(English: "Earl Birger"), full name Birger Magnusson of Bjälbo (about 1210 – October 21, 1266), was a Swedish statesman and the founder of Stockholm. He was a member of the ancient noble family of the Folkung (Folkungaätten). The street Birger Jarlsgatan in central Stockholm is named after him.

Biography

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Birger was born about 1210 (exact date uncertain) as the son of Magnus Minnesköld of Bjälbo and Ingrid Ylva, nephew to the Earl Birger Brosa. In 1240, Birger organized a military campaign against Novgorod Republic and was defeated by Alexander Nevsky during the Neva Battle. Birger was elevated to the position of Jarl (directly translated: Earl, but the position was unique, not similar as earls in England) by King Eric XI in 1248 and had earlier married the king's sister Ingeborg Eriksdotter.

On Eric's death in 1250 Birger's son Valdemar was elected king while his father acted as regent. During the sixteen years of his sway Sweden advanced greatly in fame and prosperity. In 1249 he led an expedition to Finland, subjugated the Tavastians and built the Häme castle in Tavastehus, thus, laying the foundations of Sweden's overseas empire. He also built Stockholm in 1252, and enriched it by making it the chief mart for the trade of Lübeck, with which city he concluded a commercial treaty. As a lawgiver Birger laboured strenuously in the interests of civilization.

Ingeborg died in 1254 and in 1261 Birger married the widow of King Abel of Denmark, the queen dowager Mechtild of Holstein. Birger died on October 21, 1266, at Jälbolung in Westrogothia. His grave at the Church of Varnhem was opened in May 2002.

There is a statue of the great earl in the Riddarholm church at Stockholm, erected by Fogelberg at the expense of the Over-Governor of Stockholm in 1884, and there is a cenotaph for him at the base of the tower of Stockholm City Hall (it was originally intended to move his remains there, but this was never done). He is also the central figure of Fr. Hedberg's drama Bröllopet på Ulfåsa (1865).

Children

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Mother unknown

1. Gregers Birgersson

With Ingeborg Eriksdotter

1. Rikissa Birgersdotter, born 1238
2. Magnus Birgersson, born 1240, king of Sweden 1275.
3. Valdemar Birgersson, born 1243, king of Sweden 1250 - 1275.
4. Catherine Birgersdotter, born 1245
5. Ingeborg Birgersdotter, born ca. 1245, died 1302
6. Eric Birgersson, born 1250
7. Benedict, Duke of Finland, born 1254

With Mechtild (doubtful)

1. Christine Birgersdotter

Medieval Finland | Rulers of Finland | 1266 deaths | Swedish politicians | Swedish nobility | History of Stockholm

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