Eric XIII of Sweden was a king who ruled from 1560 to 1568. He was born in 1550 and was the son of Gustav I of Sweden, the founder of the Vasa dynasty. Eric's reign was marked by conflicts with the nobility and issues related to governance, which ultimately led to his downfall. In 1568, Eric XIII was deposed in a coup led by his half-brother, John III of Sweden. After his removal, he was imprisoned and spent the rest of his life in captivity until his death in 1577. His reign is often viewed as a turbulent period in Swedish history.