Birger Jarl

Birger Jarl (c. 1210–1266), jarl of Sweden and head of the House of Bjälbo, married Ingeborg, sister of King Erik Eriksson, and received the title of jarl in 1248. Russian chronicles name him as the commander defeated by Alexander Nevsky at the Battle of the Neva in 1240.

He led the Second Swedish Crusade into Finland, probably around 1249–1250. He subdued the Tavastians and forced their conversion to Christianity.

When his young son Valdemar was elected king in 1250, Birger governed the kingdom as regent. Tradition credits him with founding Stockholm in 1252. He died in 1266.