Timeline

The history of Grefsheim from its first mention in 1313: Skaktavl, Alv Knutsson, Knut Alvsson, Karine Alvsdatter and the see of Hamar, the Reformation, crown estate, Hannibal Sehested, Egeberg and Mellbye, the Oslo talks of 1993.

1313: First known written mention

A medieval charter from 1313 mentions “Suein à Græfsæimi”. So the farm existed then, but we do not know when it was first cleared.

Sources: Diplomatarium Norvegicum; Gunhild Kolstad: Nes bygdebok - Bruks- og slektshistorie, Østfjerdingen (Nes local history), vol. 2, part 2 (1995)

1338: Pål of Grefsheim

Pål of Grefsheim is mentioned in a source from 1338.

Sources: Diplomatarium Norvegicum

1450: Sigurd Skaktavl

In 1450 Grefsheim belonged to Sigurd Skaktavl. He was married to Magnhild Oddsdatter from Finne in Voss, widow of the knight Bengt Harniktsson (Gyldenløve).

Sources: Bratberg, Terje: “Grefsheim”, Store norske leksikon (updated 26.11.2024); Ludvig Daae: «Om Fru Gørvel Fadersdatter og hendes norske Jordegods», Historisk Tidsskrift (1895)

After 1450: Alv Knutsson

After Sigurd Skaktavl's death Magnhild married the knight and councillor of the realm Alv Knutsson of the Swedish noble family Tre Rosor. Grefsheim thus became part of a large noble estate.

Sources: Bratberg, Terje: “Grefsheim”, Store norske leksikon (updated 26.11.2024); Gunhild Kolstad: Nes bygdebok - Bruks- og slektshistorie, Østfjerdingen (Nes local history), vol. 2, part 2 (1995)

1499: Magnhild Oddsdatter dies

Magnhild Oddsdatter played a central role in managing the family's estates. She died in 1499.

1501-1502: Knut Alvsson's rebellion

Knut Alvsson, son of Magnhild Oddsdatter and Alv Knutsson of the Swedish noble family Tre Rosor, led a rebellion against King Hans in 1501. He was killed during negotiations in Oslo on 18 August 1502.

Sources: Magne Njåstad: «Knut Alvsson», Norsk biografisk leksikon; Norwegian Maritime Museum: “Possible traces of a naval battle in Oslo harbour before 1624”

1536: Karine Alvsdatter and the Church

Karine Alvsdatter, daughter of Alv Knutsson and Magnhild Oddsdatter, lived at Grefsheim. She transferred Grefsheim and its estate to the Diocese of Hamar and its cathedral.

Sources: Bratberg, Terje: “Grefsheim”, Store norske leksikon (updated 26.11.2024); Ludvig Daae: «Om Fru Gørvel Fadersdatter og hendes norske Jordegods», Historisk Tidsskrift (1895)

1537: The Reformation

At the Reformation King Christian III took the Church's property. Grefsheim returned to the family and passed to Gørvel Fadersdotter (Sparre), granddaughter of Knut Alvsson.

Sources: Gunhild Kolstad: Nes bygdebok - Bruks- og slektshistorie, Østfjerdingen (Nes local history), vol. 2, part 2 (1995); «Gørvel Fadersdotter», Norsk biografisk leksikon; Bratberg, Terje: “Grefsheim”, Store norske leksikon (updated 26.11.2024)

1574 and 1599: Gørvel Fadersdotter and the King

Gørvel Fadersdotter transferred her estates to the King in several stages. In 1574 she gave up the Giske estate. In 1599 she issued a final deed of gift to Christian IV covering more than 600 farms. Grefsheim became Crown land and was placed under Storhamar.

Sources: Gunhild Kolstad: Nes bygdebok - Bruks- og slektshistorie, Østfjerdingen (Nes local history), vol. 2, part 2 (1995); «Gørvel Fadersdotter», Norsk biografisk leksikon

1649: Hannibal Sehested

In 1649 the Governor-General Hannibal Sehested was granted Storhamar as a noble seat, and Grefsheim went with it. In 1651 he fell from favour and had to give up his estates in Norway.

Sources: Gunhild Kolstad: Nes bygdebok - Bruks- og slektshistorie, Østfjerdingen (Nes local history), vol. 2, part 2 (1995); «Hannibal Sehested», Norsk biografisk leksikon

1661: The king's debt

In 1661 Grefsheim was mortgaged to the Dutch merchant brothers Gabriel and Selius Marselis. They were among the king's largest creditors, with claims amounting to fully 13 per cent of the national debt. In this way Grefsheim became part of an international debt settlement.

Sources: Gunhild Kolstad: Nes bygdebok - Bruks- og slektshistorie, Østfjerdingen (Nes local history), vol. 2, part 2 (1995)

1675: Sold to private owners

In 1675 Grefsheim was sold to private owners. Later the Grønbech family owned the farm.

Sources: Bratberg, Terje: “Grefsheim”, Store norske leksikon (updated 26.11.2024); Gunhild Kolstad: Nes bygdebok - Bruks- og slektshistorie, Østfjerdingen (Nes local history), vol. 2, part 2 (1995)

1777: Robarth

From 1777 the Robarth family owned Grefsheim.

Sources: Bratberg, Terje: “Grefsheim”, Store norske leksikon (updated 26.11.2024)

1830s: The main house

The present main house was built in the 1830s, in one and a half storeys with large dormers in the attic. It replaced an older main house, which according to the local history stood until 1850.

Sources: Bratberg, Terje: “Grefsheim”, Store norske leksikon (updated 26.11.2024); Gunhild Kolstad: Nes bygdebok - Bruks- og slektshistorie, Østfjerdingen (Nes local history), vol. 2, part 2 (1995)

1867: Johan Egeberg

The district judge Johan Egeberg took over Grefsheim in 1867.

Sources: Bratberg, Terje: “Grefsheim”, Store norske leksikon (updated 26.11.2024); “Hovedbygningen paa Grefsheim Hedemarken”, photo P. A. Thorén no. 497, 1871-72. Anno Domkirkeodden / DigitaltMuseum

1883: The confirmation present

In 1883 Johan Egeberg Mellbye was given Grefsheim as a confirmation present by his godfather, the district judge Johan Egeberg. Mellbye later became a government minister. His descendants own the farm today.

Sources: Bratberg, Terje: “Grefsheim”, Store norske leksikon (updated 26.11.2024)

1911: Jomfru Karine on Mjøsa

When the museum at Domkirkeodden was founded, a historical pageant was held. Emelie Mellbye played Jomfru Karine of Grefsheim and was rowed across from Grefsheim, directly opposite Domkirkeodden. According to tradition, the church bells did not start ringing until Jomfru Karine had pushed off from the Grefsheim jetty. Miss McVitie of Edinburgh photographed the pageant, and her father used the picture on the lid of a biscuit tin.

1902: The fire of 1902

In 1902 there was a fire on the farm. The building with the farmhands' quarters, storehouse and brewhouse, probably from around 1830, was moved in 1904. It was demolished around 1960. The local history also records a fire in the farm building in 1914.

Sources: Information from the family at Grefsheim

1909-1923: Finborud's glass plates

The photographer Martin Finborud photographed the family, the interiors, the farmyard and the work in the fields. The glass plates are kept at Anno Domkirkeodden.

Sources: Glass-plate collection of the photographer Martin A. Finborud (1861-1928), Nes 1909-1923. Anno Domkirkeodden / DigitaltMuseum

1993: The Oslo negotiations

On 3 July 1993 secret talks between Israelis and Palestinians were held at Grefsheim, as part of the process leading to the Oslo Accord.

Sources: Leraand, Dag: “Oslo-kanalen”, Store norske leksikon (updated 16.1.2019)

Today: Grefsheim today

Grefsheim is still a working farm, with grain and forest. Catch crops are part of the farming. Today it is owned by Anette Mellbye and Dagfinn Møller.

Sources: Job advertisement from Grefsheim, February 2026