Magnus, Duke of Östergötland

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  Swedish Royalty
  House of Vasa

Gustav I Parents    Erik Johansson, Cecilia Månsdotter Children    Eric XIV, John III, Catherine, Cecilia, Magnus, Anna Maria, Sophia, Elizabeth, Charles IX Eric XIV Children    Sigrid, Gustav John III Children    Sigismund, Anna, John Sigismund Children    Władysław IV, John II Casimir, John Albert, Charles Ferdinand, Alexander Charles, Anna Catherine Constance Charles IX Children    Catherine, Gustav II Adolf, Maria Elizabeth, Christina, Charles Philip Grandson    Charles X Gustav Gustav II Adolf Children    Christina Christina

Magnus Vasa (July 25, 1542-June 26, 1595), prince of Sweden, Duke of Ostrogothia (Östergötland) from 1555. Magnus was the third son of king Gustav Vasa. His mother was queen Margareta Leijonhufvud.

Magnus had a mental illness and was the only of Gustav Vasa's sons, except for Karl and Sten who died in infancy, that didn't become king of Sweden. Due to this, he is not remembered today. He lived at Vadstena Castle in Vadstena. He was unmarried for all his life, but had some illegitimate children, three daughters are known today.

There are many stories about the 'Mad Duke', for example when he saw a mermaid in the castle moat and threw himself out of a window. He nearly drowned. There are no proof of the story, but it might come from when he in 1563 fell in the moat, during the construction of the castle drawbridge.

Magnus died at the Manorhouse of Kungsbro, outside Linköping, in 1595 and is buried in the Bridgettine Abbey Church in Vadstena.