JON MOGENSSØN was probably born in Jemtland, Norway (now Jämtland, Sweden) about 1570. He studied for a master's degree in Rostock (Germany), and in 1594 became rector of Bergen, and later parish preist in Innvik in Nordfjord. By 1604 he became rector in Nordfjord and a member of the Bergen cathedral chapter. It has been assumed that he had a good knowledge of the Old Norse language and that he tanslated the national law, but this is uncertain.

In Nordfjord, JON MOGENSSØN was charged with a number of crimes. He allegedly traded illegally, refused to administer the sacrament to a dying man, abused his wife, fathered children with three women, and forced one to have an abortion. In 1617 the cathedral chapter removed him from office and dissolved his marriage. The following year, he was executed by beheading, his severed head was placed on a stake and he was buried outside the cemetery.

This biography was condensed from the University of Oslo 'Store Norsk Leksikon' website (sln.no).