orig. Gustav Eriksson Vasa
born May 12, 1496?
died Sept. 29, 1560, Stockholm, Swed.
King of Sweden (1523–60) and founder of the Vasa dynasty .
The son of a Swedish senator, Gustav joined the rebellion against Christian II of Denmark, who controlled most of Sweden. He became leader of the rebels (1520) and secured crucial aid from the rich free city of Lübeck. This aid enabled Gustav to establish Sweden's independence, and in 1523 he was elected king. Gustav imposed heavy taxes to pay his debts to Lübeck and to strengthen royal authority and lands. He hoped to seize the Roman Catholic church's wealth, and he pushed Sweden toward becoming a Protestant (Lutheran) country. An autocratic ruler, he built a strong monarchy and an efficient administration.