Knut Alvsson wants to crush the peasant rising with Krummedike
DN 2/997 · 16 Decbr 1497 · Akershus
What the letter says
On 16 December 1497 the knight Knut Alvsson writes from Akershus to Henrik Krummedike, commander at Båhus. He denies that he has taken a ship and goods from Krummedike without payment and promises that they will come to terms over it. The common people south of the mountains have risen in revolt, and Knut proposes that they meet in Borgarsyssel with two hundred horses or more, crush the rising there and then move on up into the country. He asks for a quick answer.
The letter in modern English (excerpt)
Friendly greeting sent with God. Sir Henrik, you shall know that I have received your letter in which you mention that I am supposed to have taken a ship and some goods from you. I have not taken that except against payment. When, God willing, we come to speak with each other, we shall surely come to terms over ship and goods, even if it were more still. You shall also know that the common people throughout this land south of the mountains have made a great rising. It would be very good if something were done about such a matter. If it suits you to come here to this part of the country, send me word of the time, and I will meet you in Borgarsyssel (Borgesyssel, today Østfold). Then we can both ride out with two hundred horses or more and together first crush them there, and then move on up into the country. It may well also benefit us both in return, if we agree to put an end to the commotion they have begun. If you cannot come here, and you have planned another journey, send me word whether I should come to you there and accompany you further, or how you wish to arrange the matter, so that I know what to go by. Be so kind as to let me have a sure answer on this without delay. With this I commend you to God. From Akershus on the Saturday after St Lucy's Day (13 December), that is, 16 December, in the year of our Lord 1497. Knut Alvsson, knight. Endorsement: Address: To the honourable and well-born man Sir Henrik Krummedike, knight and commander at
Original text (excerpt)
Venligh helsen forsenth meth gudh. Maa i widhe her Henrick ath jegh fik edher scriuelse i hwilke i røre ath jegh skulle tagedh eeth skiib och noghet gotz edher iffraa: ekke haffuer jek taghet thet vdhen paa myn betalingh nar gudh vil wij komme hwerandhen tiil ordh ville wij vel fforliges om for skib oc gotz wore thet æn mere.maa i oc widhe ath thenne almwe ower alt thette landh syndhen fieltz haffue giorth stor opreysniingh och wore thet meghet goth ath swadhan ærendhe wore ffor stilledhe wore e
Background
Knut Alvsson was the son of Alv Knutsson of Tre Rosor, who owned the Giske estate, and in 1497 he was commander at Akershus, the king's most important castle in eastern Norway. King Hans was occupied with the war over Sweden, and the burden of taxation led to peasant risings in several places, eastern Norway among them, that year. Henrik Krummedike was a Danish-Norwegian magnate who held Båhus as his fief, and the two were neighbours in the power play in Viken. The letter is a private letter, and it shows that the two were still cooperating in 1497. A few years later they became opponents: Knut rebelled against King Hans, and in August 1502 he was killed by Krummedike's men under safe conduct near Oslo. Borgarsyssel is present-day Østfold.
People: Knut Alvsson