Kingdom of Sweden (Poland)

This article is about the specific polity Kingdom of Sweden (Poland) and therefore only includes events related to its territory and not to its possessions or colonies. If you are interested in the possession, this is the link to the article about the nation which includes all possessions as well as all the different incarnations of the nation.

If you are looking for the page with the statistics about this polity you can find it here:All Statistics

Was a short-lived personal union between the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Kingdom of Sweden between 1592 and 1599. It began when Sigismund III Vasa, elected King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, was crowned King of Sweden following the death of his father John III. The union ended following a civil war in Sweden in which he lost the crown to his uncle, who eventually became Charles IX.

Summary

In the late 16th century, the Swedish throne passed to the House of Vasa, specifically the Catholic Sigismund, who was also King of Poland. This created tensions, as Sigismund was seen as favoring Polish interests over those of Sweden. A civil war eventually broke out, with Sigismund's uncle Charles IX emerging victorious and becoming King of Sweden in 1604.

The conflict between Sweden and Poland over the throne continued into the 17th century. Both countries sought to expand their influence in the Baltic region, leading to a series of wars. Ultimately, Sweden was able to establish itself as the dominant power in the region, gaining territory from Poland and cementing its status as a major European state.

However, the personal union between Sweden and Poland was short-lived, ending in 1599 with the removal of Sigismund from the Swedish throne. This marked the end of any direct Polish influence over Sweden's affairs, allowing the country to focus on its own internal development and foreign policy priorities.

Establishment

November 1592: When King John III of Sweden died in 1592, his son Sigismund, already king of Poland since 1587, assumed the Swedish throne.

Chronology

Interactive Chronologies with maps are available in the section Changes Navigation

1. War against Sigismund

Was a war between Duke Charles, later known as King Charles IX of Sweden, and Sigismund, who was at the time the king of both Sweden and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The war led to the dissolution of the Polish-Swedish Union.

November 1597: A civil war broke out in Sweden in in 1597. Duke Charles gained control of almost entire Sweden (without Finland and Estonia).

May 1598: At the end of May 1598 Sigismund landed on Swedish soil near Avaskär, a tiny village in Blekinge, south of Kalmar.

August 1598: Sigismund Vasa was able to occupy the key-city of Kalmar.

August 1598: Sigismund sailed with his infantry to Stegeborg Castle.

August 1598: In 1598, Stockholm was taken by the Kingdom of Sweden (Poland) with the help of King Sigismund III Vasa and his supporters in the nobility and military. The city fell easily due to its lack of proper defenses.

August 1598: The forces of Sigismund III Vasa takes control of the fortresses of Älvsborg and that of Gullberg.

August 1598: Battle of Stegeborg: The defeated Swedes quickly retreated to Mem Castle.

September 1598: The forces of Sigismund III Vasa were defeated at the Battle of Stångebro. The king fled to Poland.

May 1599: Swedish forces led by Carl Carlsson Gyllenhielm, marched towards Kalmar with the intention of besieging the city. Johan Larsson Sparre strenuously defended the walls and the castle, in the hope that the king would soon return to Sweden. But he received no assistance and, on the night of March 1-2, the city was stormed.

October 1599: After the assault and capture of Kalmar, the epicenter of the War against Sigismund moved to Finland. Stronghold after stronghold it began to be conquered in July. By September, all of Sigismund's followers had fled.

June 1600: In 1600, King Charles IX of Sweden occupied the Swedish part of Estonia, which was under a personal union with Poland at the time.

2. Northern Wars

A series of wars fought in northern and northeastern Europe from the 16th to the 18th century.

2.1.Russo-Swedish War (1590-1595)

Was a war between the Kingdom of Sweden and the Tsardom of Russia initiated by the latter in order the reconquer territories lost during the Livonian War.

2.1.1.Treaty of Teusina

The Treaty of Teusina, concluded on 18 May 1595, ended the Russo-Swedish War (1590-95). The treaty revised the provisions of the Truce of Plussa of 1583, restoring to Russia all territories then ceded to Sweden except for Narva. Russia received most of Ingria, with the towns of Ivangorod, Jama, Koporye and Korela Fortress.

May 1595: The Swedish-Russian border was delineated from the outstream of the Systerbäck river into the Gulf of Finland, over lakes Saimaa, Inari, the settlement of Neiden and up to the Murman Sea.

May 1595: The Treaty of Teusina, Tyavzin or Tyavzino was concluded on 18 May 1595 to end the Russo-Swedish War (1590-95) between the powers. The treaty revised the provisions of the Truce of Plussa of 1583, restoring to Russia all territory then ceded to Sweden except for Narva. Russia received most of Ingria, with the towns of Ivangorod, Jama, Koporye and Korela Fortress.