House of Vasa

The House of Vasa was a Royal House of Sweden (1523-1654) and of Poland (1587-1668).

Kings and Queens of Sweden

• Gustav I (1523-1560)
• Eric XIV (1560-1568)
• John III (1568-1592)
• Sigismund I (1592-1599)
• Charles IX (1599-1611)
• Gustavus Adolphus or Gustav II Adolph (in Swedish Gustav II Adolf) (1611-1632)
• Christina (1632-1654)

John III married Catherine Jagiello, the sister of Sigismund II of Poland, and when Sigismund died without male heir their son was elected king of Poland as Sigismund III in 1587. On John's death Sigismund also gained the Swedish throne.

Christina abdicated and became a Catholic, and the throne of Sweden passed to the House of Palatinate[?] (Pfalz[?] -Zweibrücken), a cadet branch of the Wittelsbachs.

Kings of Poland

• Sigismund III (1589-1632)
• Ladislaus IV (1632-1648)
• John II (1648-1668)

Sigismund was Catholic, however, which 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.