Erling Vidkunsson chosen to govern the realm
DN 7/100 · 20 February 1323 · Oslo
This is the letter by which Erling Vidkunsson of Bjarkøy and Giske became drottsete, the man who governed the realm for the young King Magnus. The magnates chose him because they were dissatisfied with the government after Håkon V died.
What the letter says
In Oslo on 20 February 1323 Archbishop Eilif, three bishops and a long line of magnates and king's sworn men declare that they are dissatisfied with how the realm has been governed since Håkon V died. The king's treasure is scattered, the treasuries are empty, peace with Denmark has been broken through Knut Porse, and the law and the king's seal have been misused. They promise to stand together for King Magnus and give the archbishop authority to choose a leader. At a meeting of the hird, Lord Erling Vidkunsson is chosen, with full power over the treasuries, the districts and the royal offices.
The letter in modern English
[Heading in the copy: How King Håkon's goods were squandered.] To all God's friends and theirs, living and to come, who see or hear this letter and dwell in the realm of the king of Norway, Eilif, by God's mercy archbishop in Nidaros, Hallvard, Salomon and Jon, by the same mercy bishops in Hamar, Oslo and Skálholt, Erling Vidkunsson, Ivar Olavsson, Pål Eiriksson, Håkon Toresson, Finn Ogmundsson, Bjørn Ogmundsson, Arne Ormsson, Trond Skage, Smid Eiriksson, Anund at Skjelbred, Håkon Ogmundsson, Øystein Arnesson, Andres Sigurdsson, Torvard Håvardsson, Olav Ivarsson, Øyvind Salesson, Eirik Topp, Tord bonde, Tore the lawman, Pål the lawman, Torald the lawman, Ragnvald Håkonsson, Guttorm Eiriksson, Arne Gjavaldsson, Gudbrand Gudbrandsson, Eindride Svale, Havtore Graut, Gudbrand Mylsan, Jammællter Toresson [uncertain reading], Pål Mattiasson, Ogmund Skolle, Gudleik Eindridesson, Orm in Beinagarden, Amunde Andresson, Jon Gudmundsson, Øystein Gudmundsson, Mattias at Løten, Øystein Gislesson, Dagfinn Tovesson, Egil Sur, Kolbjørn Gamalsson, Alv in the Monastery and all other king's sworn men send God's greeting and their own.
Original text
Quomodo bona regis Haquini erant dilapidata. Allum mannum verandum ok viðr komandum guðs vinum ok sinum, þeim sæm þetta bref sea æda hœyra, oc Noregs konongs riki byggia, senda Eilifer med guds miskunn erkibiskup i Nidarose, Halluarðr, Salamon ok Jon, med samre miskunn, biskupar i Hamre, Oslo, ok Skalaholte, Erlinger Vikunnarson Jwar Olafsson, Paall Eiriksson, Hakon Þoresson, Finner Ogmunðrson, Biorn Ogmunðrson, Arne Ormsson, Þronðr skage, Smiðr Eiriksson, Anunðr a Skiælldbræid, Hakon
Background
When Håkon V died in 1319, his grandson Magnus Eriksson, three years old, became king of both Norway and Sweden. His mother, Duchess Ingebjørg, and her close adviser, the Danish nobleman Knut Porse, gained great influence, and many Norwegian magnates disliked it. This letter is the basis on which Erling Vidkunsson, about 31 years old, became drottsete (steward of the realm), the man who governed on the king's behalf. The fehirdsle was the king's treasury, a sysle was a district under a royal officer, and the king's sworn men (handgangne menn) were men who had sworn loyalty to the king. Haugating was the thing (assembly) at Tønsberg where Magnus was taken as king in 1319. The letter survives only in copies, and the copyist gave it the heading about how King Håkon's goods were squandered.
People: Erling Vidkunsson