Sweden - Character list

1) Gustav Karl Vasa

Born on May 29th 1628, Gustav is the second child and only son of King Gustav II Adolf the Great of Sweden, and Queen Maria Eleonora. Titled Crown Prince and Duke of Öland at birth, Gustav lived through his infancy and early childhood mainly under the care of his mother. Nonetheless, despite the busy warfare, Gustav II Adolf remained a devoted father to him and his elder sister, Kristina.

As Gustav II Adolf was martyred in the Battle of Lützen in November 1632, Gustav was swiftly crowned King Gustav III Karl of Sweden, with statesman Axel Oxenstierna as Lord Regent. The Queen Dowager was allowed to stay in Sweden and take care of her children, but was refused any form of political influence.

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2) Kristina Augusta Vasa

Born on December 18th 1626, Kristina is the eldest child of King Gustav II Adolf and Queen Maria Eleonora. When Kristina was born, she was initially thought to be a boy, fooling almost everyone in court. The King was overjoyed with the drama, believing that she would grow up to be intelligent, having fooled so many even at birth.

As Gustav Karl was born when Kristina was 17 months old, she lost her place as heir presumptive to the throne. Nonetheless, the King ordered that Kristina receive the same education as her brother in the future, preparing them both to be the future leaders of Sweden. This policy was continued by the Lord Regent after the King's martyrdom, developing Kristina's great curiosity and knowledge in many fields.

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3) Axel Gustafsson Oxenstierna

Born to an influential noble family in 1583, Count Axel Oxenstierna rose to prominence during the reign of King Karl IX. Not long after the ascension of King Gustav II Adolf in 1612, Oxenstierna was appointed Lord High Chancellor, a position he held throughout the remainder of the King's reign. As a close confidante of the King, Oxenstierna often governed Sweden proper, and also various occupied territories, as the King led troops in different wars. Oxenstierna brought forth many changes to Sweden's administration, greatly improving the Kingdom's governing efficiency.

As the King fell in Lützen, Oxenstierna was quickly elected by the Riksdag of the Estates to be Lord Regent for the four-year-old King Gustav III Karl. Oxenstierna allowed the Dowager Queen freedom in the young King's life, but denied her any political influence for the most part.

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4) Maria Eleonora von Hohenzollern

Born in 1599 to the Elector of Brandenburg, Maria Eleonora married King Gustav II Adolf of Sweden and was crowned Queen Consort in 1620. Their marriage was, for the most part, unhappy, though it did improve slightly following the birth of Gustav Karl in 1628.

Following the King's martyr, Maria Eleonora expected to be included in the Regency Council, but that request was denied by Axel Oxenstierna, who saw her as an unstable woman, often without common sense. Still, as a compromise, Oxenstierna allowed her to remain in Sweden with her children, though she had been consumed by grief following her husband's death, not really exerting much influence on her children's upbringing, which was mostly carried out taccording o Oxenstierna's wishes.

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