Sigismund III Vasa

Sigismund
Zygmunt III Waza

Reign	From November 17, 1592 - until July 24, 1599 in Sweden From August, 1587 - until April 19, 1632 in Poland
Coronation	On February 19, 1594 in Sweden. December 1587 in Poland
Royal motto	"Pro jure et populo" ("For justice and people")
Consorts	Anna of Austria Constance of Austria
Royal House	Vasa
Predecessors	John III in Sweden Stephen Bathory in Poland
Successors	Charles IX in Sweden Ladislaus IV in Poland
Date of Birth	June 20, 1566
Place of Birth	Gripsholm Palace, Sudermannia
Date of Death	April 19, 1632
Place of Death	Warsaw, Poland
Place of Burial	Cathedral of Krakow

King Sigismund of Sweden, Sigismund III of Poland-Lithuania, (June 20, 1566 - April 19, 1632), was the son of King John III of Sweden (1537-1592), of the House of Vasa, and his first wife Catherine Jagellonica of Poland (1526-1583). He ruled in Poland-Lithuania, where he was known as Zygmunt III Waza, from 1587 to 1632 and in Sweden from 1592 until he was deposed in 1599.

He was born at Gripsholm during his parents' imprisonment by King Eric XIV. Although Sweden was protestant, Sigismund was raised as a catholic. This fact combined with the troublesome personal union would later strike back at his attempts to find support in Sweden.

His mother was the daughter of Sigismund I the Elder and his wife Bona Sforza. The Jagiellon dynasty had held the crown of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth since the first ruler Ladislaus II had received it via his wife Jadwiga in 1386. Sigismund was elected king in 1587.

On his father's death Sigismund was offered the Swedish throne, and he was crowned in 1594. He tried to rule Sweden from Poland but his uncle, Duke Charles, took full control of Sweden. In 1598 Sigismund tried to defeat him with a mixed army from Sweden and Poland but was defeated in the battle of Stångebro. Sigismund was restrained from ruling Sweden from abroad, but nevertheless returns to Poland, so in 1599 he was deposed. The kingship was ultimately ceded to Charles. Sigismund however did not relinquish his claims to the Swedish throne, which led to very harsh relations and several wars between the two countries, to end only after the Great Northern War.

It was under Sigismund's rule that Warsaw was created Polish capital, in 1609. He died at the age of 65 in the royal castle in Warsaw.

Sigismund married twice. Firstly, on May 31, 1592, Anna of Austria (1573-1598), daughter of Archduke Karl II of Austria (1540-1590) and his wife Maria Anna of Bavaria (1551-1608). They had five children:

1. Anna Maria (1593-1600)
2. Katharina (1594-1594)
3. Ladislaus IV of Poland (1595-1648), (reigned 1632-1648)
4. Katharina (1596-1597)
5. Kristofer (1598-1598)

And secondly, on December 11, 1605, his first wife's sister, Constance of Austria (1588-1631). They had seven children:

1. Johan Kasimir (1607-1608)
2. John II of Poland (1609-1672), (reigned 1648-1668)
3. Johan Albert (1612-1634)
4. Karl Ferdinand (1613-1655)
5. Alexander Karl (1614-1634)
6. Anna Konstantia (1616-1616)
7. Anna Katharina Konstanze (1619-1651)

See also: History of Sweden - Foundation of Modern Sweden, Unions of Sweden

Preceded by: John III	List of Swedish monarchs	Succeeded by: Charles IX
Preceded by: Stephen Bathory	List of Polish rulers	Succeeded by: Ladislaus Wasa

Referenced By