Christina, Queen of Sweden

Reign: 1632 – 1654
Life: 1626–1689

Her conversion to Catholicism and refusal to marry led her to relinquish her throne and move to Rome. Christina is remembered as one of the most erudite women of the 17th century, wanting Stockholm to become the "Athens of the North" and was given the special right to establish a university at will by the Peace of Westphalia. She is also remembered for her unconventional lifestyle and occasional adoption of masculine attire, which have been depicted frequently in media; gender and cultural identity are pivotal themes in many of her biographies. At the age of five, Christina succeeded her father Gustavus Adolphus upon his death at the Battle of Lützen, though she only began ruling the Swedish Empire when she reached the age of eighteen.

During Christina, Queen of Sweden's reign, Shah Jahan ruled Mughal Empire, Charles I of England ruled England, and Louis XIV of France ruled France.

Want to learn more? Further reading

A History of Sweden by Byron J. Nordstrom

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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