In the first post about Katarina Jagellonica, we got to know her as a Polish princess. In 1562 she married duke Johan of Finland, brother to the Swedish king Erik XIV. They had a dangerous journey through Europe, and finally arrived at their home in Turku in December.
But their troubles were far from over. Let’s continue:
Rumours spread that Johan had not only defied his brother, but plotted to overthrow him. Erik demanded that Johan appear in Stockholm to explain himself, which he refused. In June 1563 Johan was officially accused of treason and sentenced to death.
Johan’s former allies amongst the Swedish nobility abandoned him, and in August Erik attacked Turku castle. Johan had written to his brother in law, the Polish king, and asked for help. He was however upset that Johan had mislead him about an alliance with Sweden, and no help came.
On August 12, Johan had no choice but to surrender.
Johan and Katarina were arrested and brought to Gripsholm castle where they were imprisoned. Katarina, who after all was a princess and sister of a king, was given the choice to abandon her husband, have her marriage annulled and return to Poland.
Katarina is then said to have shown Erik’s men her wedding ring with the inscription ”Nemo Nisi Mors” – no one but death – and answered that she had promised God and her husband to stand by his side, and that nothing but death could separate them.
Katarina Jagellonica and Johan became close during their imprisonment, which would last for four years. Though they were closely watched, they had a relative comfortable prison. Katarina was allowed to walk in the gardens, and she wrote to Erik asking for things like clothes and books, which he granted her.
Johan and Katarina were both very learned, and discussed topics such as litterature, philosophy and religion. Katarina was a staunch catholic, while Johan had been brought up in the protestant faith, which his father Gustav Vasa had established a few decades prior. During their time in prison, Johan became more interested in Katarina’s religion.
In January 1564 Katarina gave birth to a daughter, Isabella (the picture above is based on a real portrait of Isabella). The joy must have been clouded by worry for the future. And sorrow would follow. In Januari 1566, Isabella fell ill and died. Both parents grieved deeply, which can be seen by the very grand and beautiful grave monument Johan commissioned a few years later.
On June 20th the same year, Katarina gave birth again. The child was a boy, and given the name Sigismund, after Katarina’s father and brother. Despite the happiness, they must have been terrified of what Erik might do. Now Johan had an heir, another potential threat, while the king had no legitimate children.
Despite the fact that the surveillance was strengthened even more, Katarina managed to smuggle out letters asking for help. Johan’s siblings also committed themselves to their release. His sister Cecilia even asked queen Elizabeth of England to intervene on Johan’s behalf, but Erik still refused.
However, Erik’s mental health had began to deteriorate. An ongoing war with Denmark, and the fact that Katarina’s former suitor Ivan the Terrible had showed up again, demanding that Katarina be extradited to him, put pressure on the already vulnerable king.
In May 1567, Erik had a mental breakdown and killed three members of the Swedish nobility. After this, his position was severly weakened, as was his mental health. As a result, Katarina and her family were finally released from prison in November.
There would not be a reconciliation however. Johan did not trust his brother, and had plans of his own… Find out what in next post!
Sources:
Lindqvist, Herman. Historien om alla Sveriges drottningar. (2006)
Mattson, Eva. Furstinnan – en biografi om drottning Katarina Jagellonica. (2023)
Tegenborg, Falkdalen, Karin. Svenska drottningar – i blickfånget från Vasatiden till idag. (2020)