During the 15th century, the Tott family was one of the most influential aristocratic families of Sweden, Finland and Denmark. Its members had relatives and property on both sides of the Swedish-Danish border, mainly in Skåne and Småland. Because of this they were, at least initially, keen to support the Union. A large part of Ivar Axelssons property lay in Aspeland and Sevede.
Ivar Axelsson was born in Denmark in 1420. In 1452 he became the Danish riksråd . At the same time, his brother Erik Axelsson was Swedish riksråd. During the Union wars in the 15th century, the brothers switched sides. In 1466, Ivar Axelsson married the daughter of the Swedish King Karl Knutsson, Margareta Knutsdotter Bonde. The following year, he completely broke off relations with the Danish King Kristian the 1st. Ivar was considered a traitor in Denmark and he lost all his Danish property. Probably, the land he owned in Sevede and Aspeland lay where battles were fought between the troops of Karl Knutsson and those of Kristian. It might have been dangerous to be one of Ivar Axelssons´ tenant farmers, when battles were fought every now and again.
Ivar Axelsson wanted to become Swedish regent after the death of Karl Knutsson in 1470. However, the council elected Sten Sture.
Like his brothers, Ivar Axelsson Tott was obsessed with power and did not hesitate to use it. He died in 1487.