The bishop defends himself over the ship
DN 8/137 · 15 February [1341.] · Bergen
Erling Vidkunsson of Giske and Bjarkøy had written sharply to the bishop about a ship. The letter shows that even close friends could quarrel, and that the bishop held to his decision towards Erling.
What the letter says
Bishop Håkon answers Lord Erling from Bergen on 15 February, probably 1341, about a letter that was sharper than usual. He would rather bear the sharp words than reply with counter-words before the two of them meet. He explains that Øyvind bonde would not borrow the bishop's ship unless he could choose the crew himself, because he had already promised the same men places. The bishop also thought it was not safe for the church to leave the ship without a crew or to give its command to unknown men.
The letter in modern English
[Heading in the copy: To Lord Erling.] Your letter that we received last was, as it seemed to us, somewhat sharper than usual in form and style. Even so we thought it better to give way to the sharp words than to answer with counter-words, until God allows the two of us to meet in person. And we do not think we have been in the habit of promising our good friends anything we would not keep. Øyvind bonde and ourselves we can excuse in no other way than that he in no way thought it possible for him to have our ship unless he was to command the crew, precisely because he said he had already promised the same seamen passage in whatever ship he took. Nor did we see that it would be fitting or without harm to the church if the ship had been left without a crew, or if we had given the command of the ship to unknown and untried men. We gladly greet Lady Elin and the maidens, your daughters, and all your household. We gladly do what pleases you and what is possible for us. God keep you with his grace, and all who wish you well, now and always. Written in Bergen on the day after the feast of the martyr Valentine in the year of our Lord named above.
Original text
Ad dominum Erlingum. Bref ydart er ver fenghom neestom var nokott so. sem oss syndizst mote vana snæiðukt aat diktan ok stili. þotte oss þo hællder þæim snæidum væghiande vera. en andyrdum dæilande þar til. er gud lofwar oker sialfwm finnazst. ok æi þykkiumzt ver til vana haft. nokoro goðo vaarom vinum iatta. þi sem ver villdum æi hallda. Œyuind bonda ne oss. kunnum ver æi odruuiss afsaka. en at med ængho mote þotte honom seer fœrt vera. vaart skip at hafwa. ef hann skyldi æi skiparom raada.
Background
The letter shows that even good friends could quarrel, and that Erling could write sharply. The matter probably concerned a ship that Erling wanted the bishop to lend to Øyvind bonde or to someone else, but the letter does not give all the details. A ship was a great asset, and it belonged to the see, so the bishop had to think of the church's loss if anything went wrong. The bishop answers politely and holds to his decision. The year is not given in the letter, and DN has dated it to 1341.
People: Erling Vidkunsson, Elin Toresdatter