U is for...Uppsala Castle

The construction of Uppsala Castle was started in 1549 by Gustav Vasa.

When Gustav Vasa died, his  son Erik  became King of Sweden. At the time

of receiving the news of his father's death, Erik was on his way to England

to woo Queen Elizabeth I. The history of Europe might have been different

if he had continued on to England and she had accepted Erik.  

Probably for the best as Erik was not mentally stable.

He suffered from fear of  the nobles or others who might

lay claim to his throne. His fears led to accusations, mistreatment's, and 

unfounded imprisoning. In 1567 the King killed a young member

of the Sture family in a cell in Uppsala castle. Then the King ordered

other members of this family to be killed.

Erik's derangement continued for a time and others ruled

in his place.  Eventually he was deposed in 1569 and imprisoned.

There were various uprisings and Erik's place of imprisonment

was changed at various times. Sentenced to death, the sentence

 was never (officially at least) carried out as Erik died in his

 prison cell in 1577, probably as a result of poisoning.

A beautiful castle but the scene of murder and madness.

http://www.uppsala.se/Uppsalase/English-startpage/Culture--libraries/Uppsala-Castle/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uppsala_Castle

http://www.nndb.com/people/779/000095494/