Safe conduct for Bjarne's embassy to England
DN 19/409 · 23 juni 1297 · Westminster
What the letter says
King Edward I of England grants at Westminster in June 1297 letters of safe conduct for one year to the envoys King Eirik of Norway intends to send to him. They are the knights Bjarne of Bjarkøy, Tore of Leikvang, Jon Ragnvaldsson and Gilbert of Orkney, the chancellor Bård, Bjarne Lodinsson, Master Wayland de Stykelowe and the Franciscan friar Ivar. Ship captains, sailors, bailiffs and all the king's subjects are told to do them no wrong, damage or hindrance on the journey to England, during their stay or on the way home.
The letter in modern English
On safe conduct. The king to ship captains and sailors, and to all his bailiffs and faithful men to whom this letter comes, greeting. The magnificent prince the lord Eirik, illustrious King of Norway, intends to send to our presence on certain business Bernard [Bjarne] of Bjarkøy, Tore of Leikvang [«de Campis Ludi»], Jon son of Roland [Ragnvald] and Gilbert of Orkney, knights, Bård the chancellor, Bernard [Bjarne] son of Lodin, Master Wayland de Stykelowe and Brother Ivar of the Order of Friars Minor, as we have learned from the king. We have taken these envoys into our safe and secure conduct, in coming to us in England as envoys of the said king, staying there and returning from there to their own. We therefore command you that you do the said Bjarne, Tore, Jon, Gilbert, Bård, Bjarne, Wayland and Ivar no wrong, molestation, damage, hindrance or grievance in their persons or goods in coming, staying and returning, as is said, and as far as lies in you allow none to be done. In witness of which etc. [that is: we have had these our letters made patent], valid for one year. Witness the king, at Westminster [in the 24th year of our reign] on 13 June [DN dates the letter 23 June 1297].
Original text
De conductu. Rex Capitaneis marinariis et eisdem marinariis, ac omnibus ballivis et fidelibus suis ad quos presentes littere pernuenerint, salutem. Cum magnificus princeps, dominus Ericus Rex Norwegie illustris, Bernardum de Bercre, Thoriam de Campis Ludi, Johannem filium Rolandi et Gilbertum de Orkeneya milites, Bord le chaunceler, Bernardum filium Lodowici, magistrum Waylandum de Stykelowe, et fratrem Ivarum de ordine minorum ad nostram presenciam proponat pro quibusdam negociis, sicut ex
Background
Bjarne Erlingsson (c. 1248 to 1313) of Bjarkøy was a baron and councillor of the realm and often led the kingdom's embassies to England and Scotland. This was a large and distinguished embassy, with four knights, the chancellor of the realm and a learned master. Tore of Leikvang is Tore Håkonsson of Leikvang in Eidsberg. A Tore Håkonsson was the father of Elin Toresdatter, who married Bjarne's nephew Erling Vidkunsson, but whether this is the same man is not clear from the letter. In 1297 England was at war with both France and Scotland, and Norway stood in a difficult relationship with both. DN dates the letter 23 June, but the printed text has 13 June.
People: Bjarne Erlingsson