2020-08-08 Sat

Charles IX was virtual ruler of Sweden (1599–1604) and king (1604–11) who reaffirmed Lutheranism as the national religion and pursued an aggressive foreign policy leading to war with Poland and Denmark.

Born on October 4, 1550, Charles was the youngest son of King Gustav I and his second wife, Margaret Leijonhufvud. Both Charles and one of his predecessors, Eric XIV (1560–68), took their regnal numbers according to a fictitious history of Sweden. He was actually the third Swedish king called Charles. His reign marked the start of the final chapter (dated 1648 by some) of both the Reformation and Counter-Reformation.

On this day August 8th, in 1605, Charles IX of Sweden founds Oulu, Finland. Oulu is next to a river that enabled it to become a bustling trading site. The name “Oulu” may mean “floodwater,” for the river next to it.

Depicted here is a coin issued under his reign. It illustrates his portrait with a sword and a shield.

Image Source: Wikipedia.org