The archbishop is to protect Giske for Karin Alvsdatter
DN 9/645 · 14 Oktbr. 1529 · Throndhjem
What the letter says
Bishop Mogens of Hamar, in Trondheim on 14 October 1529, gives Archbishop Olav Engelbrektsson authority to hold, have and protect Giske and the Giske estate against every man on behalf of the maiden Karin Alvsdatter. The authority is valid until she herself sends letter and word about the matter.
The letter in modern English (excerpt)
We, Mogens, by the grace of God Bishop of Hamar, make known to all by this our open letter: We have given command and authority, and by this our open letter give command and authority, to the most reverend father in God Lord Olav, Archbishop of Trondheim and papal legate (the pope's envoy), on behalf of the honourable and well-born maiden, Maiden Karin Alvsdatter, to hold, have and protect Giske and the Giske estate, her rightful inheritance, against every man on her behalf, until such time as she personally sends us letter and word about it. For further certainty and truth of this we have our seal pressed beneath this letter, which is written and given in Trondheim on Pope Callixtus' Day (14 October) in the year of the Lord 1529. Endorsement: On the back: Bishop Mogens' letter of authority concerning Giske and the Giske estate.
Original text (excerpt)
Wij Mogens mett gwdz naadhe byscop i Hammer gøre wittherligt for alle mett thette worth obne breff ath wij haffue beffallett och fwldmacht giffwidt oc mett thette wort obne breff beffalle och fwldmacth giffwe werdugeste ffadher i gud her Oluff erchebyscop i Trondhem och paffueligh sedis legatt vppaa erligh och velbørdugh iomfrwes wegne iomfrw Karyn Alffzdotther Gyske och Gyske godz hennis rette arff ath holdhe haffwe och beskerme for hworiom mannom henne tiil handhe saa lenge ath hwn personlig m
Background
Karin (Karine) Alvsdatter was the daughter of Alv Knutsson of Tre Rosor and the sister of Knut Alvsson, who was killed in 1502, and she was one of the heirs to the Giske estate. Bishop Mogens of Hamar acted here as her agent, and he passed the authority on to Archbishop Olav Engelbrektsson, the most powerful man in Norway. The years around 1529 were turbulent: the Reformation was on its way, several families were fighting over the great estates, and it was not certain who could hold on to Giske. By placing the estate under the archbishop's protection, Karin gained a strong protector against others who claimed it. Papal legate means that the archbishop was the pope's envoy with special authority. The letter is a power of attorney, and such letters were meant to show that whoever administered the estate did so with the owner's consent.
People: Karine Alvsdatter