A1 Erik

ERIK (1533-1577)

Eric (1533-1577) was the only son of Gustav I of Sweden and Catherine of Saxe-Lauenburg. In the early years of his reign Eric was the image of a renaissance king. He favoured scholars, statesmen and artists who had studied abroad. Eric believed himself to be king by the grace of God and wanted to take all political power from the nobility. He even had the Riksdag (parliament) to sentence his half-brother John to death, as he considered John a likely usurper.

Eric saw himself as a great European statesman, and he proposed marriage to, among others, Elizabeth I of England and Mary I of Scotland. Also princesses of Hesse and Lothringen received honours from him. Eric was mentally unstable: he easily sunk into despair and suspicions, but he also made great plans with eagerness.

However, the king married Karin Månsdotter, a beautiful daughter of a soldier, though of the lower classes. Making Karin, a commoner, the queen of Sweden was one of the reasons why the nobility rebelled against their king and dethroned him. Eric's half-brother John ascended to the throne and on his command the king was poisoned.

Gracious Sir, be gentle with him You can all see, that he cannot Rule this country. Therefore, it would be Best for the King If he were to receive decent lodgings To spend the rest of his days On this earth there, in peace.

Benedictus Olai's, Eric XIV's physician's, request to John III