Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden

Gustav II Adolf (19 December 1594 – 16 November 1632) was the King of Sweden from 1611 to 1632. He is known in English as Gustavus Adolphus.

Gustav II Adolf
King of Sweden
Reign	30 October 1611 – 6 November 1632
Coronation	12 October 1617
Predecessor	Charles IX
Successor	Christina
Born	19 December 1594 Castle Tre Kronor, Sweden
Died	16 November 1632(1632-11-16) (aged 37) Lützen, Electorate of Saxony
Burial	22 June 1634 Riddarholmen Church, Stockholm
Spouse	Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg
Issue	Christina
House	House of Vasa
Father	Charles IX
Mother	Christina of Holstein-Gottorp
Religion	Lutheran

He is often said to have made Sweden a great power. (Swedish: Stormaktstiden). He is also said to be one of the best military leaders of all time. Gustav led Sweden to be a military power during the Thirty Years' War and spent most of his reign fighting.

Life

Bust of King Gustav Adolph on campus at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus was born in Stockholm. His parents were Charles IX of Sweden and his second wife, Christina of Holstein-Gottorp. When his father died in October 1611, while Gustavus was only 16 years old, he became King of Sweden.

Gustavus married Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg, daughter of John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg. Their daughter Christina later became Queen of Sweden.

In June 1630 he landed in Germany, starting the Swedish fight in the Thirty Year's War on the Anti-Imperial Protestant side, which was losing at the time. With Sweden's help the situation flipped so that the Protestants were winning.

Gustavus died in the Battle of Lützen in 1632 while leading a cavalry attack.

Gustavus Adolphus Day

Gustavus Adolphus Day is on 6 November. Every year it is celebrated in Sweden, Estonia and Finland. On this day only, a special pastry is sold that has a chocolate or marzipan medallion of the king.