Gustavus I

1 9.5

A king of Sweden who left the Catholic Church and made Sweden a Lutheran country

proper noun

: Gustavo I

The reign of Gustavus I marked the transition from Catholicism to Lutheranism in the country.

Examples

Gustavus I was instrumental in bringing about the Protestant Reformation in Sweden.
Many historians regard Gustavus I as the founder of modern Sweden.
Don't forget Gustavus I!
The legacy of Gustavus I is significant.
Gustavus I was instrumental in bringing about the Protestant Reformation in Sweden.
Many historians regard Gustavus I as the founder of modern Sweden.
The reign of Gustavus I marked the transition from Catholicism to Lutheranism in the country.

Surface Forms

Gustavus I main

Morphology

Gustavus + I

The combination is partly transparent: knowing 'Gustavus' (a proper name) and 'I' as a Roman numeral lets a learner infer this refers to the first person of that name (typically a historical ruler), a pattern common across languages. However, the detailed historical information (that he was King of Sweden who broke with the Catholic Church and established Lutheranism) cannot be derived from the constituents, so the item is not fully transparent.

Etymology

Gustavus I was a Swedish leader who became king after leading a revolt and famously 'broke with' the Pope, taking control of church land and making Lutheranism the country's 'official religion'. That's why people remember Gustavus I as the ruler who helped build 'modern Sweden'.