Karl Knutsson prepares a campaign against Sweden
DN 9/496 · 25 January [1519] · Halmstad
What the letter says
Karl Knutsson writes on 25 January, probably 1519, from Halmstad to Henrik Krummedige. He reports that the king has ordered him to gather the troops at Krummedige's for two nights, and asks him to provide food and ale. He also asks for 12 or 16 trestles to fire hackbuts from and 4 or 6 strong horses to carry guns and powder.
The letter in modern English (excerpt)
Friendly, loving greeting always sent with Our Lord. Dear Lord Henrik, you shall know that my lord's grace has ordered me to stay with you for two nights and gather his grace's men. Therefore I ask you to provide for these men with food and ale. I myself am coming to you with the other troop tomorrow. Dear Lord Henrik, I ask you to have 12 or 16 trestles (stands) made to fire hackbuts from, of those that are ready, and that you buy for me 4 or 6 strong nags (small horses) for my lord's guns and powder. With this I commend you to God. In haste from Halmstad on St Paul's Day (the Conversion of St Paul, 25 January) etc. Karl Knutsson. Endorsement: (outside) To be sent to the honourable, well-born man and stern knight Lord Henrik Krummedige. (On the back in Lord Henrik Krummedige's hand:) Karl Knutsson.
Original text (excerpt)
Venligh kerlig helsen altid fforsend met wor herre. kere her Henrich maa y wide ad mjn herris nade har beffaled meg ad bliffwe hoss eder ij netter och forsamble hans nadis folk dy beder jeg eder y wille fforse dhette ffolck met mad och øll och kommer jeg sielff met then annen h[o]b till eder y morgen. kere her Henrich beder jegh eder y wille lade gøre xij eller xvi bocke till ad skyde hage bysser aff dhe leth fferdig ere och y wille køpe meg iiij eller vj sterke klipper till mjn herris bøsser oc
Background
Karl Knutsson of Tre Rosor was the son of Knut Alvsson, who was killed in 1502 by Henrik Krummedige's men. Even so, Karl was here in the service of King Christian II and worked together with Krummedige, and this shows how the family after the father's fall had to win back the king's favour to be able to claim the Giske estate. The letter is a private letter and belongs to the preparations for Christian II's war against Sweden's regent Sten Sture the Younger, which ended with the conquest of Sweden and the Stockholm Bloodbath in 1520. Hackbuts were heavy hand firearms that had to be supported on a stand, and the letter shows that gunpowder weapons were now an ordinary part of warfare. The editor has assigned the year on the basis of the contents.
People: Karl Knutsson