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.
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Background
Knut Alvsson was the son of Norwegian National Council member Alv Knutsson and his wife Magnhild Oddsdotter (ca. 1425–1499). He was the brother of
Odd Alvsson (1460–1497), who was chief of Akershus fortress, and half-brother of Karl Sigurdsson (1476–1487), who served as Bishop of the Diocese of Hamar. He was descended on his paternal grandfather's side from the influential and wealthy Swedish Tre Rosor noble family, which were active during the period of the Kalmar Union.
