Who was Birger Jarl?

The Story of Birger Jarl (1210-1266), the Founder of Stockholm. In 1252, the area around the lowlands of Lake Mälaren had the largest population of the entire country.

The earliest document which names the place called Stockholm dates from that year. The document is signed by Birger Jarl, the country’s ruler, who, in popular parlance has come to be called the founder of Stockholm. There are indications that the area was inhabited as early as the 11th century.

Neither Birger Jarl nor his son, King Magnus Ladulås, considered Stockholm a capital city. The kings of the country travelled around and stayed at a great many different places. King Magnus did, however, work actively to encourage the growth of Stockholm, and it gained an increasing number of inhabitants. Around 1290, a special Town Law was established containing special rules for the Town.