King Hans wants judgement on Knut Alvsson's property
DN 8/458 · 10 January 1502 · Kjöbenhavn
What the letter says
On 10 January 1502 King Hans writes from Copenhagen to Henrik Krummedike. He is sending letters to the Council of the Realm and the lawmen north and south of the mountains, asking them to judge according to Norwegian law in the Crown's claim against Sir Knut Alvsson's property, because of the rebellion Knut has waged against him. Krummedike is to help so that the king gets judgement on his side. The king also asks him to beware of Sir Erik Eriksson (Gyldenstjerne), who has sent a hundred men into Nylöse to hold a meeting with the common people.
The letter in modern English (excerpt)
Hans [by the grace of God king etc., as in the previous letter in the edition]. Our special favour first. Dear Sir Henrik, we now send you our writing to our beloved council and the lawmen north and south of the mountains in Norway. In it we ask them to pronounce what is right according to the law of Norway in the matters and claims we may have against the knight Sir Knut Alvsson's property on behalf of the Crown of Norway, for the rebellion, the arrogance and the dishonesty he has shown and done against us. We ask you lovingly to help with this, so that we may get judgement on our side. What the law of Norway can say and give on this is what we desire, and nothing else. Dear Sir Henrik, you write that Sir Erik Eriksson has sent a hundred of his servants into Nylöse to hold council with the common people there. We do not know whether it is done for our good or yours. Therefore we think it advisable that you watch carefully and have watch kept so that you are in no way outwitted by them. As we understand from your writing, you dare expect nothing good from them. You know well yourself how to conduct yourself towards them, better than we can now write to you. If you learn that they intend to press in towards you and in any way can come at [uncertain interpretation], then be sure to let us know, and we will deal with it as is fitting. We have now written to our beloved council in Scania that they are to send word to Sir Erik Eriksson and likewise to those in Nylöse, and see whether they can learn what they intend to embark on, and
Original text (excerpt)
Hanns [o. s. v. som i næstforeg. No.; Variant: Ditmerskenn.] Wor sønnerlig gunst till fornn. kiære her Henric wii sende ether nw thenn wor scriffuelse till wort elskelige raad oc lagmen nordenfiældz oc søndhenfiældz ther vti Norghe at the skulle affsiighe hwad reet ær effter Norges laag fore the sager oc skuldninger wii kunne haffue till her Knut Alffssons ridders goetz paa Norges kronene weghne fore thet vploep oc hoffmoed oc oreedelighed han oss bewiist oc giort haffuer. Bethe wij ether kiærli
Background
Knut Alvsson of Tre Rosor was the son of Alv Knutsson, who had received the Giske estate. In 1501 he rebelled against King Hans with support from Sweden, where Sten Sture and his people stood against the Danish-Norwegian king. Henrik Krummedike was the king's commander at Båhus and his most important man in Viken. The letter is a private royal letter, a letter of instruction to a trusted servant. It shows that as early as January 1502 the king wanted a lawful judgement that could give the Crown Knut's land and property. Seven months later Knut was killed by Krummedike's men under safe conduct at Akershus, and later he was declared an outlaw after his death. Nylöse lay on the Göta älv on the Swedish side, and the letter shows that the border area was unsettled.
People: Knut Alvsson