Sten Sture explains the war to the common people
SDHK 34499 (DN 22/18) · 28. januar 1502 · Stenby
What the letter says
Sten Sture the Elder writes from Stenby to Svante Nilsson that he has spoken with the common people both at the Twentieth Day market in Enköping and at the Disting assembly in Uppsala about the causes of the war with the king, because there were rumours that the rebellion had selfish motives. After his explanation they gave him their full support. He sends letters from Dalarna and has given the cathedral chapter in Uppsala six days for the archbishop to take a stand. He has given Torbjørn Ottosson authority over Jens Falster's estates in Värmland and Närke. He also touches on an earlier letter from Svante about Knut Alvsson.
Background
In the winter of 1501 to 1502 Knut Alvsson, lord of Giske, carried the rebellion against King Hans into Norway. The letter does not say what Svante had written about him, only that Knut was a subject between the two leaders. That Sten had to defend the rebellion against rumours of self-interest shows that it was not certain the common people would follow. Half a year later Knut was killed under safe conduct.
People: Knut Alvsson