Gustav I Vasa 1496-1560
King of Sweden and founder of the Vasa dynasty

He was born in Lindholmen, Uppland, into an aristocratic Swedish family. He was taken to Denmark (1518) as a hostage, on the orders of King Kristian II, but managed to escape. After the death of his father in the infamous Stockholm Bloodbath (1520), he led an uprising against Kristian, captured Stockholm (1523) and was elected king by the Diet, effectively ending the Kalmar Union. An orator of impressive presence and a hard worker, Gustav imposed order and peace on the demoralized kingdom. He introduced the Lutheran Reformation, made himself head of the Swedish Church, and confiscated Catholic Church properties, using the revenues to build up a well-organized standing army and navy. He fostered schools, promoted trade, and built roads, bridges and canals. In 1544 he persuaded the Riksdag (parliament) to declare the monarchy hereditary, and was succeeded by his son by his first wife, Erik XIV. Ruthless in dealing with opponents, he crushed a series of revolts, and left the country united and stable.