Bishop Håkon informs Erling Vidkunsson of a meeting with the king
DN 7/165 · 21 March 1339 · Bergen
What the letter says
On Palm Sunday, 21 March 1339, Bishop Håkon of Bergen writes to Sir Erling Vidkunsson. He has received a letter from King Magnus about a meeting on 15 August between the king and Sigurd Havtoresson and several others, and the king demands that the bishop come. Sir Ivar has also written about the meeting, and the bishop expects that the archbishop and Erling will be summoned. He misses news from Bjarne and greets Lady Elin and the daughters.
The letter in modern English (excerpt)
To Sir Erling. Let it be known to you that on St Gregory's Day (12 March) now this spring we received a letter from our worthy lord King Magnus. There we first learned of the day that has been agreed between him on the one side and Sigurd Havtoresson and some others on the other, for the first feast of Mary (15 August) this summer. My lord said that he had done this for the benefit and good of the common people. Therefore he said that he wanted us to come to him without any excuse, if we would do anything for his sake and the realm's. It was also added that we must on no account let that day pass us by. The same day Sir Ivar informed us in his letter of the same meeting day. He also said that Sigurd rode to the king on behalf of them both [uncertain interpretation]. Sir Ivar asked and advised us to come to this meeting, and we also expect that the lord archbishop, you and other good men will be summoned there. For a long time we have had no word from our Bjarne, whom we would gladly hear is well and in good health, as God may let us know. We gladly greet Lady Elin and your daughters and the whole household. God keep you now and always. Ask us for what you wish. Written in Bergen on Palm Sunday (21 March) 1339.
Original text (excerpt)
Ad dominum Erlingum. Yðr se kunnight at a Gregorius mœsso dagh nu er var fenghom ver bref vaars virdulegs herra Magnusar konungs j hwæriu er ver undirstodom fyrst dagh þan. er tekin er a hans vegna af æinni haulfw ok Sighurdar Hafþoressonar ok nokora annara flæiri af annare til Mariemœsso fyrri j sumar. hwæzst min herra þat hafua gort fyrir gagn ok nytsemd aalmugans. þui sagdezst han vilia. at ver til hans kœmem vttan oll forfoll. so framt sem ver vildim nokot firir hans ok rikisens skyld gera.
Background
Erling Vidkunsson (died 1355) had been drottsete from 1323 to 1332 and was still one of the most powerful magnates in the country. King Magnus Eriksson ruled both Norway and Sweden, and his absence from Norway created discontent among the Norwegian magnates. The meeting in August 1339 probably concerned a settlement between the king and a group of magnates among whom Sigurd Havtoresson was one of the foremost. Sigurd later married Erling's daughter Ingeborg, who received Giske in 1354. Sir Ivar is probably Ivar Ogmundsson, one of the leading men of the Council of the Realm. Bjarne is Erling's son Bjarne the younger, and Lady Elin is Erling's wife. The letter is a private letter and shows how closely the church and the magnate families stood together in national politics.
People: Erling Vidkunsson, Sigurd Havtoresson, Bjarne Erlingsson den yngre, Elin Toresdatter