The pope commends his envoys to Erling
DN 6/119 · 30 August 1326 · Avignon
Erling Vidkunsson of Bjarkøy and Giske was drottsete in Norway. That the pope wrote to him on a level with the foremost Swedish magnates shows that he was seen as the man who governed Norway.
What the letter says
Pope John XXII writes from Avignon on 30 August 1326 a series of letters about two papal envoys, John de Serone and Bernard de Ortolis, who are to travel to Norway, Sweden and Götaland. King Magnus is told that his own envoys are now being sent home, and he is exhorted to honour the church and protect the weak. Duchess Ingebjørg, the archbishops, the bishops and the drottsete Erling Vidkunsson are asked to help the envoys. They are to collect the six-year tithe imposed at the Council of Vienne.
The letter in modern English
[1. To King Magnus] John, bishop, servant of the servants of God, to his dearest son in Christ Magnus, illustrious king of Norway, greeting and apostolic blessing. Some time ago our beloved sons, the noble men Bertrand de Sueiolis and Raymond de Lamena, your envoys, came to us and presented letters from your royal highness. We received the envoys and the letters kindly out of regard for the sender, and we understood with sound mind what they put forward on the king's behalf and what the letters contained. The envoys wisely set out the needs of you, dearest son, and of your realms and Christian subjects, to which you are said to be exposed through cruel persecution and hostile attacks from neighbouring realms of unbelievers. We heard it with great compassion, and they urged us diligently for an answer. But we were occupied in many ways by other affairs streaming in from all sides, and because we saw that it was expedient to send our own envoys there, we could not attend to the matter as quickly as we wished. Now we have seized the opportunity and send the royal envoys back, their business settled as well and usefully as could be done once the church's means had been discussed.
Original text
Johannes episcopus s. s. d. carissimo in Christo filio Magno regi Norweye illustri salutem et apostol. benedict. Dudum ad nostram venientes presentiam dilecti filii, nobiles viri, Bertrandus de Sueiolis et Raymundus de Lamena tui nuncii, nobis regie celsitudinis litteras presentarunt quos quidem nuncios et litteras benigne consideratione mittentis recepimus, et que pro parte regia curauerunt proponere, dicteque continebant littere sano collegimus intellectu.
Background
King Magnus had sent two envoys to the pope asking for help against heathen neighbours, probably the Russians in the east, and for a share of the church tithe for defence. The pope answers by sending his own collectors. The tithe had been imposed by Pope Clement V at the Council of Vienne in 1311 to 1312 for a crusade to the Holy Land, and parts of it could be granted to kings who fought unbelievers. Erling Vidkunsson received a letter on a level with the foremost Swedish magnates, which shows that the pope saw him as the man who governed Norway. The letters survive in the papal registers in the Vatican.
People: Erling Vidkunsson