Bishop Håkon writes to Ivar Ogmundsson about Denmark and Bjarne
DN 8/136 · 3 January 1341 · Bergen
What the letter says
Bishop Håkon of Bergen writes on 3 January 1341 to Sir Ivar Ogmundsson and thanks him for his letter. He prays that the unrest in Denmark will not harm the king or his kingdoms, wishes the king's son a long life and thanks Ivar for being willing to travel to the king. About «our Bjarne» he writes that he believes Bjarne is well, and that Bjarne will pass on some words from the bishop.
The letter in modern English (excerpt)
To Sir Ivar. For the loving and friendly letter we last received from you, and for all the other good will you have always shown us, we thank you greatly. We pray that God with his grace will arrange it so that the unrest in Denmark you tell of may do as little harm as possible to anyone, and least of all to our worthy lord the king or his kingdoms. Of my lord's son we had heard before. God with his grace grant him a good and long life. We also understood that at my lord's command you would go to him, and for that we gladly thank you. We pray God almighty that in your journey and your work he will go with you when you set out, while you stay there, and when you come home. Ask us freely for what you wish; we will and shall gladly, as far as we are able, do what may please you. Of our Bjarne we know nothing else than that we believe he is well by God's will, even though it has come late [uncertain interpretation]. We expect that he will say a few words to you on our behalf. Forgive us, and the boy whom we have long held back, because of our many tasks, hard weather and the Christmas season. Written in Bergen on the tenth day of Christmas (3 January) in the year of the Lord 1341. Such news as there is here the boy can tell you.
Original text (excerpt)
Ad dominum Jwarum. Firir kærlæght ok vinsamleght bref. er ver neestom af yder fenghom. ok allan annan goduilia oss iamfligha tedan. þokkum ver yder mykilægha. bidiande at gud med sinum naadom skipi so at rugl þat er þeer vmgator. j Danmarkenne. værdi sem fæsztom æder ænghom til skada. sijszt varom virduleghom herra konunghinum eder hans varnaðe vm mins herra son hofdum ver ader freghit. er gud med sinni naad gæfwi bæðe godan ok gamlan. vndirstodom ver ok at æftir mins herra boðe wildo þeer yder
Background
Bjarne in the letter is probably Bjarne Erlingsson, son of Erling Vidkunsson, who also received letters from Bishop Håkon in these years. Ivar Ogmundsson was one of the leading magnates of the realm at this time. The unrest in Denmark was probably the change of power after Count Gerhard of Holstein was killed in 1340 and Valdemar Atterdag became king, which affected King Magnus Eriksson because he had bought Scania. The king's son was probably Håkon, born 1340, later King Håkon VI. The letter is a private letter from the bishop's letter book and shows how news was sent by messenger, and that winter weather and the Christmas season could hold the messenger back for weeks.
People: Bjarne Erlingsson den yngre