Bishop Håkon thanks Jon Havtoresson for his hospitality
DN 8/101 · [3 Novbr. 1337.] · Bergen
What the letter says
In a letter dated by the editor to 3 November 1337, Bishop Håkon of Bergen thanks Sir Jon Havtoresson for his kindness and good care when the bishop was last in Viken. He promises to repay it, asks Jon to greet the king and offers his help if Jon needs it.
The letter in modern English (excerpt)
To the honourable lord and his good friend Sir Jon Havtoresson, Håkon, by God's mercy Bishop of Bergen, sends greeting with God's blessing and his friendship, as well as he is able. God thank you for all the virtue, courtesy and good will you have always shown us. In particular we thank you for the great kindness and courtesy you showed us most recently in Viken, both in words and deeds and all good care in everything that concerned us. That we will and shall gladly repay with good. Greet our lord the king many times with our service. Make use of us as your friend, for we will gladly do what may please you. God keep you and all that is yours. Written as above (the editor dates the letter to Bergen, 3 November 1337).
Original text (excerpt)
Erlighom herra ok sinum godum vin herra Jone Hafþoressyni senðr Hakon med guðs miskun biskup j. Biorghwin quediu med guðs bleszan ok sinni vinaatto slikt sem hann orkar. Gud þakke yðr alla dygd hœfuersko ok gooduilia oss iamlegha teedan namfnlegha ok serlegha þokkum ver yðr mykla vaalgerd ok hœfuersko er þer teedor oss nu nest er j. Vikenne bæðe med ordom ok verkom ok allre goodre tilloghu .j. ollu þi sem oss vardade sem ver vilium ok skulum gerna med godo skullða. heilsir vaarom herra konungeno
Background
Jon Havtoresson was the brother of Sigurd Havtoresson of Sudreim, who later married Ingebjørg Erlingsdatter and received Giske. The brothers were sons of Havtore Jonsson and Agnes Håkonsdatter, daughter of King Håkon V, and thus belonged to the king's closest circle. Bishop Håkon of Bergen was a politically active churchman, and his letters are preserved in a letter book, as «written as above» suggests. The letter is a letter of courtesy, and such letters kept friendships and alliances alive between the men of the church and the magnates. That Jon is to greet the king suggests that he was then near King Magnus Eriksson. The letter says little about Giske and was included because Jon belongs to the Sudreim family.