Erik XIV

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (November 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Erik XIV
Portrait by Domenicus Verwilt, 1561
King of Sweden
Reign	29 September 1560 – January 1569
Coronation	29 June 1561
Predecessor	Gustav I
Successor	John III
Born	13 December 1533 Tre Kronor Castle, Stockholm, Sweden
Died	26 February 1577 (aged 43) Örbyhus Castle, Örbyhus, Sweden
Burial	1 April 1577 Västerås Cathedral, Västerås
Spouse	Karin Månsdotter ​ (m. 1568)​
Issue more...	Virginia Eriksdotter Constantia, "Queen of Tividen" Princess Sigrid Prince Gustav
House	Vasa
Father	Gustav I of Sweden
Mother	Catherine of Saxe-Lauenburg
Religion	Lutheran
Signature

Erik XIV or Eric XIV (13 December 1533 – 26 February 1577) became King of Sweden following the death of his father, Gustav I, on 29 September 1560. During a 1568 rebellion against him, Erik was incarcerated by his half-brother John III. He was formally deposed by the Riksdag on 26 January 1569.^[1] Erik was also ruler of Estonia, after it placed itself under Swedish protection in 1561.

While Erik has been regarded as intelligent and artistically skilled, as well as politically ambitious, early in his reign he showed signs of mental instability, a condition that eventually led to insanity. Some scholars claim that his illness began early during his reign, while others believe that it first manifested with the Sture murders.

Erik, having been imprisoned and deposed, was most likely murdered. An examination of his remains in 1958 confirmed that he probably died of arsenic poisoning.^[2]