Catherine Jagellonica of Poland

From Freepedia

Catherine Jagiellonica of Poland, (1526 - 1583), was the youngest daughter of Sigismund I of Poland and Bona Sforza, heir to her mother's claim to the title of King of Jerusalem. She was the mother of Sigismund III of Poland and wife of John III of Sweden.

On October 4 1562 in Vilnius she married Duke John of Finland, the second son of King Gustav I of Sweden. The newly married couple set up house in Åbo Castle in Åbo (Turku, Finland). Duke John's dealings in Livonia caused King Eric XIV of Sweden to declare war on his brother. Eric sent 10.000 men to besiege the castle. On August 12 1563 the castle capitulated; Catherine and her husband were taken to Sweden and imprisoned in Gripsholm Castle.

Catherine and John were released in 1567. She was crowned as Queen of Sweden in 1569, her husband becoming John III of Sweden.

Catharine's son Sigismund would rule Poland for 45 years.

Maternal ancestors