Princess Sigrid of Sweden

Sigrid of Sweden
Sigrid Eriksdotter Vasa (1566–1633)
Born	(1566-10-15)15 October 1566 Svartsjö Castle, Färingsö
Died	1633 (aged 66–67)
Spouse	Henrik Klasson Tott
Issue	Åke Henriksson Tott Anna Henriksdotter Tott Erik Henriksson Tott
House	Vasa
Father	Eric XIV of Sweden
Mother	Karin Månsdotter

Sigrid (15 October 1566 – 1633), in Swedish Sigrid Eriksdotter (Vasa), was the daughter of King Eric XIV of Sweden and his mistress and future spouse, Karin Månsdotter.

Sigrid was born in Svartsjö Castle, Färingsö, to King Eric and Karin Månsdotter before their marriage, but was from the beginning treated as if she was legitimate. She was taken care of by Johanna (Jeanne) de Herboville, the wife of a French noble immigrant. Eric XIV married Karin morganatically in 1567, and officially in 1568, when she was ennobled and crowned queen under the name Katarina Magnusdotter. Sigrid was present at her mother's wedding and at her coronation, together with her brother Gustav. The wedding was unique; never before had the children of the couple been present at a royal wedding. The presence of the children was a way to demonstrate their new status: both of them were officially confirmed as legitimate, and Sigrid and her brother were given all the privileges of a royal princess and prince.

In 1568, her father was deposed, and his family, including Sigrid was imprisoned with him. Sigrid was periodically allowed to live outside of the house arrest of her parents, in the care of Herboville and queen dowager Catherine Stenbock. She was removed from her father in 1573 and taken to Turku castle in Finland with her mother. In 1575, she was separated from her brother, who was removed from her mother's custody. In 1577, her father died, and Sigrid and her mother were freed and allowed to settle in Liuksala Manor in Finland.

Her position after the deposition of her father was somewhat unclear, but she did not have the full position of a royal princess: in the painting attributed to her, she is called : "Fröken Sigrid Vasa, Konung Eriks äkta dotter" (in English: "Miss Sigrid Vasa, legitimate daughter of King Eric") not "Princess". The title of "Miss" was only used by noblewomen until the 19th century. Nevertheless, she had a good relationship with her paternal family. She was made lady-in-waiting to her cousin Princess Anna of Sweden in 1582, and traveled with her to Poland, where she was present at the coronation of King Sigismund III Vasa in 1587. Soon after this, she met with her brother Gustav again in Poland. No other meeting between the siblings after this is mentioned.