Sture, a noble family of Sweden, which furnished three successive regents to that country during the period (1470 to 1520) it was nominally united with Denmark. The first of these was STEN STURE THE ELDER (died 1503), an enlightened and far-seeing statesman, who, relying upon the peasantry, combated the pretensions of both clergy and nobility, successfully withstood the Danes, and encouraged learning by founding the university of Upsala, introducing printing into Sweden, and inviting thither learned men. He was succeeded by his nephew, SVANTE NILSSON STURE (died 1512), who also fought bravely against the Danes; and the third regent of the family was STEN STURE THE
YOUNGER (died 1520), who was mortally wounded in battle against the Danes.