June 6, 1523

Gustav I of Sweden

Gustav Eriksson is elected king of Sweden at Strängnäs

Sweden's new king swore his oath outdoors in a cathedral churchyard, with relics in his hands.

6 June 1523, in the churchyard at Strängnäs

At an assembly in Strängnäs on 6 June 1523, the Swedish regent Gustav Eriksson was elected king of Sweden.

Archdeacon Laurentius Andreae conducted the election in the cathedral churchyard. Gustav held relics while making the prescribed royal promises and oath.

His religious installation inside the cathedral followed the next day.

Two men from Lübeck in the crowd

Two leading Lübeck councillors attended as highly favoured guests. Lübeck wanted a king who could confirm its trade privileges and take responsibility for Sweden's large war debt.

How much leverage they actually had is contested. The archival biography concludes that Lübeck wanted the election and pressed for it, and historians also disagree over how reluctant Gustav was.

Elected, not crowned

The act changed Gustav's status from regent to elected king. His coronation came years later.

It also did not clear the Danish garrisons out at a stroke. Stockholm remained under Danish control until its capitulation later that month, and official Stockholm accounts place Gustav's ceremonial royal entry on Midsummer Day, 24 June.

The date is the Swedish Julian one. Sweden did not adopt the Gregorian calendar until 1753, so 6 June 1523 corresponds to 16 June in the proleptic Gregorian calendar; Swedish commemoration keeps 6 June.

Sources

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What the sources leave uncertain

The historical date is the Swedish Julian-calendar date. Sweden did not adopt the Gregorian calendar until 1753; 6 June 1523 corresponds to 16 June in the proleptic Gregorian calendar. Swedish commemoration nevertheless retains 6 June.
Historians disagree over how reluctant Gustav was and how decisively Lübeck forced the election. The election itself, its date, and its location are not disputed.