Erengisle Suneson, Earl of Orkney facts for kids

Erengisle Sunesson was an important Swedish nobleman who lived a long time ago, in the 1300s. He was known as Jarl Erengisle in Sweden. A jarl was a high-ranking leader, similar to an earl. Erengisle was a knight and a high advisor to the king. He also held the title of Jarl of Orkney, a group of islands north of Scotland.

Erengisle's Family History

Erengisle was born into a noble family called Bååt. This name means "boat" in Old Swedish. His family came from a place called Småland in Sweden. His father, Sune Jonsson, was a lawspeaker, which was an important judge and leader in his region.

In 1320, Erengisle's father and his uncle bought Viipuri castle in Finland. This castle became like their own independent area, almost like a small kingdom. They made a deal with the new king, Magnus IV of Sweden, and gained special rights. This made their family very powerful in that region.

Erengisle's Life and Titles

Wealth and Important Homes

Erengisle was very rich and owned a lot of land in different parts of Sweden. One of his properties was Kymenkartano manor in Finland, where the city of Kotka is now. His main home was the old castle of Hultaboda (now Hultaby) in Sweden. He also owned Flishult manor nearby.

His Role as Jarl of Orkney

Erengisle usually supported his king, Magnus VII of Norway and Sweden. The king gave him tasks in Norway, which led to Erengisle marrying a daughter of Maol Íosa. Maol Íosa was the Jarl of Orkney.

Because Maol Íosa had no sons, his daughters' families shared or competed for his titles. Erengisle became the Jarl of Orkney. However, it seems he mostly used this as a fancy title to gain respect in Sweden. He probably never even visited the Orkney Islands!

Political Changes and the Jarl Title

In 1357, Erengisle was among the powerful nobles who declared Eric, King Magnus's son, as the new king. Erengisle then helped them make peace, and the father and son agreed to share the kingship.

But things changed quickly. Eric suddenly died from the Plague. This changed the politics in Scandinavia. Because of these changes, Erengisle lost his official position as Jarl of Orkney in 1359.

The title of Jarl of Orkney was empty for a while. Later, in 1379, the title was given to Henry Sinclair. Even so, Erengisle kept using the title "Jarl of Orkney" until he died. This shows how important the title was to him.

Death and Inheritance

Erengisle died on December 26, 1392, at an old age. He did not have any children of his own. He was buried in the Vadstena monastery church.

His last wife, Countess Ingeborg, had children from her first marriage. Erengisle's own nieces and nephews had already passed away. His family's possessions were divided according to his will, and a large part went to the church.

Erengisle was married three times:

• Margareta
• Agnes (Annot), daughter of Maol Íosa, Jarl of Orkney
• Before 1377, to Ingeborg Magnusdotter of Loholm, who was related to royal families and was a niece of St.Bridget of Sweden.

Coat of Arms

Erengisle's family shield showed a boat. This was a symbol of his large family, the Bonde clan. Famous Bonde leaders, like King Charles VIII, considered Erengisle's family to be their relatives.

Erengisle belonged to the Haak-Bååt branch of the Bonde clan. His close relative was also Bishop Charles of Linköping. Another relative was Knight Erengisle Jonson 'the younger'. His family's crest, like those of the Bååt and Bonde families, also showed a boat.