As a son of Bård Guttormsson, he belonged to the Norwegian nobility and was a half-brother of King Inge Bårdsson who in his last years elevated Skule to be an earl (jarl).

In order to facilitate a compromise between these two rivals, Skule's elder daughter Margaret Skulesdatter was married to King Haakon in 1225.

He raised a military host against King Haakon and won a battle at Låka in Nannestad, but lost in Oslo.

His party was called the Vårbelgs, a reference to spring pelts of bad quality fur for poor people.

He sought refuge in Elgeseter Priory in Nidaros but Haakon's men burned down the monastery and killed Skule.

The background for these conflicts were the unclear Norwegian succession laws, social conditions and the struggle between Church and King.