A.

John of Oreby , the sonne of Christiern 3 Knight and Councellor of the kingdom of Sweden , departed out of this world vpon Easter day , in the yeere of Christ , 1477. He had to wife , Bridget ; a daughter of Gustavus Sture , and Bridget Turon , who was a sister of Steno Sture , the elder of Gripsolme , and Governour of the kingdome of Sweden .

The foresaid Bridget died in Anno , 1472. and had issue by her said husband , Ericus 1. Of the line of Fortsflanter . Christiern 4. Of Oreby , Knight . Anna , wife of Iohn Turo , Marshall of the kingdome .

Ericus 1. of Gripsolm , Knight , and Councellour to the kingdome of Sweden , Governour of Eland , &c. He was by Christiern 2. King of Denmarke , beheaded in the Market-place , at Holm , in Anno Christi , 1520 , the 8 of November . His wife was Caecilia , a daughter of Magnus Charles of Eka , Knight and Councellour of the kingdome of Sweden . Shee was also , together with other Ladies and yong Gentlewomen , cast into prison by the said King of Denmarke , and shortly after carried into Denmarke , in the yeare of Christ , 1520 , having before brought into the world , 1 Gustavus of the line of Vermehren . 2 Marg●●et , first married to Peter Brahe , Earle of Wisingsburg , and Baron of Ribdeholm . Shee was married after to Iohn , Earle of Hoien , who was slaine in a battell that happened at Ochsenbring , in Finland in the yeare of Christ 1534 , the 11 of Iune . He was the father of Iohn , Bishop of Munster , and Osnabruck , who died , Anno 1574. 3 Magnus 1. 4 Iohn 2 5 Bridget . 6 Anna , who died in the yeare 1514.

Gustavus , a Knight of Sweden , was borne in the yeare of Christ , 1490 : he had his education from his youth in the Court of Steno Sture his Grandmothers brother : hee shewed his first Act of valour under Suanto , Marshall of the said kingdome , and was mad chiefe Cornet of the Cavolarie vnder the command of Steno the younger , where hee behaved himselfe so well in two severall Battels , in which Steno had the victory , that his valour was highly commended : hee was after wards , and his Consorts , being demanded hostages by Christiern 2. King in Denmarke , carried Prisoners into Denmarke , and so kept in a Castle called Kalp , in Iutland ; out of which , hee not long after , in a disguised habit , being unknowne , escaped and arrived safe at Lubeck , in Anno 1519 ; from thence passing through many dangers , arrived , in the end , safely in his owne Countrey Sweden , and came into Reffnas , his Cousins patrimony . But when hee understood that his Father , with others principall States of the kingdome were lately before strangely put to death , he was so incensed against the enemies of his native Country , that he did assemble together his Countrey-men from all places , to whom hee represented the miserable estate of their native Country , and that they were all dead men , if they did not free themselves from the present tyranny by ioynt ayd and assistance . Whereupon hee was instantly chosen , by the States of Dalien , Governour , named and proclaimed to be the Protectour of the liberties in the yeare of Christ , 1521. Hee had out of Darlecarlien a brave Companie of men , which are accounted the valiantest men in the whole kingdome of Sweden , with whom he did pursue the Danes who had enquartered themselves in Scandia , and did besiege Holm for the space of two yeares , which is the chiefe City in the kingdome , and in the end took the same , and by the helpe of the valiant Townesmen , did beate out the Danes that were there in Garrison . For this heroicall fact he was chosen King of Sweden and Gothland , the fourth of Iune , in Anno 1523 , and named a Deliuerer of the Native Countrey , with much ioy and alacrity by all that did truly loue their Countrey .

This being done , he did first of all ( to the end hee might manifest his thankfull disposition , and that he was not vnmindfull of the kinde deeds expressed towards him ) ratifie and confirme in his owne and the States name of Sweden to the Citie of Lubeck , Dantzick , and to other neighbour Cities , stately and great privileges , rights and immunities granted vnto them . Hee did not receive the Crowne till the 12. of Ianuary , 1528 , after such time as hee had caused all those to be executed who might have beene an hinderance vnto him , and who through the Bishops power , and abundance of riches , were growne stubborne , who did raise one disquietnesse vpon another against the Kings , and who were also the onely occasion of all the former warres and insurrections .

Now the civill and forraigne warres being thus happily brought to an end , and the wished peace appearing againe , to the end that the kingdome which was thus recovered by meanes of his heroicall vertues and valour might bee so maintained , he tooke special care that good lawes and discipline with the exercise of the true Religion , should be setled and established throughout the whole kingdome . And thus hee continued and reigned peaceably the space of 40 yeares , untill his death , which happened the 29 of November , in the yeare of Christ , 1560 , at the age of 70 yeares , and was buried in Vpsalia , He had three wives , the first , Katharine , the daughter of Magnus 2. Duke of Low-Saxony in Engern and Westphalia , they was married at Stockholm the 24 of September , 1531. Shee had , foure yeares after , a fall from her horse , whereof shee died the 23 of September , 1535.

The second was Margaret his Kinswoman , the daughter of Eric Abraham of Loholm , Knight , and Governour of Westgothland . This Eric Abraham was also beheaded in Anno 1520 , by the command of Christiern 2. King of Denmarke : he did marry her the first of October , 1536 , in which yeare she was also crowned . This Margaret dyed the 26 of August , 1551.

The third wife was Katherine , the daughter of Gustavus Governour in West Gothland , with whom he was married in Wastein 1552 ( Chytr . lib. 17. Saxon. ) Hee had issue by these three wives six sonnes , and three daughters .

With the first .

☞

1. Ericke , second King of the Swedes and Goths , of his name the XIIII . was borne the 13. of December in the yeere of Christ 1533. He was chosen King in the assembly of his own and forraigne Princes and Ambassadours the 24 Iune 1561. He had war 7 yeeres together with Fredericke the 2 King of Denmarke , which in the end , namely in Anno 1570. was happily composed & agreed upon in Stetin in Pomeren , where were present Ambassadors & Commissioners from Maximilian the 2 Roman Emperor , from Charles the 9. King of France , from Sigismund August King of Polonia , from Augustus Elector of Saxe , and from other Princes . Also those of Stetin obtained this privilege . That for all the goods in a ship , thorow the Sound , they should pay for ship and all for custome , no more than one Rose-noble . At the beginning of these warres , this Eric caused his Brother Iohn , Duke of Finland to be apprehended in the night , and committed Prisoner in the Castle Aboen at that time when the said John least thought of it ; Eric having no other cause than a suspition which he had of him that he was not to be trusted because the said Iohn his wife , who was sister to Sigismund , King of Polonia was his enemie , and made all his neighbours to rise against him . Having thus held Iohn sundry yeares in Prison , with his sonne , a childe of two yeares old , in the end hee purposed to put them both to death , that hee might afterwards give his brothers wife in marriage to the Muscouit , whereunto they two were before agreed . But before that hee could accomplish that purpose of his , hee became distracted in his senses , whereat the whole kingdome was much troubled , and his Brother Iohn obtained his liberty againe , who held Eric Prisoner in Orbey , and so the chance was turned ; All which hapned in the yeare of Christ , 1568. Eric dyed in Prison , in the yeare 1578 , and was buried in Westrasia in Finland . Hee had issue from Katharine his Concubine , a woman of meane parentage , whom at last , as some report , hee did marry the 4 of Iuly , 1568.

Gustavus a Bastard who was sent for unto Moschkaw by Boride Fedrowitz , to the end hee should marrie his daughter , but hee returned home againe without her . He lived a while at Prague in the Court of Rodulph the second Emperour , ( whereof M. Daniel Adamus of Mulaslaw in his Bohemian hystoricall Kalender , ) some write that hee dyed in Aulitz , in Muscovia , in the yeere 1607.

Christopher .

Syria , who was married unto Henry Tadden Baron in Finlandt .

With the second .

☞

Iohn the third King of Sweden and of the Gothes , Duke of Finland , &c. was borne in Steckburge in the Province of Ostrogoth 1537 , the 21 of December . After that his brother Erick , by Gods iust iudgement , was growne out of his senses ; this Iohn , together with his wife and his Son , were delivered out of their imprisonment the 28. of Iuly , in the yeere of Christ 1568. and was crowned King the 13. of October following : and considering that his brother Erick would not give eare , nor follow any good advice , nor admit any friendly treaty , Iohn , with the generall consent and assistance of the whole States and Commons in the Kingdome , besieged him in Stockholm ; the reason there of was then made knowne to all men by publike Proclamation , and thereupon as soon as the City of Stockholm had yeelded , Erick was taken and put into the same prison wherein Iohn had beene kept before . Two yeeres after Iohn had made a peace with Frederick the 2. King in Denmarke , which was confirmed and ratified by the interposition of the Emperor and other Kings and Princes : hee did also in the yeere of Christ 1580 conclude a leagu with Stephon Bathori King of Polonia : the next yeere being 1581 , he tooke Finlandt from the Muscouite , & sent a fleet of Ships into Leiflandt , tooke the City of Narue , and slew 5000. Muscouites . This Iohn dyed the 17. of Nouember in Anno 1592. of 55 yeers of age , and was buried in Vpsalia , leaving issue as followeth : By Katherine ( the daughter of Sigismund first King in Polonia and Bona Sfortza , Dutchesse of Milan , with whom hee was married the 4 of October , 1562 , and shee also crowned the 10 of Iune , 1569. Shee dyed the 16 of September , 1593 , and was the next buried by her Husband in Vpsalia ; as writeth Iohn Mesen in his description of the ancient and following Kings of Sweden and Goths .

Their Issue .

Sigismund 3. of that name , King of Polonia , of whom hereafter more mention shall be made under the letter B.

Isabella , horne in the yeare of Christ , 1567 , dyed in her infancie , and was buried at Stregniez .

Anna Infanta of Sweden , borne at Eschilstan , the 8 of May , Anno 1568. Shee lived , for a time , in the Court of her brother Sigismund , King of Polonia , and dyed in Stratsburg in Prusse , 27 Ianuary , 1615.

By Gumilla , the daughter of Iohn B●elki , Governour in Ostrogoth , a principall Family .

Iohn , Prince in Finland and Ostrogoth , born in Vpsalia , in Anno 1589 , the 18 of Aprill . Hee married the 29 of November , 1612 , Mary Elizabeth , daughter of Charls , King of Sweden , and of the Goths , his fathers brothers daughter . He dyed at Wasten where he kept his Court , in Anno 1618 , and shee dyed 1619 , and both are buried in the Parish Church of Lyncopin .

3. Katharine was borne 6 Iune , in Anno 1539 and was married to Ezard 2 , Earle of East Friesland , the 1. of October , 1559.

4. Caecilia was borne 6 November , 1540. and was married to Christopher , Marquis of Baden , in the yeare of Christ , 1564.

5 Magnus Duke of Eastgothland Earle ; of Dalien , was born 25. Iuly , in Anno 1542 died distracted in Anno 1595. and is buried in Wasten .

6 Steno was borne in the yeere of Christ 1544. and died in Anno 1549. and is buried in the chiefe Church of Lyncopin .

7 Anna was borne the 9 of Iune , in the yeere of Christ 1545. She was married to George Iohn Count Palatine of the Rhyne in Leitzelstein and Landereck 18. October , in the yeere of Christ 1563. She was amongst other by George Gustaue Count Palatine of the Rhyne , a Grandmother to Charles Ludouick Count Palatine of the Rhyne , &c. born the fift of February in the yeere of Christ 1609.

8 Charles the fift was born in Ann. 1546. but died presently after hee was baptized , and was buried at Stockholm .

9 Sophia was borne 29. Octo. Ann. 1547. and was married unto Magnus , Duke in Lower Saxe , the sonne of Francis I. the 4. of Iuly 1568.

10 Elizabeth was borne in Anno 1549. and was married unto Christopher Duke of Mechelburg in Anno 1581. in Stockholm , and there she died 19. Nouember in Anno 1597.

11 Charles the 6 of this family , was born betweene the 4 and 5 of October in Anno 1550. Duke of Finland , Sudermania and Nericia , &c. after that he had continued in warres with Sigismund King of Polonia and Suede ( who was his brothers Nephew ) was by the States of the Kingdome elected King of Sueden , of the Goths and Vandales , the 19 of March 1600. and according to the accustomed manner hee was also the 15 of March 1607. crowned . He died in Norcopin the 29 of October in Anno 1611. of the age of 61 yeeres , and is buried in Stregnitz He had issue .

☞ With Mary daughter of Ludovick Count Palatine of the Rhine , Elector . She was married to him the 11 of May in An. 1579. and died 29 Iuly 1589. and had issue by him

1 Margaret Elizabeth , borne in Nycopin the 23 September , in anno 1580. and died the 27 of August 1585.

2 Elizabeth Sabina born 12 of March , in anno 1582. but died in Nycopin the 6 July 1585.

3 Ludouicke Duke of Suderman , &c. was borne in Heidelberg 17 March in the yeere 1583. but he died few dayes after .

4 Katherin was borne in Nycopin the 10 or 11 of Nouember 1584. and was married the 11 of Iune , in anno 1615. unto Iohn Casimire Count Palatine of the Rhyne in New Castel , being sonne unto Iohn Duke of Zweybrucken .

5 Gustauus 2 , Duke of Suderman , &c. was borne in Nycopin in anno 1587 the 12 of Iune , & died the 4 of Decemb. following .

6 Mary borne in Marienholm the 18. of December in anno 1588 and dyed the 24 of Aprill 1589.

☞ With Christina the daughter of Adolph , Duke of Holstein , and neece to Frederick the I. King of Denmarke and Norway , &c. married the 27 of August , in anno 1592. they two had issue together 1 Christina , borne in Nycopin the 26 nouember , in anno 1593. and dyed the 25 of may 1594. 2 Gustauus Adolphus King of the Suedes , Goths and Vandales , great Prince in Finland , Duke in Esthen and Carelia , Lord of Ingermanlande , &c. was borne in the Kingly Palace of Stockholm the 9 of December , in the yeere 1594. He was crowned the 12 of October 1617. He was married the 25 of October 1620. unto Marie Eleonora , daughter to Iohn Sigismund , Marquesse and Elector of Brandenburg . Shee was crowned Queene of Suede three daies after . Their issue 1 A daughter borne dead the 24 Iuly in the yeere of Christ 1621. 2 Christina the I. borne in October 1623 , but died the next yeere following . 3 Christina II. borne the 8 of December 1626 at Stockholm . 3 Marie Elizabeth born the 1● of March in anno 1596. in Orebrog , was married the 29 of November 1612 vnto Iohn Duke of Finlandt and Ostergothland . She died in the yeere 1619 in Lyncopin and was buried there in the chiefe Church neere her husband . 4 Charles Phillip Duke in Suderman , Nericia and Verhmlandt , &c. was borne the 23 of Aprill in anno 1600. He died the 25. of Ianuarie 1622. of a burning Fever in his returne towards Norcopin upon the frontiers of Russia , after that his brother Gustavus Adolphus had taken Rugen the chiefe Citie in Leiflandt .

B

Sigismund , the first Sonne of Iohn the III. King of Suede and of the Goths , was borne at Gripsolm the 20 of Iune 1566. He was elected in Cracaw King of Polonia , of this name the III , December 27. in the yeere 1587. and the 20 of February 1594. Hee was also crowned King of Suede in Vpsalia , Hee married

☞ Anna , the daughter of Charles Duke of Austria , the 21 of May 1592. and was crowned Queene of Polonia the 31. of the said May. She died the 31 of Ianuary 1598. having had issue together 1 Anna Maria , borne at Worschaw the 23 of May 1593. and died the 9 of February 1600. 2 Katherine I. borne at Stockholm the 9 of may , in the yeere 1594 and dyed also there the 15 of iune , but buried in Cracaw . 3 Wladistaus Sigismund , Prince of Polonia , Administrator of the Dukedome of Seuerin and Zeruico , &c. was born in Cracaw in the yeer of Christ 1595. the 9 of Iune . 4 Katherine II. was borne at Worsaw the 17 of Septemb. in anno 1596. Shee died the 2 of Iune 1597. 5 Christopher was taken alive out of his mothers belly , the same being cut , the highest necessity requiring it , the 2 of February 1598. presently baptized , & lived not full an houre after .

☞

Constantia , sister of the full bloud to Aune the former wife , was by Paul the fift Pope of Rome his dispensation married the 9 of Decemb. in the yeere of Christ 1605. to the foresaid Sigismund of Polonia , and had issue by her 1 Iohn Casimire I. borne in Cracaw the 25 of December 1607. he died the next yeere the 14 of Ianuary . 2 Iohn Casimire II. Prince of Polonia , &c. was borne at Cracaw the 22 of March 1609. 3 Iohn Albiet Prince of Polonia , &c. was borne at Worsaw , the 25 of May. 1612. 4 Charles Ferdinand , Prince of Polonia , was borne the 13 of October , 1613 , at Worsaw . 5 Alexander Charles , Prince of Polonia &c. was borne the 4 of November , 1614 , at Worsaw . 6 Anna Constantia was borne the 26 of Ianuarie 1616 at Worsaw , and died 24 of May the same yeere . 7 Anna Katherine was borne the 17 , of August 1619. at Worsaw .