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{{Short description|Swedish magnate and High Constable of Sweden}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}

'''Charles of Tofta''', Swedish: ''Karl Ulfson, Sparre av Tofta '' (ca. 1320-30 &ndash; 1407) 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
{{More citations needed|date=June 2024}}

'''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
|access-date=1 August 2020}}</ref>
|access-date=1 August 2020}}</ref>


==Biography==
==Biography==
His birth year is unknown to us, but scholarly estimates point to 1320s or early 1330s at latest.
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')]] wherefore this family is regarded as one of numerous medieval Scandinavian families retrospectively named [[Sparre]]. Through his paternal grandmother, Charles was a descendant of the Ulv branch of the [[House of Bjelbo]] (''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>
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>


Charles was literate and studied in [[Paris]]. Charles was knighted between 1354 and 1358. He was 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.
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 Sunason of Hultboda]], [[Earl of Orkney]]. From 1356, they supported the efforts of King [[Erix XII of Sweden]] to rise to equal rulership with, or to depose, his father King [[Magnus IV of Sweden]].
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]].


His half-sister Ingeborg Ulfsdotter was in early 1350s married to a young nobleman, [[Benedict, Duke of Halland]] (c. 1330 – c. 1360). He was a favorite of King [[Magnus IV of Sweden]]. However the royal favorite was under increasing attacks and dissatisfaction from the party of high nobility. Benedict repudiated Duchess Ingeborg sometime in c. 1356. In 1360, Charles was with troops in [[Scania]]. Benedict was besieged at [[Rönneholm Castle]] (''Rönneholms slott''). Reportedly Charles personally took part in killing him.
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 supported King [[Albert III of Mecklenburg]]. In Albert's reign, Charles was [[Lord High Constable of Sweden]] (''Riksmarsk'') of Sweden 1364–71. He however accepted [[Margaret I of Denmark|Queen Margaret]]'s rule when she had deposed Albert in 1388–89. Albert had appointed him as the castellan of [[Viipuri]] (see [[margrave of Viipuri]]) sometime in the 1380s. He continued in this responsible and very autonomous position over the change of ruler until 1399.
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.


==Personal life==
==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.
He was married several times, possibly as many as five, but had limited success in siring surviving children.
With his first wife (wed 6 May 1352) Ingrid Eriksdotter of Boberg, daughter of Erik of Boberg (Erik Larsson), and his wife Birgitta Knutsdotter who was a daughter of knight Knut Folkason of the Algotssöner, son of Ingrid Svantepolksdotter, he had a son, Knut Karlson of Tofta, the only son who survived 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.


Charles' 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 Charles' first cousin Philip Nielson of Salsta's wife Ramborg Israelsdotter of Finsta. There are no indications of any surviving children of either marriage.
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 a Cecilia. The fourth, and the possible fifth, wife's names are unknown to us, but one of them bore him a daughter, Margareta Karlsdotter of Tofta, sometime around the 1380s or early 1390s.
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.


Charles inherited in ca. 1389 from his son who had inherited a sizable property from his maternal kin. Also in ca. 1389, Charles inherited from his half-sister, Kristina Ulvsdotter, 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 Viipuri.
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.


Charles had only one surviving issue, 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 Steen Tureson, lord of Vik and Örby. Margaret was the mother of King [[Charles VIII of Sweden]] (1408- 1470) and of Birgitta Steensdotter of Vik, heiress of Örby and Ekholmen. Her descendants included Regent [[Steen Sture the Old]] and Birgitta Gustavsdotter of Revsnes, who became grandmother of [[Gustav I of Sweden]].
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]].


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Year of birth missing]]
[[Category:1407 deaths]]
[[Category:1407 deaths]]
[[Category:People of medieval Finland]]
[[Category:14th-century Swedish people]]
[[Category:15th-century Swedish people]]
[[Category:Swedish nobility]]
[[Category:People from Vyborg]]
[[Category:People from Vyborg]]
[[Category:Lawspeakers]]
[[Category:Lawspeakers]]
[[Category:14th-century Swedish nobility]]
[[Category:15th-century Swedish nobility]]
[[Category:14th-century Finnish people]]
[[Category:15th-century Finnish people]]

Latest revision as of 15:24, 12 October 2024

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

Biography

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

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

Other Sources

[edit]
  • Folke Wernstedt (1957) Äldre svenska frälsesläkter (Stockholm : Riddarhusdirektionen)