Fuck Yeah European History

historyofsweden:

Gustavus Adolphus Rex Sveciae (king of, Sweden in Latin).

Vasaätten (the Swedish way of saying Dynasty)

Gustavus Adolphus lived from 1594 to 1632. He was the son of Charles IX and Christina of Holstein-Gottorp. His grandfather was Gustav the First - Gustav Vasa as we say it today, was the first of the Royal House of Vasa. Gustavus Adolphus was the father of Queen Christina, which he got with his wife Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg. Queen Christina was the last of the Vasa dynasty on the throne of Sweden. (we will come to her later)

Gustav inherited the Swedish throne after his father’s death, at age 16. Sweden was at that time a poor country with a weak army and was at war with Denmark, Poland and Russia. Gustav was a very well-formed man, and with the help of his friend Count Axel Oxenstierna, he transformed the country’s government, and with a number of innovations, he transformed the Swedish army to the most modern, well-trained and feared. Under his leadership, he made peace with Denmark and on the battlefield, he defeated Poland and Russia, where he conquered the land in Livonia and Ingria. His most famous act was when he allowed Sweden to participate in the Thirty Years War, where he stood on the Protestant side against the Catholic armies under the Holy Roman Emperor. He crushed the imperial army at the Battle of Breitenfeld, and captured several cities and provinces in Germany. He was so ready to conquer the imperial throne and become one of Europe’s great leader, but he was killed in combat during the Battle of Lützen.

In the post-World is Gustavus Adolphus best known as the one who founded the Swedish empire that would be one of Europe’s largest and leading nations during the early modern period. He is considered one of history’s foremost military commanders, when he renewed the art of war which has made him known as “the father of modern warfare”. His works balanced clinched the political and religious powers in Europe. His name is on the squares and statues in Stockholm, Göteborg and Helsingborg. A College named “Gustavus Adolphus College” in the USA is named after him.

Happy Birthday Shakespeare, you old Bard, you!

(Anybody else think he sort of looks like Paul Giamatti, or is that just me?)

In honor of Movember, we’d like to acknowledge Tycho Brahe (1546-1601) as a fine example of superb moustachery. 

Movember is a charity event held throughout the month of November where people grow out their facial hair to bring support and awareness to issues of male-body health. If you’d like to learn more about Movember, or perhaps make a donation, please click here.

Remember the Edict of Nantes? Passed on April 13th, 1598 by Henry IV of France, this document gave some religious freedom to Huguenots (French Calvinists) by allowing the practice of Protestantism in 150 specified cities around France (Paris was not one of them). Huguenots gained civil rights and a court that contained both Protestants and Catholics to work out issues between them. It marked the end of the religious wars that had torn through France in the late 16th century. On October 18th, 1685, Henry IV’s grandson, Louis XIV, repealed the Edict as a way to further his absolute power. (Ironically, Henry IV had passed it to INCREASE his power.)

Speaking of Scotland, here’s John Knox (1513/14-1572), a Scottish clergyman who led the reformation in Scotland and founded Presbyterianism.

euromeangirls:

Charles V

(Source: slamasaurusrex)