Alv Knutsson

Alv Knutsson (c. 1420–1496) 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.

Alv Knutsson held over 276 farms in east and south Norway. He held important Norwegian fiefs including Solør 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.

Upon the 1448 death of King Christopher of Bavaria, 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.

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