Alv Knutsson
Encyclopedia
Alv Knutsson was a Norwegian nobleman who descended on his father’s side from the influential and wealthy Swedish Tre Rosor noble family. He was a member of the Norwegian council of the realm
and also served as commander of the royal castle in Bergen
.
and was one of the largest property holders in Norway inheriting part of the knight and Norwegian National Councilor Sigurd Jonsson
’s vast properties, including Sørum the estate (Sudrheim) in Romerike
and Giske
estate in Sunnmøre
. Though his wife Magnhild Oddsdatter from Finne in Voss
, Bengt Harniktsson’s widow, he held Grefsheim in Hedmark
.
, who was union king
of Denmark
(1440-1448), Sweden
(1441-1448) and Norway
(1442-1448), the Norwegian succession resulted in controversy. In Norway the new king had to be elected by the Norwegian National Council. There were effectively two parties in the Norwegian National Council: The pro-Danish party led by Hartvig Krummedige
(then the commandant at Akershus Fortress
) and Bishop Jens of Oslo
, and the pro-Swedish party led by the Archbishop Alsak Bolt and Erik Saemundsson (then the commandant at Tønsberg Fortress
). The pro-Danish party prevailed and Christian I of Denmark
was elected king, although not without subsequent strife. Karl Knutsson
invaded from Sweden and proceeded to Hamar
, where he called a thing
, and was “elected king” by Archbishop Bolt, Erik Saemundsson and others who assembled there. King Karl proceeded to Trøndelag
. He then returned to Sweden, leaving Saemundsson as viceroy. Saemundsson invested Akershus fortress
, which was held by Krummedige, who still adhered to Christian I. Ultimately Saemundsson was killed by Krummedige, the leading pro-Swedish advocates fled to Sweden, and Karl Knutsson renounced his claim to the throne. Saemundsson and Alv Knutsson were members of the Tre Rosor family, which title comes from their coat of arms, which includes three roses.
Swedish forces again invaded Trøndelag in 1453, but were repelled and were forced to turn south across the Dovrefjell
and to Hamar
, where they captured and occupied the Hamar Bishop’s palace
(Hamarhus). Hartvig Krummedige proceeded north, expelled the Swedish forces, and killed many of them, including further relatives of Knut Alvson. With this act, as well as his previous involvement in the death of Saemundsson, Krummerige earned the lasting enmity of pro-Swedish Alv Knutsson. Alv Knutsson had extensive holdings, was highly influential and could bring substantial pressure to bear. He arranged that charges be brought against Hartvig Krummedige by one of the local farmers – as a result Hartvig Krummedige lost all of his fiefs. Knutsson also worked through the Pope to obtain a Papal Bull concerning Krummedige’s misuse of power. In spite of this dramatic setback, Christian I of Denmark restored Krummedige to Akershus by 1861. Hartvig Krummedige died in 1476, but his son Henrich Krummedige
remained a firm member of the pro-Danish party — the rivalry with the Tre Rosor family virtually guaranteed this would be so.
Alv's son Knut Alvsson
subsequently led an unsuccessful attempt to gain the crown of Norway. In 1500 King Hans of Denmark, Sweden and Norway made an ill-fated attempt to conquer the Ditmarshes (Dithmarschen
) in Northern Germany. Knut Alvsson, who had married the granddaughter of Karl Knutsson, and was involved with the Swedish Independence Party, concluded it was time to act. His rebellion began in 1501 in Sweden, but soon came to Båhus Fortress in Norway on the Swedish-Norwegian border, which Henrich Krummedige
commanded. Krummedige held his fief at Båhus, but Alvsson captured Akershus Fortress in March of 1502, although the citizens of Oslo remained pro-Danish while the nobles and bishops of the country remained neutral—presumably waiting to see which side prevailed.
King Hans dispatched his son Christian (later crowned King Christian II of Denmark
) at the head of forces; they relieved the siege of Båhus Fortress, and then captured and reduced Älvsborg Fortress
across the river from Båhus Fortress in Gothenburg
, Sweden
. Krummedige then led forces north to finish off the rebellion by recapturing Tønsberg Fortress
and invested Akershus Fortress, which Alvsson was defending.
When it became clear that the rebellion had failed, Alvsson came on board one of Krummedige's ships under a safe conduct. Krummedige killed Knut Alvsson, either by treachery or, as alleged, in response to Alvsson's own violence. Alvsson was judged a traitor and Alvsson's property was forfeit to the crown. Krummedige had prevailed, although Gjerset reports he was compelled to leave Norway and the uprising was not totally quelled until 1504. This ended the male Tre Rosor line in Norway.
Rigsraadet
Rigsraadet, or Riksrådet, , is the name of the councils of the Scandinavian countries that ruled the countries together with the kings from late Middle Ages to the 17th century...
and also served as commander of the royal castle in Bergen
Bergenhus Fortress
Bergenhus fortress is a fortress located in Bergen, Norway. Bergenhus fortress is located in the entrance to the harbor in Bergen. This is one of the oldest and best preserved castles in Norway.-History:...
.
Landholdings
Alv Knutsson held over 276 farms in east and south Norway. He held important Norwegian fiefs including SolørSolør
Solør is a Norwegian traditional district consisting of the valley between Elverum in the north and Kongsvinger in the south. It is part of the county of Hedmark, and includes the municipalities Våler, Åsnes and Grue.-Glomma valley :...
and was one of the largest property holders in Norway inheriting part of the knight and Norwegian National Councilor Sigurd Jonsson
Sigurd Jonsson
Sigurd Jonsson was a Norwegian nobleman, knight and the supreme leader of Norway during two interregnums in the mid-15th century. -Background:...
’s vast properties, including Sørum the estate (Sudrheim) in Romerike
Romerike
Romerike is a traditional district located north-east of Oslo, in what is today south-eastern Norway. It consists of the Akershus municipalities Fet, Lørenskog, Nittedal, Rælingen, Skedsmo, Sørum and Aurskog-Høland in the southern end , and Ullensaker, Gjerdrum, Nannestad, Nes, Eidsvoll and Hurdal...
and Giske
Giske
Giske is an island and municipality in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. It lies north-northwest of the town of Ålesund in the Sunnmøre traditional district. The municipal center is the village of Nordstrand on the island of Valderøy. Other population centers include the villages of Roald and...
estate in Sunnmøre
Sunnmøre
Sunnmøre is the southernmost traditional district of the western Norwegian county of Møre og Romsdal. Its main city is Ålesund. The region comprises the municipalities of Giske, Hareid, Herøy, Norddal, Sande, Skodje, Haram, Stordal, Stranda, Sula, Sykkylven, Ulstein, Vanylven, Volda, Ørskog,...
. Though his wife Magnhild Oddsdatter from Finne in Voss
Voss
is a municipality in Hordaland county, Norway. It is part of the traditional district of Voss. The administrative center of the municipality is the village of Vossevangen....
, Bengt Harniktsson’s widow, he held Grefsheim in Hedmark
Hedmark
is a county in Norway, bordering Sør-Trøndelag, Oppland and Akershus. The county administration is in Hamar.Hedmark makes up the northeastern part of Østlandet, the southeastern part of the country. It includes a long part of the borderline with Sweden, Dalarna County and Värmland County. The...
.
Feud between the Krummedige and the Tre Rosor families
Upon the 1448 death of King Christopher of BavariaChristopher of Bavaria
Christopher of Bavaria or Christopher the Bavarian; as king named Christopher ; Danish and Norwegian: Christoffer af/av Bayern; Swedish Kristofer av Bayern was union king of Denmark , Sweden and Norway .-Biography:He was probably born at Neumarkt in...
, who was union king
Kalmar Union
The Kalmar Union is a historiographical term meaning a series of personal unions that united the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway , and Sweden under a single monarch, though intermittently and with a population...
of Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
(1440-1448), Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
(1441-1448) and Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
(1442-1448), the Norwegian succession resulted in controversy. In Norway the new king had to be elected by the Norwegian National Council. There were effectively two parties in the Norwegian National Council: The pro-Danish party led by Hartvig Krummedige
Hartvig Krummedige
Hartvig Krummedige was a Danish nobleman who was born circa 1400 in southern Jutland, Denmark and died in 1476 at Akershus Fortress, Norway.-Family:...
(then the commandant at Akershus Fortress
Akershus Fortress
Akershus Fortress or Akershus Castle is a medieval castle that was built to protect Oslo, the capital of Norway. It has also been used as a prison.- Construction :...
) and Bishop Jens of Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, and the pro-Swedish party led by the Archbishop Alsak Bolt and Erik Saemundsson (then the commandant at Tønsberg Fortress
Tønsberg Fortress
Tønsberg Fortress was a medieval fortress, located in Tønsberg, Norway which was defended by the fortress for over 300 years.-History:...
). The pro-Danish party prevailed and Christian I of Denmark
Christian I of Denmark
Christian I was a Danish monarch, king of Denmark , Norway and Sweden , under the Kalmar Union. In Sweden his short tenure as monarch was preceded by regents, Jöns Bengtsson Oxenstierna and Erik Axelsson Tott and succeeded by regent Kettil Karlsson Vasa...
was elected king, although not without subsequent strife. Karl Knutsson
Charles VIII of Sweden
Charles VIII of Sweden , Charles I of Norway, also Carl, , was king of Sweden and king of Norway ....
invaded from Sweden and proceeded to Hamar
Hamar
is a town and municipality in Hedmark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Hedmarken. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Hamar. The municipality of Hamar was separated from Vang as a town and municipality of its own in 1849...
, where he called a thing
Thing (assembly)
A thing was the governing assembly in Germanic and introduced into some Celtic societies, made up of the free people of the community and presided by lawspeakers, meeting in a place called a thingstead...
, and was “elected king” by Archbishop Bolt, Erik Saemundsson and others who assembled there. King Karl proceeded to Trøndelag
Trøndelag
Trøndelag is the name of a geographical region in the central part of Norway, consisting of the two counties Nord-Trøndelag and Sør-Trøndelag. The region is, together with Møre og Romsdal, part of a larger...
. He then returned to Sweden, leaving Saemundsson as viceroy. Saemundsson invested Akershus fortress
Akershus Fortress
Akershus Fortress or Akershus Castle is a medieval castle that was built to protect Oslo, the capital of Norway. It has also been used as a prison.- Construction :...
, which was held by Krummedige, who still adhered to Christian I. Ultimately Saemundsson was killed by Krummedige, the leading pro-Swedish advocates fled to Sweden, and Karl Knutsson renounced his claim to the throne. Saemundsson and Alv Knutsson were members of the Tre Rosor family, which title comes from their coat of arms, which includes three roses.
Dovrefjell
Dovrefjell is a mountain range in central Norway that forms a natural barrier between Eastern Norway and Trøndelag, the area around Trondheim. As a result, it has been heavily trafficked during and probably preceding historical times...
and to Hamar
Hamar
is a town and municipality in Hedmark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Hedmarken. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Hamar. The municipality of Hamar was separated from Vang as a town and municipality of its own in 1849...
, where they captured and occupied the Hamar Bishop’s palace
Hamarhus
Hamarhus castle, the fortified palace of the bishop, in Hamar was destroyed in 1570 by the Swedish armies during the Nordic Seven Years' War.-References:* History of the Norwegian People by Knut Gjerset, The MacMillan Company, 1915, Volumes II...
(Hamarhus). Hartvig Krummedige proceeded north, expelled the Swedish forces, and killed many of them, including further relatives of Knut Alvson. With this act, as well as his previous involvement in the death of Saemundsson, Krummerige earned the lasting enmity of pro-Swedish Alv Knutsson. Alv Knutsson had extensive holdings, was highly influential and could bring substantial pressure to bear. He arranged that charges be brought against Hartvig Krummedige by one of the local farmers – as a result Hartvig Krummedige lost all of his fiefs. Knutsson also worked through the Pope to obtain a Papal Bull concerning Krummedige’s misuse of power. In spite of this dramatic setback, Christian I of Denmark restored Krummedige to Akershus by 1861. Hartvig Krummedige died in 1476, but his son Henrich Krummedige
Henrich Krummedige
Henrich Krummedige , was born circa 1464 in Norway and died in 1530. He was a Danish-Norwegian nobleman and a member of both the Norwegian and Danish National Councils and played an extensive role in the politics of the era...
remained a firm member of the pro-Danish party — the rivalry with the Tre Rosor family virtually guaranteed this would be so.
Alv's son Knut Alvsson
Knut Alvsson
Knut Alvsson was a Norwegian nobleman and politician descended on his paternal grandfather’s side from the influential and wealthy Swedish Tre Rosor noble family, who was active during the period of the Kalmar Union....
subsequently led an unsuccessful attempt to gain the crown of Norway. In 1500 King Hans of Denmark, Sweden and Norway made an ill-fated attempt to conquer the Ditmarshes (Dithmarschen
Dithmarschen
Dithmarschen is a district in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It is bounded by the districts of Nordfriesland, Schleswig-Flensburg, Rendsburg-Eckernförde, and Steinburg, by the state of Lower Saxony , and by the North Sea.-Geography:The district is located on the North Sea...
) in Northern Germany. Knut Alvsson, who had married the granddaughter of Karl Knutsson, and was involved with the Swedish Independence Party, concluded it was time to act. His rebellion began in 1501 in Sweden, but soon came to Båhus Fortress in Norway on the Swedish-Norwegian border, which Henrich Krummedige
Henrich Krummedige
Henrich Krummedige , was born circa 1464 in Norway and died in 1530. He was a Danish-Norwegian nobleman and a member of both the Norwegian and Danish National Councils and played an extensive role in the politics of the era...
commanded. Krummedige held his fief at Båhus, but Alvsson captured Akershus Fortress in March of 1502, although the citizens of Oslo remained pro-Danish while the nobles and bishops of the country remained neutral—presumably waiting to see which side prevailed.
King Hans dispatched his son Christian (later crowned King Christian II of Denmark
Christian II of Denmark
Christian II was King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden , during the Kalmar Union.-Background:...
) at the head of forces; they relieved the siege of Båhus Fortress, and then captured and reduced Älvsborg Fortress
Älvsborg Fortress
Älvsborg, also Elfsborg Fortress, is a sea fortress located in today's Gothenburg , Sweden. Situated on the mouth of the Göta Älv river, it served to protect Sweden's access to the Atlantic Ocean and the nearby settlement of today's Gothenburg and its four predecessors. The fortress was relocated...
across the river from Båhus Fortress in Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. Krummedige then led forces north to finish off the rebellion by recapturing Tønsberg Fortress
Tønsberg Fortress
Tønsberg Fortress was a medieval fortress, located in Tønsberg, Norway which was defended by the fortress for over 300 years.-History:...
and invested Akershus Fortress, which Alvsson was defending.
When it became clear that the rebellion had failed, Alvsson came on board one of Krummedige's ships under a safe conduct. Krummedige killed Knut Alvsson, either by treachery or, as alleged, in response to Alvsson's own violence. Alvsson was judged a traitor and Alvsson's property was forfeit to the crown. Krummedige had prevailed, although Gjerset reports he was compelled to leave Norway and the uprising was not totally quelled until 1504. This ended the male Tre Rosor line in Norway.