The drottsete seals the king's lease of Vågsbotn to the German shoemakers
HUB 2 nr. 495 · 1330 Nov. 23 · Bergen
The yard of Vågsbotn belonged to the king, not to the family. The letter is included because the drottsete Erling Vidkunsson of Bjarkøy and Giske sealed the lease to the German shoemakers, as a sign that the council of the realm stood behind it.
What the letter says
King Magnus Eriksson announces in Bergen on 23 November 1330 that he has leased the royal yard of Vågsbotn at the head of Vågen to the German shoemakers for 50 mark in old coin a year. They are excused from the watch on the beacon in return for paying 6 mark a year, but must keep full arms and turn out for the king's leidang (naval levy) when the horn is blown. No shoemaker may live anywhere in Bergen other than in Vågsbotn, except cobblers, and shoe prices are to be reasonable in the judgement of the lawman, the bailiff and the councillors. The drottsete Erling Vidkunsson set his seal to the letter together with the king.
The letter in modern English
Magnus, by the grace of God King of Norway, Sweden and Gautland, makes known and manifest to all who see this letter or hear it read: [1.] We wish you to know that we have leased to the German shoemakers our yard called Vågsbotn, which lies in Bergen at the head of Vågen, for 50 mark in old coin each year, and that much more as the coins are made lighter, for as long as we wish, as it is written of old. They are to be free of the beacon watch. [2.] For the whole yard they are to give us 6 mark each year, and we are to pay the townsmen among our people who are to take over and keep watch on the beacon. [3.] Further, they are to keep full arms for us. Each master there is to have a full man's arms [the edition reads «44 manne wapne», probably a misreading]: plate armour, iron hat or helmet, mail hose or leg armour, steel gauntlets, shield, sword and spear. Each is to show these arms when we or our steward at our yard has them summoned each year, or else each is to pay a fine for every weapon he lacks, as the law prescribes. They are also to be free of showing their arms to the town. [4.] They are also to be free of all ship duty except for our own ships [uncertain interpretation]. Therefore we ask you that whenever you hear the call blown to set out or fit out, and you hear it blown, the trumpeter is to go before your yard of Vågsbotn and blow, so that you can hear it. Then o
Original text
Magnus von Gotts gnaden köning in Norwegen, Sweden und der Gotten köninch wy doen wittlich und openbare alle de[n] genen, de dissen breff seen edder hören lesen: [1.] Wy willin, dat jw schall witlich wesen, dat wy hebben vorhyrt de[n] Dydesken skomackeren unsen g[a]rden, de dar genomet is Wogsbottne und licht to Berggen in ende der wage, vor 50 mark van older [münze] islichs jars und doste mer, dat de peningen worden lichter geseett, also lange, wente wy [dat] hebben wull[en], also forskreffne
Background
Erling Vidkunsson (c. 1292 to 1355) of Bjarkøy and Giske was drottsete (steward of the realm), the ruler of the kingdom for King Magnus Eriksson from 1323 to 1331/32, and his seal on the letter shows that the council of the realm stood behind the agreement. The German shoemakers were craftsmen, and they lived in Bergen alongside the German merchants who later gathered in the Kontor on Bryggen. By gathering them in one yard under the king's commander, the king gained rent, control and armed men. The text is a German translation from c. 1578 of a Norwegian letter, and it shows: «Wogsbottne» is Vågsbotn, «bye» is the town and «stefne» is the assembly. The rent was to be adjusted if the coins became lighter, which shows that the king knew that the value of money was falling. No family property is involved here: the yard belonged to the king.
People: Erling Vidkunsson