Robert Cheyne receives the Vaila estate in Shetland as a fief
NRR 2, s. 582 f. · 18. oktober 1584 · Kronborg
What the letter says
At Kronborg on 18 October 1584 Robert Chind (Cheyne) of Tingwall receives a letter of enfeoffment for the Vaila estate in Shetland, which the king received from Lady Gjørvel Fadersdatter, widow of Sir Lauge Brahe. He is to pay 66 good daler a year, delivered at his own cost and risk to Bergenhus castle every St Olaf's Day. He is to improve and defend the estate as best he can, and whatever he improves shall benefit the king, his successors and the Crown.
The letter in modern English
Robert Chind of Tingwall received a letter of enfeoffment for the Vaila estate, lying in Shetland, which His Royal Majesty has received from Lady Gjørvel Fadersdatter, widow of Sir Lauge Brahe, against yearly dues of 66 good, unadulterated daler, which he is to pay and deliver at his own cost and risk at Bergenhus castle every St Olaf's Day. Likewise he is to improve and defend this property in every way he can, and whatever he improves shall benefit His Royal Majesty and his successors, kings of Denmark and Norway, and the Crown. Kronborg, 18 October 1584. (Extract.)
Original text
Robert Chind til Thingvaill fik Forleningsbrev paa Vallø [Vailey] Gods, paa Hetland liggendes, som K. Maj. haver bekommet af Fru Gyrvild Fadersdatter, Hr. Lauge Brahes Efterleverske, mod aarlig Afgift af 66 gode, uforfalskede Daler, som han paa hans egen Omkostning og Eventyr skal yde og levere paa Bergenhuus Slot om hver Olai Tide. Sammeledes skal han forbedre og forsvare samme Gods udi hvis Maade han kan, og hvis han det forbedrendes vorder, skal komme K. Maj. og Efterkommere, Konninger udi Da
Background
Vaila is an island on the west side of Shetland, and Tingwall was the old assembly site of the islands. The letter shows the outcome of the September case: Lindenov must have advised the king to let Cheyne keep the property against dues. The dues were to be delivered in Bergen, which says something about how closely Shetland was still tied to Bergen through trade and tax more than a hundred years after the pledging. St Olaf's Day, 29 July, was a common day of payment in Norway.
People: Gjørvel Fadersdatter (Sparre)