still sounding foorth the prayses of Gustovus whose name shall neuer die so long as the memorie of the Swethen State indures CHAP. III. Ericke is crowned King of Swethland after the death and Funerall of his Father A marriage is plotted with Elizabeth Queene of England That failing another is tendered to the daughter of the King of Poland His brother Duke Iohn conspires against him AFter the death of Gustovus Erick his eldest sonne is with all generall applause and the Countries ceremonie crowned king of Swethland about the yeere of our Lord 1559. and in the same yeere an ouerture of mariage was made with Elizabeth Queene of England in the beginning of her raigne Duke Iohn his brother sent Ambassadour princely appointed in this negotiation who safely arriuing in England with his whole Fleete was honourably intertained Howbeit the matter of his Embassage was rather flattered then graunted rather fairely countenanced then embraced For some noble men at that time great in their places either in their owne respects or the honour of the Queene stood against it But the Queene her selfe did fairely intreate the Prince royally feasted him gaue him many princely gifts Told him in conclusion that she tooke the Tenor of his Embassage in very gratious manner Sent kind commendations to the king his Brother with this hopefull message that if it pleased him to take the paines to come into England she would take such order for his entertainement that hee should haue no iust cause to returne discontent For saith she I haue made this vow neuer to conâ—ract my selfe to any whom I haue not first seene The Duke thus furnisht with this answere takes his leaue imbarkes himselfe boyseth sayle arriues in Swethland and deliuers to the longing languishing King this hopefull doubtfull answere of the Quéene The young King imbraceth this newes and his brother for them flatters his fancie kisseth the Quéenes picture beguiles imagination buildes Castles in the ayre rigges his Fléete at Sea exhausteth his Treasure makes himselfe poore to enrich his hope which proued indéed farre aboue his Fortune The Winter following was spent in this preparation for England During which time Frederik then king of Denmarke a Wise and politike Prince stoodmuch against this Alyance with England foreséeing the danger that might redound to him in his neighbours marriage with so potent a Princesse sendeth Ambassadours to King Erick shewing both the inconuenience that would happen by marriage in a Countrey so farre remote as also the dangers that were like to ensue in ioynâ—ng with a Quéene more strong then himselfe But the king gaue a deafe eare to this Embassage Continuing his preparations still for England Some say that in that Winter ryding betwéene Vpsale and Wasten Castle a Maide of excellent beautie but obscure parentage whose name was Gondole comming amongst others to behold the king who by chance casting his cies vpon her was so sodainly ensnared in her beautie that that poyson which he drew then into his heart by his eies did so corrupt the whole body of his affaires that at last he loste both his life and kingdome but others say it was the winter after But to returne to our voyage for England The kinges fléete being royalty rigd and all thinges ready for so great a busines the king tooke shipping about the beginning of May leauing Duke Iohn his brother Uicegerent in his place and sayling along the Coasts of Norway Report saith that Frederick king of Denmarke had procured certaine Witches in that Country to drowne or dispearse the Fléete of king Erick and by their spelles and deuillish incantations to Confound this intended Uoyage whether this bee true or no I know not but this is certaine that the king being vpon the coast of Norway such a strange foggy thicknes did so cloath the ayre that the kings Fléete had soone loste sight of one another And then followed such horrible thunders and vnheard of Tempests that it séemed heauen and earth had met together in the disturbance of this intendment The king being at his wits end long before hée came to his waies end was so perplexed in his thoughtes that he knew not what to do either to goe forward or to returne The sight of y â— Eye was so taken away by the the thicknes of Aire the beneuÌ„t of the Eare was consounded by the noyse of the thunder the waters rose so high as if they meant to kisse the Cloudes Noe light but what the flashes of lightning made which amased them all the raine fell so thicke that they could scarce kéepe the Hatches the maister calles to the Boatson and is not heard the Sternes-man cryes to the Maister and is not regarded Thrée daies togeather continued these thrée nightes of darknes wherin was séene neither sunne Moone nor starre the kinges Fléete was diuersly dispearst some into the coast of Denmarke others back againe into Swetland the king himselfe vpon the Coast of Norway looks euery hower for his buriall in the Sea At last entering into cogitation with himselfe he thought that God had suffered his pride to be thus punisht for that he vndertook a Mariage with such a Quéene whose fame and glory was so great as well from her State and gouernment as for the riches and strength of her Crowne and kingdome that entering into cosideration of it he held himselfe much vnworthy of such a fortune Upon this the king rashly vowes that if it would please God to deliuer him from that daunger he would giue ouer his ouer high attempt returne into his Countrey and learne hereafter to suite his desires to his estate At last these stormes haue end the king returnes according to his vow shortly after arriues in Swethland And thus fayled this Negotiation for England The king soone after his landing beginnes say some renewes say others his loue to his faire Gondole that afterward prooued as fatall to him as Cleopatraes loue to Anthony His eies were seldome off either her person or her picture His minde museth on nothing but the pleasures of her body his tongue speakes of nothing but her delightes and praises all publicke affaires are abandoned the pallaces are like a wildernesse desolate the Court is kept where Gondole hath her byding reason and regard of gouerment are now banished pleasure and sensuallitie made his Counsellors of Estate The Noble men would oftentimes aduise him but all in vaine his brother Duke Iohn did still smooth the Kings humors not as being enamoured oâ— his delights but as from hence drawing a subiect that happyly hereafter might serue his turne in case the Nobility as they beganne a little should afterwards wholly withdraw their affections from him Thus whilest the king followes his pleasures Duke Iohn pursues his purposes would oftentimes complaine to certaine of the Rexen-Roade which we call The Blood Royall of his brothers effeminate and vnlikingly gouernement but especially to Duke Charles his youngest brother yet no further engaging himselfe to danger then
he knew meanes how to wind out againe Not long after another Mariage was tendered of the Polands Daughter which the king Coulorably entertained to satisfie his Nobility whilest his heart doted vpon his Paramour Duke Iohn his brother was imployed in this businesse and it fell out as he desired For if the cardes were dealt aright he might happely himselfe mary the Polands daughter And thus with a false heart taking a faire leaue of the king his brother being furnished with all accowtrements fit for such a busines shortly after arriued in the Court of Poland where after the solemnitie of such entertainements he deliuered his Message with such a Maiesticke grace both in his spéech countenance and cariage of himselfe as sure hée was a most accomplisht Gentleman that it wan him great commendations in the kings Court especially with the yong princesse in whose tender heart there was such an inward breach made as was soone outwardly perceaued for her eyes that conuayed these pretie assaultes vnto her heart did soone betray her hidden affections which the Duke perceiuing laies hold vpon the occasion Winnes by rewardes many tongues to speaken in his behalfe ioyes with the greatest of the Kings Counsell and in especiall with one Feâ—nsbecke Duke of Leif-lande He told them that the condition of his Countries disordered estate occasioned by the discordant disposition of his brother mooued him rather to looke with a publike then a priuate eye If he ought nature and dutie to his Brother he ought no lesse vnto his Country and it was his countries cause to the which hée was most bound that made him inueigh against his brother Let no man quoth he rashly ceâ—sure me but comparing the State of the kingdome to the condition of the King let him then iudge whether all is not like to ruine if preuention be not made which in the Kinges person quoth he will neuer be for that he séemes to be buried in his his owne delightes and the breath which he himselfe should drawe lies not in his owne but in anothers body The most and best part of the Nobility being by these and the like suggestions wonne vnto his party a way was quickly made for the Duke to Wooe for himselfe which was not long a doing for the heart that was already so strongly assaulted was soone framed to yeeld To bee short the young Duke Weddes and beddes the princesse with great honour and delight so easily is the pollicie of a state drawne to obey the necessity of the time the newes hereof is soone brought to Swethland wherein the wise lookt into the danger of the King how be it the King himselfe foresaw no peril But as a Man wholly deuoted to his delights doth against the aduise of all his friendes quickly after Marrie the said Gondole whereby he did sodainly runne into such a scandalous hatred of his owne Subiectes that they euer after held him vnworthy of his Crowne and kingdome Within a yeare after his Mariage he had a Sonne not long after whose byrth Duke Iohn hauing assured promises from his youngest brother Duke Charles procures an Army to be leuied by the King of Poland his Father in law and arriuing in the Dukedome of Estergutland was louingly entertained of his brother Duke Charles who ioyning their forces together hauing also the ayde of other Noble Men in the Country gaue battaile to his brother King Ericke who being ouercome and flying to Stock-holand was there by his two brothers taken and made away no man euer knew how A noble man in the Countrey brother to Herrerick Gusterson and deare vnto the King was at that time honorably slaine in the defence of his Prince The Quéene had before sent her young Sonne out of the Land foreséeing the danger that was like to happen Who now liues as an Exile in the great Duke of Moscouias Court and the Quéene her selfe confined to Stickborrow Castle where shee yet liues a sad and solitary life Thus ended the vnfortunate Raigne of King Erick who might long haue liued and gouerned in the Land had he but subdued his owne affections CHAP. IIII. King Iohn is crowned king of Swethland hath a Sonne borne called Sigismond The King of Poland dies young Sigismond is sent for to be King of Poland Hee staies there certaine yeares till the death of his Father and is then sent for by his Vnckle Duke Charles to receaue the Crowne and kingdome of Swethland DUke Iohn hauing thus by his brothers murther attained vnto the Crowne disposeth with his best Counsell the affaires of the kingdome disperseth his Army satisfies his Subiects in the cause of these indirect procéedings against his brother and hauing set all things in order sendeth for this Quéen out of Poland who with an honorable traine being conducted into Swethland was there Royally entertained and shortly after with Duke Iohn her husband in all princely manner Crowned King and Quéene of Swethland at Vpsale Castle Many Statutes he repealed which the King his brother had made being found preiudiciall vnto the Country and others hee enacted that were held more profitable To all Sutors he shewed himselfe very gentle and gracious And because the treasure of the kingdome was much exhauste in his expedition into Poland he was driuen to borrow many great Summes of money both there and of his Friends at home Hee kept a Princely port and was very liberall in his rewardes delighting much in all Martiall exerrises His liberality was equall to that which was so highly commended in a worthy Captaine of Thebes who when hee had obtayned a victory against the Lacedemonians tooke onely of all the spoile but one sword distributing the rest amongst his Souldiors saying Fellowes in Armes this I Challeng because I wrong it out of the hand of mine Enemie Whatsoeuer else is yours as the reward of your trauells for the Theban Senatours warre for honour not for treasure The Mercenary Man that beareth Armes for hier and for his ordinary Paye feareth not to venture his life in the face of his Enemy hauing but his wages hath but his due So that if hope of spoile and the bounty of his Captaine did not encourage him in his attempts he would both doubt the danger of his person and scorne for so little gaine to ranne vpon such imminent perills His liberality towards his associats in Armes and his experient wisedome and valour in Martiall enterprises made him both honoured feared and held in worthy estimation Thus by this and his other vertues Duke Iohn in short time Crept into the hearts of his Subiectes The first yeare of his raigne the Quéene brought him a goodly Boy which was Christened by the name of Sigismond the Emperor beeing his Godfather which Sisgismond is now King of Poland About the Tenth yeare of his raigne King Iohn made an honorable iourney into Russia vpon the breach of a League made betwixt them From whence he returned victorious The rest of his raigne was quiet
and peaceable And set a side the staine of his brothers death he was doubtlesse a most excellent Prince and worthy of the Crowne and kingdome and although there were many times iarres betwixt him and his brother Duke Charles yet alwaies the matter was so handled that they were soone reconcilde againe By which were cut off all occasions of Ciuill warre In the twelfth yeare of his raigne his father in law the King of Poland dies for whose death the Quéene his daughter mourned heauily The young Prince Sigismond her Sonne was elected King of Poland and with an honourable conuoy being guarded thither was with all solemnity in all Princely manner Crowne King of Poland Shortly after Marries honourably into the house of Austria and in the twelth yeare of his raigne in Poland King Iohn his Father dies whose death being much bewailed of his subiects he was with appertaining solemnitie buried in the Chappell of the Kings in the Castle of Vpsale Duke Charles of Estergutland after the death of his brother sends into Poland for his Nephew Sigismond to come to receaue the Crowne of Swethland Sigismond takes heauily the death of his Father and deuines before hand of the troubles that followed in that kingdome Great preparation is made for his iourney into Swethland and doubting of his vnckles minde proiectes carrieth a great power of Poles with him to preuent all daungers The king arriues safely in Sweathland is with all honor and signe of loue receaued by his vnckle Duke Charles and the rest of the Nobilitie of Swethland He is honorably conueyed to Vpsale Castle where hee was louingly receaued of the Quéene his Mother whom he comforteth being a sorrowfull widdow for the death of King Iohn her husband Shortly after he was crowned K. of Swethland without any disturbance A Rex-day was held in the castle of Vpsale where all things being established Duke Charles is made vicegerent of the kingdome hauing with him ioynd in Comission foure Noblemen of the Rexen-road whose names were Hergusten Bonner Hersten Bonner his brother Herrerick Spare and Hartor Belk These fower Noble men being great in the kingdome but not very great with the Uicegerent were of purpose ioynd by the King in commission with the Duke to curbe or Controule all ouer haughty and headstrong attempts that the Duke might happely Commit by the greatnesse of his place and power in the absence of the King who was then ready to returne to Poland The Duke perceaues the drift but dissembles it before the Kings departure order was set downe by the King with the Duke and the Commissioners for the payment of certaine sommes of money which King Iohn his Father did owe vnto many Souldiours that were yet vnpaide since the time of expedition into Russia and vnto many Merchants of England Scotland and other Nations for the prosecuting of that warre After all things were thus setled and ordered the King returnes to Poland leauing behinde him that fire that afterward consumed the peace of the whole Kingdome for the Noblemen the Commissioners being commanded by the King that was euer iealous of his Unckle Charles to obserue and enforme his Maiestie of the manner of his gouernment did so oppose themselues against him in all his procéedinges and especially in the payment of this money that the Duke plainely perceiued that this new gouernment was but laide as a trap to ensnare his life A Rex-day was holden at Vpsale no order Concluded nor money paide and much adoe there was to kéepe them from factions the Commissioners would haue these summes paid out of the Subiectes purses the Duke out of the Common Treasury which the commissioners refuse alleaging the Kings want of money The Duke writes faithfully The Lords falsly to the King To whom they intimate feare of innouation and that the Duke by all likelyhoods aimed at the Crowne that he had paid parte of the money due to the Souldiours out of the Reuenues of the Dukedome to draw their affections to him that he sought to further the State and wealth of the Commons more then stood with the loyall nature of a Subiect that he kept the Porte and State of a King rather then a Deputie and that it was not like he would long yeeld his honors vnto Uassalage whose fortunes in such a minde and State as his might attaine to Soueraignty if preuention were not spéedily made The Duke intercepts these letters and sends them inclosed in his own vnto the King to whom he writes very humbly and with all protestations of duty and alleagance the king receaues the letters but beleeues the Lords and distâ—usteth the Duke sendeth secretly to the Commissioners that they should sodainely surprise him depose him from his gouernement and to that end he sent his authority and finally to kéepe him prisoner his wise and children during life in a castle built of purpose for that stratageme within the dukedome of Litto Oh that the nature of fortune should be so fickle and vncertaine neuer singular either in her frownes or fauours but that commonly in the height of any hope it produceth some crosse accident of vnhappy misfortune The Duke notwithstanding hauing intelligence of this plot beganne to looke about him hasted into his owne dukedome and raised a great power of men Some say that if hee had but staide one hower longer in Vpsale the plot had beene effected and the Duke vtterly vndone The Lords were in a maze vpon the Dukes departure knowing that their deuise was discouered they now perceaued their owne weakenesse to resist the Duke being in power place and opinion and farre aboue them And though they had the Kings authority yet was he farre from them and they néer vnto their danger they knew not well what course to take sometimes they purposed to flie to the King and then they feared the waies were forelayd To stay in the Castle of Vpsale were no safety it being a place of pleasure not of defence whereupon they determined to depart from thence Thrée of them vnto the Castle of VVasten in the Dukedome of Finland and Hartourbelk to Calmer Castle Hauing theis Castles deliuered vnto them they purposed to stay there to vnderstand the Dukes procéedings and in the meane time dispatcht letters vnto the King of the particulars of these troubles The Duke as I sayd before hauing raised a great power of men marcheth spéedily towardes the castle of Vpsale but vnderstanding of the Lords departure towards Wasten bends his course thither It is a world to sée what numbers of men came vnto the Duke from all parts proffeting their seruice to him All which hee gently welcomed Some he entertained and the rest sent home againe with speciall charge to looke vnto the Kinges peace signifying further that the cause why hee was now vp in Armes was but to right himselfe of such wronges done by those Lords who neither loued the King nor him The Lords that were in the Castle of Wasten vnderstanding of the
THE WARRES OF SWETHLAND WITH THE GROVND AND Originall of the said VVarres begun and continued betwixt SIGISMOND King of Poland and Duke CHARLES his Vnkle lately Crowned King of Swethland As also the State and condition of that Kingdome as it standeth to this day LONDON Printed for Nathaniel Butter dwelling in Pauls Church-yard by Saint Austins Gate 1609. TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE AND Most Noble minded louer of Learning PHILIP Earle of Mongomerie SVch Right Honourable as haue purposed to please Hector haue still presented him with Horse and Armour because his chiefest delight was in Martiall Discipline and such oblations best fitted his humour For by this and the like presidents is noted how all haue sought in their presents to keepe a Decorum Hauing therefore composed this little Treatise that concernes the dessignes of two Kingdoms I haue thought good aduenturing the Pardon of your Lordships discretion to passe the same vnder your Honourable Nâ—me as well for that your Expeâ—ience is already knowne to be sufficiently instructed in the affaires of our owne Countrey Being descended of most Honourable Parents educated in the most liberal Sciences and mannaged in one of the most Royall and famous Courts of Europe As also for that the custome of Honorable dispositions hath alwayes next after that labored the knowledge and insight of forraine Estates and coÌ„ditions That they may not only deserue well of their owne Countrey by this their industrie but also spread their owne fame as farre as their Countrey is knowen Your owne worth is the principall motiue that emboldens me to shroude it vnder your Patronage as one that is a fautor and fauourer of vertuous Actions and whose Honourable loues growne from the generall applause of the Common-wealth for your high desert may keepe it from the malice of bitter tongues Commaunded thus with this consideration I presume to present my Booke vnto your Lordship And humbly intreate your Honour will bee pleased to vouch of my Labors and fauour a Schollers penne with your gracious acceptation who answeres in affection what hee wants in eloquence So shall I rest deuoted vnto you and bestow my future Studies to effect matter of better deseruing Euer remaining Your Honours most humble affectionate ANTH. NIXON The true Copie of a Letter Certificatorie written in commendation of Captaine King of Ratcliffe M. VVilliam Bardwell and Alexander Child of Redriffe Masters of three Shipps of London for their memorable seruice against the Swethens being thereto compelled in Summer last 1608. IOhannes Carolus Chodkiewich Earle of Seckloro Bychor and of Misra Captaine of Samogitia and Porpatie Generall Commissioner of Lyffeland and chiefe Generall of the Army of the great Dukedome of Lytawe To all and singular to whome it may appertaine or that shall reade these Presents I doe let to weet that whereas VVilliam Bardwell VVilliam King and Alexander Childe English Gentlemen came with three Shippes at Riga when the Earle of Mansfielde Generall of the Army of Duke Charles Suderman periniuriously breaking the Truce made warre in Lyffeland I helde them there and employed them in the seruice of Warre for the most excellent King of Poland my most gratious Lord and they vndertooke to defend the Dunn wherein they did behaue themselues very faithfully manfully and valiantly so that the said Earle of Mansfield was often by them driuen backe againe to his great losse and shame and likewise hee was often assaulted by them so that hee lost not onely his strength of men and his courage but also lost some Shippes with many men and goods which the saide Englishmen with a memorable courage and to the notable glory of the English Nation did set on fire and burne And therefore I haue thought good to grant vnto them this Testimoniall to the end that they may haue great thanks for their deserts purchased by their good renowne and name and that others may see that as fame immortality belongeth chiefly to noble minds so also it is gotten by vertuous and valiant deedes Written in the Campe at the new Mill in Lyffeland the seauenteenth of Nouember Anno Domini 1608. And is subscribed by Iohannes Carolus Chodkiewicke manu propria and sealed with a Seale in Redde waxe Printed thereupon Ita testatur Carolus Demetrius Notarius Publicus THE ORIGINALL GROVND OF The present Warres of Swethen Chap. I. The daungerous plots laid against Gustovus in the life time of his Father His flight to Lubeck in Germanie in the habite of a slaue His strange entertainment there c. THis is like a briefe Cronicle that comprehends in it much matter in few lines and various businesse in little circumstance It presents to your reading the dessignes and affaires of a spatious kingdome and reacheth to the beginning of many yéeres past Understand therefore that the Countrey of Swethen before if was aduanc'd to the dignitie of a kingdome by the allowance of theÌ„ Empire and generall consent of their owne State was a long time gouerned by the authority of foure Dukes bearing the Titles of the foure Prouinces into which the Country is deuided The first is the Dukedome of Doland hauing in it a Regall Castle called Vpsale where the kings of Swethland be Crowned and buried The second is the Dukedome of Newland where the Castle of Newkeeping stands The third is the Dukedome of Finland where the Dukes seat is called Oua Castle The fourth is Warmland where stands the Castle of Wasten vpon the Mediterrenian Sea being the strength and Bulwarke of the kingdome The Countrey being as I say a long time ruled by these foure Dukes in the kind of an Aristocratie that is The gouerment of the Nobilitie as was the gouernement of the first and former Romane Peeres and Consuls was in the end of the Raigne of Henrie 7. King of England made a Monarchie or kingly gouernment The first Monarke or King hereof was called Gismond whose Sonne named Gustovus succéeded his Father in the Kingdome This Gustovus being in the life time of his Father Duke of Doland was a Prince very absolute both in the perfections of his body and his mind excellently composed in the one and honorably disposed in the other Of an indifferent stature neither too high nor too low His complexion sanguine his haire bright his countenance chéerefull and pleasant to looke vpon full of grace and Maiestie In warre stout and industrious in Counsell wise and full of respect in the Court he carried such a Port and State as attracted all eyes to gaze vpon him In priuate places full of affabilitie and delightsome recreation To conclude it seemed that Nature and vertue had both ioynd together to frame in him the most absolute patterne of a Prince in his time But as no excellency whatsoeuer is without malignant opposites so this Prince found that olde saying to bee true Virtutis comes inuidia plerunque bonos insectatur For the Dukes of the other Thrée Prouinces being ioynd with him in Commission for you must vnderstand
that the foure Dukes did still retaine their titles and authoritie vnder the King as the Senate of Rome did theirs vnder the Soueraintie of Caesar though it were subordinate The other thrée I say enuying that greatnesse loue and opinion which his vertues as well as the Nobilitiâ—e of his blood had got him sought by many deuises to betray him whom no honourable mind but would haue defended and to this end they bent all their courses A plot no doubt ful of honour and regard vnto the State the proiect whereof was either the murther or disinheritance of so lawfull a Prince Falshood and Enuie the accusers Suggession and Subornation the informers Thus was the plot laid The Quéene being mother in law of Gustovus and hauing a Sonne by the King and borne since the kingdome was erected as farre as she durst for she yet feared the greatnesse of Gustovus did many times buze matters of iealousie and suspition into the Kings eares of his sonnes cariage of himself in the kingdom which at first he did not either beleeue or dissemble The thrée Dukes knowing the Quéenes mind towards the Prince added fuell to her fire alledging that she should neuer finde a sure estabâ—ishment for her selfe and her sonne in the kingdome if Gustovus were not made away The heart that before began to burne with this desire was now more incensed hauing those thrée Noblemen the principall Counsellours of State in the kingdome to further her intendments The Quéene being throughly instructed by the Lords takes the aduantage of time in her complaint to the king Tels him that his sonne aspired and would shortly aspire against him that he affected popularitie receiued like Absolom his subiects Petitions not in loue but Ambition That he kept a Court and Port greater then the King and that all his actions did more sauour of Soueraigntie then subiection The Lords they second the Quéene in her vniust information alleadge matters probable to confirme it The King beleeues and in the error thereof hates Truth imbraceth Treason Thus all being inuerted Nature rebels in the Father but Loyaltie remaines in the Sonne The plot was hereupon laid for his apprehension Gustovus being then at Court who noting a straunge alteration in his Fathers countenance towards him began to suspect the drift of the Queene vpon the distrust of the Noblemen about her Himselfe being almost abandoned deuiseth with himselfe how to auoyd the daunger A Gentleman of the Kings comes secretly to Gustovus and tels him that the plot was laid that night for his Attainder The Prince being amazed at the suddaine immiuence of such a perill posteth presently from the Court with a few of his Retinew and the next day recouers his Dukedome of Doland where he meant to stay till he heard further of the Kings proceedings His departure was soone made knowne at which the Queene and the Lords though they mist of their purpose were not much sorry foreknowing that his suddaine flight from the Court in that manner would strongly confirme their accusation The King by them againe is incensed and messengers sent into Doland by whom the Prince was Summoned by a certaine day to make his appearance in Vpsale Castle which the Prince refuseth to doe affirming by his submissiue Letters to the King that though he knew his cause to bee iust and his heart loyall no probable suspition of any misdemenour from him either in act or intent that yet neuerthelesse he durst not hazard his life in the heat of the kings displeasure for that he knew his aduersaries were so great in power and in so gratious account that it would be an easie matter to haue his Maiesties grace and Nature her selfe peruerted to his vntimely and vniust destruction And that the onely cause why he retired himselfe into his owne Countrey was to stay the time vntill these mists of his Maiesties iealousie and suspition were blowen away that the Sunne of his alleagiance might shine cleere farre from the cloudes of all distrust or disloyaltie This answere being returned but not accepted the King by the Queenes continuall instigations was more and more prouokt insomuch that a great power was suddenly raised to fetch him by violence out of his Dukedome Which the Prince perceiuing and being neither able nor willing to resist his Fathers forces giues way to necessitie and in the habite of a slaue purposeth secretly to goe into Germanie And hauing past some daungers in his flight by the Kings pursuers at last he crossed the seas and holding on his course for Lubeck in Germany not many dayes safely arriued there All this while he kept his disguise for though he knew that the Lubeckers were heretofore beholding to him yet he doubted what minds they would put on in this chaunge of fortune Remembring Pompeyes vsage in his flight by Ptolomie King of Egypt and the like of Hanniball by Prusius king of Bithinia Chap. II. Gustovus is discouered in Lubecke The Lubeckers take his part The King his Father dies He recouers by their meanes the Kingdome of Swethland THe newes being arriued in Germany of Guâ—tovus his flight out of Swethland before his comming thither was diuersly intertained in Lubeck Some pittied the state and condition of the young Prince that so Noble a Gentleman so full of hope and expectation euen in the prime of his youth should in this vile manner suffer violence Others spake against him supposing that his owne naturall Father and others of his blood would not in this manner haue proceeded against him if he had not showne himselfe dangerous vnto the State as the mindes of the people are in this case diuersly distracted The Prince after his comming to Lubeck staied certaine dayes in a common Inne not daring to discouer himselfe and to auoid the suspition of a stranger in such common places found meanes to preferre himselfe vnto a rich Merchant of the Towne if such a place in the meanenesse of his fortune at that time may be called preferment Being there entertained he contented himselfe to doe any bodily labour in the house striuing to suite his minde vnto his misery yet could hee not so well counterfeit this part of his sinister fortune but that the Merchant did soone suppose him to be a better man then hee seemed to bee and perhaps the man hee was So hard a thing it is for Nature to learne to forget her custome Staying some few moneths in the Merchants house hee heard of a Gasant sent from the king to the State of Lubeck being supposed hee would bend his course thither The tenor of the Gasants message was to deliuer to the Lubeckers that the kings desire was that either they should not entertaine him at al or els send him backe to Swethland for that hee was knowen and proclaimed to bee an enemie But they being at that time ignorant of the Princes abiding answered for the time to those things that might stand with the Kings pleasure The Gasant being dispatcht Gustovus
beautifull buildings that stood euen farthest out of reach So did the Clouds of discention burst open thâ—ir vaines and let fall the poison of them on these seuerall kingdomes In the expedition of these warres one Lucas Righter vndertakes to performe the Dukes pleasure in the proclamation of his intended procéedings vnto the Kings Army which consisted of foure and twenty thousand men The tenor of the Dukes proclamation made knowne his greeuances which although it be not answered to expectation Yet Lucas Righter making his returne is royally rewarded by the Duke and appoinâ—ed that day to attend the Dukes person The next day following the mist breakes vp and Armies discouer one another A ryuer being betwixt the King and the Duke right thousand of the Kings Souldiers were appointed to make good the bridge Captaine Scot full of Courage and valour giues the Charge but receaues the ouerthrowe the like successe had Captaine Hill Andreas Lemerson seconds them and bides the Shock The Duke perceiuing this issues out of the wood alone hartens his Souldiers fills his ordinance wanting shot with pibbie stones and makes choice to encampe himselfe and his hoast euen on the top of a Hill naturally defenced from passage and if any were those hee stoppped vp with heapes of stones in manner of a Kampier neare the foote whereof ranne a Riuer with an vncertaine ford where a troope of his â—â—st Souldiours were set in order to receaue the Enemy and the more to animate the mindes of his men the leaders went about exhorting and encourageing the Souldiers taking all occasion of feare from them and putting them in hope with all inducements of warre And the Duke himselfe coursing hither and thither protested that that day should bee the full end of their misfortunes and the beginning of their happinesse or else his owne perpetuall seruitude and bondage The Souldiers vpon this shewde as great forwardnesse and as Ecchoes redoubled his wordes vowing neuer to yeeld eyther for woundes or for life which they were all ready to sacrifice in the cause of their Country which resolution appearde in the squadron of Captaine Hill who leading his Army mette the Enemy with such a showre of shot that many were slaine and many wounded Andreas Lemerson giues the second charge and that with so fierce an encounter that he seizeth vpon the enemies ordinance and turnes the same vpon them In this conflict the Kinges Army is discomfited eight thousand of them being slaine drowned and taken Prisoners Upon this sad successe the King being in the Castle of Linnekeeping calles a Parley The Duke vpon knowledge of the Kings pleasure is willing to entertaine it Messengers are sent enterchangeably and vpon hearing and debating the gréeuances one of another the conditions are agréed vpon the Duke to haue pardon for what was past and whereas hee had one of his aduersaries already in his custody it was likewise agréede that he should haue the other These deliuered into his hands being the fowre Commissioners that disturbed the peace of Swethen which was performed accordingly so as the Duke detaines them prisoners with their wines and children After this friendly coherence the Duke rides to the King with sixeteene of his men leauing charge notwithstanding with Lemerson that if hee returned not nor sent word to the contrary within halfe an howre hee should come to him with his whole Army The King and the Duke doe so well concord and agree as they dine together and are feasted very royally all matters are pacified on eyther side so as a Rex-day is appointed and it is determined that the King shall haue his owne the Duke his and the disturbers of the peace their due The King returneth to Steckborow to his Fléete the Duke to Carborowgh where the Dutches lay The Peace being thus concluded the Duke dismisseth his Souldiers and receiues Letters from the King â—hat hee purposed to passe into his Country with a thousand men and desires prouision for them The Duke receiues his message very kindly and returnes this answere to the King that if it pleased him hee should finde prouision for two thousand As this prouision was preparing Fernsbecke Duke of Liefland perswades the King to returne with his power to Poland and not to stand to the Articles of agreement but to renew the warre alleadging that he could neuer be absolute King of Swethen so long as D. Charles liued And this was the onely ground of the Ciuill warre that followed CHAP. VII The King returnes to Poland Duke Charles renues the warre against the King his Nephew winnes the City and Castle of Calmer and setleth the state of the Dukedome of Finland THe King hauing thus falsified his own promise and deceiued the Dukes expectation returned with all expedition into Poland landing at Danske with his Army leauing the Castle of Calmer and certaine other holds adioyning strongly manned and victualed for a yeare Duke Charles being much discontented with this vnkingly breach of his Nephewes promise knew now that it was no time to capitulate and that no solicitation nor any submissiue meanes would serue to appease the Kings anger and to reintegrate himselfe into his loue and good opinion called his chiefe friends about him to haue their aduise what was best to bee done in this weighty businesse They all agréede that if it were possible they should recouer the Castle of Calmer that winter and certaine other holds lately manned and victualed by the King whereupon the Duke with his Army marcheth to Greenekeeping a little City in Swethland where hauing certaine dayes rested and refreshed his Army he hasted to besiege the Castle of Calmer The City being indefensible yeelded vnto him at his first approach The Duke hauing made his entrance into the City deliuered sayre speeches to the Citizens the iust cause that was giuen him to renue the warre and that no ambitious desire or turbulent spirit of his owne drew him so violently to these actions of hostility but that he was full Master of his owne affections and the necessity of the time in the Kinges incensed hate against him did moue him to these Armes that being quoth he at the first but priuate betwixt him and the three Dukes his aduersaries that alwayes maligned his estate might very well without the generall disturbance of both kingdumes haue been ended long agoe and nexther hee helde guilty nor the land defiled with the shedding so much Polish and Swethish blood But sith the king had so vnkindly taken part with strangers against a kinsman and had so vnnaturally laid their treacherous plots against his loyalty nature and iustice were the faire protectors of his quarrels that should defend the equity of his cause against the mouth of enuy or any such calumnious tongues whatsoeuer The Citizens that alwayes affect peace rather then war looking into the condition of the disturbed States were much perpleed in mind and seuerally distracted in their opinions being vncertaine how to stand affected They knew that
were turn'd into a clowde But at last the Admirall of the Finlanders béeing struck betwéen winde and water did sinke in the midst of them all Their fléete began to take about to hoise vp their Sayles and flye the Duke followed them as far as he durst but being doubtfull of the Kings approch made his returne the sooner Landed his powers and hasted with his army to Stockholland Upon his comming to Stock-holland hee vnderstood of the Kings landing at Caâ—mer Castle his whole Nauy consisting of a hundreth Sayle or there abouts whereof there were eight and twentie English shippes which the King had hired of the Marchants being then resident in that coast bearing in the whole Fléete eight and twenty thousand fighting men Duke Charles béeing aduertised of the newes doubted what hee were best to doe Sometimes hée was in minde to giue place vnto his aduersaries considering the miseries that were like to attend this vnciuill warre And though hee knew himselfe well lyned with friends in the kingdome and that it might bee in his power to resist the king yet when he reduced into his mind the Calamities that might happen vnto the Land by the maintenance of this warre He did often perswade himselfe with Otho rather to giue place to Vitellius then to resist a Tyrant to the ouerthrow of his Counter but being otherwise aduised by his friendes that counselled him either to take vpon him the soueraigntie or at least to maintaine himselfe in his place as well for their liues as his owne hauing all gone so farre that they could not retyre without irreuocable danger His courage ouercomming his feare and the respect of the generality aboue his own particular he resolued to prosecute the war but yet in such manner that al the worlde might vnderstand hee did it rather to defend himselfe then offend the king howsoeuer his actes might be mistaken Whereupon the duke remooues from Stock-holand into the hart of y e countrey to a hold called the castle of Lynnkeeping By the way the King had taken the castle of Calmer and detained the Captaine of the castle placed there by the Duke close prisoner And though the Town was surely guarded by the King and alwaies by him forelayd to intercept all newes yet a certaine Townesman vndertooke to carry the Duke intelligence therof with the consent of the principall in the Town such was the loue they bare vnto him The Messenger because he could not passe the ports was let downe at a priuie ioyning to the Towne Walle and hauing past the kings Scowt-watch that lay in diuers places houering about the Town tooke so circumspectly the aduantage of the time y t in two daies he recouered the Dukes Army being vpon march to the castle of Linnekeeping The tenor of his message was that on no conditions hee should trust the King for that as well by the vsage of his officers in the castle of Calmer as other principall intelligence giuen to some that loued the Duke too well to keepe it close that the king purposed his vtter destruction and that there was no agréement to be made but onely coulorable vpon any reconcilement to foregoe a further mischiefe The Duke though sad to heare these newes yet imbraced and rewarded the messenger And vnderstanding there of the kinges remooue from Calmer to the castle of Sterborrow to his sister Preking Anne he bends all his forces thither and within three daies after came wâ—thin sight of the castle he pitcht his Tent within a myle of the Towne before hee attempted any thing in any hostile maner sent some of his principall friends vnto the king and humbly desired him to know the cause of thâ—se vniust warres vndertaken If the fault lay iustly in the Duke or any of his adherents they were content either to submit their liues to the law or to the kings mercy If any fault were supposed or but suggested they desired an indifferent Iudge And if the fault were found where in déede it lay they desired the same vpon their aduersaries Finally he besought his Maiestie that he would measure the nature of ill toÌ„gues not by their sound but by their quality for there were some about him that nether loued him nor them nor y e land The king receiued these messages gaue faire but dissembled words that if he would disperse his Army he would discharge his Confirme vnto him his place of gouernment and other offices he enioyed in the kingdome Prouided that Hartourbelk whom he detained as a prisoner might be deliuered and he with the rest of the Lords reconciled The Duke answered to the first that if it would please his Maiesty to disperse his Army hée would doe the like and for the other vpon due consideration he should find him conformable Twelue daies were thus spent in messages interchangeably between them The Duke meaning faithfully the King otherwise Both their Armies they still retaynd during which time the trapp was laid to intrappe the Duke That vpon an interuiewe betwixt them in the sight of both their Armies Feâ—â—becke Duke of Leif-lande should rush in and vpon the sodaine surprise the Duke take him prisoner and carry him to the Castle aforesaid But missing of his purpose beeing throughly countercharged by the Duke his minde was much perplexed in the vncertaine euent of his expectations His cogitations fought within themselues when sometimes hee would lay the fault vpon such as hee imployed in those businesses Sometimes he would place one somtimes displace another In his owne iudgement thinking such a man fit to bee a Commander and sometimes another Hée would like one to daye and to morrow vtterly distaste him To submit hee thought dishonorable and worse then death for by open disgraces the fame of men growes odious In this conflict of minde the King retyres with the Duke Ferns-becke to Steckborow knowing that the fortune of warre had not so done her worst but that she might beginne a new Tragedy and the rather for that his strength was weakened in the former assaults hauing lost two thousand of his men in the same The Duke returning to the Leager and resting there that night The next day the sonne had no sooner stept from the bed of Aurora but the Dukes Fléet remoues from Finland to Stock-borow beeing distante an hundreth leagues The Kings fléete lies in a haâ—â—n betwéene two rockes Duke Charles his Fléete ryding in the Mayne and the King perceiuing how he was charged by Sea and Land began to be diuersly distraughted sometimes hee resolues to vndergoe a meane estate alleaging that medium est tutissimum and Auli ca vita splendida miseria Cares are the Contiunall Companions of a Crown when rest remaines in a lowe condition and fortune Low shrubs féele least tempest In valleys is heard least thunder In Country rooms is great rest and in little wealth the least disquiet Dignitie treadeth vpon glasse and honor is like a fading herbe that when it bloometh most gorgeous then