Alv Knutsson and Lady Magnhild buy land in Fron
DN 3/979 · 13 June 1491 · Grefsheim
What the letter says
Alv Laurensson makes known that at Grefsheim on 13 June 1491 he sold a markebol in Berg in Fron in Gudbrandsdalen to Lady Magnhild Oddsdatter. He had inherited the land from his father, and it passed to Sir Alv Knutsson, Lady Magnhild and their heirs as their property for ever. He confirmed full payment, and five men set their seals together with his.
The letter in modern English (excerpt)
To all worthy men who see or hear this letter: I, Alv Laurensson, make known that I was at Grefsheim on the Monday before St Botolph's Day (17 June) in the year of our Lord 1491, that is, 13 June. Then I sold to the well-born woman Lady Magnhild Oddsdatter a markebol (land with a rent of one mark) in Berg in Fron in Gudbrandsdalen, which I inherited from my father. The land is secured and warranted against every man, with all shares and appurtenances [everything that belongs to it] that belong and have belonged to it from old and new, outside the fence and inside. It passes from me and my heirs to Sir Alv Knutsson and Lady Magnhild and their heirs as their property for ever. I also acknowledge that I have received the smallest penny and the greatest that came into our bargain, so I am well satisfied. For greater truth about this I ask for the seals of these trustworthy men together with mine on this letter: Torstein Olsson, Anders Staffensson, Elling Algudsson, Jon Gudbrandsson and Jens Eriksson. The letter was made in the year and on the day stated before.
Original text (excerpt)
Alle danne men som thette breff seer eller høre gør jek Alff Laurensson vytherligth ath jek var a Grefsin mandagen nesth fore sancte Botolsdagh anno dominj m cdlxxxx primo och seldhe velboren quinnæ ffrw Magnildh Odzdotther eith markebol jordh y Bergh som liggher oppo Fron y Gudbrandzdallen som jek erffdhe epther min fadher frelstedh och hemelth for hverie manne medh alle luttom och londom som (til) liggher och leghet haffuer fraa forne och nye vtan gardz och jnan fraa megh och mine ervinghe och
Background
Alv Knutsson of Tre Rosor owned Giske, and Magnhild Oddsdatter was his wife. Grefsheim in Hedmarken was one of their farms, and their daughter Karine Alvsdatter later lived there. A markebol is land with a land rent of one mark, a common unit for measuring the value of land. The letter is a deed of purchase and shows that it was Magnhild who concluded the deal. The letter shows that Alv Knutsson and Magnhild also gathered land in eastern Norway, far from Giske.
People: Alv Knutsson, Magnhild Oddsdatter