Bishop Håkon weatherbound in Ulvøysund
DN 8/120 · 28 August [1339.] · Ulvösund
What the letter says
Bishop Håkon writes to Lord Erling on 28 August, probably in 1339, from Ulvøysund. He arrived there in the evening on St Bartholomew's day, and on the same day the archbishop lay in Seløyene. Both were held back by headwinds and storm. The bishop sends the messenger Eirik and asks Erling to tell him what he has heard from the east, and to advise whether they should put in to Tønsberg or sail the outer route. He asks Erling, if necessary, to offer an excuse for the archbishop and himself.
The letter in modern English
[Heading in the copy: To Lord Erling.] Be it known to you that on St Bartholomew's day just past (24 August), at the evening meal, we came into Ulvøysund, and in the same harbour the messenger of the lord archbishop came to us on the feast of St Augustine (28 August). He told us in his letter that on St Bartholomew's day he was in Seløyene. Headwinds with storm held back both him and us. We send you our messenger Eirik and ask earnestly that we may learn from you which way we should take onwards, or what we should do. In the same way we wish to know what you have heard from the east, and what you think advisable: that we put in to Tønsberg or go by the outer route. Whenever God grants a fair wind, we shall, God willing, keep on as well as we can. If it is needed, present the lord archbishop's excuse and ours, as you see fit and as we trust you. The rest the servant will tell you. God keep you now and always. Written in Ulvøysund on the feast of St Augustine in the year of our Lord named above.
Original text
Ad dominum Erlingum. Yðr se kunnight. at a Bartholomei mœsso dagh. nu er var. aat kwældmale komo ver j Vlfœya sund, ok j. samre hofn kom til vaar. in festo sancti Augustini. fanter herra erkibiskups, sagde hann oss .j. sinu brefe at Bartholomei var han j. Sælœyium. hindrade bæde hann ok oss. anduidri med ofstyrmi. sendom ver yðr varn fant. Eirik, mykilegha beidandezst, at ver mættem af yðr vndirstanda.
Background
The bishop and the archbishop were on their way east, probably to a meeting with the king or the Council of the Realm, and «from the east» refers to the king, who was staying in Sweden and Viken. Travel along the coast depended entirely on the weather, and a storm could keep ships in harbour for days and weeks. Erling was to speak for them if they arrived late, which shows how much they trusted him. The letter gives no year, and DN has dated it to 1339 from its connection with the letter of December that year. Which Ulvøysund and which Seløyene are meant is uncertain.
People: Erling Vidkunsson