House of Vasa
 |
| House of Vasa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, Russia |
| Founded | 1523 |
| Founder | Gustav Eriksson (Vasa) |
| Current head | None |
| Final ruler | Sweden: Christina (1632–1654)
Poland and Lithuania: John II Casimir (1648–1668)
Russia: Vladislav I (1610–1613) |
| Titles |
|
| Estate(s) | Sweden, Poland, Lithuania |
| Deposition | Sweden: 1654 (abdicated the throne, line extinct in 1689)
Poland and Lithuania: 1668 (abdicated the throne, line extinct in 1672) |
The House of Vasa (Swedish: Vasaätten, Polish: Waza, Lithuanian: Vazos) was the Royal House of Sweden 1523-1654 and of Poland and Lithuania 1587–1668. In 1611–1613 Duke Charles Philip, Prince of Sweden, was a pretender to Russian throne during Time of Troubles; so was Wladyslaw, the future King of Poland, in 1610–1613 (held a powerless title till 1634). Vasa origined from a noble family in Uppland of which several members had high offices during the 15th century. The name continues to be associated with the Swedish royalty.
Kings and Queens of Sweden
- Gustav I (1523–1560)
- Eric XIV (1560–1568)
- John III (1568–1592)
- Sigismund (1592–1599)
- Charles IX (1604–1611; Regent from 1599)
- Gustavus Adolphus (Gustav Adolf the Great) (1611–1632)
- Christina (1632–1654)
In 1654 Christina abdicated, converted to Catholicism and left the country. The throne passed to her paternal half-(first)cousin Charles X of the House of Palatinate-Zweibrücken, a cadet branch of the Wittelsbachs.
The kings of the house of Holstein-Gottorp, which produced the kings of Sweden from 1751 to 1818, emphasized their Vasa descent through a female line. The currently ruling house of Bernadotte similarly claims a Vasa mantle, as Charles XIV was an adopted son of Charles XIII, and his son Oscar I married a Vasa descendant.
Kings of Poland and Grand Dukes of Lithuania
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- Sigismund III Vasa (1587–1632) (Son of John III)
- Ladislaus IV (1632–1648)
- John II (1648–1668)
John III of Sweden married Catherine Jagellonica, the sister of Sigismund II Augustus of Poland, and when Sigismund died without a male heir, their son was elected king of Poland and grand duke of Lithuania as Sigismund III in 1587. On John's death Sigismund also gained the Swedish throne.
Sigismund was Catholic however, which ultimately led to his losing the throne in Sweden. His uncle Charles IX succeeded him. We thus have two Houses of Vasa from this point onwards: the senior, Catholic branch ruling in Poland, and the cadet, Protestant branch ruling in Sweden. This arrangement led to numerous wars between the two states. After John, the Polish Vasa died out. See also Rulers of Poland.
See also
- Vasa, listing many things named for the House of Vasa
- Swedish monarchs family tree
- Warship Vasa
- Vaasa, Finland
- House of Vasaborg
- Vasa Order of America
- List of Swedish wars