Nils Lykke seeks protection from the king-elect
DN 16/574 · [8 April 1535?] · [Fosen?]
Nils Lykke, who for a time held the Crown's right in Giske, was fru Inger's son-in-law. Here he seeks protection from the king-elect, and his request for separate letters to fru Inger's kin shows that it was her family he had offended.
What the letter says
Nils Lykke writes, probably on Fosen around 8 April 1535, to the chancellor, who is probably Johan Friis. He says he has asked Duke Christian, king-elect of Denmark, for a secure safe conduct, so that he can take refuge with the king if he is attacked. He has also asked the king for gracious letters to fru Ingerd and herr Vincens, one to each of them, one to all her kinsmen and one to the archbishop in Trondheim. Now he asks the chancellor to help have the letters written as quickly as possible, and he signs with his own hand.
The letter in modern English
Dear herr chancellor. I lovingly make known to you that I have written to the mighty prince Duke Christian, king-elect of Denmark etc., my most gracious lord, and asked that His Royal Majesty will grant me his Christian and secure safe conduct, so that I may take refuge with His Royal Majesty in whatever attack might befall me. I have also asked for His Royal Majesty's favourable and gracious letters of recommendation to the honourable, well-born woman fru Ingerd and to herr Vincens, to each of them separately, and then one separately to all her kinsmen, and also to the lord archbishop of Trondheim. I have written the whole matter to His Royal Majesty, and from that letter you will learn more. So it is my most humble and loving request that you will act and do your best in this, so that I may have all the said letters written and made as quickly as possible. You may rely fully on my repaying and earning your trouble most kindly and lovingly. Dear herr chancellor, do here as my good faith in you is. I commend myself wholly, kindly and lovingly to you in every way. Again, farewell. (In his own hand:) Nils Lykke, knight, with my own hand.
Original text
Kere her Canceler, giiffuer Jeg etther och kerligen tiilkenne, att Jeg haffuer tiilscreffuit Stormechtug furste hertug Christiern wdwold koning tiill Danmark etc. myn naadugeste herre, att hans kongelige Matt. will wnde meg synn Christelig secker leyde, i hwad anffalld meg kwnne tiillffalle, att haffue tilffluchtt tiill hans kong. Matt.
Background
The letter is undated, and both date and place have been supplied by the editors with question marks. Nils Lykke was a Danish nobleman and councillor of the realm in Norway and had been married to fru Inger's daughter Eline. In the spring of 1535 his relationship with his sister-in-law Lucie was becoming known, and he sought protection wherever he could find it. Duke Christian had been elected king by part of the Danish Council of the Realm in 1534, but had not yet been accepted as king in Norway. The letters he asks for were letters of recommendation in which the king asked the recipients to show mercy. That he wants separate letters to fru Inger, Vincens Lunge and her kinsmen shows that it was fru Inger's family he had wronged. Shortly afterwards the councillors south of the mountains wrote that they would not sit in a meeting with him (DN 15/507).
People: Ingerd Ottesdatter (fru Inger)