The bailiff of Giske pays the year's dues
NRR 10, s. 174 f. · 18. februar 1654 · København
What the letter says
At Copenhagen Castle on 18 February 1654 Henning Hansson [Smidt], bailiff of Giske fief, receives a receipt for 1016 riksdaler and three riksort that he has paid into the king's own chamber. The money is the dues from Giske fief for the year from May Day 1653 to 1 May 1654.
The letter in modern English
Henning Hansson [Smidt] received a receipt from His Royal Majesty for one year's dues from Giske fief. In the year 1654 on 18 February Henning Hansson, bailiff of Giske fief in our realm of Norway, has paid into our own chamber in money one thousand and sixteen riksdaler three riksort of the dues of the said Giske fief, reckoned from the day of Philip and James 1653 to the anniversary on 1 May 1654. For these 1016¾ riksdaler the said Henning Hansson is hereby given receipt. Done at Copenhagen Castle as above.
Original text
Henning Hanssøn [Smidt] fik Kvittants af Kgl. Maj. for et Aars Afgift af Giske Len. Anno 1654 den 18 Februar haver Henning Hanssøn, Foged over Giske Len udi vort Rige Norge, ladet erlægge udi vores eget Kammer i Penge et Tusinde og sexten Rigsdaler tre Rigsort af bem. Giske Lens Afgift, beregnet fra Philippi Jacobi Dag 1653 til Aarsdagen den 1 Mai 1654, for hvilke 1016¾ Rigsdaler bem. Henning Hanssøn herved kvitteres. Actum Kjøbenhavns Slot ut supra. R. IX. 421. (Conc. i Rigsarkivet.)
Background
The letter shows that Giske was again Crown land in 1653, after Hannibal Sehested fell from favour in 1651 and had to give the estate back. The dues were paid into the king's own chamber rather than the Treasury, which may suggest that the income went straight to the king. That is an inference. By comparison Hans Lindenov was to pay 300 old daler for the Giske estate in 1583. Henning Hansson Smidt held the estate on lease, which means he paid a fixed sum and took the income himself.