fwo_1023760 - POLAND - LIVONIA - GUSTAV II ADOLF 1 Schilling (Solidus) 1631

POLAND - LIVONIA - GUSTAV II ADOLF

(1611-1632)

Russian attacks and the introduction of the Reformation in Livonia led to the disintegration of this state in 1560. The bishop of the island Osel sold his bishopric to Denmark, Estonia passed into the hands of the Swedes and Livonia passed to Poland . Gustave II Adolphe was born in Stockholm on December 9, 1594 from the union of Charles IX, King of Sweden from 1604 to 1611, and Christine, daughter of Adolphe, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp. He acceded to the throne of Sweden on the death of his father in 1611. He created a real Swedish army, thus ceasing to resort to foreign mercenaries, which enabled him to ensure a real expansionist policy to the detriment of Russia and the king of Poland Sigismund III Vasa (former Catholic king of Sweden) who lost Livonia. He defended the Reformation in Europe and was killed on November 16, 1632 during the battle of Lützen, however won by the Swedes. His daughter, Christine, then only six years old, succeeded him..