Gustavus I

Gustavus I., King of Sweden (1496-1560), known also as Gustavus Ericssen, and after his accession as Gustavus Vasa, was the son of Eric, Duke of Gripsbolm. In 1517 he was treacherously seized, together with other nobles, by Christian II. of Denmark, who had then reduced the greater part, of Sweden. After a year's imprisonment in the Castle of Kaloe, in Jutland, he was induced by tidings of Christian's forthcoming Swedish expedition to break his parole, and made his escape to Liibeck. With the help of the Liibeckers he made his way to Calmar in May, 1520, but, meeting with little encouragement in this part of Sweden, he withdrew into the wilder region of Dalecarlia.

Here he lived for several years as a farm labourer, and gained so much influence over the neighbouring peeesantry that they consented to follow him as their leader in a struggle with the Danes. His army gradually grew in strength, Upsala and other important fortresses fell into his hands, and he finally laid siege to Stockholm. In this crisis the states of the kingdom were convened, Christian was compelled to abdicate, and Gustavus was chosen king in his place (1523). His coronation took place two years later, and the crown was subsequently declared hereditary in his family. During the reign of Gustavus Sweden was raised from the low condition into which it had sunk to a state of high material prosperity. At the same time Lutheranism took the place of Catholicism as the established religion of his land, and education received a new impulse under the king's protection and care.