Main Page | See live article | Alphabetical index

Sten Sture the Elder

Sten Sture, den äldre
Regency1470-1497, and
1501- December 14, 1503.
FamilySture
ConsortIngeborg Tott
PredecessorCharles VIII
InterregnumJohn II
SuccessorSvante Sture
Date of Birth1440
Date of DeathDecember 14, 1503
Place of BurialKatarina Church, Stockholm

Sten Sture the Elder, or Sten Sture den äldre, (1440-1503) Swedish statesman and regent of Sweden, under the Kalmar Union, 1470-1497 and 1501-1503. At the Battle of Brunkeberg in 1471, he triumphed against Swedish and Danish forces in the support of king Christian I of Denmark. The favourable outcome of the battle elevated Sture to the position of a national saviour with divine blessings. The sculpture St. George and the Dragon in Riddarholmskyrkan was raised to commemorate the battle.

He was born around 1440, as the son of Gustav Anundsson of the Sture family and Birgitta Stensdotter Bielke, half sister of Charles VIII. Sten Sture married Ingeborg Tott in 1476, and died in 1503.

Preceded by:
Charles VIII
List of Swedish monarchs Succeeded by:
Svante Sture