Bishop Håkon writes to Bjarne Erlingsson about the meeting with the king
DN 8/118 · 11 April [1339.] · Bergen
What the letter says
Bishop Håkon of Bergen writes on 11 April 1339 to Bjarne Erlingsson. He wishes Bjarne good fortune on his journey to King Magnus and confirms that he himself has been summoned to the meeting where the king and the good men are to come together. He mentions the news of Queen Blanka and her son Junker Eirik. Finally he says that the boat he has promised Bjarne is ready in his boathouse.
The letter in modern English (excerpt)
To Bjarne Erlingsson. We understood from your letter that you are riding to our worthy lord the king on the Friday before Mid-Lent (5 March). God almighty grant that you find him so, and he you, that it may be pleasing to God and to the honour and comfort of both him and you. You also let us know about the day that has been fixed, and about the place and time when the good men are to come together. We let you understand that our lord the king has summoned us to him then as well. The same you asked and advised us in your letter, twice rather than once. You shall know for certain that we will gladly be there and wish to be there, if we can do any good that you would value, and that could be to the dignity and honour of the kingdom of Norway. We shall tell you more about that as soon as God lets us meet you. We have also understood the news of our lady Queen Blanka and her son Junker Eirik. God grant them a good time. The boat we have promised you we have ready at home in our boathouse. It shall be at your service, and likewise everything else we can do for your sake. The fant [uncertain interpretation] came to us on the Friday of Easter week (2 April) and stayed with us for ten nights for the sake of our household [uncertain interpretation]. Send us word freely of what you need, and always as often as possible. God keep you etc. Written in Bergen on the Sunday before St Tiburtius' Day (11 April) in the year of the Lord as above (1339).
Original text (excerpt)
Ad Bernonem Erlingi. Ver vndirstoðom j. brefe ydru, at þer rijður til vaars virdulegs herra konungsens friadaghen firir midfostu. gefwe gud aalmaattigr yðr þer ok so hann at finna. at gudi se þekkileght ok bæde honum ok yðr heiðr ok huggan aat verdi. kunnighado þer os ok vm dagh þan. sem tekin er, stad ok tima, neer godra manna samkoma skal verda, lotum ver yðr. vndirstanða, at vaar herra konungren hefir oss ok þa til sin kallat. þat sama bado þer oss ok reðor j yðru brefe hellðr tyswar en æin t
Background
Bjarne Erlingsson the younger (died 1353) was the son of Erling Vidkunsson, who had been drottsete, that is, regent, for King Magnus Eriksson until 1332. At the end of the 1330s there was tension between the young king and a group of Norwegian magnates, and Erling was among them. The meeting the bishop mentions was probably an attempt to bring about a settlement between the king and the discontented lords. The letter is a private letter, and such letters are rare from this period, so it gives a glimpse of how magnates and churchmen kept in touch and positioned themselves in the game of power. Bishop Håkon Erlingsson of Bergen was one of the most influential churchmen in the country. Junker Eirik is the king's son, born around this time, and the boat in the boathouse shows that gifts and services bound the friendships together.
People: Bjarne Erlingsson den yngre