Axel Oxenstierna

Born in 1583, Axel Oxenstierna started his civil career for the Swedish State in 1602, and became Chancellor between 1612 and 1654. He proved to be the most able administrator Sweden has ever had. Like Charles IX, Oxenstierna was impressed by Calvinism, and harbored notions of adopting at least elements of that faith. As Gustavus Adolphus's right-hand man, he fought against the King's plans to intervene in the Thirty Years War. However, after the death of the King at Lützen in 1632, he assumed the leadership of the Protestant cause and managed to convince the French to actively participate in the conflict. He always followed domestic policies closely, but lost most of his influence following the abdication of Queen Christina, which he opposed. He died in 1654, shortly after the coronation of King Charles X Gustavus.