Oxenstierna's Regency

Upon Gustavus Adolphus not entirely unexpected but greatly feared demise at Lützen on November 6, 1632, Axel Oxenstierna had to shoulder the full burden of governing the realm as head regent for Gustavus's six-year-old daughter Christina. The brilliant administrator kept the nation running smoothly, but the aristocratic tendencies that had been kept in check by the late king were unleashed in full by the high lords of the regency to the great detriment of the lower classes and the Crown. One of the other five regents was Carl Carlsson Gyllenhielm, bastard brother to Gustavus and high admiral of the realm. Of the lot, he was the least concerned with personal wealth and privileges.