Knut Alvsson

Knut Alvsson (1455 – 18 August 1502) was a Norwegian nobleman and landowner. He was the country's foremost Norwegian-born noble in his time and served as fief-holder in southern-central Norway.

He was heir of the Sudreim claim to the Norwegian throne in accordance with the order of succession agreed to by Norwegian nobility and religious leadership when the Sverre dynasty became extinct. From 1497 to 1499 he served as commander of Akershus Fortress but was removed in 1499 when he lost King Hans' confidence. In 1501 he led a rebellion against King Hans in Norway. He met his death at the hands of pro-Danish Henrich Krummedige’s men in spite of a promise of safe conduct, effectively weakening the rebellion severely as well as ending a feud which had started with their fathers, Hartvig Krummedige and Alv Knutsson.

Properties He inherited the Giske and Sudreim properties from his father, one of the largest estate owners in Norway, as well as goods and property in Romerike from his brother Odd Alvsson, who died in 1497. He also held extensive properties in Sweden through his first marriage to the Swedish noblewoman Gyrvel Gyllenstjerna.

Krummedige–Tre Rosor feud

Knut Alvsson inherited a long-standing feud with members of the family of Henrich Krummedige. As a member of the pro-Swedish faction on the Norwegian council of the realm, Knut was in natural opposition to Krummedige, who was a key member of the pro-Danish faction.

In the autumn of 1497 Knut Alvsson's sheriff to Romerike, Lasse Skjold, was killed by the people of the district. Knut received an open letter about the incident, which proclaimed that common people in the Nes and Ullensaker stood together in the action in protest of his oppressive tax collection practices.

These actions, combined with signs that the rebellion was spreading throughout the sønnafjells (the region of Norway south of the Dovre mountains). Knut Alvsson was unable to quell the farmers' rebellion. The rebellion grew such that he was forced to request assistance from the commander of the Norwegian Båhus fortress, his rival and enemy, Henrich Krummedige, since the latter had demonstrated his ability to work constructively with his local landowners. Krummedige not only failed to support Knut Alvsson but also informed the king of the matter. Knut was relieved of his command of Akershus Fortress and replaced by Peder Griis, a Danish nobleman loyal to the king.

Rebellion In 1500 King Hans of Denmark, Sweden and Norway made an ill-fated attempt to conquer the Ditmarshes in Northern Germany. Knut Alvsson, who had married the granddaughter of Swedish King Karl Knutsson and was involved with the Swedish Independence Party, concluded it was time to act. While in Sweden, he participated in the Swedish National Council meeting in Vadstena Castle in 1501, at which the council approved the revolt against King Hans. Knut Alvsson directed harsh accusations against King Hans' control in Norway and was provided Swedish support for his return to Norway, based on the belief that a Norwegian uprising would quickly follow the Swedish uprising.

References and notes