Died 975 AD | ||
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Children Sigrid the Haughty, Ulf Tostesson Grandchildren Cnut the Great, Olof Skötkonung, Estrid Svendsdatter, Harald II of Denmark, Ragnvald Ulfsson Great grandchildren Sweyn II of Denmark, Stenkil, Emund the Old Similar Sigrid the Haughty, Sweyn Forkbeard, Eric the Victorious, Olof Skötkonung, Cnut the Great | ||
Skoglar Toste or Skoglar Tosti (there are several variations) was a legendary chieftain from the Swedish province of West Götaland. His name (skoglar, skauglar or skagul) was reportedly due to his experience in battle.
Toste is mentioned in several sagas, most notable in Heimskringla. According to Snorri Sturluson, he was the father of Sigrid the Haughty. For some time he gave refuge to Harald Grenske, who later came back to woo Sigrid, only to be killed by her for his persistence. According to the sagas, Skagul Toste was also the father of Ulf Tostesson, father of Ragnvald Ulfsson and grandfather of Stenkil who became the King of Sweden in 1060.
Toste is said to have collected great riches when he demanded danegeld as he led a Viking army to England in 970. At Vallentuna, near Stockholm, the runestone of Orkesta (U 344) reads:
in ulfr hafir onklati * Þru kialtakat Þit uas fursta Þis tursti * Þa ---Þurktil * Þa kalt knutr
Translation: "And Ulf of Borresta (Ulf) has taken three payments in England. That was the first that Toste (tursti) paid. Then Thorkell the Tall (Þurktil ) paid. Then Canute the Great (knutr) paid.