Swedish Monarch. Born at Stegeborg Castle, the second son King Gustav I and Queen Margaret. He was created Duke of Finland in 1556 and pursued a foreign policy independent of the crown. He went to London for an extended stay to propose marriage to Queen Elizabeth I of England for his half brother King Erik XIV, but was unsuccessful. After their father's death and his brother's ascension, he came into conflict with Eric largely due to his own unauthorized, politically potent marriage to Princess Catherine, a daughter of King Sigmund I of Poland. The couple had a son and two daughters. King Eric limited his brother's authority and imprisoned him in 1563. Released after five years, Johan joined his youngest brother Carl in a coup which deposed Eric XIV in 1568. He successfully concluded the Scandinavian Seven Years War in 1570. A theologian, he believed in the possibility of a synthesis of Lutheranism and Roman Catholicism and introduced a liturgy of his own in 1577, causing considerable friction with Swedish church leaders. Four years after his first wife's death in 1587, his son Sigmund was elected to the Polish throne on the death of his maternal grandfather. John was remarried to Lady Gunnilda Bjelke and had another son. He died three years later at the age of 54. King John III has been commemorated through his monumental likeness on an exterior wall of Stockholm Palace.
Swedish Monarch. Born at Stegeborg Castle, the second son King Gustav I and Queen Margaret. He was created Duke of Finland in 1556 and pursued a foreign policy independent of the crown. He went to London for an extended stay to propose marriage to Queen Elizabeth I of England for his half brother King Erik XIV, but was unsuccessful. After their father's death and his brother's ascension, he came into conflict with Eric largely due to his own unauthorized, politically potent marriage to Princess Catherine, a daughter of King Sigmund I of Poland. The couple had a son and two daughters. King Eric limited his brother's authority and imprisoned him in 1563. Released after five years, Johan joined his youngest brother Carl in a coup which deposed Eric XIV in 1568. He successfully concluded the Scandinavian Seven Years War in 1570. A theologian, he believed in the possibility of a synthesis of Lutheranism and Roman Catholicism and introduced a liturgy of his own in 1577, causing considerable friction with Swedish church leaders. Four years after his first wife's death in 1587, his son Sigmund was elected to the Polish throne on the death of his maternal grandfather. John was remarried to Lady Gunnilda Bjelke and had another son. He died three years later at the age of 54. King John III has been commemorated through his monumental likeness on an exterior wall of Stockholm Palace.
Bio by: Iola
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