The king asks Gjørvel for a register of the estate
NRR 2, s. 68 · 17. august 1573 · København
What the letter says
In Copenhagen on 17 August 1573 King Frederick II writes to Lady Gjørvel Fadersdatter, widow of Sir Lauge Brahe. Some time ago she had negotiated to keep for life the Crown property she holds from him in pledge. In return she promised to make over part of her inherited estate in Norway to the king. Now almost a year has passed, and she has still not said which property it is to be. The king asks her to send without delay a clear register of the estate, so that it can be inspected and the agreement completed.
The letter in modern English
To Lady Gjørvel Fadersdatter, widow of Sir Lauge Brahe. Frederick II. Our favour first. You no doubt remember that some time ago you had negotiations with us about the property belonging to us and the Crown that you hold in pledge from us, that you might keep it for your lifetime. In return you promised to make over to us part of your inherited estate in our realm of Norway etc., as the letter you gave us on this states in more detail. Since nearly a year has now passed and you have still not declared which property is to be made over to us according to the wording of your letter, we ask you to take care to send us at the first opportunity a clear register of the property we are to have from you. Then we can have the property inspected, your letter and undertaking can be fulfilled, and everything can be brought to an end. Herein our will is done, and we rely on it firmly. Copenhagen, 17 August 1573.
Original text
Til Fru Giørvel Fadersdatter, Hr. Lauge Brades Efterleverske. Fr. II. V. G. t. Eders drages uden Tvivl til Minde, at I nogen Tid siden have ladet handle med os om det vort og Kronens Gods, I af os udi Pant har, at I det maatte beholde Eders Livstid, hvorimod I have tilsagt at ville af Eders Arvegods udi vort Rige Norge gjøre os Udlæg etc., som det Brev, I os derpaa givet har, ydermere formelder. Da efterdi fast et Aar er forløbet, og I endnu ikke har Eder forklaret, hvad Gods til os skal udlægge
Background
Lauge Brahe died in 1567, and Gjørvel lived as a widow at Börringe in Scania. She held property in pledge from the Crown, which means the king had borrowed money from her or her family and let them hold land as security. The letter is the first known trace of the exchange that ended with her handing the estate north of the mountains and in Shetland over to the king in 1582. So almost ten years passed between the promise and the deed. A register was a list of the farms with the land rent they paid, and the king needed it to know what he was getting.
People: Gjørvel Fadersdatter (Sparre)