Vidkunn thanks King Edward for his hospitality
DN 19/314 · 25 mars [1285?] · Bergen
Vidkunn Erlingsson of the Bjarkøy family was the brother of Bjarne Erlingsson and father of Erling Vidkunsson, who later gathered the Giske estate. Here Vidkunn thanks the English king for the welcome the brothers received in England on King Eirik's business.
What the letter says
The knight Vidkunn of Bjarkøy writes in Bergen on Easter Day, probably in 1285, to King Edward I of England. He thanks him as best he can for all the comfort and courtesy the king recently showed him, when he and his brother Bjarne were in England on business for King Eirik of Norway. He offers the king himself and what is his, adding that it is little, but that he has no more.
The letter in modern English
To the magnificent prince and lord of most serene nobility, E[dward], by the grace of God illustrious King of England, Vidkunn of Bjarkøy, knight, sends greeting and, with all reverence, service ready for his commands. If not as great thanks as I owe, for that I cannot manage, yet I give as great thanks as I can to the royal lordship and graciousness for the manifold comfort and display of courtesy recently shown to me, when B[jarne], my full brother, and I were with you on business to be settled for our lord E[irik], by the grace of God illustrious King of Norway. I therefore offer myself and what is mine to your pleasure, and if it is little, yet I have no more. Given at Bergen at the Easter feast. May the magnificence of your lordship live and flourish for long ages.
Original text
Serenissime Nobilitatis magnifico principi et domino, E[dwardo] Dei gracia Regi Anglie jllustri, Vinianus de Berkle miles Salutem, et cum omni Reuerencia paratum suis jmperiis famulatum, et si non quantas debeo quia non sufficio, tamen quantas valeo Dominacioni et dignacioni Regie exhibeo graciarum actiones, pro multiplici solacio et curialitatis indicione mihi nuper impenso, cum vobiscum B[ernerus] frater meus germanus et ego eramus pro negociis domini nostri, E[rici], Dei gracia illustris
Background
Vidkunn Erlingsson (died c. 1302) and his brother Bjarne Erlingsson (c. 1248 to 1313) were of the Bjarkøy family and both sat in the government for the young King Eirik Magnusson. They were in England in 1284 to renew the alliance between the kingdoms (DN 19/311), and this letter of thanks was probably written after they came home. Easter Day fell on 25 March in 1285, which fits DN's dating. The letter is written in the polite and humble style usual in letters to kings. Vidkunn calls himself «de Berkle», of Bjarkøy, as the family was known abroad.
People: Vidkunn Erlingsson, Bjarne Erlingsson