# Sigismund III Vasa elected (1587)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1587-sigismund-iii-vasa-elected
Location: Kraków
Categories: ruler-change

Swedish prince Sigismund Vasa was elected and crowned, beginning the Vasa era in Poland. Within the broader Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth period: The Commonwealth of Both Nations elected its kings and prized noble liberty and religious tolerance. It won famous victories but was weakened by wars with Sweden, Russia, the Ottomans and the Cossacks, and by political paralysis. At this point in the timeline (1587), the governing authority was Sigismund III Vasa (King of Poland). Also King of Sweden (1592–1599); moved the royal residence to Warsaw and pursued war with Sweden and Muscovy. Sigismund III Vasa elected mattered because succession and legitimacy shaped alliances, institutions and the direction of state policy. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
Sigismund III Vasa elected mattered because succession and legitimacy shaped alliances, institutions and the direction of state policy.

Ruler at the time: [Sigismund III Vasa](https://poland-history.com/rulers/sigismund-iii-vasa)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Sigismund III Vasa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigismund_III_Vasa)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Sigismund III Vasa elected](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Sigismund+III+Vasa+elected)
- [Wikipedia — Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish%E2%80%93Lithuanian_Commonwealth)