Vasa
Vasa
(vä`zə), Pol. Waza, royal dynasty of Sweden (1523–1654) and Poland (1587–1668). Gustavus IGustavus I, 1496–1560, king of Sweden (1523–60), founder of the modern Swedish state and the Vasa dynasty. Known as Gustavus Eriksson before his coronation, he was the son of Erik Johansson, a Swedish senator and follower of the Sture family.
..... Click the link for more information. , founder of the dynasty in Sweden, was succeeded by his sons Eric XIVEric XIV,
1533–77, king of Sweden (1560–68), son and successor of Gustavus I. To strengthen the power of the crown, he limited (1561) the privileges of the royal dukes.
..... Click the link for more information. (reigned 1560–68) and John III (reigned 1568–92). John III married the sister of Sigismund II of Poland, and their son was elected (1587) king of Poland as Sigismund IIISigismund III,
1566–1632, king of Poland (1587–1632) and Sweden (1592–99). The son of John III of Sweden and Catherine, sister of Sigismund II of Poland, he united the Vasa and Jagiello dynasties.
..... Click the link for more information. . On John's death Sigismund succeeded to the Swedish throne, but his Catholicism led to his deposition (1599) in Sweden, where his uncle Charles IXCharles IX,
1550–1611, king of Sweden (1604–11), youngest son of Gustavus I. He was duke of Södermanland, Närke, and Värmland before his accession. During the reign of his brother, John III (1568–92), he opposed John's leanings toward Catholicism.
..... Click the link for more information. (reigned 1604–11) succeeded him. The house was thus split into a senior Catholic line (in Poland) and a cadet Protestant line (in Sweden), and the two lines engaged in chronic warfare. Charles IX of Sweden was succeeded by Gustavus IIGustavus II
(Gustavus Adolphus), 1594–1632, king of Sweden (1611–32), son and successor of Charles IX. Military Achievements
Gustavus's excellent education, personal endowments, and early experience in affairs of state prepared him for his crucial role
..... Click the link for more information. ; on Gustavus's death (1632) his daughter ChristinaChristina
, 1626–89, queen of Sweden (1632–54), daughter and successor of Gustavus II. From her father's death (1632) until 1644 she was under a regency headed by Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna.
..... Click the link for more information. ascended the throne. With Christina's abdication (1654) in favor of her first cousin, Charles X, the Swedish throne passed to the ZweibrückenZweibrücken
, Fr. Deux-Ponts, city (1994 pop. 35,704), Rhineland-Palatinate, W Germany, near the Saarland border. Zweibrücken is a transportation center and has ironworks, steelworks, and factories that produce leather goods, wood products, machines, and
..... Click the link for more information. line of the house of Wittelsbach. In Poland, Sigismund III was succeeded (1632) by his son Ladislaus IVLadislaus IV,
1595–1648, king of Poland (1632–48), son and successor of Sigismund III. His reign was marked by struggles with his subjects and wars with the Swedes, the Russians, and the Ottomans.
..... Click the link for more information. , who was succeeded (1648) by his brother John IIJohn II
(John Casimir), 1609–72, king of Poland (1648–68), son of Sigismund III. He was elected to succeed his brother, Ladislaus IV. The turbulent period of his reign is known in Polish history as the Deluge.
..... Click the link for more information. . John abdicated in 1668.
Vasa
Swedish royal dynasty (1523-1654). The founder was Gustavus I Vasa (ruled 1523-60). His sons Eric XIV (1560-68) and John III (1568-92), his grandson Sigismund (1592-1604, in actuality until 1599), Gustavus’ son Charles IX (1604-11), Charles’ son Gustavus II Adolphus (1611-32), and the daughter of Gustavus II, Christina (1632-54) were all monarchs of Sweden. The Vasa dynasty also reigned in Poland from 1587 to 1668, including Sigismund III (1587-1632), who was the son of John III of Sweden and Catherine Jagello, the daughter of the Polish king Sigismund I the Old (with the election of Sigismund III as king of Sweden in 1592, the Swedish-Polish personal union that lasted until 1599 was established); and the sons of Sigismund III Ladislas IV (1632-48) and John Casimir (1648-68).