Safe conduct for Skule on the way to the Holy Land
DN 19/209 · 29 juli 1233 · Westminster
Skule Bårdsson of the Giske family had vowed a crusade as early as 1226. This English safe conduct was to secure his journey towards Jerusalem, but Skule never set off.
What the letter says
King Henry III of England grants at Westminster on 29 July 1233 to the Duke of Norway letters of safe conduct wherever he travels through the king's dominions on the way to Jerusalem. The safe conduct is to last until he returns from his pilgrimage.
The letter in modern English
On safe conduct for the Duke of Norway. The Duke of Norway has letters of safe conduct wherever he passes through the king's dominion, on the way to the land (of Jerusalem), to last until he returns from his pilgrimage. Witness the king, at Westminster on 29 July.
Original text
De conductu Ducis Norwegie. Dux Norwegie habet litteras de conductu vbicunque transierit per potestatem Regis in eundo uersus terram (Jerosolymitanam) duraturas quousque redierit de peregrinacione sua. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium xxix die Julii.
Background
The duke is Skule Bårdsson (1189 to 1240), of the Giske family through Tora Skoftesdatter, who was then jarl alongside King Håkon Håkonsson. Skule had vowed a crusade as early as 1226 and received church taxes for it. The journey from Norway to the Holy Land could go by sea southwards along the coasts of England and France, so an English safe conduct was useful. The safe conduct has no time limit, which suggests that a journey of several years was expected. Skule never set off, and two years later he received a new safe conduct (DN 19/219).
People: Skule Bårdsson