European Kingdoms

Sweden (Swedes)

In ancient times Sweden, which has been occupied since the end of the last ice age, was the home to various Scandinavian groups which made an impact on the history of northern Europe, and even further. The Goths originated in southern Sweden before migrating into eastern Europe in the first century. The Danes and the Geats also originated in southern Sweden, and the latter are sometimes erroneously connected with the Goths. The Danes migrated into Jutland and the Cimbric Peninsula following apparent dynastic battles in the fourth or fifth century.

In Sweden itself, the country had early kings who emerged from semi-legendary beginnings. The first mention of its people in history comes from Tacitus in AD 98, who calls them Suiones. Jordanes in the sixth century calls them Suehans and Suetidi (the same people but possibly in two divisions). These were the Swedes. They initially occupied the region of Svealand in the north, which is how they were named: Sverige, the people of Svea (and later, kingdom of Svea).

The early kings were all Ynglings (Scylfings, also the ancient house of the kings of the Danes before their migration to the Cimbric Peninsula, probably reflecting their shared heritage in Sweden). These account for the earliest rulers, and those without a firm footing in history may still have existed, and, where possible, are listed here with a lilac backing. Alternate dates are shown in red text alongside relevant entries. There seems to be a lot of confusion and contradiction regarding ninth century kings, and the information shown here is an amalgam of several sources, creating the most comprehensive list possible under the circumstances.

The numbering of Swedish kings began around the time of Gustav Vasa and his sons in the sixteenth century. Karl IX and Erik XIV based their numbering on the king list made up by (pseudo-) historian Johannes Magnus, the last Roman Catholic archbishop of Sweden who later ended his life in exile in Italy. He wanted to give the Swedes an impressive history, as Saxo Grammaticus did with the Danes. He based his work on the available legends, such as those of the Ynglings, but he wanted to start Swedish history with Noah's son Magog, and to fill the gaps he simply invented a great number of kings. There are no known rulers named Karl before Karl VII. They were completely made up. The present king of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf, is de facto Carl X Gustaf. Some of Johannes Magnus' thirteen Eriks were invented, and he missed a few others that might well have existed. Unlike Karl, it is possible to collect more than fourteen Eriks, although there is no accepted way of numbering them before Erik IX.

(Additional information on the earliest Swedish kings and their numbering by Erik Uppenberg.)

c.AD 50 - 150

The Gothic peoples migrate out of southern Sweden and into Poland in the first and second centuries AD (possibly following an earlier path trod by the Langobards). The migration has a great impact on the population around the Baltic shores, resulting in many of them moving towards eastern Lithuania. Perhaps part of a small wave of migration, the Warini may also leave Sweden at this time, as they are to be found on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea by AD 70.

98

Writing around this time, the Roman writer Tacitus mentions the Suevi, listing their constituent tribes which cover the larger part of Germania. Noted for their custom of twisting their hair and binding it up in a knot, the various divisions of the Suiones (Swedes) form part of their number.

The traditional list of kings of the Swedes begins here with Frey-Yngvi, but the list remains legendary until at least the mid-fifth century, passed down by oral tradition alone.

Frey-Yngvi

Fjolner

Svegdir

Vanland

Visbur

Domald

Domar

c.400 - 500

The Dene, or Danes, migrate during this period from southern Sweden into Jutland and the Cimbric Peninsula. The migration comes at a time when Danish rule is fragmented and new dynasties of rulers are emerging.

Dygvi

Dag the Wise

Agni

Eric IV

The first Eric, despite the numbering. Fought against Jorund.

Alrek

Brother and co-ruler.

fl c.440s?

Eric and Alrek are correctly placed here, following Agni, although there is a suggestion that they should be closer to Jorund and Egil, below, given that Jorund and Eric are opponents. However, fully accurate list of these early kings is impossible to assemble.

Yngvi

Alf

Possibly a co-ruler or sub-king.

450s / 460s

From this point, the legendary kings of the Swedes emerge partly into history, or at least become less legendary. The ancient dynasty of the Ynglings (or Scylfings) is now occasionally mentioned in various sources other than the Norse sagas, including the Old English epic poem, Beowulf. Their group or tribal name is the same as that of the ancient kings of the Danes prior to their migration, suggesting common links between the two peoples. The Swedes are still limited at this time to Svealand in the north.

A miniature face on a fifth century gilded cast copper-alloy display buckle discovered at Finnestorp in Västergötland in southern Sweden

Hugliek

Jorund

fl 490s - 510s

Egil / Ongentheow / Egil Tunadogil

Killed in battle by the Geats.

c.500

Describing a Europe of about AD 500, the Old English poem Widsith mentions several Germanic peoples, not all of whom can be properly identified. Several of them can be located in Sweden or in the islands which surround it in the Baltic Sea, including the Brondings and Hälsings, and Ongendþeow (Ongentheow ) himself.

514/515?

During the Swedish-Geatish Wars, Hæþcyn of the Geats kidnaps Ongentheow's wife. He goes to rescue her, and Hæþcyn is killed in the fighting. His brother Hygelac arrives with Geatish reinforcements a day later and one of his warriors, Eofor, kills Ongentheow.

Ottar / Ohthere / Ottar Wend-crow

Son, according to Beowulf.

? - c.530

Áli / Ale / Onela

Brother. 'Hinn Upplenzki', from Uppland.

c.530

Onela plays a central part in the Swedish-Geatish wars. When he seizes the throne following the death of his elder brother, Ohthere's sons, Eanmund and Eadgils, find refuge with the Geats. Onela attacks the Geats and Eanmund is slain (by Weohstan), as is the Geatish king. Beowulf succeeds to the Geatish throne and helps Eadgils to kill Onela.

c.530 - 575

Adils / Eadgils

Nephew.

550s

Jordanes mentions a tribe called the Theustes who are situated in the Tjust region of Småland in south Götaland, the land of the Geats. Tjust is in the north-eastern corner of the region, but nothing more is known of the tribe. They may be a branch of the Geats, although the region maintains its own laws and traditions right up to the early Middle Ages and retains self-rule until about 1350, when a unified code of law is imposed throughout the country.

Jordanes also lists many more tribes in Scandinavia (these being the ones situated in Sweden and Finland): the Screrefennae (Sami peoples of Kvenland) and the Suehans (Swedes) on the eastern edge, the latter being noted for their splendid horses. Further south there are far more tribes living shoulder to shoulder: the Theustes, Vagoth (Gotlanders?), Bergio (probably in the region of Skåne), Hallin (southern Halland), and Liothida (again probably in Skåne), Further southwards are the Ahelmil (probably in the region of Halmstad), Finnaithae (in Finnveden), Fervir (Fjäre Hundred), and Gauthigoth (the Västergötland Geats). Then come the Mixi, Evagre, and Otingis. Southernmost in Scandinavia live the Ostrogoths (the Östergötland Geats), Aeragnaricii, and the most gentle Finns. Similarly located are the Vinovilith, Suetidi (Swedes again), and Dani (Danes), the latter being responsible for driving out the Heruli.

Östen / Eystein

c.580

Wiglaf, son of the Weohstan who killed Eanmund circa 530, becomes king of the Geats. This seems to signal the beginning of increasing control over the Geats by the Swedes, either during Wiglaf's reign or those of his immediate successors.

Sölve

Ingvar / Yngvar Harra

Son of Eystein. Died early 7th century.

early 7th century

Ingvar ventures into Estonia to pillage from the Eastern pirates in retribution for attacks on Sweden. When he arrives at an unidentified place named Stein, he is attacked by a great Estonian army which had been assembled much further inland. The Estonians overwhelm the Swedish force and Ingvar falls. The surviving Swedes withdraw and Ingvar is buried in a mound on the Estonian shore.

Anund / Önund / Road-Onund / Braunt

Son. Anund and his son, Ingjald, are the last of the Ynglings.

fl c.620s

Svipdag the Blind

Son. Minor king of Tiundaland, near Uppsala.

623 - 647?

Ingjald Illrade / Ingjald 'Ill-Ruler'

Son. King of Norway and Sweden. m Gauthild of the Geats.

c.620s

According to Snorri Sturluson's Heimskringla, the Geatish King Algaut rules 'West Götaland'. He is burnt to death by his son-in-law, King Ingjald ill-ruler, who does not appear to govern a single Swedish kingdom, as various petty kingdoms also exist at this time, mostly on the edges of Swedish central authority. None of them appear to retain independence for long, merely appearing briefly into history and then disappearing again. The chieftains of Södermanland are appointed by the Swedish king between about 640-700, followed by a possible sequence of unknown minor chieftains until about AD 900.

fl c.630s

Granmar

Son. Minor king of Södermanland on the Baltic coast.

fl c.630s

Hjorvard

Co-ruler of Södermanland.

c.640s?

Ingjald Illrade's daughter is Åsa, and she marries Guðröðr (Guthrothr), son of King Halfdan of Denmark. She persuades her husband to murder Halfdan and become king there.

c.647?

Åsa is the cause behind the death of her husband, Guðröðr, and she escapes to her father in Sweden after the deed is done. King Ivar Vidfamne of Denmark musters a large army and besieges King Ingjald and his daughter at Ræning, forcing the pair to committed suicide by setting fire to the hall which contains them and the king's retinue. One Olav Tree-cutter appears to rule areas of Sweden after Ingjald, and is perhaps removed by Ivar Vidfamne who, with no other rival, is able to conquer Sweden by about 655.

c.647? - c.655

Olav Tretelgia ('Tree-cutter')

Son. King of Värmland in western south-central Sweden.

650

By now Swedes have established the stronghold of Seeburg (near modern Grobina) in Courland. This is succeeded by a trading post which survives until the beginning of the ninth century, when the invaders are defeated by the local population.

Swedish forces also establish strongholds at Truso and Viskiautias, in the territory of the Prussians. According to some sagas, Scandinavian kings are likely to rule over all the countries on the eastern shores of the Baltic, although in reality this probably means various strongholds and trading centres along the coastline.

c.655

Olaf Tretelgia is said to flee Sweden, probably in the face of Ivar's opposition, and settles in Norway where he founds its first (historical) royal house.

fl c.650s - 660s

Ingjald Olafsson

Son. King of Värmland. Inherited by Halfdan Hvitbeinn in Norway.

c.655 - 695

Ivar Vidfamne / Vidfadme

Founder of the house of Ivar Vidfamne. King of Denmark.

695 - 735

Harald Hildetand

Or d.c.750. King of Denmark.

735 - 756

Sigurd Ring

Or c.770-812. King of Denmark & Raumarike in Norway.

756 - 794

Randver / Ragnar

King of Denmark & Raumarike in Norway.

late 8th century

Eystein Beli / Östen Beli

Or 860. Sub-king of Sweden under Randver.

c.780s - 794

Jarl Eystein defeats an attack by Eric and Agnar, two of the sons of King Randver of Denmark, but falls during a subsequent attack by Randver's wife and two remaining sons, one of which is Björn Järnsida. It seems possible that, given the Dano-Swedish control of Raumarike in Norway, the subsequent ruler of Raumarike could be a son of Eystein - one Sigtryg Eysteinsson.

Once Randver himself passes away, Björn Järnsida becomes king of the Swedes. With this act Sweden's kings become more solidly rooted in history. Björn's supposed barrow cemetery on the island of Munsö gives the dynasty its name, but it is also known as the Ynglings (probably an attempt establish continuity with the ancient Swedish kings), and the house of Uppsala. The Norse Hervarar saga is one of the best sources for establishing the genealogy of the kings in this period.

794 - 804

Björn Järnsida ('Ironside')

Or c.856. Son of Randver.

804 - 808

Erik Björnsson

Or d.c.870. Son. Not included in the numbering for Erics.

808 - 820

Erik Refilsson

Grandson of Björn by Refil. Also not numbered with the Erics.

820 - 859

Anund / Edmund I

Son of Erik Björnsson. Joint ruler, at Uppsala.

820 - 859

Björn II

Brother. Joint ruler, at Hauge.

859 - 873

Eric V Anundsson 'Väderhatt'

Son of Anund.

862

Swedish Viking interest and exploration into the Slavic lands to the east of the Baltic states has been building up for some time. In this year a Viking 'Rus' state is founded in Kiev by Rurik of Novgorod.

870s

It is around this point in time that the Swedes begin to take an interest in the Finnic lands, with Swedish settlers beginning to arrive along the coast. Eventual domination follows.

860 - 865

Ragnar Lodbrok

Or 750-794. King? Also powerful in Denmark (c.860-865).

873 - 923

Björn Eriksson

Son of Eric V.

873 - 923

Björn Eriksson is often named as king for this period, but the name can often be confused with the Björn of 820-859, who is also a son of an Erik. The Heimskringla of Snorre Sturleson correctly names this later Bjorn as son of Eirik Eymundson, recording that he is 'king of Svithjod for fifty years'.

923 - 930

Olaf I Ring

Son.

c.930 - 950

Eric VI (V) Ringsson / Olofsson

Son. Confused with Eric the Victorious.

950? - 965

Edmund II

Son.

965 - 970

Olaf II

Son.

Kingdom of Sweden
c.AD 973 - Present Day

Sweden is bordered to the west by Norway and Denmark, to the south and east across the Baltic Sea, by Germany, Poland, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, and on its eastern border by Finland.

Precisely when a single, unified kingdom was formed in Sweden is uncertain. Since the departure of the Danes in the fifth century, the country had largely been occupied by two main tribes, the Swedes in the north and the Geats in the south, and it was not until the ninth century that the former began to absorb the latter. The Geats retained a distinct cultural identity for a further century or two but a single kingdom existed by that time. Most genealogies show Eric VII as the first confirmed king of Sweden, and the present royal family traces its lineage back to him, and beyond into the less certain semi-historical period before.

There is not much information about the rulers of the various petty kingdoms in Sweden at all, and almost everything dates from the legendary period, before the tenth century. These kingdoms became provinces ('landskap') in Sweden, now without their own kings, but in the eleventh century the house of Sverker was based in Östergötland, fighting the house of Erik, based in Västergötland, two of the most prominent provinces.

Finland initially emerged into European history as a dependency of Sweden. Estonia was a later conquest that was taken by Russia during the collapse of Sweden's seventeenth century Northern empire.

(Additional information on the sometimes confusing order of rule by Erik Uppenberg.)

c.970 - 1001

Eric VII (VI) Segersäll 'the Victorious'

Son of Björn or Olaf. King of the Swedes, Geats & Wends.

984/985

Styrbjörn

Cousin. Deposed by Eric.

1001 - 1026

Olaf III Skötkonung / Skutkonung

Or 995-1022. First Christian king.

1026 - 1051

Arund Jakob Kolbrenner

1051 - 1056

Edmund III Slemme

1056 - 1066

Stenkil

Of Geatish ancestry. Based in Östergötland.

1066 - 1067

Stenkil's death triggers a war between two Eriks for the throne. Neither Erik is well known by historians, being mentioned only by one source, that of Adam of Bremen, and only by their first names, so the surnames are conjectural. Both Eriks die in the conflict, leaving the way open for Halsten to claim the throne.

1066 - 1067

Erik Hedning 'the Pagan'

Known only from Adam of Bremen.

1066 - 1067

Erik Stenkilsson

Son of Stenkil, of Geatish ancestry. Known from Adam of Bremen.

1066 - 1070

Halsten Stenkilsson

Brother. Died 1070.

1067

Halsten is quickly deposed but then appears to co-rule with his brother, Inge I. This is supported to an extent by a letter of 1081 from Pope Gregory VII.

1067 - 1080

Inge I the Elder

Brother. His younger brother, Halsten, may have been co-ruler.

1080 - 1083

Blot-Sven

1083 - 1110

Inge I the Elder

Restored?

1087 - 1088

Inge's rule is opposed by Eric Årsäll, who contests his right to hold the throne. However, Eric's existence is ascribed to two different centuries by different historians and some doubt his very existence.

1087 - 1088

Eric VIII (VII) Årsäll / Arsaell

Son of Blot-Sven. Sometimes ascribed to the dates 993-1001.

1110 - 1118

Filip Halstensson

1118 - 1125

Inge II the Younger

1125 - 1130

Magnus Neilsson

1130 - 1156

Sverker I the Elder

1150 - 1160

St Eric IX Jedwaerdsson / Jedvardsson

Erik the Holy, Saint Erik, patron saint of Stockholm.

1161 - 1167

Karl / Charles VII

Murdered by Knut VI.

1167

In the course of forming the bishopric of Lund in Sweden, the monk Falco of France is appointed bishop of Estonia. It appears that an Estonian-born monk named Nicolaus is appointed to be his assistant, although their attempts to establish Christianity in Estonia can hardly be considered successful.

1167 - 1169

Burislev Sverkersson / Boleslaw

Son of Sverker. King of Östergötland, and possibly Sweden.

1167 - 1173

Kol Sverkersson

Brother. King of Östergötland, and claimant for Swedish throne.

1167 - 1173

The murder of Karl VII by Knut VI triggers a rush for claimants to the throne. Knut is opposed by Burislev Sverkersson, probably the legitimate son of Sverker I the Elder, and his elder brother, Kol. Until Kol's death, Knut is unable to claim that he rules all of Sweden, being excluded from Östergötland by the Sverkerssons.

1167 - 1196

Knut VI

Also Knut I, as the first five were later inventions.

1187

The 'pagans of the Eastern Sea' (Estonians of Saaremaa, Couronians, and Zembs of Prussia) conquer Sigtuna, the most important town in Sweden, which they then burn down.

1196 - 1208

Sverker II the Younger

Died 1210.

1208 - 1216

Eric X

1216 - 1222

John I

1222 - 1229

Eric XI

1229 - 1234

Knut VII the Long

1234 - 1249

Eric XI

Restored.

c.1249

Birger Magnusson of Bjälbo establishes Swedish rule over the Finns, and the Swedish king soon begins to appoint a governor or duke to manage the populace. Additional, localised, governors are placed in Vyborg, while the bishops of Turku also wielded some authority.

1250 - 1275

Valdemar

1275 - 1290

Magnus I

1290 - 1320

Berger

1320 - 1365

Magnus II

Also Magnus VII of Norway.

1356 - 1359

Eric XII

Also duke of Finland.

1359

Eric is the last of the dukes to govern Finland, and a more normalised system of governors takes over from this point onwards.

1365 - 1388

Albert

Duke of Mecklenburg (1379-1412).

1371 -1386

Albert proves unpopular with his subjects, so much so that the governor of Finland, Bo Jonsson Grip, rules the territory as an independent state in opposition to him.

1380

Union of Denmark & Norway.

1387 - 1412

Queen Margaret I

Queen of Denmark & Norway.

1397

The Union of Kalmar is ratified. Denmark & Norway and Sweden are joined in personal union.

1412 - 1439

Eric XIII of Pomerania

Also Eric VII of Denmark, III of Norway, and I of Pommern-Stolp.

1439 - 1448

Christopher

Son. Also Christopher III of Denmark.

1448 - 1457

Karl / Charles VIII

1448 - 1481

Christian I of Oldenburg

1464 - 1465

Karl / Charles VIII

Second rule.

1467 - 1470

Karl / Charles VIII

Third rule.

1481 - 1513

John / Hans II

Also John of Denmark & Norway.

1513 - 1523

Christian II

King of Denmark & Norway.

1523

Sweden leaves the Union of Kalmar.

1523 - 1560

Gustavus I Vasa

1560 - 1568

Eric XIV

1561 - 1562

During the Livonian Wars (1558-1583), Tallinn in North Estonia, together with its vassals of Harju-Viru and Järva, asks Sweden for military support, and in June 1561 they pledge allegiance to King Erik to be incorporated into the kingdom as the duchy of Estonia. Sweden also gains Ingermanland, creating a Scandinavian empire.

1568 - 1592

John III

Previously grand duke of Finland.

1581 - 1583

The reign of John III sees Finland raised to a grand duchy, with the king himself holding the title and governors being appointed to handle the day-to-day running of the country. In the same year, 1581, the Estonian county of Läänemaa is conquered by Sweden, giving it control of all of North Estonia. The following year an armistice agreement is concluded between the Russian czar and the Polish-Lithuanian kingdom proclaiming Livonia a possession of the latter. In 1583, Russia concludes a similar agreement with Sweden, acknowledging its supreme power in North Estonia.

1592

Sigismund III of Poland-Lithuania inherits the Swedish throne, but his inflexible politics and passionate Catholicism causes opposition from the Swedish Protestant population, forcing the king to return to Poland.

1592 - 1604

Sigismund

King of Poland-Lithuania.

1599 - 1604

In the absence of Sigismund III, the Swedish Diet elects Sigismund's uncle, Karl, duke of Södermanland, to be the new ruler. In 1604 he is crowned, but by then, hostilities are already underway between Sweden and Poland-Lithuania. The First Polish-Swedish War sees Swedish troops assembled in Tallinn in order to attack Livonia, but instead the army suffers significant losses at Cesis and Koknes, in spite of the fact that Poland-Lithuania's main forces are fighting the Ottomans. The Swedes are driven out of Livonia in 1601. Further attacks on Riga in 1604 and Courland in 1605 also fail.

1604 - 1611

Karl / Charles IX

Uncle.

1609

Sweden allies itself with Russia, and taking advantage of restless times there, the king of Poland-Lithuania launches a pre-emptive war, capturing Moscow and Smolensk. Resistance by the population of Moscow eventually forces the invading army out, but the war rumbles on until 1618, when an armistice is agreed in the village of Deulino.

1611 - 1632

Gustavus II Adolphus

1617 - 1629

Hostilities between Poland and Sweden flare up again in 1617, but this time the reorganised Swedish forces are unstoppable, taking Riga and pushing into Lithuanian and Polish territories. The Treaty of Altmark concludes the First Polish-Swedish War by recognising the Swedish capture of most of Poland's southern Estonian and Livonian territories, with Poland retaining just Latgallia in the east of Livonia.

Poland is also forced to temporarily cede the port cities of Braunsberg (Braniewo in Ermland), Elbing (Elblag), Memel (Klaipeda), and Pillau (Baltiysk). The territory is termed Swedish Prussia, but it is regained in 1635.

1632 - 1654

Queen Christina

Died 1689.

1637 - 1638

The death of Bogislaw XIV sees Pomerania taken under Swedish control. The following year, the first wave of Swedish and Finnish settlers arrive in the New World colony of New Sweden, settling around Fort Christina.

1645

The Swedes gain all of modern Estonia when the Danes hand over the island of Ösel (Saaremaa) under the Treaty of Brömsebro.

1648

Sweden loses Further-Pomerania to Brandenburg-Prussia under the terms of the Peace of Westfalia. However, Nearer-Pomerania remains in Swedish hands.

1654 - 1660

Karl / Charles X

1655 - 1660

The colony of New Sweden in the Americas has its main settlement at Fort Christina captured in 1655 in retaliation for a brief Swedish occupation of one of the Dutch forts in New Netherland. This ends the Swedish colony. In the same year, seeing a golden opportunity following the Russian capture of large areas of Lithuania in 1654, Swedish troops enter the duchy of Courland, triggering the Second Polish-Swedish War. Karl X declares himself 'Protector of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth'. This only ends when Livonia is officially ceded to Sweden following Poland-Lithuania's signing of the Treaty of Oliva.

1660 - 1697

Karl / Charles XI

1697 - 1718

Karl / Charles XII Madman of the North

1700 - 1721

The Great Northern War is fought when Sweden finds itself facing Russia, Poland and Denmark. An attack on the unified kingdom of Saxony and Poland in 1702 sees Sweden occupy large areas of Poland until 1710. The situation deteriorates rapidly in 1709, when Sweden suffers a disastrous defeat at the hands of Peter the Great of Russia and the following year loses control of Finland, Estonia and Livonia to the Russians.

The capture of the town of Malmo in 1709 by Count Magnus Stenbock, probably one of the last Swedish victories as Russia and her allies defeated the Swedes later the same year

1718 - 1720

Queen Ulrika

1720 - 1751

Frederick

Landgrave of Hessen-Kassel (1730-1751).

1751 - 1771

Adolphus Frederick

1771 - 1792

Gustavus III

1792 - 1809

Gustavus IV Adolphus

Died in battle against the French.

1807 - 1809

Sweden loses Nearer-Pomerania to Napoleonic France, which occupies it until all of Pomerania is regained by Sweden in 1809. In the same year, Sweden permanently loses its provinces in Finland to the Russians.

1809 - 1818

Karl / Charles XIII

No natural heirs.

1814 - 1815

France is defeated at the end of the Napoleonic Wars and Sweden gains Norway from Denmark as part of the reshuffle of territories and power that follows during the Congress of Vienna. However, Pomerania is lost to Prussia.

1818 - 1844

Karl / Charles XIV (Bernadotte)

Adopted son. Ex-Marshal of French First Empire.

1844 - 1859

Oscar I

1859 - 1872

Karl / Charles XV

1872 - 1907

Oscar II

1905

Sweden loses Norway as the Norwegian crown is restored.

1905 - 1950

Gustavus V

1918 - 1919

On 16 February 1919, the last Swedish administrator of the island of Ösel, or Saaremaa, is assassinated, shortly after Estonian rule is established there.

1950 - 1973

Gustavus / Gustav VI Adolph

1973 - Present

Karl / Charles XVI Gustav

Crown Princess Victoria

Dau and heir. m Daniel Westling in 2010.

2010

Crown Princess Victoria marries her former fitness instructor, commoner Daniel Westling, on 19 June 2010. He assumes the title of Prince Daniel, duke of Vastergotland. Within a year the couple announced that their first child is on the way.