In 1597, a civil war erupted and Duke Charles was able to assume control over a large share of the powerful castles in Sweden, and in this manner achieved control over almost all the realm. However, Finland remained loyal to Sigismund and resisted. In September 1597, he sailed for the Finnish coast and was able to take Åbo Castle in Turku, defended by Fleming's widow Ebba Stenbock, by the end of the month. It is said that upon seeing Fleming's body lying in a coffin at the castle's chapel Charles exclaimed "hadst thou now been alive, thy head would not have been in great safety". Stenbock in response said "if my late husband had been alive, Your Grace would never have entered herein". Charles' troops were not prepared nor strong enough to conquer or hold Finland in its entirety – they sailed back to Stockholm in October and Stålarm retook Åbo the same year.