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Karl Ulfsson (Sparre av Tofta) (ca. 1317 – 1407-11) was a 14th-century Swedish magnate and High Constable of Sweden.^[1]

Biography

His birth year is unknown, but scholarly estimates point to 1320s or early 1330s at latest.^{[citation needed]} He was born as the son of the first marriage of knight Ulf Abjörnson of Engso, justiciar of Tiohärad (d. 1347) with Kristina Sigmundsdotter of the family of Tre Klöverblad. His and his father's coat of arms was a chevron ('spar'), and so this family is one of the numerous medieval Scandinavian families retrospectively named Sparre. Through his paternal grandmother, Karl was a descendant of the Ulv branch of the House of Bjälbo (Folkungaätten) and numbered some ancient Swedish earls among his ancestors.^[2]

Karl was literate and studied in Paris. He was knighted between 1354 and 1358, and summoned to the membership of the High Council of Sweden from 1356 at latest. He also acted as lawspeaker of Uppland from no later than 1362.

His step-mother Märta Sunadotter of Hultboda, heiress of Fogelvik, was sister of Erengisle Sunesson, Earl of Orkney. From 1356, they supported the efforts of King Erik Magnusson to rise to equal rulership with, or to depose, his father King Magnus Eriksson.

His half-sister, Ingeborg Ulfsdotter married a young nobleman Bengt Algotsson (c. 1330 – c. 1360) in the early 1350s. He was a favorite of King Magnus Eriksson. However, the duke was under increasing attacks and dissatisfaction from the party of high nobility. Bengt repudiated Duchess Ingeborg sometime in c. 1356. In 1360, Karl was with troops in Scania. Bengt Algotsson was besieged at Rönneholm Castle, and Karl reportedly took part in killing him personally.

Karl supported King Albert III of Mecklenburg. During Albert's reign, he was Lord High Constable of Sweden (Riksmarsk) in 1364–71. However, he accepted Queen Margaret's rule when she deposed Albert in 1388–89. Albert had appointed him as the castellan of Viborg (see Fief of Viborg) sometime in the 1380s. He continued in this responsible and very autonomous position over the change of ruler until 1399.

Personal life

He was married several times, possibly as many as five, but had fairly few surviving children. With his first wife (wed 6 May 1352) Ingrid Eriksdotter of Boberg, daughter of Erik Larsson of Boberg and his wife Birgitta Knutsdotter, he had a son Knut Karlsson of Tofta. He was the only son to survive to adulthood. Knut also was knighted and was from 1376 justiciar of Södermanland, but predeceased his father, dying probably in 1389 and was apparently unmarried and childless.

Karl's second wife (from 1363) was Helena Israelsdotter of Finsta, who died ca. 1375. She was the daughter of Israel Birgersson of Finsta, justiciar of Uppland. Helena was sister of Karl' first cousin Philip Nielson of Salsta's wife Ramborg Israelsdotter of Finsta. There are no indications of any surviving children of either marriage.

His third wife was named Cecilia. The names of the fourth and the possible fifth wife's names are unknown, but one of them bore a daughter, Margareta Karlsdotter of Tofta, sometime around the 1380s or early 1390s.

Karl inherited in ca. 1389 from his son who had inherited a sizable property from his maternal kin. Also in ca. 1389, Karl inherited from his half-sister, Kristina Ulfsdotter, heiress of Fogelvik, widow of lord Peder Ribbing and of Niels of Rickeby, heiress of her sister Duchess Ingeborg of Halland and Finland, and her mother Märta Sunadotter, a daughter of Sune Jonsson, justiciar of Tiohärad, one of the first margraves of Viborg.

Karl was survived by his daughter Margareta Karlsdotter of Tofta (c 1380s - 1429), who was married twice; first to Knut Tordsson Bonde of Penningby and secondly in 1414 to Sten Turesson, Lord of Vik and Örby. Margaret was the mother of King Karl Knutsson (1408–1470) and of Birgitta Stensdotter of Vik, heiress of Örby and Ekholmen. Her descendants included Regent Sten Sture the Elder and Birgitta Gustavsdotter of Revsnes, who became grandmother of Gustav Vasa.

References

^ "Karl Ulfsson (Sparre av Tofta)". Svenskt biografiskt lexikon. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
^ "Folkungaätten". Svenskt biografiskt lexikon. Retrieved 1 August 2020.

Other Sources

Folke Wernstedt (1957) Äldre svenska frälsesläkter (Stockholm : Riddarhusdirektionen)

[1] "Karl Ulfsson (Sparre av Tofta)". Svenskt biografiskt lexikon. Retrieved 1 August 2020.

[2] "Folkungaätten". Svenskt biografiskt lexikon. Retrieved 1 August 2020.

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Charles of Tofta''', a.k.a ''Karl Ulfsson'' (died 1407) was a 14th century [[Sweden|Swedish]] magnate and [[Lord High Constable of Sweden]].
+{{Short description|Swedish magnate and High Constable of Sweden}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
+{{More citations needed|date=June 2024}}
-Lord Charles always signed himself as "of [[Tofta]]", which has given his whole ancestral lineage its later genealogical name, although his grandfather for example did not possess Tofta manor. The manor of Tofta, in [[Adelsö]], Uppland, was his main seat, and his other remarkable manor was Ekholmen, in Veckholm, same province.
+'''Karl Ulfsson''' ('''Sparre av Tofta''') (ca. 1317 {{endash}} 1407-11) was a 14th-century [[Sweden|Swedish]] magnate and [[High Constable of Sweden]].<ref>{{cite web|url=  https://sok.riksarkivet.se/sbl/Presentation.aspx?id=6252 |title= Karl Ulfsson (Sparre av Tofta)|website= Svenskt biografiskt lexikon
-He was born as the son of the first marriage of Ulf Abjörnsson (d 1347) with Christina Sigmundsdotter of the family of ''Tre Klöverblad''. His and his father's Coat of Arms was a [[chevron (insigne)|spar]] wherefore this family is regarded as one of numerous medieval families retrospectively named [[Sparre]]. Through his paternal grandmother, Charles was a descendant of the [[Ulv branch]] of the [[Folkunge (Bjelbo)]] clan and thus numbered some ancient [[Swedish earl]]s among his ancestors. His birth year is unknown to us, but scholarly estimates point to 1320s or early 1330s at latest.
+|access-date=1 August 2020}}</ref>
+==Biography==
-His uncle was [[Nils Abjörnsson of Salsta]], [[Lord High Justiciar of Sweden]]. And Charles' grandfather and Nils' father [[Abjörn Sixtensson, Lord of Salsta]] had been [[Duke Eric]]'s important ally.
+His birth year is unknown, but scholarly estimates point to 1320s or early 1330s at latest.{{Cn|date=June 2024}}
+He was born as the son of the first marriage of knight Ulf Abjörnson of Engso, justiciar of Tiohärad (d. 1347) with Kristina Sigmundsdotter of the family of ''Tre Klöverblad''. His and his father's [[coat of arms]] was a [[chevron (insigne)|chevron]] ('spar'), and so this family is one of the numerous medieval Scandinavian families retrospectively named [[Sparre]]. Through his paternal grandmother, Karl was a descendant of the Ulv branch of the [[House of Bjälbo]] (''Folkungaätten'') and numbered some ancient [[Swedish earl]]s among his ancestors.<ref>{{cite web|url=  https://sok.riksarkivet.se/sbl/Presentation.aspx?id=14301   |title= Folkungaätten|website=  Svenskt biografiskt lexikon|access-date=1 August 2020}}</ref>
-As young, Charles studied in Paris, quite rare for a secular noble of his era. He was advertised as one of learned men in Sweden during his later caree. It is clear that he was literate. Charles was knighted between 1354-58, possibly Summer 1355.
+Karl was literate and studied in [[Paris]]. He was knighted between 1354 and 1358, and summoned to the membership of the [[High Council of Sweden]] from 1356 at latest. He also acted as [[lawspeaker]] of [[Uppland]] from no later than 1362.
+His step-mother Märta Sunadotter of Hultboda, heiress of Fogelvik, was sister of [[Erengisle Sunesson, Earl of Orkney]]. From 1356, they supported the efforts of King [[Eric XII of Sweden|Erik Magnusson]] to rise to equal rulership with, or to depose, his father King [[Magnus Eriksson]].
-He was summoned to the membership of the [[Privy Council of Sweden]] from 1356 at latest. He also acted as [[lawspeaker]] of [[Uppland]].
+His half-sister, Ingeborg Ulfsdotter married a young nobleman [[Bengt Algotsson]] (c. 1330 – c. 1360) in the early 1350s. He was a favorite of King Magnus Eriksson. However, the duke was under increasing attacks and dissatisfaction from the party of high nobility. Bengt repudiated Duchess Ingeborg sometime in c. 1356. In 1360, Karl was with troops in [[Scania]]. Bengt Algotsson was besieged at [[Rönneholm Castle]], and Karl reportedly took part in killing him personally.
-Charles' stepmother Märta was sister of [[Erengisle, Earl of Orkney]], with whom Charles generally was in same party in Swedish high politics. From 1356, they supported young king [[Erix XII of Sweden|Eric's]] attempts to rise to equal rulership with, or to depose, his father king [[Magnus IV of Sweden]].
+Karl supported King [[Albert III of Mecklenburg]]. During Albert's reign, he was [[Lord High Constable of Sweden]] (''Riksmarsk'') in 1364–71. However, he accepted [[Margaret I of Denmark|Queen Margaret]]'s rule when she deposed Albert in 1388{{endash}}89. Albert had appointed him as the castellan of [[Vyborg|Viborg]] (see [[Fief of Viborg]]) sometime in the 1380s. He continued in this responsible and very autonomous position over the change of ruler until 1399.
-Charles' half-sister [[Ingeborg, Duchess of Finland|Ingeborg Ulfsdotter]] was, possibly already a widow of another, in early 1450s married to a noble years her junior, [[Benedict, Duke of Halland]] and Finland, the favorite of king [[Magnus IV of Sweden]]. For some years, things went relatively cordially, but the royal favorite was under increasing attacks and dissatisfaction from the party of high nobility. Duke Benedict repudiated Duchess Ingeborg sometime in c 1356, which made Charles his enemy. In 1360, Charles was with troops in [[Skane]] guarding against the former favorite's attempts. Duke Benedict was besieged at the [[castle of Rönneholm]], and according to tales, Charles personally took part in killing him.
+==Personal life==
-Lord Charles supported [[Albert III of Mecklenburg]] to become [[king of Sweden]]. In Albert's reign, lord Charles was the High Constable (''[[riksmarsk]]'') of Sweden 1364-71. He however accepted [[Margaret I of Denmark|queen Margaret]]'s rule when she had deposed Albert in 1388-89.
+He was married several times, possibly as many as five, but had fairly few surviving children. With his first wife (wed 6 May 1352) Ingrid Eriksdotter of Boberg, daughter of Erik Larsson of Boberg and his wife Birgitta Knutsdotter, he had a son Knut Karlsson of Tofta. He was the only son to survive to adulthood. Knut also was knighted and was from 1376 [[justiciar]] of [[Södermanland]], but predeceased his father, dying probably in 1389 and was apparently unmarried and childless.
+Karl's second wife (from 1363) was Helena Israelsdotter of [[Finsta]], who died ca. 1375. She was the daughter of Israel Birgersson of Finsta, justiciar of Uppland. Helena was sister of Karl' first cousin Philip Nielson of Salsta's wife Ramborg Israelsdotter of Finsta. There are no indications of any surviving children of either marriage.
-Apparently Albert had appointed him as the governor of [[Viipuri]] (see [[margrave of Viipuri]]) sometime in 1380’s. He continued in this responsible and very autonomous position over the change of ruler, up until 1399.
+His third wife was named Cecilia. The names of the fourth and the possible fifth wife's names are unknown, but one of them bore a daughter, Margareta Karlsdotter of Tofta, sometime around the 1380s or early 1390s.
-He was married several times, possibly as many as five, but had highly bad success in siring surviving children.
+Karl inherited in ca. 1389 from his son who had inherited a sizable property from his maternal kin.  Also in ca. 1389, Karl inherited from his half-sister, Kristina Ulfsdotter, heiress of Fogelvik, widow of lord Peder Ribbing and of Niels of Rickeby, heiress of her sister Duchess Ingeborg of Halland and Finland, and her mother Märta Sunadotter, a daughter of Sune Jonsson, justiciar of Tiohärad, one of the first margraves of Viborg.
-With his first wife (wed 6 May 1352) Ingrid Eriksdotter of Boberg, daughter of Erik of Boberg (Erik Larsson), PC, and his wife Birgitta Knutsdotter who was a daughter of sir Knut Folkason of the Algotssöner, and his wife Ingrid Svantepolksdotter, the one with royal descent, Charles had son Knut Karlsson, the only who survived to adulthood. Knut also was knighted, served as PC, and was from 1376 [[justiciar]] of [[Södermanland]], but predeceased his father, dying probably in 1389, and was childless and apparently unmarried.
+Karl was survived by his daughter Margareta Karlsdotter of Tofta (c 1380s - 1429), who was married twice; first to Knut Tordsson Bonde of Penningby and secondly in 1414 to Sten Turesson, Lord of Vik and Örby.  Margaret was the mother of King [[Karl Knutsson]] (1408{{Endash}}1470) and of Birgitta Stensdotter of Vik, heiress of Örby and Ekholmen. Her descendants included Regent [[Sten Sture the Elder]] and Birgitta Gustavsdotter of Revsnes, who became grandmother of [[Gustav Vasa]].
-Charles' second wife, from 1363, was Helena Israelsdotter of [[Finsta]], who died 1375 at latest, daughter of [[Israel Birgersson]] of Finsta, PC, last male of Finsta family, justiciar of Uppland, and Helena was sister of Charles' first cousin Philip's wife Ramborg. There are no indications of any surviving children of this marriage.
+==References==
-His third wife was a Cecilia. The fourth, and the possible fifth, wife's names are unknown to us, but one of them bore him a daughter, Margaret, sometime around 1380s or early 1390s.
+{{reflist}}
+==Other Sources==
-Marshal Charles inherited in c 1389 his childless son who had inherited a sizable property from his maternal kin, the [[Boberg lords]]. Also in c 1389, Charles inherited his remaining half-sister, the childless Christina Ulfsdotter, widow of lord Peder Ribbing and of Nils of Rickeby, heiress of her sister Duchess Ingeborg of Halland and Finland, and her mother Märta Sunadotter, a daughter of Sune Jonsson, one of the first margraves of Viborg.
+*Folke Wernstedt (1957) ''Äldre svenska frälsesläkter'' (Stockholm : Riddarhusdirektionen)
+{{authority control}}
-When old, Charles had only one remaining issue, his young daughter [[Margareta Karlsdotter of Tofta]] (c 1380s - 1429), who presumably only after Charles' death was given to marriage, and in turn married twice, first Knut Tordsson Bonde and second 1414 Sten Turesson Bielke. Through his daughter Margaret, Charles became grandfather of [[Charles VIII of Sweden]] and Birgitta Bielke, who made himgreat-grandfather of the Regent [[Sten Sture the elder]] and Birgitta Sture, grandmother of [[Gustav I of Sweden]].
+{{DEFAULTSORT:Ulvsson, Charles}}
-The retired Lord High Constable Charles died in November 1407, at a great age, narrated as 90, but likely not so high in truth. Chronological reasons do not easily allow his birth as early as in 1317, rather it had been something like a decade later.
+[[Category:Year of birth missing]]
+[[Category:1407 deaths]]
-==Source==
-Äldre svenska frälsesläkter, by Folke Wernstedt, 1957
-[[Category:Medieval Finland]]
 [[Category:People from Vyborg]]
 [[Category:Lawspeakers]]
+[[Category:14th-century Swedish nobility]]
+[[Category:15th-century Swedish nobility]]
-[[sv:Karl Ulfsson (Sparre av Tofta)]]
+[[Category:14th-century Finnish people]]
+[[Category:15th-century Finnish people]]