Gustav I Vasa << GUS tahv VAH suh >> (1496-1560) was the first king of independent Sweden. He was the son of a nobleman of the Vasa family, Erik Johansson. At 18, he fought for Sweden in its struggle for independence from Denmark. After being held as a hostage, he escaped to Sweden, raised a peasant army, and ousted the Danes. In 1523, Gustav was elected king. He provided good government and established the Lutheran faith as the state religion. Gustav was born in Lindholm on May 12, 1496. He died on Sept. 29, 1560. See also Sweden (The beginnings of modern Sweden).
