Division of inheritance in Skara after King Karl's daughters
DN 16/333 · 25. January 1500 · Skara
Knut Alvsson, who held Giske, appeared in the division on behalf of his children with his late wife Görvel Eriksdotter. Through her the children were great-grandchildren of the Swedish king Karl Knutsson.
What the letter says
Sigrid Eskilsdatter of Lindholm, widow of herr Nils Eriksson, makes known that on 25 January 1500, in the Franciscan friary in Skara, she held a friendly division of inheritance with the siblings of her children's father. They were herr Erik Eriksson of Fogelvik, herr Knut Alvsson on behalf of his children, Abraham Eriksson of Demstorp and fru Kristina of Byrum. The division concerned the inheritance after fru Kristina of Fogelvik and fru Magdalena, both daughters of King Karl. Sigrid's children received the manor of Tullgarn and a long series of farms across large parts of Sweden. Bishop Brynolf of Skara, the marshal herr Svante Nilsson and the lawman Ture Jönsson were present and sealed.
The letter in modern English
I, Sigrid Eskilsdatter of Lindholm, widow of herr Nils Eriksson, make known with this my open letter that in the year after God's birth 1500 I was in Skara in the Franciscan friary on St Paul's day [25 January] at a friendly division of inheritance among siblings with the siblings of my children's father. They are herr Erik Eriksson of Fogelvik, herr Knut Alvsson on behalf of his children, Abraham Eriksson of Demstorp and fru Kristina of Byrum, widow of herr Hans Åkesson. The division concerned the inheritance after our dear mother, fru Kristina of Fogelvik, King Karl's daughter, and fru Magdalena, King Karl's daughter, widow of herr Ivar Axelsson. May God have mercy on their souls. It concerned inherited land and purchased land, pledged land and town properties that have rightfully fallen to us by inheritance and been lawfully divided among us by lot and lot stick [drawing lots], so that we are all well content, each one separately, according to the law of Sweden. We all promise on our truth and good faith that none of us after this day shall hinder, trouble or in any way wrong another in this division that has been made. It shall stand firm on all sides as it has been lawfully divided and done in the presence of good men, who are the worthy father Bishop Brynolf of Skara, herr Svante Nilsson, marshal of Sweden, and herr Ture Jönsson, lawman of Västergötland.
Original text
Jach Segredh Eskilssdotter j Lindholm her Nilss Eriksons epterleffuerska gør viterligit met thetta mith opna breff ath Aaren epter gudz byrdh Md. war jach i Skara i Graabrødher kloster Sanctj Pauli dagh vtøffuer et venligit Syskone skipthe med myn barnes faders søskone som ær Her Erich Ericson i Fogleuik Her Knuth Alffson paa hans barns wegna Abram Ericson j Demstorp frw Cristin i Byrim Her Hans Aakesons epterleffuerska epter waare kere moder ffrw Kirstin i Fogleuik koningh Karlss dotter och
Background
Knut Alvsson's first wife, Görvel Eriksdotter (Gyllenstierna), was the daughter of fru Kristina Karlsdotter of Fogelvik, who was the daughter of the Swedish king Karl Knutsson (Bonde). Görvel had died before 1495, and so Knut appeared on behalf of his children in the division after their grandmother. Knut's children were thus great-grandchildren of King Karl, and through them the Tre Rosor family joined a Swedish royal line. A skifte is a division of an inheritance, and «lot and lot stick» shows that the parties drew lots for who got which share. This letter shows only the share that fell to Sigrid's children, and a separate letter from the same day (DN 18/168) confirms the whole division. The town properties had not yet been divided.
People: Knut Alvsson