Knut Alvsson

Who was 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.

Knut Alvsson was the son of Norwegian National Council member Alv Knutsson and his wife Magnhild Oddsdotter, and served as fief-holder in southern-central Norway. He was the country's foremost Norwegian-born noble in his time; he inherited the Giske and Sudreim potential 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 1498 he served as commander of Akershus Fortress but was removed in 1499 when he lost King Hans' confidence. In 1502 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 ending the rebellion as well as the feud which had started with their fathers, Hartvig Krummedige and Alv Knutsson.