The Tree of Europe · Person
John III of Sweden
He deposed his brother Eric XIV and sought a middle course in religious policy. His marriage to Catherine Jagiellon linked the Vasas to the Polish succession.
This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.
Key details
Birth: 20 December 1537 Documented
Death: 17 November 1592 Documented
Role: King
Dynasty: Vasa
Territories: Sweden (ES)
Recorded governments and reigns
King · Sweden · Reign Documented1568–1592Effective rule
Recorded relationships
Parents
Gustav I Vasa · ESDocumentedMargaret Leijonhufvud · ESDocumented
Partners
Catherine JagiellonDocumented
Children
Sources for this profile
- Svenskt biografiskt lexikon · Sigismund
- Palacios Reales de Suecia · King Sigismund
- Museo de Historia de Polonia · Bitwa pod Byczyną
- Walka Zygmunta III Wazy o szwedzki tron · Plataforma educativa polaca
- Robert Frost · The Northern Wars, 1558–1721
- Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND authority record · Johann III., Schweden, König
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.
Evidence for this profile
6 recorded claims · 0 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.
Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
- BirthDocumented
20 December 1537
The authority record gives the birth as 1537-12-20. - DeathDocumented
17 November 1592
The authority record gives the death as 1592-11-17.
Family and relationships (3/3 with a precise source)
- FatherDocumented
Gustav I Vasa
The authority record identifies Gustav I Vasa (GND 118699431) as father. - MotherDocumented
Margaret Leijonhufvud
The authority record identifies Margaret Leijonhufvud (GND 1130878465) as mother. - Marriage or partnershipDocumented
Catherine Jagiellon
The authority record identifies Catherine Jagiellon (GND 135566967) as spouse.
Governments (1/1 with a precise source)
- GovernmentDocumented
King · Sweden · 1568–1592
The authority record dates this office to 1568–1592.
Biographical and contextual references (7)
- Svenskt biografiskt lexikon · Sigismund
- Palacios Reales de Suecia · King Sigismund
- Museo de Historia de Polonia · Bitwa pod Byczyną
- Walka Zygmunta III Wazy o szwedzki tron · Plataforma educativa polaca
- Robert Frost · The Northern Wars, 1558–1721
- Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND authority record · Johann III., Schweden, König
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
Editorial history
- 2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
- 2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
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Family
Gustav I Vasa · ESKing1496 – 1560Margaret Leijonhufvud · ESConsort1516 – 1551Catherine JagiellonConsort1526 – 1583
Sigismund III VasaKing1566 – 1632