20. Low-born Karin Månsdotter married King Eric of Sweden— and lost him the throne.
By marrying his mistress, Henry VIII became something of a sixteenth-century trendsetter. However, this arrangement did not work out so well for other monarchs. King Eric XIV of Sweden was an unstable depressive unable to contract a foreign marriage. Karin Månsdotter was 17 years Eric’s junior and of peasant stock. However, her calming influence, coupled with Eric’s genuine love for her led to their marriage in 1568.
Karin may have been a good influence on Eric. But her marriage to him did little for Sweden as it resulted in no wealth or alliances. So, after Karin had spent just 87 days as Queen, Eric was deposed by the nobility and his heirs were forced to forfeit the crown. Eric died in prison from poison in 1577. Karin, however, was given a small Finnish estate where she lived peacefully for the rest of her life.