Torkel (Tyrgils orTorgils)Knutsson (died 1306) wasLord High Constable of Sweden, member of thePrivy Council of Sweden (Riksråd), and virtual ruler ofSweden during the early reign of KingBirger Magnusson (1280–1321).
Torkel hailed from an old noble family ofWest Geatish ancestry and was related to theHouse of Bjälbo (Folkungaätten). He was first mentioned in 1282. In documents from 1288, he is mentioned as aknight and a member of theprivy council (Riksråd).[1]
Before his death, KingMagnus Ladulås (c. 1240 – 1290) ordered his kinsman, Torkel Knutsson, the Constable of the Realm, to be the guardian of his son Birger. When King Magnus Ladulås died, Torkel becameregent for the underage Birger Magnusson (1280–1321).[2]
WhenTavastland had been attacked by theRepublic of Novgorod, in 1292, Torkel led theThird Swedish Crusade against Novgorod, in 1293 and conquered parts ofKarelia, where he founded the stronghold ofVyborg Castle. In 1299–1300, he led an attack against theNovgorodians, and he founded the Landskrona fortress onOkhta river at the influx ofNeva.[3][4][5]
The old trade treaties withLübeck were re-established, on condition that the town did not provide Novgorod with weapons or provisions.Torkel showed the same concerns about Swedish domestic politics. During his regency, the law ofUppland was established. He acted asBirger Jarl had done in the conflict against the church, in order to abolish the clergy's tax exemption. The clergy's discontent became apparent in 1303.[6]
In the struggles between KingBirger Magnusson and his brothers,Erik Magnusson, Duke of Svealand (c. 1282 – 1318) and Valdemar Magnusson, Duke of Finland (c. 1282 – 1318), Torkel was faithfully on the king's side. At Torkel's castleAranäs, in 1304, the two dukes had to sign a declaration that they would neither in Sweden, nor abroad, work against the king nor cause him harm. In spite of this declaration, the two dukes fled abroad and with the support of the Norwegian kingHaakon V of Norway, they attackedVästergötland. Torkel helped the king conquer the castle ofNyköping, which belonged to Duke Eric, and in Kolsäter (1305), he forced the two dukes to sign a declaration that they would not cause any harm to Torkel either.[7][8]
When the power of the dukes was on the rise again, Torkel had to reconcile with the church, and he ordered a charter on the renewal of the church's old rights, in 1305. However, Torkel was finally struck by the vengeance of his enemies. The dukes managed to win the trust of the king and poisoned the king's mind against Torkel. In December 1305, King Birger and the dukes arrived at Torkel's estate of Lena (where formerly theBattle of Lena had taken place) inVästergötland, and arrested Torkel who was taken toStockholm in chains. In February 1306, the marshal was decapitated. His body was interred at the place of execution. It was later moved and buried at theFranciscan church in Stockholm.[9]
Torkel was married twice. His first wife, whose origins are unknown, gave him a daughter Kristina Torgilsdotter, who married Torkel's godson and later enemy Duke Valdemar. She appears to have been repudiated by the duke upon her father's execution, as Valdemar is soon reported to have married withIngeborg Eriksdottir of Norway. Torkel's second wife wascountess Hedvig of Ravensberg.
Torkel's powerful personality and tragic end has been the matter of poetry, in e.g.B. v. Beskow's tragedyTorkel Knutsson. A statue of Torkel (byVille Vallgren) was raised, in 1908, on the square Rådhustorget inVyborg.
This article contains content from theOwl Edition ofNordisk familjebok, a Swedish encyclopedia published between 1904 and 1926, now in thepublic domain.
