Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - V. Later Catholic Period in Sweden - C. Knighthood, or Chivalry - D. Administration of Torgils Knutsson
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Torgils Knutsson 71
tered the lists. Their heads were all covered with hel-
mets with barred visors. Along one side of the lists
sat knights and noble ladies as spectators. The knights
then separated into two parties, the trumpets sounded,
the drums beat, and with couched wooden lances the
opposing parties rushed against each other. Many a
lance was splintered, many a knight unhorsed, and
some were mortally wounded. But the winners rode
forward to receive the rewards of victory from the
hands of the ladies.
D. TORGILS KNUTSSON AND THE STRIFE BETWEEN
THE SONS OP MAGNUS
Torgils Kmttsson’s Administration. When Magnus
Ladul&s died, his sons were still too young to govern.
He therefore appointed his high official Torgils Knuts-
son to conduct the government as guardian of the
young princes. Of his time the Rhymed Chronicle,
an old narrative in verse from the fourteenth cen-
tury, says:
"Then Sweden prospered so,
Scarce better times she’ll know."
He continued Earl Birger’s crusades and converted the
Carelians in southeastern Finland to Christianity.
Like his father, Magnus had given dukedoms to his
younger sons. In this group, too, the elder brother was
a weakling. His name was Birger. The second was
Duke Eric. He became an accomplished knight hand-
some in person, noble in bearing, and brave in danger.
But in his efforts to win power and glory he seemed
wholly devoid of conscience. With his younger brother
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