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[[Image:Duchy of finland 16th century.jpg|right|thumb|160px|Borders of John's duchy on the contemporary map of Finland. These are the first known political borders for Finland.]]In 1556, two hundred years after it was vacated by deposition of Duke Bengt Algotsson, King [[Gustav I of Sweden]] (reigned 1523-60) gave the [[Dukes of Swedish Provinces|duchy]] of Finland to his second son, the then 18-year-old [[John III of Sweden|John]] (1537-92). John was the only holder of the title to establish a real princely rule in Finland. The duchy included the [[Finland Proper]], [[Raasepori]] together with Western [[Uusimaa]], and Lower [[Satakunta]]. The duchy thus formed was given extraordinarily independent feudal rights by the king. Additionally, John was appointed as [[Governor-General of Finland]], meaning all the other areas beyond Gulf of Bothnia and up to the eastern border. These additions he however did not hold by feudal right but as a royal appointee.
[[Image:Catherine Jagellonica.jpeg|left|thumb|160px|Together with [[Catherine Jagellonica (Poland)|Catherine Jagellonica]] (pictured), John establised a [[Renaissance]] court in [[Turku]].]]
Duke John settled in [[Turku]], where he created a cultivated princely court at the [[Turku castle]]. John was an enthusiastic patron of arts and architecture, and he decorated the castle to splendor never before seen in Finland. Before his marriage, he had a Finnish mistress, [[Kaarina Hannuntytär]]. Several Finnish and Swedish families claim descendancy from their bastards. After the death of his father, John drove his own foreign policy which at times was at odds with his elder brother King [[Eric XIV of Sweden]] (reigned 1560-68). Also in domestic affairs, John soon opposed the king, together with a party of [[high nobility]] who all opposed the increasing centralization of the government. John married his first wife [[Catherine Jagellonica of Poland]] (1526-83) on [[October 4]]th, [[1562]], against the wishes of his elder brother. Eric regarded his conduct as a rebellion. John and Catharina were imprisoned to [[Gripsholm Castle]] in 1563, after a siege of the Turku castle and its conquest by king's troops. The imprisoned duke kept his title, but the duchy itself became administered by royal officials.
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