 Complete the following phrase:  The end of the 16th century was marked by a final phase of rivalry between the remaining Catholics and the new Protestant communities. In 1592, Gustav Vasas Catholic grandson and king of Poland, Sigismund, ascended the Swedish throne. He pursued to strengthen Romes influence by initiating Counter-Reformation and created a dual monarchy, which temporarily became known as the Polish-Swedish Union. His despotic rule, strongly characterized by intolerance towards the Protestants, sparked a 