Torgils Knutsson was an influential and powerful man in Sweden during the 13th and early 14th centuries. Under his command, the Swedish army won many victories. His ambition and thirst for power made him many enemies, which eventually led to his death.
Torgils Knutsson was related to the royal family and he became a very powerful man. He got the title "Marsk", which meant that he was the second-most important man in the kingdom, serving directly under the King. He was the highest military leader in the country, and sought to make Sweden strong. He re-armed the military forces and led his well-trained army to the south-east of Finland. Eastern Karelia was conquered in a war against Russia. Torgils founded the town of Viborg to protect the eastern-most part of Sweden against Russia. Viborg became a fortified town with a strong ring-wall.
Torgils Knutsson also tried to make a lot of changes in Sweden. He was of the opinion that the country should be ruled by the noblemen. This led to a conflict between him and the young King, Birger Magnusson. In 1350, King Birger had had enough. He put Torgils in prison and had him tried at court. The next year, Torgils was executed. He was not even considered worthy of a proper grave in a church-yard. Torgils Knutsson ended his life as a criminal, but few years later, his body was taken to the Riddarholmen Church.