Otte Matsson gives land and a share in a bathhouse for the souls
DN 5/962 · 14 Octbr. 1493 · Bergen
What the letter says
Otte Matsson, knight and commander of the royal estate in Bergen, gives on 14 October 1493 to the canons and chapter of Trondheim half a spann of rent in Gudestad on Byneset and his whole share in Berg's bathhouse by St Martin's Church in Bergen. The gift is for the canons' common table, for the salvation of souls and prayers for him, his wife, their children and the parents of both. He has handed over all the title deeds he had to the chapter's steward Master Gunnar. Archbishop Gaute, Bishop Hans of Bergen and Provost Christiern of the Apostles' Church seal the letter.
The letter in modern English
To all men who see or hear this letter, I, Otte Matsson, knight and commander of the royal estate in Bergen, send loving greetings with God and St Olaf the king. I make known with this my open letter that I have given and granted to the honourable men, the canons and chapter of Trondheim, for their common table [common household], half a spann of rent [land rent] in Gudestad, which lies on Byneset, and the whole share and property that belongs to me and my heirs in Berg's bathhouse in Bergen by St Martin's Church. It passes from me and my heirs and to the said chapter and their successors to own for ever, for the salvation of souls and prayers for me, my wife, our children and the parents of us both. And I have handed over to the honourable man Master Gunnar, their steward, all the title deeds that were then in my keeping, and further ones shall be handed over if more can be found. And I wish this my arrangement to be kept unbroken by my heirs and successors. For further proof and confirmation of this I ask the most worthy lord and father in God Archbishop Gaute of Trondheim, Bishop Hans of Bergen and Master Christiern, provost of the Apostles' Church in the same place, who were present when I made this arrangement, to hang their seals with mine on this letter.
Original text
Ollom monnom theim som thetta bref see eller høra heelsar iack Otthe Matzsson ridder ock høffwitzman wppa konungsgardhen i Berghen kærliga med gudh oc sancto Olaff konung. kunnogt gørande med thesso mino opno breffue ath iack haffuer giffwet oc vnt heederlighe men canike oc capitulo i Trondheim till theirris comwns bordhald ein halff spanna leiga i Gudhestadhe som ligger aa Bynese oc allan then lut oc eign som mig oc minom erffwingom tilkomer i Bergx bastwghen i Berghen wid Martheins kirkia
Background
Otte Matsson (Rømer) was the father of Lady Inger of Austrått and an heir of Junker Hans. In 1493 he served as commander of the royal estate in Bergen, the king's castle by Vågen. Gifts for the soul were common among magnates: land and income were given to the church in return for priests praying for the souls of the giver and his family. Half a spann of rent was a yearly land rent, and a bathhouse was a source of income in the town, where people paid to bathe. The title deeds (odelsbrev) were the proofs of ownership, and when they were handed over, the right to the property passed to the chapter. The letter shows that the Rømer family owned both land near Trondheim and buildings in Bergen.
People: Otte Matsson (Rømer)