Gustavus
Gustavus,( Swedish: Gustaf), the name of six kings of Sweden.
Gustavus I, Or Gustavus Vasa(1496–1560), founder of modern Sweden, reigned 1523–60. He was a nobleman of the house of Vasa. During 1518–19 he was imprisoned in Denmark, which was ruling Sweden and Norway under the Union of Kalmar. Gustavus escaped, and finally returned to Sweden. In 1520 his father and many other Swedish patriots were murdered in the massacre of Stockholm. Gustavus led a revolt and defeated the Danes. In 1523 the Riksdag (legislature) elected him king. Gustavus supported the Reformation, made Lutheranism the state religion, and had the Bible translated into Swedish. He put down several revolts and left the crown to his son, Eric XIV.
Gustavus II, Or Gustavus Adolphus(1594–1632), reigned 1611–32. He was a grandson of Gustavus I, and succeeded his father, Charles IX. Gustavus Adolphus was well educated and deeply religious, and was called ``Lion of the North'' because of his brilliant generalship. He fought wars with Russia, Denmark, and Poland for control of the Baltic. He made peace with Denmark in 1613 and with Russia in 1617 on terms favorable to Sweden. The war with Poland continued until 1629. In the peace treaty Gustavus was allowed to retain important areas in East Prussia.
In 1630 Gustavus Adolphus entered the Thirty Years' War to aid the German Protestants and to extend Swedish influence. He twice defeated forces under the Bavarian commander, Count von Tilly, who was killed in the second battle. In November, 1632, Gustavus Adolphus defeated Count von Wallenstein at Lützen, but was killed in the action. His leadership, however, helped save German Protestantism.
Gustavus Adolphus was an able administrator who encouraged Swedish industry and commerce. During most of his reign he left the government in the hands of the able Count Oxenstierna. The king was succeeded by his young daughter, Christina.
Gustavus III(1746–1792) reigned 1771–92. He was the son of King Adolphus Frederick. Gustavus was a writer of dramas, poetry, and essays. When he succeeded to the throne, governmental power was in the hands of the nobility. In 1772 Gustavus staged a coup and reasserted the authority of the king. Gustavus reformed public administration and taxation and introduced religious freedom. He built up the navy, and his fleet won a great victory over the Russians in 1790. The nobility resented his efforts to weaken their power, and he was assassinated by a discontented aristocrat.
Gustavus IV(Gustavus IV Adolphus) (1778–1837) reigned 1792–1809. He succeeded his father, Gustavus III, at the age of 13 but did not assume the duties of king until he was 18. His reign was a series of mistakes and disasters. While at war with France he began hostilities with Russia, and then quarreled with his ally Great Britain. Sweden lost Pomerania and other possessions in Germany to France, and lost Finland to Russia. The people were oppressed by taxes. Gustavus was deposed in a coup d'etat in 1809. He was exiled and lived in poverty and obscurity as ``Colonel Gustafsson'' until his death.
Gustaf V(or Gustavus) (1858–1950) reigned 1907–50. The son of Oscar II, he was the fifth king of the Bernadotte dynasty. Gustaf was a popular monarch who had the longest reign in Swedish history. While he was king, the country grew in prosperity, an extensive system of social welfare was adopted, and democratic institutions were strengthened. An advocate of strict neutrality, Gustaf kept Sweden out of both World Wars.
Gustaf attended the University of Uppsala and entered the army, rising to the rank of general. As crown prince, he did much traveling and often served as regent during periods when his father was ill or out of the country.
Gustaf VI Adolf(Gustavus VI Adolphus) (1882–1973), succeeded his father, Gustaf V, in 1950 and reigned until 1973. He attended the universities of Uppsala and Oslo, and as a youth was an outstanding athlete. Gustaf's first wife, the British princess Margaret of Connaught, died in 1920; in 1923 he married the British-born Lady Louise Mountbatten. As crown prince, Gustaf traveled widely. He helped conduct archeological excavations and wrote papers on his findings.