| Reign | September 29, 1560-September 29, 1568 |
| Coronation | June 29, 1561 |
| Royal motto | "Deus dat cui vult" ("God gives to whom He wishes") |
| Queen | Karin Månsdotter |
| Royal House | Vasa |
| Predecessor | Gustav I of Sweden |
| Successor | John III of Sweden |
| Date of Birth | December 13, 1533 |
| Place of Birth | Royal Castle in Stockholm |
| Date of Death | February 25, 1577 |
| Place of Death | Örbyhus Castle, Uplandia |
| Place of Burial | Västerås Cathedral, Vestmannia |
Erik XIV of Sweden (December 13, 1533 - February 26, 1577), son of Gustav I of Sweden and Catherine of Saxony-Lauenburg, was king of Sweden from 1560 until he was deposed in 1568. He was also ruler of Estonia, after it gave itself under Sweden in 1561. He died in prison, apparently of poisoning. A document signed by his brother John III of Sweden and a nobleman, Bengt Bengtsson Gylta, gave Eric's watchmen in his last prison authorization to poison him if anyone tried to release him. His body was later analyzed, and showed indications of poisoning.
Eric had several relationships before his marriage. With Agda Persdotter he had three daughters:
- Virginia Eriksdotter (1559-1633) (living descendants)
- Constantia Eriksdotter (1560-1649) (living descendants)
- Lucretia Eriksdotter (1564-still alive 1574) died young.
- An unmarried child, dead apr. 1565.
- Sigrid (1566-1633) (born before the marriage)
- Gustaf (1568-1607) (born before the marriage)
- Henrik (1570-1574)
- Arnold (1572-1573)
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Preceded by: Gustav I of Sweden | List of Swedish monarchs |
Succeeded by: John III of Sweden |
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Preceded by: Duke John | List of Finnish rulers |
