Krummedike doubts fru Inger's account of the movables
DN 9/638 · 4 August 1529 · Oslo
What the letter says
Henrik Krummedike writes from Oslo on 4 August 1529 to his son-in-law Esge Bille at Bergenhus. He has won a judgement against «the doctor», Vincens Lunge, over the jewels, gold, silver and money left by Ingerd Erlendsdatter, and sends Tomas Kokk as bailiff for Otte Rosenkrantz's children. Esge is to help him collect the land rent from Shetland, the Faroe Islands and Nordland that came from fru Ingerd's estate. Lunge and fru Inger say they received the movables from the executors with a register, but Krummedike doubts it and asks Esge to question the lawman, Tord Matsson and the bishop. He also mentions sickness in Oslo and that his daughter is to be fetched.
The letter in modern English
Friendly and loving greetings always sent before with our Lord. Dear Esge, brother-in-law and especially good friend. You shall know that I have now been in court again with the doctor [Vincens Lunge] over the jewels, gold, silver and money which they took to themselves from Otte's heirs. I have obtained judgement that they shall pay it out to me, or settle it with my consent, before this herredag is over. Therefore I now send the bearer of this letter, Tomas Kokk, who is to be their bailiff. I lovingly ask you to do well for my sake and for the poor children's sake and help him in every way he needs, so that he can collect the land rent that comes from the same estate to Bergen from Shetland, the Faroe Islands or Nordland, which was fru Ingerd's estate, and that he is not hindered in this, according to the judgement of our gracious lord and the council. Dear brother-in-law, you shall also know that the doctor and fru Ingerd have taken shelter behind the claim that what they received of Otte's children's jewels, gold, silver, money, household goods and furnishings, letters and everything else, they received from the executors with writing and register. I strongly doubt, however, that this will prove to be so.
Original text
Venligh kiarligh helsen altiidt fforsendt medt vor herre. Kiære Esge suager ock sønnerligh gode ven maa j vide at jegh haffuer nu værett i rette jgen medt docteren om de klenodie guldt sølff ock penninge som de toge them till ffra Otthes arffuinge ock haffuer jegh dom ad de thet skulle megh vdlege eller haffue thet medt min villie jnnen thenne herredage er slitth.
Background
The letter was written on the same day as the judgement in DN 9/637 and shows how Krummedike at once set about enforcing it. Vincens Lunge had studied at foreign universities and held a doctorate, and his opponent simply calls him «the doctor». The inheritance of Ingerd Erlendsdatter included land in Shetland, the Faroe Islands and Nordland, whose land rent came in to Bergen, probably mostly as fish. The executors were those who administered the dead woman's estate. If fru Inger had received the movables from them with a register, she and Lunge would not have to answer for anything missing, which is why this point mattered. Fru Inger (died 1555) was Lunge's mother-in-law, and in these years she fought a long struggle to keep what she considered her right of inheritance.
People: Ingerd Ottesdatter (fru Inger)