Editing Gustav Vasa (section)

==Early life==
Gustav Eriksson, a son of [[Cecilia Månsdotter Eka]] and [[Erik Johansson Vasa]], was probably born in 1496. The birth most likely took place in [[Rydboholm Castle]], northeast of Stockholm, the manor house of the father, Erik. The newborn got his name, Gustav, from Erik's grandfather Gustav Anundsson.<ref>Larsson 2005, p. 21.</ref>

Erik Johansson's parents were Johan Kristersson and Birgitta Gustafsdotter of the dynasties Vasa and [[Sture]] respectively, both dynasties of high nobility. Birgitta Gustafsdotter was the sister of Sten Sture the Elder, regent of Sweden, and their mother was a half-sister of King [[Charles VIII of Sweden]]. Being a relative and ally of uncle Sten Sture, Erik inherited the regent's estates in [[Uppland]] and [[Södermanland]] when the latter died in 1503. Although a member of a family with considerable properties since childhood, Gustav Eriksson would later be the holder of possessions of a much greater dimension.<ref>Larsson 2005, pp. 25ff.</ref>

Both of Gustav's parents descended from [[Gregers Birgersson|Gregers]], the illegitimate son of [[Birger Jarl]]; Gustav's father descended from Gregers through his maternal great-grandmother Margareta Karlsdotter, while Gustav's mother descended from him through her father Magnus Karlsson Eka. Additionally, Birgitta Gustafsdotter and Sten Sture (and consequently also Gustav) descended from King [[Sverker II of Sweden]] through King Sverker's granddaughter Benedikte Sunesdotter (who was married to Svantepolk Knutsson, son of Duke of Reval).