Catherine Stenbock facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Catherine Stenbock
Catherine as queen dowager
Queen consort of Sweden
Tenure	22 August 1552 – 29 September 1560
Coronation	23 August 1552
Born	22 July 1535 Torpa Castle, Västergötland
Died	13 December 1621(1621-12-13) (aged 86) Strömsholm, Västmanland
Burial	Uppsala Cathedral
Spouse	Gustav I of Sweden
House	Stenbock
Father	Gustaf Olofsson Stenbock
Mother	Brita Eriksdotter Leijonhufvud

Catherine Stenbock was the Queen of Sweden from 1552 to 1560. She was the third and last wife of King Gustav I of Sweden. Catherine was born on July 22, 1535, and she passed away on December 13, 1621.

Early Life and Royal Marriage

Catherine Stenbock was born at Torpa Castle in Sweden on July 22, 1535. Her parents were Gustaf Olofsson Stenbock and Brita Eriksdotter Leijonhufvud. Interestingly, her mother, Brita, was the sister of King Gustav I's previous wife, Margaret Leijonhufvud. This made Catherine the niece of the late Queen Margaret. She was also a cousin to the King's children, including future kings John III and Charles IX.

Not much is known about Catherine's early life. She likely knew the King well because her family was close to the royal court. After Queen Margaret died in 1551, Catherine's mother and aunt helped care for the King's young children.

King Gustav I decided he needed a new queen for his court and to help raise his children. In March 1552, he suggested marrying Catherine to her family. Her family liked the idea because it would keep their strong connection to the King. Marrying Catherine was also easier than finding a foreign princess.

According to old stories, Catherine was already engaged to a nobleman named Gustav Johansson Tre Rosor. When King Gustav came to propose to her, she supposedly ran and hid in the garden. But the King got his way, and she agreed to marry him.

Some church leaders were against the marriage. They felt it was wrong for the King to marry his former wife's niece. However, the King argued that the marriage was allowed and necessary for the kingdom. The church eventually agreed.

Life as Queen of Sweden

Catherine and King Gustav I were married on August 22, 1552, at Vadstena Abbey. The next day, Catherine was crowned Queen. The wedding celebrations lasted for three days. Some people saw bad signs around the wedding, like a plague and a fire in the city of Turku.

As Queen, Catherine was in charge of the female courtiers and the royal children. She seemed to have a good relationship with her stepchildren, except for Duke Charles. People said she "accepted her part as Queen of Sweden with silent dignity."

She also helped her family by acting as a link between them and the King. For example, she helped her aunt get a document from the King about land rights. Catherine did not seem to get involved in politics herself.

There were signs that she might have been pregnant in 1554 and 1556, but no children were ever born. In 1555, she traveled with the King and his children to Finland.

In 1559, Catherine attended the wedding of her stepdaughter, Princess Catherine. Later, a big scandal happened when another stepdaughter, Princess Cecilia, was found to have a secret relationship. King Gustav was very upset. Queen Catherine often helped calm things down between the King and his children during this time.

King Gustav I became ill and died on September 29, 1560. Catherine stayed by his side until the end.

Queen Dowager During Eric XIV's Reign

After King Gustav's death, his son, Eric XIV, became king. Catherine became the Riksänkedrottning, or Queen Dowager of the Realm. She was the first Swedish Queen Dowager to be called by this title. The King's will said she should have care of the princesses and receive an allowance. She was also given Strömsholm as her main home, where she lived for the rest of her life.

Catherine remained a widow for 61 years and wore mourning clothes for the rest of her life. Since King Eric XIV was unmarried for a long time, Queen Dowager Catherine often acted as the most important lady at the royal court.

She generally had a good relationship with Eric XIV. He respected her and called her "My Dear Stepmother." She tried to help when Eric was fighting with his brother, Prince John, but Eric refused her help.

Catherine played an important role during the terrible Sture Murders in 1567. King Eric XIV had several noblemen, including some of Catherine's relatives, imprisoned. The King, who was mentally ill, killed some of them. Catherine arrived in Uppsala shortly after the murders. She was asked to help make peace between the King and the families of the victims.

When she met the King, he reportedly knelt and asked for her forgiveness. He gave her permission to negotiate with the victims' families. Through Catherine, the families asked for protection, a statement that the victims were innocent, and money. The King agreed to these terms.

During the King's illness, Catherine visited his imprisoned brother, Prince John. She helped them reconcile and improved John's living conditions. She is also credited with helping the King recover his sanity.

In 1568, Catherine became the godmother to the King's son. She also attended the King's wedding to Karin Månsdotter. During a rebellion by the King's brothers, Catherine and her stepdaughters joined the rebels. It was rumored that Eric XIV had threatened to give them to the Russian Tsar as hostages. Catherine and the princesses escaped to join the King's brothers.

After Eric XIV was removed from the throne, his children were placed in Catherine's care for a few years.

Queen Dowager During John III's Reign

When John III became king, Catherine's lands became a source of conflict with her youngest stepson, Duke Charles. Her lands were in his duchy, and he wanted them. However, King John III protected Catherine's rights. The conflict lasted until 1582, when the royal council officially ruled in Catherine's favor.

Catherine had a good relationship with King John III and often lent him money. Her wealth allowed her to be one of his main financial supporters, especially during his war with Russia.

In 1574, Catherine helped her brother, Erik Stenbock, when he eloped with their cousin, Malin Sture. Their mother had forbidden the marriage, but Catherine helped them get permission to marry. In 1582, she met with Karin Månsdotter and Queen Catherine Jagellon at Svartsjö Castle.

Catherine also acted as a mediator during a conflict between King John III and the Royal Council. She was accused of hosting a meeting where people conspired against the King, but she defended herself, and no charges were made against her.

Queen Dowager During Sigismund III Vasa's Reign

In 1592, John III died, and his son Sigismund III Vasa, who was also King of Poland, became the new King of Sweden. Duke Charles opposed Sigismund. Catherine's lands were confirmed by Sigismund.

A civil war broke out between Sigismund and Duke Charles in 1595. Catherine's relatives sided with Sigismund. Duke Charles confiscated Catherine's land in Åland because it was used to support Sigismund. However, she was later given Drottningholm instead.

Her home at Strömsholm became a safe place for the wives and daughters of her male relatives who had fled to Poland to support Sigismund. She often asked for their confiscated property to be returned. Her sister Ebba and her daughters lived with Catherine after being released from prison.

Later Life and Legacy

In her later years, Queen Dowager Catherine Stenbock managed her estates and businesses, including iron works. She spent time with her family, especially her sisters. She became ill and was unable to attend the wedding of Gustavus Adolphus in 1620.

Catherine was known for her kindness. She provided a safe home for many women whose husbands or fathers were exiled. She also often helped local farmers communicate with the royal family.

She died on December 13, 1621, at the age of 86, at Strömsholm. When she died, people said, "The poor have lost a friend, the orphans their mother." She was buried in Uppsala Cathedral.