Princess Sophia of Sweden facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sophia of Sweden
Duchess of Saxe-Lauenburg
Born	29 October 1547
Died	17 March 1611(1611-03-17) (aged 63)
Spouse	Magnus II, Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg
Issue	Gustav of Saxe-Lauenburg
House	Vasa
Father	Gustav I of Sweden
Mother	Margaret Leijonhufvud

Princess Sophia of Sweden (born 29 October 1547 – died 17 March 1611) was a Swedish princess. She was the daughter of King Gustav Vasa of Sweden and Margareta Leijonhufvud. Through her marriage to Duke Magnus II of Saxe-Lauenburg, she became the Duchess consort of Saxe-Lauenburg.

Early Life and Family

Sophia grew up in the royal nursery with her brothers and sisters. Her mother, Queen Margareta, and trusted nurses cared for them. After her mother passed away in 1551, other noble women looked after Sophia and her siblings. Later, their stepmother, Catherine Stenbock, became responsible for them.

During the Northern Seven Years' War, a Danish queen suggested that Sophia marry her son to help make peace. However, the Danish king did not agree with this idea.

Marriage to Duke Magnus

In March 1566, Sophia became engaged to Duke Magnus II of Saxe-Lauenburg. He had worked for Sophia's half-brother, King Eric XIV. Their wedding happened on 4 July 1568. It was a double wedding with King Eric XIV's own marriage to Karin Månsdotter.

Sophia was not happy about this marriage. She tried to delay the wedding. King Eric XIV then ordered that her wedding preparations should continue. He wanted her wedding to happen at the same time as his public wedding ceremony with Karin.

Wedding and Early Challenges

At the wedding in Stockholm in July 1568, Sophia walked in the procession with her sister Elizabeth. They walked after Karin, which was unusual for their royal rank. Neither Sophia nor Elizabeth attended Karin's coronation later on.

When King Eric XIV was removed from power, Sophia and Magnus helped her sister Elizabeth and Queen Dowager Catherine Stenbock escape by boat. They took them to Sophia's rebellious brother, John.

Sophia's marriage to Magnus was very difficult. Magnus was known for being harsh and unkind. He treated Sophia poorly, often because he was very jealous. People at the time said that Sophia became very distressed because of how Magnus treated her.

In 1571, Magnus used Sophia's jewelry to pay for his plans to take over Sachsen-Lauenburg. He spent her money quickly. Sophia often had to ask her family for money to support his ambitions. In 1575, her brother King John III gave Magnus some land in Sweden called Sonnenburg on Ösel. This was to make him leave Sweden. But Magnus was soon forced out of Ösel because of his harsh rule.

Magnus also caused problems with King John III. In 1576, he stopped people on Sophia's lands from paying taxes to the crown. In 1577, it was reported that Magnus stopped Sophia from getting letters from her family. He also prevented her from accepting invitations, keeping her isolated.

Later Life and Independence

In 1578, King John III had Magnus arrested and sent out of the country. He made Magnus leave their son, Gustav, with Sophia. King John III also put Sophia in charge of her own lands. She was given Ekolsund Castle and Venngarn Castle to manage.

In 1581, Magnus started spreading false rumors about Sophia in Germany. King John III asked the Emperor to stop Magnus from harming Sophia's reputation. This was important to protect her son's right to inherit and her own lands.

Sophia spent her later life focused on her son, Gustav of Saxe-Lauenburg. She worked hard to protect his rights in Sachsen-Lauenburg and secure his future. She kept Gustav with her, which was not common at the time. She cared for him very much.

In 1595, Gustav convinced Sophia to give him half of her lands. However, with help from her brother Charles, she took the lands back.

Sophia lived the rest of her life at Ekolsund Castle. She supported the marriage between her brother John III and Gunilla Bielke in 1585. Sophia is thought to have faced challenges with her mental well-being. Her siblings often wrote to her, asking her not to worry too much to stay healthy.

Unlike her brother Magnus, who was isolated due to his mental health, Sophia sometimes took part in court life. For example, she attended a public dinner with the royal family in Kalmar in 1586. She was not always the best at managing her estates and court. She often needed financial help because her lands were not managed well. Her court also had many staff changes. She changed her chamberlain twenty-one times and her housekeeper twenty-three times over the years. In 1597, she was given more lands called Lagunda and Håbo. She became a widow when Magnus died in 1603.

Children

Sophia had six children, but only one lived past infancy:

• Gustav of Saxe-Lauenburg (born 31 August 1570 – died 11 November 1597). He was the governor of Kalmar. He did not marry but had children.

Images for kids

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  Floor hatch in Strängnäs Cathedral leading to her brother Charles IX's family crypt, where Sophia's remains also were interred.