Kings of Poland and Grand Dukes of Lithuania
- Sigismund III Vasa (1587–1632) (Son of John III)
- Vladislaus IV (1632–1648)
- John II Casimir (1648–1668)
John III of Sweden married Catherine Jagellonka, the sister of Sigismund II Augustus of Poland. When Sigismund II of Poland died without issue, the son of John III of Sweden and Catherine Jagellonka was elected King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania as Sigismund III in 1587. On John's death Sigismund also gained the Swedish throne.
Sigismund was Catholic however, which ultimately led to his losing the throne in Sweden. His uncle Charles IX succeeded him. We thus have two Houses of Vasa from this point onwards: the senior, Catholic branch ruling in Poland and Lithuania, and the cadet, Protestant branch ruling in Sweden. This arrangement led to numerous wars between the two states,after John, the Polish Vasa died out. See also Rulers of Poland.
Read more about this topic: House Of Vasa
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