This comprehensive history of sixteenth-century Sweden has remained a standard work for English-speaking historians since its publication in 1968. It is now available in paperback for the first time. The book includes a full account of the reign of Gustav Vasa (1523–60), one of the greatest rulers of his age, and of the half-century after his death that paved the way for Sweden's emergence as a great power. Professor Roberts provides an account of the course of the Swedish Reformation: he analyses those trans-Baltic entanglements which were to assume such importance, both for Sweden and for Europe, in the next century; and he pays particular attention to the constitutional controversies which reached their climax, though not their end, with the deposition of King Sigismund and the 'Bloodbath of Linköping'.

Preface
Glossary
1. Introduction: Then end of the union of Kalmar
2. Gustav Vasa
3. Erik XIV
4. Johan III
5. The revolution, 1592-1600
Karl IX
7. Conclusion
Genealogical tree
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], European history [HBJD]