Karin Hansdotter

Katarina "Karin" Hansdotter (1539–1596) was the royal mistress of King John III of Sweden during his time as Prince and Duke of Finland in 1555–1562.

In 1556, accompanied John when he left Sweden for Åbo Castle in his Duchy of Finland, where she lived with him as his hostess and the center of his court.

In October 1562, Karin was awarded several estates in Finland, notably Wääksy Manor in Kangasala, and married to the nobleman Klas Andersson Westgöte (d. 1565), a trusted courtier of John.

Her new husband was ennobled by John III in 1576, on condition that he "henceforth faithfully and diligently act toward Our Dear Lady and both of Our offspring".

[1] Her husband was consequently given an office and her son named governor of Åbo Castle, and her children with John III where ennobled in 1577 and her daughter Sofia became a lady-in-waiting of Princess Elizabeth of Sweden.