Fru Inger hands over Knut Alvsson's estate in Nordland
DN 3/1145 · 1 May 1537 · Bergen
Fru Inger had held parts of Knut Alvsson's estate in the Northern Lands, probably his share of the Bjarkøy estate. In this settlement she hands it over to Truid Ulfstand, who pursued the case for his wife Gjørvel Fadersdatter, Knut's granddaughter.
What the letter says
Fru Inger Ottesdatter of Austrått announces in Bergen on 1 May 1537 that she has come to an agreement with Sir Truid Ulfstand. On behalf of his wife Truid is to receive back all the farms, estate and rents of Sir Knut Alvsson's estate in Nordland that Inger has held. In return Truid promises to answer to her before the king, the Council of the Realm or common friends when she wishes to bring her claims against him, and not to leave before he has given her justice. Christoffer Huitfeldt and Josef Falster seal with her.
The letter in modern English
I, Inger Ottesdatter of Austrått, make known with this my open letter that I have now come to an agreement with the honourable and well-born man Sir Truid Ulfstand that he now may and shall, on his wife's behalf, take back to himself all the farms, estate and rents that I hold of Sir Knut Alvsson's estate, wherever it may be found in Nordland. Sir Truid has promised and pledged to me that when I wish to bring a claim against him before His Royal Majesty, the Council of the Realm or before our common friends, Sir Truid shall come there and not leave again until he has given me settlement or justice for whatever I have to claim against him. This I witness with my signet below this my open letter, together with the signets of these honourable, well-born men, whom I kindly ask to seal with me: Christoffer Huitfeldt and Josef Falster. Written in Bergen on St Walpurga's day [1 May] 1537.
Original text
Jeg Jnger Ottiis dotter tiill Østrat gør wytterlygtt med thette miitt opne breff att ieg er nw szoo offwer ens worden med erlijg welbyrdijg mand her Trwytt Wlstand att han nw moo oc scal paa syn høstrws wegne anamme tiill syg ijghen alle te gorde gotz oc rente som ieg hawer *inge hos meg aff her Knwd Allszens gotz y huor som helst thet fyndes kand y Nordlandene oc hawer her Trwytt loffwytt oc tiill sagtt meg at nor meg løster ther om at tale hanem tiill ffor kongelyg magestat rygens rod eller
Background
Knut Alvsson was killed in 1502 and his estate was confiscated. Even so, his inheritance was disputed for decades, and his granddaughter Gjørvel Fadersdatter was now married to the Danish nobleman Truid Ulfstand, who pursued her case. The estate in Nordland was probably Knut Alvsson's share of the Bjarkøy estate and other northern Norwegian property the family had held since the Bjarkøy line. Fru Inger had been holding parts of this estate, and in this settlement she gives it up. She still reserves the right to pursue Truid over other matters, which shows that the dispute over the inheritance of Knut and Karine Alvsdatter was not over. The letter was written in Bergen, where Inger was staying in 1537 after the archbishop's men had taken Austrått (see DN 22/388).
People: Ingerd Ottesdatter (fru Inger), Knut Alvsson, Gjørvel Fadersdatter (Sparre)