Gustav of Sweden (1568–1607)

Gustav Eriksson (28 January 1568 – February 1607), son of King Erik XIV and Karin Månsdotter, was born as heir to the Swedish throne but lost his status when his father was deposed in September 1568. After spending his early years in captivity with his family, he was sent to Poland in 1575, where he was raised and became Catholic. He spent time in various parts of Europe, including Poland, Prussia, and possibly Italy. His uncle, King John III of Sweden, viewed him as a possible pretender to the throne and refused to allow his return to Sweden.

Gustav developed an interest in alchemy, which gained him the favor of Emperor Rudolf II. In 1599, Tsar Boris Godunov invited him to Moscow for a proposed marriage to his daughter Xenia, but when Gustav refused to be part of the political schemes, he was imprisoned. After Boris was overthrown in 1605, Gustav was released, but he was later imprisoned again by the False Dmitry and sent to Yaroslavl. After the False Dmitry’s death, Gustav was sent to live in Kashin, where he died in 1607.