Bishop Håkon writes to Bjarne about rumours in the realm
DN 8/108 · [17 April 1338.] · Bergen
What the letter says
In a letter dated by the editor to 17 April 1338, Bishop Håkon of Bergen gives thanks for letters and news from Viken, and according to the editor the recipient is Bjarne Erlingsson. He reports rumours that the Bishop of Hamar and Sir Ulv Saksesson have been reconciled, and that Ulv is to become a member of the Council of the Realm and receive Akershus. He wishes that the two of them could meet, mentions errands for Sira Brynjulf and says that illness prevents him from writing more. Finally he asks to send greetings to the recipient's father, mother and sisters.
The letter in modern English (excerpt)
Greeting as before. God thank you for the letters and news you have written to us from Viken, especially for the letter we last received from you with this messenger. Since then we have heard nothing certain, except that the lord Bishop of Hamar and Sir Ulv are fully reconciled, and many others of their friends with them. Here there are rumours that Sir Ulv has become one of the members of the Council of the Realm in Norway, and that he is also to receive Akershus. We write about such loose rumours because we would gladly learn the truth, and not out of any frivolity. God grant, as we wish, that there might be a journey by sea or over land, so that we two could meet, which we would very much like, rather than in Bergen [uncertain interpretation]. Sira Brynjulf has no doubt written to you about his own and other errands, as we expect. Some weariness and illness mean that we do not write more to you this time. Greet your father, mother and sisters many times. God keep you etc. Written as before (the editor dates the letter to Bergen, 17 April 1338).
Original text (excerpt)
Salutacio vt prius. Gud þakke yðr firir bref ok tiðende. er þer hafwer skrifwat oss af Vikenne namfnlegha firir þat bref er nest fenghom ver af yðr með þessom fant. Enghin tidenðe hofwm ver sijdan til sanz. freghit vttan at herra biskup af Hamre ok herra Wlfuer ero ollungis saatter ok marger aðrer þæira vinir. en sem kwitter fer her. at herra Vlfuer er æin af raaðe rikissens j. Noreghi. ok at þar med skuli hann hafwa Akershus. skrifwm ver slijk sprettitiðenðe æi saker leettleika. vttan saker þes
Background
The recipient is probably Bjarne Erlingsson the younger (died 1353), son of Erling Vidkunsson, who had been drottsete (steward of the realm) until 1332. The greeting to «father, mother and sisters» fits with Bjarne being a younger man who still belonged to his father's household. Bishop Håkon of Bergen was one of the most politically active churchmen of his time, and his letters are preserved in a separate letter book, as the phrases «greeting as before» and «written as before» suggest. The letter is a private letter of friendship, and it shows how news about who received fiefs and seats on the Council of the Realm passed between the magnates in the years after King Magnus Eriksson came of age. Akershus was one of the most important castles of the realm, and a fief there gave both income and power.
People: Bjarne Erlingsson den yngre, Erling Vidkunsson, Elin Toresdatter