Ingeborg Tott

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Ingeborg Åkesdotter Tott (died December 1507) was a Swedish noblewoman and the wife of Sten Sture the Elder, who ruled Sweden as regent in the late 1400s. She acted as the first lady of the realm and helped run state affairs, especially when Sten was away. She also held Häme Castle in Finland as her own fief.

Family and marriage
She was the daughter of Aage Axelsson Tott and Märtha Bengtsdotter, and came from powerful Dano-Swedish noble families. She was related to Brita Tott. In 1467 she married Sten Sture the Elder; they had no children. Before that, in 1464, she was engaged to Hans Sigurdsen, but he died before the wedding.

Sten Sture the Elder and Ingeborg’s role
Sten Sture became Regent of Sweden after Charles VIII died in 1470. Ingeborg was the top-ranking noblewoman at his side and participated in important decisions. She remained loyal to Sweden even though she was born Danish, and she helped manage the realm when her husband was away. He trusted her with state matters, and their correspondence shows they shared power and planning.

Notable acts and influence
- During the Battle of Brunkeberg in 1471, Ingeborg distributed food to Stockholm’s poor at the Royal Castle and prayed for victory.
- In 1483, a riot in Stockholm led her to go into the streets to calm the crowd; she was nearly trampled, and her husband later kept the city peaceful to protect the realm.
- She was interested in learning and education. She supported the founding of Uppsala University in 1477, funded libraries and books, and helped with religious works, including a psalter.
- She supported religious houses, including the Carmelite convent at Varberg and, in 1493, the Carthusian convent in Mariefred.

Later years and Häme Castle
In 1497 Sweden briefly united with Denmark, and Sten lost the regency role. He and Ingeborg went to Häme Castle in Finland. In 1501 the Danish king John was dethroned, and Sten became regent again. Stockholm resisted a siege, and in 1502 Christina of Denmark surrendered to Ingeborg at the gates. Christina was taken to Vadstena Abbey as a prisoner.

Because Sten had rebelled against the Danish king, Ingeborg’s Danish estates were confiscated. Sten Sture died on 14 December 1503 while traveling home after escorting Christina. Ingeborg was not told right away; the news was kept from her so a plan to elect a new regent could be carried out. She handed over the strongholds but was careful to keep them stocked.

As a widow, Ingeborg ruled Häme Castle in Finland. In 1505 the council questioned her right to command, but she refused to give up, and some people supported her, so the castle stayed under her control.

Ingeborg died in December 1507. A sculpture group in Stockholm’s Storkyrkan, depicting Saint George and the Dragon, is thought to resemble her.