Svante Nilsson (regent of Sweden)

Svante Nilsson

Regency	1504 - January 2, 1512
Family	Natt och Dag
Consorts	Iliana Gädda Mette Ivarsdotter Dyre
Predecessor	Sten Sture the Elder
Successor	Eric Trolle
Date of Birth	1460
Date of Death	January 2, 1512

Svante Nilsson, (1460 – January 2, 1512) was a Swedish statesman and regent of Sweden 1504 - January 2, 1512. He was born around 1460 as the son of Nils Bosson of the family of Natt och Dag (whose mother was of Sture family). He never himself used the name Sture, but his son later took the great-grandmother's name because of its prestige and tradition of preserving the Swedish independence. He became a member of the Privy Council of Sweden no later than 1482, but acted with in opposition to his distant kinsman Sten Sture the Elder, going as far as supporting John of Denmark. Unwillingly he then switched sides and supported Sten Sture in overthrowing the king, which at the death of Sten Sture led to him self being elected regent. His resignation was demanded by the Privy Council of Sweden in the summer of 1511, but in practice he remained in power until his death on January 2, 1512.

His first marriage (1490-1495) with Iliana Gädda, produced the son Sten Sture the Younger. He married a second time with Mette Dyre (1504-1512).