ESKILSTUNA, a town of Sweden in the district (lan) of Sodermanland on the Hjelmar river, which unites lakes Hjelmar and Malar, 65 m. W. of Stockholm by rail. Pop. , 33,081. It is mentioned in the 13th century, and is said to derive its name from Eskil, an English missionary martyred on the spot. It rose into importance in the reign of Charles X., who bestowed on it considerable privileges, and gave the first impulse to its manu facturing activity. It is the chief seat in Sweden of the iron and steel industries, its cutlery bung especially noted, while dama scened work is a specialty. There is a technical school for metal industries. There are, in the town or its neighbourhood, great engineering works.