Knut Alvsson becomes a judge in an inheritance case for the king
DN 9/439 · 14 June 1499 · Stockholm
What the letter says
On 14 June 1499 King Hans writes from Stockholm to Bishop Herman of Hamar, the knight Knut Alvsson and the lawmen of Oslo and Tønsberg. They are given full power to summon and judge the case between Henrik Krummedike and Peder Gris over an inheritance that Peder's wife had received after Gudrun of Bø. If a party fails to appear without lawful excuse, the judges may find for the other party.
The letter in modern English (excerpt)
We, Hans, by the grace of God king of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, king of the Wends and the Goths, duke in Schleswig, in Holstein, Stormarn and in Dithmarschen, count in Oldenburg and Delmenhorst, greet you, our beloved worthy father Sir Herman, bishop of Hamar, Sir Knut Alvsson, knight, our man and servant, Erik Eriksson, lawman in Oslo, and Tormod Jonsson, lawman in Tønsberg, lovingly with God and our grace. Dear friends, know that our beloved Sir Henrik Krummedike, knight, our man and councillor, has let us know that he has a claim against our beloved Peder Gris, our man and servant, for an inheritance that Peder's wife has received after Mistress Gudrun of Bø etc., as he himself can explain more fully. Therefore we ask and command you, and give you with this our open letter full power, to gather as soon as possible at a convenient time and place, summon both parties before you, hear the matters that lie between them, and settle them as you will rightly answer for before God and stand by towards us. We also ask and bid those whom the case concerns to appear before the judges when and where you tell them, and that each and every one abides by and settles what you judge. Should any of them be unwilling to appear before you without having lawful excuse, we give you full power to grant the one who appears his right according to the evidence he lays before the court. Do not fail in this in any way. We commend you to God. Given at our castle Stockholm on the eve
Original text (excerpt)
Wii Hanss met gudz nade Suerikes Danmarckes Norges Vendes oc Gottes konning hertug i Slesuig i Holsten Stormarn oc i Ditmersken greffue i Oldenborg oc Delmenhorst helsa ider oss elskelica werdogæ fader her Herman bescop i Hammer her Knudt Alssen ridder wor man oc thiener Erich Ericssen lagman i Osloo Tormodt Ionssen lagman i Tonsberg kærliika met gud och wora nade. Kære wenner vether at oss elskelica her Henrich Krwmmedige ridder wor man oc raad haffuir ladet berett her foræ oss at han haffuir t
Background
Knut Alvsson of Tre Rosor was the son of Alv Knutsson and heir to Giske, and in 1499 he was still the king's man and servant. The letter is a royal letter of authority appointing a special court of powerful men in a case between two noblemen. It is worth noting that one of the parties was Henrik Krummedike, who three years later was behind the killing of Knut under safe conduct near Oslo in 1502. The letter thus shows the two in the same lawsuit before they became enemies. It does not concern Giske and was probably included in the search because Knut Alvsson is mentioned.
People: Knut Alvsson