This is a list of heads of state of Finland; that is, the

kings of Sweden This list records the Monarchy of Sweden, monarchs of Sweden, from the late Viking Age to the present day. Sweden has continuously been a monarchy since the country's consolidation in the Viking Age and early Middle Ages, for over a thousand year ...

with

regent In a monarchy, a regent () is a person appointed to govern a state because the actual monarch is a minor, absent, incapacitated or unable to discharge their powers and duties, or the throne is vacant and a new monarch has not yet been dete ...

s and

viceroy A viceroy () is an official who reigns over a polity in the name of and as the representative of the monarch of the territory. The term derives from the Latin prefix ''vice-'', meaning "in the place of" and the Anglo-Norman ''roy'' (Old Frenc ...

s of the

Kalmar Union The Kalmar Union was a personal union in Scandinavia, agreed at Kalmar in Sweden as designed by Queen Margaret I of Denmark, Margaret of Denmark. From 1397 to 1523, it joined under a single monarch the three kingdoms of Denmark, Sweden (then in ...

, the grand dukes of Finland, a title used by most Swedish monarchs and Russian emperors, up to the two-year regency following the independence in 1917, with a brief flirtation with a truly domestic monarchy.

Kingdom of Sweden (until 1809)

''Finland as an integral part of Sweden under the

King of Sweden The monarchy of Sweden is centred on the monarchical head of state of Sweden,See the #IOG, Instrument of Government, Chapter 1, Article 5. by law a constitutional monarchy, constitutional and hereditary monarchy with a parliamentary system.Parl ...

'' Some texts suggest the Swedish rule of Finland started as early as during the Houses of Sverker and

Eric The given name Eric, Erich, Erikk, Erik, Erick, Eirik, or Eiríkur is derived from the Old Norse name ''Eiríkr'' (or ''Eríkr'' in Old East Norse due to monophthongization). The first element, ''ei-'' may be derived from the older Proto-N ...

(

Sverker I of Sweden Sverker the Elder (Old Swedish: ''Swærkir konongær gambli''; c. 1100 - 25 December 1156), also known as Sverker I, was King of Sweden from about 1132 until his murder. Of non-royal descent, he founded the House of Sverker, the rulers of which ...

1130–1156 and

Eric the Saint Saint Erik ( 1125 - 18 May 1160), also called Eric IX or Erik Jedvardsson was King of Sweden from 1156 until his death in 1160. The ''Roman Martyrology'' of the Catholic Church names him as a saint memorialized on 18 May. He was the founder of ...

1156–1160). But the first historic documents suggesting rule by Swedish kings in Finland not limited to sparse crusades and conquests are dated at around 1249.

House of Bjälbo

*1250–1275 :

Valdemar Birgersson Valdemar Birgersson (1239 – 26 December 1302), also Waldemar, was King of Sweden from 1250 to 1275. Biography Valdemar was the son of the Swedish princess Ingeborg Eriksdotter and Birger Jarl, from the House of Bjälbo. When Ingeborg's ...

(''Valdemar Birgerinpoika'') **regent:

Birger Jarl Birger Jarl or Birger Magnusson (21 October 1266) was a Swedish statesman and regent, ''Swedish jarls, jarl'', and a member of the House of Bjälbo, who played a pivotal role in consolidating Sweden after the civil wars between the House of Eri ...

*1275–1284 :

Magnus Ladulås Magnus Ladulås (, ) or Magnus Birgersson ( 1240 – 18 December 1290) was King of Sweden from 1275 until his death in 1290. He was a son of Birger Jarl, and became a king after a rebellion against his brother Valdemar, King of Sweden ...

(''Maunu Ladonlukko'') *1284–1291 :

Bengt Birgersson Bengt Birgersson (1254 – 25 May 1291) was the youngest son of Birger Jarl. He embarked on an ecclesiastical career, becoming the Archdeacon of Linköping in 1273, the Canon of Uppsala in 1275, and the Bishop of Linköping in 1286. When open w ...

(''Bengt Birgerinpoika '') *1291–1302 :

Birger Magnusson Birger Magnusson (1280 – 31 May 1321) was King of Sweden from 1290 to 1318. His reign was marked by unrest and civil strife; he was imprisoned by his brothers Erik Magnusson (duke), Erik and Valdemar Magnusson, Valdemar following the "Håtuna g ...

(''Birger Maununpoika'') *1302–1319 :

Valdemar Magnusson Valdemar Magnusson ( – 1318) was a Swedish prince, heir to the throne of Sweden, and the duke of Finland. Background Valdemar was born . He was the third son of Magnus III and Helvig of Holstein. He became Duke of Finland in 1302 at the co ...

(''Valdemar Maununpoika'') and his first wife *1319–1353 : Ingeborg Eriksdottir (''Ingeborg Eerikintytär''), widow of Valdemar *1353–1356 :

Bengt Algotsson Bengt Algotsson (also Benedictus; d. 1360) was a medieval Swedish lord. He was the Duke of Finland and Halland, as well as the Viceroy of Scania in 1350s. Ancestry Bengt Algotsson's grandfather from the paternal side, Brynolf Bengtsson, was lik ...

(''Pentti Algotinpoika'') *1357-1359 : Erik Magnusson (''Eerik Maununpoika'') *1359 :

Magnus Eriksson Magnus Eriksson (April or May 1316 – 1 December 1374) was King of Sweden from 1319 to 1364, King of Norway as Magnus VII from 1319 to 1355, and ruler of Scania from 1332 to 1360. By adversaries he has been called ''Magnus Smek'' (). Medi ...

(''Maunu Eerikinpoika'') with his son Erik Magnusson *1359–1364 : Magnus Eriksson and his son Haakon

House of Mecklenburg-Schwerin

*1364–1395 :

Albert, King of Sweden Albert (, – 1 April 1412), also known as Albert of Mecklenburg (), was King of Sweden from 1364 to 1389 and Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin from 1384 to 1412. Background He was the second son of Duke Albert II of Mecklenburg and Euphemia ...

(''Albrekt Mecklenburgilainen'')

Kalmar Union monarchs and Swedish regents

*1389–1412 :

Margaret Margaret is a feminine given name, which means "pearl". It is of Latin origin, via Ancient Greek and ultimately from Iranian languages, Old Iranian. It has been an English language, English name since the 11th century, and remained popular thro ...

(''Margareeta''), widow of King Haakon of Sweden, mother of Olav IV, and heiress of

Estonia Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea across from Sweden, to the south by Latvia, and to the east by Ru ...

, a Danish dominion *1396–1439 :

Eric of Pomerania Erik of Pomerania ( 1381/1382 – 24 September 1459) ruled over the Kalmar Union from 1396 until 1439. He was initially co-ruler with his great-aunt Margaret I of Denmark, Margaret I until her death in 1412. Erik is known as Erik III as King of ...

(''Eerik Pommerilainen'', died 1459), a first cousin twice removed of Haakon I of Sweden *1438–1440 :

Karl Knutsson Karl Knutsson Bonde ( 1408–1470), also known as Charles VIII and called Charles I in Norwegian contexts, was King of Sweden (1448–1457, 1464–1465 and 1467–1470) and King of Norway (1449–1450). He rose in Swedish politics beca ...

, as regent of Sweden (''Kaarle Knuutinpoika'') *1441–1448 :

Christopher of Bavaria Christopher of Bavaria (Danish language, Danish and Norwegian language, Norwegian: ''Christoffer''; Swedish language, Swedish: ''Kristofer''; 26 February 1416 – 5/6 January 1448) was King of Denmark (1440–48, as Christopher III), King of Sw ...

(''Kristoffer Baijerilainen'') *1448–1448 : Regents

Bengt Bengt may refer to: People In arts, entertainment and media Actors * Bengt Djurberg (1898–1941), Swedish actor and singer * Bengt Ekerot (1920–1971), Swedish actor and director * Bengt Eklund (1925–1998), Swedish actor * Bengt Logardt (1914� ...

and

Nils Jönsson (Oxenstierna) Nils Jönsson Oxenstierna (1390s–1450s) was a Swedish nobleman. During the Kalmar Union, he was co-regent of Sweden, together with his brother Bengt Jönsson Oxenstierna (1390s–1450s) from January to June 1448. He was a member of the Pr ...

(''Bengt Jönsinpoika Oxenstierna'' and ''Nils Jönsinpoika Oxenstierna'') *1448–1457 : Karl Knutsson, as King of Sweden, he had been 1442–48 chatelain and margrave of Viipuri county *1457–1457 : Regents

Jöns Bengtsson Oxenstierna Jöns Bengtsson (Oxenstierna), in Latin known as Johannes Benedicti de Salista, (1417 – 15 December 1467) was a Swedish clergyman, canon law scholar and statesman who served as Archbishop of Uppsala (1448–1467). He was also the regent of Swe ...

(''Jöns Pentinpoika Oxenstierna'') the archbishop and Eric Axelsson Tott (''Eerik Akselinpoika Tott'') *1457–1464 :

Christian I Christian I ''(Christiern I)'' (February 1426 – 21 May 1481) was a German noble and Scandinavian monarch under the Kalmar Union. He was king of Denmark (1448–1481), Norway (1450–1481) and Sweden (1457–1464). From 1460 to 1481, he ...

(''Kristian I'') *1464–1470 : Karl Knutsson (restored) *1470–1497 : Regent

Sten Sture the Elder Sten Sture the Elder (; 1440 – 14 December 1503) was a Swedish statesman and regent of Sweden from 1470 to 1497 and again from 1501 to 1503. As the leader of the victorious Swedish separatist forces against the royal unionist forces led by De ...

(''Sten Sture vanhempi'') - also, 1483–1501 chatelain and margrave of Viipuri county *1497–1501 : Hans (''Hannu'') *1501–1503 : Regent Sten Sture the Elder (''Sten Sture vanhempi'') *1504–1511 : Regent Svante Nilsson (''Svante Niilonpoika'') *1512–1512 : Regent

Eric Trolle Eric Trolle may refer to: * Erik Trolle Erik Trolle (or Erik Arvidsson) (c. 1460–1530) was elected regent of Sweden in 1512, during the era of Kalmar Union. He was Justiciar of Närke and a Lord High Councillor of Sweden from 1487. Biography ...

*1512–1520 : Regent

Sten Sture the Younger Sten Sture the Younger () (1493 – 3 February 1520), was a Swedish nobleman who served as the regent of Sweden, during the era of the Kalmar Union. Biography Sture was born in 1493, as the son of Svante Nilsson (regent of Sweden) and Iliana G ...

(''Sten Sture nuorempi'') *1520–1521 :

Christian II A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the world. The words ''Christ'' and ''Ch ...

(''Kristian II'')

House of Vasa

*1521–1560 :

Gustav I Vasa Gustav Eriksson Vasa (12 May 1496 – 29 September 1560), also known as Gustav I, was King of Sweden from 1523 until his death in 1560. He was previously self-recognised Protector of the Realm ('' Riksföreståndare'') from 1521, during the on ...

(''Kustaa I Vaasa'') *1560–1569 :

Eric XIV Erik XIV or Eric XIV (13 December 153326 February 1577) became King of Sweden following the death of his father, Gustav I, on 29 September 1560. During a 1568 rebellion against him, Erik was incarcerated by his half-brother John III. He ...

(''Eerik XIV'') *1569–1592 : John III (restored), adopted title

Grand Prince of Finland The Grand Duke of Finland, alternatively the Grand Prince of Finland after 1802, was, from around 1580 to 1809, a title in use by most Swedish monarchs. Between 1809 and 1917, it was included in the title of the emperor of Russia, who was also t ...

(Suomen suuriruhtinas) around 1580 *1592–1599 :

Sigismund Sigismund (variants: Sigmund, Siegmund) is a German proper name, meaning "protection through victory", from Old High German ''sigu'' "victory" + ''munt'' "hand, protection". Tacitus latinises it ''Segimundus''. There appears to be an older form of ...

(titled Grand Prince of Finland) and John III *1599-1606 : John III *1606–1632 : Gustav II Adolph the Great (''Kustaa II Aadolf''), also titled Grand Prince of Finland *1632–1654 :

Christina of Sweden Christina (; 18 December ld Style and New Style dates, O.S. 8 December1626 – 19 April 1689), a member of the House of Vasa, was Monarchy of Sweden, Queen of Sweden from 1632 until her abdication in 1654. Her conversion to Catholicism and ...

(''Kristiina''), also titled Grand Princess of Finland

House of Palatinate-Zweibrücken

*1654–1660 :

Charles X Gustav Charles X Gustav, also Carl X Gustav (; 8 November 1622 – 13 February 1660), was King of Sweden from 1654 until his death. He was the son of John Casimir, Count Palatine of Kleeburg, John Casimir, Count Palatine of Palatinate-Kleeburg, Zweib ...

(''Kaarle X Kustaa''), also titled Grand Prince of Finland *1660–1697 :

Charles XI Charles XI or Carl (; ) was King of Sweden from 1660 until his death, in a period of Swedish history known as the Swedish Empire (1611–1721). He was the only son of King Charles X Gustav of Sweden and Hedwig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp. ...

(''Kaarle XI''), also titled Grand Prince of Finland *1697–1718 :

Charles XII Charles XII, sometimes Carl XII () or Carolus Rex (17 June 1682 – 30 November 1718 Old Style and New Style dates, O.S.), was King of Sweden from 1697 to 1718. He belonged to the House of Palatinate-Zweibrücken, a branch line of the House of ...

(''Kaarle XII''), also titled Grand Prince of Finland *1719–1720 :

Ulrika Eleonora of Sweden Ulrika Eleonora or Ulrica Eleanor (23 January 1688 – 24 November 1741), also known as Ulrika Eleonora the Younger, was Queen of Sweden from 5 December 1718 until her abdication on 29 February 1720 in favour of Frederick, her husband. Upon h ...

(''Ulriika Eleonoora''), also titled Grand Princess of Finland

House of Hesse

*1720–1751 :

Frederick I of Sweden Frederick I (; 28 April 1676 – 5 April 1751) was List of Swedish monarchs, King of Sweden from 1720 until his death, having been prince consort of Sweden from 1718 to 1720, and was also Landgrave of Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel, Hesse-Kassel fr ...

(''Fredrik I''), also titled Grand Prince of Finland

House of Holstein-Gottorp

*1751–1771 : Adolph Frederick (''Aadolf Fredrik''), Grand Prince of Finland *1771–1792 :

Gustav III Gustav III (29 March 1792), also called ''Gustavus III'', was King of Sweden from 1771 until his assassination in 1792. He was the eldest son of King Adolf Frederick and Queen Louisa Ulrika of Sweden. Gustav was a vocal opponent of what he saw ...

(''Kustaa III''), Grand Prince of Finland **1792–1796 : Charles, duke of Södermanland as Regent (''Södermanlannin herttua Kaarle'') *1792–1809 :

Gustav IV Adolph Gustav IV Adolf or Gustav IV Adolph (1 November 1778 – 7 February 1837) was King of Sweden from 1792 until he was deposed in a coup in 1809. He was also the last Swedish monarch to be the ruler of Finland. The occupation of Finland in 180 ...

(''Kustaa IV Aadolf''), Grand Prince of Finland

Russian Empire (1809–1917)

Interim period (1917–1919)

During the interregnum from the fall of Nicholas II to the end of the Finnish Civil War in spring 1918, sovereignty in Finland was exercised by the Finnish Parliament and, until the October Revolution and the declaration of independence, the Russian interim government. After the civil war, regents (valtionhoitaja) were appointed by the parliament and a new king elected. In May 1918, President Woodrow Wilson stated that the U.S. “shall be willing to recognize the Republic of Finland only when she shows that she is not controlled by Germany, as she now seems to be".

Regents appointed by parliament

* 27 May 1918 – 12 December 1918 :

Pehr Evind Svinhufvud Pehr Evind Svinhufvud af Qvalstad (, 15 December 1861 – 29 February 1944) was the third president of Finland from 1931 to 1937. Serving as a lawyer, judge, and politician in the Grand Duchy of Finland, which was at that time an autonomous s ...

During Svinhufvud's regency,

Prince Frederick Charles of Hesse Frederick Charles Louis Constantine, Prince and Landgrave of Hesse (; ; 1 May 1868 – 28 May 1940), was the brother-in-law of the German Emperor, Wilhelm II. He was elected King of Finland on 9 October 1918, but renounced the throne on 1 ...

was elected as the King of Finland on 9 October 1918. He never took office and renounced the throne on 14 December 1918. * 12 December 1918 – 26 July 1919 : Baron

Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim Baron Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim (, 4 June 1867 – 27 January 1951) was a Finnish military commander, aristocrat, and statesman. He served as the military leader of the White Guard (Finland), Whites in the Finnish Civil War (1918), as List of ...

House of Hesse

, - , Fredrik Kaarle
9 October 1918

14 December 1918
''()'' , Hessenin prnssi Friedrich Karl - Prince Frederick Charles of Hesse

, 1868

Prussia Prussia (; ; Old Prussian: ''Prūsija'') was a Germans, German state centred on the North European Plain that originated from the 1525 secularization of the Prussia (region), Prussian part of the State of the Teutonic Order. For centuries, ...

Son of Frederick William, Landgrave of Hesse
and

Princess Anna of Prussia Anna of Prussia (; 17 May 1836 – 12 June 1918) was a Prussian princess as the granddaughter of King Frederick William III of Prussia. She was the second wife of Prince Frederick William of Hesse-Kassel. Early life Anna was the youngest of the ...

Princess Margaret of Prussia Margaret of Prussia (; 22 April 1872 – 22 January 1954) was the youngest child of Frederick III, German Emperor, and Victoria, Princess Royal. She was also the younger sister of Wilhelm II, German Emperor, Emperor Wilhelm II and the granddaught ...

1893
6 children , 28 May 1940

Kassel Kassel (; in Germany, spelled Cassel until 1926) is a city on the Fulda River in North Hesse, northern Hesse, in Central Germany (geography), central Germany. It is the administrative seat of the Regierungsbezirk Kassel (region), Kassel and the d ...

Aged 72 , King-elect of Finland

List of presidents (1919–present)

Timeline

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:List of Finnish Monarchs *

Finland Finland, officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It borders Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bothnia to the west and the Gulf of Finland to the south, ...

Finnish Finnish may refer to: * Something or someone from, or related to Finland * Culture of Finland * Finnish people or Finns, the primary ethnic group in Finland * Finnish language, the national language of the Finnish people * Finnish cuisine See also ...