herlog, lawman. Endorsement: Address: This letter is sent to the modest servant Peter Jonsson, district bailiff in Viken.
Original text (excerpt)
Wenlig helse med Iesv Christo forsænd Moghe j vithe kiære Pæther Jonsson at jek haffuer varet hooss [her Henric nw j Oslo han haffwer loffuet mek got oc giffuet mek sin venskap oc takkade mek thet jek kom til honom oc badh mek seighia ydher thet j skulle latha nempde mennen komma strax til Oslo en aff Lana skipreidhe Saurebygden [oc Sten Tungahæret [oc Stanganess skulla heima væra oc eingin næmpd vtgiøre [the [oc skula liggie til landvæ om behoff giørs etc. jtem her Knuth skulle nw wara til tals
Background
Knut Alvsson, son of Alv Knutsson who owned the Giske estate, had in 1501 rebelled against King Hans with support from Sweden. In the summer of 1502 he lay near Oslo and negotiated with the king's men under safe conduct, that is, with a promise of safety. On 18 August 1502, two days after this letter, he was killed by Henrik Krummedike's men, and later he was declared an outlaw after his death. The letter is a private letter that gives a rare glimpse of the days before the killing. That the lawman says he has been reconciled with Krummedike suggests that he had stood close to Knut's side or had been in doubt about where to stand. Jurymen (nevndemenn) were farmers who were appointed to sit in the court, and the local defence force (landvern) was armed farmers who were to defend the district.
People: Knut Alvsson