The bishop did not come to Tønsberg
DN 8/123 · 15 Decbr. 1339 · Bergen
What the letter says
Bishop Håkon thanks Lord Erling from Bergen on 15 December 1339 for a letter brought by the swain Eindride. He understands that Erling was displeased that he did not come to Tønsberg, and explains that it was better to come home on St Matthew's day than to lie in some harbour over the winter, as Erling's ship had to. He has heard that the king's mother asked Erling and Lady Elin to wait for her in Tønsberg or Oslo because she wanted to travel overland to Trondheim. He asks Erling or Bjarne to tell him what was said in the conversation in Tønsberg on 18 November.
The letter in modern English
[Heading in the copy: To Lord Erling Vidkunsson.] God thank you for all the good will and kindness you have always shown us, and especially for the fair letter we received last from you with your swain Eindride. Yet we were much troubled in mind when we understood that you were somewhat displeased that we did not come to Tønsberg this time. But we thought it far better advised that we came home on St Matthew's day [21 September] rather than having had to lie over the winter in some harbour, as your ship did. Even so we would have wished, and gladly wish, to have been and to be where you liked. But holy Sunniva had so promised and helped [uncertain interpretation] this time that one might well heed it, even though the journey round the land became long. Your letter was not overloaded with much news, and your many duties have no doubt caused that. It was said quietly here that my lady, mother of our lord the king, was to have sent word to you and Lady Elin that you should wait for her in Tønsberg or Oslo, because she wished to travel overland to Trondheim. Whatever is true in that, and whether anything worth telling happened in the last conversation you had in Tønsberg in the octave of St Martin (18 November), you or our Bjarne will share with us as you wish. Of other things there is almost no news here, except such as Sira Tore can tell you.
Original text
Ad dominum Erlingum Vidkunni. Gud þakke yðr allan goduilia. ok kærleika iamflegha os teðan. namfnlegha firir fagert bref. er ver fenghom nest af yðr med swæini ydrum Æindrida. Forozst þo fast vm okkrer hughir þar ver vndirstoðom. at yðr mislijkaðe. nokot so. at ver komom æighi. til Tunsbergs aat sinni. en os þotte haulfw betr raaðet, er hæim komom in festo Mathei. hellðr en ver hefdim vetrlæger vordet j. hwerri homfn. sem ydart skip vard. Vildim ver þo. ok vilium gerna. þar verit hafwa ok vera.
Background
The letter continues the story from Ulvøysund in August: the bishop turned back and got home to Bergen on 21 September, while Erling's ship had to winter on the way. The king's mother is Duchess Ingebjørg, whom Erling had opposed as drottsete, but now he met her in Tønsberg. The bishop gives the credit for the safe journey home to Sunniva, Bergen's own saint. Erling had evidently written a short letter without news, and the bishop teases him a little for it. Bjarne is Erling's son, Bjarne Erlingsson the younger.
People: Erling Vidkunsson, Elin Toresdatter, Bjarne Erlingsson den yngre