Knut Porse complains of Erling to the men of Bergen
DN 7/122 · [15 April 1328] · Sjøborg
What the letter says
Duke Knut of Halland and Samsø writes from Søborg, probably in April 1328, to the councillors and citizens of Bergen. He complains that the drottsete Lord Erling and the powerful men of Norway have taken from him the revenues and goods he received with his wife Ingebjørg. He asks the men of Bergen to persuade them to give them back. If they will not listen, no one can blame him if he reluctantly seeks other means to defend himself against the loss.
The letter in modern English
[Heading in the copy: Duke Knut's letter to the citizens of Bergen.] Knut, by the grace of God duke of Halland and Samsø, to the famous, provident and discreet men, the councillors and the whole community of the citizens of the city of Bergen, greeting in the Lord. We complain to your prudence that Lord Erling, steward of Norway, and the powerful men of that land have taken from us our revenues and our goods, which we obtained with full right and good reason together with Lady Ingebjørg, our dearest wife. This happened without anything we have deserved by word or deed requiring it, and for this we call the Most High to witness, whether anyone could find that we deserved it by any excess after the alliance was made between the said realm of Norway and us. It has been done to the no small harm and burden of us and also of our wife Ingebjørg. Therefore we ask you unanimously and many times over that you, with earnest urging and manly effort, kindly induce them, as far as your persuasion and prayer can reach, to bow to your counsel and requests and henceforth not meddle in seizing our said goods and revenues. They shall leave them to us, their rightful owner, as is right, in peace and quiet.
Original text
Littera ducis Kanuti directa civibus Bergensibus. Kanutus dei gratia dux Hallandie et Samsø, famosis viris providis et discretis, proconsulibus communitatique civium civitatis Bergensis, salutem in domino. Providencie vestre conquerendo demonstramus, dominum Erllingum Norvegie dapiferum, ejusque terre prepotentes, redditus nostros atque bona, quos meri juris integritate, et rationis copia congruenti, cum domina Jngeburge conthorali nostra karissima obtinuimus, nullis nostris meritis, verbo vel
Background
Knut Porse was a Danish nobleman who married Duchess Ingebjørg, mother of King Magnus, in 1327. It was precisely his influence that the magnates had complained of when they chose Erling Vidkunsson as drottsete in 1323. The Norwegian regency under Erling withheld the Norwegian revenues and properties Ingebjørg held, and here Knut tries to get the citizens of Bergen to put pressure on Erling. The last sentence is a veiled threat of force. The letter survives in a copy, and the date is uncertain, because it is unclear which St Dionysius' day the letter counts from.
People: Erling Vidkunsson