Princess Maria Elizabeth of Sweden

Maria Elizabeth Vasa (10 March 1596 – 7 August 1618) was a Swedish princess, daughter of King Charles IX of Sweden and Christina of Holstein-Gottorp, and by marriage Duchess of Östergötland.

Biography

Maria Elizabeth was born in Örebro Castle, and was brought up with her brother, Gustavus Adolphus, and her cousin, John, Duke of Finland. She was given a good education and tutored by Johannes Bureus and Johan Skytte. She was reportedly a good student, with an interest in literature, and corresponded with her teacher Johan Skytte in Latin at the age of ten.

Seven women were executed in Finspång in 1617. After this, there were few witch trials in Sweden. When the great witch frenzy of 1668–1676 broke out, the witch hunt of the 1610s in Östergötland was remembered and pointed out as a warning example by those skeptical towards the belief in witches. Lord High Steward Per Brahe warned: Ten such executions are confirmed. After the death of Maria Elizabeth, the witch hunt was put to an end.

Death On 5 March 1618, she was widowed when Duke John died at Bråborg. Princess Maria Elizabeth was 22 years old and retired to Stegeborg Castle.

She died there, childless, of her lifelong disease, just five months after her husband; according to the royal chaplain Petrus Bjugg, death was a relief to her. She was buried next to her spouse at Linköping Cathedral in January 1619.

Ancestry