Skagul Toste
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Skoglar Toste or Skagul Toste (there are several variations) was a petty king from the Swedish province of West Götaland. According to Snorri Sturluson, he was the father of Sigrid the Haughty. For some time he gave refuge to Harald Grenske, who later came back to woo Sigrid, only to be killed by her for his persistence. Toste is mentioned in several sagas, such as Heimskringla, and is said to have been the first to demand danegeld, in 970.
His name skoglar, skauglar or skagul is due to his experience in battle (skagul is one of the many names for battle in Old Norse).
At Vallentuna, near Stockholm, the runestone of Orkesta (U 344) says:
in ulfr hafir onklati * Þru kialtakat Þit uas fursta Þis tursti * Þa ---Þurktil * Þa kalt knutr
Translation: "But Ulf has taken three danegelds in England. The first one was with Toste, the second one with Thorkel and the third one with Canute the Great".
Children according to the sagas
- Ulf Tostesson jarl.
- Sigrid the Haughty, queen of Sweden.
