Caspar Markdaner receives Brunla and Gjørvel's estate
NRR 4, s. 625 f. · 1617 ·
What the letter says
In 1617 Caspar Markdaner of Søgård receives a letter of enfeoffment for Brunla and Numedal fiefs and for some Crown property that the king received from the late Gjørvel Fadersdatter, with its tenants and servants, as the late Peder Ivarsson [Jernskjegg] held it. He is to hold it free and quit until the king decides otherwise. Customs and excise from native and foreign merchants in the fief and its harbours he is to collect for the king alone and account for at the Treasury.
The letter in modern English
Caspar Markdaner received a letter of enfeoffment for Brunla and Numedal fiefs. Christian IV. Makes known to all that out of our particular favour and grace, and for the loyalty and willing service that Caspar Markdaner of Søgård, our man and servant, has rendered and shown us and the realm until now and shall faithfully render and show hereafter, we have granted and enfeoffed and now with this our open letter grant and enfeoff the said Caspar Markdaner with our and the Crown of Norway's fiefs of Brunla and Numedal, and with some of our and the Crown's property that we received from the late Gjørvel Fadersdatter [Gyldensparre], with its tenants and servants, fixed and variable, nothing excepted in any way, as the late Peder Ivarsson [Jernskjegg] held it in keeping and defence before him, to have, enjoy, use and keep free and quit until we decide otherwise. And the said Caspar Markdaner shall each year, for our benefit alone, receive and collect all our and the Crown's excise and customs from natives and foreigners who trade in the fief and at its customs posts and harbours. In this he shall in every way follow the roll and the ordinances we have graciously had made and issued in Norway, and keep proper watch that we receive what is right and proper. For the customs and excise he shall each year render a proper account and have it delivered to our Treasury without cost to us [.
Original text
Caspar Markdaner [fik] Forleningsbrev paa Brunla og Numedal Len. C. IV. G. a. v., at vi af vor synderlige Gunst og Naade saa og for Troskab og villig Tjeneste, som os elskelige Caspar Markdaner til Søgaard, vor Mand og Tjener, os og Riget hertil gjort og beviist haver og herefter troligen gjøre og bevise maa og skal, have undt og forlent og nu med dette vort aabne Brev unde og forlene for. Caspar Markdaner med vor og Norges Krones Len Brunla og Numedal samt noget vort og Kronens Gods, som vi af
Background
After her death in 1605 Gjørvel's estate south of the mountains was administered together with Brunla fief near Larvik. Brunla fief lay on the coast with harbours where foreign ships loaded timber, and that is why customs were kept out of the grant. The extract has no date. In the edition the letter comes straight after one dated Kronborg 19 April 1617. The quittance of 1631 shows that Markdaner held the fief until 1619.
People: Gjørvel Fadersdatter (Sparre)