Lady Magnhild exchanges fields on Voss
DN 4/1032 · 16 April 1499 · Finnen
What the letter says
Gudleik Vikingsson and Torfinn Eilivsson make known at Finne on 16 April 1499 that they have made an exchange of fields with Lady Magnhild Oddsdatter. Magnhild receives their share of field in Birke to own for ever, and they receive her share of field in Gygestein. The exchange is to stand without complaint from anyone. Laurens Torstensson and Magnus Halstensson, who were present, set their seals with Gudleik's, because Torfinn, who is Gudleik's in-law, has no seal of his own.
The letter in modern English
We who are written hereafter, Gudleik Vikingsson and Torfinn Eilivsson, acknowledge that we have made an exchange of fields with the well-born lady Lady Magnhild Oddsdatter in such a way that Lady Magnhild shall own and freely hold the share of field that we own in Birke, to own for ever. And likewise we shall own and freely hold in return the share of field that Lady Magnhild owns in Gygestein, to own for ever. And this exchange shall be kept and stand without complaint from any man. For further truth and proof I, Gudleik Vikingsson, then ask the discreet men Laurens Torstensson and Magnus Halstensson, who were present when this exchange of fields was made, to hang their seals with mine on this letter, because Torfinn, my in-law, has no seal. This letter was made at Finne on St Magnus's Day in the year of the Lord 1499 [16 April].
Original text
Thet kennis vy epter skriffne men Gwligh Vikinsson och Torffin Eliffson thet vy haffue giorth eith agher skypthe meth velbyrdigh quinnæ ffrw Magnildh Odzdotter i saa mothe ath ffrw Magnild skal eighe och frelseligh følgie then agerpart som vy eighe i Birke tiil everdelig eighe och sammeledes skulle vy eighe och frelselig følghe then agerpart ther mod som frv Magnildh eigher i Gygesten tiil everdelig eighe och skal thetta skypte holdes och bliffue akæreløst fore hverie manne.
Background
Magnhild Oddsdatter was still living at Finne on Voss, the seat she had brought into her marriage with Alv Knutsson. Exchanges of fields were common in districts where the fields lay in strips scattered between the farms, and an exchange could gather the land so that it was easier to work. A måg was a relative by marriage, for example a brother-in-law or son-in-law. That Torfinn had no seal shows that many farmers had to borrow other men's seals to make a letter valid.
People: Magnhild Oddsdatter