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Gustavus Adolphus becomes King of Sweden at 17 (1611-32)

Gustavus Adolphus (9 December [N.S. 19 December] 1594 – 6 November [N.S. 16 November] 1632), also known in English as Gustav II Adolf or Gustav II Adolph, was King of Sweden from 1611 to 1632.

Gustavus Adolphus (9 December [N.S. 19 December] 1594 – 6 November [N.S. 16 November] 1632), also known in English as Gustav II Adolf or Gustav II Adolph, was King of Sweden from 1611 to 1632. He is credited with the rise of Sweden as a great European power (Swedish: Stormaktstiden). During his reign, Sweden became one of the primary military forces in Europe during the Thirty Years' War, helping to determine the political and religious balance of power in Europe. He was formally and posthumously given the name Gustavus Adolphus the Great (Swedish: Gustav Adolf den store; Latin: Gustavus Adolphus Magnus) by the Riksdag of the Estates in 1634.

He is often regarded as one of the greatest military commanders in modern history, with use of an early form of combined arms.

Historical Significance

Gustavus Adolphus (9 December [N.

Events Before

  1. Galileo Galilei discovers the first three moons of Jupiter: Io, Europa and Ganymede

    There are 97 known moons of the planet Jupiter. This number does not include a number of meter-sized moonlets thought to be shed from the inner moons, nor hundreds of possible kilometer-sized outer…

  2. First Dutch settlers arrive from New Jersey to colonize Manhattan Island

    First Dutch settlers arrive from New Jersey to colonize Manhattan Island

  3. John Guy sets sail from Bristol with 39 other colonists for Newfoundland

    John Guy sets sail from Bristol with 39 other colonists for Newfoundland

  4. Polish King Wladyslaw IV Vasa claims crown as King of Russia (disputed)

    Władysław IV Vasa or Ladislaus IV (9 June 1595 – 20 May 1648) was King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania and claimant of the thrones of Sweden and Russia.

  5. Henry IV of France dies

    Henry IV of France dies

Events After

  1. Mughal prince Khurram, future Emperor Shah Jahan (20), marries Arjumand Banu Begum (19), the future Mumtaz Mahal, for wh

    Mughal prince Khurram, future Emperor Shah Jahan (20), marries Arjumand Banu Begum (19), the future Mumtaz Mahal, for whom he later built the Taj Mahal

  2. Anne Hutchison, nee Marbury, marries William Hutchison in London

    Anne Hutchison, nee Marbury, marries William Hutchison in London

  3. German astronomer Simon Marius is the first to observe the Andromeda Galaxy through a telescope, describing it as "like

    German astronomer Simon Marius is the first to observe the Andromeda Galaxy through a telescope, describing it as "like a candle seen at night through a horn"

  4. First observation of Neptune - Galileo observes and records a "fixed star" without realizing it is a planet

    First observation of Neptune - Galileo observes and records a "fixed star" without realizing it is a planet

  5. Bermuda officially becomes part of the Englisg Colony of Virginia

    Bermuda officially becomes part of the Englisg Colony of Virginia

More from the 1610s

Galileo Galilei discovers the first three moons of Jupiter: Io, Europa and Ganymede

There are 97 known moons of the planet Jupiter. This number does not include a number of meter-sized moonlets thought to be shed from the inner moons, nor hundreds of possible kilometer-sized outer…

King James I's daughter Elizabeth marries Frederick V of the Palatinate

The wedding of Frederick V of the Palatinate (1596–1632) and Princess Elizabeth (1596–1662), daughter of James VI and I, was celebrated in London in February 1613.

Michael Romanov, son of the Patriarch of Moscow, is elected the first Russian Tsar of the House of Romanov

The House of Romanov was the reigning imperial house of Russia from 1613 to 1917. They achieved prominence after Anastasia Romanovna married Ivan the Terrible, the first crowned tsar of all Russia.

English sea captain Gabriel Towerson marries Maryam Khan, an Armenian Christian bought up at the Mughal court, in London

English sea captain Gabriel Towerson marries Maryam Khan, an Armenian Christian bought up at the Mughal court, in London

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on October 30, 1611?
Gustavus Adolphus (9 December [N.S. 19 December] 1594 – 6 November [N.S. 16 November] 1632), also known in English as Gustav II Adolf or Gustav II Adolph, was King of Sweden from 1611 to 1632.
Why is Gustavus Adolphus becomes King of Sweden at 17 (1611-32) significant?
Gustavus Adolphus (9 December [N.

Explore More

October 30 in HistoryYear 1611