Bishop Håkon asks Bjarne for news about rumours
DN 8/104 · 26 February 1338 · Bergen
What the letter says
Bishop Håkon of Bergen writes on 26 February 1338 to Bjarne Erlingsson. He says that all is well, and asks Bjarne to tell him what is true of the many rumours going round. He asks him to write seldom and not too openly, and would like to know something about the king's coming as soon as Bjarne can.
The letter in modern English (excerpt)
To the honourable man and our good friend Bjarne Erlingsson, Håkon [etc., as before] sends greeting. We let you know that with us and all your friends all is well, God be praised, and may he let us hear the same of you. We last wrote to you as well as we could, if somewhat in haste, with Olav på Ludsland [uncertain interpretation]. Do with it as you see fit. Here there are now many flying rumours and much talk, and about each of them we would gladly know the truth from you, if you will. Do not write too often now, and not too openly anywhere. We shall see to that ourselves, otherwise it may soon be put right [uncertain interpretation]. We would gladly learn about our worthy lord the king's coming here as soon as you feel you can let us know something about it. Ask us for anything you wish; that we will and shall gladly do according to your will. Greet all those you know wish us well. God keep you etc. Written in Bergen on the first Thursday in Lent 1338.
Original text (excerpt)
Erlighom manne ok sinum goðom vin. Biarna Erllingssyni. senðr Hakon [etc. vt prius.] Ver gerom yðr kunnight. at vm oss ok alla yðra vini er allt heilbright. sem gud se lofwaðr, lofwe han ok oss þat sama til ydar spyria. Skrifwaðom ver yðr nest. eftir þi sem ver maattom þo at nokot so skiotlegha. med Olafwe a Ludzlanðe monu þer þar vm gera sem yðr likar. fara her nu morgh flœyghitidenne ok kuittar. af hweriom en ver vissim gerna vm yðr sannenðe. ef yðr so likaðe. ei skrifwi þer nu oftiðum ok huer
Background
Bjarne Erlingsson the younger (died 1353) was the son of Erling Vidkunsson, who had been drottsete, that is, regent, until 1332. Bishop Håkon Erlingsson of Bergen stood close to the circle around Erling, and several of his private letters to Bjarne are preserved. King Magnus Eriksson was king of both Norway and Sweden and spent much time in Sweden, and at the end of the 1330s there was unrest between him and the Norwegian magnates. The advice to write seldom and not too openly suggests that the bishop feared that letters could be read by others, and that something politically sensitive was afoot. What the rumours concerned the letter does not say. The letter is a private letter, a rare type of source that shows how the magnates kept in touch and shared news.
People: Bjarne Erlingsson den yngre