King Hans orders Knut Alvsson's rising to be crushed
DN 8/460 · 21 February 1502 · Kjöbenhavn
What the letter says
King Hans writes from Copenhagen on 21 February 1502 to herr Henrik Krummedike at Båhus. Herr Knut Alvsson has entered Norway with a small following and is trying to win over the common people with false words. The king would prefer Henrik to march against him in person, and otherwise he is to send men to Mats Olsson at Tønsberg and the courtier Knut Knutsson. All the common people between Båhus and Oslo are to be called out with one man from each house, and together with Peder Griis they are to strike at Knut in Oslo at the same time. The king will send men to Marstrand within six days if the wind allows.
The letter in modern English
Hans, by the grace of God king of Denmark, Sweden, Norway etc., duke of Schleswig and of Holstein, Stormarn and Dithmarschen etc. Our special favour beforehand. Dear herr Henrik. You and others in the realm write and let us know that herr Knut Alvsson has come into the realm with a small number of men and is doing his utmost to get the common people to pay homage to him and follow him, with loose and untrue talk, to the injury and dishonour of us and the whole realm. Dear herr Henrik, as matters stand we think it best, and we would very much like, that you go in person against the said herr Knut Alvsson, if you in any way trust yourself to move safely among the common people. If you do not, then send as many of your men as you can spare to our beloved Mats Olsson, our officer at Tønsberg, and our courtier Knut Knutsson. We have written to them that they are to go against the said herr Knut and his followers and take to their aid free and privileged men [nobles], all townsmen and also the common people and all the ship districts, to attack such as are enemies of the Crown. If you do not trust yourself to go along, then set a good and able commander over your men, and stay yourself at the castle with as many men as are needed to hold it. If you do go yourself, then put good, loyal men up there whom you know you can rely on, and send us news continually.
Original text
Hanss met gudz nade Danmarcks Sueriges Noriges etc. konning hertug i Slesuig oc i Holsten Stormaren oc Ditmersken etc. Vor sønderlig gunst till fornn. Kiere her Henrick. Som i oc andre sammeledes ther i riiget skriffue oc giffue oss till kende, at her Knud Alsson haffuer giffuit sig ther ind i riiget met ith føigæ thall folck, oc legger sig wind om, at hylde oc drage allmwgen till sig met løse oc vsande thale oss oc thet mene riige till forthreth oc honheidh.
Background
In the winter of 1502 Knut Alvsson had entered Norway from Sweden, where he had joined the rising against King Hans. The letter shows how the king wanted to gather every force against him: nobles, townsmen, farmers and the ship districts (skipreider), the old districts of the leidang, the naval levy in which each district provided a ship and crew. The demand for one man from each house shows how heavily such a levy fell on the rural districts. Peder Griis was then at Akershus. The king put great weight on what the common people believed, which suggests that Knut had support among the farmers.
People: Knut Alvsson