Erling and Elin may choose their own confessor
DN 6/174 · 11 June 1345 · Villeneuve (v.Avignon)
What the letter says
Pope Clement VI grants on 11 June 1345 to the knight Erling Vidkunsson and his wife Elin in the diocese of Nidaros the right to choose a suitable priest as confessor. The priest may hear their confession as often as they need and give them absolution and penance. Excepted are matters that under church law must be put before the pope. The letter was given at Villeneuve near Avignon.
The letter in modern English
Clement, bishop, servant of the servants of God, to his beloved son, the noble man Erling Vidkunsson, knight, and his beloved daughter in Christ, the noble lady Elin, his wife, in the diocese of Nidaros, greeting and apostolic blessing. With kindly favour those things should be granted to you by which, as you piously desire, you may by God's grace attain peace of conscience and the salvation of your souls. Therefore, inclined to your devout petitions, we grant you and each of you by apostolic authority leave to choose a suitable and discreet priest as your confessor. He may, as often as you need it, hear your confessions carefully, give you due absolution for what you have committed, and enjoin on you a wholesome penance, unless the matters should be such that the Apostolic See must rightly be consulted. Let no one therefore infringe this letter of our grant [and so on]. Given at Villeneuve in the diocese of Avignon on 11 June in the fourth year of our pontificate.
Original text
Clemens episcopus s. s. d. dilecto filio nobili uiro Erlingo Withkunni militi et dilecte in Christo filie nobili mulieri Elene eius uxori Nidrosiensis diocesis salutem et apost. benedictionem. Benigno sunt uobis illa concedenda fauore per que sicut pie desiderare uidemini conscientie pacem et salutem anime deo propitio consequi ualeatis.
Background
Normally people had to confess to their own parish priest, but magnates could petition the pope for the right to choose a confessor themselves. It was a privilege that showed rank and connections. The popes resided at Avignon in southern France from 1309 to 1377, and such a letter cost both money and effort at the papal court, probably with the help of Norwegian clergy there. Erling was then about 53. Two days later the couple received another letter with the right to full remission of sins at the hour of death.
People: Erling Vidkunsson, Elin Toresdatter