Karl of Tofta

Charles of Tofta, a.k.a. Karl Ulfson (died 1407) was a 14th-century Swedish magnate and High Constable of Sweden.

Lord Charles always signed himself as "of Tofta", which has given his whole ancestral lineage its later genealogical name, although his paternal grandfather for example did not possess Tofta manor. The manor of Tofta, in Adelsö, Uppland, was his main seat, and his other remarkable manor was Ekholmen, in Veckholm, same province.

He was born as the son of the first marriage of knight Ulf Abjörnson of Engso, justiciar of Tiohärad (d 1347) with Kristina Sigmundsdotter of the family of Tre Klöverblad. His and his father's Coat of Arms was a chevron ('spar') wherefore this family is regarded as one of numerous medieval Scandinavian families retrospectively named Sparre - probably this family was the most prominent of them all. Through his paternal grandmother, Charles was a descendant of the Ulv branch of the Folkunge (Bjelbo) clan and thus numbered some ancient Swedish earls among his ancestors. His birth year is unknown to us, but scholarly estimates point to 1320s or early 1330s at latest.

His uncle was Niels Abjörnson of Salsta, High Seneschal of Sweden. And Charles' grandfather and Niels' father knight Abjörn Sixtenson, Lord of Engso, also High Seneschal, had been Duke Eric's important ally.

As young, Charles studied in Paris, quite rare for a secular noble of his era. He was advertised as one of learned men in Sweden during his later caree. It is clear that he was literate. Charles was knighted between 1354–58, possibly Summer 1355.

He was summoned to the membership of the High Council of Sweden from 1356 at latest. He also acted as lawspeaker of Uppland.

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