Evidence on the purchase of Bø in Valdres
DN 4/159 · 18 January 1324 · Færin
What the letter says
Three men, Audun Guttormsson, Audun at Hval and Endride, declare that they received a letter from the drottsete Erling Vidkunsson ordering them to examine the case between Bård Hale, Sira Sigvat and their mother Ranveig. They came to Færin on the Wednesday before St Fabian's day 1324, that is 18 January. Ranveig brought witnesses that payment had been made for five månedsmatsbol in Bø. They received no further proof from her side about Bård's complaints on that occasion.
The letter in modern English
To all men who see or hear this letter, Audun Guttormsson, Audun at Hval and Endride hazsonger [uncertain reading of the byname] send God's greeting and their own. We make known to you that a letter came to us from Lord Erling Vidkunsson, drottsete to our worthy lord King Magnus in Norway, in which he bade us test and examine the case between Bård Hale, Sira Sigvat and Ranveig, their mother [the text has «his mother»]. We, the said men, came to Færin on the Wednesday before St Fabian's day in the fifth year of the reign of the said worthy lord King Magnus (18 January 1324). Ranveig had her witnesses testify that payment had been made in money for five månedsmatsbol in Bø. But we received no further proof there on that occasion from her side concerning any complaints of Bård's. Present at this hearing were Jon at Nes, estate steward of Lord Pål, and many other good men. In true witness we set our seals to this letter. [Note on the back: For Bø in Sellabu.]
Original text
Ollum monnum þæim sem þetta bref sea ædr hœyra, sænda Auðun Guthþorms son Auðunn a Huale Endri[der] hazsonger q. g. ok sina. ver gerom ydr kunnikt at bref herra Erlings Vikunna sonar drott[zse]ta vars vyrduleghs herra Magnusar konongs j Noreghe kom till var huært er oss baud at profua ok ranzsaka maal þæira Baarðr haala. sira Sigwaz ok Rannvæighar modor hans. komo mer fyrnæmdr menn till Ferinns oðensdaghenn nesta firir Fabiani mœsso a v. ꜳre rikiss adrnæmndz vyrduleghs herra Magnusar konongs.
Background
Erling Vidkunsson had been drottsete for barely a year, and as steward of the realm he sent men out to have disputes around the country clarified. Here it was a family dispute about the purchase price of land in Bø, which DN places in Valdres. The note on the back calls the farm Bø in Sellabu, and the place name Færin is hard to locate. Jon at Nes, who was present, was ombudsmann (estate steward) for a Lord Pål, probably a magnate with land in the district. The letter says nothing about the family's own estate, and it is included because Erling gives the order.
People: Erling Vidkunsson