Knut Birgersson, Riksjarl of Sweden

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Jarl Knut Birgersson (Old Norse: Knútr jarl Birgisson, died 1208) was Riksjarl of Sweden.

He was the eldest surviving son of riksjarl Birger Brosa, and apparently was elevated to the office of Riksjarl during the last years of king Sverker II of Sweden, despite of the fact that Sverker had named his infant son Jon Sverkerson (Knut's nephew, being born of his sister Ingegerd Birgersdotter) as riksjarl after old jarl Birger's death, in attempt to confirm Jon his royal successor and to diminish the power of highest nobility by effectively abolishing the position of riksjarl, so no adult noble could occupy it.

Sources are silent how and why Knut became jarl in Jon's lifetime, but either he got it as compromise out of king Sverker, or Sverker actually needed an effective riksjarl to his side.

According to one source, jarl Knut was married to daughter of king Canute I of Sweden, named Sigrid Knutsdotter in that source. The same source states that Knut's son lord Magnus Broka was born of Sigrid.

Earl Knut was killed in 1208 at the battle of Lena, where king Sverker lost his throne to Canute's surviving son, the new king Eric X of Sweden.