Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden
Gustav II Adolf (19 December 1594 – 16 November 1632) was the King of Sweden from 1611 to 1632. He is known in English as Gustavus Adolphus.
| Gustav II Adolf | |
|---|---|
 | |
| King of Sweden | |
| Reign | 30 October 1611 – 6 November 1632 |
| Coronation | 12 October 1617 |
| Predecessor | Charles IX |
| Successor | Christina |
| Born | 19 December 1594 Castle Tre Kronor, Sweden |
| Died | 16 November 1632 (aged 37) Lützen, Electorate of Saxony |
| Burial | 22 June 1634 |
| Spouse | Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg |
| Issue | Christina |
| House | House of Vasa |
| Father | Charles IX |
| Mother | Christina of Holstein-Gottorp |
| Religion | Lutheran |
He is often said to have made Sweden a great power. (Swedish: Stormaktstiden). He is also said to be one of the best military leaders of all time. Gustav led Sweden to be a military power during the Thirty Years' War and spent most of his reign fighting.
Life
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Gustavus Adolphus was born in Stockholm. His parents were Charles IX of Sweden and his second wife, Christina of Holstein-Gottorp. When his father died in October 1611, while Gustavus was only 16 years old, he became King of Sweden.
Gustavus married Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg, daughter of John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg. Their daughter Christina later became Queen of Sweden.
In June 1630 he landed in Germany, starting the Swedish fight in the Thirty Year's War on the Anti-Imperial Protestant side, which was losing at the time. With Sweden's help the situation flipped so that the Protestants were winning.
Gustavus died in the Battle of Lützen in 1632 while leading a cavalry attack.
Gustavus Adolphus Day
changeGustavus Adolphus Day is on 6 November. Every year it is celebrated in Sweden, Estonia and Finland. On this day only, a special pastry is sold that has a chocolate or marzipan medallion of the king.
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