Jarl in Sweden

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Members of the medieval Swedish royal families of the House of Stenkil and House of Bjelbo held the title of jarl before their ascension to the throne. Since the early 12th century, there usually was only one holder of the title at a time, second only to the King of Sweden. For special occasions, regional jarls outside of Sweden could be nominated as well. An example of this is Jon jarl, who allegedly conducted pirate operations against Novgorod in the east.

When the House of Bjelbo succeeded in becoming the royal family in 1250, the title was subsumed into that of duke and the powers were merged into the kingship soon after Birger jarl's death in 1266.

1 Jarls of Sweden
2 Other jarls
3 References

[edit] Jarls of Sweden

from diverse families:

Jon Sverkersson, eldest son and heir of king Sverker I of Sweden

Karl Sverkersson, next son of king Sverker I - jarl in Gothenland

jarl Ragvald Henriksson, riksjarl during the brief reign of his brother Magnus (II)

Ulf Jarl, jarl in 1160s^[1]
jarl Guttorm, in 1160s

From the House of Bjelbo:

Folke the Fat, jarl around 1100
Bengt Snivil, jarl in the mid-1100s - probably never jarl
Birger Brosa, jarl 1174-1202
- underage: Jon Sverksersson, the future John I of Sweden, was named riksjarlupon the death of his maternal grandfather Birger, by the boy's father, king Sverker II
Knut Birgersson, killed in 1208 at the Battle of Lena
Folke Birgersson, killed in 1210 at the Battle of Gestilren
Charles the Deaf, jarl 1216-1220, killed at the Battle of Lihula
???Sune Folkesson probably never jarl
Ulf Fase, jarl 1222?-1247
Birger jarl, last jarl (Dux Sweciae) 1248-1266

The future Magnus III of Sweden was the Duke of Sweden after his father (with essentially the powers of hitherto riksjarl); and lands in for example Sudermannia, in kingdom's nucleus; until he deposed his elder brother Valdemar I of Sweden and himself became king

Eric Birgerson, next brother of Magnus III, was elevated Duke as Magnus' successor. Eric held lands for example in the then southern borders of Sweden, and for that reason he has in some sources dubbed as Duke of Smalandia.

Benedict Birgersson, bishop of Linköping, youngest brother of Magnus III, was elevated Duke after Eric's death. He is mentioned as the first Duke of Finland.