Government in Sweden and 't is probable the Crown was only Hereditary when the Sons of the deceast King were strong enough to maintain themselves in that station nor were they advanc'd to it before they had signaliz'd themselves by some bold and extraordinary exploit Suibdager King of Norway Conquer'd Denmark from Gram King of Cepers The Swedes charm'd with his Valour or aw'd by his Power chose him for their Sovereign by which Election he saw himself at the same time absolute Lord of the three Northern Kingdoms This Prince according to the Swedish History is the first Foreigner upon whom the Crown was conferr'd Hasinund Son and Successor of Suibdager was slain in a Battle against the Danes Vffo Son and Successor of Hasinund carry'd on a War against the Danes with success but at last Hading King of Denmark under colour of an Interview for a Treaty of Peace drew him into a place where he caus'd him to be Assassiinated Huning Vffo's Brother and Successor after a Bloody War which he undertook against the King of Denmark to revenge the Death of his Brother chang'd of a sudden his violent hatred against his Enemy into an excess of Friendship A Solemn Peace was concluded betwixt these two Princes with a Solemn Oath on both sides that upon the Death of either the other shou'd not survive him It happen'd not long after that Hading was salsly reported to have been Assassinated by his own Daughter which Huning believing resolv'd to die according to his promise In pusuance of this design he regal'd his Friends and the chief Persons of the Kingdom with a sumptuous Entertainment and at the conclusion of the Feast being Drunk he threw himself into a deep Tub full of Mead and so drown'd himself Hading was vext at the News but resolving to imitate the Generosity of his Friend he very coâ—â—ageously Hang'd himself in the sight of all his People if there be any credit to be given to those ancient Histories or rather to the Histories of those Ancient Ages Regner The Son and Successor of Huning was made King of Sweden notwithstanding all the opposition of his Mother-in-Law Torilla He Govern'd his Subjects with much Equity and Moderation But these peaceful Virtues were so far from procuring him the Love and Esteem of a Cruel and Barbarous People that he was slighted and contemn'd because he wou'd not gratify their savage Humour by Plundering the Neighbouring Countries and perhaps also because he was too generous to cause his private Enemies to be Assassinated Hothebrod The Son and Successor of Regner was a warlike and daring Prince and undertook several fortunate Expeditions against the Finlanders Russes Esthonians and Curlandians After which he Attack'd Roe King of Denmark whom he kill'd at the Head of his Army He pursu'd this Victory with so much vigor that he made himself Master of the whole Kingdom But he did not long injoy his Conquest for the Danes revolting at the instigation of Helgo Roe's Brother Hothebrod was routed and kill'd and by this means the Swedes were expell'd out of Denmark These pretended Conquests of Kingdoms were only Inrodes made by the victorious party into the Enemies Country For since there were no places of strength where Garrisons cou'd be left to secure the Conquest as soon as the Victorious Army retir'd with their Booty the Conquer'd Nation took up Arms and chose a new King or Captain to Command ' em Attila I. Succeeded his Father Hothebrod and Marri'd the Mother of Rool King of Denmark But that Match instead of producing a lasting Peace between the two Kingdoms and a good Understanding betwixt the Kings serv'd only to re-kindle the War with greater fury than ever The Queen of Sweden having seiz'd upon the Treasury of the King her Husband fled to her Son in Denmark Attila incens'd at her persidiousness invaded Denmark with his Forces and routed the Danes Rool was defeated and kill'd by one of the Swedish Generals and Hother Attila's Brother was made King of Denmark Hother King of Sweden and Denmark routed the Danes who revolted at the instigation of Balder a Prince of that Nation after which he march'd against the Russes but lost his Life in that Expedition Rodric This Victorious Prince reveng'd his Father's Death by the defeat of the Russes and subdu'd the Finlanders Wendi and Slavonians Attila II The Son and Successor of Rotherick he fought a single Combat at the Head of his Army with Frovia General of the Danish Forces and kill'd him Frovia left two Sons who as soon as they were grown up to Age went to Sweden and offer'd their service to Attila pretending to be Soldiers of Fortune They were receiv'd into the King's House whom they afterwards Assassinated to revenge the Death of their Father Botwil Charles II Grimmer Lordon Gothar Adolphus Algot Eric II. Lindorp The Fabulous Chronology mentions only the names of those Nine Princes without relating their Adventures or so much as the length of their Reigns Alaric Under this Prince's Reign the Swedish Monarchy was divided into two Kingdoms Alaric reigning in Sweden and Gestiblind in both the Gothlands This Division and the Neighbourhood of two Barbarous Nations occasion'd Bloody Wars betwixt ' em Alaric according to the custom of those Times challeng'd Gestiblind to a single Combat who declin'd it by reason of his Age but offer'd in his stead Eric Prince of Norway who was come to his Assistance These two Champions fought with all the Fury and Obstinacy that Men are capable of when they resolve either to vanquish or die Alaric was slain and Gestiblind to reward Eric's Valour not only gave him the Crown of Sweden but appointed him his Successor in the Kingdom of Gothland by which means these two Crowns were not long after reunited upon the Head of that Prince Eric III. surnam'd the Wise This Prince liv'd in a profound Peace and apply'd himself wholly to the Administration of Justice and Execution of the Laws This got him the surname of Wise which he preferr'd to that of Brave and Courageous tho' he really deserv'd it by the Valour he shew'd in the Combat he fought with King Alaric Halden I. The Son and Successor of Eric the Wise A. C. 43. he signaliz'd himself in the Wars of Norway and restor'd Fricdelef King of Denmark to his Fathers Throne from which he had been expell'd by an Usurper Returning to Sweden at the Head of a Victorious Army he resolv'd to make his Will the only Standard and Rule of his Government Upon which his Subjects revolted his Officers and Soldiers forsook him and he was at last put to Death by the Malecontents Siward Haldan's Son was own'd for his Successor upon condition that none shou'd be molested about the Death of his Father Under this Prince's reign the Goths were again separated from the Swedish Monarchy and chose for their King a Prince call'd Charles of the Family of their Ancient Kings who to establish his Authority made a League with
Arguments to excuse and even to justify Injury and Oppression The devout King Eric was Barbarously Assassinated by his seditious Subjects and the King of Gothland was suspected of encouraging and corresponding with the Rebels Charles VII The Swedes advanc'd this Prince to the Throne that the two Gothlands might be reunited to the Crown He took all possible care to keep his Subjects from suspecting that he had a Hand in the death of his Predecessor In pursuance of that design he began the Exercise of his Regal Authority by ordaining that all the Laws of St. Eric shou'd be punctually observ'd He recall'd Canut that Prince's Son who after his Fathers Death had made his escape into Norway And to remove all the pretexts that might be us'd for embroiling the Kingdom in a civil War he made a Law that Canut shou'd inherit the Crown after his Death and that for ever afterwards the King shou'd be chosen by turns out of the two Royal Families Afterwards he erected several Monasteries to gain the Esteem and Affection of the People who are always extreamly fond of such external Marks of Piety and Devotion He sent an Embassy to Rome to obtain from Pope Alexander III. the Title of Arch-Bishop and the Pallium for the Bishop of Vpsal who was Primate of the Kingdom The Pope was easily prevail'd with to grant or rather to sell him the favour he desir'd according to the usual Maxims of the Court of Rome and that Prelate was invested with the Archiepiscopal Dignity on condition that the Estates of all those who died without Children in the Kingdom shou'd be intail'd upon the Holy-See but the Swedes soon grew weary of that Religious Bâ—â—dage and freed themselves from so 〈…〉 Canut Tho' King Charles had made a solemn Law to settle the Succession upon this Prince his Ambition cou'd not be satisfied with the prospect of a Crown in reversion He levy'd Forces in Norway and resolving at once to recover the Throne and revenge the Death of his Father he invaded Sweden routed King Charles kill'd him in the Battle and by that Victory made himself Master of the Kingdom He lest no means unattempted to extirpate the whole Race of his Predecessor but since 't was never in the power of a Tyrant to secure his Ursupation by the Death of his Successor all the cruel Diligence with which he persecuted the Family of the late King cou'd not hinder the Swedes from Electing Suercher the Son of that Prince according to the Law by which 't was ordain'd that the two Families shou'd enjoy the Crown by turns Suercher III. This Prince imitating the Barbarous policy of his Predecessor order'd an exact search to be made for all the Relations and Posterity of St. Eric But one of those Princes escap'd his fury and rais'd an Army to make head against his Persecutor Eric X. He defeated King Suercher in a Battle and after that Prince's Death obtain'd the Crown which at that time was always the Reward of the Conqueror As soon as he was fix'd upon the Throne he endeavour'd to make a friendly Agreement with the Family of his Predecessor in order to which he offer'd to re-establish the Law that was made by King Charles for regulating the Succession and to convince the posterity of that Prince that he really design'd to put the Treaty in Execution he appointed John the Son of Suercher to succeed him excluding his own Son Prince Eric who was oblig'd to content himself with a distant prospect of inheriting the Crown after the Death of Prince John Iohn I. He conquer'd some places in Livonia and endeavour'd by Force of Arms to make the Esthonians renounce the Idolatry that prevail'd among 'em But the People of that Country looking upon their forc'd Conversion as a sort of Slavery took up Arms and drove the Swedes out of their Province In the mean time King John Died in the Isle of Wiensingso after he had reign'd three years Eric XI call'd the Stammerer He was the Son of Eric X and obtain'd the Possession of the Crown without the least Effusion of Blood It may be reckon'd a very rare Instance of moderation that a Royal Family shou'd so tamely divest themselves of the Sovereign Authority and suffer a Prince of another House to mount the Throne without Opposition This Monarch had occasion during his Reign to perform a very important piece of service to the Regency of Lubeck The Danes Besieg'd that City with a numerous Army and shut up the Port with an Iron Chain which was defended by a potent Fleet. But when the City was reduc'd to the utmost extremity the King of Sweden sent a considerable number of Ships mann'd with Soldiers under the Convoy of several Men of War who beat the Danes open'd a passage thro' their Squadrons broke the Chain with which the Mouth of the River Trave was block'd up reliev'd the City with Men Provisions and Ammunition and by that seasonable and important supply deliver'd the Republick from the Danish Yoak The Regency as a Testimony of the publick gratitude for so signal a Deliverance ordain'd that the Swedish Merchant Ships shou'd from that time be exempted from the payment of Customs and Duties Waldemar The Family of King Suercher shou'd have had their turn in the Election by vertue of the Treaty concluded with the House of Eric But it seems the Swedes had either forgotten or neglected that Agreement for tho' Eric the Stammerer left no Issue they Elected Waldemar the Son of that Prince's Sister and of Ierl or Count Birger who was General of the Swedish Forces during the preceeding Reign It may perhaps appear strange that the Son tho' an Infant was preferr'd before his Father but 't is plain from the Swedish History that tho' the Kingdom was always Elective 't was the perpetual custom of the People to chuse a Prince of the Royal Family preferrably to all the other Lords of the Kingdom In the mean time the Count or Ierl Birger was intrusted with the care of the Government during the Minority of King Waldemar And that Wise Lord who was his own Son's Minister made it his principal Care to raise the Honor and Authority of the Crown He concluded a Peace with the Neighbouring Princes and then apply'd himself wholly to the contriving and pursuing of those Maxims that might make him absolute in the Kingdom He built and fortify'd the City of Stockholm instituted good and useful Laws and exacted a punctual observance of ' em Upon advice that some Lords began to grow Jealous of his Authority and to complain that he made an ill use of it he suppress'd those brooding Commotions by ordering the principal Fomenters of 'em to be beheaded Afterwards he marri'd the King his Son to Sophi the Daughter of Eric King of Demark that the Authority of his Family might be secur'd by so powerful an Alliance As soon as the young Prince was of Age he advanc'd his Father from the Dignity
him ibid. Gustavus retires from Upsal with precipitation 149 his infantry being terrifi'd left the main body of his Army ibid. his Gentleman being hurry'd on with an unruly Horse fell upon him and threw him backward in the water ibid. he sustains as it were alone the whole shock of the Danish Forces ibid. he forms a design to surprize the Archbishop ibid. he receives the German Troops commanded by Colonel Sassi 150 he defeats the Archbishop's Army and re-enters into Upsal with his victorious Troops ibid. he marches directly to Stockholm 152 he obliges the Vice-Roy and the Archbishop to leave the City he is inform'd by a Courtier of the reducing of the Castles of Wadestene Hora and Sceninc in Ostro-Gothland 154 the Towns of Lincoping Norcoping and Sudercoping at the first approach of his Forces take up Arms and expel the Danes ibid. Gustavus receives the sad news of the death of his Mother and Sister who were cast into the Sea wrapt up in a Sack by the command of Christiern ib. he give orders cut in pieces all the Danes that could be taken ibid. he marches to Ostro-Gothland putting Garrisons and Governours into the Towns that adher'd to his party ibid. he advances to besiege the Bishop of Lincoping in his Castle 156 That Prelate opens his Gates and goes out to meet him with his principal Clergy ib. he calls a Meeting of the Estates of the Realm at Wadestene few Deputies of the Provinces are present and for what reason ibid. The Assembly earnestly entreats him to take upon himself the Administration of the Government 157 they are also desirous to confer on him the quality of King ibid. he positively refuses this Title and contents himself with that of Administrator ib. he is ackowledg'd by the Estates and in the Army as General Governour and Soveraign Administrator 〈◊〉 Sweden 158 H. HAquin King of Norway 9 I. INdulgences the Augustin Monks were usually employ'd to publish the Indulgences in Saxony 134 The Jacobins under Pope Leo X. take this Commission from them ibid. They amplifie the Virtue and Efficacy of Indulgences ib. They spend in Feasts and Riotous Excesses the Money so gather'd ibid. Luther preacheth at first against the Scandalous way of Publishing Indulgences ibid. Afterwards being exasperated with the Threats and Injuries he receiv'd from the Jacobins he inquires into the Origin and Foundation of Indulgences 135 He maintains the Indulgences were neither grounded on Advice nor Precept and that they were equally unprofitable both in this and the other World ibid. Jonas of Nerderby a Swedish Gentleman outlaw'd by Christiern retires to Gustavus's Army 131 K KIngs of Sweden their limited Power and Authority seq Many have attempted at several times to make themselves Masters of the Government 8 but in vain 9 c. see see Sweden L LAurentius Petria Lord of Sudermani declares in favour of Gustavus 143 he besieged the Town of Nicoping ibid. Leo X. Trolle Archbishop of Upsal receives the Pallium from the hands of Pope Leo X. 38 The Administrator of Sweden writes to the same Pope complaining of the Archbishops Misdemeanours 47 Leo X. answers him in obliging and favourable Terms ibid. However he only blames that Prelate in appearance ibid. for what reason ibid. He orders his Legate endeavour to procure an accommodation betwixt the Archbishop and the Administrator 53 The Archbishop being constrain'd to renounce his Dignity in a full Senate makes a complaint to the Pope of the Violence that was offer'd to him 66 Leo X. threatens to Excommunicate the Administrator of he doth not forthwith re-establish the Archbishop ibid. The Administrator Steno complains to the Legate of the Pope's partiality ibid Pope Leo X. upon the Administrators vsâ—sal to restere Trolle Archbishop of Upsal 〈…〉 former diâ—uity suspends the whole Kingdom of Sweden from Divine Service and Excommunicates the Prince and Senate 69 He commits the execution of this Bull to the King of Denmark the profess'd Enemy of the Swedes ibid. Lincoping The Bishops of Lincoping and Stregnez privy to the Secrets of the Archbishop of Upsal 83 They boldly declare for Christiern II. King of Denmark ibid. They hinder'd the Nobility from taking up arms to defend their Country ibid. They magnify the power of the Danes 84 They oppose the Election of a new Administrator ibid These two Prelates bring over to their Party three Senators and some Lords ibid. They engage these Noble-men to demand a Truce of Otho in the name of the whole Nation ibid. The Bishop of Lincoping is condemn'd to death by the order of Christiern 110 However he causes him to be set at Liberty and for what rea-son 110. 111 This Prelate durst not declare for Gustavus against Christiern but shuts himself up in his Castle 155 The Bishop of Lincoping being inform'd of his displeasure and approach goes forth to meet him with some of the chief of his Clergy in order to appease his Anger and to make a Submission 156 Lords of Sweden their Authority and Power 6 see Sweden 6 Luther Martin an Augustin Monk Doctor and Professor in the University of Wirtemburg 134 He Preaches against the abuse the Jacobins made of their power in publishing of Indulgences ibid. He publish'd his Opinions concerning the Remission of Sins Repentance and Purgatory He calls in question the Popes Authority 136 Luther is condemned at Rome as a Heretick 135 He engageth the Secular Princes in his defence against the Court of Rome ibid. Laurentius and Olaus Petri propagate his Doctrin in Sweden 151 Olaus Petri publickly Preaches it in the Cathedral Church at Stregnes ibid. He prevails upon the Professors and Scholars of the University to profess the same Dostrin 152 The Bishops of Sweden neglect to take notice of the rise and progress of Lutheranism ibid. M. MAgnus Smeck his Reign Wife and Children 9 He attempts to render himself an absolute Monarch in Sweden and entirely to abolish the Senate ibid. He is driven out of Sweden by his Subjects ibid. Margaret The Estates of Norway confer upon her the Regency of the Kingdom and the Guardianship of the Young Prince Olaus her Son After the death of Prince Olaus she is elected by the Estates for their Soveraign Princess ibid. Her Father Waldemar King of Denmark dying without Issue she sends Deputies to the Estates of that Kingdom to sollicit her Election in their Assembly She is proclaim'd Queen of Denmark ibid. The Swedes offer their Crown to the Queen Margaret ibid. 13 She accepts it and for what reason 13 The Treaty which she made with the Swedes ibid. She is acknowledg'd as the Soveraign Princess of Sweden ibid. The Character of this Princess 12 Having no Children and not being willing to Marry she appoints her a Successor at the request of the Swedes 14. 15 She proposes the Union of the 3 Kingdoms under the same Monarch to the Deputies of the 3 Nations Assembled at Calmar 15 she obtain'd her desire 16 by what means she made
and to execute their Decrees The Public Authority was almost entirely lodg'd in the Senate which was usually compos'd of Twelve Lords who for the most part were Governors of Provinces or Principal Officers of State These Lords attended the King at Stockholm the Capital City of the Kingdom when any Important Affairs were to be transacted The Archbishop of Upsal Primate of Sweden Lincepinc Seregnez Vesteras Seara Abeo and Vexio was a Senator by his Office and the six Bishops of the Kingdom bore a great Sway in the Meeting of the Estates tho' they had no right to sit in the Senate unless they were nominated by the King or chosen by the Estates during an Interregnum The Dignity of a Senator was not Hereditary for the Nomination of those Officers was a Branch of the Royal Prerogative and some of the Bishops or principal Lords of the Kingdom were chosen by the King to supply the vacant Places who by this means had a fair Opportunity to introduce his Friends and Creatures into the Senate But he was frequently disappointed in his Choice and for the most part lost a Friend when he made him a Senator For the nearer a Favorite was advanc'd to his Master's Power and Authority he was the farther remov'd from his Interest And besides the Love of Liberty and Affection to their Country were in those days the predominant Passions of the Swedes nor could any Engagement or Obligation weaken the Biass of so powerful an Inclination The Senate which at first was only instituted as a Council to advise the King had by degrees assum'd an Authority over his Actions The eldest Senator pretended a Right to admonish and check the Prince when he transgress'd the Limits of his Prerogative The People look'd upon the Senators as the Protectors of the Liberty and Privileges of the Nation The Sovereign Power and Majesty of the State was properly lodg'd in that Body There Justice was administer'd Independently and without Appeal and both War and Peace depended on their Deliberations 'T is true they acted joyntly with the King but he was oftentimes oblig'd to content himself with the Honour of executing their Resolutions The Clergy were postest of greater Riches than the King and all the other Estates of the Kingdom The Archbishop of Upsal and his six Suffragans maintain'd their Dignity with all the Splendor that a vast Treasure cou'd enable 'em to display They were for the most part the Temporal Lords of their Episcopal Sees And besides the Possessions that were annex'd to their Bishopricks which consisted in several considerable Signiories or Lordships they had made themselves Heirs to all the Ecclesiasticks that died Intestate in their respective Diocesses which by degrees had extreamly augmented their Revenues They enjoy'd the Prosits of Fines and Forfeitures which formerly belong'd to the Crown and by several Foundations and Pious Legacies had made themselves Masters of a considerable number of the King's Mannors and Fees The Patrimony of the Church was daily augmented by Donations but cou'd never be diminish'd by Sale or Alienation for such Practises were forbidden by express Laws which were as prejudicial to the Laity as advantageous to the Clergy and serv'd only to establish the Grandeur of the latter upon the Ruins of the former The Bishops made so good Use of the Influence they had over the People at Elections and of the Need a Pretender had of their Votes and Interest that they obtain'd on such Occasions several Privileges which did very considerably diminish both the Revenue and Authority of the Prince They exacted what Conditions they pleas'd of the King before they wou'd own him to be their Sovereign And before they wou'd perform the Ceremony of his Coronation they oblig'd him to Swear That he wou'd inviolably preserve 'em in the Possession 〈◊〉 their Rights and Privileges That he wou'd never attempt to put a Garrison into any of their Castles or Forts That the Lands and Mannors which they enjoy'd by what Means soever they had come to the Possession of 'em shou'd not be re-united to the Crown and at the same time they made him Sign a Paper declaring that he consented to his own Deposition if ever he shou'd violate his Oath by incroaching upon their Privileges These Prelates grew so proud of their Riches and of the number of their Vassals that they began by degrees to act like so many little Sovereigns They fortify'd their Castles and kept Garrisons in 'em They never appear'd without a numerous Attendance of Gentlemen and Soldiers and were still at the Head of all Factions and Intrigues They frequently took up Arms against their Neighbours for Differences relating to their Vassals or about the Limits of their Estates and even sometimes scrupl'd not to march at the Head of an Army against their Sovereign especially when they suspected him of a Design to recover the Duties and Lands that belong'd to the Crown The Lords and Gentlemen fortify'd their Castles and made 'em the Seats of their petty Empires They treated their Vassals like menial Servants tho' they allow'd 'em no Wages they made 'em Till their Lands and oftentimes put 'em in Arms to make Incursions into the Territories of their Neighbours The Swedish Nobility was not then distinguish'd by the Titles of Baron Count or Marquess or by Hereditary Names of Families They were only known by the respective Arms of their Houses and by their Fathers Name Gustavus Ericson i. e. Gustavus the Son of Eric which they bore joyntly with their own and were noted only for their Valour and for the numerous Train of Vassals that follow'd 'em to the War They defended their Rights and reveng'd the Injuries they receiv'd by Force of Arms and neither sought nor expected Redress from the publick Justice because there was no Power in the Government to put the Laws in Execution Force was the Standard of Law and Justice and the Supream Decider of all sorts of Controversies The Burghers of Stockholm and the Inhabitants of other Maritime Towns who subsisted merely by Trading were more submissive to the King and better affected to the Government The Merchants especially were so dishearten'd by that Lawless Liberty which expos'd 'em to the Insolency of every Potent Oppressor that they wou'd have willingly consented to invest the Prince with a sufficient Authority to restore the Publick Quiet and establish the Trade of the Nation in a flourishing Condition But there were so few Cities in the Kingdom that their Deputies had no great Interest and were not much regarded in the Diets The Peasants on the contrary who in this Kingdom have the peculiar Privilege to send Deputies of their own Body to the Estates out of a blind Obedience to their Lords were obstinate Assertors of the Liberties and Privileges of their Provinces Those who liv'd in fertile Countries apply'd themselves to Husbandry but in Helfingland Cuestricland Angermeland and other Northern Provinces they spent their time in Hunting Fallow Deer
Voices Sweden receiv'd no benefit by the Change of her Master He follow'd the Maxims of his Predecessors Denmark was his Favorite Kingdom and he left no means unattempted to bring Sweden under the Dominion of that Crown But Death prevented the Execution of his designs He was succeeded by Christiern I. Count of Oldenburg from whom the present King of Denmark is descended The Danes advanc'd him to the Throne without asking or expecting the Approbation of the Swedes and Norwegians Yet in imitation of his Predecessor he pretended that by vertue of his Election in Denmark he had a just Title to the Crowns of Sweden and Norwey â— but his Pretensions to the former were thwarted by the Great Mareschal Canutson who oppos'd his pretended right with Great Courage and Resolution That Lord had observ'd ever since Engelbrecth's Revolt that the Swedes were weary of being under the Dominion of a Foreign Power And from that very time he began secretly to aspire to the Crown and to draw a Scheme of his future Advancement His Office made him Master of the Forces and Militia of the Kingdom he govern'd a large province and was the richest Lord in Sweden The Estates being assembled at Stockholm the Great Mareschal came thither at the Head of so numerous a Company of Finlandish Lords and Gentlemen that 't was generally concluded he wou'd be Master of the Election He represented to the Assembly that the Treaty of Calmar was extreamly prejudicial to the whole Kingdom that Queen Margaret and the Kings her Successors had always made use of that pernicious Law as a Means and pretext to bring Sweden under Subjection to the Crown of Denmark that the Danes treated 'em rather like Slaves than Allies assuming a Power to impose a Sovereign upon 'em without calling 'em to his Election and that they cou'd only blame themselves for so unworthy a Treatment if they did not abrogate and disannul a Treaty that was so dishonourable to the Nation This Discourse rais'd the languid Courage of the Swedes and awaken'd their ancient Aversion against the Danish Government It put 'em in Mind of the Tyranny of King Eric and every Man began to accuse himself of Weakness and stupidity for submitting to the Prince of Bavaria The Election of the Count of Oldenburgh was rejected with a great deal of Vehemency and the Royal Dignity was conferr'd upon the Great Mareschal as a Recompence for the Zeal he had always profess'd for the Interest of his Country At the same time he manag'd the Estates of Norway so dexterously and had so great an Influence over 'em that he was chosen Sovereign of that Kingdom whither he went and was Crown'd at Drunthlin and intrusted the Government of the State to two of the Principal Lords of the Country The Swedish Bishops had been devoted to the Crown of Denmark ever since Queen Margaret preferr'd them before the Nobility in the Government of the Kingdom They only gave their Consent to the Election of the Great Mareschal because they cou'd not oppose it and were vex'd to behold the Increase of his power and Authority He was not ignorant of their Spie and Aversion against him and that they were only dissatisfied because he did not allow 'em a share in the Government If he had consider'd their temporal Authority he would have soon perceiv'd that it was his true Interest to gain 'em But he thought himself so well settl'd upon the Throne that 't was beyond the power of his most potent Adversaries to disturb the Quiet of his Reign He resolv'd to humble those lofty Prelates and concluded that the most effectual Way to make 'em harmless and submissive to the Government was to deprive 'em of part of those vast Riches which serv'd only to make 'em terrible to their Sovereign He obtain'd an Order of the Senate to make an Exact Inquiry into all the Rights of the Crown and the public Revenues which the Clergy had usurp'd and ordain'd that no person for the future shou'd erect any new Foundations under pretext that the Superstition of the People wou'd give the Clergy an Opportunity by Degrees to make themselves Masters of all the Lands in the Kingdom The Bishops and other Ecclesiasticks were extreamly incens'd at this Declaration They affirm'd publickly that the King was a Heretick and endeavour'd to perswade the people that this Invasion of their temporal Estates was only made use of as a Cloak to cover more pernicious Designs and that the Blow was aim'd at Religion it self To prevent the pretended Consequences of a Regulation that touch'd 'em in the most sensible part they resolv'd to take up Arms against the King and engag'd their Relations Vassals and Creatures in the Conspiracy To favour their design'd Revolt John de Salstat Arch-bishop of Upsal of the Illustrious Family of Bielke dispatch'd a Gentleman with secret Instructions to Christiern I. King of Denmark to invite him to Sweden in order to the Re-establishment of the Treaty of Calmar And least that Prince shou'd be discourag'd by the seeming difficulty of the Attempt he assur'd him that all the Bishops of the Kingdom wou'd second his Pretentions and that they were ready to receive him as their Sovereign into all their Cities and Forts Christiern was then in Norwey whither he went upon a like Invitation from a Party that revolted against King Canuton But notwithstanding the War in which he was engag'd in that Kingdom he sent a powerful Army to support the Intended Rebellion of the Swedish Clergy Assoon as Archbishop Salstat receiv'd advice of the Danes appearing on the Frontiers he call'd a General Assembly of the Clergy to be held at Upsal where he excommunicated the King in a solemn Mass which he said on that occasion After the Office was ended he laid his Ecclesiastical Ornaments and Habits upon the Altar swearing that he wou'd never put 'em on again till he had driven that Prince out of the Kingdom Then he took a Cuirass and Sword and went out of the Church in that warlike Equipage at the head of his Vassals to fight against his Soveraign The rest of the Bishops follow'd his Example and took up Arms for the preservation of their Privileges They joyn'd openly with the Danes and long'd to see their Country under the Dominion of Foreign Princes who during their necessary absence left the Clergy in possession of all the marks of Sovereignty and even of a large share of the Royal Authority They scrupl'd not to fight against the King at the Head of the Danes and the whole Kingdom was distracted with a dreadful Complication of Civil and Foreign Wars Yet that Prince might have easily disperst the Clouds that seem'd to threaten him with inevitable Ruin and might have triumph'd over the joint Forces of his Foreign and Domestic Enemies if he cou'd have contented himself with the Regal Dignity and the Revenues that were annex'd to the Crown But he began too soon to domineer over his new Subjects
were always ready to promote the Interests of Denmark help'd him to bear the mortifying News of the Election of a new Administrator And he imagin'd that by the Assistance of the Swedish Clergy he might obtain an easie Victory over a Prince whose Authority was not yet firmly establish'd He wrote with his own hand to that young Prelate to congratulate his late Advancement and sent him a considerable Sum of Money as a Token of his Friendship Trolle was consecrated at Rome and receiv'd the Pallium from Pope Leo X. In his return to Sweden he pass'd by Lubeck which at that time was the principal and most potent City of all the Hanse-Towns and had engross'd the whole Trade of the Northern Kingdoms There he sound a Gentleman whom King Christiern had sent to engage him in his Party The Danish Minister who was acquainted with his Master's most secret Designs after he had deliver'd his Credentials told the Archbishop in the King's Name that His Majesty cou'd not forbear taking this occasion to repeat the Assurances of his Friendship and that he hop'd to see the Union of Calmar reviv'd by his Assistance and by the Interest and Power to which the Dignity of his Office gave him so just a Title Trolle was not ignorant of the Interest and Inclination of his Family and both his Father and the old Archbishop had taken care to engage him in their Faction He told the Gentleman that he was fully perswaded of the Justice of his Master's Pretensions to the Crown of Sweden and pray'd him to assure that Prince in his Name that he was very sensible of the Obligations which the Consideration both of his Office and Family laid upon him to promote the Danish Interest and that as soon as he had taken Possession of his Archbishoprick he wou'd endeavour to give His Majesty the most convincing Marks of his Zeal and Affection to his Service He had afterwards several private Conferences with King Christiern's Agent during his abode at Lubeck The Dane finding him to be of a haughty and imperious Temper and extreamly proud of his new Dignity and of the Grandeur of his Family resolv'd to attack him on the weak side and to make him an Enemy to the Administrator as well as a Friend to the King of Denmark He insinuated with a great deal of Art that he was oblig'd in Justice to himself and to the Honor of his Family to resent the Affront that was put upon his Father and added That he cou'd never believe that a Person of his Merit wou'd tamely bear the Arrogancy of an Insolent Youth He represented to him afterwards That the Election of an Administrator was a late Invention of the Nobility to elude the Treaty of Calmar That by this means the Kings of Denmark were depriv'd of their undoubted Right to the Crown of Swedon and the Prelates of that Kingdom excluded from the Share which those Princes allow'd 'em in the Government Then finding that his Discourse had made a considerable Impression on the Archbishop's Mind he added as it were to comfort him after such Melancholy Reflexions That in all probability the young Administrator wou'd not continue long in the Possession of his Dignity That the King his Master was resolv'd to insist upon the Execution of the Treaty of Calmar That his Claim wou'd be asserted by Coarlâ— and Ferdinand of Austria whose Sister he had lately marry'd by the Dukes of Saxony his Uncles and the Marquess of Brandenburg his Brother-in-law That he was at Peace with all the Hanse-Towns That the City of Lubeck which formerly pretended to preserve an Equality betwixt the Northern Crowns was not now in a Condition to assist Sweden That the Republick was so weaken'd by the late War in which it was engag'd for the space of ten Years against the King of Denmark that the Regency were wholly taken up with contriving Expedients to re-establish their Trade and wou'd think themselves oblig'd to Christiern if he wou'd consent to confirm and maintain the Peace which they had obtain'd That his Master was endeavouring to make a League with France and England and that as soon as the Truce betwixt Denmark and Sweden expir'd he wou'd enter the last of these Kingdoms at the Head of his Army to maintain his Right and establish his Authority He added That he had Orders to assure him in his Master's Name That his Majesty wou'd entrust him with the Government during his Absence and advance him to the same Post which the Archbishops of Upsal enjoy'd under the Reign of his Predecessors The haughty Prelate listen'd attentively to a Proposal that flatter'd his Ambition He look'd upon the Kindness he had lately receiv'd from the Administrator as a meer forc'd Condescention and instead of loving and honouring him as his Benefactor he began to hate and suspect him as a secret and implacable Enemy of his Family and one who was oblig'd by Interest to humble and oppose him He fancy'd that he might aspire to the Authority which that Prince enjoy'd and even that he might obtain it by devoting himself entirely to the King of Denmark's Service Having consider'd all the advantageous Consequences of such a Revolution he repeated his Protestations to the Envoy that he wou'd imitate the most Zealous of his Predecessors in their inviolable Fidelity to the Crown of Denmark But since he was not well acquainted with the present State of a Kingdom from which he had been so long absent 't was resolv'd and agreed upon betwixt 'em that he shou'd spend some time in reviving and increasing the Danish Faction and that the King shou'd from time to time send private Agents to take an account of the Strength and Condition of their Party and to concert the surest and most convenient Measures to put their Designs in Execution The Danish Envoy having finish'd his Negotiation return'd to his Master and the Arch-Bishop embark'd for Sweden with a full resolution to Plot the ruin of the Administrator Tho' that Prelate was educated at Rome he had made but a slender progress in the Arts of Subtilty and Dissimulation that are so industriously taught at that Court He was naturally of a stiff and violent Temper more learned than Politic proud of the Riches and Power of his Family and absolutely govern'd by his Humor He was extremely imperious and haughty and even incapable of Complaisance he hated his Superiours cou'd not endure his Equals and slighted his Inferiours among whom he reckon'd all those who were not so rich as himself He was so far from regulating his Behaviour to the Administrator according to the Maxims of Policy that he did not so much as observe the common Rules of decency He industriously avoided that Prince who in an obliging manner came out of his Palace to meet him and assoon as he came ashore he went by Land to Upsal without sending any compliment to the Administrator as if he had forgot both his Dignity and Kindness He
spent the first days after his Arrival in receiving the Compliments of his Suffragans and the Homage of his Clergy His Relations and Friends and the chief Persons of the Danish Faction went to visit him some to congratulate his advancement and others to discover his humor and observe his Behaviour to the Administrator In the mean time there was nothing to be seen at Upsal but Feasting and Rejoicing which lasted above a Month for that young Prelate affected so extraordinary a Magnificence and his Friends and the Creatures of his Family were so numerous that he was attended with a Court which in some measure obscur'd that of his the Soveraign But they were not so wholly intent upon their pleasure as to forget Politicks and Affairs of State 'T was during these Feasts and in the heat of an Entertainment that the violent and impetuous Prelate began to discover his Dissatisfaction He complain'd to his Friends of the Injury which he pretended was done to his Father in the late Election and even cou'd not forbear saying publickly that Steno wou'd have had but few Voices if the Election had been free Afterwards he discours'd in private with the Bishops to discover their Inclinations to the Government and to know what confidence he might place in their Assistance if he shou'd be engag'd in any Design against the Administrator He insinuated as it were by way of common discourse that 't was to be fear'd the end of the Truce with Denmark wou'd be the beginning of a bloody War that he was perswaded Christiern wou'd leave no Means unattempted to re-establish the Union of the Kingdoms upon the Foot of the Treaty of Calmar notwithstanding the Election of an Administrator that he pity'd the miserable condition of his Country which in all probability wou'd be Sacrific'd to the ambition of these two Princes that he knew not what side the Clergy ought to take in case of an open Rupture that 't was true the Office of the Administrator seem'd to be instituted for the defence of the Nation and the Preservation of it's liberty but that the Pretensions of the Kings of Denmark were founded on a just Claim and besides that those Princes seem'd only to contend for the Title of Kings of Sweden that they might entrust the Clergy with the whole care and Authority of the Government He added that Time and their Advice wou'd instruct him what measures he ought to observe with the King of Denmark But as for Prince Steno he declar'd that he was so fully convinc'd of the violent and indirect Methods that were us'd in his Election that he did not think the Clergy oblig'd to defend and support the Dignity of the Administrator against the Danes so long as that Prince was possest of it The Arch-bishop's Discourse was receiv'd with an universal Applause by his Suffragans They unanimously declar'd for the King of Denmark and even some of the most violent of 'em were of Opinion that they ought immediately to invite him to break the Truce and surprize Prince Steno whom they reckon'd an Usurper and that at the same Time each Prelate shou'd oblige the Towns and Castles in their respective Jurisdictions to own the Justice of the Danish pretensions Others thought it necessary to put all Things in a Readiness to favour your the Invasion and without losing Time to engage all their Friends and Vassals in the Design and in the general all the Bishops endeavour'd to out-vie each other in expressing their Complaisance to their Primate and an entire Resignation to his Conduct which they were the more willing to promise because the intended Invasion was yet but an uncertain project and both the War and the Dangers that attend it seem'd to be at a Distance Afterwards the Arch-Bishop made it his Business to enquire into the Number and Strength of his Vassals He sent a Body of Soldiers to take possession of the Fort of Steque which belong'd to the Arch-Bishoprick and furnish'd it with Stores and Amunition as if the War had been already declar'd He oblig'd his Friends and Relations to give him new Assurances of their Assistance and by his Magnificence and Liberality engag'd a considerable Number of 'em to remain with him The misunderstanding betwixt that Prelate and the Administrator and the preparations that were made by his Creatures and the rest of the Danish Faction gave Occasion to People to believe that the Kingdom wou'd quickly be made the Scene of a Civil War Upsal became the general Rendevous of all the Male-contents and of those stragling Adventurers who are always ready to offer their Service upon the first Appearance of a Faction and are afterwards as apt to desert or betray their party as they are variously acted by Fear or Interest They were extreamly well receiv'd by the Arch-Bishop who heard with pleasure their Complaints against the Government and seem'd to be touch'd with a Sence of their Grievances He endeavour'd to express his Dissatisfaction by his Discourse and all his Actions that the disatisfacted Party might be encourag'd to make their Addresses to him but he carefully avoided every Thing that might give the People Occasion to suspect his Correspondence with the Danes who he knew were generally hated by the whole Swedish Nation except the Clergy And therefore he took care to regulate his Behaviour in such a Manner that his Hatred and aversion against the Administrator might be thought to proceed from a private Quarrel betwixt the two Families in which the Estate was not at all concern'd The Administrator was equally surpriz'd and incens'd at the News of these Transactions He perceiv'd that the Arch-Bishop was preparing for a Rupture and was so enrag'd at that Prelate's Ingratitude that being naturally of an impatient and fiery Temper he wou'd have immediately march'd against him at the Head of his Army if his Council had not moderated his Fury They told him that Princes must not proceed in such Cases like private Persons that his Anger and Resentment wou'd only serve to strengthen the Arch-Bishop's Party and augment the Number of the Male-Contents that he had to do with a People who were extremely Jealous of their Liberty and always ready to oppose the Attempts of their Sovereigns and therefore they advis'd him to conceal his Indignation and to endeavour to gain that Prelate by gentle and obliging Methods Steno submitted to their Opinion and under pretext of taking a Journey to some Lands that belong'd to him he pass'd through Upsal which lay directly in his Way and is but ten Swedish Leagues from Stockholm He alighted at the Arch-Bishop's Palace and went to visit him with all the Demonstrations of Joy and an obliging Confidence that cou'd be express'd by a Prince who had Reason to believe that his Dignity and Kindness wou'd procure him a hearty Welcom After he had congratulated his happy Return to the Kingdom he told him that he was extreamly glad that he had had an occasion to conttibute
Enemies to make themselves Masters of one Inch of Swedish Ground And besides the cunning Minister took occasion to insinuate that Gustavus might if he pleas'd be acknowledg'd King of Sweden by Christiern himself who sixing all his Thoughts and Designs upon the Reduction of Denmark had offer'd to relinquish and resign his Pretensions to Sweden provided Gustavus wou'd enter into a League against the Danes But he added that his Master refus'd absolutely to entertain any Correspondence with his Father's Murderer and declar'd that he was his Enemy both as a private Person and as King of Sweden Frederic perceiv'd by the Courage and Resolution of the Swedish Envoy and by the Relation of his own Ambassador that Gustavus's Power was greater than the Archbishop had represented it He found that 't wou'd not be convenient in thepresent Juncture of Affairs to renew ancient Pretensions that might make his Country the Seat of a War He offer'd to come to a Friendly Agreement with Gustavus and to enter into an Offensive and Defensive League with him against Christiern and for a Pledge and Mark of his Esteem and Friendship he sent back the Administrator's Widow and the rest of the Swedish Ladies that had been retain'd his Prisoners in Denmark since the Massacre of Stockholm appointing an honourable Convoy to attend ' em Gustavus July with all his Court went to meet the Widow-Princess and receiv'd her with all the Respect that was due to her Birth and Merit He gave her an Apartment in the Castle of Stockholm and advanc'd her to the Rank she held in the Kingdom during the Life of the Administrator He endeavor'd with all imaginable Marks of Honor and Respect to make her bear with less impatience the Misfortunes of her Family and put all the rest of the Ladies in possession of their Estates Most of 'em had Youth enough to recommend 'em to second Husbands but almost all the Lords of their Quality were either kill'd in the Massacre of Stockholm or were already marry'd No Woman of Quality whether Maid or Widow was suffer'd in Sweden to contract an Alliance with a Family less noble than her own But the King remov'd that Obstacle and permitted these Ladies to chuse their Husbands as they pleas'd tho' under that seeming Complaisance he conceal'd a politic Design for he manag'd their Inclinations so dexterously that they were easily perswaded to chuse the principal Officers of his Army He exhorted these Illustrious Widows to prefer Merit before Riches and to bestow their Fortunes and Affections on Men that had lost part of their Blood in the Service of their Country rather than on those who deriv'd their Blood from a long series of noble Ancestors but had never spent a drop of it for the defence and preservation of the State By these Alliances he secur'd the greatest Families of the Kingdom and at the same time found out a cheap way to reward his Creatures and to enable 'em to serve him more effectually Whatever Joy he exprest at the Arrival of the Administrator's Widow the inward satisfaction of his Mind was not answerable to those external Demonstrations She had two Children who were meer Infants at the death of her Husband Prince Steno for whose Memory and Family the Swedes had an extraordinary Veneration Gustavus took the two young Princes under pretext of educating 'em in the Palace and resolv'd to provide a Husband for the Princess their Mother who cou'd not draw any advantage from that Alliance to the prejudice of his Authority and Government He propos'd and made her accept of Tureiohanson the first Senator and Great Mareschal of the Kingdom The King had consider'd the Character of that Lord and found him to be such a Person as he design'd for a Husband to the Princess He was a Man of great Quality and had a considerable Estate both in Sweden and Denmark He was extreamly proud of these Advantages but had neither Valor nor Courage to recommend him to the Esteem and Affection of the Soldiers His Birth was his only Merit and consequently he cou'd not be suppos'd to have any considerable Interest in a Kingdom where a brave Warrior was infinitely more esteem'd than one that cou'd only boast of his Descent from an Illustrious Family Gustavus made it his next care to sind out the best Expedients to weaken the Power of the Clergy whom he suspected and hated for their great Riches and for the Affection they still retain'd to the Danish Government which had always maintain'd their Authority Arch-bishop Trolle was still a zealous Promoter of that Interest 'T was by his Advice that Frederic caus'd himself to be crown'd King of Sweden and to preserve his Credit with that Prince he entertain'd a secret Correspondence with the Swedish Clergy The King was resolv'd to humble a Body of Men who by their Power and Cabals had always disturb'd the Government and oppos'd the Authority of the Prince and were never satisfied but when they were intrusted with the largest share of the management of public Affairs But he was oblig'd to defer the execution of that Design for some time and was too prudent to begin his Reign with disputing the Privileges of an Order whom the most absolute Prince shou'd never touch but with a tender and wary Hand He contented himself at first with managing the Elections for the filling up of vacant Benefices He procur'd two Persons to be nam'd to the Bishopricks of Stregnez and Westeras Sommor and Petrus Magni who were entirely devoted to him and cou'd not pretend to any Power or Interest in the Kingdom but by his Favour and Protection Afterwards he sent word to the Canons of Vpsal that considering the Flight and Condemnation of their Arch-bishop 't wou'd be convenient to chuse a sit Person to succeed him After the Forms and Proceedings that are requisite in such Cases and the usual Citation and Summoning of that Prelate to return to the Kingdom and vindicate himself from the Crimes that were laid to his Charge his Contumacy in not appearing was reputed a voluntary Abdication and the Chapter proceeded to a new Election By virtue of a Recommendation from the Court which even then was not much different from an absolute Order the Choice fell upon one John Magnus a Native of Sweden who was learned in Scholastick Divinity very pious and of an exemplary Life He was naturally of a fearful Temper and unfit for the management of Affairs He was a Lover of Solitude and had no Interest in the Kingdom and consequently was neither capable of forming nor prosecuting any Designs against the Government Gustavus concluded that by these Nominations he had secur'd the Quiet of the State which was usually disturb'd by the Ambition of the Bishops But as he was entertaining himself with the delightful Prospect of an un-interrupted Prosperity as the glorious Reward and Fruit of his Labours and was preparing to make his Subjects sensible of their Happiness under the
him by way of Acknowledgment that he shou'd so basely betray his Dignity and Ministry The King finding him Inflexible found out an honourable way to get rid of him by conferring upon him the Character of Embassador He was order'd forthwith to set out for Poland and the King sent him word that he shou'd receive his Dispatches at Dantzie The Archbishop apprehended presently the Drist of this Commission and lookt upon his Embassy as little better than a Banishment However he they'd the King's Orders with a great deal of submission and went for Dantzic with his Brother Olaus Magnus Where having waited some time but in vain for his Dispatches and his Majesty's Orders and hearing that Lutheranism got ground every Day in Sweden he went to Rome to implore the Pope's Assistance and inform his Holiness of the Danger that threatned the Catholick Religion in Sweden under so politick and so mighty a Prince But the Pope was in so bad Circumstances that he cou'd not take much notice of the Affairs of Sweden Clement VII His extraordinary Ambition to advance and aggrandize his Family made him enter the Year before into a League with Francis I. King of France and the States of Venice Florence and Switzerland against the Emperor Charles V. The Design of the Confederacy was to procure the Liberty of the Children of France who were then Hostages in Spain to recover the Kingdom of Naples to the Holy See to maintain Sforza in the Dukedom of Milan and to defend the Liberty of Italy in a word to oppose the Power of the Emperor who was grown formidable ever since the Battel of Pavia That Prince was so incens'd against the Pope whom he lookt upon as the Author of the League that he rais'd a bloody War against him But the War it self was not so grievous to the Pope as the Emperor's Exhortation to the Cardinals to summon a lawful Council for the Good of the Church which wanted to be Reformed as the Emperor was pleas'd to express it both in her Head and Members Clement was extremely averse to a Council which he dreaded wou'd not only regulate the Papaal Power but enter upon some Enquiry that might be prejudicial to his Person and Dignity He was always reputed the natural Son of Julian de Medicis till Pope Leo X. being of the same Family declar'd him Legitimate upon the Information of his Mother's Brother and of certain Monks who deposed that there was a Promise of Marriage tho' such an Evidence was somewhat suspicious in so nice an Affair There was indeed no positive Law to exclude Bastards from the Pontificate but 't was the common Opinion that so eminent and holy a Dignity was inconsistent with so great a Blemish The Pope therefore might justly fear that the Emperor wou'd insist upon it in a Council and by his Authority colour it with a Pretext of Justice and Religion Besides he knew that the Emperor had a Note in his Hands which he had given to Cardinal Colouna in the Conclave to purchase his Vote Thus he saw himself in danger of being depos'd as was Balthazar Cossa known during his Pontificate by the Name of John XXIII and the rather because Pope Julius II. had issued out a strict Bull annulling and making void all Simoniacal Elections and putting it out of the Power of the Cardinals by a posterior Consent to make 'em valid But Charles V. did not so much aim at his Person as the Principalities annex'd to his Dignity His eagerness for a Council was only to get an opportunity to raise him new Enemies and to make him depend upon his pleasure He wou'd fain have had the Command of the Pope's Territories which lay so convenient for him in that juncture of War for the Communication of the Milanese with the Kingdom of Naples and the late League the Pope had made with his Enemies afforded him a plausible pretence to seize on ' em He gave Orders to his Army to march into the Pope's Territories His Troops besieg'd and took Rome by Storm where they committed such Barbarities as cou'd not be expected from Infidels Both the Massacre and Plunder lasted several Days the Virgins were ravish'd in their Mothers Arm and at the foot of the very Altars the Monuments of the Apostles and the Relics of the Saints were prophan'd by the Avarice and Insolence of the Soldiers the Cardinals and Prelates of the Court of Rome were thrown into dismal Dungeons where they were perpetually alarm'd with the fear of an ignominious Death to make 'em deliver up the Treasures of the Church The Pope himself was seiz'd and imprison'd in the Castle of St. Angelo by the Emperor's Officers And that Prince who affected the religious Title of Catholick design'd to send him to Spain as he had done Francis I. that he might almost at the same time Triumph over the two greatest Powers of Europe one Spiritual and the other Temporal Gustavus heard with a secret Joy the News of this War betwixt the Pope and the Emperor but especially of the amazing Success of the last He therefore resolv'd to follow his Example and to make use of this Juncture to give the fatal Blow to the Dignity of the Bishops of his Realm His Power was so great that he feared no Rebellion having a considerable number of Troops on foot which made him formidable to his Enemies at home and abroad Most of his Officers were Foreigners or Lutherans all equally devoted both to his Person and Fortune the Senators were all his Creatures and the Danes his Allies Thus whilst all Europe dreaded his Power or admir'd his Greatness he form'd a Design to take from the Lishops all the strong Holds that were under their Jurisdiction and at the same time to make an exact Enquiry into all the Purchases or Usurpations of both the Regular and Secular Clergy since the Prohibition of King Canietson But above all he resolv'd to get all his Declarations and the Decree made in the Senate relating to the Tithes confirm'd by the Estates of the Kingdom In pursuance of this Resolution he call'd a Meeting of the Estates at Westeras and made use of his Authority in all the Provinces to influence the Election of such Deputies as might serve his turn He sent secret Orders to a certain number of his Officers of War to be present at the Elections under colour of soliciting for the Payment of the Troops He himself follow'd 'em soon after attended by all the Senators and follow'd by a Crowd of Courtiers who shew'd his Greatness and served at the same time to maintain it He began to discover his Intention in the ordering of a Treat which he gave the Bishops Senators Deputies of Provinces and all the Members of the Estates The Officers of his Houshold alter'd the usual order of the Seats at Table The chief Places were given to the Temporal Senators to the prejudice of the Bishops who claim'd that Honour by prescription And the
Churches or of the old ones who alter'd the usual Ceremonies took up Arms with a great deal of fury The Priests and Monks joyn'd with 'em and all the Catholicks and Malecontents espous'd their Quarrel some out of zeal for their Ancient Religion and others out of spite because they had no share in the Spoils of the Church The Bishop of Scara no sooner heard of this Commotion but he fled privately to that Province to joyn with the Rebels He was accompany'd by the Great Marshal and many Gentlemen of West-Gothland who had ingag'd not to lay down their Arms till they had obtain'd the Restoration of the Ancient Religion They were receiv'd with great Acclamations by the Dalecarlians who gave the general Command of their Forces to Tureiohanson This Lord had three Sons the two Eldest of whom were near the King's Person and the Third was Grand Provost of the Cathedral of Vpsal who hearing that his Father was at the head of the Rebels made it his business to scatter Manifestos against the King thro' the whole Province of Vpland exhorting the People to take up Arms and revenge the Injuries that were done to the Altars and to incourage the People by his example he put himself at the head of some Troops In the mean time the great Marshal his Father sent order to his two other Sons to steal away from the Court and joyn their Brother or come to him with as many of their Friends as they cou'd perswade to follow ' em But these young Lords were highly displeas'd with their Father's Rebellion which oblig'd 'em either to declare against him or against their Sovereign and of two Duties which appear'd to 'em equally indispensable to chuse the one and renounce the other But their Allegiance to the King prevail'd at last over their Duty to their Father and even to Religion it self They concluded that in a State-Affair they ought to adhere to the Supream Authority and that the difference of Religious Worship was not a sufficient ground to excuse 'em from the obedience they ow'd to their Lawful Prince They consider'd besides that their Loyalty to the King might probably obtain their Father's Pardon and that it was more agreeable to the rules of prudence to put themselves in a condition by their Fidelity to obtain Pardon for their Father than to make themselves guilty of the same Crime in expectation of a better Fortune Upon these considerations they deliver'd their Letters to the King protesting that they were ready to lay down their Lives for his service Gustavus receiv'd 'em very graciously and promis'd to prefer 'em But seem'd neither to be surpriz'd nor alarm'd at the News Nor did he make any apparent preparations in order to reduce the Rebels saying that he wou'd decline appearing in Arms that his Subjects might not be oblig'd to fight against each other and that he hop'd to crush the Rebellion by gentler Methods Yet he lost no time but made his Troops secretly file off by different ways towards the Borders of Dalecarlia that he might be all of a sudden in a condition to reduce the Rebels by the fear of Punishment Upon the first News of the Insurrection he had sent some Persons from Court who had Friends among the Malecontents and were not unknown among the Dalecarlians with instructions to reduce the Rebels by fair means These Agents apply'd themselves first to the Bishop of Scara the great Marshal and other Malecontents that had joyn'd the Dalecarlians They indeavour'd to gain the leading Men by advantageous Offers but they found 'em most obstinate and those who were willing to treat had so little an influence upon the party and stood upon so high Terms that the Agents did not think fit to buy 'em off at so great a rate They had better success among the Dalecarlian Peasants whom they prevail'd upon to send Deputies to the Court perswading 'em that his Majesty wou'd deny nothing to a People to whom he ow'd his Crown and Glory but their true design was only to amuse 'em that they might be less cautious in providing for their own defence The Deputies of the Dalecarlians not penetrating into the King's Policy but concluding by the steps he made that he stood in Awe of 'em thought they might easily make their own Terms In the Name of their Province and of all the Roman Catholicks of the Kingdom they demanded that Lutheranism shou'd be punish'd in Sweden as a Capital Crime that the Marriage of Priests and Monks shou'd be Abolish'd the Bells and Church-Plate restor'd and all Persons Burnt without any Regard or Distinction that shou'd be convicted to have eaten Flesh on Fish-Days That the King shou'd oblige himself after the example of his Predecessors never to pass the River of Brunebeck which separates their Province from Westmania without giving 'em Hostages for the security of their Priviledges But above all that both King and Courtiers shou'd reassume the ancient Habit of Sweden and not be beholden to strangers for new Fashions and Dresses Gustavus gave the Deputies great hopes that he wou'd grant at least part of their Demands while he secretly put all things in a readiness to surprize the Rebels with his whole Army Having receiv'd advice that his Troops were come within a days March of their appointed Rendezvous he immediately dismiss'd the Deputies and order'd them to tell their Country-men that he wou'd never condescend to treat with his Subjects and that they might appear in Arms in the Plain of Tuna to fight the Battel he was resolv'd to offer them at the head of his Army He added that if they wou'd avoid the effects of his indignation they must expel the Malecontents out of their Province lay down their Arms and submit to his Mercy Assoon as the King had dismist the Deputies he took Post immediately for the Army and the Rebels were so amaz'd at his unexpected Diligence and Resolution that they were seiz'd with a sudden Fear and Consternation when they heard of his Approach Tureiohanson and those of his party suspected the Dalecarlians and fancy'd they had made a separate Peace for themselves and the Peasants reciprocally thought they were betray'd by the Lords In short they were jealous of each other and their mutual suspicion and distrust was by degrees chang'd to Hatred and Enmity The Bishop of Scara and Tureiohanson not thinking themselves safe with the Dalecarlians made their escape privately into Norway from whence they retir'd to King Christiern in the Low-Countries and the rest of the Malecontents alarm'd at their flight some fled one way some another The Dalecarlians seeing themselves without a Head or Leader resolv'd to submit and yield to their Prince's Mercy They went to the Plain of Tuna where the King staid for 'em at the Head of his Army He commanded his Horse to surround 'em and the Rebels at the same time to discover their Ring leaders The affrighted Peasants declar'd their names and the
Oldenburg a Younger Son of that Family with a design to release Christiern II. who was still a Prisoner in the Castle of Sunderberg In order to which that Prelate levi'd Forces and scrupl'd not once more to prophane the sanctity of his Character He was wounded and taken Prisoner in a Battel fought in Funen betwixt the Forces of Christiern III. and those of Lubeck and was carri'd to Sleswick in Holstein where he di'd of his Wounds Gustavus being thus happily deliver'd from all his Enemies Reign'd afterwards without any Disturbance or Molestation and with as much Authority as if the Crown had been his Birth-right All the Princes of Europe that had no dependency upon the House of Austria gave him extraordinary marks of the singular Esteem they had for his Personal Merit and Valour Francis I. King of France notwithstanding their Difference in Point of Religion sent him the order of St. Michael the only Order that was then establish'd in France A desensive League was made betwixt these two Princes against the Emperor and the House of Anstria by which they were both engag'd to Assist each other in case of War with 6000 Men to be paid by the Assistant and if Occasion requir'd to Assist the Invaded Prince with 25000 Men and Fifty Ships Gushavus was the first King of Sweden who rais'd the Reputation of the Crown and made it appear to the World what Insurence it might have upon the general Affairs of hurope The Princes of the League of Smalcalden invited him to joyn with them for the common Desence of their Religion and thought themselves happy to have so great a King on their side To compleat his Happiness there was nothing wanting but the fixing of the Succession upon his Royal Issue This was a very nice and difficult Point for the Nobility was extreamly Jealous of that Priviledge well knowing that Arbritary Power do's commonly attend a Hereditary Succession and that it wou'd by degrees destroy the Liberty of the Nation However the King call'd a meeting of the Estates of the Kingdom at Westeras to abrogate the Right and Custom of Election He put 'em in mind of the great Services his Family had done to Sweden and of the fatal Consequences of the Division and Contests of opposite parties at Elections His Anchority was already so well Establish'd that there was not one in the Assembly who durst oppose his Designs The Heads of the Principal Families and the Ancient Senators were kill'd in the Massacre of Stockholm and the young Lords that came into the World since his Accession to the Crown were accustom'd to a blind Obedience There was not the least Foot-step left of their former Liberty or of the Ancient constitution of their Government so that the Deputies consented with great Submission to the abrogating of the Right of Election in behalf of Prince Eric and the other Princes his Children and Successors both in the direct and collateral Line This Resignation was solemnly entred as a Fundamental Law call'd the Hereditary Vnion by which the Crown with an absolute Power was made sure to his Children and Successors This was a very mortifying peace of News to Christiern III. King of Denmark who still pretended a Right to the Crown of Sweden for by this Hereditary Vnion the Treaty of Calmar was entirely disannuli'd and abrogated Christiern quarter'd the Three Crowns in his Coat Armorial which are the Royal Arms of Sweden as a publick Claim and Mark of his Right to that Kingdom under pretext that Queen Margaret the Daughter of Waldemar Reign'd over the three Kingdoms of the North tho' 't was probably a like reason that made the Kings of Sweden take these Three Crowns for their Arms since they are found in the Shields and Seals of the Kings Steric and Birger II. about the middle of the Twelfth Age. King Gustavus sent an Embassy to Christiern to complain of his Attempt but cou'd obtain no satisfaction from a Young and Ambitious Prince who was puff'd up with some Advantages he had gotten over the Hanse-Towns and obstinately resolv'd to pursue his Ancient Claim Gustavus finding himself weakn'd and spent with Age and the Fatigues of War conceal'd his Resentment and did not think it convenient to ingage in a new War or to hazard his Fortune and that of his Children at a time when he maintain'd his Authority rather by his Reputation than by his Valour He was so far from dreading the opposition of a pretended Claim against the actual Possession of a Crown which had lately been Intail'd upon his Issue by a Solemn Act that he contented himself with procuring a Treaty to be set on foot at Bromsebroo by which 't was mutually agreed to leave the difference undecided for the space of Fifty Years Gustavus having thus settl'd a solid and durable Peace in his Dominions apply'd himself wholly to the Improvement of Trade in order to which he receiv'd into his Ports all Merchant Ships from France and Holland that his Subjects might be free'd from their dependence on the Lubeckers who were possest of the whole Trade of Sweden He erected Citadels on the Frontiers of his Kingdom and built Royal Palaces in several Places with a Magnificence that till then was unknown to the Swedes He never stay'd long in one place but travell'd successively from Province to Province always attended with a numerous Train of Courtiers who stir'd up the Curiosity and Admiration of his People and accustom'd 'em by their Example to respect his Authority He sign'd all Orders and Dispatches with his own Hand took Cognizance of all Affairs gave Audience to all Men and Admininistred Justice with great strictness and severity All Controversies and Suits about Religion Revenues and Buildings and even Differences and Law-Suits betwixt Noble Men were pleaded before him and decided by him As he had manag'd his Wars without Generals so he rul'd in Peace without Ministers He reign'd alone without either Favourites or Mistresses and the only object of all his Passions and Designs was his own Glory and the Happiness of his Subjects Some time before his Death he began to apply his mind to the finding out of a suitable Match for his Eldest Son Prince Eric that his Family might be supported by a considerable Alliance In pursuance of this design he cast his Eyes upon Elizabeth Queen of England who was then Courted with great Assiduity by the greatest Princes of Europe But that Politick Queen had the dexterity to manage her Lovers as she pleas'd and to feed 'em all with hopes according to her own Inclination and the posture of her Affairs by which it appear'd that she had taken a secret Resolution never to Marry any of ' em Gustavus sent an Embassy to her to propose a strict Alliance betwixt both Nations and the chief Embassador was charg'd to feel her Pulse as to this Match Denis Beure the Prince's Governour had that particular Commission from the King He was a Frenchman born but
a warm dispute about the Election of a new King The Swedes Voted for Stenchil whose Mother was Olaus the Tributarie's Daughter And the People of Gethland declar'd unanimously for their Country-man Haquin who was the Son of a Peasant but celebrated for his Valor and Courage However the two Competitors submitted to a friendâ— Agreement tho' in those Times such controversies were wont to be decided in a single Combat Haquin who was already very Ancient Reign'd First and left the Crown to Stenchil who was appointed to Succeed him Stenthil II. He made it his principal care to execute the Laws and defend the Establish'd Religion but the Kingdom did not long enjoy the blessing of so Wise and Pious a Prince He left two Sons who contended so eagerly about the Succession that they took up Arms and were both kill'd in the Dispute Ingo III. The whole Nation approv'd the Election of a Prince who was worthy of their Esteem and Affection for he was not inferior to his Predecessor either in Piety or Justice He made an express Law to abolish Idolatrous Sacrifices and endeavor'd to curb and subdue several petty Tyrants that opprest the People but he perish'd in the Attempt for he was surpriz'd in his House and Barbarously Murder'd by the disaffected Party Halstan Succeeded his Brother Ingo He was Naturally of a mild and gentle Temper he took pleasure in doing good and even had the prudence and good Fortune to make the Swedes love and admire these peaceful Vertues Philip Succeeded his Father Halstan both in his Dignity and Vertues Here the Chronicles begin to take notice of the Illustrious Family of the Folquingians who were intrusted with a very considerable share in the Government by several succeeding Princes Ingo IV Succeeded his Father Philip and imitated his Predecessors in his zeal for the Advancement of Religion and in the care he took to Administer Justice and put the Laws in execution against obstinate Offenders He was poison'd by some Ostrogoth Lords who dreaded his Power and Justice Under the five last Reigns Sweden enjoy'd a profound and uninterrupted Peace This may be justly reckon'd the Golden Age of that Monarchy during which the publick Tranquillity was neither disturb'd by Civil nor Foreign Wars And it ought to be observ'd that the People ow'd their Happiness to the Wisdom and Moderation of those Princes who were equally careful to abstain from invading the Dominions of their Neighbors and from incroaching upon the Liberty and Privileges of their Subjects Raguald The Swedes were of too fierce and active a Temper to relish the soft delights of Peace They resolv'd to supply the vacancy of the Throne by advancing a Prince that wou'd furnish 'em with an Employment more suitable to their Genius and in pursuance of that resolution made choice of Raguald meerly on the score of his Strength and of the largeness of his Stature But they were soon convinc'd of their imprudence in lodging the Sovereign Authority in the hands of a cruel and violent Prince who hated and contemn'd the Laws and Privileges of his Country and made it his only care to extend the Prerogative of the Crown and to establish an Arbitrary and Despotic Power in a Country where the Kings were almost only consider'd as the Captains or Generals of the People They lov'd a Warlike Prince but cou'd not endure a Tyrant and since he treated 'em as Slaves they resolv'd to treat him as an Enemy According to the custom of those Times when the King enter'd into any Province he receiv'd Hostages from the Inhabitants for the security of his Person and was oblig'd to give Hostages for the security of their Privileges But the fierce and haughty Raguald scorning to imitate his Predecessors enter'd West-Gothland in Arms and the People resolving to maintain so important a Ceremony assaulted that imperious Prince and kill'd him in his Passage thro' their Territories Suercher II. Raguald had mortify'd the Swedes so effectually and they were so sensible of their imprudence in advancing a Prince of his Temper to the Throne that they resolv'd to proceed with more caution in the choice of a Successor Suercher was Elected by the unanimous consent of the whole Nation and was both an exact Administrator of Justice and a Zealous promoter of Religion But the Quiet and Happiness of his Reign was disturb'd by the Extravagancies of his lewd and unruly Son who was a profest Enemy both to the Religion and Laws of his Country He made an Irruption into Haland at the head of a Company of Robbers and other Licentious Villains the wicked Instruments of his Criminal passions and seizing on the Wife and Sister of the Governor of that Province abus'd 'em in a most Barbarous manner and afterwards expos'd 'em to the brutish Lust of his Followers The Danes took up Arms to pursue the Ravisher the Swedes wou'd not Assist a Prince whom they look'd upon as the scandal of their Nation and Suercher soon after receiv'd the Melancholy News of the Death of his unhappy Son who was Attack'd and kill'd by the Danes with his infamous Retinue Nor was this the only disaster that befel the unfortunate Suercher for he was Assassinated in his Sled by a company of disaffected Persons as he was going to Church with his Family and Servants The Illustrious Family of the Counts of Brahe reckon their descent from this Prince The succeeding History and Chronology of the Swedish Monarchy is more certain and exact Eric IX After the Death of Suercher the Voices were so equally divided at the Election and each of the opposite Parties maintain'd their choice with so much heat and obstinacy that Sweden was again separated into two distinct Kingdoms The inhabitants of both the Gothlands voted for Charles the Son of Suercher but the rest of the Swedes declar'd for Eric whose Posterity enjoy'd the Sovereign Authority for the space of 200 Years His Valor recommended him to their choice and his Piety procur'd him the Title of a Saint after his Death He enter'd Finland at the head of an Army but that Expedition was not so much an effect of his Ambition or Desire of Glory as of his zeal for propagating the Christian Religion Nor did he content himself with opening a way to the Missionaries who were sent thither to preach the Gospel but became an Apostle himself and endeavour'd with all possible Ardor and Application to compleat the conversion of that People He collected the Ancient Laws of the Kingdom into one Body and added new Edicts or Statutes that were of excellent importance for the advantage and security of the publick But these peaceful virtues were so far from gaining the hearts of a people that were accustom'd to live by Robbing and Plundering each other that they were extreamly incens'd against their Religious Prince for attempting to establish and execute the Laws of Justice and Equity at a time and in a Country in which Force and Power were reckon'd sufficient
and Title of a Ierl to that of a Duke as a Recompence for his paternal Care and by his Father's Advice he created his Brother Magnus Prince of Sadermania Eric Prince of Smaland and Benedict Prince of Finland Birger having sâ—ttl'd his Family and establish'd his Son upon the Throne died not long after and the Peace and Happiness of Sweden ended with the Life of that Great Man King Waldemar repenting his Kindness to the Princes his Brothers endeavour'd to deprive 'em of the Estates he had bestow'd on 'em by way of Appennâ—ge especially Duke Magnus whom he accus'd of aspiring to the Crown These Animosities occasion'd a furious intestine War which was fomented by the Danes and ended in the Defeat and Abdication of King Waldemar who was taken Prisoner and after he had resign'd the Crown retir'd with his Danish Auxiliaries to Malmogen in the Province of Schonen Magnus Ladisias The Merit of this Prince entitl'd him to the Possession of the Crown which his Brother was neither able to preserve nor worthy to enjoy In the Beginning of his Reign he made it his Business to encrease his Revenues and diminiâ—h his Charge as the surest way to establish his Authority He made so strong an Interest in the Convention of the Estates that the Sovereignty of all the Mines in the Kingdom and of the Four great Lakes Meler Wener Weter and Hielmer and all the Duties or Rents of the difforested 〈◊〉 were solemnly vested in the Crown This wise Prince made use of so considerable an Augmentation of his Revenues to secure his Authority against the natural Inconstancy of a Nation that could neither live without a King nor submit to the Dominion of a potent and resolute Prince He invited several German Lords to his Court and advanc'd 'em to the principal Offices in the Kingdom The Promotion of these Strangers and the Interest which the King had in Foreign Countries made the Swedish Lords extreamly uneasie and at last irritated 'em to such a degree that they assassinated all the Germans The King was highly incens'd at so bold an Action but had the Prudence to conceal his Indignation In the mean time he made secret Levies and as soon as he saw himself in a condition to execute his Revenge he surpriz'd the Male-contents and caus'd their principal Ring-leaders to be beheaded The Spirit of Rebellion seem'd to be quite extinguish'd by the Severity of so terrible a Blow and that wise and daring Prince wou'd have certainly establish'd his Authority upon such sure Foundations and advanc'd it to so great a height that he might have bequeath'd an absolute Power to his Children if the Accomplishment of his Designs had not been prevented by his Death He left three Sons Birger Eric and Waldemar the eldest of whom was not 11 years old Birger II. During the Minority of this Prince the Care of the Government was intrusted to Torckel Enutson who made himself Master of Carelia took Hexholm from the Russes and fortified Wiburg to cover the neighbouring Places from the Incursions of that People After the King was of Age to undertake the Management of Affairs he marri'd Meretta the Daughter of Eric King of Denmark Prince Waldemar his Brother toook to Wise the Daughter of the Regent Enutson and Prince Eric marri'd Ingeburgh the Daughter of Haquin King of Norway This Prince was so far from being deterr'd by the Faâ—â— of his Unkle King Waldemar that he seem'd re 〈…〉 follow the same Methods which occasion'd all the Disorders that discurb'd the Reign of that Prince He seiâ—d on the Tythes and imprison'd some Bishops who took the liberty to complain of his Incroaching upon their Privileges Nor did the Princes his Brothers meet with a better Treatment for instead of suffering 'em to live unmolested in their respective Governments he endeavour'd to make 'em depend absolutely on the Court and to reduce 'em to an entire subjection to his arbitrary Commands The injur'd Princes perceiving the general Dissatisfaction of the People took up Arms and were follow'd by all those who were offended at the publick Violation of their Liberty and Privileges In the mean time the King levy'd Forces to oppose the Designs of his Brothers and was assisted by his Brother-in-law the King of Denmark But finding himself unable to resist the prevailing Faction he resolv'd to execute his Designs by Treachery since he cou'd not depend upon the Success of his Arms. In pursuance of that unmanly Resolution he invited his Brothers to Court under the pretext of a sincere Reconciliation and as soon as he had made himself Master of their Persons by that infamous Stratagem he order'd 'em to be cast into a Dungeon where they were starv'd to death The Swedes abhorring the Baseness and Inhumanity of their Treacherous Sovereign took up Arms immediately advanc'd Magnus the Son of Duke Eric to the Throne and march'd in pursuit of King Birger who had the Misfortune to see his Army defeated and his Son taken Prisoner by his Enemies That unhappy Prince was made a Sacrifice to the Fury of the incens'd Multitude who cut off his Head to deliver Magnus from so dangerous a Competitor and his miserable Father dreading the same Fate fled to Denmark where he died in an obscure and ignominious Retreat The Reader will find at the beginning of this Work the Names of the succeeding Princes with a short account of their Actions 1330 Magnus Smeck the Son of Duke Eric 1372 Albert of Mecklenburg 1395 Margaret the Daughter of Waldemar K. of Denmark and Q. of the three Northern Nations 1424 Eric XIII Duke of Pomerania Sovereign of the three Kingdoms of the North. 1441 Christopher of Bavaria K. of the three Northern Nations 1445 Charles Canutson a Swedish Lord elected K of Sweden Norway 1457 Christiern of Oldenburg Ancestor of the present King of Denmark King of the three Northern Nations 1470. Steno I. King Canuâ—son's Nephew Administrater of the Kingdom of Sweden 1504 Suanto Sturius Administrater of Sweden 1512 Stero II. the Son of Suanto Administrator 1520 Christiern II. Sovereign of the â— Kingdoms of the North. 1523 Gustavus Vasa a Swedish Lord Administrator and afterwards King of Sweden procures the Crown to be entail'd A Table of the Principal Matters A. ANderson Chancellor of Sweden his good and bad Qualities 42. his Employments 43. he embraces the Dectrins of Luther 44. he confirms Gustavus in his design to humble the Clergy ibid. he advises him to make use of Luther's Reformation in order to suppress the Temporal power and riches of the Clergy ibid. he presides in the King's behalf in a Lutheran Council held at Orebro 92. Arwide Besieges Stegeburg 2. B. The Bishops of Sweden Gustavus King of Sweden impatiently suffers the Power and Riches of the Clergy 41. his designs to humble them 43. he infringeth their Privileges 49 and 100. he prohibits by Declaration the Bishops to appropriate to themselves the Goods and Succession of Ecclesiastical Persons in
of the Reform'd Religion and the Restorer or rather the Founder of the Monarchy of that Kingdom will perhaps be look'd upon as a Combination of Prodigies and fill the mind of the Reader with an agreeable Amazement but cannot appear Incredible to those who have the Happiness to live under the Dominion of a Hero whose matchless Bravery and inimitable Vertues darken the Fainter Glory of Gustavus's Reign 'T is hop'd the Candid Reader will excuse the Faults of the Translation in consideration of the extream Haste that occasion'd'em especially since 't was thought fit to let pass some Inaccuracies of Stile rather than to delay the Publication of a Work that may be of considerable use in the present Juncture The end of the First and the middle of the Second Part both the Index's and the French Author's Preface were done by other Hands but revis'd by the Translator of the rest who takes this occasion to acknowledge that the Reader might have met with a more agreeable Entertainment if an * Mr. Terne Ingenious Gentleman who design'd to have undertaken the Work and had actually begun the Translation had had leisure to carry it on THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE AMong the most Entertaining Subjects that History may afford us I know none that deserve more Attention than such Changes as States are subject to with respect to Religion and Government Every Man finds himself concern'd on the Account of what is most capable of moving his Affections his Conscience and his Ambition Each Character is animated with lively Passions All is in motion The People designing to re-assume that which they think to be their Primitive Right and most ancient Privileges will chuse their own Master and determine their Religion They side with those in whose Favour Prejudice and Passion sway 'em while the Grandees themselves are forc'd to fawn upon the Mob that they may by their Assistance advance their own Interests and private Designs When the Historian is a good Painter he presents a most curious Draught to the Reader 's View And if he be also a good Judge he makes that useful and profitable that before was pleasant by shewing on one hand the Inconveniencies that attend those surprizing Revolutions and on the other by giving us a faithful Description of their Character who appear on the Scene and doing those famous Men all the Justice they deserve Here are represented a Nobility factious within it self almost independent from their Sovereign above all jealous of the Authority which the Bishop's assumd and envious of their excessive Revenues The Prelates usurping their Prince's Rights and often profaning the Sanctity of their Character by Sedition and Violence A whole Kingdom divided between these two Parties and the Danes turning their Neighbours Troubles to their own Profit and Advantage declaring for one of 'em and at length falling upon both A Massacre of the Senate and Nobility And in a Word the Swedish Monarchy shaken in its very Foundation destitute of its King Senate Generals and Armies and ready to become an unhappy Province of Denmark When a Prince comes on the Stage famous for his many Exploits and the Head of that Branch which now sits on the Throne whose Courage and Conduct expels the Danes out of his Country and whose Policy does by degrees gain him all that Authority which the Clergy and Nobility had usurp'd on his Predecessors Here those Riches which in the former Ages of the Church were the Marks of the Prince's Bounty and the Reward of the Clergy's Holiness and Vertue are seen to become the Occasion of those Disorders which was the Cause and Pretence of their being utterly depriv'd of these Advantages Here an Elective Crown is made Successive and Hereditary by the Valour of a Prince who from an unhappy Exile becomes King and so Absolute as to change the Form of the Government as his Inclination and Interest directed him I own I was offended at the little Exactness and Sincerity many Authors wrote with in relation to the Affairs with Sweden Some have disguis'd the Truth of Things and others have not been curious enough in informing us of the most remarkable Passages and the Motives of those Enterprizes But the more these Authors seem'd to contradict one another the more Care I took to reconcile 'em and to distinguish what was true from what was false I perus'd with greater Application all the Historians who treat of this Subject whether * Ericus Upsaliensis Chorsgraphia Scandinaviae Adami Bremensis Tumbae veterum apud Sueones Gothosque Regum Exegesis de quinque primariis Suecorum Gothorumque antiquis emporiis Retorsio adversus Petram Parvum Jacobus Ziglerus testis oculates Coedis Holmiensis Huâ—feld Annales Episcoporum Slevincensium Theatrum nobititatis Suecanae Messenii Joannes Gothus Magnus Olaus Magnus Pontanus Saxo Grammaticus Locâ—enius Scheffcrus Chytraeus Bazius Buraeus Pafenderf Vita Arâ—â—hiepisc Upsalentium Grantzius Vastorius Meursâ—â— Scandia illustrata Messenii Antiquitates Suecogoâ—hisae Loctenii Monsieur de Thou Fâ—orimona as Remond Varillas Maimbourg Swedes Danes German or French Catholicks or Protestants I read 'em free from all other Interest or Passion than that of knowing the Truth and writing it with Exactness And I have reason to hope I shall not be accus'd of being byass'd by any Party a Fault too mean to be committed by a sincere and impartial Historian I have not prais'd the Heads of the Roman Party in all they did because all their Actions were not laudable They always had the Advantage of defending a Party which had the Truth on its side but they themselves very often were contented with an outward Zeal without an inward Faith and were less eager in the Defence of their Religion than in that of the Wealth it procured ' em Neither have I wholly blam'd nor despi'sd the Heads of the Protestant Faction because they were not wholly to be blam'd or despised I have distinguish'd Errour from Malice and respected the great Parts and excellent Qualifications which God as the Author of Nature had endow'd such Persons with as he had not led by his Grace into the Knowledge of his true Religion Some Books lately Printed for A. Swall and T. Childe at the Unicorn in St. Paul's Church-yard THesaurus Geographicus A new Body of Geography Or a Compleat Description of all the known Countries of the Earth illustrated with Historical Remarks and Accurate Maps Engraven on Copper Together with Descriptions of all considerable Cities and Towns and Draughts of the Fortifications in Flanders viz. Dunkirke Newport Ostend Oudenard Maestricht Liege Namur Luxemburg Mons Charleroy Aeth c. Together with other principal ones in Europe To all which is premised an Introduction containing the General Doctrines of Geography the Systems of the Universe the Doctrine of the Spheres c. In Folio Romae Antiquae Notitia Or The Antiquities of Rome in two Parts I. A short History of the Rise Progress and Decay of the Commonwealth II. A Description of the City
herself absolute in the 3 Kingdoms 17 Eric succeeds her in the 3 Kingdoms but did neither inherit her power nor her Personal Abilities 19 N. SEverinus de Norbi a Danish Lord his base compliance with all the Humor and Inclinations of Christiern 96 Christiern gives him the Government of Calmar 95 He entrusts him during his Absence with the command of his Forces in Sweden 99 Norbi saves the life of the Administrator's Widow 112 He contrives how to make himself independent 113 He aspires to the Marriage of that Princess ibid. He admits man Swedish Gentlemen on board his Vessels 115 O. OLaus Petri see Luther Olaus a Gentleman who fled for Refuge in Dalecarlia 131 Otho Crumpein nominated by Christiern II. to be General of his Army 80 he was one of the greatest Captains of the Northern Countries ibid. Otho enters into West Gothland ibid. He ravageth this Province with a design to draw the Swedes to a Battel ibid. Otho at the sight of the Swedish Army retires with apparent precipitation to the Lake Weter ibid. The Swedes pursue him 81 an obstinate Fight between the two Armies ibid. The Victory inclines to Otho's side ibid. He orders his Victorious Troops to march against the Swedish Infantry that were possess'd of the Pass of Tyvede 82 The Swedes repulse Otho's Infantry He renews the Attack with the French Infantry which force the Swedes and gain their Retrenchments ibid. He pass'd thro' the Forest of Tyvede and penetrates into the Heart of the Kingdom 83 Christiern having obtain'd in an Assembly of three Senators some Lords and the Bishops of the Kingdom held at Upsal the Title of the King of Sweden Otho advances with his Army to the most Remote Provinces to cause his Masters Authority to be there acknowledg'd 86 He dispersed the Militia that were gather'd together in divers Places ibid. He destroys with Fire and Sword the Castles of those Lords who refuâ—'d to submit ibid. He investe Stockholm 87 He writes to the King of Denmark to give him an account of the success of his Arms ibid. Christiern sends him back to Denmark 99 P. POpe Leo X. See Leo X. Peterson a Dalecarlian Gentleman entertains Gustavus with all imaginable marks of respect and deference 122 He commends his design and promises to oblige his Vassals to appeaar in Arms ibid. He gives him assurances of an inviolable fidelity and names the Lords and Principal Country-men whom he pretended to engage in his Party 123 Under these specious pretences of Zeal and Affection for Gustavus's Cause â—da Person he conceals his Intention of betraying him ibid. He discovers the Retreat of Gustavus to a Danish Officer who causes Peterson's House to be surroundid with Souldiers ibid Gustavus escapes the danger by the means of Peterson's Wife who had disclos'd to him the treacherous Design of her Husband ibid. Laurentius and Olaus Petri spread abroad the Doctrin of Luther with very great success 151 Olaus Petri Preaches Lutheranism in the Church of Stregnes of which he was Canon and Protonotary ibid. He makes conferences publishes Theses and disputes every day in the University of that City ibid. He gains the greatest part of the Professors and Scholars of the University 152 Peter's Pence what they are 47 by whom impos'd ibid. S. STephen de Sassi makes an agreement with Gustavus's Agent to land in Sweden at the head of twelve hundred Men 145 The Senate and Senators of Sweden 3 The Senate in his first institution was establish'd only to serve as a Council to the King 4 It 's Authority is extended so far as to take cognizance of the Prince's Conduct ibid. The Soveraign Power and Majesty of the State was lodg'd in that Body ibid. Sigebritte who she was 99 ibid. She was entirely belov'd by Christiern II. She alone was Mistress of the destiny of the Court and of the whole Kingdom of Denmark 100 She both dispos'd of and took away all manner of Offices and Dignities in the State as she pleased without any regard to the Laws of that Country ibid. Christiern always approv'd her Conduct tho' never so irregular ibid. she perswades him to destroy the Noble-men and Senators of Sweden 101 She advises him to entrust the Officers of the Garrison of Stockholm with this bloody Execution 102 Steno-Sturius Administrator of Sweden 29 Steno the Son of Suanto-Sturius is acknowledg'd Administrator by the States of Sweden 34 To whom he was beholden for this Dignity ibid. The Agreement between him and Trollee his Competitor 35 An irreparable Fault committed by him 36 The behaviour of Trolle toward him 41. 42 Steno penetrates into Trolle's designs and conceals his Anger 45 He gives him a Visit at Upsal ibid. and was there magnificently entertain'd 46 He writes to the Pope complaining of the Seditious Practices of that Prelate 47 The Pope blames the Archbishops proceedings in appearan and seems privately to approve them ibid. Steno convenes the Estates Tellia with an intent to have his Authority confirm'd 48 The Legate Arcemboldi arrives in Sweden and exhorts the Administrators to Peace 52 The consequence of this Negotiation 53 Steno suspects by the Legate's discourse that he was engag'd in the Interest of his Enemies and that he wasprivy to all their Designs ib. The Administrator resolves to bring him over to his own Party by any means whatsoever ibid. He attacks him on his weak Side permitting him to publish his Indulgences in the Kingdom 54 The Legate is won by his Liberality ibid. He discloseth to Steno the designs of the King of Denmark his intrigues with the Clergy of Sweden and the Treachery of the two Governors of the Castles of Stockholm and Nicoping 56 Steno Assembleth the Senate and acquaints 'em with a Conspiracy that was form'd against the Tranquility of the State 57 He cunningly draws the Governour of Nicoping out of his Post under colour of a Muster ibid. He conveys new Troops into the Town and appoints a new Governour ibid. He gives orders to apprehend the two Governors of Stockholm and Nicoping who confess their Crime ibid. Steno 〈◊〉 advis'd to sceare the Person of Trolle and to Besiege his Castle 58 He Summons the Nobility and Militia of the Kingdom 59 He Besiegeth the Archbishop 60 The Arrival of the Danes obligeth him to divide his Forces 62 He defeats the Danes ibid. He coustrains Trolle to abandon his Castle and to appear before the Senate who cause a formal Process to be drawn up against him 64 65 The Pape commands Steno by his Legate to Re-establish Trolle in his Metrepolitan See under pain of Excommunication 66 He acquaints the Senate with the Popes Demands and Menaces 67 The Temperal Lords despise them idid The Administrator endeavours to engage the Legate in his Interests by offering him the Rich Archbishoprick of Upsal 68 Pope Leo X. upon Steno's refusal to restore Trolle to his former Dignity suspends the Kingdom of Sweden from Divine Service and Excommunicates this Prince with the whole
which furnish'd 'em with Meat for their Subsistence and Skins for the Prince's Tribute They were mere Savages for the most part bred in Woods jealous of their Customs and having little to lose were ready upon the least Occasion to rise up in Arms and revolt against the Government Idolatry was still openly profess'd in some of their Villages and Christianity prevail'd in others but their Religion was so disfigur'd by a Mixture of their Ancient Superstitions that they scarce retain'd more of it than the bare Name of Christians The Peasants were the most numerous and potent Body of the State Some of 'em held immediately of the Crown and sent Deputies to the Diets and the rest were Vassals to the Clergy and Nobility Tho' the Tribute they paid to the King was very easy and inconsiderable he was oftentimes oblig'd to levy it by Force and to send some regulated Troops to the Forrests and Mountains for the Security of those who were appointed to collect his Duties They seldom or never contributed their Assistance to the Preservation of the State but in the Quality of Soldiers and even in that Case they thought themselves oblig'd only to defend the Frontiers of their respective Provinces and always claim'd the Privilege of chusing their own Leaders In all other Respects they liv'd almost without any Dependence upon the Court and ev'n without any Union or Concord among themselves being equally incapable of Society and Submission and affecting rather an untractable Wildness than a generous Liberâ—y If we reflect upon the Independency of the Subjects the limited Authority of the Sovereign and the different Interests of the several Orders that compos'd the State 't will not appear Strange that the Kingdom was almost perpetually harass'd with Insurrections and Civil Wars Most of the Kings aspir'd at a more absolute Authority and some of 'em by the Assistance of their Friends and Creatures endeavour'd to make themselves Masters of the Government and to shake off their Dependence on the Senate But the People were so far from being unconcern'd Spectators of an open Violation of the Liberties and Privileges of the Nation that the very Shadow and least Appearance of Arbitrary Power occasion'd an universal Revolt and re-united all the States against the King The Bishops were afraid of Reprizals under too powerful a Prince who might seize upon his alienated Revenues and perhaps confine the Clergy within the Limits of their Profession The Noblemen took up Arms to defend the Privileges that made 'em in a manner Independent and the Peasants without comprehending their true Interest fought with the utmost Vigor and Obstinacy for the Preservation of certain Customs that were useless to the Public but agreeable to their Savage Temper The whole Kingdom was a perpetual Scene of Seditions Desolations and Revolts The Fate of the King seem'd to be in the Hands of his Subjects and to depend on their Capricious Humour and several Princes were driven out of the Kingdom for attempting to make themselves Absolute The Jealousy that reign'd among the principal Families of the Kingdom made 'em willing to retain the Title and Dignity of a King But at the same Time they resolv'd to bestow that Honour only upon a Foreign Prince that having no private Estate in the Kingdom and being wholly destitute of Relations and Creatures they might oblige him to content himself with as much Authority as they thought fit to allow him About the year 1363. Magnus Smock reign'd in Sweden he had two Sons Eric and Haquin by his Wife Blanch Daughter to the Count of Namur The Elder of these Princes being dead the People of Norway bestow'd the Crown of that Kingdom upon the Younger who by his Father's Advice had marry'd Margaret Daughter to Valdemar IV. King of Denmark Magnus having secur'd Norway and being supported by his Danish Aliance wou'd not let slip so favourable an Opportunity to make himself absolute in Sweden by abolishing the Senate of that Kingdom And perhaps that Project was concerted by all the Three Kings and design'd to be put in Execution in their respective Kingdoms to rid themselves of that dreaded Assembly which check'd their growing Authority and controul'd all their ambitious Designs But as soon as the Swedes discover'd the Intentions and Correspondence of these three Princes they took up Arms immediately and Sweden became the Theatre of a cruel and bloody War Valdemar during his Life was very diligent in assisting his Ally and Haquin sent a considerable Body of Men to re-inforce his Father's Army But the Swedes alone who were always strong enough when they fought for the Defence of their Liberty routed the Joynt-Forces of these three Monarchs and at last drove Magnus out of the Kingdom esteeming themselves sufficiently rewarded for all the Blood they had spent in the Cause by the Liberty they had to chuse a new Sovereign They proceeded immediately to an Election and the Choice fell upon Prince Albert second Son to the Duke of Meckelburgh and Nephew to the late King Magnus excluding King Haquin and Henry Albert's Elder Brother whom they hated and suspected as persons who had always promoted the Interest of the Prince whom they had lately dethron'd Thus Albert ow'd his Advancement to the impatient Humour of the Swedes which cou'd not bear the Yoke of too absolute a power Before his Accession to the Crown that he might promote his own Interest he seem'd to embrace that of the People but as soon as he found himself fix'd upon the Throne he began to follow the Maxims of his Predecessors and study'd the most promising Methods by which he might make himself the absolute Master of his Subjects The Senate was the object both of his Jealousy and Aversion but the Fate of King Magnus deterr'd him from attempting to abolish that powerful Body much less cou'd he hope either to gain or over-aw those rich and potent Lords that look'd upon themselves rather as his Tutors than Councellors And therefore to ballance their Authority he sent for some Princes of his Family and several German Lords and Captains whom he intrusted with the Command of the Troops and principal Forts of the Kingdom He introduc'd some of these Strangers into the Senate against the fundamental Laws of the State and under various pretexts brought into Sweden a considerable Number of Foreign Troops who began to render him terrible to his own Subjects Then he proceeded to impose exorbitant Taxes upon the People for the payment of his Army But this politic Contrivance to establish his Authority being push'd on too far serv'd only to hasten his Destruction for the Swedes grew jealous of their Privileges and resolv'd to shake off that rigorous Yoke which they were not accustom'd to bear Margaret the Daughter of Valdemar King of Denmark and Widow of Haquin King of Norwey was at the same time possess'd of the Crowns of both these Kingdoms For after the Death of the King her Husband who did not long Survive
and not only impos'd unusual Taxes upon the People but invaded the Privileges of the Nobility without reflecting on the fatal consequences of disobliging those to whom he ow'd his Crown and Authority By these violent proceedings he lost several of his best Friends and the most considerable Lords of the Kingdom The Arch-Bishop taking advantage of this Misunderstanding routed the King's Army which was already weaken'd by the Desertion of the Nobility and pursu'd him to Stockholm whither he retir'd after the Loss of the Battle That unfortunate Prince perceiving that the Nobility had forsaken him and that he had neither Forces nor provisions to undergo a Siege was so afraid of falling into the Hands of his Enemies that he left the Kingdom and retir'd to Dantsick with a Design to raise Forces in Prussia and Germany and to appear once again in Sweden at the Head of an Army In the mean Time the Arch-Bishop was receiv'd into Stockholm where he caus'd Christiern I. to be proclam'd King of Sweden That Prince was still in Norway but as soon as he had settl'd his Affairs there he march'd immediately to Sweden and was receiv'd as Sovereign of the Kingdom The Arch-bishop flatter'd himself with the Expectation of Governing the Kingdom and imagin'd that Christiern wou'd in imitation of his Predecessors content himself with the Title of King but that Prince declar'd openly that he was resolv'd to keep the power in his own Hands and did not think fit to gratify the Ambition of his Benefactor The haughty Prelate finding himself so unexpectedly slighted and as he thought ungratefully treated express'd his Dissatisfaction in Terms that were not much different from a positive Menace But Christiern knowing him to be a Person of a turbulent and daring Temper was so far from complying with his Humor or endeavouring to appease his Passion that he order'd him to be apprehended and sent him under a strong Guard to Denmark Catil Bishop of Lincopinc the Arch-bishop's Nephew took up Arms immediately to revenge the Affront that was put upon his Uncle and having in a little time rais'd a considerable Body of Soldiers had the good fortune to obtain several Victories over that Prince's Army Christiern perceiving that his Army was not strong enough to keep the Field in opposition to that Prelate disperst his Forces into the Places that were in his Possession and return'd to Denmark to Levy a sufficient Number of Men to recruit and augment his Army Bishop Catil remain'd Master of the Government during the War which lasted almost seven Years He offer'd several times to receive the King of Denmark into the Kingdom if he wou'd set the Archbishop at liberty But that Monarch was too proud to submit to a forc'd compliance and scorn'd to own the Reduction of Sweden to any but himself Canutson's Friends perceiving that the Breach grew-still wider took advantage of so favourable a Juncture and prevail'd with Catil to consent to the King's Restoration Assoon as that Prince receiv'd the welcome News he return'd to Sweden and re-mounted the Throne after he had liv'd seven Years in Exile but he saw himself quickly reduc'd to his former Condition This unexpected Revolution open'd the King of Denmark's Eyes and convinc'd him of the Error he had committed in disobliging the Clergy He endeavor'd to regain their Favor by setting the Arch-bishop at liberty and that Prelate assur'd him that he wou'd raise a new Insurrection against King Canutson Christiern was engag'd in a War with the Count of Holstein who had invaded Jutland so that he cou'd not at present spare any Soldiers but he furnish'd the Arch-bishop with a considerable sum to â—â—â—y Forces in Sweden and order'd a Company of his Guards to wait upon him that he might enter the Kingdom with an honourable attendance The Arch-bishop was met and receiv'd on the Frontiers by Bishop Catin and all his Followers He blam'd 'em for contributing to King Canutson's Restoration and 't was resolv'd by all that were present to Dethrone him a second time The War broke forth again with more fury than ever and not long after there was a bloody Battle fought on the Lake Meler which was then frozen where the King was so entirely defeated that he had not Men enough lest to secure his Retreat so that he was forc'd to put himself into the Hands of his Enemies The Arch-bishop made him renounce the Title of King and afterwards confin'd him to a Castle in Finland which he allow'd him for his Subsistence This Prelat was not so fond of King Christiern as before nor to forward to acknowledge him as King of Sweden His Imprisonment had given him a clearer view of the Policy and Temper of that Prince and he had found by experience that 't is sometimes dangerous for a Subject to put too great obligations on his Soveraign He resolv'd to enjoy the Fruit of his Victory and to share the Supreme Authority with the principal Lords of his Party Thus Sweden had the Misfortune to be made the Scene of a confus'd and fatal Anarchy and to groan under the Tyrannical Dominion of as many Sovereigns as there were Lords that cou'd raise any Forces or were Masters of a Castle or Fort. Every private Quarrel was the occasion of a War and the contending Parties made use of the Names of King Canutson or King Christiern to cover their rising up in Arms with a Pretence of Authority tho' at the bottom they did not own the Right or Interest of either of these Princes This Scene of Disorder lasted four Years during which Time the Kingdom was perpetually distracted with intestine Wars and the people were so weary of a liberty that expos'd 'em to so many and such terrible Miseries that they demanded the Restauration of King Canutson with extraordinary Eagerness and Importunity preferring an easy Subjection to a wild and troublesom Freedom Thus after so many Revolutions that Prince had the good Fortune to mount the Throne a third Time He was solemnly invested with the Title and Quality of a King and was put in possession of the Capital City but the Bishops and Lords retain'd their Authority over the Provinces He did not long survive this happy turn of his Fortune and was so sensible at his Death of the Difficulties with which the Sovereign of an elective State must resolve to encounter that he advis'd his Nephew Steno Sture whom he appointed to succeed him to content himself with the Quality of Administrator of Sweden for fear of provoking the Jealousy of the Lords by assuming a more elevated Title The Estates after his Death approv'd the choice he had made and the advice he had given his Successor The Bishops and the Nobility fearing that if he were invested with the Royal Dignity he wou'd re-demand the Tributes Revenues and Forts which they had seiz'd confirm'd the Title of Administrator and in that Quality intrusted him with the Command of the Army and the Government of the State The
declar'd an Enemy to his Country and 't was ordain'd by the Senate that he shou'd immediately resign his Title to the Arch-Bishoprick that he shou'd retire to a Monastery to do Pennance for all the Disturbances his Ambition had rais'd in the Kingdom that the Fort of Steque which had encourag'd the Danes to invade Sweden and under the former Arch-Bishops had been always made a Sanctuary and Retiring-place for Rebels and disaffected Persons shou'd be demolish'd that publick Thanks shou'd be given to the Administrator for his Diligence in stifling the Rebellion and that the whole Kingdom shou'd unanimously concur to maintain the authority of that Prince and the Decree of the Senate in case the Pope thro' mis-information or prejudice shou'd endeavour to restore the Arch-Bishop This Decree was enter'd in the publick Registers sign'd by all the Senators Spiritual and Temporal and in execution of these Orders the Fort of Steque was demolish'd and the Arch-Bishop forc'd to renounce his Dignity He deliver'd his Resignation in full Senate to be transmitted to the Pope but at the same time he sent one of his Creatures to Rome to complain of these violent Proceedings and to beg the Protection of the Holy See The King of Denmark engag'd all his Friends at the Court of Rome to employ their Interest to support and defend that Prelate whose Abdication had blasted all his Designs and ruin'd his Party in Sweden He was rather irritated than discourag'd at the defeat of his Forces and made new Levies to invade Sweden during the next Campaign for the Estates of Denmark thought themselves oblig'd to revenge the loss they sustain'd at Wedel He sent to Muscovy to sollicite the Czar to declare against the Administrator and endeavour'd to prevail with the Pope to joyn his Ecclesiastical Thunders to the Forces with which he design'd to attack that Prince His importunity and the Arch-Bishop's Complaints made so great an impression upon the Pope that he order'd his Legate Arcemboldi who was still in Denmark to return immediately to Sweden and require the Administrator to put the Arch-Bishop in possession of his Office and Dignity upon pain of Excommunication The Legate at his arrival in Sweden employ'd all his Interest and Rhetorick to perswade that Prince to give the Pope Satisfaction He represented to him in private with an ingenuity and freedom that were not suitable to his Character but seem'd to be the effects of their former Friendship and a requital of the Administrators Kindness that the Anger and Dissatisfaction of the Court of Râ—â—â— were terrible to the greatest Monarchs that he ought to dread and avoid the fatal Consequences of an Excommunication that in such a Case the People as well as the Clergy wou'd forsake him that even his Friends and most devoted Creatures wou'd hardly venture to incur the Censure and Indignation of the Church that since both his Honour and Revenge were satisfy'd by the Arch-Bishops Resignation he had a fair opportunity to lay an Obligation upon the Holy See and that the Pope wou'd by that means be engag'd to be surety for that Prelate's good Behaviour The Administrator communicated the Pope's Message to the Senate and acquainted 'em both with his Desires and Menaces The Bishops of Lincoping Stregnez and Scara who had beenâ—forc'd to sign the Arch-Bishop's Sentence seconded the Legate's Proposal with a great deal of Vigour but were unanimously oppos'd by the Lay-Senators who were the most powerful and numerous part of the Assembly They told the Administrator that he ought not to be scar'd at the Thunders of the Vatican since their Strength and Efficacy depended meerly upon the Weakness and Credulity of those against whom they were pointed that the Contrivances and Machinations of the Court of Rome were always cover'd with a religious Disguise that Scorn and Contempt was the best security against such Menaces that the Pope was incens'd against 'em for denying his Tribute and that the King of Denmark in Conjunction with Leo X. sollicited the Restoration of a Rebel to his former Power and Dignity that he might afterwards by his Assistance make himself master of the Kingdom Steno by their Advice answer'd the Legate that he cou'd not imagine what motives shoâ—'d induce the Pope to undertake the defence of a Traytor who was seiz'd in actual Rebellion against his â—ountry and deserv'd to be punish'd with Death for holding Intelligence with the Enemies of the Nation that his Character and Dignity cou'd not be suppos'd to protect him from the just indignation of his injur'd Sovereign that his Judges thought they had pronounc'd a very favourable Sentence against him by condemning him only to perpetual Imprisonment that his Brethren of the Clergy had sign'd his Condemnation and that his Judgment cou'd not be revers'd without exposing the Kingdom to new and fatal Disorders The Experience he had formerly had of the Legate's temper made him resolve to strengthen these Reasons with a more prevailing and demonstrative Argument and therefore after he had soften'd him with several considerable Presents he offer'd him the Arch-Bishoprick of Upsal and engag'd to obtain a Decree of the Estates in his favour impowering him to hold that Benefice during his Life without being oblig'd to reside in the Kingdom The Legate was so dazl'd with the temâ—ting prospect of filling his Cossers with the Revenues of so fat a Benefice that he forgot his Commission and thought he might plead a sufficient excuse for neglecting to execute the Orders he had receiv'd from the Pope He embrac'd the alluring proposal with joy and in Testimony of his Gratitude to his Benefactor he approv'd all that he had done and publickly blam'd the Arch-Bishop He wrote to Rome against that Prelate and assur'd the Pope that he had justly drawn upon himself the Indignation of the Administrator and Estates of Sweden by rebelling against his Country At the same time he sollicited all his Friends to employ their Interest with the Holy Father to procure a Confirmation of the Sentence pronounc'd against that Prelate and leave to appear a Candidate at the aâ—proaching Election But the Pope rejected his Requeit and absolutely refus'd to grant the Permiâ—â—sion that was requir'd to qualifie him for that Dignity either out of regard to the house of Austria and the King of Denmark who declar'd in favour of the Arch-Bishop or as a mark of his just resentment for the Offence he had given by his scandalous way of distributing Indulgences in the North. Upon the Administrator's refusal to restore the Arch-Bishop the Pope discharg'd his Thunders against the whole Kingdom and particularly against the Administrator and Senate whom he Excommunicated Besides he ordain'd 'em to rebuild the Fort of Steque at their own charge and to pay a Hundred Thousand Ducats as a sine to the Arch-Bishop The Bull was directed to Theodore Arch-Bishop of Lunden in Denmark and the Bishop of Odensee in Fuenen who at King Christiern's solicitation were entrusted with the
and Fomenters of a successful Rebellion that he ought to rid himself of the Senators who were formidable to the Crown by reason of the vastness of their Estates and the Authority they had over the People and that he ought only to leave such Persons in the Kingdom whose Ambition was curb'd by the meanness of their Condition and who cou'd not pretend to any higher Employment than Tilling the Ground and paying Tribute to their Sovereign In the mean time Sigebrite made it her business to confirm the Opinion and Advice of these flattering Courtiers by representing to the King that his Victory wou'd be imperfect and the Consequences of it doubtful and uncertain while there were any Lords in the Kingdom able or willing to dispute the Lawfulness of his Title that the Senators and the principal Noblemen were implacable Enemies to his Authority that he ought to secure his Conquests and compleat his Victory by the Death of those who were in a Condition to oppose him that to prevent all future Disturbances he ought not to spare even those who were most zealous and active in promoting his Interest that the seeming Friendship of the Bishops was only an Effect of the Ancient Emulation and Animosity betwixt them and the Nobility and that those ambitious Prelates wou'd prove the most dangerous Rebels if he shou'd give 'em the least occasion to suspect that he intended to curb their Authority or exclude 'em from a share in the Government The inhumane Politics of this She-Favorite were extremely agreeable to the sierce and cruel Humour of a Prince who look'd upon the Liberty of his Subjects as inconsistent with his Honour and Safety He imagin'd that his Authority was essentially annex'd to the Dignity of his Character without any Dependence upon the Laws of the Kingdom and that his Will was the only Rule and Standard of his Government These were the Principles and Maxims by which he regulated his Actions so that he was easily perswaded to Sacrifice the Senate and most considerable Noblemen of Sweden to the Extravagancy of his Ambition and to secure his Conquests by the Death of so many illustrious Victims But he wanted a specious Pretext to justifie or at least to excuse so barbarous an Attempt for he durst not without a plausible Shew of Reason proceed to the Execution of so many Persons of Quality who had voluntarily submitted to him and rely'd upon the Faith of a solemn Treaty Sigebrite advis'd him to commit the Execution of that inhumane Sentence to the Officers of the Garrison of Stockholm who under the Pretext of a Quarrel betwixt the Soldiers and Inhabitants of the City might encourage the former to execute their Revenge by an Universal Massacre of all the Persons of Note in the Town But notwithstanding the natural Impetuosity of his Temper he was loath to venture upon an Attempt that was clogg'd with so many Difficulties and might probably be attended with dangerous and fatal Consequences He consider'd that the Burghers of that City were numerous and inur'd to War by the late Siege which they had sustain'd that the Garrison might be over-power'd and cut to pieces in the Heat of the Tumult and that the Success of their Resistance might serve as a Signal for a Revolt thro' the whole Kingdom For these Reasons he chose rather to make use of the Pretext of Excommunication and of the pretended Injustice that was done to the Archbishop that the People might be deluded by a certain Appearance of Uniformity and coherency in all his Proceedings and that he might seem to be acted only by a stedfast Zeal for executing the Pope's Bull against the Enemies of that Prelate He spent some Time in Denmark in contriving the most probable Measures and giving necessary Orders to prevent the Commotions that might happen in his Absence and before his Departure disbanded the French Troops that were in his Service This was probably an Effect of his Complaisance to his Brother-in-Law At Francfort June 20 1519. Charles of Austria who not long before had obtain'd the Imperial Dignity for the Soldiers were not only dismiss'd with all the Marks of Contempt and Disrespect but treated rather as Prisoners of War than as Allies and Auxiliary Forces to whose Valour he ow'd the best Part of his Conquests They cou'd neither obtain the Payment of their Arrears nor a Supply of necessary Provisions nor wou'd he furnish 'em with Ships to transport 'em to their own Country so that they were forc'd to wander about the Country like a Company of stragling Vagabonds Many of 'em were starv'd to Death others were Massacr'd by the Danes some were constrain'd to list themselves in the Danish Service and their Officers were oblig'd to encounter with a Thousand Difficulties in bringing home the Rest Assoon as the King had order'd his Affairs in Denmark he prepar'd for his Departure to Sweden that he might be present at the Convention of the Estates which he had call'd in Order to performing of the Ceremony of his Coronation Sigebrite advis'd him to carry Two Danish Senators along with him that the Cruelty of his premeditated Attemâ—t might in some Measure be authoriz'd by their Presence and that the Blame of so inhumane an Action might be laid on these Ministers 'T was by her Advice that he made Choice of Theodore Archbishop of Lunden and Primate of Denmark and the Bishop of Odensee one of his Suffragans the same to whom he had formerly procur'd the Bull of Excommunication to be directed which Pope Leo the Tenth publish'd against the Administrator They were intirely devoted to the Court and were only respected as the Ministers of the King 's irregular Passions He plac'd a great deal of Confidence in the Archbishop of Lunden who was a Person of mean Birth and cou'd neither be reckon'd a Scholar nor a Statesman but to make amends for these Defects he was a most ingenious Contriver of new and refin'd Pleasures and admirably well acquainted with all the Secrets and Improvements of that mysterious Art He ow'd his Advancement and the Favor of his Master to Sigchritc who first brought him to Court to serve her in the Quality of a Spy and afterwards rais'd him from the mean Office of the King's Barber to the Dignity of Archbishop of Lunden And as he had the good Fortune to be supported by so powerful a Benefactress he quickly became the Favorite and Confident of his Master by furnishing him with a constant Supply of fresh and diversify'd Pleasures The King set Sail for Sweden accompany'd with the Queen his Wife and attended by all the Court But Sigebrite declin'd the Voyage either because she was unwilling to expose her self to the Satyrical Mirth of the Swedish Lords who were oftentimes wont to make the King 's extravagant Passion to his old Mistress the Subject of their Wit and Diversion or because that Prince thought fit to leave her at Copenhagen to observe the Motions of the Senate
and to drive him out of his hold if after the ill treatment he had receiv'd from Christiern he still persisted in taking his part The Bishop being inform'd of the displeasure and march of Gustavus went out to meet him with his principal Clergy and to appease his Anger omitted neither commendations nor protestations of his Fidelity It was indeed the interest of Gustavus to make himself Master of the Bishop's Castle which was fortified but he durst not put a Garrison into it lest even those of his own party should blame him for violating the previledges of the Clergy in the Person of a Bishop that could not be accus'd of appearing in Arms and who had volutarily open'd the Gates of his Castle Gustavus contented himself with giving him a severe reprimand and the Bishop thâ—ught himself very happy to purchase his Liberty at the rate of some Oaths of Fidelity which he was fully resolv'd to keep no longer than he shou'd be over aw'd by the presence and arms of Gustavus That victorious Lord having establish'd so good order throughout all his Conquests solemnly call'd a Meering or Convention of the Estates of the Kingdom at Wadestone to give some form to the Government and more especially to cause his own Authority to be confirm'd and acknowledg'd which as yet he held only by the right of his Sword and the Election of certain Pea ants of Dalecarlia Few of the Deputies of the Provinces were present in this Assemblâ— for the murther of the principal Nobility the difference of parties the disorders of the War the marching of Troops and even the fear of some now Revolution in Favour of King Christiern hinder'd the greatest part of the Deputies from appearing The Convention was scarce compos'd of any other Persons than military Officers and many Gentleman who were outlaw'd by Christiern and resorted to Gustavus's Army as it were to a Sanctuary or Place of Refuge so that the whole Body of the State was in a manner comprehended in the Army Gustavus represented to them with a graceful meen and a charming Eloquence the necessity of proceeding to the Election of an Administrator who might be capable of giving the last fatal blow to the Danish Tyranny and that the Forces of that Nation now in the Kingdom were rather Prisoners then Masters in the places they possess'd that afterwards he told them with a great deal of generosity that he did not intend that his Services should constrain their choice assuring them that he would be the first that should acknowledg that person among them whom they shou'd think fit to Elect and that in whatsoever rank they plac'd him he should always esteem himself happy in Fighting and Exposing his Life for the defence of his Country The Estates answer'd his Harangue with the Applause and Applauding Acclamations that were the to his Valour and Moderation All the Gentle-Men and Officers in the Convention were inseparably united to his Person and Fortune they subsiâ—ed only by his Benefits and there was no safety for them in Sweden except in his Army The whole Assembly earneastly intreated him to take upon himself the charge of the Governm and they were desirous even to confer upon him the Quality of King to engage him more effectually to defend his Country but he possitively refus'd that Title and contented himself after the Example of his Predecessors with the Quality of Admmistrator as being more Modest and more Agreeable to the State of his Fortune and the present posture of the Kingdom Then all the Members of the Estates took an Oath of Allegience to him and he was acknowledg'd and proclaim'd with a loud Voice in the Assembly of the Estates and in the Army as the General Governour and Sovereign Administrator of Sweden The End of the First Part. THE HISTORY OF THE Revolutions in Sweden PART II. GVSTAVVS having dismist the Assembly began to give a full career to his vast Designs and to follow the motions of that noble Ardor which prompted him to extend his Conquests and atchieve some new Exploits that might answer the hope and expectation of the Swedes The success of his Arms the glory of his Victories the numbers and valor of his Troops and the zeal and affection of the People inspir'd him with Thoughts suitable to his Courage and Ambition and flatter'd him with the alluring Prospect of mounting the Throne of Sweden as soon as he shou'd compleat the great Work in which he was engag'd by the entire Expulsion of the Danes out of the Kingdom He was not ignorant of the extreme Difficulty of the Task he had undertaken the Danes were still Masters of the Capital City and of several Provinces and he wanted Mony to carry on the War But for his comfort he perceiv'd that his Adversary labour'd under the same Inconveniency and his Wants were in a manner supply'd by the Poverty of his Enemies This Encouragement was sufficient to keep him from despairing of Success but he was not willing to build his Hope on so uncertain a Foundation He either sold or mortgag'd all his Patrimonial Lands to make new Levies wisely considering that he only parted with an Estate of which an unfortunate Battle might quickly deprive him and that a Victory wou'd make up all his Losses He sent some of the Forces which he had newly Levy'd to Arwide with Orders to carry on the Siege of Stegeburgh with vigor Colonel de Sassi and Fredage besieg'd Stockholm which they had block'd up for some time The Administrator sent another Body of his Men to Finland under the Command of Arwide's Brother and kept a flying Camp with himself for the security of his Person and the execution of his private Designs He ran thro' all the Provinces with an incredible Diligence and it may be said in some sense that he was present in all his Armies at once He projected every Enterprise and both contriv'd and executed all the Attempts that were made He pass'd frequently thro' the Enemies Country and even under the Canon of their Garrisons without being assaulted the secrecy of his Designs and the quickness of his Marches securing him from their Attacks He weat to Smaland in Person and made himself Master of that Province almost in less time than wou'd seem necessary to travel thro' it From thence he march'd to Stegeburgh December 〈◊〉 which was still besieg'd by Arwide and defended with 〈◊〉 Courage and Resolution by the Governor The whole Fortune of that Officer consisted in the Government of this Place and he endeavour'd to preserve it as his Estate and Patrimony rather than out of Zeal and Fidelity to his Master's Interest Gustavus soon discover'd his weak side and concluding that he might be more easily Brib'd than Forc'd made some advantageous Proposals to him which quickly produc'd the desir'd effect The Governor was not able to resist the Presence and Bounty of that young Conquer or he not only surrender'd the Place but enter'd into his late
had treated most unworthily His Disgrace expos'd him in his true and naked Colours to the eyes of his Subjects and shew'd him to be as Base and Cowardly under Adversity as he had been Haughty and Insolent in Prosperity He chose rather to live a private Person than to die a King and sav'd himself by an Ignominious flight out of his Dominions with the Queen his Wife and the Priâ—â—es his Children He was also accompained by Sâ—â—â—â—ite who notwithstanding the ill success of heâ— Counsels April 13. retain'd her wonted Empire and Authority over the mind of this miserable Prince He plac'd his only confidence in the assistance of his Brother-in-â—aw the Emperor imagining that he wou'd Arm all Cermany to restore him to the Throne he hâ—d sursaken as if he cou'd not have more easily kept the Possession of his Crown with his own Army than regain it with all the Forces of the Empirc As soon as Norbi receiv'd the news of his Masters Flight and ABDICATION he took his leave of Sweden and gave over his design of relieving Stockholm He left a weak Garrison in Calmar and retir'd with his whole Fleet to the Isle of Gothland under pretext of securing it for Christiern tho' his true Design was to keep it for himself and under the Name of that Prince to make himself the absolute Master and Sovereign of the Island while the Kingdoms of the North were distracted with such terrible confusions Gustavus resolv'd to make the best advantage of his Enemies retreat He had some secret intelligence in Calmar who prevail'd with the Burghers to receive his Troops in the Night and the whole Garrison was put to the Sword At the same time Arwide seiz'd on the Isle of Docland and Bernard de Milen Conquer'd all Bleking And these successes were quickly follow'd with the Reduction of the whole Kingdom except Stockholm and some places in Finland The Garrison of Stockholm weaken'd by the length of the Siege straiten'd both by Land and Sea and kept in Awe by the Burghers of the City who did not longer conceal their Affection to the Administrator began to think of Capitulating They knew not for whose sake they suffer'd all the Incommodities of so close a Siege and were reduc'd to such Extremities by want of Pay and of necessary Provisions that they offer'd to surrender insisting only on the Payment of the Arrears due to 'em since they enter'd into the Place But Gustavus did not think fit to observe his usual Maxim on this occasion for tho' 't was so much his interest to be Master of that City he rejected the advantageous Proposals thâ—â— were made to him by the Garrison He knew that their Numbers were extreamly lessen'd and that they wanted both Victuals and Powder But this seeming Severity was only a pretext to prolong the Siege for some days which in the present juncture was a necessary piece of policy for the Advancement of his Fortune and the carrying on of his secret Designs He saw that Sweden was absolutely deliver'd from the Danish Yoke that Christiern was hated and slighted by all the World and that he wander'd about like a miserable Exile begging the Assistance of his former Allies to restore him to the Crown of Denmark Gustavus had never a nearer Prospect of mounting the Throne but at the same time he stood in need of his most resin'd Politicks to manage so nice a Game He consider'd that the reduction of Stockholm instead of sixing him on the Throne might set him at a further distance from it He knew that Ingratitude is the usual Companion of Security and was afraid that the Swedes being freed from the apprehension of a common Enemy wou'd not unanimously concur to his Election and the Establishment of his Authority And therefore he concluded that the best resolution he cou'd take in so Critical a Juncture was to lengthen the Siege of their Capital City that the uncertainty of so important an event might keep 'em in awe and in a dependence upon his Assistance In pursuance of this Design he call'd a Meeting or Convention of the Estates at Stregnez May 25. whither the Deputies of all the Provinces resorted attended with a vast concourse of the Nobility and common People who flock'd thither from all parts to see Gustaâ—us whom they look'd upon as the Hero and Guardian Argel of his Country As soon as the Assembly was open'd they proceeded to the Election of Senators to supply the vacant Places of those who lost their Lives in the Massacre of Stockholm The Administrator had so great an influence upon the Deputies Bernard Milen Peâ— ter Erland Ivard and Eric Flâ—ming Axcâ— Andrew Canut Andrew Peter John Beâ—o Claud Tordo Bonde and manag'd the Voices with so successful a Dexterity that the choice fell upon such Persons as were intirely devoted to his Interest and were either his Relations or Creatures The †Canut Provost of the Cathedral of Wester as Speaker of the Estates represented to the Assembly the absolute necessity of proceeding speedily to the Election of a King Then he imyloy'd all his Art in Painting forth the Qualities of an excellent Prince one that was Vigilant Laborious full of Courage and indu'd with a sufficient Stock of Valour and Prudence to oppose the unjust pretensions of the Danes to the Swedish Crown that in this description they might see and take notice of the Picture of Gustavus He concluded that after all the Services which the Administrator had done to the State and the illustrious Proofs he had given of his extraordinary Endowments and Virtues they were oblig'd in Gratitude to him and in Justice to the Interests of those whom they represented to confer the Royal Titie and Authority upon their Benefactor This Discourse was receiv'd with an universal Applause The Nobility and Commons Transported with their Zeal and Affection prevented the Senators and Deputies The whole Assembly with a loud Voice Proclaim'd Gustavus King of of Sweden 'T was impossible to gather the Votes or to proceed according to the usual Forms that are observ'd in such Cases His praises were eccho'd thro' the whole Convention he was Stil'd the Saviour and Deliverer of his Country The Peasants and Burghers mingling confusedly with the Deputies â—eglecting all marks of Distinction and even forgetting the respect they ow'd to the Senators and other Lords struggâ—'d and crowded to approach the King The Name of Gustavns was repeated by every Mouth he was the Object of every Eye and all in general endeavour'd to express their Joy at his Election and to congratulate their own Happiness in having an opportunity to contribute to his Advancement The Privce was charm'd with so many extraordinary demonstrations of his Peoples Affection He own'd that it exceeded all his Services and that their Kindness was more agreeable to him than the Noble Essect of their Gratitude He had so much real or seeming Modesty as to decline the offer they made him But the
Crown to remain on the Head of an Usurper He added that the Swedish Clergy had not forgotten their old affection to the Danish Interest and assur'd him that there were many considerable Persons in that Kingdom who wou'd own his Right assoon as he shou'd think fit to claim it Frederic was not able to withstand a Temptation that slatter'd his Interest and Ambition He caus'd himself to be crown'd King of Sweden by that Prelate at Copenhagen as if there had been nothing else requir'd to put him in possession of the Crown but the Ceremony of setting it on his Head At the same time he sout an Ambassador to the Senate of that Kingdom to complain of the late Election as a violation of the Treaty of Calmar and an Injury to the Crown of Denmark The Senate of Sweden wou'd have sent the Ambessedor back without suffering him to deliver his Message but Gustavus was so far from being of that Opinion that he sent some of his Officers to receive him and allow'd him a magnisicent Entertainment during his stay in the Kingdom Afterwards he summon'd a Convertion of the Estates not so much to consult about the King of Denmark's Propoâ—ls as to make that Prince'â— Envoy an Eye-witness of the Confirmation of his Election by all the Orders of the Kingdom The Ambassador was introduc'd into the Assembly and in a long Harangue endeavour'd to convince 'em that they were oblig'd to own his Moster's Title to the Crown of Sweden by vertue of the Treatâ— of Calmar He magnify'd the Power of 〈◊〉 Monarch and extoll'd his Verthes and tare Enâ—â—â—â—â—ents concluding that they ought to â—â—itate the Example of the Norwegians and put themselves under the protection of a Prince that was able to defend 'em against Christiern who was preparing to force a Passage into the Kingdoms of the North with all the Forces of the Empire After the Assembly had heard this Discourse with a great deal of Impatience and Indignation the Speaker of the Estates made a short but very brisk and smart Reply He told the Ambassador That Sweden had been too long subject to the Dominion of her Enemies and wou'd take care to lodge the supreme Power in better Hands for the future That all the Inhabitants of the Kingdom had by a voluntary Election put themselves under the Proâ—â—ction of their Deliverer who wou'd preserve his Right and their Liberty in spite of the Pretensions â—nâ— Opposition of the Danes That the Treaty of Calmar was violated almost assoon as it was concluded That the Swedes notwithstanding their intestine Divisions chose rather to make the Kingdom the Seat of a bloody War for more than a hundred Years than to submit to a Treaty that was so injurious and odious to the whole Nation and that now they were united under a Victorious Prince he would find it a hard Task to perswade 'em to resume their broken Fetters The Estates were not satisfy'd with rejecting the King of Denmark's Claim but to give Gustavus a more convincing Mark of their Affection and Fidelity to his Interest they proceeded immediately to give Judgment against Archbishop Trolle and in the Ambassador's presence declar'd that Prelate a Traitor and an Enemy to his Country And in the heat of their Zeal they mâ—de a solemn Act or Decree by which they oblig'd themselves to approve whatever Gustavus shou'd think fit to do or attempt for the Preservation of his Dignity Lec l. 6. p. 237. granting him full Power to declare War or conclude a Peace without out calling a Meeting or Convention of the Estates and resolving that his Enemies shou'd be reputed Enemies to the State and Nation Thus the Swedes were so charm'd with the Valor and excellent Qualities of their new Monarch that they thought they cou'd not more effectually secure the Liberty and Happiness of the Subject than by confirming and eularging the Prerogative of the Crown And that cunning Prince under the specious Title of the Defender of the Public Liberty was advancing by slow but sure Steps to an absolute Authority over the Kingdom He kept the Danish Ambassador at Court some Daâ—s afterâ— he had receiv'd his Audience and order'd the principal Lords of the Kingdom to Treat him by turns at their Houses Afterwards he invited him to be present at a Review which he took of his Forces pretending that 't was meerly an effect of his Complaisance to that Minister tho' his true design was to make him a Witness of the Strength and Numbers of his Troops He honour'd him with magnificent Presents at his departure and left no means unessay'd to gain him or at least to make him give an advantageous Character of his Power and Grandeur At last he dismist him and sent an Envoy along with him to the King of Denmark with Orders to demand the Liberty of the Administrator's Widow and of the other Ladies whose Husbands were put to Death by Christiern These Ladies were still kept Prisoners in Denmark and Gustavus knew that he cou'd neither oblige the Swedes nor raise his own Glory more effectually than by procuring their Liberty But these were not the only nor the most important Instructions he gave to his Envoy He consider'd that Christiern had put himself under the Protection of a Prince who was able to pur him in possession of the Kingdoms he had lost especially if he shou'd sind 'em divided And therefore he gave secret Orders to his Agent to study the Character of King Frederic to discover his Designs and the Inclinations of his Council and to dispose 'em to a firm and lasting Peace which was equally necessary for both these Monarchs to settle their Authority in the beginning of their Reigns The Swedish Envoy at his arrival at the Court of Denmark deliver'd his Message publickly demanding the Liberty of the Princess and the other Swedish Ladies But afterwards in a private Audience he complain'd in his Master's Name of the Injury that Monarch had receiv'd from the King of Denmark by sending an Ambassador to Sweden without acquainting him with his Intention or directing the Embassy to him He represented to him That the Kings his Predecessors notwithstanding their Pretensions to the Crown of Sweden were more careful to observe the common Rules of Decency even during the late War betwixt the two Kingdoms and that they were so far from scrupling to acknowledge the Dignity and Authority of the Administrators that they directed the Letters and Embassies to them which they sent to the whole Nation He added with a great deal of Courage and Resolution that 't wou'd be more proper for a Prince that was not well fix'd upon his Throne to secure his Interest at home than to think of Invading his Neighbors and that tho' the King his Master entertain'd not any ambitious Thoughts of aggrandizing himself or extending the Limits of his Dominions his Army and Garrisons were in so good a Condition that 't was beyond the Power of all his
zealous Catholicks of the Kingdom The Clergy-men but the Monks especially exclaim'd against him with all the extravagance of Spite and Fury scattering scurrilous Libels among the People in which they branded him with the odious Character of a Heretic and of an excommunicated Prince And even some of the hottest of 'em propos'd to make void his Election The Mob that were easily set on Fire by any pretext of Religion join'd with 'em in the heat of their Resentment The Peasants among others cou'd not indure to part with their Bells and the Silver Crosses of their Churches which often made the most essential part of their Worship These wild and savage People were the fittest Tools to carry on the Designs of the Priests who perswaded 'em that these Innovations tended directly to the subversion of Religion and Liberty Some of 'em took up Arms pursu'd the King's Officers and having recover'd their Bells brought 'em back to their Villages in a kind of Triumph A great Fair was yearly held near Vpsal about this time of the Year with an extraordinary Concourse of People from all the neighbouring Provinces This was a sort of Convention of the Estates for the Country People who discoursed here of their Trade of the Affairs of each Province but especially of the Differences that arose about the Preservation of their Rights and Priviledges The Malecontents glad of this opportunity to stir up a Rebellion did privately dispose the chief of 'em to demand the Revocation of the last Decree of the Senate as to the Tithes and Church-bells The King had timely notice of their Designs by the secret Intelligencers whom he kept every where The Mony he liberally distributed among 'em made 'em pry into every Corner and industriously pump out the greatest Secrets By these Spies he learnt that the Country-people animated by the Clergy were resolv'd to rise up in Arms at Vpsal-Fair unless their Bells were speedily restor'd To prevent the threatening Danger Gustavus went immediately to the Fair at the Head of a Body of Horse and by his unexpected Arrival surpriz'd the Mutineers and put 'em into a great Consternation He spoke to 'em with a certain Air of Greatness and Authority like a Prince that has a Right to command and will be obey'd He ask'd 'em with a fierce Look who had intrusted 'em with the Care of the Government by what Authority they censured the Decrees of the Senate and whether they had forgotten that the Bishops and the whole Clergy were greater Enemies to their Country than the very Danes Then to gain 'em by the most winning and convincing Argument he told 'em that by the late Decree of the Senate concerning the Tithes to which he gave his Assent 't was plain the Ease of the People was his principal Aim that to pay the Regency of Lubeck in so pressing a juncture of Affairs 't was thought more reasonable to fleece a rich Clergy than to over-burden the People with new Taxes and Impositions He hop'd that this Discourse wou'd have either frighten'd or wheedl'd 'em into a Compliance with his Desires but instead of that the insolent Multitude began to exclaim with a great deal of Violence that they wou'd never suffer their Religion to be alter'd nor their Bells and Church-plate to be taken from ' em The King incens'd at their Audaciousness commanded his Men to fire upon the Mutineers who observing the posture of his Horse just going to give sire â—â—ll upon their Knees and begg'd his Majesty's Pardon The Ring-leaders of the Mutiny were secur'd while the rest hid themselves in the Crowd or escap'd in the Dark In short they presently dispers'd and retir'd with an awful Idea of a Prince who knew so well how to extort Obedience This mutinous Assembly was no sooner dispers'd by his Presence but a new Plot was laid to Dethrone him A certain Groom call'd Hans of the Parish of Biorchstrat in the Province of Westmannia form'd a Design infinitely above the meanness of his Condition Afpiring to no less than a Crown he personated the eldest Son of the deceased Administrator tho' that young Prince died a Year before He was perswaded by some disaffected People that the Swedes who were incens'd against Gustavus and weary of his Government wou'd chuse rather to place him upon the Throne than suffer any change in Religion The Impostor was a handsom and bold Person He spoke with a great deal of Freedom and Ease and had a nobler Air than was suitable to his Birth or Education He travell'd over all the Province of Dalecarlia under the Name of Nils Steno never appear'd but in the remotest Places and such as had the least relation to the Court nor did he long reside in the same place When he appear'd abroad he was very Reserv'd and full of Precaution insinuating that Gustavus cou'd not indure the sight of him because it check'd his Conscience and put him in mind of the Crown he had usurp'd to the prejudice of the Family to which he ow'd his Fortune and Advancement Therefore that violent Prince cou'd never look upon him but with Eyes full of Fury that he had several times attempted to Kill him and that the Princess his Mother fearing the worst had advis'd him to retire Then he ask'd the People in a very moving and patheâ—ic manner whether so inhuman and cruel a Treatment was a suitable Recompence for the Life his Father the Administrator had lost in the Defence of their Country At the Name of Steno this Cheat always burst forth into Tears Falling upon his Knees he conjur'd the Peasants to pray to God for the Soul of the Prince his Father and to say each a Pater noster in his behalf while they were allow'd to believe a Purgatory Then he exclaim'd against Gustavus's Government calling him an Usurper and an Heretic that had renounc'd the Religion of his Ancestors And whereas those Peasants were extremely jealous of their Customs he charg'd him with Innovation for affecting a more stately Garb than his Predecessors pretending that he design'd to alter the very Habit as well as the Religion of the Nation and wou'd oblige all his Subjects to consent to these unsufferable Changes 'T is thought the Bishop of Lincopinc and the chief of the Clergy had a hand in this Conspiracy hoping by this means to raise such a Commotion as might occasion a Revolution in the Government At least 't is certain that that Bishop and those of his Party seem'd to believe that he was really the Administrator's Son to give the greater Credit to the Impostor who by the secret Protection of the Clergy and other Malecontents saw himself in a short time follow'd by a Crowd of Peasants and other indebted Persons whose desperate Condition made 'em ready to embrace the first opportunity of a Change Gustavus knew not whether to march against him or neglect so groundless a Rumor he was irresolute for some time and waver'd 'twixt Hope and Fear for
of the Crown were so diminish'd by the Usurpations of the Clergy that they were scarce sufficient to answer the Charge of the civil List That the Nobility and Gentry were also ruin'd by the imprudent Bounty of their Ancestors That it was plain the Church of Sweden alone had the command of more Wealth than the King and all the other Estates of the Realm together That the Bishops had always made Religion subservient to their Interest and the Establishing of their Authority and by indirect means had made themselves Masters of the best Mannours and Principal Fortresses That these Prelates growing by degrees Richer and more Potent than their Sovereign had frequently revolted against their Princes That their Ambition had occasion'd all the Civil and Foreign Wars with which the Kingdom had been harrass'd for near the space of 120 Years That they had several times call'd in the Enemies and receiv'd 'em into their Forts sticking at no Treachery to compass their wicked Designs That the Senate sensible of the present Exigencies and knowing how prejudical the excessive Power and Wealth of the Bishops was to the Peace of Sweden had wisely ordain'd that two Thirds of the Tithes shou'd be apply'd to the Maintenance and Subsistence of the Army That the King desir'd that his late Declarations and the Senate's Decree which aimed at nothing but the ease of the People shou'd be confirm'd by the Estates That both the Regular and Secular Clergy should forthwith restore to the Crown to the Nobility and to all private Persons the Lands and Estates which they pretended had been bequeath'd to 'em since the Reign and Prohibition of King Canutson That they shou'd be oblig'd to contribute as well as the Laity to the support of the Army proportionably to their ancient Estates and Acquisitions That the Bishops shou'd not hereafter inherit the Estates of the inferiour Clergy by which means the best Families of the Kingdom insensible decay'd and came to ruin That those Prelates shou'd renounce their pretended Right and Penalties and Forfeitures That they shou'd forthwith put the King in possession of their Forts which had often serv'd for a shelter to Seditious and Rebellions Persons And Lastly that they shou'd be for ever excluded from the Senate or any share in the Government No sooner had the Chancellor ended his Speech but the Bishop of Lincopinc stood up to oppose him and spoke to this effect That it was no wonder to hear of that bold Proposal to take away the Church-Lands from the Clergy while the Lutherans were countenanced in their endeavours to extirpate the true Religion He declared to the Estates that he and the whole Clergy were resolv'd to defend the Catholick Faith never to part with any Church-Lands or yield up any of their Rights or Priviledges without an express Order from the Pope whom they own'd as the Supreme Disposer of the Church Revenues as he was the Infallible Judge in Matters of Religion The King amaz'd at the boldness of that Prelate turn'd towards the Senators and the Nobility as it were to ingage some of 'em to make a sutable reply Immediately Tureiohanson stood up who far from siding with the King told him with a great deal of considence that the Bishop of Lincopinc cou'd not be too much commended for his Zeal and that he wish'd all the Swedes were inspir'd with so noble a resolution to defend the Catholick Faith and the Liberty of the Nation He was applauded by the Bishops and the whole Clergy and their Acclamations were seconded by many Deputies of West-Gothland who bewail'd in secret the decaying State of the Ancient Religion but durst not freely speak their mind for sear of the King's displeasure Tureiohanson's discourse and the Applause it met with among those of his party did both surprise the King and stir up his Passion He complain'd of their ingratitude and want of respect and told them that the Swedes cou'd neither live without Kings nor endure 'em after they were chosen that he was sensible his Declarations against the Clergy and the Senate's Decree concerning Tithes had procur'd him more Enemies in the Kingdom than he had among the Neighbouring Nations who envi'd the Happiness of Sweden that he knew there were many in that Assembly who according to the Swedish Proverb wished the Head of an Ax struck deep into his Head tho' none were so bold as to take up the handle and that they were grossly mistaken if they thought he mounted the Throne as an Actor comes upon a Stage only to personate a King He declar'd withal that he expected obedience and that in the present juncture of Assairs it was requisite he shou'd use an absolute Power to resist the Designs and Attempts both of the Emperor and King Christiern But if they thought he cou'd not justly require Obedience and Submission he protested that he was ready to resign the Crown That he only demanded a re-imbursment for the Charge he had been at for the defence of the State since he undertook the Government that afterwards he wou'd let them peaceably injoy the Fruit of his Victories and solemnly promise to leave the Kingdom for ever At these words Grief and Anger drew some Tears from his Eyes and without expecting an answer he suddenly left the Assembly and went into the Castle follow'd by the Principal Officers of his Army who urg'd him to assume an absolute Power and offer'd to execute his Orders without the consent of the Estates The Chancellor staid to hinder the Estates from taking any Resolutions contrary to the King's Interest in his Absence But nothing was concluded that Day The Temporal Senators and principal Lords alarmed at the angry Retreat of Gustavus rose up immediately as if they had been afraid to be seen in the Company of the King's Adversaries On the other Hand the Bishops and the whole Clergy most of the Lords of West-Gothland and all the Rabble of Westeras conducted Tureiohanson home as it were in Triumph That haughty Lord was so puff'd up with their Applauses that he cou'd not conceal his Joy to see himself at the Head of a Party which he lookt upon as formidable to the King He fancy'd that he should Govern the Estates and by his Authority influence all their resolutions He enter'd his House with the sound of Trumpets and Kettle Drums elevated with his present success without considering that the Favour of the People is usually short-liv'd and that 't is extreamly hard for a great Man to come off with Honour when the Prince's Authority seems to be slighted or disregarded The Estates met again the next Day which was spent wholly in Contests on both sides Olaus Petri made a new Challenge to Dr. Gallus but it came to nothing because Gallus wou'd argue in Latin and in a Scholastic manner and Olaus resolv'd to dispute in the Swedish Tongue The Assembly was divided into two Parties one that stood up for the Preservation of the Rights and Privileges
ibid. sequ Orders are given to arrest his Father Kindred and other suspicious Persons ibid. This Prelate ventures to appear before the Estates ibid. The Administrator advances to besiege him in his Castle 60 〈◊〉 The Bishops of Stregnez and Lincoping his Friends exhort him to make at least a seeming Peace with the Administrator 61 He rejects their advice ibid. His consternation upon the defeat of the Danes The principal Officers of his Garrison oblige him to Capitulate 63 He demands to treat in Person with the Administrator ibid. He Surrenders himself to this Prince who sends him to the Senate 64 He is brought to his Tryal 65 He is condemned to resign his Dignity and to spend the remainder of his Life in a Monastery ib. He dispatches one of his Creatures to Rome to protest against the Violence done to him and to implore the Protection of the H. See 66 Upon the news of the Administrator's death he leaves the place of his Retreat 83 He resumes the marks of his Dignity which he had solemnly abdicated in the Senate ibid. He calls a Meeting of the Estates at Upsal 84 85 He gives the Title of King of Sweden to Christiern in the name of this Assembly as if he had been really acknowledg'd by the Estates of the Realm 85 86 He prohibits the Clergy to grant Christian Burial to those who dyed in Arms against Christiern King of Denmark 86 He takes measures with Christiern to destroy the Swedish Noble-men whom they suspected 106 He performes the Ceremony of the Coronation of Christiern ibid. He appears before the King in a full Assembly and demands Justice against the deceased Administrator and against the Senators and Lords who had forc'd him to resign his dignity 107 Gustavus Writes to him in respectful Terms to draw him off from the Danish Party 147 He rejects his Letter and sends to the Vice-Roy the two Canons of Upsal who had brought it to him requiring that they should be put to death ibid. He demands Troops of the Vice-Roy to seize upon Gustavus's Person in Upsal 148 He was very near surprizing him in this City ibid. He overtakes him at the Ford of Lateby and puts him in danger again of being kil'd or taken Prisoner 149 He leaves the Kingdom and retires to Denmark 153 Truce Christiern breaks the Truce between Sweden and Denmark 57 He proposes to the Administrator a Truce for some days 72 U UPsal The Archbishop of Upsal Primate of Sweden and a Senator by his office See Trolle Trolle Archbishop of this City calls a Meeting of the Estates of the Kingdom of Sweden 84 The Persons who assisted and what was ordain'd in that Assembly 85 sequ Gustavus takes the City by Storm 144 The Archbishop regains it from Gustavus 149 Gustavus retakes it 151 W WAdestene Gustavus calls a Meeting of the Estates in this place 156 Upon what account and what determin'd in the Assembly ibid. sequ Waldemer King of Denmark 11 His Daughter Margaret See Margaret Westeras the City and Castle of that name 138 The Vice-Roy of Sweden retires thither ibid. a Stratagem us'd by Gustavus to make himself Master of the City 139 Weter a Lake whether Otho General of ohe Danish Army retir'd with the Forces under his Command 80 SCANDINAVIA or the Kingdoms of DENMARK SUEDEN NORWAY LAPLAND THE HISTORY OF THE Revolutions IN SWEDEN SWEDEN was anciently an Elective Kingdom and was still such about the middle of the Fourteenth Age for tho' the Children and nearest Relations of the Deceas'd Monarch were usually advanc'd to the Throne the Order of Birth-right was sometimes neglected and the Succession was always determin'd by Choice And by virtue of this Right of Election the Swedes oftentimes claim'd a Power to Depose their Sovereigns when they incroach'd upon the Liberty and Privileges of the Nation The Royal Authority was confin'd within very narrow Limits for the King cou'd neither make War nor Peace and much less raise Money or Soldiers without the Consent of the Senate or of the Estates when they were assemblâ—d 'T was not lawful for him to erect new Forts or to put the Government of the old Castles into the Hands of Strangers The bringing of Forreign Troops into the Kingdom wou'd have infallibly expos'd him to the Danger of an Universal Revolt For every thing that might serve to extend or even to confirm the Prerogative was hated and suspected by the People who were as jealous of the Power of their Sovereigns as of that of their Neighbours and Enemies The Patrimonial Revenue of the Crown consisted only in certain small Territories near Upsal and in a very easie Tribute which was exacted from the Peasants by way of a Poll-Tax In the Reign of King Magnus Ladaslasz the Copper Mines the Propriety of the three great Lakes Meler Vener and Veter and the Right of Fishing upon the Coast of the Baltick Sea were by the Senate reunited to the Crown and by the same Authority it was ordain'd That they who had purchas'd untill'd Lands held in Fee or a Right to Pasturage in the Forests should afterwards pay those Duties to the Crown from which they had freed themselves during the Civil Wars Since by the Laws of the Kingdom there were few Offences punishable with Death the Fines and Forfeitures that were exacted on such Occasions were of old a considerable Branch of the King's Revenue but the Bishops and Clergy had seiz'd on the Profits which accru'd that way and perhaps colour'd their Injustice under a Pretext that these Fines belong'd to the Church as a kind of Expiation or Atonement for the Crimes of the Malefactors The Fees or Mannors and the Governments of Castles which at first were only granted for Life or for a Term of Years were insensibly chang'd to Hereditary Possessions For the Noble-men who enjoy'd 'em neglected the Payment of the usual Daties for those Posts which they held by no other Title but their own Power and the Weakness of the Crown And the Bishops and others of the Clergy who were possest of such Places made use of the plausible Pretext of Religion to claim an Exemption from the Duties they were oblig'd to pay for those Estates which they pretended were devolv'd to the Church and become part of its Patrimony Thus the Clergy and Nobility had by several Usurpations engross'd so great a part of the Prince's Revenue that the Remainder at that time was scarce sufficient to maintain 500 Horse The King was almost only consider'd as the Captain-General of the State during the War and as the President of the Senate in time of Peace 'T is true the former of these Junctures was always most favourable to the Prerogative especially when the War was carry'd on with Success against the Enemies of the Nation but the Conclusion of a Peace put a stop to his growing Authority and left him only a Power to call a Meeting of the Estates to propose Matter for their Deliberation
Harald King of Denmark and gave him his Daughter in Marriage Siward to prevent the ill consequences of the Confederacy gave his Daughter Vlvilda to Frotho the King of Denmark's Brother who by reason of his Valour was more respected among the Danes than the King his Brother These cross Matches kindl'd a civil War in Denmark and Frotho was supported by those who admir'd and endeavour'd to imitate his Bravery He fought with the King his Brother routed his Army and slew him with his own hand in the heat of the Fight King Harald left two Sons Haldan and Harald who to revenge their Father's Death surpriz'd Frotho in his House Burnt him alive and Ston'd Queen Vlvilda This furious piece of Revenge which was esteem'd by those Barbarous People as a most brave and generous Act made all the Danes unanimously resolve to follow the young Princes They March'd into Sweden gave Battle to King Siward cut his Army in pieces and slew him in the Fight Eric IV. The two victorious Brothers divided their Conquests Denmark falling to Harald's lot and Sweden to Haldan's But the Swedes set up Eric Siward's Grand-child against Haldan which occasion'd a new civil War Eric was victorious for several times on Land But Harald coming with a great Fleet to his Brother's Assistance routed Eric's Navy who rather than yield up himself to his Enemies Mercy threw himself into the Sea Haldan II Succeeded Eric according to the custom of those Times when the Crown and Dominions of the Vanquish'd Prince were always the Conquerour's Reward This Prince slew with his own hand two monstrous Giants and fought afterwards alone against Siward and his seven Sons whom he kill'd in a single Combat Such great Exploits procur'd him the admiration of the Swedes who celebrated his praise in their Heroick Songs and after his Decease rank'd him among their greatest Heroes Vnguin This Prince who was already King of the Goths was appointed by Haldan for his Successor to the Crown of Sweden But the Swedes resolving to maintain their Priviledge of chusing their own Master Elected Raguald One Battle decided the Difference in which Vnguin was slain by Raguald Raguald This Prince not contented with the Death and Defeat of King Vnguin pursu'd Siguald his Son to Denmark whither he had retir'd who being assisted by the Danes gave him Battle in Seland and kill'd him with his own Hand at the Head of both Armies Amund He succeeded his Father Raguald and contented himself with the Possession of the Crown without undertaking any Considerable Attempt He had four Sons who resided in the Court of Denmark where they occasion'd great disorders If we may believe the Chronicles 't was the usual custom of Young Princes in those Times to Travel thro' the Neighboring Countries in quest of hazardous Adventures to signalize their Courage and Valour To kill a Giant in single Combat or a Wild Beast in the presence of a King to carry away a Young Princess and to Debauch or Ravish a Queen were reckon'd among their Noblest Exploits and worthy of Immortal Honor. And the bold Hero at his return to his Countrey was always preferr'd before the rest of his Brothers when the Throne became vacant by his Father's Death Haquin This Prince during the life of his Father Amund invaded Denmark routed King Sigar in a pitch'd Battle and put the whole Country under Military Execution to revenge the Death of his Brothers who were kill'd by the King of Denmark's order He was advanc'd to the Throne after his Father's Death and had the good fortune to die in peace nor was the tranquillity of his Reign disturb'd by any Civil or Foreign War Osten He was the Son of Gether King of Norway and obtain'd the Crown of Sweden by Election To revenge his Father's Death who was Assassinated by the Norwegians for his cruelty he enter'd that Kingdom at the head of his Army and having destroy'd the whole Country with Fire and Sword without sparing either Age or Sex he appointed his Dog to reign over 'em as reckoning 'em unworthy to obey a Man Perhaps this Story is a meer Fable occasion'd by a punning Allusion to the Name of the Person whom he intrusted with the Government during his absence tho' if we consider the wild and barbarous Genius of that Age it may not improbably be suppos'd that he gave the Title of Viceroy to a real Dog Nor will that Act of Revenge seem more surprizingly extravagant than the fantastical Humor of a certain Roman Emperor Caligula who made his Horse a Consul Alver This Prince being one of the most considerable Persons of the Swedish Nation was chosen King after the Death of Osten He defeated the Russians and made 'em tributary to the Crown of Sweden He died in Peace after a short Reign Ingo He was chosen King after the Death of his Father Alver and fix'd his residence at Vpsal which he made the Capital City of the Kingdom His Successors oftentimes assum'd the Title of Kings of Vpsal to distinguish themselves from other Petty Sovereigns who founded little Monarchies in several Provinces of the Kingdom Fiolmus History has only preserv'd the Name of this Prince without acquainting us with his Actions or with the length of his Reign Nor are the succeeding Princes for a Hundred Years so much as mention'd in the Swedish Chronicles Ingell He was so incenst at his Brother Olaus for admonishing him of his Wife's Infidelity that he became his declar'd Enemy But the Quarrel was soon decided by the Death of Ingell who was kill'd by Olaus Germunder The Son and Successor of Ingell He declar'd War against Harald King of Denmark his Brother-in-Law who finding himself unable to sustain the Shock of so potent an Enemy begg'd a Peace and having obtain'd it desir'd Germunder to make a visit to the Queen his Sister Immediately that unfortunate Prince Disbanded his Army and went to the Court of Denmark where he was apprehended and afterwards hang'd by the Command of the Treacherous Harald in the sight of all his Vassals whom he invited to be Witnesses of that dismal Spectale 'T was not the custom in those days to exchange Hostages the Kings kept no Guards nor did their Houshold consist of a numerous Train of Officers During the War they were serv'd by the principal Persons of the Nation but assoon as a Peace was concluded every man retir'd to his own House and left the Prince alone with his Family and Domestick Servants Haquin Ringo No sooner was the Young Prince able to bear Arms but he resolv'd to revenge his Father's Death upon his Faithless Murderer In order to the effectual Execution of that design he us'd more than ordinary diligence in levying Forces and entertain'd all the stragling Adventurers that wou'd enter into his Service The Neighboring Nations engag'd in the Quarrel according to their various Interests or the Designs and Inclinations of their Sovereigns The English Irish and Saxons declar'd for the King