Erik XIV of Sweden (December 13, 1533–February 26, 1577) was the son of Gustav I of Sweden and Catherine of Saxe-Lauenburg. He was king of Sweden from 1560 until he was deposed in 1568. He was also ruler of Estonia, after it gave itself under Sweden in 1561. He died in prison, apparently of poisoning. A document signed by his brother John III of Sweden and a nobleman, Bengt Bengtsson Gylta, gave Eric's watchmen in his last prison authorization to poison him if anyone tried to release him. His body was later analyzed, and showed indications of poisoning.
Eric had several relationships before his marriage. With Agda Persdotter he had three daughters:
Virginia Eriksdotter (1559-1633) (living descendants)
Two months later Erik was crowned at Uppsala, on which occasion he first introduced the titles of baron and count into Sweden, by way of attaching to the crown the higher nobility, these new counts and barons receiving lucrative fiefs adequate to the maintenance of their new dignities.
When, at the beginning of 1568, Erik recovered his reason,, a reconciliation was effected between the king and the duke, on condition that John recognized the legality of his brother's marriage with Karin Mansdatter, and her children as the successors to the throne.
Erik at first offered a stout resistance and won two victories; but on the 17th of September the dukes stood before Stockholm, and Erik, after surrendering Göran Persson to the horrible vengeance of his enemies, himself submitted, and resigned the crown.
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