Erik XIV

Erik XIV of Sweden (1533–1577) was a Swedish king. His reign lasted from 1560 AD until he was deposed by his brothers in 1568 AD. He was the oldest son of Gustav Vasa, commonly regarded the founder of modern Sweden.

He is quite infamous in Swedish history, as he suffered from schizophrenia and was mentally unstable in general. Among other things, he married his mistress Karin Månsdotter, which at the time was unacceptable. In 1566, his most well-known deed took place - The murders of several members of the Sture noble family, who had been prominent Sweden and who he was distantly related to. One of them he stabbed himself.

This act led to an uprising, in which his brother Johan deposed him and took the throne. For several years he lived imprisoned, until September 1577 when he died, according to folklore murdered with a poisoned bowl of pea soup. Centuries later, his body was exhumed - Tests showed lethal amounts of arsenic in him.

It is interesting to note that he was actually not the 14th king of Sweden with the name Erik - Like his brother Karl, he based these numbers of various legends and myths.

v • d • e

Swedish Monarchs

Pre Kalmar Union|

Erik VI the Victorious • Olof Skötkonung I • Anund Jacob I • Emund I the Old • Stenkil • Erik VII Stenkilsson • Halsten Stenkilsson • Erik VIII the Pagan • Anund Gårdske • Håkan the Red • Inge I the Elder • Blot-Sven • Filip Halstensson • Inge II the Younger • Ragnvald Knaphövde • Sverker I the Elder • Eric IX the Saint • Magnus Henriksen • Karl VII Sverkersson • Knut I Eriksson • Sverker II the Younger • Erik X Knutsson • Johan Sverkersson I the Child • Erik XI the Lisp and Lame • Knut II the Tall • Valdemar Birgersson • Magnus III Ladulås • Birger Magnusson • Mats Kettilmundsson • Magnus IV Eriksson • Erik XII Magnusson • Haakon VI of Norway • Albert of Mecklenburg • Margareta I of Denmark • Eric of Pomerania • Christopher of Bavaria • Karl Knutsson Bonde • Kristian I of Denmark • John II of Denmark • Kristian II the Tyrant

Post Kalmar Union|

Gustav I Vasa • Erik XIV • Johan III • Sigismund • Karl IX • Gustav II Adolf • Kristina • Karl X Gustav • Karl XI • Karl XII • Ulrika Eleonora • Fredrik I • Adolf Fredrik • Gustav III • Gustav IV Adolf • Karl XIII • Karl XIV Johan • Oscar I • Karl XV • Oscar II • Gustaf V • Gustaf VI Adolf • Carl XVI Gustaf