Gustav I, also known as Gustav Vasa (12 May 1496  29 September 1560), was King of Sweden from 1523 until his death, previously self-recognised Protector of the Realm (Riksh?vitsman) from 1521, during the ongoing Swedish War of Liberation against King Christian II of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Gustav's election as King on 6?June 1523 and his triumphant entry into Stockholm eleven days later meant the end of Medieval Sweden's elective monarchy as well as the Kalmar Union. This created a hereditary monarchy under the House of Vasa and its successors, including the current House of Bernadotte. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty images).