King Hans wants to send a spy to Knut Alvsson
DN 8/456 · 20 Decbr. 1501 · Kjöbenhavn
What the letter says
On 20 December 1501 King Hans writes from Copenhagen to Sir Henrik Krummedike at Båhus. He asks him to find a crafty peasant fellow who can carry a made-up letter to Sir Knut Alvsson and at the same time listen for reliable news from Stockholm. The king also asks Henrik to keep on friendly terms with the burghers of Lödöse and tells him that he has written to Erik Eriksson and to the men at Älvsborg.
The letter in modern English (excerpt)
Hans, by the grace of God king of Denmark, Sweden, Norway etc., duke in Schleswig and in Holstein, Stormarn and Dithmarschen. First our special favour. Dear Sir Henrik, we would very much like to know some reliable news of how things stand in Stockholm, but have not managed to learn anything. Therefore we ask you kindly to choose a crafty peasant fellow, and let him take with him some loose news or a letter from some district or other there in Norway, and send him to Sir Knut with such a letter. Let him listen and ask around about what reliable news is afoot there, and arrange it so that he does not let it be noticed what he is about. Afterwards you shall let us know what he finds out. We also ask, dear Sir Henrik, that you give the burghers of Lödöse the best words you can, and keep on friendly terms with them, especially now. We have written to them that if they should be attacked, they shall have refuge and counsel with you. Likewise we have now written to Sir Erik Eriksson that he is to let us know what he intends, concerning the rumour we hear about him. We have also written to the men who lie at Älvsborg, and send you the letters, so that you can see to it that they arrive. We commend you to God. Written at our castle Copenhagen on the eve of St Thomas the Apostle (20 December) 1501, under our signet. Endorsement: Address: To our beloved Sir Henrik Krummedike, knight, our man, councillor and official at Båhus.
Original text (excerpt)
Hans met gudz nade Danmarkes Suerriges Norges etc. koning hertug vti Sleszwiig oc i Holsten Stormarnn oc Ditmersken. Wor søndherlig gunst till fornn. Kiære her Henric wii wilde gerne wiide noger wiisse thiender hworledes thet wore fat vti Stockholm oc kunne doch enthet fonget at wiide. Ther fore bethe wii ether kiærligenn ati wille wdlede en tresker bonde karll oc lader hanum fonge nogenn løse thyender eller scriffuelse aff noget herrit ther i Norge oc sende hanum till her Knwt met swodan scriff
Background
Knut Alvsson of Tre Rosor, owner of Giske, had in 1501 broken with King Hans and joined the Swedish rebellion under Sten Sture. He attacked the king's castles in Norway and won support from many farmers in eastern Norway. Henrik Krummedike was the king's commander at Båhus and Knut's great opponent. The letter is a royal letter with orders and shows that the king lacked reliable information about what was happening in Sweden and with Knut. Lödöse and Älvsborg lay on the Göta älv, in the borderland between the realms, and the town and the castle were important for control over trade and the route into Sweden. A few months later, in 1502, Knut Alvsson was killed under safe conduct while negotiating with Henrik Krummedike near Oslo.
People: Knut Alvsson