King Hans asks for news of Knut Alvsson
DN 8/459 · 2 February 1502 · Kjöbenhavn
What the letter says
On 2 February 1502 King Hans writes from Copenhagen to Henrik Krummedike at Båhus. He asks him to use the common people of the fief of Älvsborg to burn Nya Lödöse and harm Sir Erik Eriksson, and says that he himself will come to Stockholm when the ice breaks up to relieve the queen. Krummedike is to report at once if Knut Alvsson intends to march into the realm. Finally the king asks whether he can enfeoff Morten Torkelsson with two farms.
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. Our special favour first. Dear Sir Henrik, we have previously written to you that you should attack the burghers of Lödöse, Sir Erik Eriksson and his supporters. Now we ask you to make every effort to gather and use the common people of the fief of Älvsborg, so that you can set fire to Nya Lödöse and let the town burn down and be laid waste. Wherever else you can do Sir Erik Eriksson the most harm, you are to make every effort there too. We are growing stronger daily and intend with God's help to be before Stockholm as soon as the water is open, to comfort and relieve our dear wife and the people who are there, and also to come to the help and comfort of you and other friends in that part of the country. Look after and further the good of us and the realm, as we know and do not doubt you always gladly do. If you get any tidings that Sir Knut Alvsson intends to march into the realm, let us know it first of all. You shall know that the bearer of this letter, Morten Torkelsson, has given us to understand that he wishes to be enfeoffed with two farms called Odenssager and Knarstad. We assume that Bent Magnusson holds them in fief for life, and so we do not know how we can now enfeoff the bearer with these farms. We therefore ask you to find out what we are entitled to do, and then let us know how matters stand. If we can reasonably enfeoff the bearer with the farms, we will act acc
Original text (excerpt)
Hanss met gudz nade Danmarkes Suerriges Norges etc. koning hertug vti Sleszwiig oc i Holsten Stormarnn oc Ditmersken. Wor sønnerlig gunst till fornn. Kære her Henric wij haffue till fornn screffuit ether till ati skulde arge jnd paa the Løse borgere her Eric Ericsson oc hanss metfølgere swa bethe wij ether en nw ati ware fortencthe at legge ether wind om ati kunne drage oc nyde almwgen ther vti Ælffuesborgsslæn ati kunne stinge yldh paa Nyløse oc lade thet affbrænde oc ødelægge. Oc sammeledes hw
Background
Knut Alvsson of Tre Rosor was the son of Alv Knutsson and owner of Giske. In 1501 he broke with King Hans and joined the Swedish rebellion against the king, and he attacked in Norway from the Swedish side. The letter is a royal letter of command written in the middle of the war: the queen was besieged in Stockholm, and the king was planning a campaign in the spring. Henrik Krummedike was a Danish nobleman and the king's commander at Båhus, and he was one of Knut Alvsson's fiercest opponents. Half a year later, in August 1502, Knut was killed under safe conduct by Krummedike's men near Oslo. The letter shows that the king feared precisely a new attack from Knut.
People: Knut Alvsson