Foundation of Modern Sweden

John III

:Main article: John III of Sweden

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The amicable relations between Sweden and Poland promised, at first, to be permanent. Sixteen years before his accession to the throne, John III of Sweden, then duke of Finland, had wedded Catherine Jagiellonica, the sister of Sigismund II of Poland on October 4, 1562. Duke Sigismund of Sweden, the fruit of this union, was brought up by his mother in the Catholic religion, and, on August 19, 1587, he was elected king of Poland. Sixteen days later the Articles of Kalmar, signed by John and Sigismund, regulated the future relations between the two countries when, in process of time, Sigismund should succeed his father as king of Sweden. The Articles of two kingdoms were to be in perpetual alliance, but each of them was to retain its own laws and customs. Sweden was also to enjoy her religion, subject to such changes as the Privy Council might make; but neither pope nor council was to claim or exercise the right of releasing Sigismund from his obligations to his Swedish subjects. During Sigismund?s absence from Sweden that realm was to be ruled by seven Swedes, six elected by the king and one by his uncle Duke Charles of Sudermannia, the leader of the Swedish Protestants. No new tax was to be levied in Sweden during the king?s absence, but Sweden was never to be administered from Poland. Any necessary alterations in these articles were only to be made with the common consent of the king, Duke Charles, the Estates and the gentry of Sweden.

Related Topics:
John III of Sweden - Finland - Catherine Jagiellonica - Sigismund II of Poland - October 4 - 1562 - Sigismund of Sweden - Catholic - August 19 - 1587 - Poland - Articles of Kalmar - Privy Council - Pope - Charles - Sudermannia - Protestants

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