Safe conduct for Bjarne and the Norwegian envoys
DN 19/394 · 15 juni 1294 · Westminster
Bjarne Erlingsson of Bjarkøy, who through his wife also controlled Giske, was one of the kingdom's most used envoys. Here he receives an English safe conduct together with Audun Hugleiksson and Bjarne Lodinsson, but the letter does not say what the embassy concerned.
What the letter says
King Edward I of England grants at Westminster on 15 June 1294 letters of safe conduct for one year to the envoys of King Eirik of Norway, Audun Hugleiksson, Bjarne of Bjarkøy and Bjarne Lodinsson, for the journey to England, their stay there and the journey home. On the same day Duke Håkon of Norway, or the envoys he sends in his place, receive the same safe conduct. The king's bailiffs and subjects are told to do them, their retinue and their goods no wrong, molestation, damage or hindrance.
The letter in modern English
On safe conduct. Audun Hugleiksson, Bjarne of Bjarkøy and Bjarne Lodinsson, envoys of the excellent prince Eirik, King of Norway, have the king's letters of safe conduct valid for one year, in coming to the king in England on the business of the same prince, staying there and returning from there to their own parts. Witness the king, at Westminster on 15 June. Håkon, Duke of Norway, has the king's letters of safe conduct valid for one year, in coming into the king's realm, staying there and returning to his own parts. The same applies to the envoys whom the duke wishes to send to England in his place if he does not come himself, in coming and staying there on the duke's business and returning. Witness as above [15 June 1294, Westminster]. The king to all his bailiffs and faithful men to whom etc., greeting. Know that we have taken into our safe and secure conduct Audun Hugleiksson, Bjarne of Bjarkøy and Bjarne Lodinsson, envoys of the excellent prince Eirik, illustrious King of Norway, in coming to us in England on the business of the same prince, staying there and returning from there to their own parts. We therefore command you that you neither do nor allow to be done to the said Audun, Bjarne and Bjarne, with their household and goods, any wrong, molestation, damage, hindrance or grievance, in coming to us in England, staying there and returning, as is said.
Original text
De conductu. Audoenus Huglaci Bernerus de Berkereye et Bernardus Londouici nuncij egregij principis Erici Regis Norwagie in veniendo pro negociis eiusdem principis ad Regem in Angliam ibidem morando et inde ad partes proprias redeundo habent litteras Regis de conductu per vnum annum duraturas. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium xv die Juny.
Background
Bjarne Erlingsson (c. 1248 to 1313) of Bjarkøy was a baron and councillor of the realm and one of the kingdom's most used envoys. Duke Håkon was King Eirik's brother, who became king as Håkon V in 1299. Together with Audun Hugleiksson, the other great man in the government, and Bjarne Lodinsson, another experienced envoy, Bjarne made up a strong embassy. In the 1290s relations between England and Scotland were tense, and Norway had its own affairs with both, among them claims after the Maid of Norway, Margrete, who died in 1290. The letter does not say what the embassy concerned. In the Latin Bjarne is called «Bernerus de Berkereye», which distinguishes him from Bjarne Lodinsson, who is called «Bernardus Londouici».
People: Bjarne Erlingsson