Karl IX 1550-1611
King of Sweden

Born in Stockholm, he was the youngest son of Gustav I Vasa, half-brother of Erik XIV, and uncle of King Sigismund III Vasa of Poland and Sweden. In 1568, as Duke Karl, he led a rebellion against Erik XIV which deposed him and brought their brother, Johan III, to the throne (1568-92). A defender of Lutheranism, he resisted the Counter-Reformation promoted by Johan III and Sigismund III. He called the Convention of Uppsala (1593) which renounced Catholicism before the Catholic Sigismund arrived from Poland for his coronation, then took over as regent. When Sigismund returned (1598) to reclaim his kingdom, Duke Karl defeated and deposed him. Although personally unattractive, he was a good administrator, and sponsored industrial development. Proclaimed king in 1604, he fought a long inconclusive war with Poland (1600-10), intervened ineffectively in Russia, and Sweden was invaded by Denmark (1611-13). He was succeeded by his young son, Gustav II Adolf.