YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

THE
HISTORY O F
GUSTAVUS ERICSON,
KING of SWEDEN.
WITH
An Introductory History of Sweden,
FROM
The Middle of the Twelfth Gentury.
By Henry Augustus Raymond, Efq;

LONDON:
Printed for A. Millar, in the Strand.

M.DCC.LXI.

rYALE^

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Ul

PREFACE.

F all the Ipecies of hiftory,
I believe none has been
thought more ufeful to
mankind than Biography. General
hiftories are like the outlines of a
picture : We from thence learn the
defign of the piece ; the a&ions in
tended to be exprefled may be repre-
fentedin a mafterly manner, but the
paflions which excited them, or the
confequent emotions, are in great
meafure loft by the want of thofe
high-finifhed touches, and minute
A 2 de-

iv PREFACE.
delineations, which make every cir-
cumftance obvious, and render the"'
piece more agreeable, as well as
more inftrudtive, ••
When we read general hiftories,
great actions appear to arife from
great motives ; kingdoms feem to
quarrel with kingdoms, and every
thing is reprefented as the effecl of
the forefight of wifdom, the rage of
ambition, the arts of the acute poli-:
tician, the paffion of an head-ftrong
prince, or the imbecillity of a weak
one. One of thefe is laid down as
the characleriftic of the monarch; and
though his aclions are inconfiftent,
and appear to fpring from contrary
motives, yet the author endeavours,
with all the fubtilty of his under-
(landing, to reconcile thefe contra
rieties, tho' it leads him to attribute
to the prince fuch political refine
ments, as were, perhaps, foreign to
3 tne:

PREFACE.
the thoughts of any politician m-that
century. • ': " ,;"
The Biographer enters into a de
tail which more properly developes
the liuman mind. He fhews us, that
kingdoms are often fet at variance
by trifles, fcarcely worthy the- con
tention of fimple particulars. That
the covetous encroachments of a man
whom the minifter either favours or
fears, fhall embroil two powerful
nations ; and that, what is looked
upon by the public eye as the effects
of national refentment for national
injuries, and fpreads the moft exten-
iive deftruclion, fometimes original
ly arifes from the private views of
the loweft officer in the monarch's
fervice, as the greateft river has its
fource under ground ; in its flrft ap
pearance little more than a bubbling
rivulet, fcarcely perceptible, till unit
ing with every ftream it meets in its
A 3 progrefs,

vi PRE FA C E.
progrefs^ it fwells gradually into -a--
river; whofe torrent at lengtk de-
ftroys every thing that oppofeshits
courfe. From the Biographer we learn^
that the fame- prince fhall at one
time wear the martial appearance of
an hero, at another all the horrors
of a: bloody tyrant, and, in his turn,
afiume the diffolute character of the
moft abandoned voluptuary ; and
all this variety, not from any change
in his difpofition, or from political
views, but from being the tool, at
different times, of an ambitious
minifter, an unworthy favourite, and
an abandoned miftrefs. Confiftently
governable, he is the fame eafy dupe
through life, though his a&ions wear
a continual appearance of contradic
tions j which the hiftorian, whofe
mind is elevated by a view of the
extennVe plan he has laid down for
..;:.::: himfelf,

PR EJF A;\C,p.? ,vii
himfelf, endeavours to , reconcile r.by
refined; - reafoningjj •„• arid imaginary
fchem^s, , -!;ii7 -.,,,, ¦..¦, ._ ,>,,<--;-
General hiftorians relate the ac
tions of a colledtive body; Biogra
phers mew the difpofitions of indi
viduals, and develope their motives
while they recapitulate their adtions,
thus teaching the knowledge of men
in a fuperior manner, while they
acquaint us with fads. But this
ipecies of hiftory, as it has its pecu
liar advantages, neither is it without
its faults, of which partiality is not the
leaft. The writer generally chules .
for his fubjedt a favourite character ;
the ftudious application with which
he fearches after every incident rela
tive to, his hero, and the painful ex-
adtnefs with which he records them,
increafe the approbation which firft
diredted his choice ,into partiality.
He begins to look upon him as the
A 4 offspring

vili PREFAC E.
offspring of his owh'bfatu; he love's
him -with paternal tentfernefs, and
conlequently endeavours to conceal
or extenuate his faults, to varnifh
over his adtions "with tire borrowed
luftreof falfe motives, or to heighten
his virtues with the additional fpl'en-
ddr of mining circurrrftances, formed
in his ingenious' and partial imagi
nation. The author, who is cotem-
porary with his hero, has ftill ftronger
inducements to be partial ; but thole
are common likewife to the more
general hiftorian.
Another fault in Biography is
the partial knowledge it gives of
hiftory, diftinguifhing fome particu
lar periods with great lights, while
intermediate ages are left in obfcuri-
ty . Thefe detached pieces of hiftory
are Hke redoubts in fortification ;
each may ferve to employ for fome
time thofe who defign to become mafters

P REF- A C Fl ix
rriafters of them-; but if there * is ho
-line of communication whereby* they
arc united,- they carl -give no'alFift-
ance to each other'. A reader may
by this fort of ftudy become ac
quainted with the - characters 'aftd
adtions of forne particular kings; of
any country, but will remain totally
ignorant of the hiftory of the king
dom. * -v"'-

As the following work is deftituta
of many of the advantages which
ought to be the charadteriftic of Bio
graphy, I have endeavoured, as the
only amends in my power, to remove
the defect which may fo generally
be attributed to that kind of hiftory.
A Biographer, who writes the life of
a prince, in a very diftant period
from that wherein he exifted, la
bours under great difad vantages.
Thofe minute circumftances, which
better evince the real difpofition of

P K E.E-A C E.
of his mind than a whole feries of
glaring adtions, if they are not buried
with hirn in his grave* at leaft furr
vive him but a fhort time. This is
particularly the cafe in relation . to,
Guftavus: The Swedes were at that
time void of the refinements of
tafte, and delicacy of understanding,
which diredt men to the obfervation
of thofe adtions that efcape a grofler
mind, and fuch fentiments, as, when
expreffed in familiar converfation,
afford clear views of the natural tem
per of the monarch. Delicacy is
the light of the underftanding, a
mind deftitute of it fees every thing
through the grofs mift of dullnefs,
diftinguilhes only great and glaring
objects, while, blind to all the beauty
of elegance, either in adtion or
thought, they have eyes only for what
is great; but the amiable part of a.
charadter, which appears in mild .
colours and delicate touches, efcapes,
their dim fight. Under

P R E F A C'E.T
¦ Under thefe difadvantages1! la
boured in compiling the hiftory of
Guftiavus. Mariy:of the particulars
of his private conduct are buried in
oblivion, while his public adtions are
preferved with fufficient exadtriefs :
his behaviour as a father, a hulband,
and a friend, are pafled over in
filence, and his conduct as a king
only recorded . We admire the vir
tues of a monarch, but the fociai
graces win our affections, and we are
more apt to be charmed with bene
fits fhowered down on one miferable
family, than with thofe which are
difpenfed through a whole nation ;
as we are more affected by a private
diftrefs than by public mifery. A
circumftance, perhaps, were we to
fcrutinize into the caufe, not much
to the honour of human nature ; and
the moft favourable reafon we can
afligmisa weaknefs of mind, which
cannot comprehend the whole fcene of

XI

xii P R E F A G E.
of extenfive. mifery or happinefs, but
dwells with pain or pleasure, on what,
by being more minute, is better
fuited to the extent of our under-
ilanding. ..;•...
As I was deprived of what would
have rendered the following work
more fatisfactory to myfelf, the cer
tain confequence of being more pleaf-
mg to my readers, I determined to
obviate one of the difadvantages of
Biography, and not to fuffer the life
of Guftavus to ftand like an edifice
in the midft of a defart, the barren
wilds of ignorance. I have therefore
premifed a fuccinct hiftory of Swe
den from the . middle of the tw_etfth
century, which is the earlieft period
that any faith can be given to the
annals of that country ; where, as ig
norance continued longer than in
more fouthern climates, fo truth was
there concealed under fabulous and
fuper-

P REFA'CE
fuperftitious talesy long after it had
fhone with fufficient fplendor on a
great part of the reft of Europe. ';-
This hiftory I have carried up to
the time of Guftavus, as a neceflary
introduction to his life, in hopes the
indulgent reader may excufe fome of
the defects in, the, performance, in*
consideration of my endeavours to
avoid fuch faults as I had it in my
power to obviate.
The Abbe Vertot is fo approved
an author, that I do not know whe
ther I fhall eafily be forgiven the
liberty I have been obliged to take
of relating fome facts entirely con
trary to his reprefentation of them.
There is fo much elegance and fpirit
in his hiftory, that I could not have
pleafed myfelf fo well, as by a faith
ful tranflation of what he relates of
Guftavus ; but fome of his facts are

Sill'

xk P Rj. EFA.G E.
fo contradictory tothofe recorded by
the beft authors," "and others fo mif
jplaced in time and order, that I
could not avoid differing fometimes
entirely, at others in part, from him.
He feems to have valued the reputa
tion of elegance more than that of
veracity, in the lefler incidents of his
hiftory ; and to have defired at leaft
to be as much admired as believed ;
but it would ill have become a wri
ter who could not imitate him in his
graces, to copy him in his defects.
The authors -on whole authority I
have chiefly relied, are Puffendorf,
Loccenius, Pontanus, Meurfius, Cra-
meros Compendium of the Hiftory
of Sweden, and Des Roche's Hiftory
of Denmark.

AN

A N

Introduftory History

O F

SWEDEN, From A.D. 1150. to A.D. 15 14.

JO render intelligible the hiftory
of Guftavus Ericfon, whofe life
I have undertaken to write, it
will be neceffary to give an idea
of the ftate of Sweden at that time ;
which cannot be done perfectly, without
premifing a fuccinct account of many of
his predeceffors j whereby the limits of the
king's prerogative, and the liberties of the
people, will be more fully underftood, and
all the fteps which brought them under the
Danifh yoke particularly delineated.
B The

An Introductory Hiftory
The Swedes boaft of great antiquity,
affirming themfelves to be the moft ancient
kingdom in Europe : a precedency much
more frequently afferted by one nation,
than acknowleged by others : for as the
vanity is almoft univerfal, every nation be
comes a rival, and each fills up the long
chafm, which is neceffarily found in the
earlier ages of their hiftory, with facts
not only falfe but incredible, the inventors
frequently lofing all fight of probability.
The moft refined imagination, if too much
indulged, is apt to run wild : it is not
ftrange then, if, in the age of ignorance,
the vanity which taught men to invent a
founder, with his race of fuccefibrs, led
them to endeavour to make the children
of their own brain as wonderful as poffible.
An ignorant mind, like a dim fight, is
ftruck only with glaring objects : it delights
in the marvellcus ; and as credulity is often
its concomitant, it is ready to believe what
it admires. It is not till the middle of the twelfth
century that we can have any dependance
on the hiftories of Sweden. Gothland con-
ititutcd a kingdom, originally independent
of Sweden ; though, as their vicinity occa-
fioned

o/" Sweden. 3
fioned frequent Wars between them, vari
ous fucceffes often united both under one
monarch, and each was alternately fubject
to the other, according as the chance of
war determined it.
In the year of our Lord 1 150, thofe A. D. 1150.
kingdoms, which had for fome time been
united, were for a fhort fpace divided, by
the death of Suercherius their* king; for Eric the ninth
the Goths elected Charles his fon, whilft Jtwedenf
the Swedes placed on their throne Eric, and Charles
the ninth of that name who poffeffed the furnamed s'u-
crown of Sweden. " erch.Hbn, of
Gothland.
Though this prince was eminent in vir
tue, yet his exaltation was not lb much
owing to his peculiar excellence, as to the
impreffion the people conceived in his
favour, from his having married Chriftina,
daughter to Ingus the fourth, who filled
the throne before the two laft kings of
Sweden, Ragualdus and Suercherius, and
whofe uncommon merits gained him the
moft honourable appellation of the Good,
and rendered his memory very dear to the
Swedes. The multitude, generally more
* Sam. Pnffendorffii Introductio ad Ililloriam Suecix,
caput 37. E 2 influenced

4 An Introductory Hiftory
influenced by prejudice than reafon, che-
rifhed the defcendant of a prince whom
they had loved, more than him who ap
peared, though unallied in blood, yet the
inheritor of his virtues.
Although the Swedes and Goths had
elected different kings, they foon became
convinced that two nations, fo near in fitu-
ation, ought in policy to be united under
the fame head ; and each fide being equally
unwilling to attempt uncertain conqueft,
and thereby renew the ancient wars with
which they had fo often been harraffed,
agreed upon an amicable compofition,
Eric the ninth whereby it was fettled, that Eric fhould
kineoT Swe- P°^e^"s t^ie j°'nt crowns of Sweden and
den and Gothland during his life, and at his death
be fucceeded by Charles; after whofe de-
ceafe their pofcerity fhould reign alter
nately -f-.
In confideration of this agreement,
Charles relinquifhed the pretenfions to
which he might have laid claim, from
having been elected by the Goths, :.::d
t Sam. Puffend. Introd. ad Hill. Saec. cap. 3~- Com
pendium R?sjni Sueeias, p. 625.

of Sweden.
Eric remained in quiet poffeffion pf the
throne. The Swedes had hitherto lived in a
licentious indulgence of their love for rapine
and plunder, without reftraint either from
law or reafon, and were immerfed in the
worft fuperftitions of paganifm : their ig
norance was without innocence ; the rufti-
city of their manners was unmixed with
that fimplicity, which renders even the
ruftic amiable. Their paffions were brutal,
and they knew no law but force.
Of fuch fubjects was Eric become the
king ; a man whofe virtues correfponded
with the religion which he profeffed with
fincerity, and practifed with exemplary
piety. The aim of all his adtions was to
mend the morals and manners of his peo
ple, and to render them virtuous and happy ;
and as he judged nothing fo conducive to
that end as a firm belief of the truths of
Chriftianity, and a fincere obedience to its
precepts, he diligently applied himfelf to
fuch means as appeared moft likely to con
vert all his fubjects. He erected churches
throughout his kingdom, and endowed
diem liberally. He formed many laws ;
B 3 col-

An Introductory Hiftory
collected into a body all the ancient ordi
nances ; and, by the authority he employed
to enforce them, gave them a power, the
want of which had hitherto rendered them
ineffectual. But he exempted from the
benefit of his laws all who continued pa

gans I.
A.D. 1 154. Eric v/as too wife and too good a prince
to enter into diftant wars ; but the Fin-
landers being troublefome neighbours to
Eric fubdues Sweden, he undertook to reduce them ;
ers_ '" an ' and, after he had completed his conqueft,
induftrioufly endeavoured to inftruct them
in the Chriftian religion ; for till then they
profeffed paganifm.
Had Eric oppofed only the Finlanders,
he might have enjoyed a long and quiet
reign ; but as he declared war againft the
ancient prejudices and habitual vices of
his lubjecl's, they foon grew weary of vir
tues which they would not attempt to
imitate, or even obey. Some of the moft
powerful entered into a confpiracy againft
him, and with the affiftance of Magnus,
prince of Denmark, who brought an army
The Sv.eJes r . . . . . , , b 3
rtbdi. to tneir aid, they proceeded to an open
J Compendium Regr.i Succia, p. 625. rebellion.

o/ Sweden, 7
rebellion. Eric gave them battle : fuperior
in courage, though his army was much
inferior to that of the rebels in numbers.
He alone defended himfelf againft ten of
his enemies ; but numbers at laft prevailed,
and he was flain *, leaving his fubjects too A-.t>. •.' 'fo
late to learn his value ; to whom, after his battle.
deceafe, they gave the appellation of the
Saint, though they would no longer fuffer
him to live their king.
Magnus, immediately upon this good Magnus,
fuccefs, affumed the title of king of Swe-^a°/k>
den -j- : but the Swedes, eager to revenge aflumes the
the death of him whofe life they had too 0f Sweden.
carelefly defended, gave him battle, and
being affifted by the Goths, who had once
more raifed Charles the fon of Suercherius
to the throne, they defeated the Danes and
rebels, and flew the king of Denmark, and Magnus and
his fon Magnus, in the battle j. DenmarSk° flain.
Upon the death of Saint Eric, Charles A.D. 1162.
demanded to be acknowleged king of Swe- ciierf0en a"f"
den, according to the agreement made be-c,ends t!ie
0 = . throne of
tween him and their late fovereign ; but Sweden.
he lay under a fufpicion of having fecretly
* Compend. Regni Sueciae, p. 625.
t Ibid. + Ibid. B 4 excited

'8 An Introductory Hiftory
excited the rebellion againft Eric, which
rendered them averfe to allow the validity
of his title ; but having declared himfelf
intirely innocent, his affertiori was thought
fufficient to exculpate him.' Perhaps this
evidence was rendered not the lefs availing
by his being at the head of an army of
Goths ; for a fallacious plea, alleged by
the commander of a powerful army, often
proves more convincing than the ftrongeft
argument that wifdom can fuggeft, or facred
O CO '
authority fandtify.
He might not have found them fo cre
dulous, had Canut, the fon of Eric, re
mained in the kingdom ; but, fenfible that
Charles aimed at his deftruction, he fled
into Norway * as foon as his father died.
Charles endeavoured to prevail on him to
return into Sweden; and, as the beft in
ducement, confirmed the law publifhed by
St. Eric concerning the fucceffion, declar
ing Canut his fucceffor.
Charles remained in quiet poffeffion of
the crown for fix years, and employed part
of the leifure his peaceful reign afforded
him in building monafteries. He prevailed
_* 8: PuHendorffii Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 3S.
on

¦'«/ SwiDEN. \ g
on pope Alexander the third to change the
bifhoprick of Upfal into an archbifhoprick :
an obligation he certainly efteemed very
highly ; for in*return he confented that the
fortunes of all thofe who died without iflue
fhould devolve to the pope ; to whom even
fuch as had children were, by the fame
agreement, obliged to leave a legacy, tho'
the fum was not ftipulated. Nor could
the Swedes free themfelves from this heavy
tax till the popedom of Gregory the
tenth*. Canut, furnamed Ericfon, from his
being the fon of Eric, had continued in
Norway fix years from the beginning of
Charles the feventh's reign ; but his ambi
tion would not fuffer him to wait patiently
for the death of that prince. He raifed an ^_ p. ,,6g-
army in that kingdom, with which he in- Canut Eric-
iin tt i>-1/- '0n inva"es
vaded Sweden. He proceeded with fo much Sweden.
hafte, that he found the king but ill pre
pared for his defence; and having taken
him prifoner, caufed him to be flain, veil- Puts king
ing his cruelty under a pretence of reveng- 9 h*i/es t0
ing his father's death. Nor would Charles's
children, in all probability, have met with
f S. Fuffendorffii Introd. ad Hill. Suec. cap. 38.
a better

IO

The Danes
attempt to
revengeCharles's
death, but
their army is
defeated.

Canut re
mains in
quiet poffef-
fion of the
kingdom.A. D. 1192.
Suercherius
the third
fucceedsCanut.

An Introductory Hiftory
a better fate, if their mother had not fled
with them into Denmark -f-.
This queen obtained an army of the
king of Denmark, and was joined by a
confiderable number of the Goths, who,
always attached to Charles during his life,
were ardently defirous to revenge his death.
With thefe joint forces the brother of the
deceafed king gave battle to Canut; but
he and his army were deftroyed.
By this victory Canut became eftablifhed
on the united thrones of Sweden and Goth
land, which he enjoyed peaceably twenty-
three years £, and at his death was fucceed-
ed by Suercherius the third, fon to Charles
the feventh, furnamed Suercherfon.
Eric, fon to the late king, difputed
Suercherius's fuccefiion to the crown ; but
finding himfelf too weak to prevent it, as
Suercherius, by marrying a daughter of the
king of Denmark, had the forces of that
kingdom to fupport him, he fubmitted, on
the renewal of the agreement firft made

t S. Puffendorffii Introd. ad Hilt. Suec. c. 38.
Reg. Suec. p. 626.
% S. PufFend. Introd. ad Hill. Suec. cap. 38.

Comp.

by

»/ Sweden, ii
by St. Eric, and contented himfelf with
being declared fucceffor to the throne*.
Suercherius for fome time governed his
people with great moderation ; but at length,
corrupted by the enjoyment of power, his
ambition led him to extend it beyond what
the laws or cuftoms of Sweden permitted ;
and, not content with being fuperior to his
fubjects, he endeavoured to render him
felf above the laws.
Before he ventured to make any inno
vations in the government, he thought it
advifable to remove all competitors out of
the way ; and, in confequence of this refo- Suercherius
lution, employed affaffins to murder the famfi^of S
remaining family of Canut Ericfon -k while Canut Eric-
,. , . J . . . '' . fon to be (lain.
they lived in peace and imaginary fecunty except Eric,
on their paternal eftate. Eric, Canut's eldeft who TfTfcaPes
r . into IN orway.
fon, efcaped this cruel maffacre, and fled
into Norway, where he remained, till the
people of the province of Upland having The provino.
rebelled, invited him to become their leader, of , Upland
rebels, and
premifing to fpend their lives and fortunes offers the
in railing him to the throne. £™e t0
* S. Puffendorffii Introd. ad Hill. Suec. cap. 39.
f Ibid. Pontaiuis rerum Danicarum, lib. vi. p. 301.
So

1 2 An Introductory Hiftory
A. D. 1 207 . Sa generous an offer was in little danger
of meeting with a repulfe. The king of
Eric enters Norway lent him fome troops, with which
he entered Sweden, and foon gained over
moft of the kingdom to his party. He
defeated Suercherius, and obliged him to
fly into Gothland ; from whence he fent to
beg fuccours of the king of Denmark, who
fupplied him with fixteen thoufand men.
He received little benefit from thefe auxili-
A. D. 1 208. arjes . for Eric gave him a more complete
Suercherius, overthrow than before, and reduced him
h"mtoflSeS t0 *"eek renjge m Denmark, leaving the
into Den- throne to Eric *.
mark. A.D. 1 210, Suercherius, after having lived two
f "d^an"™ years in Denmark, raifed a powerful army,
of Danes into with which he made another attempt to
iWlain 'in recover his crown ; but was flain in battle J.
battle, and From this time Eric enjoyed that quiet,
in quiet pof which he could not poflefs while he had a
feffionotthe rival f.

throne.

Eric, in order to fecure the peace ob
tained by the death of his competitor, by
fixing it on the bafis of juftice and clemency,
* Joannis Meurli Hill. Danis, lib. i. p. 14. Compend.
Reg. Suecis, p. 626.
J S. Puffendorffii Introd. ad Hill. Suec. cap. 39.
j Pontanus rerum Danicarum, lib. vi. p. 301. the

Of S WED E N. Ij
the fureft and moft lafting foundation, en
deavoured to gain the affection of Suerche-
rius's family by the moft generous treat- A.D. 1219:
ment, and declared John, that prince's fon,
his fuccefior, before any of his own chil
dren. As a farther fecurity, he ftrengthened
himfelf by the alliance of the king of Den
mark, whofe fifter he married *. By thefe
honourable and prudent meafures he en
joyed the fovereignty in peace for the re
mainder of his life. 1220.
After the death of Eric, John attended Eric dies, and
the throne. He reigned three years ; a by j0hn the
term too fhort for his fubiedts, who were f°n ?f Suer-
chcrius
rendered very happy by his wife and gentle
government. John was fucceeded by Eric, furnamed John dies',
Lefpe, or the Stammerer, fon to Eric Ca- and is fuc-
r . ceeded by
nutfon. Had the kingdom been free from Eric Lefpe.
civil commotions, this prince would have
prevented his fubjects from regretting the
lofs of king John. Eric was paralytic, and
had a great impediment in his fpeech ; but
his diforder neither impaired his under-
ftanding, nor weakened his virtues ; for, in
* J. Meurfi Hill. Dan. lib. i, p. 14. S. Puffendorffii
Introd. ad Iiiil. Suec. cap. 39. defpight

14 An Introductory Hiftory
defpight of his infirmities, he was a brave
and a good prince : but the tranquility of
his reign was much difturbed by the im
prudence of his predeceffors, who had fuf-
fered a family named Folckunger to rife to a
height fo much fuperior to the rank of fub-
jedts, as fcarcely ever ends but in the de-
ftrudtion of themfelves or their king. Eric,
well acquainted with the formidable power
they had acquired, endeavoured to attach
them to his perfon and intereit, by marry
ing three of his filters to three of the prin
cipal men of that houfe, and himfelf ef-
poufed a lady of the fame family *. But all
this care would not avail : ambition is more
eafily inflamed than fatisfied : their pride
increafed with their favour ; and their vi
cinity to the crown made the few fteps
between it and them appear the eafier to
afcend : no obligations could excite their
gratitude, nor the moft noble condefcen-
fions awaken their generofity.
Canut Fokk- Canut Folckunger, the hufband of
unger rebels, g^ ddeft fiftgrj prefuming on the weak_
nefs of popular judgment, hoped the people
might be more prejudiced by Eric's infirmi-
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hid. Suec. cap. 39. Comp.
Reg. Suecix, p. 627. ties,

of SWE DEN. j_5
ties, than influenced by his virtues, and
raifed a rebellion, wherein he was joined
by all his family, except Birgerius-Jerl, or
Earl Birgerius, who had married Eric's
youngeft lifter.
Canut Folckunger at firft was very Reduces the
fuccefsful : he defeated Eric in a pitched Ym£*° fiy
• n int0 Den-
battle, reduced him to fly into Denmark, mark*
and was himfelf proclaimed king. Eric,
who had fled, not for want of courage, but
of power to defend himfelf, was not de
jected by his ill fortune, but employed the
leifure his flight procured him in levying
another army ; with which he re-entered Eric returns
Sweden, and gave a total overthrow to Santmy
Canut, who was himfelf mortally wound- of Danes,
ed ; and his fon Holfinger being taken in the rebels.
his flight, Eric caufed him to be beheaded *,
and thus reftored peace to his kingdom.
Eric being no longer difturbed by civil
wars, fent his brother-in-law, Birgerius-
Jerl, to fubdue the moft diftant provinces
of Finland, who, after he had completed
his conquefts, built feveral fortreffes, in
* Pont, rerum Danicamm, lib. vi. p. 31;, 316. Hiltoire
de Dannemarc, par des Ro:hes, torn, iii p. 135. S. Puff.
Introd. ad Hid, Suec, cap, 40. order

1.6 An Introductory Hiftory
order to keep them in fubjedtion, and to
prevent the incurfions of the Ruffians.
Whilft Birgerius was employed in this ex-
A. D.i 250. pedition Eric died, and the nobles elected
Eric dies. ' VValdemar, the fon of Birgerius, for their
Waldemar, fancr in confideration of his being nephew
his nephew, ° , . ° . .
is eleaed to the deceafed monarch, in contradiction
denSa°ndSwe" t0 the le§al fettlement of the fucceffion.
Gothland. Birgerius was not fo free from the am
bition of his family, as to be infenfible to
the charms of regal power : gratitude fe-
cured his loyalty to Eric ; but when death
had diffoived all thofe ties, he could not
fo eafily relinquifh the hopes of a crown,
nor contentedly agree to be the fubjedt of
his fon ; which feemed inverting the order
of nature, at the fame time that it injured
his fuperior merit. He left Finland with
all imaginable hafte, and having aflembled
the Swedifh nobles, objected to the election
of Waldemar, urging that his infancy was
incapable of executing the fovereign au
thority, hoping thereby to procure himfelf
to be chofen in his place ; but finding the
Swedes ill difpofed to enter into his views,
and fearing that by aiming at the throne
he fhould deprive his fon of it, without
obtaining it for himfelf, he confented to
Wal-

flf S W E D E Ni 17
Waldemar's elevation, and was appointed ftrgerius-
, . , , . , . . „ Jerl.appointed
regent during the young king s minority *. regent during
the young
Birgerius omitted ho means of fhewing k.lns's mm0-
himfelf capable of filling, with diftinftion,
the throne they would riot fuffer him to af-
cend. He built the town of Stockholm. ^ hS&&*
..... Stockholm^
He regulated the police of all the cities in his
kingdom; compiled a body of laws for the
better diftribution of juftice through the
whole nation ; and ordained, that the fe
males fhould have their fhare in the inherit
ance of the fortunes of their families, from
which they had hitherto been excluded.
Birgerius was too much attached to the a. D. a6r.
charms of power to fuffer his to end with his ™* ™a tU-
fon's minority, and retained the authority of Age.
regent after he was obliged to lay afide the
title -f- ; but the king conferred on him that
of duke, inftead of the inferior one of jerl,
or earl, which he before enjoyed.
Notwithstanding the fevere blow the
Folckungers received from Eric, that family
ftill continued very powerful, and had be
held with great indignation the election of
young Waldemar, to which they thought
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hill. Suec, cap. 41.
f Comp. Reg. Suec. p. 628.
C he

iS An Introductory Hiftory
he had a lefs juft claim than themfelves, as
he was defcended from the youngeft fitter
of the deceafed king. As they efteemed
, Birgerius Waldemar's beft defence, their
chief aim was to deprive him of fo ufeful a
perfon, who guarded him with the tender-
nefs of a father, joined with the duty of a
fubject. They ufed every art in order to
deftroy Birgerius, who as induftrioufly en
deavoured to gain Charles, the head of the
Folckunger Family into his power; but
both parties were equally unfuccefsful ; Bir-
gerius's wifdom and prudence were his con-
ftant fecurity, and Charles's great poffeffions
furnifhed him with various afylums, where
he could retire with fafety, free from all
danger of being purfued.
This wary kind of defence lafted fome
time: but at length jealoufy and mutual dif-
truft rofe to fo great a height, they could no
Tl-.eFokkun- longer be reftrained within fuch narrow
gers re e . bounds, and they broke out into an open
war -j-.
The two armies approached each other
in the province of Wefmanland ; but being
f S. Pr.ffend. Introd. ad Hid. Suec. cap. 41. divided

Of S W E D E N» 19
divided by a river, the bridge over which
Was broken down, they could not come to
a near engagement.
This diftant war depriving thehi of all
hopes of a fpeedy iffue, fome perfons under
took to negociate a peace. Birgerius, taking
advantage of thefe overtures, invited the
principal perfons in the enemy's army to
come to his camp, in order the better to fet^
tie prelimiharies ; and, to remove any fears
they might entertain, he gave them a pro-
mife in writing, confirmed by the moft fo-
lemn oaths, that, if they could not agree on
terms, they fhould have free liberty to re
turn whenever they chofe to do fo. But
they fatally experienced, that ambition Birgerius
breaks through all bonds; for as foon as they SbTflSS*
entered the camp Birgerius caufed them to
be beheaded -f.
Charles Folckunger was hot arnohgft
this unfortunate number; but though he
burnt with defire to revenge this treachery,
yet he was deprived of the means by the
very thing which excited it • for having loft
his moft powerful friends, he was no longer
t S. Puff. Introd. ad Hill. Suec. cap. 41. Comp.
Reg. Suec. p. 628. C 2 able

io An Introductory Hiftory
able to oppofe duke Birgerius in the field,
but retired to fuch places as offered him the
fafeft retreat, and where he might hope to
avoid the fnares of his enemy. Birgerius
tried every method to procure a reconcilia
tion with him; but Charles had received too
ftrong a proof of his want of faith, to be in
fluenced by the moft facred affurances, and
the ftrongeft appearances of fincerity. Ap-
prehenfive that Birgerius, when he found all
his perfuafions unavailing, might endeavour
to get him into his hands by more forcible
methods, he thought himfelf in fo dangerous
a fituation while in the kingdom, that he
went into Pruflia, to the grand matter of the
Tuetonic order, and fignalized himfelf a
gainft the Turks, till he was killed by them
in a battle. In his grave the chief fplendor
of the Folckungers family was buried -j-.
A. D.i 263. When Sweden was thus reftored to
The kmg;^ peacej duke Birgerius celebrated the marriage
princefs of of king Waldemar with princefs Sophia,
A!omT2k66. daughter to Eric, king of Denmark §. The
DukeBirge- duke outlived this marriage but three years,
rius dies. '"' J
f S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hill. Suec. cap. 41.
§ Pont. rer. Dan. lib. vii. p. 361. J. Meur. Hill.
Dan. lib. ii. p. 28. Hiiloire de Dann. par des Roches,
torn, iii- p. 170.
when

c/ Sweden. 21
when death robbed him of the fovereign
power, which nothing elfe could wreft out
of his hands. His memory would have
been long reverenced in Sweden, had he not
left on it an indelible ftain, which obliterates
all his virtues, and by one adtion fixed him, in
the remembrance of pofterity, as perjured
and treacherous.
He left behind him three fons befides the
king, Magnus, Eric, and Benedidt; and par
tiality fo blinded a mind grown old in cau
tion and policy, that, in his own children,
he revived that dangerous height of power,
which he had, by fo black a crime, extin-
guifhed in the more remote part of his fa
mily; for he prevailed on Waldemar to raife
himfelf a rival in each of his brothers, mak
ing Magnus duke of Sudermania ; Eric
prince of Smalandia; and Benedict duke or
prince of Finland -j-. Each of thefe
princes kept a feparate court, and Magnus
particularly fupported his with fo much
fplendor, and was fo greatly diftinguifhed
by his fuperior accomplifhments, a graceful
perfon, a noble mind, and great affability
and fweetnefs of manners, that he almoft
t Comp. Reg. Suec. p. 628.
C 3 eclipfed

queen
comes into
Sweden.

22 An Introductory Hiftorjr
eclipfed the king, and excited his jealoufy *,
who imagined, that becaufe Magnus was
better formed for a throne than himfelf, he
muft therefore afpire to it.
A. D.i 273. About feven years after the death of
the'queen,7 ° Birgerius, Jutta, a fitter of queen Sophia's,
who had till then lived in the convent of
Rofchild, came into Sweden to make her a
vifit. The king at fir ft gave her an obliging
reception ; but at length he changed from
an affectionate brother-in-law to an ardent
lover, and the paffion becoming mutual,
is delivered was rendered public, by the princefs's being
brought to bed of a ibn -f. A king of
Sweden was not then fo fuperior to the laws
as to be able to protect the partner of his
guilt, nor were the people fo corrupted as
to behold fuch a crime without horror : li-
centiouihefs had not then, as in nations
efteemed more civilized, and in later times,
made vice familiar to the public eye. The
Is condemn'd princefs was condemned to perpetual im-
to perpetual prifonment ; and the king, who had thus
imprilon- r °
rendered himfelf as hateful to his fubjedts

npr
ment

* S.Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. caput 41.
f Ibid. Pont. rer. Dan. lib. vii. p. 368. J. Meur.
Hift. Dan. lib. ii. p. 31.

as

o/ Sweden. 23
as infamous in the fight of the whole world,
found it neceflary to avail himfelf of the fu-
perftition of the age. To expiate his crime The kingun-
in the opinion of his people, he undertook ^{^1.%*°
two pilgrimages to Rome and to Terufalem *, and leaves
• , r 1 • 1 • j the govern^
leaving the government ol his kingdom to ment in the
Magnus his brother. $-f°fag_ nus.
When Waldemar returned from his pil
grimages, his hatred to Magnus, which he
before concealed, became very apparent; he
accufedhim openly of afpiring to the throne;
and Magnus, whilft he endeavoured to jufti-
fy himfelf, complained loudly of the king.
But not having fufficient forces to defend
himfelf, he and his brother Eric fled to the Magnus ard
king of Denmark f, that country being Denmark.^
the conftant refource both of the difcontent-
ed and of the oppreffed. Upon engaging to
pay him a confiderable fum of money, they
obtained a body of troops, which, when join- Return int0
ed by their own fubjedts in Sweden, enabled Sweden and
them to give the king battle, though his battle, wh '

e re-

army was greatly fuperior. I,n they "ke
Success was not on the fide of numbers,
• Hiftoire de Dannemarc, torn. iii. p. 259.
t Pont, rerum Dan. lib. vii. p. 367.
C 4 the

H

Waldemar is releafed,
and the king
dom divided
between him
and Magnus.
Magnus and
the king of
Denmark quarrel,

Waldemar goes into
Denmark.

An Introductory Hiftory
the king received a total overthrow, and was
taken prifoner *.
The princes hereupon affembled the
eftates to affift in procuring a ftable agree
ment between them and the imprifoned
king. The terms there agreed upon were,
that Waldemar fhould reign over all Goth^
land, Smalandia, and Dalia, and refign the
reft of the kingdom to Magnus. But this
peace was of fhort duration. Magnus and
the king of Denmark quarrelled about the
payment of the fum ftipulated, whereupon
the latter offered Waldemar to put him in
poffeflion of that part of the kingdom of
whichhe had been deprived, if he would join
him in his defign of revenging himfelf on
Magnus. Waldemar flattered himfelf that
he fhould eafily recover his dominions, with
the affiftance of him ov whole troops he had
been difpoflefied of fhem ; and after having
fent word to his brother Magnus, that he
held it inconfiftent with his honour to fuffer
his rights to be unjuftly infringed, he fled
into Denmark with his family -j-.
* Pont, rerum Dan. lib. vii. p. 368. Hift. de Dann.
p. 266. torn iii.
4- Ibid. p. 269. Pont, rerum Dan. lib. vii. p. 368.
Eric,

cf Sweden. 25
Eric, king of Denmark, was faithful to A;D. 1277.
his engagement, as far as was in his power,
and fupplied Waldemar with a confiderable
army, but it was totally routed by Magnus j That king
and thofe who efcaped the fword were re- fuPPhes hiv^
r with an army,
duced to feek refuge in Denmark. But which is de-
this ill fuccefs rather animated than dif- Magnus/
couraged that king, who raifed ftill greater
forces, but with no better fortune.
The fate of thefe two armies greatly
damped the king of Denmark's defire of re
venge; and the deftrudtion they had made
inclined Magnus to procure relief to the
kingdom by fatisfying his demands. This The king of.
mutual inclination for peace foon produced Ma°™*s
an agreement, wherein Waldemar had nomakeafepa-
fhare * : as he had been only a tool to a peace"
Eric, it is no wonder his interefts were en
tirely negledted in the treaty : he found
himfelf deprived of all hopes of recovering
his dominions ; and in an affembly of the Waldemar is
ftates was reduced to make, as he declared, reduced to re-
' iign his
a voluntary refignation of the whole king- crown, and
dom to his brother Magnus ; after which Denmark.
he retired into Denmark. In confequence A- D- '279-
of Waldemar's refignation, Magnus was eleaed king
of Sweden
* Pont, rerum Dan. lib. vii. p. 368. S. PufFend. Introd. and Gotru
ad Hift. Suec. caput 42. land-
crowned

26 An Introductory Hiftory
crowned king of Sweden and Gothland ac
Upfal *.
Two years before Magnus's coronation
he married Hedwiga, daughter to the duke
of Holftein, a princefs greatly diftinguifhed
both by beauty and virtue. Magnus, by
thus extending his alliances, became more
known in Europe ; for the tranfadtions in
Sweden had before been, feldom heard of
beyond Denmark. The great encourage- -
ment he gave to merit, in whatfoever king
dom it was born, drew many foreigners to
his court, whofe qualifications he found fo
fuperior to thofe of his own fubjedts,, im-
merfed in rufticity and ignorance, that he
placed many of them in the moft important
pofts in the government -J-.
As ignorance is oftener the parent of
pride than of humility, which fhould more
naturally be its offspring, the nobility off
Sweden, particularly the Folckungers, were
not induced by the fuperior qualifications of
thefe ftrangers to acquiefce in the preference
given them ; on the contrary, they com-
* Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 43. Comp.
Reg. Suec. p. 629.
f Puffend. ibid. plained

a/ Sweden. 27
plained loudly of the king's unjuft partiality;
and having formed a confederacy, they de
puted two bifhops to remonftrate to Mag
nus, that, " by this proceeding, he violated
" the oath he had taken, when he afcended
" the throne."
Magnus gave them a patient hearing,
but replied, that " for the good govern -
" ment of his kingdom he had occafion for
" wife counfellors and able fervants ; and
" when the Swedes had rendered them-
" felves as capable of ferving him and his
" kingdom in thofe capacities, as the fo-
" reigners he employed, they fhould have
" no reafon to complain of want of prefer-
" ment; but that in the mean time they
" could not blame him for ufing the fer-
" vices of men of diftinguifhed abilities and
" merit, rather than the imperfect afiiftance
" he could receive from the Swedifh nobi-
" lity, who had no qualifications to recom-
u mend them *."
It was highly improbable that this an-
fwer fhould pacify the offended lords : on
the contrary, it exafperated them, as adding
* Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 43. Compend,
Reg. Suec. p. 6 20. infult

28 An Introductory Hiftory
infult to neglect. They entered into a con-
fpiracy, wherein the Folckungers were the
chief, and taking an opportunity, when the
queen was gone to Scara, to meet the duke
of Holftein her father, attended by the fo
reign noblemen whom Magnus moft fa-
Magnus's voured, they repaired to that town, and
ten knietfb ^orcmS mem into a quarrel, they maffacred
fome of the the greateft part of them, threw the duke
bles. of Holftein into prifon, but narrowly miffed
of the queen, who efcaped into a convent *.
When Magnus was informed of what
had paffed, his afnidtion for the lofs of his
ableft minifters equalled his indignation at
the outrage which his fubjedts had dared to
commit; but their numbers and power were
fo great, that he found himfelf obliged to
diffemble emotions fo difficult to conceal.
He wrote to the confpirators, to defire they
would releafe the duke of Holftein, who had
given them no juft offence, affuring them,
that " he could by no means blame their
" revenging themfelves for any infultsthey
" had received; that he never defigned to
" encourage foreigners in infolence, though
*Pontderer. Dan. lib. vii. p. 370. Hiftoire de Dann.
p. 272. torn. iii. Comp. Reg. Suec. p. 629. " he

of Sweden. 29
" he efteemed them for their merits, while
ct they preferved the proper regard due to
" the Swedifh nobility; adding, that the
tc fpirit and courage with which they had
" adted did them honour."
The confpirators were duped by the
king's diflimulation, and thought them-
felves fecure from any future attacks ; but
not long after Magnus affembled the ftates
at Scara, where having accufed the Folckun-
gers of rebellion and murder, and no one Magnus
b , . . , . , r 1 caufes the of-
undertaking their defence, nor even them- fenders to be
felves offering any thing in their excufe, he put t0
condemned them to be beheaded *.
The remainder of Magnus's reign paffed
in fecuring to his fubjedts the bleffings of ,
peace, and defending their property, by ex-
ercifing the ftricteft juftice.
Waldemar their late king had been A.D. 1288.
fuffered to fpend as much time in Sweden
as he chofe, his vices making him too defpi-
cable to excite any fears in fo great a prince
as Magnus ; but at laft, convinced that he
was continually endeavouring to excite dif-
* Pont. rer. Dan. lib. vii. p. 370. S. Puffend. Introd. ad
Hift. Suec. cap. 43. Hiftoire de Dann. torn. iii. p. 273.
content

30 An Introductory Hiftory
Dec.18,1290. content in his fubjedts, he caufed him to bd
imprifoned *.
Magnus dies, Magnus at his death left behind him
and is foe- three fons, Birgerius, Eric, and Waldemar,
ceededbyhis °
fon Birgerius the eldeft of whom was but eleven years
old ; but the difadvantages of his infancy
were compenfated by the great abilities of
Torckel Torckel Cnutfon, whom Magnus had ap-
teawofthe0" pointed tutor to him and his brothers, and
kingdom, and protedtor of his kingdom -j-. Torckel im-
ting and his mediately caufed Waldemar's fon to be con-
brothers. gne(j jn the cafl;ie 0f Stockholm with his
father, where they foon after ended their
lives %.
Torckel then fubdued many provinces
bordering on Sweden, and acquired great
fame, both bythefuccefs of his arms and the
wifdom of his government. But none of
his adtions reflected more true honour upon
him than a law he made, forbidding the
Swedes to buy or fell flaves, faying, that it
was highly unjuft for one Chriftian to fell
another, when Chrift had equally purchafed
them all by his blood.
* Pont. rer. Dan. lib. vii. p. 372.
t S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 43. Ibid.
\ Ibid. cap. 44. Comp. Reg. Suec. p. 629.
4 When

e/" Sweden. 31
When Birgerius attained his nineteenth A,r>- ;*98-
year, he married Mcretta, the king of Den- marries'tL
mark's daugther, to whom he had long been ^""^jf
affianced § ; and thus fecured to himfelf
the friendfhips of a king, whofe fituation
rendered him a very dangerous enemy ; but
inteftine diffentions were always more fatal
to Sweden than foreign wars.
Mutual fufpicions reigned between the A.D. 1J04.
king and his brother, and it appeared that,
by an imprudence almoft inherent in that
family, the late king had fown the feeds of
the fame diffentions between his own chil
dren, which had raifed himfelf to the throne.
Birgerius with the affiftance of Torckel pro->
cured, in great meafure by compulfion, a
written engagement from his brothers,
whereby they obliged themfelves neither to
go out of the kingdom, or come into his
court, without his permiffion, and then
efcorted only by fuch a number of attend
ants as he fhould judge proper, and to pre-
ferve an inviolable fidelity to him, his wife,
and children -j-.
* Pont. rer. Dan. lib. vii. p. 376.
f Ibid. p. 395. S. Puffend. ibid.
This

32 An Introductory Hiftory
This promife lulled the king's fears but
for a fhort time; he afterwards formed fo
many accufations againft them, and ap-
The dukes peared fo bent on their deftrudtion, that they
retire into were reduced to fly into Denmark, where
Denmark, J
they follicited the king to prevail on their
brother to fuffer them to enjoy their inherit
ance in peace; but the alliance between
the king of Denmark and Birgerius ren
dered their follicitations unavailing *.
The king The dukes were no fooner fled out of
confifcates Sweden, than the king confifcated all their
then-lands. ... . ,
poffeffions, and procured an interview with
the king of Denmark, who he engaged to
enter into a ftridt alliance with him, and
thus deprived his brothers of the refuge they
had fought. They now found it requifite
for their fafety to withdraw themfelves from
that kingdom, and, as their laft refource,
applied to Haquin, king of Norway, for pro-
They fiy into tedtion and affiftance. The reception they
Norway. received from this prince was anfwerable
to their hopes ; he not only promifed them
confiderable fuccours, but in the mean time
affigned them the towns of Nyclebourg and
Kundel, with their dependencies, for their
* Pont. rer. Dan. lib. vii. p. 376. fubfiftence ;

Of S W E D E N. ^Z
fubfiftence; an affignment not lefs agreeable
in its fituation, than in its revenues ; for,
being on the frontiers of Sweden, it gave
them opportunities of annoying their enemy.
They laid wafte the greateft part of Weft They invade
Gothland, and took prifoners many perfons
of confideration, who were of the king's
party *.
King Birgerius was not remifs in the de^
fence of his kingdom : he fent with all
poffible expedition fome troops to drive
the dukes out of Gothland ; but duke Eric,
favoured by the darknefs of the night, fell And defeat
unexpedtediy on this little army, and flew forces?2 S
or took prifoners the greateft part of them.
This defeat ferved only to exafperate Bir
gerius ; he entered Gothland at the head of
an army, in order to profecute the fame de-
fign. But his brothers having received fuc-
cours from the king of Norway, he found
he muft depend on the fuccefs of a battle
for liberty to proceed farther. The two
armies were in full march to encounter each
other, when fome of the fenators, moved to
compafiion with the deftrudtion which threa-
* Pont. rer. Dan, lib. vii. p. 395, S, Puffend. In»
trod, ad Hill. Suec. cap. 44. D tened

34 Ak Introductory Hiftory
tened fo many men, where they muft turn
their fwords on thofe neareft allied in blood,
and flay fuch as had the ftrongeft right to
all the benefits which reciprocal affection
can beftow ; fome of the fenators» I fay,
fhocked with the horrors of fuch a fcene,
undertook to reconcile the king and his bro-
The king and thers. Their humanity was not fruitlefs;
the dukes re- ^y ^gjj. endeavours they prevailed on the
conciled. { . J l . . c
king to receive the dukes again into favour,
and to reftore to them all they had poffeffed
before they left the kingdom *.
Few princes fuccour the diftreffed fo libe
rally as the king of Norway had done the
Swedifh dukes, without a view to fome pri
vate interefts of their own, and therefore are
ufually made a general enemy to the recon
ciled parties, but chiefly to thofe with whom
they have been engaged in alliance ; but
the king of Norway feems to have been
more generoufly affedted, and to have aided
duke Eric and his brother from nobler mo
tives, fince he not only was pleafed with the
peace they had made, but, as a proof of his
regard for the former of thofe princes, gave
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 44. Pont.
rer. Dan. lib. vii. p. 305. Comp. Reg. Suec. p. 630.
him

6/* Sweden.;, 35
hirii the towns of Kundal and Warberg in
in the province of Holland ; an uncorrtifion
inftance of difintereftednefs in a rank*
where the powerful feldom ufe the weak
but as tools to affift them in gaining fome
increafe of poffeffionj which their ambition
grafps at> or their avarice defires;
When the three brothers were thus unit- A. D. t3o^
ed by a general peace, each became defi- j^hehthree
rous of removing from himfelf the imputa- gr«: to de-
tion of the cruel ravages which their difagree- Knur/on^ "
menthad occafioned in the kingdom; and,
as is generally the method on fuch occafions,
fought for one, on whom, by laying the
blame, they might appear to difculpate
themfelves. The great power Torckel
Knutfon had long enjoyed, his partiality to
the king, whom he endeavoured to exalt by
depreffing his brothers (perhaps more from
true policy than from affection, knowing
the dangerous rivalfhip which muft aril's
from fuch equality as their father had efta->
blifhed among them), the frequent com*
plaints the dukes had uttered againft him,
all were favourable circumftances towards
making him the facrifice to the public dif-
content. The dukes were glad to revenge
the treatment they had received from him,
D 2 and

36 An Introductory Hiftory
and not lefs to remove fo wife and faithful"
a counfellor from the king, the meannefs
of whofe nature was incapable of gratitude,.
and who perhaps found that wifdom which
would have been the fupport of his throne,
and the guardian of his perfon, a curb on his
vices, and therefore was ready to take an
opportunity of removing from his fight the
virtue he feared, and the man whofe fer-
vices he would not repay.
Thus each agreed on the ruin of their
venerable tutor : many accufations were
drawn up againft him ; truth was lefs
powerful than the king's will ; the great
were prevented, by ambition or avarice,
from defending him, whom the king was
bent to deftroy, and the poorer fort (who,
as farther removed from royal favour or re-
fentment, are generally lefs partial, or lefs
felf-interefted, though often erroneous in
A. D. 1305. their judgments), felt little compaffion on a
man, who, to increafe the revenues of the
crown, had, during his adminiftration, feiz-
ed for fix years the tythes which were ap
propriated for the maintenance of the help-
lefs poor. They were inclined to look
on it as the effects of divine juftice for this
act of opprefiion, that he fhould fall by the
hands

c/" Sweden. 37
hands of thofe for whofe emolument he had
oppreffed them. Thus, undefended by one
part of the kingdom, unpitied by another,
this great man was tried, condemned, and
beheaded at Stockholm *. Such was the Torckel
recompence of many years of faithful fer- headed.
vices, and the moft loyal attachment.
It feldom happens that an agreement is
rendered either ftrong or lafting by an union
in wickednefs. Torckel's death was no
firm foundation of friendfhip between the A. D. 1305.
three brothers1. Their jealoufies and dis
contents were foon revived. The king en
deavoured to reduce his brothers into fub-
iedtion and dependence ; they were no lefs
defirous of dethroning him ; and, while he
was attempting to crufh them into fervitude,
they aimed to exalt themfelves to the fove-
reignty. They fecretly collected a fmall The dukes
body of men, with whom they furprized the £** by fur-
kin? in his palace of Hatuna, which was V™e> and
, r ¦ r ¦ oblige him to
then the place of his refidence, and obliged refign the
him to abdicate the throne, and deliver up crown-
Stockholm to duke Eric -f.
* Comp. Reg. Suec. p. 630. Pont, rerum Dan, lib.
.'ii. p. 396.
f Ibid. S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec, cap. 44.
D 3 The

38 An Introductory Hiftory
The citizens of Stockholm refufed to
obey the king's orders, as he was then a pri
foner, bi*t *the town was taken, the king,
queen, and all their children (except Mag
nus their eldeft fon, who was faved and car*
ried into Denmark by one of his domeftics),
Is imprlfoned were confined in the caftle of Stockholm,
in the caftle an(j great part 0f the kingdom conftrained
ofStockholm. ° . r °
to lubmit to the dukes.
Birgerius's melancholy fituation excit
ed the compaffion of his brother-in-law the
king of Denmark, who levied a powerful
army with defign to deliver him, and enter
ed Sweden. Near Bogefund in Weft Goth
land he was met by the dukes, at the head
of an army nearly equal to his own. Such
an oppofition weakened his pity and awak
ened his prudence ; fie feared the hazard
of a battle ; and the dukes, who defired
only to procure his return into his own king
dom, readily entered into a negociation with
him : they made a truce for a year, during
which (it was given out) they would treat
about the deliverance of Birgerius -j-.
A. J3. 1306, The king of Denmark returned home,
t S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 44. J.Meur.
Hill. Dan. Jib. iii. p. ^5. Pont, rerum Dan. lib. vii. p.
and

o/" Sweden. 39
and Birgerius's liberty was no longer thought
of. The dukes fecured the reft of the
kingdom, and endeavoured to ingratiate
themfelves with the people. To prevent a
frefh attack from the king of Denmark, at
the expiration of the truce, duke Eric went
into Norway, in order to perfuade that king
to invade Denmark ; and, to fix him in his
interefts, demanded his daughter Ingelburge
in marriage. But his views were fruftrated
by the more fuccefsful negotiations of the
king of Denmark, who prevailed on Ha-
quin, king of Norway, to require the refti-
tution of Warberg, fince Eric was in effect
now become king of Sweden. This de
mand gave fuch offence to the duke, that he
returned home, and Haquin entered into
an alliance with the Danes.
After Sweden had for about two years a. D, 1307.
fufFered horrible devaluations, both by the ir
ruptions of the Danes, and a body of Ger
man cavalry, which duke Waldemar had
introduced into the kingdom, to affift him
and his brother in their defence, the king of
Denmark's departure was procured by a The king fet
treaty, wherein it was agreed, that Birgerius \nc\ the k'ing-
fhould be replaced on the throne, on condi- dom dividfd
r _ . between him
tion that all paft actions were buried in obli- and his bro-
D4 vion;thers-

40 An Introductory Hiftory
vion ; and that the kingdom fhould be di
vided between him and his brothers *.
Birgerius could not well bear to fee his
kingdom thus difmembered; therefore the
firft ufe.he made of his liberty was to go in-r
The king to Denmark, where he prevailed with that
fjenrnark king to Prormle to aflaft him in regaining all
his former rights and poffeffions -j-.
A.D. 1308. Birgerius received fuccours both from
Returns with ^ ^n„s 0f Denmark and Norway; and a
an army, and °
endeavours to marriage was agreed upon between Ingel-
wholeking- burge, the daughter of the latter, and Mag-
dom. nus, fon to Birgerius. The dukes defended
themfelves fo v/ell againft the joint forces of
thefe three princes, that they could gain no
confiderable advantages, though their troops
were very fuperior in number.
The kings of The kings of Sweden and Denmark
Sweden and were detained at the fieaie of the caftle of
Denmark be- . , . °
liege Niko- Ni£oping wnen the winter began. The
?inS- obflinate defence of that place, together with
want of food and forage, and the approach
ing inclemencies of the feafon, damped the
* Pont, rernm Dan. lib. vii. p. 397. J. Meur. Hift.
Dan. lib. iii. p. 55.
t Pont, rerum Dan. lib, vii. p. 399, courage

1 o/" Sweden. .41
courage of the Danes, who reprefented to
their king the neceffity of defifting from that
enterprize ; but finding him inflexible, and
not being actuated by any great delicacy of
honour or loyalty, they withdrew from the The Danifti
1 . , , . foldiers leave
camp, and returned into Denmark §; leaving Sweden.
him with only fome German auxiliaries,
who were more inclined to fhare his fortune
than his own fubjedts. This defertion was
fo much for the intereft of the dukes Eric
and Waldemar, that they would rather have
paved the road to facilitate the march of the
Danes, than have attempted by any obftruc-
tion to impede it. Eric fuffered them to
pais very near him unmolefted, but con
tinued in that place till the king of Den- A'D' '3,o:
mark was obliged likewife to retire the fame
way : when, taking advantage of his dif-
trefs, expecting more lafting benefits from a
treaty than a victory might yield, he nego-
ciated a peace with him, whereby they con
firmed that on which king Birgerius had
been fet at liberty *. This was foon fol- Thj= dukes
lowed by a peace between the dukes and with the king
the king of Norway, which was cemented °n^t°™'^',-.
by the marriage of Eric with Ingelburge -f-, fion of the
kingdom is
$ S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 44. confirmed.
* J. Meurfi Hift. Dan. lib. iii. p. 5 5.
t Pont. rer. Dan. lib. vii. p. 405. not-

42 An Introductory Hiftory
notwithftanding the promife Haquin had
made to give her to prince Magnus ; and, to
ftrengthen the alliance ftill more, duke
Waldemar efpoufed the king of Norway's
niece. Birgerius could not venture to difpute
a treaty to which his allies had agreed ; he
found himfelf obliged to acquiefce, and the
tranquility of the kingdom received no in
terruption for feven years, but from fome
revolts eafily fuppreffed, and occafioned by
the heavy exactions wherewith the king bur
dened his people, in order to fupply his ex-
pences, which were very confiderable ; for
the three brothers emulated each other in
the fplendor of their courts, each endeavour
ing to excel in pomp and magnificence.
This appearance of plenty extended but lit
tle beyond the palaces ; for while the peace
of Sweden was undifturbed by wars, the
people were rendered little able to enjoy it,
afflicted with peftilence and famine, and
ftorms fo uncommonly violent, as to occa-
fion great devaftation, and increafe the evils
with which they were opprefled *.
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 44. Comp.
Reg. Suec. p. 631.
After

of S W E D E K. 43
After feven years had paffed, without A.D. 1317.
any diffentions having arifen between the
king and his brothers, the latter perfuaded
themfelves that Birgerius had in reality laid
afide all enmity and animofity; and duke
Waldemar, to confirm this good underftand-
ing by a proof of regard and confidence,
went to vifit him at Nikoping. The king
gave him a very affectionate reception,
treated him with great magnificence, and
defired him, at his return, to perfuade duke
Eric (to whom he was then going) to ac
company him thither, that they might
henceforward live in fuch mutual intercourfe
of intimacy and friendfhip as brothers

ought.

Waldemar, pleafed with this change A.D. 1318.
in the king's difpofition, and defirous not to
appear neglectful of fo kind an invitation,
prevailed on Eric to accept it, who ftill
harboured fuch fufpicions of Birgerius's
iincerity, as rendered him very unwilling
to comply. As foon as they arrived at
Nikoping, Eric received fome intimations
which increafed his apprehenfions, and he
would have left the town without feeing
the king, had he not again been prevailed
Upon by Waldemar to proceed, who repre-
6 .fented,

44 ^n Introductory Hiftory
fented, in the ftrongeft colours, the very af
fectionate treatment he had met with from
his brother.
The dukes The dukes were conducted to the caftle,
feizedb°they where the king received them in the moft
king, and im- gracious manner, and fhewed fo much joy
pnfoned. ^ ^.^ ^^ fat fay nQ [ongev doubted
the fincerity of his profefiions. A magnifi
cent entertainment v/as prepared for them
in the evening ; and at the hour of reft, the
caftle not being large enough to contain fo
numerous a retinue, all the dukes attend
ants, except their pages and menial fer-
vants, were diftributed in inns, and the
dukes lodged in the caftle. Lulled into
fecurity by the king's diffimulation, and the
gloom of fufpicion being difpelled by the
feftivity in which the evening had paffed,
they went to reft, unmolefted by fear or dif-
content ; but the king, whofe hatred was
increafed by concealment, foon fhewed
them, that their hopes of having laid the
foundation of a lafting friendfhip with him
were as fallacious as thofe they had enter
tained of their own fafety. In the middle
of the night he caufed the. door of their
apartment to be broken down. Eric at
tempted to defend himfelf; but the greateft
perfonal

ef- Sweden. , 45
perfonal courage will not avail againft a
number of affailants ; he was overpowered
in a fhort time, though not till he was cover
ed with wounds. They were ftripped, la
den with fetters, and caft into prifon * ;
and the king, who was prefent, added infult
to treachery. Birgerius immediately went to Stock
holm, in hopes of furprifing that town, but
an account of his treacherous and cruel
treatment of his brothers had reached the
place ; and the citizens, adtuated by a juft-
indignation, fallied out againft him, put him.
to flight, and having gathered together fome
troops, prefented themfelves before Niko
ping, to which place he had fled -j-. The
king was apprehenfive that they would at
tack the town ; and finding that all people
were ready to revolt againft him, he feared
that they fhould get poffeffion of the caftle,
and releafe his brothers ; from whom, a
confcioufnefs of his own guilt made him
know, he could not expedt much favour.
To provide the beft he could for his own
fecurity (for the treacherous are feldom
* Comp. PvCg. Suec. p. 632. Pont, rerum Dan. lib.
vii. p. 423.
t Ibid. valiant),

46 An Introductory Hiftory
valiant), he fled to Stegeburg, after having
fhut up the tower wherein his brothers
were confined with the ftrongeft iron locks
and bars that he could procure, and thrown
the keys of them into the deepeftpart of the
rivers -f-.
Nikoping was immediately befieged ;
and though the general deteftation which
the king had raifed in every breaft againft
him brought incredible numbers to affift
the befiegers, yet the place could not be
taken till the dukes were dead ; for the
king had forbidden that any food fhould be
The dukes given them. Eric's death was haftened by
are ftarved to ° . J
death. his wounds, fo that he did not furvive the
third day of his confinement, but Waldemar
is faid to have lived till the eleventh %.
The dukes party expofed their bodies to
public view, in order to increafe the people's
abhorrence of the king, and to incline them
to concur in the views they then had of fe-
curing the throne to the fon of duke Eric ;
and for which purpofe they declared they
would continue the war againft Birgerius.
t Hifioire de Dann. p. 366. torn. iii. Comp. Regv
Suec. p. 63Z. S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. p. 632.
J Ibid. Pont, rerum Dan. lib. vii. p, 423.
Thb

o/ Sweden. 4.7
The chief of this party was Matthias Ket- Ketteimund-
telmundfon, who had been one of Eric's [akeSepro-
braveft and moft faithful generals, and to te6Hon of
whom he had owed much of his fuccefs. toTteErk.
This man, preferving his love for his matter
beyond the fatal period which put an end to
his life, undertook the care and. defence of
his fon.
Kettelmundson drove the king and
his fon Magnus, who had brought fome
fuccours from Denmark, into Weft Goth
land *, where the people were revolted
from him, and all, even to the peafants,
were at that time up in arms. Deterred by
their numbers from attacking them, Bir
gerius propofed a fufpenfion of hoftilities
for three days, to which they agreed ; and,
during that term, depending on his word,
they difperfed to gather forage. The king, Tie king
taking advantage of that diforder, fell unex-mai?c^estJ,•
n. ji 1 in. ' peafants of
pedtedly upon them, and flew the greateft Weft Gothia.
part; thus fucceeding in the treachery
which he meditated at the time he made
truce -j-.
* Pont. rer. Dan. lib. vii. p. 423. J. Meur. Hift. Dan.
lib. iii. p. 65.
t Pont, rerum Dan. lib. vii. p. 424.
But

48 An Introductory Hiftory
But it was this prince's fate to reap little
benefit from the crimes he perpetrated : they
did not afford him that immediate advan
tage which tempts many to proceed in ill,
till the meafure of their guilt is full, and the
punifhment falls with colledted force upon
them. Kettelmundfon left Birgerius little
time to enjoy the fuccefs of his treachery ;
he brought a confiderable body of forces
from Upland to give the king battle.
The Danifh horfe no fooner heard of his
approach, than, unwilling to expofe their
lives in fo bad a caufe, they marched direct-
Retires into iy home ; and Birgerius, thus driven to ex-
Gothland, tremity, retired into the ifle of Gothland with
his wife, leaving his fon Magnus to com
mand the garrifon in Stegeburg. Kettel
mundfon laid fiege to it, and the prince
Magnus his could not long defend himfelf; but was
fon reduced obliged to furrender the place and himfelf,
to furrender. e .r.,- ,
for want of provifions ; he, witn a few others
of the principal officers, were thrown into
prifon *.
Matthias Ket- This courfe of uninterrupted fuccefs de-
i^'denpro°ec- terminedthe Swedes to appoint Kettelmund-
tor of the fon protector of the kingdom, and to give
kingdom. , . r . , • n 1 •
him power to continue the war againft king

* Sam. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec.

Birgerius,

o/ Sweden. 49
Birgerius. His firft adtion, after he was
raifed to this rank, was to fettle the king
dom in all the tranquility the times would
permit: He then made an incurfion into Sca
nia, which he plundered in the moft mer- Ravages
cilefs manner, declaring himfelf adtuated by cama"
a defire of revenging his country, for the
affiftance given to Birgerius by the king of
Denmark. This action had the confequences which Makes peace
probably he intended ; it occafioned a trea- J^'V^f
ty of peace for the three years enfuing, be- Denmark and
tween the kings of Denmark and Norway, N0™8?*
and the children of the deceafed dukes ;
and the two kings engaged to affift them, if
Birgerius made any attempts to recover
Sweden during that term. It was further
agreed, that " neither king Birgerius nor
Cu his children fhould remain in Sweden
cc any part of thofe three years, except his
" fon Magnus, who fhould continue in pri-
" fon, but no violence be ufed againft
" him *."
As the king of Denmark died foon after The king of
the conclufion of this treaty, the Swedes re- di"mar
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hill. Suec. cap. 44. J. Meur.
lib. iii. p. 66. Pont. rer. Dan. lib. vii. p. 425.
E garded

5P An Introductory Hiftory
garded it no farther than where it cor
responded with their interefts.
The king is Matthias Kettelmundson made all
reduced to fly . _. . . - , . . —
into Den- neceflary preparations for driving Birgerius
mark. out 0f fa i(je 0f Gothland ; but that prince,
rather than wait the event of an attack,
which he was unable to repel, thought it
advifeable to feek refuge in Denmark,
whofe king affigned him fuch lands as
would afford him a fufficient fupport, and
gave him the caftle of Spickaburg for the
place of his refidence.
A D. 1319. As foon as Birgerius fled into Denmark,
of dgukeErk, Matthias Kettelmundfon affembled the
eleaed king. fl-ates of Sweden at Upfal, to elect a king.
Their choice fell on Magnus, fon to duke
Eric, an infant then of but three years old ;
but his incapacity was well fupplied by the
wifdom and vigilance of the protector *.
Soon after Magnus afcended the throne of
Sweden, he inherited the crown of Nor
way, by the death of his grandfather.
A. D.i 320. The year following, in an affembly of
Magnus, fon fa flutes at Stockholm, it was decreed,
to Birgerius, . J
put to death, that the unfortunate prince Magnus fhould
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 45. prove

o/ Sweden. 51
prove the victim of their hatred to his father;
and they condemned him to death, in con
tradiction to the treaty they had made with
the kings, of Denmark and Norway *.
The pretence on which they founded their
accufation was, his having introduced fo
reign troops into the kingdom, and affift-
ing his father in the maffacre of the peafants
of Weft Gothland. The firft of thefe arti
cles, if it was a crime, had been fo frequent
ly committed on both fides in the late reigns,
that the guilt was equal; but whether juft
or not, the unhappy Magnus, in purfuance
of the fentence, was beheaded,
This execution had a double force : Bir- A- D. 1 j2t.
gerius, oppreffed by misfortunes, and ftill
more weighed down by his crimes, fcarcely
able to bear the frowns of fortune and re-
morfe of confcience, funk under this laft
fatal blow, and furvived his fon but a very
fhort time. The fate of thefe princes may
ferve as a melancholy inftance of the perni
cious effedts of rival powers in the fame
kingdom. Sweden now felt the bleffings of return-
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 45. J. Meur.
Hill. Dan. lib. iv. p. 68. Pont. rer. Dan. lib. vii. p. 429.
E 2 ing

52 An Introductory Hiftory
ing peace; Kettelmundfon had reftored it to
tranquility, and the people once more " fat
" under the fhade of their own olives, and
" drank the fruit of their own vines."
Their property was no longer invaded by a
foreign enemy, nor encumbered by the ex
orbitant taxations which extravagance and
war had occafioned.
A.D. 1316. Denmark enjoyed no fuch happinefs ;
affairs in ° k *was at tn*s ^me torn ^y mteftine divifions.
Denmark. The whole kingdom had united in a rebel
lion againft king Chriftopher and his fon
The Danes Eric, depofed, and expelled them out of the
Chriftopher. kingdom. They then placed Waldemar,
'.' . duke of Sleefwicke, on the throne ; but as
his youth rendered him incapable of the ad-
miniftration, they put the government of
the ftate under the direction of Gerrard, earl
of Holftein *.
This prince acted like one who was to
punifh, rather than reward, thofe who had
entrufted him with the fovereign power,
and took every means of impoverifhing and
weakening the kingdom ; and foon con
vinced the Danes, that they had difpoffeffed
a king who was moderately bad, for one
who far excelled him in wickednefs.
* Pont, re j. Dan. lib. vii. p. 440.
4 To

Of S W E D E N. \ ^3
To repair the evil they had brought on A. p. 1328.
Chriftopher and themfelves, they fent to of-^"^. "
fer to reftorehim to the throne, if he would
bring with him an army to enable them
to drive the ftrangers out of the kingdom *.
Christopher, deftitute of troops, and A. D:i3?o.
equally fo of money to raife them, applied to gagcs Scania.
the earl of Wagria, who furnifhed him with
men, on his mortgaging fome towns and
provinces for the payment of them *f-.
Scania was one of the provinces thus made
over to the earl. He placed a governor
there, who laid heavy impofitions upon them,
and fuffered them to be plundered with
impunity by his officers. They were fo ex
afperated by this treatment, which increafed
the natural averfion all nations conceive
againft a foreign yoke, that they rebelled
againft thefe new mafters, and maffacred a
great number of them.
When the people of Scania had thus gra
tified their refentment, cool reflection fuc-
ceedectto the fpirit of revenge, and they be
gan to be under apprehenfions, left the earl
fhould march his troops into their country,
and punilh them feverely for their ill treat-
* Pont. rer. Dan. lib. vii. p. 440.
¦f Ibid. p. 447.
E 3 ment

54 <dn Introductory Hiftory
The province ment of his fubjedts. In this extremity they
voksCtoia "' aPPlied to the king of Sweden, offering to
Sweden, acknowledge him as their fovereign, on con-
¦ dition that he would protedt them againft
the earl,
A. D. 1332.' Scania was fo conveniently fituated for
edtoSweden!Deing annexed to the kingdom of Sweden,
that this propofition was in little danger of
being rejected. A treaty was foon con
cluded,, whereby the Scanians engaged their
fidelity to Magnus as their king ; and he, as
fuch, promifed to defend them in all their
rights and privileges, on the fame conditions
as had fubfifted between them and their
former fovereign, the king of Denmark.
And, to fecure the more quiet poffeffion of
this province, Magnus paid the earl the
money for which it was mortgaged to
him *•
A.D. 1335. About this time the king married
;(inS Mag. Blanche, daughter to the earl of Namur,
iiu^ :11a" nes .
Bhiruvieof and not long after his tutor, Matthias Ket-
^"2urM 6 telmundfon, dying, he took into his own
Matthias fs-^t- hands the reins of government, which
foon gave his fubjedts great reafon to regret
• Pont, rerum Dan. lib. vii. p. 455. J. Meur. Hift.
Dan. lib. iv. p. 75. S. Puffendi Introd. ad Hift. Europ.
cap. 9, the

telmundfon

of S WE DEN. ^ 55
the lofs of fb able a ftatefman ; and at length
the king himfelf found it a very unfortu
nate event -j-.
The Swedes had conceived great expec
tations from a defcendant of duke Eric's,
and, on that account, elected his fon : but as
foon as Magnus grew of an age to indicate the
natural bent of his temper, they found reafon
to fear, that their hopes would be deceived;
He was effeminate in his manners, diffolute charafter of
in his principles, a prey to flatterers, impa- kinSMaSnuf-
tient of controul, deaf to advice; and as
foon as his tutor's death fet him at liberty,
he gave himfelf entirely up to perfons almoft
as young and as debauched as himfelf : he
defpifed the counfel of the experienced, and
would not liften to the aged or the wife.
His government was weak, and his mea-
fures imprudent ; but the love the Swedes
ftill preferved for the father, together, perhaps,
with a wearinefs of the troubles in which
they had been long involved, made them
for feveral years fupport his vices with pa
tience, as they brought more contempt on
himfelf than diftrefs on his fubjedts ; till by
entering, without reafon or temptation, into
an imprudent war, he reduced himfelf to
\ S. Puffendorffii Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 45.
E 4 the

56 An Introductory Hiftory
the neceffity of burdening them with fuch
heavy taxes, as awakened the natural fierce-*
nefs and impatience of their tempers *.
After having reigned in peace twelve
years from the time of his tutor's death,
A.D. 1348. Magnus became foolifhly ambitious of ac-
Ses' ST quiring martial glory, and, without a proba
bility of gaining any real advantage, even
from conqueft, invaded Ruffia.
He took into pay a great body of German
cavalry, and at firft made fome progrefs into
Ruffia, taking the caftle of Notaburg, and
the adjacent country ; but he loft the ad
vantages which might have arifen from this
fuccefs, by contenting to a truce for two
months. This refpite gave the Ruffians lei-
fure to affemble their forces, with which,
falling on Magnus's army when he leaft
expected it, they obliged him to retire pre-
Succeeds very cipitately out of Ruffia : thegarrifon he left
ill in his en- . - _ , 1 /- 1 , ,
terprize. m INotaburg was put to the fword ; and the
Ruffians would have laid wafte all Finland,
if Magnus had not refigned to them part
of Carelia, which the Swedes indeed after
wards recovered, but not without difficulty.
• S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 45.
The

of Swede n. 57
The king had been obliged to lay great
taxes on his fubjedts, in order to raife a fuf
ficient fum of money to equip the army
with which he invaded Ruffia, and ftill
heavier impofitions were requifite to enable
him to pay the debts he contracted during
the war; but not getting by this means
enough to defray them, he mortgaged the
town of Calmar to the duke of Holftein,
who long enjoyed the poffeffion of it *.
These confequences of his Ruffian war
gave great offence to his fubjedts ; but they
were accompanied by another, which was
ftill more deftructive of his peace, for it was
then lefs dangerous to exafperate a whole
nation than to offend the pope, efpecially
for a prince who reigned over a people,
whofe ignorance gave them a fuperfti-
tious reverence for the papal power. Mag
nus, as a fure refource, in the neceffity
he then had for money, had feized on St.
Peter's pence, which a former king of Swe
den (Olaus the Tributary, at the perfuafion
of England), had granted to the church of The pope ex-
Rpme; whereupon the pope excommuni- catesMag-
cated him -j-- nus*
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 45. Camp.
Reg. Suec. p. 633.
•J- Comp. ibid.
Another

5 8 An Introductory Hiftory
Another circumftance that much dif-
pleafed the Swedes, was the great degree of
favour to which the king had raifed a gen
tleman, named Bengt, whom he created
duke of Halland. This young man render
ed himfelf not lefs agreeable to the queen,
whofe great partiality towards him occa
fioned furmifes by no means confiftent with
the purity of reputation, fo particularly de-
firable to one in her diftinguifhed ftation *.
There is nothing more odious to a peo
ple than fuch extreme and open partiali
ties in their prince : our own hiftory fur-
nifhes us with various proofs of it : Morti
mer and the Spencers felt the effects of a
nation's refentment; and their mafter found,
that even the throne could not protect him
from the . fury of an enraged people : but
reafon, uncorroborated by examples, fhould
fufficiently evince the ill confequences at
tending fuch a conduct, fince every man
therein finds fufficient caufe to be offended.
A few deferve the honours fo injudicioufly
lavifhed, and all defire them : thofe who
have leaft merit, have its place fo well fup-
plied by pride, that each thinks himfelf bet
ter intitled to royal favour than he who
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 45.
pof*

of Sweden. ¦/¦ 59
poflefles it; and what a good man grieves *
for, as a misfortune to his country, and en
deavours to remove, the ambitious refents
as aperfonal injury, and, as fuch, is ready to
revenge it.
The Swedes, thus exafperated by a variety
of grievances, would no longer truft the
fovereign power folely in Magnus's hands ;
and the fenate, the great council of the
kingdom, advifed him, as the beft means
of pacifying them, to affociate Eric, his eldeft
fon, on the throne : the kingdom of Nor
way he had before been prevailed with to
give to Haquin, his fecond fon *.
Magnus did not approve this expedient,
and abfolutely refufed to comply with it ;
whereupon the nobles rebelled, and elected Eric, the
' Eric for their king, who defeated and flew e'^fesd ™ ttte
the duke of Hal land, his father's minion. ftates t0 reig»
_,. . - . . . jointly with
This war was profecuted with great acn- his father.
mony on both fides, and great numbers of
Swedes perifhed in it; till, weary of flaugh-
ter, a fufpenfion of arms was agreed upon,
and a peace was figned, wherein the kingdom
was divided between Magnus and his fon
Eric -j-.

* Pont, rerum Dan. lib. vii. p. 471.
f Ibid. p. 483. S. Puffend. ibid.

Though

60 An introductory Hiftory
A. D. 1 354. Though each had an equal fhare of the
kingdom, it was not fo with the peoples af
fections ; their attachment for Eric increaf-
ed, and their hatred to his father grew
proportionably. Queen Blanche took the
alarm: fhe feared Magnus would foon be
deprived of his fhare of the divided throne ;
and was not lefs apprehenfive, that her fon,
by marrying, might raife her a powerful rival
in a younger queen, who would eclipfe the
luftre of her rank. To free herfelf from all
thefe dangers, fhe is faid to have prevailed
on the king to defire Eric to come to his
court, to confer on fome affairs of import
ance.
A. D. 1 357. The young king, void of fufpicion, obey-
briCue°en0nedecl the fummons ; when the queen, taking
Blanche his the firft opportunity, mixed poifon in his
wine, of which he died; and in his laft
moments declared himfelf convinced, that
he " was deprived of exiftence by the au-
" thor of his being *".
v u« fole ^N ac~k°n which deferved the higheft
king. punifhment feemed to receive an imme
diate reward: whether it were not generally
believed (as indeed many hiftorians deny
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. caput 45. the

ff/ SWEBEN. 6l
the fa£t), or that fuch a crime was referved
by a fuperior power to be more fevefely
punifhed than it could have been by Mag
nus's fubjedts, the kingdom, upon his fon's
death, was reunited under Magnus's domi
nion, after he had engaged, by the moft fa-
ered oaths, to govern for the future with
the utmoft integrity and clemency.
What promifes could bind a man, who A.D. 1359*
had violated the ftrongeft ties of nature?
His firft endeavour was to break them with
impunity; but as he was not poffeffed of
power fufficient to enable him to do this, he
refolved, by foreign alliances, to ftrengthen
himfelf againft his fubjedts, and thus to de-
ftroy the kingdom which he was bound to
protect. The better to effect his purpofe, and
to avoid trufting any other with anegociation
he had fo much at heart, he went, accom
panied with his queen, and Haquin king of
Norway, his fon, to Copenhagen, where he
affianced that young prince to Margaret,
daughter to the king of Denmark, who was
then but feven years old, and refigned to A. D. 136c.
that monarch Scania, Halland, and Bleek- Ref,sns fe*f
' ' provinces to
ing, which had formerly belonged to Den- the king of
r v Denmark.
mark *•'.
* S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 45. Pont. rer.
Dan. lib. viii. p. 490. J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. iv. p.
88. S. Puffend. ad Hift. Europeam, cap. 9.
Magnus

62 An . Introductory Hiftory
Magnus had not confulted his council
or the ftates of Sweden, about the marriage
or the ceffion, well convinced that they
would confent to neither ; and, as he had
reafon to expect, they were extremely exaf
perated by a proceeding fo prejudicial to the
interefts of Sweden. The king had con
ceived a ftrong hatred to his fubjedts in the
ifle of Gothland, becaufe they refufed to
pay any greater taxes to him than they had
A.D. 1361. done to king Birgerius. In order to gratify
his refentment, he intimated to the king of
Denmark, that he fhould be glad to fee
thofe people punifhed by him. Waldemar,
who was at the head of an army, with
which he had taken poffeflion of the pro
vinces that had been ceded to him, more
^defirous of reaping advantage to himfelf
The king of man Df humouring Magnus's rage, corn-
Magnus's in- plied, pillaged the whole ifland, flew 1 800
ftigation, peafants, and having laden a fhip with the
ifteofGotb- very great booty he had taken, fent it to
Denmark ; but it was wrecked before it got
there, and all his riches buried in the fea.
He had placed governors in the ifland to
keep poffeflion of it ; but focn afier his de
parture the inhabitants maflacred them ;
and nothing remained to him from this ex
pedition, but the infamy of the undertaking.
The

land.

'of SWE DEN." 6^
The ifle of CEland met with no better And t,ie ifle
fate than that of Gothland, Waldemar hav
ing there exercifed the fame cruelty *.
Magnus openly teftified the joy he felt The adminif-
in beholding the fufferings of his fubjedts; kingdom
till they, no longer able to endure fuch bru- committed t«
• 1 tt • 1 • r .T Haquin, king
tality, invited Haquin, king or Norway, to of Norway,
take upon him the adminiftration and defence .and Magnus-
r imprifoned.
of a kingdom which his father was bent to
deftroy ; and, upon his accepting their invi
tation, they feized on Magnus, and fhut him
up in the caftle of Calmar -j-.
The firft conditions they exacted from
Haquin were, that he fhould break all
connections with Waldemar, and, inftead of
that king's daughter, efpoufe Elizabeth,
fifter to Henry, earl of Holftein, in order
to ftrengthen an alliance with that prince,
by whofe affiftance he might recover Sca
nia, and revenge the injuries which Sweden
had received from the king of Denmark.
Magnus, again reduced to diffimulation, Magnus re-
pretended to approve thefe conditions, and b°^ t0 l"
• J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. iv. p. 89.
t Comp. Reg. Suec. p. 634. S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift.
Suec. cap. 45. thereby

64 •& Introductory Hiftory
thereby obtained his liberty: they were con
firmed by the afiembly of the ftates ; and it
was agreed, that if Magnus and Haquin fail*
ed in performance of their engagements, the
fenators and ftates of Sweden fhould no
longer be bound by the oath of allegiance,
either to the father or the fon, but deemed
6z> at liberty to receive the earl of Holftein as
Ambaffadors their lawful fovereign. As foon as this
Holftein to agreement was ratified, ambaffadors were
duke*" fitter* fent into J*olfl:ein> t0 demand the princefs
in marriage in marriage for the young king, and to con-
HaqS duct her into Sweden ; but the firft night
She is driven they fet fail a ftorm arofe, which drove
by a ftorm on J
the coaft of them on the coaft of Denmark *
Denmark. She is detain- Waldemar, unwilling to have the mar-
kingf a riage between the king of Norway and his
daughter Margaret prevented, took the op
portunity fortune offered him, and detained
Elizabeth, till he had prevailed with Haquin
I363. to efpoufe his daughter. The nuptials were
Haqmn mar- celebrated at Copenhagen +, and the beft
of Denmark, hiftorians of Sweden affirm, that Waldemar,
defirous of fecuring the immediate poffeflion
of the crown of Sweden to his fon-in-law,
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 45. Pont.
rerum Dan, lib. viii. p. 492.
f Ibid. J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. iv. p. 90. caufed

of S W E D E N. 6jj
caufed the wine which was given to Mag
nus and queen Blanche to be poifoned, of
which fhe died, but Magnus's life was fav-
ed by the fkill of his phyficians. They
add, that Chriftopher, el deft fon to Walde->
mar, having by miftake drank of it, was
poifoned likewife. But thefe crimes were
often unjuftly laid to the charge of princes
and their minifters in a credulous age ; and
the continued good correfpondence between
Magnus and Waldemar leffens the proba
bility of the latter's having formed fo trea
cherous a defign.

•'to*

The perfons who had been deputed to The Swedifti
bring the princefs out of Holftein into Swe- nobilil7 coni-
°. . r . plain that the
den, joined with fome others in reprefent- kmg has vk>-
ing to the king, that he had infringed the "e l etrea*
treaty made with his fubjedts and the duke
of Holftein. Magnus took occafion, from a
reproach which he termed infolent, to ex
pel twenty-four of the chief of the nobility A. D. 1364.
out of the kingdom, who thereupon poflef- m:fties 24 0f~
fed themfelves of the ifle of Gothland *. the noble3-
Magnus had long been attempting to
deftroy the nobility, whofe power greatly
abridged the royal prerogative, and thought
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 46.
F he

66- An Introd udoiy Hiftory
he cculd never effedt it at a more favourably.
time, than when, he was certain of being
f upported in his defigns by the kings of Den
mark and Norway, who perhaps, were not
lefs defirous of his fuccefs, that it might
ferveas a precedent for themfelves to affume
the abfolute power, which their actions
fhewed them ambitious of obtaining.
Some nf the The baniihed lords, as foon as they had
Swedifti no. fecmcd themfelves in the ifle of Gothland,
Dies offer the >
crown of proceeded to the election of Henry, earl of
Henry, earl Holftein, to the crown of Sweden *, in
ofHolfteL-i. which a great party within the kingdom
concurred ; for the nobles were grown fo
jealous of their privileges, on which their
kings had for many generations been at
tempting to encroach, that they were de
firous of having only foreign princes to reign
ever them, who, they imagined, would be
rendered lefs able to infringe their liberties,
by not having fo ftrong a party in the king
dom as if they were born and allied in it.
This uncommon determination, as well
as the confequences of it, and the refufal
they met with from the man, who they
imagined would fo gladly accept of the great
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hill. Suec. cap. 46.
kingdom

of S W E D E N. 67
kingdom they offered him, require fome
account of the nature of the government,
which rendered it fo little defirable to the
earl of Holftein.

Although the kingdom of Sweden Thenature of
/1mi • n. , • the Swedifti
lull continued to be elective, yet their government.
choice was generally confined to the royal
family, though not in the regular order of
fucceffion. The government, like that of all the Monarchical.
other northern kingdoms, was monarchical
only in name, for the king was in reality
no more than the firft officer of the Re
public. The power of making peace or war, raif- Po'ver of che
... ¦ n king and
ing troops, or levying or money, was inveft- ftates.
ed in the king and the ftates-p-eneral, or the
fenate, jointly ; nor could he, without
breach of the laws, either build forts, or
give the government of caftles to any but
natives of Sweden ; nor, in fine, was any
thing permitted him, that could extend his
authority, which was the object of his fub
jedts greateft fears.
His revenue confifted in fome lands fitu- Revenues of
ated near Upfal, copper mines, the propriety the crown-
" F 2 of

68 An Introductory Hiftory
of the three lakes of Meier, Wener, and
Weter, with the rights of fifhery on the
coafts of the Baltic fea, fome fines for
lands granted by the crown, and a very
fmall poll-tax on the peafants. As few
crimes in Sweden were punifhed but by
fines or confifcations, they originally made
a great part of the royal revenue ; but the
bifhops and the fuperior clergy had appro
priated thefe forfeitures to themfelves before
the time we treat of, perhaps on pretence
that what was paid as the expiation of of
fences againft the laws of God, moft pro
perly belonged to the church.
Nor was this the only branch of the
royal revenue that had fuffered by incroach-
ments ; the regal demefnes, or crown lands,
and the governments of the caftles, were
become hereditary, and the poflefibrs re-
fufed to pay any acknowledgements for
them.
The fenate. The Senate confifted of twelve of the
moft confiderable of the nobility; the arch-
bifhop of Upfal was a fenator by his
rank ; the bifhops of Lincoping, Stregnez,
Wefteras, Scara, Abo, and Vexio, became
fo only by the king's nomination, though
9 they

of S W E D E N. 69
they had great influence in the ftates gene
ral of the kingdom. The fovereign power
refided chiefly in the fenate, who were
indeed on any vacancy chofen by the king;
but this proved lefs favourable to him than
might naturally be imagined ; for, as every
fenator was the rival of his power, thofe
whom he had nominated as the moft fer-
vile of his creatures, often became his Jea
lous enemies.
The greateft part of the riches of the The clergy.
kingdom were in the hands of the clergy.
The bifhops kept garrifons in their forts and
caftles, and were always accompanied by a
numerous guard ; they lived in the utmoft
pomp and luxury that had at that time
reached fo far north. They obliged the king,
before his coronation, to confirm to them the
enjoyment of all their rights and privileges
by the moft folemn oaths, and to fign an ac*
knowledgement, that, if he failed herein, he
confented that they fhould depofe him.
Every nobleman was a petty fovereign The peafants.
within his own territories ; while the pea
fants, who, becaufe they were favage, thought
themfelves free, were entirely under the di
rection of the nobility, though they had
F 3 the

fo- An Introductory Hiftory -
the privilege offending deputies to the ftates'
general.' It is eafy to perceive that the kings of
Sweden had long been endeavouring to in-
creafe their power, and had taken many
fteps to abridge the liberties of the nobility,
though always at length to their own detri
ment : this gave rife to that miftaken poli
cy which induced the nobles to fubmit to a
foreign prince.
A.D. 1364. When we began this digreffion, we left
The earl of tYie rebel party offering to Henrv, earl of
Holftein re- r J . b J
fufesthe Holftein, the throne, from whence thev
were determined to exclude Magnus and
Haquin. Henry, who was then much ad
vanced in years, and a prince of too great
wifdom and experience to be dazzled by
the title of king, did not think fo limited
a fovereignty, over fo jealous and turbulent
a people, a temptation to hazard the peace
of the fhort remainder of his life ; but ac
knowledging, with very grateful expreffions,
the honour they did him, he advifed them
to apply to the duke of Mecklenbourg §,
whole mother, being filter to king Magnus,
$ S. Puffend. Irtrod. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 46. Pont. rer.
Dan. lib. viii. p. 493. Comp. Reg. Suec. p. 635.
had

crown.

of S W E--D.E N. 71
had a recommendation to them which he
could not boaft, and he imagined muft be
more agreeable to the Swedes, as not
fpringing entirely from a foreign ftock.
They accordingly addreffed themfelves A.D. 1 365-.
to the duke of Mecklenburg. He gave Mecklenburg
them Albert his fecohd fon, whom thev im- defied king
' of Sweden.
mediately proclaimed king.
The ceremony of election was not fuffi
cient to put Albert in poffeflion of the king
dom ; Magnus and Haquin had ftill each of
them fome fhare in it, and the new monarch
had all the forces of Denmark and Norway
againft him. Magnus and Haquin entered Defeats Mag-
0 *» u nus and Ha-
Upland with a confiderable army, but Al- quin, and
bert defeated them, and took the former takes thrs for"
' mer prnoner.
prifoner : Haquin faVed himfelf by flight -j-.
The continual reinforcements which
the kinp-s of Denmark and Norway fent to
Magnus's party, prevented Albert from
reaping any great fruits from his victory;
and at -length, with the concurrence of his A.D. 1366.
fenate, he bought peace of Denmark, by re-
figning to that king feveral places appertain
ing to the kingdom of Sweden %•
f Comp. Reg. Suec. p. 636.
X Ibid. p. 637 S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Europ. cap.
q. J.Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. iv. p. 01.
F 4 This

7 3 An Introductory Hiftory
This peace was of no longer duration
than till Albert thought he had a favourable
opportunity of breaking it. The dukes of
Mecklenburg and Slefwick, the earl of
Holftein, the nobles of Jutland, and the
Hans Towns, having united againft the kings
A. D. 1 368. of Denmark and Norway, the king of Swe
den entered into the alliance ; but was fo
fuccefsfully attacked by Haquin, who laid
fiege to Stockholm, that he was reduced
to confent to a treaty, whereby Magnus,
A.D. 1371. on paying 12,000 marks, was to be fet at
Magnus fet ... • 3 • y • ¦>¦ c i
at liberty, liberty, to enjoy, during his life, the re
venues of Weft Gothland, Wermland, and
Dalia, on condition that he fhould pafs the
remainder of his days in Norway. Magnus
furvived this agreement but a fhort time,
Is drowned, being accidentally drowned, as he was paf-
fing a ford at Blomenfort near Liungholm.
A D 1*76 Waldemar, king of Denmark, dying
Waldemar, without any male iffue, the Danes chofe
mark dies,6" Oiaus, his grandfon, by Margaret and Ha-
and,!S,f"c" quin, king and queen of Norway, to fuc-
Olaus. ceed him -j-. By the death of Haquin,
which followed foon after, the kingdoms of
Denmark and Norway were united under
t J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. iv. p. 94. Pont. rer. Dan.
lib. viii. p; 503. Hiftoire de Dann. torn. iv. p. 3. Olaus 1

of S WE D.EN. ... y^
Oiaus ; but he heing then in his infancy,
his mother, queen Margaret, was declared Margaret*|»-
regent; her extraordinary abilities render- g°nnt'e re"
ing her very eapable of the truft *.
She had by her prudence gained a con
fiderable influence . over the principal per
fons of both kingdoms, which fhe after
wards confirmed by her courage and mar
tial fpirit, and fecured to herfelf the obe
dience of the turbulent and warlike nations
over which fhe reigned.
Albert, during her regency, made fome a. D. 1381;
unfuccefsful attempts to invade Denmark, A. D. 1383.
but was eafily repulfed,
Olaus, the laft of that ancient race of A.D. 1385:
the kings of Denmark, which had filled that
throne for upwards of two hundred and
twenty years (till the expulfion of Magnus
his grandfather), as well as fovereign of two
kingdoms, died before he was out of his oiaus dies,
minority; and Margaret had given too *"eded ubcy"
many proofs of her capacity for govern- Margaret.
ment, not to be chofen queen by thofe, who
had been fo well pleafed with her regency. %

* J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. v. p. g6.
\ Pont. rer. Dan. lib.ix. p. 513.

Albert

74- An Introductory Hiftory
Albert aims Albert had now got the fole poflefiioh
at abfolute c , . . , m, , r i
power. or the kingdom or Sweden, but not of the
hearts of his fubjedts : they had been fo har-
raffed and plundered by his foldiers, while
the troubles continued, as had ferved great
ly to difguft them of their foreign prince ;
but when he had reduced the whole king-
dom into obedience, and driven out ail his
enemies, he turned diflike into averfion ; for
he, like his predeceffors, became ambitious
of extending the power of the crown which
he poffeffed : having triumphed over his
foes, he now aimed at conquering his fub
jedts, and rendering himfelf an abfolute mon
arch. His firft ftep towards effecting this
defign, was to beftow all the principal em
ployments, and the governments of his
ftrongeft places, on Germans; and though
they were perfons of little merit, he gave
them every fort of preference above the
Swedes, and procured them confiderable
eftablifhments in the kingdom, by marry
ing them to the richeft heirefles. He like-
wife rendered himfelf both defpicable and
odious to his fubjedts, by borrowing money
from the priefts, the churches, and every
perfon who would lend it him, no part of
which he ever repaid, but employed fome of
it in gratuities to his foreign attendants, and
fent

^/SWEDEN. J£
fent the reft into Mecklenbourg, where he
had by this means lodged great treafures -j-".
When he found that by thefe means,'
and the very heavy taxes he had impofed,
the people were fo drained that they could
no longer pay any of the impofitions, he
aflembled the fenate and the nobles, and
reprefented to them, ct that the revenues
" of the crown being too inconfiderable to
" fupport the neceffary expences of royalty,
" the fubjedts were obliged to contribute
" towards it ; and that he knew not how
" they could do it, in a manner fo little de- The kmgde-
" trimentalto themfelves, as by fuffering Spmrf
cc him to annex the third part of all their his fubJeas
<c lands to the crown, which would relieve
" him from the neceffity of oppreffing them
" with any more taxes."
The members of the affembly were not
at all inclined to confent to this propofal :
they defired him to defift from his attempts
of incroaching " either on their privileges
" or their property; but offered to affift
'c him with a confiderable fum, if he would
cc difmifs all the ftrangers he careffed ; and
" affured him, that if he retrenched his ufe-
t S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 46. ct lefs

76 An Introductory Hiftory
" lefs and undeferved liberalities towards
" them, he would find the revenues of the
te crown fuffice him, as they had done his
" predeceffors." The king paid little regard to this anfwer,
but in many parts of the kingdom caufed
the thirds to be forcibly feized; thus driving
fuch as had any property to attempt the
moft defperate means of fecuring it, while
he attached to his party the indigent and ra
pacious, who hoped to fhare in the fpoils of
the wealthy *. But the nobility, after
The nobles a formal declaration, that they renounced
gam, queen" au" obedience to him, and thought them-
of Denmark, felves abfolved from their oath of allegiance,
tion. withdrew into Denmark, to afk protection
and affiftance from queen Margaret.
This princefs had for fome time enter
tained hopes of uniting the three northern
kingdoms, and for that purpofe had culti
vated a good correlpondence with many of
the principal perfons in Sweden, and attached
them by favours and promifes to her in-
terefts. But policy made her receive with
coldnefs thofe who came to afk for aid, and
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 46. Comp.
Reg. Suec. p. 636. fhe

of S W E D E N. yy
the replied, . that " fince fhe could not com-r
" ply with them without hazarding two
" crowns, it was but juft that fhe fhould
" be animated by the hope of obtaining a
" third." A condition to which they were
obliged to confent, and to promife her the Are oW'g*1
0 L to promife
Crown of Sweden *. her the crown
of Sweden.
But great was the flaughter in that A.D. 1388.
kingdom, before fhe could get it into her Sweden! **
poffeflion. The war between her and Al
bert was extremely bloody, the country was
every where plundered, and the people
butchered in all places. The defolation
and diftrefs were equal to both factions.
At length, Albert challenged Margaret to
give him battle near Falkoping in Weft
Gothland, on a day he fixed. She accepted
it, and, after a very bloody engagement, de- Defeats and
feated, and took him and his fon prifoners -J-. prifoner. "*
Albert had the lefs reafon to expect
any favour from Margaret, as he had con
tinually endeavoured to ridicule her on ac
count of her fex, which he thought unfit to
bear fovereign rule, and calumniated her as
criminally attached to the Abbe Soora.
» J. Meur. lib. iv. p. 97. S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift.
Suec. fcap.47. Hiftoire de Dann. torn, iv p. 28.
t Ibid. p. 30. J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. v. p. 98.
Mar-

78 An Introduflory Hiftory
His allies Margaret's victory gave no immediate
continue t e ^.^ ^ ^e miferies with which Sweden
was afhidted. The princes of Mecklen-^
burg, Holftein, and others of king Albert's
allies, continued the war in the moft cruel
manner, in order to procure his liberty.
They got poffeflion of the city of Stockholm,
where they maffacred the citizens, with as
little mercy as they had fhewn to the reft
of the kingdom. In all this excefs of
wretchednefs the Swedes continued feven
years, when at laft peace was made.
A.D. 1394. Albert and his fon were fet at liberty,
Albert rellor- on conc]ition that the former fhould " re
ed to liberty. , . r
" fign to queen Margaret all his pretentions
" to that kingdom within three years, or
" be obliged to pay her 60,000 marks 3
" that there fhould be a general fufpenfion
" of arms during that term, and till it was
" expired the Hans Towns fliould retain
" poffeflion of Stockholm *."
Margaret Margaret, thus queen of three king-
eftabiifhed on doms, which fhe governed with great wif-
the throne of . , ... ,
Sweden. dom and courage, did not long continue
agreeable to the Swedes : of ail her fubjedts,
they alone complained of her fway. She
* J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. v. p. 99. had

of Swede n. 79
had not forgiven them the obftinate oppofi-
tion they made to her marrying Haquin,
and refledted with ftill greater-indignation,
that, on this account, they had excluded him
and his father from their throne ; but per
haps they chiefly owed the treatment they
complained of, to her being fenfible, that
her power was without controul. In com
mon with the greateft part of her predecef
fors, fhe chofe to be abfolute ; but fhe alone
was able to become fo, being as irrefiftable
to any forces they could raife, as formidable
to any allies they could make.
As fhe gave the crown lands and caftles The Swedes
„ , »T . -, . difcontented
to Danes and JNorwegians, the bwedes re- with her go-'
monftrated to her, that this was contrary to venunent-
the laws of the kingdom, and fhewed her
the charters which afferted their privileges.
The queen paid little regard to thofe dif-
contents, which could only appear in words:
fhe knew, that, although they might repine
at her power, they could not refift it; fo
made them no other anfwer, than that " fhe
tc advifed them to preferve their charters
" and other fecurities with care, equal to
" that with which fhe fhould keep poffef-
" fion of their forts and caftles *."
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 47.
Queen

Jtor An Introductory Hiftory
A.D. 1396. Queen Margaret being foUicited by her
affociates fubjedts to marry, but determined not to
Eric of Po- comply with their defire, thought proper to
meraniaon ,. . ; , . T <-
the throne, divide her throne with one, whofe age ren
dered him incapable of fharing her power :
fhe therefore fent for her nephew, Henry
of Pomerania, an infant, the grandfon of
her eldeft fifter, and prevailed on the ftates
of the three kingdoms to acknowledge him
their king, to reign jointly with her during
her life, and fucceed her at her death *.
A. D. 1397. Her great view was to unite the three
Caimar,0cnonfkingdoms hY a Iafting agreement; and
eluded. when fhe thought fhe had gained a con
fiderable influence over a fufficient number
of the nobility of each nation", fhe aflembled
the principal perfons of the three kingdoms
at Caimar, where (though with fome dif
ficulty on the fide of the Swedes) an union
was concluded, called, from the name of the
place, the Union of Caimar ; wherein it was
agreed, that " they fhould all be governed
"¦ by the fame fovereign J, each kingdom
" alternately having the right of election ;
" that he fhould divide his refidence equally
• Sam. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 48. J.
Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. v. p. 99.
X Ibid. p. too. Pont, rerum Dan. lib. ix. p. 528.
" among

^Sweden. 8 i
" among the three nations, and confume
u in each the revenues he received from
cc it, not carrying any part out of the king-
" dom, but fpending it all for the emolu-
" ment of that ftate from whence it arofe ;
" that to each nation fhould be preferved
" their ancient rights and privileges, and
" none but the natives be employed in the
" government." During the time this affair was tranfact-
ing, Eric, whom his father Albert had left
in the ifle of Gothland, died ; whereupon
Albert gave up all thoughts of recovering
his dominions, and refigned to queen Mar
garet every place he retained in Sweden *,
except the ifle of Gothland, of which the
knights of Pruffia took poffeffion, it having
been fome years before mortgaged to them
by Albert.
Queen Margaret endeavoured to recover A. D. 1404.
it by force ; but failing in her enterprize,
fhe paid the fum for which it had been
engaged to them -j-, and, in order to 'levy
it, oppreffed the Swedes with moft exorbi
tant taxes, and went herfelf from houfe to
* J. Meurfi Hift. Dan. lib. v. p. 101.
t Pont. rer. Dan, lib. ix. p. 539.
G houfe

82 An Introductory Hiftory
houfe to gather it; but neverthelefs the
Danes took poffeflion- of the ifland, and kept
it for a long time. The Swedes foon found
that the treaty- of Caimar was no defence to
them, for the queen infringed it in every
particular, and fhewed no countenance to
any Swedifh gentleman but Abraham Bro-
derfon, whofe merit extending no farther
than a very beautiful perfon, the favour in
which flie held him offended her fubjedts,
and occafioned imputations very much to
the detriment of her reputation. But the
encouragement fhe gave to the clergy,
whofe pov/er fhe extended, and who fhe
admitted into a fhare of the adminiftration,
was greatly inftrumental in keeping her futj-
jedts in obedience, whofe difcontents evapo
rated in complaints.
A. D. 140:. When king Henry (whofe name fhe had
marrieTphi- Ranged mto Eric> me better to pleafe her
lippa,daugh- fubjedts by a found to which they were ac-
ofr£0nShndn.gcuftomed) was arrived at a proper age, fhe
married him to Philippa, daughter to Henry
the fourth of England; and dying five
years after, left him the fole poffeflion of the
A.D. 11 1 2; joint thrones of his three kingdoms *.
* Pont, rerum Dan. lib. ix. p. 544. J. Meur. Hift.
Dan. lib. v. u. ioz. Queen

of S WED E N. 83
Queen Margaret's death proved very unfor
tunate to Eric. Equally ambitious of arbi
trary power, but deftitute of the authority,
which her prudence and wifdom had given
her, his fubjedts were no longer awed by a
prince, who, though dreadful for his bruta
lity, was defpicable in his underftanding.
He fixed his refidence entirely in Den- A. D. 141?.
mark, and fent Danifh governors into Swe- crueny op_
den, who plundered and opprelfed the peo- Prefifd .by
r 1 x l Enc s vice-
ple, more like the cruel conquerors of a van- roys.
quifhed nation, than rulers over obedient
fubjedts. Queen Margaret had left him
engaged in a war with the duke of Holftein,
for the duchy of Slefwick -j- ; and the
Hans Towns having joined with the duke,
ail trade ceafed in Sweden ; fo that while
the king was robbing them of the poffeflions
they enjoyed, he deprived them of the
means of acquiring others.
Eric fucceeded fo ill in this war, that Copenhagen
the Germans attacked Copenhagen, and he thVcfermaV.s.
faw no refource but flying for refuge into a
monaftery ; when his queen Philippa, who
was endowed with a more mafculine cou
rage, as well as a more engaging manner,
+ S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Dan. cap. 48.
G 2 en-

84 An Introductory Hiftory
Queen Phi- encouraged the inhabitants fo fuccefsfully,
IrfemwSfe that they a11 took "P arms, and repelled the
the ftege. enemy. But- afterwards forming an enter-
• • '429- prize by fea, which failed in the execution,
the king was fo enraged, that he beat her
very feverely. This infult, added to his
Being ill- long ill-treatment, induced her to retire in-
treated by the toaconvent at Wadftena, where fhe died
king, (he re-
tires into a foon after *.
convent. As this war proved very expenfive to
• '43 • grjC) }t was one caufe 0f the heavy oppref-
fions under which all his fubjedts in general
laboured, though Sweden had the greateft
reafon for complaint, where daily the moft
horrid cruelties were committed by his go
vernors ; and thofe who went to his court
to complain of the injuries received, could
never obtain redrefs ; but, on the contrary,
A d i4«. were very frcquentlypunifhed. At length,
TheDalecar- grown defperate, the province of Dalecarlia
under the rebelled, under the conduct of a gentleman
£^e "ndua of the country, named Engelbrecht -f. This
brecht. was like the fignal for a general revolt ; all
Sweden flocked to him ; and the fenate,
moved in part by the juftice of his caufe,
and perhaps ftill more by his menace of
treating all that adhered to Eric as enemies
* Pont, rerum Dan. lib. i::. p. 590. J. Meur. Hift.
Daa. lib. v. p. 1 1 5.
f Ibid. p. 117. of

^" Sweden. 85
of their country *, joined him. He ex- A.D. im
pelled all the foreign governors whom the ^;nnehr^te
king had placed in the fortreffes, and razed
fuch forts as Eric had newly built, in order
to keep the Swedes in fubjedtion.
Engelbrecht's great fuccefs induced
Charles Cnutfon, a man of the moft noble
family in Sweden, to join him.
After the Swedes had made fome trea
ties with Eric, which he broke almoft as
foon as figned, they found it neceffary to
elect one man to be governor of the king
dom, and general of their armies.
Cnutson's rank gained him the prefer- A.D. i.j.35.
ence over Engelbrecht's merits, and the^.^^
choice fell on him ; which gave fuch offence eleaed go-
. vernor of the
to the people, that a compofition was agreed i-i^dom.
upon, though Cnutfon foon regained the
whole power, by caufing his rival to beCau[eiEnKel
affaflinated -f- But he could not fo eafily affaffinated ;
extinguifh Engelbrecht's fame as his life ;
his memory was cherifhed and revered in
Sweden for fome ages as a martyr to the
love of liberty and his country %.
* Pont, rerum Dan. lib. ix. p. 596, 597. S. Puffend.
Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 49.
-J- Ibid. cap. 50. J. Meur. Kifc. Dan. lib. v. p. 122.
X Pont, return Dan. lib. ix. p. 605.
G 3 Eric

86 An Introductory Hiftory
A. D. 1436, Eric Puckius attempted to revenge the
death of this great man. So popular a
caufe foon procured him a very confiderable
and Eric army, which Cnutfon not chufing to en
counter with inferior force, prevailed on
Eric Puckius to enter into a negociation with
him ; and, having got him into his hands,
contrary to his faith given, he caufed him to
be beheaded,
As Cnutfon, by treachery and infolence,
rendered himfelf very hateful to the Swedes,
thev endeavoured to obtain reafonable terms
from king Eric, on which they engaged to
fubrnit to him ; but the king difappointing
their hopes in this refpect, they entered into
1437. alliance with the Danes, who were then
meditating a revolt.

o

The Danes being at length determined
The Danes to depofe Eric, offered their throne to Chrif-
cepofe Eric. 1 r r> ¦ 1 • 1 j
and eled topiier of Bavaria, his nepnew ; and pre-
Ciriftopher vailed on the Swedes, who were Greatly dif-
gufted with Charles Cnutfon, to elect him
for their king likewife ":;f; but they were
1447. obliged to buy Cnutfon's confent, by giving
\j;\c is h.-.e- |-,;rn tjie province of Finland for life, with
ledged king two iflands of lefs value for ever.
pf ottedon. * Pont. rer. Dan. lib. x. p. 616. J. Meur. Hift. Dan.
Jib. v. .p. 125.
Christopher

of S wetj.e n. "• 8 j
''Christopher could neither gain the love
nor confidence of the Swedes. They were
grown fo jealous of their liberties, that it
would have been difficult for any king td
have governed to their fatisfaction. The
chief articles of complaint againft Chrifto
pher were, that he endeavoured to foment
the animofities between the Swedifh nobi
lity, and that he left Eric in poffeffion of
the ifle of Gothland, by whofe piracies the
Swedes fuffered greatly.
Upon the death of Chriftopher, the ftates 144s.
having affembled to elect a new king, c.hnlt0P,,er
° . e>* dies, and
Charles Cnutfon came efcorted by fo nume- CnaHes
rous a retinue, that he procured himfelf to ceeds'himon"
be chofen * ; and was likewife accepted by the throne of
¦ S WcdcT
the Norwegians as their fovereign. The
Danes elected Chriftiern, earl of Olden
burg. The ambition that each king entertained
of uniting under his government the three
northern crowns, occafioned a fierce war
between them, wherein the fubjedts of
both were grievous fufferers, arid neither
prince could boaft of any confiderable ad-
* J Meur. Hift. Dan. libri tres, lib. i. p. 2. Pont. rer.
Dan. lib. x. p. 635.
G 4 vantage.

88 An Introductory Hiftory
vantage. Charles, at the fame time, in*
creafed the hatred of his people by his in-r
fufferable infolence, cruelty, and tyranny ;
MM. hut what proved moft detrimental to him
was, an attempt to leffen the power of
the bifhops, and to prevent the increafe of
their riches, by a law, forbidding any future
alienations in their favour -j-.
John Salstat, archbifhop of Upfal, who
was better qualified to be general of an
army than a minifter of the gofpel of peace,
us8.-, excited a revolt, and commanded it in
en out of the chief, with fo much fuccefs, that he drove
kingdom. Charles out of Sweden. He then invited
Chriftiern, king of Denmark, into the kingr
dom ; who, bringing with him a large
fleet, prefented himfelf before Stockholm,
and after the ufual ceremony of figning all
poflible engagements for the fupport of the
people's liberty, he was elected king of
Chriftiern. Sweden S. The archbifhop now began to
kin? of Djiv ' r b '
mark,eie;ted. he troubled with great remorfe of con.-
fcience for his rebellion againft king Charles;
but having applied to the pope for abfolu-
tion, his holinefs eafed his mind of all its

t S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. caput 5:
$ Ibid. J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. i. p. 11.

fcruples,

of Sweden. 8g
icruples, and quieted his terrors with bene*
didtions. Christiern, at firft, was well pleafing
to the Swedes ; but, after a time, he began
fo lay heavy impofitions upon them, which,
as his avarice was continualfy increafing,
alienated the people from him; and by
affuming more power in the kingdom than
the archbifhop's pride and ambition could
readily allow, he loft the hearts of the pre
late and his party. The archbifhop re
proached him with great boldnefs for his
exactions, and raifed a fedition fufficient to
offend the king, but not to defend himfelf.
Chriftiern caufed him to be feized, and fent H&3-
him into Denmark, where he was confined bifhop of Up-
in orifon & falimprifoned
in pmon 5, by Chriftiern.
The bifhop of Katil, nephew to the Thebiftiop
archbifhop, raifed an army among the dif- £els atl r?"
contented Swedes, and maintained a long
rebellion, offering to lay down his arms if
the king would releafe the archbifhop ; but
Chriftiern could not refolve to fet at liberty
a man, whom he had made ftill more his I+6+'
enemy than before. When the bifhop
loft all hopes of delivering his uncle by a
§ J. Meoir. Hift. Dan. lib. i. p. 13. treaty

90 An Introductory Hiftory
He recalls treaty with the king, he recalled the de-
Cnutfon. pofed monarch, Cnarles Cnutfon, and re
placed him on the throne * ; which he
was not long fuffered to enjoy.
Chriftiern re- Christiern, finding that he had carried
leafesthe jjjg refiftance too far, releafed the arch-
archbilnop. . ...
bifhoD, having fecured a reconciliation with
him by the ftrongeft engagement, that of
intereft, for he promifed to leave the go
vernment in the hands of the prelate, if he
H%- would orocure him to be again acknow-
ledged king of Sweden.
As foon as the archbifhop returned into
the kingdom, he was joined by the bifhop
of Katil, and ail his adherents, who had
The prelate conceived fome difguft from Charles. The
defeats . ^
Charles two parties came to a battle on the laKe of
Cnution. Meier, which was then frozen ever; the
archbifhop defeated Charles, and reduced
Obliges him him to furrender himfelf. He then obliged
™?.!lgn the him to make a public renunciation of the
crown, promifing never to refume it, even
if invited ; and then allowed him great part
of the province of Finland, where he was
fuffered to fix his abode £.
* J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. i. p. 14. S. Puffend. Introd.
ad Hift. Suec. cap. 53.
+ Ibid.
When

crown.

¦ of Sw ED R N. . gi
When the archbifhop had eftahlifhed his
power in the kingdom, he deferred ful
filling his promifes to king Chriftiern; bet
ter pleafed to keep the authority in his own
hands than to refign it to another, in expect
ation that it fhould be again reftored to
him. i
There remained in Sweden a ftrong 1466.
party againft the archbifhop, under the £™aAr^on
command of Eric Axelfon, nephew to king chofen admi-
Charles. Eric being chofen adminiftrator
of the kingdom, maintained a civil war till
the death of that prelate. Nor did that
event procure the nation the peace it fo
much wanted; till the people, wearied with
fuffering from every party without diftinc-
tion, determined once more to reftore
Charles Cnutfon, who, notwithftanding the
oath he had taken, accepted the crown ^ '4CS-
, _. , , . . , , Charles again
they offered him, but could never procure reftored.
himfelf to be generally acknowledged *.
In the third year after his fecond refto- H70>
ration Charles died +. When he found '3 A°f May,
1 Charles dies,
his death approaching, he delivered up the
city of Stockholm, and all that he poffeffed
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 53. J.
Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. i. p. 16.
j- Ibid. p. 17. 6 in

92 An Introductory Hiftory
in the kingdom, to his nephew Steeno-
Sturius, who had always adhered to him
with inviolable fidelity ; at the fame time
advifing him to forbear the title of king,
which was become odious to the people,
and content himfelf with that of adminr-
ftrator.
K D. 1471. Steeno-Sturius was acknowledged ad-
SteenoSturius miniftrator by the greateft part of Sweden,
niftrator. and defended himfelf againft the attacks of
Chriftiern, and his party, though he could
never bring the whole kingdom under his
authority.
l5 When John fucceeded his father. Chrif-
John eleaed tiern on the throne of Denmark, the Swedes
den? were prevailed with to elect him for their
king, in purfuance of the treaty of Caimar §;
but as he refufed to comply with the con
ditions they required before his coronation,
Steeno-Sturius retained the adminiftratorfhip
for fourteen years after, which he exercifed
with great wifdom, courage, and probity.
But at length the envy of the great, and
the inconftancy of the multitude, reduced
him to refign the kingdom to king John,
§ J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. ii. p. 23. in

of S VV E D & N„ 93
in confideration of a very extenfive domain,Butcouldnot
which John affigned him *. She^fngT1
domtilli497.
During the three firft years of king
John's reign, he rendered himfelf very ac
ceptable to the Swedes ; but afterwards
the cruelty of fome of the governors he had
placed over the provinces, together with
the ambition of Steeno-Sturius, who fo
mented the difcontents of the people, occa
fioned a revolt, which king John found it
not in his power to quell.
The rebels again raifed Steeno-Sturius to^, llox\
i r -n * The Swedes
the admimftratorfhip, which he poffeffed till rebel, and
he died. He was fucceededtn it by Suan- sfelno'.st-
to-Sturius -k who governed the kingdom rius admini-
c • t r • , , ftrator.
for eight years of continual trouble and 1504.
flaughter. At his death, Steeno-Sturius the jP^J »?
fecond was chofen adminiftrator. Suanto-Stu-
rius.
r 1512.
In two years after, John king of Den- is fucceeded
mark dying, the Danes endeavoured to per- smriusethe"fe-
fuade the Swedes to receive Chriftiern the cond-
fecond, his fon, for their king, but without xe\\.
fuccefs. They had feen fuch fymptoms of j£s John
tyranny and cruelty in his conduct, as ren-
* J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. ii. p. 30.
t Ibid. p. 46. S. Puffend. Iatrod. ad Hift. Suec. cap.
dered

94 An Introductory Hiftory, &a
dered them more averfe to fubmit to him,
than they had been to obey his father, who
was a mild and gentle prince.
Christiern prevailed' on pope Leo X.
to excommunicate Steeno-Sturius *,' and
gained Guftavus Trollius, archbifhop of
Upfal, entirely to his party, by great bribes;
but notwithftanding all his efforts, Steeno's
power was acknowledged by the perfons of
greateft confideration in the kingdom.
But no one either fhewed more attachment
to him, or did greater honour to his party,
than Guftavus Ericfon, a young nobleman
of very diftinguifhed familv, and fuperior
abilities, whofe hiftory we may properly
begin here, though it be but the dawn of
his glory, which afterwards fhone out with
fuch fplendor, as eclipfed its firft appear-
, ance.
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 58. S.- Puff.
Comp. Reg. Suec. p. 645. S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift.
Europ. cap, 9.

THE

95

THE
LIFE O F
GUSTAVUS ERICSON.

USTAVUS was defcendedfrom Guftavus
the ancient kings of Sweden :
his father was named Eric Vafa,
nearly related to, and much
refpected by, the adminiftrator ; but Gufta
vus, as better fuited in age and difpofition,
was not only greatly trufted, but likev/ife
much beloved by him,
Gustavus had thofe natural advantages
which give an early prejudice in the poffef-
for's favour, till experience has either difap-
pointed the hopes they have raifed, or fixed
opinion on fo reafonable and firm a bafis,
that expectation is loft in certainty. His
perfon was rnajePtic and graceful, his con
vention

9^ - The Life 5/
verfatiofi engaging, and his temper amiable '
His capacity qualified him to conceive the
nobleft enterprizes, and his courage enabled
him to execute them. Averfe to the difii-
pations and pleafures fo attractive to moft
perfons of his age, youuh feemed to have
no other effect on his difpofition, than to
give fire to his love of glory, to animate
him in purfuit of fame, and to qualify him
to fupport the fatigues and dangers of a
martial life.
Steeno-Sturius, who was himfelf a
prince of great valour, and a generous mind,
conceived an affection for the man, who, in
this refpect, refembled him ; and learnt,
from a fenfe of his fuperior abilities, to con
fide in his advice.

1517.

The adminiftrator had omitted no en-
Steeno lays deavours t0 effect a reconciliation with the
liege to
Stecka. archbifhop; but finding them all unavailing,
he came to arefolution of befiegino- him in
his caftle of Stecka * ; and, in this expedi
tion, gave the command of his cavalry to
Guftavus Ericfon ¦f. As this undertaking
had the fanction of the fenate's orders, the
* S. Puffend. ut fupra.
f Hiftoirede Dann. torn. iv.p. 463. bifhops

Gustavus Ericson. 97
bifhops of Stregnez and Lincopinc, who
Were members of it, did not dare to abfent
themfelves from the army, though they
were as ftrongly attached to Denmark as
the man they went to attack; but fear
taught them diffimulation. They, however,
repaired firft to Stecka, on pretence of en
deavouring to perfuade the archbifhop to
agree to an accommodation, but, in reality,
to apprize him of the forces which were
deftined againft him. Thus far, indeedj
they acted according to their declared inten
tion : they urged all the arguments, which
had proved fo availing with themfelves, to
perfuade him to join in their diffimula
tion, and to lull his enemies by an ap
parent peace, till the king of Denmark
fhould bring fuch an army into the king
dom, as might enable him with lefs danger
to take up arms.
The archbifhop, lefs timorous than his
advifers, reproached them with cowardice,
and threatened them with the refentment
their timidity would excite in king Chrif
tiern, who was preparing with all expedi
tion to invade the kingdom. H The

§8 The Life of
Obliged to The adminiftrator was obliged to defift
raife it, on a c , . . n , r .
defcent made from his enterpnze on btecka, as foon as he
by the Danes. made the firft approaches, having received
advice that the Danes had made a defcent
near Stockholm, and put the adjacent coun
try to fire and fword *. He led his
troops with all fpeed to oppofe them, and
gave them battle near the caftle of Vedel.
The fight was long and defperate ; but the
Guftavus re- courage and conduct of Guftavus, who, at
pu t ,.^m, tjie k^ q£ ^-s fqUa(jronj gave the firft on -
fet, was invincible ; the Swedes put their
enemies to flight, and drove them back to
their fhips with grievous flaughter.
The adminiftrator did himfelf more ho
nour than Guftavus could claim, by attri
buting the fuccefs of that day entirely to
him ; thus conquering in generality, while
he allowed the other the inferior glory of
victory in fight; for to acknowledge and
love the fuperiority others have over us, is,
in the moft eifential point, fhewing our-
felves fuperior, or at leaft equal, to them.
This was the firft battle in which Gufta
vus had been engaged, and it feemed to give
* S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 58. J. Meur.
Hift. Dan. lib. iii. p. 67. (P

OUSTAVUS ERICSON. 99
it) fure a promife of military glory, as great
ly recommended him to a nation, who
knew not how to live in peace, and yet had
fuch powerful enemies to contend with, that
they fcarcely found it lefs difficult to fup-
port a war.
The adminiftrator led his victorious troops and Steeno
to the fiege of Stecka; where the archbifhop, sfedca.6 ^^
difappointed of the fuccours he expected,
and finding his garrifon inclined to mutiny,
afked a conference with the adminiftrator, Theatch-
propofing to go to him in his tent, if ^rtc"
he would give him Guftavus Ericfon for
an hoftage. This offer was accepted ; and
the wary archbifhop, who before thought
himfelf fecured, by exacting for hoftage the
man who he knew enjoyed the firft place
both in the adminiftrator's efteem and affec
tion, at leaving his caftle was fo apprehen-
five of danger, that, determined to fecure
his revenge, if he could not quite afcertain
his fafety, he left orders, that if they heard
any violence was offered him, they fhould
inftantly put Guftavus to death.
The prelate's apprehenfions were vain.
Neither the infolence of his behavour, nor-
the uhreafonable terms he propofed, were
H a any

100 The Life of
any inducements to the adminiftrator to
violate the promife he had given him. The
archbifhop offered an -accommodation,
" provided he fhould.be left in poffeflion of
" his caftle, his church, and dignity."
The terms he Steeno-Sturius told him he was too
offers are not jat -n frs demands, fuch terms were no
accepted. '
longer to be expected ; but referred him to
the ftates of the kingdom, as the only pro
per tribunal for a man who would not ac
knowledge his power.
Propcfes The archbifhop thought the confidera-
Se.othe rion in which he was heid by the kin§ of
Denmark made him of fo much import
ance, that the ftates would not willingly
offend him, therefore readily agreed to
Thefenate fubmit to their judgment; but had the
reje&s them, . ~ . - , . . .
and orders mortification to liear them condemn him to
that Stecka ^ depofed from his rank in the church,
b;. demoL.h- r
ed. confined to a monaftery to do penance, for
all the diforders he had occafioned in the
kingdom, and to have his caftle of Stecka
razed to the ground *. Even the bifhops
of Lincopinc, Stregnez, andScara, as mem
bers of the fenate, were obliged to fubfcribe
* J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. iii. p. 67. to

Gustavus Ericson. ior
to the fentence, to avoid all fufpicion of fa
vouring him.
This decree was executed ; and the arch
bifhop, figning his depofition, refigned his
fee to the pope, giving, as his reafon for fa
doing, the hatred of the people, and his de-
fire of not being the occafion of bringing
any misfortunes on his friends, through their
attachment to him. He afterwards engaged,
by a moft folemn oath, never to afpire to
that dignity again, and then was fhut up in
a monaftery at Wefteraas.
This prelate v/as not of fo complying a
temper as fincerely to acquiefce in this fen
tence : he fent privately to the pope, to ac
quaint him, that his fubmiffion was involun
tary, and to intreat his holinefs to take him
under his protection. This petition was
ftrengthened by the moft earned: endeavours
of the king of Denmark, whofe interefts
fuffered fo much by the archbifhop's con
finement, that he could not fail of being a
warm foilicitor for him.
John Angelo Arcemboldi, the pope's The popes
legate, who was then driving the trafiic of lesateende*-
o ' a vours to get
indulgencies in the northern kingdoms, on the archbi-
T T , . fhop reftored.
H 3 this r

103 The L i f e of
this occafion wa& fent out of Denmark into.
Sweden ; and at firft tried to get the fen-.
tence againft the archbifhop reverted ;
wherein he was fupported by letters from
the pope, written to the fame purpofe, and
threatening to put the kingdom under an
interdict, in cafe of difobedience *,
The Swedes were not fo eafily intimi-p
dated. They accufed the archbifhop of in-
folence and treachery, and the king of Den
mark of the vices of his conduct ; but, as
a more availing defence, they made the le-.
gate fo many prefents, as attached him en
tirely to their party. The year following,
he negociated a reconciliation hetween the
archbifhop and the adminiftrator; and, in
confequence of it, the former was fuffered
to go to Stockholm, to fpend the remainder
of his life with his father.
The admini- Steeno-Sturius offered the archbifhop-,
thearch- "' ric t0 Arcemboldi, but the pope would not
biihopric to permit him to accept it. On the contrary,
he excommunicated the Swedes, and order
ed the king of Denmark to put the fentence
in execution -j-.
* J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. iii. p. 97. Hift. de Dann.
torn. iv. p. 446.
f Ibid. p. 447. S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 58..
The

Gustavus Erics on. 103
The legate had been fo entirely gained
overto the adminiftrator's interefts, that he
had betrayed to him the king of Denmark's
defigns againft Sweden, with which that
prince had entrufted him, and Arcemboldi
depended on his influence over the pope,
for reconciling him to the S wedes X : but
the king of Denmark, through whofe ter
ritories he was to pafs in his return into
Italy, having fufpicion of his treachery, and
a ftrong defire for the treafures he had
amaffed by the fale of indulgencies, which
it is faid amounted to above a million of The king of
ducats, he feized them both, and caft him f^™3^ ie-
into prifon ; from whence, though he after- gate and his
, r , , , , ' treafures to be
wards efcaped, yet he could recover no partfeized.
of his riches. Some have imagined, that
Chriftiern fuffered him thus to plunder the
people, with an intention, when he had
drained them of all he could get, to feize on
the treafure, as he in fact did, and thus en
rich himfelf, while all the odium fell on the
legate : a defign perfectly confiftent with
that prince's avarice and injuftice.
Christiern having prepared a confider- June, 151 8.
able army to revenge the difgrace his troops Chnfnern be-
J ° ° r fieges Stock-
received at Vedel, and, as he pretended, in holm.
|J. Meur Hift. Dan. lib. iii. p. 63.
H 4, obedience

104 The Life of
obedience to the pope's orders, he entered
Sweden, 'and laying wafte all the country as
far as Stockholm, laid fiege to that city *.
The hatred the Swedes had conceived
againft the Danes, from the frequent oppref-
fions and ill-treatment they had fuffered
from them, and the more particular aver-
fion that Chriftiern's avarice and cruelty had
excited, made all the nation arm in fo im
minent a danger. The citizens of Stock
holm, as brave and as zealous in the defence
of their city as the garrifon itfelf, joined
in all the duties of it ; they fhared the la
bour and the danger, and the Danes fuf
fered feverely from their frequent and vigo-*
rous fallies.
Great multi- The peafants, from every part of the
tudes repair kingdom, ranged themfelves under the en-
to the admi- ° °
niftrator's figns of the adminiftrator : the evils that
atmy' threatened them, from the fuccefs of the
Danes, brought the wild multitude from the
defert mountains, and attracted even thofe
who had lived till then almoft unknown in
gloomy forefts, where fcarcely the light
cculd penetrate. Such were the apprehen-
fions of the people, that rumour carried the
* S. Puffend. Intrcd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 58. report

Gustavus Erics'On. 105
report of their common danger into the
leaft acceflible retirements, and found in
every heart that love of liberty, which in-
fpires the trueft courage. This various
multitude gave an air of uncommon terror
to the adminiftrator's army. As they had
dwelt far from thofe cuftomary convenien
ces which art has introduced, they were
indebted for every thing they poffeffed to
nature, and that fuperiority of power, which
firft enabled man to make the inferior part
of the creation provide him with the necef-
faries of life : they were cloathed with the
fkins of animals, and had neither arms nor
armour, but fuch as they had been able to
find, or in their artlefs manner to make, fit
to ferve them in their neceflary attacks on
the wild beafts, among which they lived,
or to defend them againft the brutal rage
of each other. Savage valour fiipplied the
place of martial fk.il! ; they were ignorant
of every art of felf-defence, but death ap
peared to them unattended with terror ; and
nothing could fubdue their ferocious cou
rage, but the fatal ftroke which feparated
their favage fouls from their bodies.
The adminiftrator led this varioufly com-
pofed army againft the king of Denmark ;
who,

106 The L i f e of
«d of July, who, to avoid being penned up between it
Chriftiern to and the town, raifed the fiege, and endea-
raife the fiege voured to return to his fleet; bn: having
with confi- . °
derablelofs. decamped too late, the adminiftrator attack
ed him in his retreat, and put a great part of
his army to the fword, before they could
reach their fhips *. Chriftiern would glad
ly have fet fail for Denmark directly, but
adverfe winds detained him a confiderable
time ; during which he made feveTal
defcents, but was ftill repulfed with lofs by
Guftavus, who commanded the cavalry,- and
had been the chief inftrument in the deftruc-
tion of fo great a part of his army in his
retreat. The Danifh fleet began to feel all the
extremities of famine ; they had neither
food nor frefh water, and many perifhed
daily. In this diftrefs, Chriftiern conceived
greater hopes of relief from deceit than
Guftavus would fuffer him to find from his
forces : he therefore propofed a truce, on
pretence of treating about the ranfom of
prifoners, and ordered his commiffaries to
infinuate a probability that he might be
prevailed upon to make a firm and lafting
peace. * S. Puffend. ut fupra.
The

Gustavus Ericson. 107
The adminiftrator, whofe generous and
open nature was unfufpicious of others, fell
into the fnare, and fent him a large fupply of
provifions. Chriftiern propofed to Steeno-
Sturius to come on board his fhip, that in an
amicable conference they might treat of
peace ; and had fucceeded herein, if the fe-
nate had not oppofed Steeno's trufting him
felf in the hands of fo faithlefs a prince.
The king then offered to meet the ad
miniftrator in Stockholm, if he would give
him Guftavus Ericfon and five other nobles
for hoftages. This was agreed to ; the ho-
ftages fet out ; but when they arrived at the Chriftiern
fliore, they were forced on board the fleet, into his hands
though the king was not landed, contrary rnd rpeu"s
to the agreement ; and the wind having mark.
changed to a more favourable corner for
Chriftiern's departure, he fet fail for Den
mark *, feeling no fmall confolation for
all his loffes, in having carried off Guftavus,
whom he feared as a moft formidable
enemy. He hoped the adminiftrator would
confent to the renewal of the treaty of Cai
mar, to fave the life of fo favoured a friend
and kinfman ; and he flattered himfelf, that
the relations of the other hoftages would
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec, cap. 58. not

108 The L if e of
not be lefs powerfully adtuated, by concern
for their fafety.
' The king, before he fet fail, fent word to
the adminiftrator and the fenate, that it was
only by contenting to renew that treaty that
they could preferve the lives of thefe young
noblemen. The adminiftrator and all the
nobility in Stockholm immediately got on
board the fmall veffels they had in the river,
determined to attack the Danifh fhips, not-
withftanding the inequality of their fize
and force, and to recover the hoftages, or
perifh in the attempt ; but the fleet had got
clear of the port, and, with all the fail they
could make, they could not overtake it.
The king en- Christiern, difappointed in his expec-
gaiToter the tation of bringing the Swedes to accede to
hoftages to the treaty of Caimar, tried every means of
his party; . . J J
gaining the hoftages to his party. He en
deavoured to captivate their ambition by the
moft dazzling profpects of promotion, and
to attach them by the moft alluring pro-
mifes ; but thefe proving unavailing, he at
tempted to intimidate them by menaces,
and threatened them with all the feverities
his vengeance could execute, if they did
not difclaim the adminiftrator and his party. But

Gustavus Ericson. 109
But finding them as much fuperior to his but in vain.
rage as they were to his careffes, and fearing
the undaunted fpirit of Guftavus, when
private refentment fhould add fire to a heart
glowing with zeal for national liberty, he
ordered the officer, to whofe care they were
entrufted, to put them to death privately,
left he might be obliged, on any bad fuc
cefs, to releafe them.
The cruelty of this command fhocked
the officer ; and though Chriftiern was a
prince whofe orders were not often dif-
puted with impunity, yet this man ven
tured to reprefent fuch a proceeding as
highly imprudent, judging it eafier to touch
him by motives of felf-intereft, than of hu
manity ; he urged, " that by their death he
" would exafperate the Swedes, and add the
" ardour of revenge to the natural love of
" liberty ; but on the contrary, might awe
" them into moderation, if not intimidate
" them into fubmiffion, by the power he
" had over lives fo dear to the chief nobles
" of that country."
The officer had attacked almoftthe only
vulnerable part of the king of Denmark's
heart: no man had a nicer fenfibility to his
moft

tio The Life of
moft remote intereft, according to his view"
of it, which was indeed a falfe one, feen
through the fallacious mediums of cruelty,
avarice, and ambition . The hope of receiv
ing fome advantage from their lives, in
duced him to revoke their fentence, and he
Theyarecon- contented himfelf- with confining them in
caftfe'ofCo- the caftle of Copenhagen, where they were
penhagen. treated with fo much inhumanity as proved
fatal to fome of them.
This cruelty was of great fervice to Guf
tavus, in exciting the compaffion of Eric
Banner, a Danifh nobleman, governor of
Jutland, and his near relation . He intreated
the king to commit Guftavus to his care j
and, to obtain his confent, pretended that
his motive for making that rcqueft was, his
hopes that the alliance between him and
that nobleman might enable him to bring
Guftavus over to the king's intereft, while
affection ftrengthened the reafons which
were manifeftly conducive to his own
fafety.
Guftavus Christiern', influenced by the hope
thecare of thus fuggefted, complied with Banner's
Eric Banner. requeft, on condition that he fhould keep
Guftavus at the caftle of Calo, in Jutland, and

Gustavus Ericson. Ill
and engage to pay 6000 crowns of gold
for his ranfom, if, through his want of vigi
lance, Guftavus fhould find means to
efcape *.
Banner's generofity was proof againft
thefe hard terms. His fear for the life of a
man whom he efteemed and loved, more
for his extraordinary merit than for the *
affinity that was between them, would have
made him confent to ftill more unreafonable
conditions. According to his promife he Who carries-
conducted his prifoner to Calo, and endea- ^"le of Calo
voured, by the moft generous and obliging in Judand.
behaviour, to efface from his mind the fenfe
of his misfortunes, and make him look on
himfelf rather as a gueft than a prifoner.
More intimate intercourfe with Guftavus
increafed the affection of Banner and his
family towards him, and they made it their
principal ftudy to invent new amufements.
Hunting, and every pleafure the country
could afford, were provided in a conftant
fucceffion for his entertainment, and left
entirely to his liberty: he appeared rather
the commander of the caftle, than a prifoner
* J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. iii. p. 79. Hift. de Dann.
torn. iv. p. 510. in

H2 The Li f E^ ?*
in it. But all thefe generous efforts to difli-
pate themelancholy that oppreffed him were
ineffectual. No pleafures-could- extinguifh ,
or even damp,, his love £>f glory. While : his
country was bleeding under the cruelty of
the king of Denmark, andthe adminiftrator
had the moft prsffing occafion for his afliffc-
ance, nothing could mitigate his affliction at
being deprived of the power to defend the
one, and fhare the toils and. honour of the
other.
A. D. i;io. Christiern, piqued and exafperated by
the difgrace he had received before Stock"
holm, raifed confiderable force*, and with
the legate Arcemboldi's treafure which he
had feized, and all the money he could
levy on his fubjedts, he hired a great num
ber of mercenaries, who compofed the
greateft part of his army, of which he made
Otho Crumpinius general.
Chriftiern Otho led them into Weft Gothland *,
imo Sweden where they committed the moft horrible
under the ^_ ravages. The adminiftrator, with an army
Otho Crum- inferior in number, and compofed chiefly
Ani>S 2 0^ undifciplined peafants, gave them battle
on the Veter, a lake then frozen over. As
* Hifloire de Dann. torn. iv. p. 479,
4 he

<3lJSTAVUS ERICSON. it J
he fought at the head of his army, his valour
and intrepidity fo animated his foldiers, that;
infeniible to danger, they thought only on
victory, and Otho's army began to give way, steeno mor:
when a cannon ball fhot off one of Steeno's ^ 7"nd"
ed, and his
legs; he was obliged to be conveyed out of the army defeat-
field of battle^ and expired foon after. When
his army, deprived of their general, was
under the utmoft Confirmation for the
misfortune which had befallen him, Otho
returned to the charge, and leaving them
no leifufe to recover the difoider into
which they had been thrown, entirely
defeated them *. The greateft number,
notwithftanding the moft obftinate refiit-
ance, were flain, and the remainder flying
for fafety to the fheiter of woods and caves j
were totally difperfed.
Sweden was now deftitute of an army
to defend it, or of a general to whom the
brave or defperate could repair. The nobles
retired to their feveral caftles ; and Chriftinaj
the adminiftrator's widow, and aunt to
Guftavus Ericfon, being fitter to his mother,
fhut herfelf up with her two children in the
caftle of Stockholm.
* Hift. de Dann. torn. iv. p. 480. J. Meur. Hift. Dan.
lib. iii. p. 72. S. Puffend, Introd. ad Hift. Europ. cap. g»
Comp. Reg. Suec. p. 645.
I Otho,

II 4* The Life 0/
Otho, who was no lefs capable of taking „
all theadvantagesthat fuch a vidtory offered >
him than of obtaining it, over-ran the
country. The clergy, always attached to
Denmark, now began to declare their incli
nations. Archbifhop Trollius, as foon* as the
news of the adminiftrator 's death reached
Chriftiern him, reaffumed the dignity he had fo folemn-
kinginUpfal. ty renounced, and repairing to Upfal, pro
claimed Chriftiern king of Sweden in that
town *. The bifhops of Lincopinc and
Stregnez laid aflde their diflimulation, and,.-
embracing the fame caufe, they affiduoufly
traverfed the kingdom, endeavouring to
gain fome of the nobles by promifes,.and to
intimidate others by menaces; -taking every
meafure to prevent their chiding- a new ad
miniftrator, as that alone could recover the
people from their confternation, and enable
them to make any defence againft their
enemies. The Danes, in the mean time, laid wafte
the country, and flew all that came in their
way. They fixed in every place the pope's
bull, whereby he had excommunicated
Sweden, and appointed the king of Den-
* Comp. Reg. Suec. p. 645. S. Puffend. Introd. ad
Hift. jButc. cap. 5S.
mark

Gustavus Ericson. 115
mark to put the fentence in execution *.
Otho, at the fame time, promifedall fecurity
and favour to fuch as would acknowledge
Chriftiern for their fovereign. .'.;..
At the defire of the bifhops, and the. few
nobles whom they had acquired to their
party, Otho granted a truce of eleven days,
which was to be fpent in regulating the
courfe they were to take, as to the future
government of the kingdom. The arch
bifhop fummaned the ftates of Sweden to
meet at Upfal ; but they refuted to come to
a town which had declared for the enemy.
Only the three prelates, and feven fenators,
affembled there ; where, after the archbifhop
had reprefented " the deplorable and de-
fencelefs ftate of the kingdom, and the
affurances made on the part of the king of
Denmark, that they fhould be preferved
in quiet poffeflion of all their liberties
and immunities, and all paft adtions be
buried in oblivion -j-, affurances which
the king of Denmark would ratify, both
-" by folemn oaths and the moft binding
" engagements," he proclaimed Chriftiern
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 58. J. Meur.
Hift. Dan. lib. iii, p. 71.
f Ibid. p. 73.
I 2 king

ii6 *¦" The Life of
king of Sweden, and fent orders to all tfa&
provinces " to conform to this refblution of
?'the ftates -^dignifying that fmall affembly'
" with that name), and threatening the
c( fevereft punifhments if they did not im-
" mediately obey this command!"
This aflembly was liberal in proteftations
of obedience to the king, and lavifhed ho
nours on Othoj till he was obliged to check
their fervHity, left they fhould, by their pro
ceedings, fix fuch- marks of bafenefs on
themfelves as would render it a difgrace to
have been elected by them, or bring an
imputation on himfelf, of having forced
them into fuch mean condefcenfions.
The peafants, though deftitute of gene
rals, would not fuffer their villages to he
burnt, and their country laid wafte,. with
impunity t They gathered into confiderable
bodies, and fell on the Danes ; but deftitute
of fubordination, order, or military tkill,
their courage only expofed them to certain
deftruction,. without any advantage arifing
from thence to their country.
The archbifhop, finding the fear of deatlk
infufficient to induce them to fubmit, added a-cir-

GUSTAVUS ERICSON. HJ
a .circumftance to it, which wore greater
terrors to that ignorant multitude; be forbad
the clergy to give the rights of chriftian burial
to thofe that died fighting againft the prince,
who was authorized by the pope to take
poffeflion of the kingdom.
Otho at length by the terror of his arms, Stockholm
and the flattering promifes he made in the ^muu^
king's name, fubdued all the kingdom ex- Danes.
cept Stockholm and Caimar, which remain
ed in Chriftina's poffeflion ; the former fhe
defended in perfon, with an intrepidity un-
ufual in her fex, and at a time when alt
the men in the kingdom were terrified into
fubmiffion *.
Chistiern's joy at the. reduction of Swe
den was rendered incomplete by his fufpi-
cious apprehenfions, which . fuggefted to
him a probability, that Otho might feize
for himfelf the ftate he had conquered.
He endeavoured, by the moft flattering pro
mifes of reward, to tempt him to be faithful j
and at the fame time magnified the forces
with which he was preparing to enter into
Sweden, to deter him from yielding to any
• Hiftoire de Dann. torn. iv. p. 483. S. Puffend.
J ntrod. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 58.
I $ fog-

¦i-i 8 The L i f e of
fuggsftions of his own ambition, or from
being induced, hy the invitations of the con
quered Swedes, to renounce his allegiance.
Either the king's fears were groundlefs,
or the meafures he took to prevent their
becoming prophetic were fuccefsful. Otho
.kept the kingdom in fubjection till Chrif
tiern entered it at the head of an army.
But before we begin a particular detail of his
actions there, it is proper we fhould return
to Guftavus, whom we left impatiently
fupporting an imprifonment, which his kinf-
man endeavoured,- by every means that com
paffion or affection could fuggeft, to banifh
from his thoughts. His affliction for the
death of the adminiftrator, and the diftreffes
of his country, now rendered ail confine
ment infupportable. His countrymen were
not only opprefled by numbers, but aban
doned even by;theirown valour. A leader
was never fo much wanted, and yet no One
had fpirit enough to undertake the charge.
In this general dejection of the Swedes,
their acceptance of Chriftiern for' their fove
reign feemed almoft inevitable : he -was at
the head of a powerful army; the Swedes
had nothing but defpair to oppofe to his
arms, and that not. an animated, but a
, ; gloomy

Gust a V us Ericson. kip
gloomy defperation, which made them wait
the event, without even attempting to refift
iti Guftavus alone was fuperior to his mif-
fortunes ; diftrefs routed," not deprefled, his
courage ; and danger ferved only to' elevate
his mind.
The defire of revenging the death of his
prince and friend, and of delivering his
country from fuch inhuman oppreffors, per
haps not unaccompanied with fome motives
of ambition, were irrefiftable temptations
to him to procure for himfelf that liberty,
which he could never hope to obtain from
the king of Denmark. He would not
attempt to corrupt the loyalty of Banner, by
endeavouring to induce him to confent to
his flight, and thought fo kind a friend, could
not believe him deficient in generofity and
gratitude, if he tranfmitted to him the fum,
which he had engaged to pay the king, in
cafe he fuffered his prifoner to efcape *.
Having by this refolution found a means Guftavus
of acquitting himfelf towards Banner, for his confine-
the ufe he purpofed making of his indul- ment-
gence, he went out of the caftle one, morn
ing at a very early hour, on pretence of
• Hift. de Dan. torn. iv. p. 510* --'"'

I 4 takin

12C> The L i f e of :
taking his ufual diverfion of hunting \ when,
difguifing himfelf in the drefs of a peafant,
hepurfued fome bye-paths, and, after travel-:
ling two days on foot, he reached the town
of Flenfburg *.
No one was then fuffered to go out of
that city without a paffport, a thing for which
Guftavus durft not apply ; and yet, while
he remained there, he was hourly expofed
to the danger of being difcovered. To ex
tricate himfelf from this perilous fituation,
he engaged in the fervice of a man of
Lower Saxony, who trafficked in cattle;
which it was his practice at that feafon to
purchafe in Jutland; and by being employed
in driving the beafts, Guftavus got fafe and
Goes to Lu- unfufpedted out pf Denmark, and went to
&:c. Lubec -f.
As foon as Eric Banner was informed that
his prifoner had made his efcape, he pur-
fued him> and, having found him at Lubec,
Vented fonae fevere reproaches, for the un
generous return he made to the affectionate
treatment he had received at Calo, by expofi-
hig him to the king's refentment, and the

* Hiftoire de Dann. torn, iv p. 510.
t Ibid. J. Meur. Hift. Dan.. lib. iii. p. 79.

for-

* Gustavus Ericson. |?I
forfeiture of fo confiderable a fum of
money. Gustavus aflured him that he .was
taking meafures to acquit that debt directly;
and juftified his conduct fo powerfully, by
reprefenting his laudable motives for pro
curing himfelf that- liberty which he could
no longer hope to receive from Chriftiern,
that Banner, either convinced by reafon,; or
fwayed by affection, returned home, well
fatisfied with the part Guftavus had acted ;
and, to fecure himfelf from any fevere exa
mination, gave out, that he had not been
able to overtake his prifonen
Had Banner remained difcontented with
Guftavus, no danger could have accrued to
the latter from it, for Nicolas Gems, burgo-
mafter of Lubec, had taken him under his
protection. As foon as Guftavus arrived in
that city, he difcovered himfelf to Gems,
and endeavoured to prevail on that magif-
trate to grant him fuccours *, that he might
not enter his native kingdom without carry- Guftavus en.
ing them fome afliftance, beyond what his own 0Dtain fuc-
arm could give. He urged, " howinconfiftent cours of the
. , regency.
" itwas with the intereft of theHans Towns,

* J. Meur. Hift. Pan. lib.-iiL p. 8oJ " that

12-2 -^TheAji^Yr of ¦•
"that- the three northern kihgdoms-ffrodlci
" he under the command-df one prince, as
" it fo much ^extended their opportunities
^ 'of trade, as could not fail of interfering
a with the commerce, by which thofe cities
" '' had rifen to the power they then poflefled.
" He reminded them of the ancient hatred
" the Danes had always born to Lubec,
" and the conftant attachment of which
"' they had received fo many proofs from
<c Sweden, to whom they owed their deli-
" verance from the Danifh yoke in the year
" 1248, and from whofe friendfhip and
" protection they had ever fince enjoyed
" very fubftantial benefits."
Nicolas Gems promifed Guftavus to
confult the regency on this point, and to
lay before them all he had urged ; which
he did accordingly. But the fober minds
of a fet of merchants, of whom the regency
was compofed, were not to be dazzled by
the perfonal valour of one man ; nor charm
ed by his eloquence into a belief, that he
could baffle the forces of fo powerful a
monarch as the king of Denmark. Such
proofs as he required of their gratitude for
obligations formerly received from Sweden
appeared to them romantic ; prefent profit
fwayed

Gustavus Ericson. 123
fwayed all their counfels, and they, could
by no means reconcile a breach with Den
mark with their opinions of their immediate
intereft. The honour of aflifting former
allies, the generofity of contributing to
refcue a free people from flavery, and the
grateful rewards for paft benefits, were not
proper motives to actuate a mercantile city.
The freedom of their commerce in great
rneafure depended on their living in amity
with the northern kingdoms ; they there- T!ie regenc7
fore left others to contend for honour, ge- rct-!J coen-
r 1 -1 i -i 1 T , £age i"iu*
nerofity, and gratitude, while they attended Cauie.
to their commercial interefts ; and forbore to
take part in the hazardous enterprises of a
defperate adventurer, for fuch Guftavus muft
then appear.
All the encouragement Guftavus receiv
ed in this place, was a fupply of money, for
his prefent exigencies, and a fecret promife
from the burgo-mafter, that if he could
raife a confiderable army in Sweden, the
regency would then declare in his favour.
Guftavus could not even prevail on Nicolas He is con.
to convey him to Stockholm,., but he was repubii/to
fuffered to land near Caimar *.... . f. Caimar.
* Hift. de Dan. torn. iv. p. 5 11 ,
'"" Calmar

j24 - The Life of . ¦.+¦
Cajjma'R at thisi time -.preferred .an .ap
parent fidelity i to Chrifldna, the adminiftra>-
tbr?s widow,, bat in reaiiiy refilled the icing
of Denmark s~acms; only to obtain- better
terms, the governor being determined .to
deliver it up, whenever a, proper price for. it
was offered.. Guftavus, ignorant of:. the
governor's fecret views, endeavoured by the
warmeft exhortations to ftrengthen the gar?
rifon in their fuppofed fidelity, and aflured
them that he was come to fhare their labour
and their dangers, and to facrifice his life in
the defence of that town.
Gustavus expected, that, in confidera
tion of his rank, and the reputation he had
acquired, the governor would yield the
command of the garrifon to him ; but, on
the contrary, his pretence was fuch an ob-
ftrwdtion to that officer's fchemes, that he
threatened either to kill or deliver him to
she king of Denmark, if he did not leave
the town.
As foon as Chriftiern was informed of
Guftavus's efcape from Calo, he fent orders
to Otho to take all poffible meafures for
feizing his perfon. Otho had employed
great numbers, to feek for Guftavus ; and this
affair

(justavus Ericson, . 12J
affair at Caimar 'made fo much' none, that
they were nq'Tdn-ger at a lots wnere to find
the'nian • tfitfy T fbught. The' country was
imrh'ediately" filled with perfons who were
lying m wait for 'Kim, but the danger in
cdntmuihg at Caimar was inevitable, thofe
attending on 'His departure were rather lefs
certain. He once more affumed a peafant's Is obliged to
drefsv and, thus difguifed, got into a cart piace.that
laden with ftraw, and pafling undifcovered
through the whole Danifh army, repaired to
a caftle of his father's in Sudermania *. Retires into
In this fhort refpite from the perils that
had environed him, he wrote to all his
friends, to acquaint them with his return
into Sweden, " and foUicited them to come Endeavours
« and join him at the head of their vaffa^ f°^0his
*< which were fufficiently numerous to force unite ™ie-
, . ..... n , , . fence ofthier
" their way with him into Stockholm, country, but
" where they might ftill make a long re-mvain*
«e fiftance againft the king of Denmark's
" forces ; and by that means gain time
,c for the people to recover at leifure from
" their confternation -y and then he made
sc" no doubt, but their ancient love of liberty
? would again revive."
All his endeavours to raife the drooping
• Hift. de Dan. torn, iv, jj. 5 1 1 , fpirits

126? JThe. Eli fe of
fpirit&xfx his friends. prcVed.ineffectuabji!
theyfeemed to have loft allfenfe but that of
danger ; even hie relations refuted to have
any: intercourfe with him; they depended
on the general's promifes for their own
fafety, and were infenfible to every nobler
motive, than that of their private fecurity.
Gustavus, diftreffed, but not difcouraged,
at finding that the greateft, and, what were
but a fhort time before, the braveft, men in
Sweden, were fallen into fuch an abjedt ftate
of mind, determined to apply to the lower
rank of his countrymen, in hopes that the
favage fiercenefs of the peafants was not fo
eafily fubdued, as the more refined valour of
their fuperiors. He firft paffed under the
covert of the night from cottage to cottage,
to animate thefe ruftics ; but finding them
Makes an at- coid to all his exhortations, he thought that,
frddefTto1 if he addrelfed them in numbers, he might
raife the pea- ^e ^jg t0 jnfpire them with that courage
fants. r °
and refolution, which, when feparate, he
could not infufe into the fingle individual.
As he regarded his own fafety no farther
than was confiftent with his great purpofe
of delivering his country from a foreign
yoke, he ventured to their public meetings
on feftivals, and endeavoured to encourage them

Gustavus ErtcIon. 127:
them to attempt the recoveryof theiriiberty,
as, well hy obferying to them; "their formi*
".dabie.numberSr as by a. repetition of all, ;
"that, he had urged in private to each par-'
" ticular.";. Here again his hopes were fruf-
trated ; the king of Denmark had diftribut-
ed great quantities of fait amongft them,
which being a fcarce commodity at that
time, in Sweden, was the moft acceptable
donative, and inclined them to prefer a quiet
fubmiffion to him, to a refiftance which,
with fuch unequal powers, promifed little
fuccefs, in the opinion of any one but Gufta
vus, the greatnefs of whofe mind felt fuch
refources within itfelf, that it was incapable
of defpair, though on every fide he was
threatened with impending ruin.
Disappointed in every attempt, depriv
ed of every hope, of roufing the dejected
minds of his defpairing countrymen, but
ftill full of ardour to expofe his life for the
general good, Guftavus refolved, notwith-
ftanding the dangers he muft encounter in
the execution, to feek for a means of
entering into Stockholm, which was then
befet by the Danifh army ; believing that
his pretence would animate the garrifon,
and encourage the citizens to make a more
4 vigorous

12$ The Life 0/
vigorous and obftinate defence than could
be expected from them, while under the
command of a woman, who, if fuperior to
the fears natural to her fex, yet could main
tain but an imperfect authority, fhould they
become mutinous.

Endeavoursto get into
Stockholm,
but is pre
vented.

In purfuance of this defigrt, he bent his
courfe through the leaft frequented roads,
lodging in the pooreft and moft concealed
huts. All thefe precautions were infuffi-
cient i thofe who were employed to watch
for him executed their charge with fuch
vigilance, that they arrived at one of the
cottages, where he had lain, but an hour
after he had left it ; and were frequently fo
near him, that, at length, hopelefs of filc-
eeeding in his defign, fince he was fo clofely
purfued, he thought the moft advifable
means of eluding their fearch was to con
ceal himfelf in a monaftery.

Seeks for re- ^E made choice for this purpofe of the
fugeinacon- coriVent of Griphifolme, which had been
refuted. founded by his anceftors, and to that be
repaired for a temporary afylum ; but the
monks which inhabited it, more affected by
regard for their prefent fafety, than by the
remembrance of paft obligations, foon in
formed

Gustavus. Ericsson. 120
formed him, that they could not hazard
their fecurity in procuring his, but muft
refute admiflion to a man, whom they could
not receive, without expofing themfelves to
the king of Denmark's refentment.

Gustavus, difappointed even of a fafe Retires into a
retreat, returned Tnto Sudermania";" and' j^g^"^6
there found an afy'lum, in the mean and mania.
obfcure cottage of a " peafant, who had for
merly been a fervant in his family. From
hence he again applied to the Swedifti
nobles ; the man who had received him in
his houfe, undertaking likewife to carry his
letters to them. But ftill his attempts were
fruitlefs ; thofe whom he addreffed were
intimidated by the troops which Otho com
manded, and the expected arrival of Chrif
tiern, who was then preparing to enter
Sweden at the head of a powerful army.
Gustavus found it vain to continue
his endeavours tor oufe men fo totally dif-
pirited, which he now believed could be
effected only by the oppreffive government
of fo tyrannical a prince, as him to whom
they had "fubmitted": this, he hoped, would
at laft revive their ancient hatred, and re
animate their natural courage. As it was
K ~ his

130 The L if e of
his only refource, he determined to wait
the opportunity, and to be watchful to take
advantage of it.
Chriftiern en- As foon as Chriftiern entered Sweden, he
ters Sweden. ratjfied fa tfeaty concluded at Upfal *>
and endeavoured by his behaviour to ingra
tiate himfelf with the Swedes : he was lavifh
of promifes, and careffed even the peafants.
Money foon procured him the poffeflion of
Caimar, the government of which he gave
to Severino Norbius, governor of Gothland,
and admiral of Denmark, who had obtain
ed almoft the firft place in the king's favour,
by a blind fubmiffion to his will ; when the
Danes, with that fpirit of liberty which fb
long fubfifted among the northern nations,
freely remonftrated againft his vices, and
complained of his oppreffions.
Christiern, from Caimar, advanced to
wards Stockholm, which he fummoned to
furrender ; but Chriftina refufing to com
ply, anfwered, that " fhe could not ac-
" knowledge the enemy of Sweden for
«e her fovereign, nor fubmit to the orders
,c of an aflemby of rebels and traitors."
* S, Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 58. This

Gustavus Ericson. 131
This refoulte reply determined Chriftiern Befieges
to befiege the town ; which he did both by
land and fea. He attacked it in the moft
vigorous manner, expofed himfelf to the
greateft dangers, fhared with the foldiers
in their labours, and encouraged them by
the moft liberal rewards. Nor was his
avarice the only paflion which he ftifled, in
order to gain this capital of his new king
dom, and to prevent the Swedes from riling
in its defence : he diffembled his pride and
brutality, and became affable and courteous
to the nobility, and mild and generous to
thofe of lower rank *. But Chriftina's
garrifon made fo bold and fkilful a defence,
that he could not get the city into his pof
feflion, till they found themfelves deftitute
both of provifions and ammunition, and
equally void of hopes of obtaining any, fo
clofely were they blocked up. In this ex
tremity, Chriftiern offered them to releafe
all the prifoners he had taken, to preferve
Chriftina in the fame fituation and the fame
poffeflions as the had enjoyed during the
life of the adminiftrator her hufband, and
to continue to the city of Stockholm all its
privileges •+*.. Upon thefe terms the town Sept. the 5th,
> o *" -a c n r Stockholm
• Comp. Reg. Suec. p. 646. furriers.
+ J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. iii. p. 76. S. Puffend.Tntrod.
ad Hift. Suec. cap. 58.
K 2 was

132 . . • The L 1 f e of
was dehvered to him, and he placed in it a
garrifon of 4000 men, which was not only
at prefent a heavy burden to the citizens,
but a melancholy prefage for the future.
The king had not, at this time, leifure to
fettle the ftate of his new acquired kingdom,
He received advice from Denmark, that
the difcontented inhabitants of Copenhagen
were ripe for a revolt, and his pretence was
Chriftiern is requifite to awe them into obedience. He
obliged to , d therefore part 0f his army thither *,
return into r J
Denmark, after having appointed Severino Norbius
general of his forces during his abfence, and
put the government of the kingdom into
the hands of the archbifhop of Upfal.
The pretence of a king returned from fo
confiderable a conqueft, and furrounded
with an army of ftrangers, filenced all mur
murs, and no voice was heard but that
of affected joy and falfe congratulations.
Chriftiern therefore, had no bufinefs more
preffing, than to confult with his Danifh
counfellors, upon the manner in which he
ought to treat the Swedes. Thefe minifters
were the more defirous to humour the
king's fanguinary difpofition, in proportion
f S. Puffend, Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. c8. as

Gustavus Ericson. 133
as they were difaffected towards him, en
deavouring to conceal their hatred under
the appearance of falfe zeal. They urged
the neceflity of deftroying the Swedifti no
bility, that a fenate might no longer fubfift
to curb the royal authority ; and advifed
him to begin with thofe, who, either by the
greatnefs of their birth, the extent of their
poffeflions, or the eftimation in which they
were held by the people, were moft capable
of refitting his power.
The king did not hefitate whether he
fhould follow this advice, but only as to the
beft manner of performing it, and he thought
this could no way be fo well done, as under
the covert of religion. As he defigned to
make the execution of the pope's fentence
of excommunication his pretence, he re
turned into Sweden, accompanied with the
archbifhop of Lunden, and the bifhop
of Odenfy, to whom the pope had ad-
dreffed his bull. The archbifliop of Lun- The arch-
den at firft appeared at court in no higher L'Unden°.
rank than the king's barber *, nor did
he rife to that employment but by the
intereft of Sigibritta, mother to Duvecke,
* J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. iii. p. 70, 80. Hift. de Dan.
torn. iv. p. 475,
K 3 the

1 34 - The Life of .
the king's miftrefs, a Dutch woman, whofe
art, affifted by the influence which her
daughter's youth and beauty had obtained
over the king's affections, found the means
of gaining fo great an afcendency over Chrif
tiern, that fhe poffeffed and retained, long
after her daughter's death, the fole govern
ment of the kingdom, while he appeared
only the firft and moft abject of her
fubjedts. The archbifhop added to Sigibritta's in
tereft, qualities, which, when known, be
came ftrong recommendations to the king's
favour : he thought no adtion too mean
that could contribute to his mafter's plea-
fures, was ingenious in inventing new ones,
and afliduous in procuring them. Thus, by
a conduct which fhould have excluded him
from the fociety of chriftians, or even the
converfe of honeft men, he rofe to the firft
dignity of the church.
oa. the ioth, With thefe two prelates, the queen, and
Heretums in- u his court chriftiern arrived at Stockholm,
to Sweden. '
where he had appointed the ftates to meet
him; and caufed every thing to be prepared for
the ceremony of his coronation on the 4th
of November. He required the fenate and
ftates

Gustavus Ericson. 135
ftates of the kingdom to acknowledge him
the true and lawful heir to the thronc? and
as fuch he was afterwards crowned by arch
bifhop Trollius. He again fwore to obferve
all the articles of the treaty of Upfal ; and
to render this engagement the more folemn,
received the facrament from the hands of
that prelate *.
On the day of his coronation, he conferred Nov. the 4th,
the order of knighthood on fomeDanifh and Is cr0*™ed.
German lords, but on none of the Swedes;
which, as they had been accuftomed to re
ceive thofe honours from their fovereigns
on fuch occafions, gavfe offence to many,
and fome ventured to exprefs their diffatif-
fadtion, but received no other anfwer, than
that " they had fo lately ceafed to be his
" enemies, they could not expedt rewards,
" but muft be contented to wait, till by
" their conduct they had deferved them."
The feverity of this anfwer Was mitigated
by the affability which the king affumed j
he invited all the nobility that were then at Entertain the
Stockholm to a very fplendid entertainment ^2, "J®"
in the caftle, where every thing paffed with two days.
the utmoft feftivity for two days. All
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 58.
K 4 former

i3^ -:.; -. i -r ^^ Li f e af
former # animofi ties feemed extinguifhed 5
the king appeared eafy, gay, and familiar;
the- Swede's were pleafed " with his prefent
behaviour,-and hopetufof the future. But
the conclusion changed their joy into horror.
On the third day, the" aTchbifhop of Upfal,
according to the plan concerted between
him and the king, prefented him before the
The arch- affembly with apetition, " requiring juftice
fai artnfes Ms" of all who had concurred in forcing
enemies. cc h;m to renounce his dignity, and con-
" fented to the demolition of the caftle of
" Stecka, in violation of the rights of the
" church to which it belonged -j-."
CnRisTrERN, with diffembled modera
tion and difintereftednefs,' declared himfelf
to be no " competent judge in the cafe;
" but fince if was- an affair in which the
" church was concerned, ordered them to
" apply to the pope's commiffaries, ihe
" archbifliop of Lunden, and bifhop of
" Odenfy, while he fhould act no farther
" therein, but to execute their fentence,
" with that fidelity and obedience due to
" the holy fee, from which they derived
11 their authority *." The prelates began
t S. PuiFend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 58. Hift.
de Dan. torn. iv. p. ccz.
* Ibid. p. 503, J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. iii. p. 77. their

Gustavus Eric son. 137
th'eir office by funim'onihg ChrifHna ^o give Chriftina
ah account* of trie actions of her deceaVed j^^her de-
hufband "*. This princefs was ill prepared cealed huf-
for fuch a citation, it was perhaps the
firft inftance of a woman's being made re-
fpohfible for her ¦ hufband's conduct ; but
her courage enabled her to fupport, with
dignity, a proceeding which threatened her
with the moft tragic event, fince no trifling
motive could lead them to take fo fingular
and fo unjuft a courfe. She firft alledged She defends
the treaty of Upfal, and the king's folemn COurage.
engagements, whereby that monarch pro-
mifed to bury all paft adtions in oblivion :
but being told " that the king, though he
" forgave all offences againft himfelf, had
" not power to pardon crimes committed
" againft the church, which were folely
" under the pope's jurifdicton ;" fhe found
herfelf reduced to defend her hufband be
fore thofe, whom fhe plainly faw would
not liften to the juftice of her caufe. She
would not endeavour to mitigate their re
fentment, by an indifference for the honour
of one, whofe memory fhe fo highly
cherifhed and revered ; but, in his juftifica-
tion, faid, that " the archbifhop havinp; been
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 58. Hift. de
Dan. torn. iv. p. 503. " con-

138 The L if e of
" convicted of treafon, was condemned by
" the law ; and that Steeno-Sturius, in what
" he did, acted only in obedience to the
" decree of the ftates and fenate ; and that
" their orders, which were ftill to be found
" in the public regifters, were fufficient to
" exculpate him."
The king hereupon caufed the regifters
to be brought ; the archbifhop's condemna
tion and the fentence againft him were
read, with the names of all thofe who had
figned them. The king then went out of
the aflembly, and a great number of his
guards coming in, immediately feized Chri-
ftina, and all the Swedifh nobles and
gentlemen who were in the caftle, not ex
cepting even the bifhops *.
The Danifh prelates began to enter a
profecution againft the prifoners as heretics j
but this tedious way of proceeding was ill
fuited to the king's violent temper, who
fearing that the people fhould attempt to
refcue them out of his hands, caufed them
to be put to death the next day -j-, adding,
to their offence againft the church, a falfe ac-
1* Hift. de Dan. torn. iv. p. 503.
t Ibid. p. 504 S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap.
cufation

Gustavus Ericson. 139
cufation of their having formed a confpiracy
againft him *.
To prevent any confequences from the
horror this fight might raife in the populace,
guards were placed at all the gates, to hin
der any one from going out of the city, and
cannon were planted at the upper end of every
large ftreet, to check any rifing amongft the
citizens, who were obliged to fuffer, without ^ov- the:nh.
, r , , . c .ninety-four
an attempt to defend them, ninety-four of fenators put
the moft powerful and moft confiderable of t0 eat '
the nobility to be executed, among whom
was Eric Vafa, father to Guftavus Ericfon -j-.
They earneftly begged to be allowed priefts
to affift them in their laft moments ; but
even this indulgence was denied them.
The attachment the bifhops of Scara,
Stregnez, and Lincopinc, had fhewn for the
king of Denmark, could not preferve them
from the general fate ; but the latter faved
himfelf by a very extraordinary fubterfuge.
When the executioner came to do his office,
he declared, that " he had been compelled
" to fign the decree againft the archbifhop,
" and defired them to take off the feal of his
1 * Sam. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 58.
f Ibid. Hift. de Dan. torn. iv. p. 504. J. Meur. Hift.
Dan lib. iii. p. 77, 78. " arms,

HO The Life of
" arms, which was affixed to the fentence,
" and they would there find a confirmation
Thebiftiop " ofwhat he afferted." This was accord-
of Lincopinc {„„!„ done; and it appeared that the artful
obtains his ° } n-
pardon. prelate had contrived to flip a paper under
his feal, which contained a proteftation that
he was forced, for the prefervation of his
life, to acquiefce in a proceeding he abhor
red *. The bifhop's forefight was not more
extraordinary than that it fhould have the
intended effect ; but though neither juftice
nor virtue could procure pardon for the
innocent, yet this poor deceit faved the life
of him, who thus teftified his own meannefs
and diflimulation.
This execution did not fatisfy their cruel
monarch ; he found fome had efcaped whom
he had deftined to deftrudtion; and believing
them to be concealed in Stockholm, he
rather chofe that many fhould fuffer death,
who could give him no umbrage, than that
any perfon fhould be preferved, whofe power
could render him the object of his fears ;
Stockholm he therefore abandoned the town to the
S"nhabit-ndcrueIty and avarice of his Soldiers, who pil
ars mafia- laged all the houfes where they could ex-
cred. J
* J. Meur. Kill. Dan. lib. iii. p. 77, 78. Loccenius, lib.
v. p. 208. peer

Gustavus Erlcson. 141
pedt to find any thing of value ; entering
them on pretence of fearching for the per
fons whom Chriftiern had involved in the
fame fatal fentence with the executed lords.
The wretched citizens wereexpofed to every
violence, to which the moft brutal paflions
could prompt a licentious, undifciplined
foldiery, whofe national hatred to the Swedes,
ftimulated by their other vices, could now
fatiate itfelf with impunity *,
To grieve for the public diftrefs was an
unpardonable crime : a Swedifti Gentleman,
whofe affliction extinguifhed his fears, giv
ing vent to his horror at fuch proceedings,
in pathetic lamentations over his fuffering
country, was condemned by the king to ex
piate his offence by expiring in the moft
cruel torments -f.
Christiern caufed the dead bodies, of Burial denied
Steeno-Sturius and his infant fon, who, °d nobies.
born in the fame month that his father died,
furvivedhim but a few days, to be unburied,'
and caft on the heap of the flain, forbidding
their interment, on pretence that they were
under fentence of excommunication J. Tbey
* Loccenius, lib. v. p. 208.
f Hift. de Dan. torn. iv. p. 56. S. Puffend. Introd. ad
Hift. Suec. cap. 58.
X Ibid. J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. iii. p. 78.
6 lay

142 The L i f e of
lay thus expofed to public view, till the
ftench arifing from their putrefadtion made
it neceflary to remove an evil which
threatened all the place with difeafe ; but
even then they were not allowed the rights
Their bodies 0f burial, but were confumed by fire, and
their afhes fcattered abroad *, the admini
ftrator only excepted ; on whofe body fome
hiftorians add that Chriftiern gazed with
favage eagernefs, and beheld, with deteftable
exultation, the lifelefs remains of one, who
had fo bravely and fo fuccefsfully withftood
his power ; after which, he caufed it to be
cut into fmall pieces, and thofe fent round
the kingdom amongft the peafants, in order
to intimidate them, by the horror of fuch an
action -j-.
Having in this manner deftroycd the men
of greateft rank and authority in Sweden, the
king turned the fury of his rage on the
other fex. He offered the adminiftrator 's
widow the wretched alternative of being
burnt, drowned, or buried alive ; and com
manded that Sigrida her mother fhould be
fowed up in a fack and thrown into the fea ;
but they obtained their lives by the earneft
• J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. iii. p. 78.
t S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec, cap. c8. foi-

Gustavus Ericson. 143
follicitations of Norbius, the Danifh admiral,
upon their delivering up to the king all their
pofleflions. But his mercy extended no farther Chriftina,and
,./, 1 .-,, . „ the ladies of
than juft to prolong a miferable exiftence ; greateft dif
fer they, with many other ladies of diftin- stS/ira-
guifhed rank, particularly the widows of prifoned.
the executed lords, were caft into prifon *.
The mother and one of the fifters of Gufta
vus Ericfon were amongft thefe wretched
captives. A just confcioufnefs of the refentment Affaffins dif-
which thefe proceedings muft excite in the jj"eedde°Jer
breafts of many, only ferved to increafe the
king's cruelty ; he difperfed aflaflins all
over the country to kill the relations, friends,
and even domeftics, of thofe who had
already fallen the victims to his brutal rage ;
but great numbers that were defigned to be
facrificed in this manner to Chriftiern's fears
were faved by admiral Norbius, from whom
the oppreffed Swedes received a timely pro
tection. That nobleman's apparent huma
nity did not proceed entirely from the gene-
rofity or gentlenefs of his nature ; he fore-
faw the deteftation which every Swede muft
neceffarily feel for their cruel tyrant, and
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. caput 58. J.
Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. iii. p. 79. aimed,

i'44_ The L if e of
aimed, by a contrary behaviour, to gain their*
favour ; which, if ftrengthened by a mar
riage with the adminiftrator's widow, might.
pave his way to a throne, that it was highly
improbable they fhould long fuffer Chriftiern
to poffefs.
The peafants When the king thought he had reduced
Srmed.and the nobles to fo very fma11 a number, that
they were too weak to undertake any thing
againft him, he then made the peafants' feel
the weight of his government, oppreffing
them with exorbitant taxes, and taking
from them all their implements of war-
Not contented with thus difarming them,
he endeavoured to intimidate them by
menaces, threatening that, if they ventured
to make the leaft commotion, he would
caufe a foot and hand of each perfon to be
cut off, faying, " that one hand, with one
" real and ons wooden leg, were fufficient
" to ferve the purpofes of thofe who were
" defigned by nature for no other occupa-
" tion than that of tilling the ground *."
The arch- Christiern- having thus in fome mea-
Lunden ap- ture fatiated his rage, appointed the arch-
pointed vice- bifhop of Lunden viceroy of the kingdom +;
royofS'.ve- ° ¦
d«>. * S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 58.
t J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. iii. p. 79.
and

Gustavus Ericson. 145
and gave him for affiftants archbifhop Trol-
lius and the bifhop of Oienfy, after placing
the two Danifh prelates in the vacant fees
of Scara and Stregnez, contrary to the rights
of the church, which then enjoyed the pri
vilege of electing its own bifhops -f-. He
left them in charge, to omit no endeavours
to difcover the retreat and feize tiie perfon
of Guftavus Ericfon.
Having thus fettled the government, he Chriftiern re-
returned into Denmark ; but continuing hh Denmark,
cruelty till he got to the utmoft verge of1"aviu.gthe
Sweden, he caufed fome perfons to be exe- Lunden vice-
cuted at every place he came to, erecting ro>" ot Swe"
gibbecs in all the towns through which he
paffed ; and before he left the kingdom he
had put to death 600 innocent peribns *.
Gustavus Ericson received no fecurity
from the king's departure out of Sweden j
the archbifhop, adhureci both bv private
hatred, and the deii.e of fixing himfelf in
Chriftiern's favour, co whom a m knew no
thing could p;;ve fuch entire fatisfadiion
as the delivering Guftavus into his hands,
+ J. Meurfi Hift. Dan. nb, iii. p. 79.
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 58. Comp.
Reg. Suec. p. 646. L employed

146 The L if e of
employed the moft vigilant emiffaries to dif-
cover the place of his retreat.
A price was fet on his head; and it was
declared to be high treafon fo conceal him,
or even to have done fo, without now mak
ing a full confeffion of it.
Gustavus was at the houfe of his old
fervant, when the horrible maffacre was
perpetrated at Stockholm. The account,
which reached him in his retirement, affedt
ed him in the moft fenfible manner. His
father, many of his relations, and almoft all
.his friends, were flain in one fatal day ; his
mother and fitter caft into a loathfome pri
fon ; his country deprived of the afliftance
it might in time have hoped to find from
a numerous and powerful nobility, and
groaning under the cruelty of the moft
deteftable tyrant. General diftrefs cried
more loudly than ever for deliverance : but
what hope could he entertain, without
friends or dependants ; deftitute of men or
money to raife an army ; not even able to
defend his own life, which was environed
with dangers. If he ftaid long in the fame
place he was expofed to fufpicion ; by fre
quently moving it, he could fcarcely fail of
being

Gustavus Ericson. 147
being difcovered, as his former high fta-
tion, and diftinguifhed behaviour, rendered '
him almoft univerfally known. His life was
in equal danger from the treachery and ava
rice of his countrymen, whofe nature feemed
already embafed by fervitude, and from
the vigilance of thofe, whom his implacable
enemies employed to lay in wait for him.
In this perilous ftate, the province of Da
lecarlia alone offered him the leaft proba
bility of a fafe retreat, if he could reach it
undifcovered. Rendered in many parts in-
acceflible by high mountains, and almoft
impenetrable forefts, the inhabitants had,
in the moft oppreffive reigns, preferved a
degree of liberty beyond what any other
part of the kingdom could boaft. As thefe
natural advantages of their country rendered
it impoffible entirely to fubdue them, the
prudence of their kings had prevented their
making an attempt, which would only
ferve to evince a want of power to effect the
end they aimed at. They had therefore al
ways permitted the Dalecarlians to enjoy
their peculiar cuftoms ; they were exempt
from all garrifons, and the maintenance of
any troops, paying only a fmall tribute of
furrs to the king, who was not fuffered to
L 2 enter

148 The L if e of
enter that province, without having firft given
hoftages to fecure the inhabitants from any
attempts againft their liberties.
Gustavus not only expected a fafe re
treat in Dalecarlia, but had fome hopes in
the unconquerable fpirit of the people,
whofe ferocity, untamed by fubordination,
(for there was little inequality of power or
property among them) and implacable ene
mies to tyranny, which they feared might
one day extend to themfelves, rendered
them fit aflbciates for a defperate enterprize.
Guftavus Encouraged by thefe views, Guftavus
Dalecarlia. had again recourfe to his ruftic habit ; and,
by the favour of his difguife, or more pro
perly by the peculiar care of Providence,
which preferved him for great and noble
purpofes, he paffed undifcovered through a
country befet with perfons who were dili
gently feeking him, and arrived fafe in
Dalecarlia *.
Besidis its mountains and its forefts, this
province afforded a retreat, not only from
the eyes of men, but even from the light
* J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. iii. p. 80. S. Puff. Introd.
ad Hift, Suec. cap. 59.
of

Gustavus Ericson. 149
of the fun : The copper mines furnifhed an
afylum fo fafe, as to remove fear from the
moft timorous mind. In fo laborious a
country, an idle perfon might have become
a fubject of fpeculation ; therefore, Guftavus
applied to one of the moft wealthy inha
bitants to furnifh him with employment.
This gentleman, whofe name was Andrew D;fcovers
Lakintta, had been his cotemporary at thehimfeifto
univerfity of Upfal, and foon difcovered thekintta.W
admired Guftavus, under the habit of a pea-
fant. The generofity of Andrew's nature
fufficiently preferved Guftavus from any bad
confequences arifing from this difcovery,
and the ufe he made of it was, to endeavour
to perfuade this gentleman to join with him
in an attempt to excite the Dalecarlians to
affift him, in delivering the Swedes from
the grievous yoke with which they were
oppreffed. The enterprize was noble; nothing
could be more glorious for one province,
than to refcue a whole nation from flavery :
but the danger was equal to the honour ;
and as the Dalecarlians had yet fuffered
no farther from Chriftiern than the exaction
of a fmall, though unufual tax, Andrew
Lakintta was little difpofed to concur in fo
L 3 hazardous

150 The Life of
hazardous an enterprize, and omitted no
arguments that might induce Guftavus to
delay, at leaft, the execution of it, till the
king, by greater incroachments on the li
berties of that province, fhould have exafpe
rated the Dalecarlians with more reafon
againft his authority.
Gustavus had fo long been obliged to
reftrain his impatience, that he could not
acquiefce in any larfher delays ; but find
ing this gentleman too cautious to affift him
in his defigns, he determined to feek for
bolder affociates ; and only requefting fe-
crecy of Andrew, whofe fincerity and gene-
rofity were greater than his courage, he left
A. D. 1521. his houfe, and went to that of one Peterfon,
PePterfon!° whom he had known in the army, where he
had ferved with intrepidity.
He met with a very affectionate recep
tion from Peterfon, who entered with eager
nefs into his views, and concerted with him
every neceflary preparative for the execu
tion of their enterprize. He appeared
more ardent than even Guftavus himfelf,
and expreifed a more inveterate hatred to
the Danes. Guftavus encouraged his zeal
by the promife of great rewards and ho
nours 3

Gustavus Ericson. 151
nours ; and, when all their meafures were
fettled, Peterfon fet out, as he declared, to
wards the houfes of fuch of his friends as
he hoped might be perfuaded to join in
their undertaking,
Peterson's departure was with very op-
pofite views from thofe he profeffed. All
his affection and refpedt for Guftavus's per- Who forms a
fon, and his zeal for his caufe, were counter- ,5^^ ° G^m
feited, with an intention of fixing him intavus to the
his houfe, till he could fecure a great reward,
from the viceroy, for delivering him into
his hands; and to effect this treacherous
project in perfon was the realbufinefs about
which he was gone : nor had he concealed
it fo carefully from his wife, but that fhe,
who knew thebadnefs of his difpofition, was
fufficiently fenfible of his defign. Such a
piece of treachery muft fhock every gene
rous nature, but appeared in ftill a blacker
light from the amiable conduct of Guftavus,
which recommended him to the affections
of every heart that had the leaft fenfe of
merit ; for, while the greatnefs of his mind
and undaunted courage excited admiration,
the gentlenefs of his manners rendered him
beloved,
L 4 Peter-

1 5 § The L I f E of
¦ Peters on's wife wifhed to prevent her huf,
band from the execution of a crime againft
juftice, faith, and hofpitality, though it could
not be done without the part fhe acted in it
being liable to difcovery, and thereby ex-
pofing her to his indignation, Generofity
conquered fear ; fhe acquainted Guftavus
Guftavus is with his danger, and, under the conduct
fent by Pecer- 0£ a faithful fervant, fent him to the houfe of
fern's wife to a .... . . n
neijhbouring a clergyman, wnofe probity and honour Ine
pneft; thought would fecure him a fafe afylum.
Peterson came back the next day, with
a confiderable body of troops under his di
rection, and placed them round the houfe,
to prevent his gueft from all chance of
efcaping ; but, on entering it, Guftavus was
no where to be found ; and the filence of
thofe, who were parties in his flight, left the
Danes in all their former perplexity about
the place of his retreat.
The clergyman, to whofe fidelity Gufta
vus's deliverer had entrufted him, was not
unworthy her confidence. Void of the
ambition which attached moft of his order
to the Danifli intereft, he applied himfelf to
the duties of his function, without aiming
at that promotion, which could be procured only

Gustavus Ericson. 153
only by fervility and falfhood, and defired
not to rife to the dignities of the church, by
means that rendered him unworthy to offi
ciate in it. His humanity was moft fenfi-
bly touched with the fufferings of his
wretched country, and he received Gufta
vus with the refpedt due to one, whom he
looked upon as the future deliverer of the
nation. Not to be wanting to the truft re-
pofed in him by a woman, whofe virtues
he highly efteemed, he concealed Guftavus who conceals
in a fecret chamber within his church, to
fecure him from being difcovered, if the in
fidelity or weaknefs of his guide fhould
betray the place to which he had conducted
him, and thereby expofe the houfe to .be
fearched by the difappointed and treacherous
Peterfon. The regard this good man had firft fhewn
to Guftavus on account of his caufe, cha
racter, and recommendation, grew, upon
acquaintance, into affection, for his focial
virtues. He not only approved, but en
couraged his defigns, and entered fo far into
the execution of them, as to fpread among
his friends reports of farther encroach
ments, which the Danes were preparing,
and of their hafte to make the Dalecarlians equal

154 The L i f e of
equal fufferers with the reft of Sweden.
Such alarming accounts foon fpread into a
general rumour; and increafing the difcon-
tents of the people, rendered them more
difpofed to rebel. When their minds were
thus prepared, he advifed Guftavus to addrefs
the multitude at an approaching feftival,
which was yearly celebrated at Mora, dur
ing the Chriftmas holidays, when he might,
by one of thofe fudden fits of refentment
and defperation, fo natural to a fierce and
favage people, at once levy fuch an army,
as would raife the drooping fpirits of his
friends, and, by infpiring his countrymen
with hopes of fuccefs, awaken in them the
neceflary courage to attempt it.
There was a boldnefs in this meafure,
which, well fuiting the greatnefs of Gufta
vus's views, and the intrepidity of his mind,
he agreed to the propofal without hefitation.
Guftarns ap- On the feftival day he appeared among the
publicafeftivalPeoP1ie> anc^ loudly proclaimed both his
atMora. name and his intention *. " He urged the
Soliicits the , , r . ~ ,
people to " tyranny and cruelty of the Danes, and
take arms. <c the impending danger which threatened
" Dalecarlia, fince that province, the only
» J Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. iii. p. 513. S. Puff. Introd.
ad Hal. Suec. cap. 59,
" one

Gustavus Ericson. 1^55
*( one in Sweden that had been fo long
" fpared, was now going to be the fcene of
" their brutality. He reprefented to them
(( their great ftrength, the large armies
" which they alone could fupply, their
" well-known valour, the honour of the
" enterprize, which would at once deliver
" their country, and preferve themfelves
" from the moft fanguinary tyrant that
?c nature ever produced." He omitted no
argument which could operate on any of
their paffions, and animate them to join
him. The gracefulnefs of his perfon, the
dignity and fweetnefs of his manner, the •
intrepidity of his afpedt, joined with his na
tural eloquence, his high birth and great
reputation, added force to his arguments ;
but the moft accidental circumftance was
peculiarly prevalent ; the north wind blew
all the time he was fpeaking, which being
one of the great objects of that people's
fuperftition, who efteemed it the moft pro
pitious fign, they augurated his future fuc
cefs from fo cafual an incident. The place
refounded with their acclamations, and
ftrong affurances of facrificing their lives in
the caufe of liberty, joined with the wildeft
expreflions of rage and refentment againft
the Danes.
Four

156 The L 1 f e of
Foor hundred Four hundred of thefe brave Dalecarlians
join him. " immediately formed themfelves into a body,
and chofe Guftavus for their leader. To
prevent the firft tallies of their courage
from cooling, and to increafe his party by a
fuccefsful beginning, he led them in the
night againft the caftle of the perfon,
who had the title, rather than the power, of
governor of that province. They found
him in the utmoft fecurity, depending on
the depreffed ft ate in which the Swedes at
that time appeared, with only a weak guard
for his defence ; thefe the Dalecarlians flew,
They ftorm and foon forced the caftle *. Guftavus
or^s caftle"" Save tnem me plunder, and, with great diffi
culty, faved the life of the governor.
The merchandize and riches of many
Danifh merchants that were difperfed in all
parts of Sweden, became likewife the booty
of this little army ; who clad themfelves
with the gaudieft filks, in their artlefs man
ner of cloathing, wearing them as the fpoil
of a conquered enemy. Thefe fmall fuc-
ceffes, the love of plunder or of liberty, a fa-*
vage fondnefs for war, or an ignorant purfuit
of any enterprize new and marvellous, foon
attradted almoft the whole province to the
* Hiftoire oe Bann. p. 513. banners

Gustavus Ericson. 157
banners of Guftavus. Some of the Swedifh Guftavus's
nobles, who had efcaped the king's cruelty, creates?'
but being among the number by him pro-
fcribed, owed their fafety to concealment,
left their retreats, and repaired to Guftavus's
array, as their beft afylum *.
With thefe troops he fucceffively enter- Several prr>
ed the provinces of Helfingia, Geftricia, ^J^
Angermania, and Medilpad, and eafily
prevailed on the inhabitants to join in his
enterprize -j-. In all the provinces that
received him amicably, he abolifhed the
taxes with which Chriftiern had oppreffed
them, and endeavoured by every means
to ingratiate himfelf with his countrymen.
The king of Denmark was foon inform
ed by the viceroy of the progrefs Guftavus
made + > but a vain confidence in his own
power, and the troubles he had to contend
with in Denmark, rendered him remits in
fending the fuccours which the prelate fol- The viceroy
....... - TT. .^ j invainfolli-
hcited with importunity. His cruelty and ci£s fuccoars
avarice had greatly difgufted the Danes. fromDen-
He had conceived an immoderate paffion
* Hift. deDann. p.513.
f J. Meur Hift. Dan. lib. iii. p. 80.
X Ibid. for

158 The Life of
for a Dutch woman, named Duveke, as I
hinted before, whofe mother, Sigibritta,
artful, cruel, imperious, and rapacious, go
verned him in the moft defpotic manner ;
the refemblance her difpofition bore to his,
and his extravagant love for her daughter,
gave her an afcendancy, which, by flattery
and cunning, the improved to fuch a de
gree, that the government of the kingdom
was entirely in her hands. As fhe was al
ways ready to concur with the king's moft
cruel defigns, and ingenious in inventing
the means of executing them in the moft
barbarous manner, they were fharers in the
hatred of the people, as well as companions
in guilt. As the progrefs of the reforma
tion in Germany had occafioned fome of
thofe princes to feize on part of the riches
of the clergy, Chriftiern imitated their
adtions in this particular, without efpoufing
their doctrines, and deprived fome of the
bifhops of part of their pcffeffions, whereby
he rendered all that powerful order his in
veterate enemies.
The viceroy recalled all his troops in the
king's pay, which were difperfed in different
part:; of the kingdom, in hopes of making
fome oppcfition to the rapidity of Guftavus's fuccefs,

. Gustavus Ericson. 159
fuccefs, till more powerful fuccours arrived
from the king of Denmark ; but, as they
were chiefly mercenaries, and had not re
ceived their ftipend, they refuted to obey,
preferring their fituation, where they had no
employment but that of plundering the
Swedes, in the parts adjacent to thofe where
they were quartered, to the more arduous
and lefs profitable tafk of oppofing an able
commander, at the head of a victorious
army. Christiern, while deftitute of forces,
endeavoured to intimidate Guftavus by
menaces, threatening to put his mother and
lifter to the moft cruel death, if he did not
lay down his arms *.
Gustavus had proceeded too far, and
with too much fuccefs, to be influenced by
any menaces ; he could not defift from his
undertaking, without expofing his country
and himfelf once more to the cruelty of
the king's revenge, for which he would
now have frefh and greater provocation.
The archbifhop of Lunden, at the head of
all the forces he could collect, palling
through the province of Weftmania, near
* Hiftoire de Dann. tom. iv.p 514. Wefteraas,

160 The L i f e of
Wefteraas, unexpectedly met Guftavus*
whofe army then confifted of about fifteen
thoufand men, all animated with fuccefs,
who, ftimulated to the imitation of their
general's valour, and firmly attached to his
perfon, refolved either on death or conqueft.
Such an army was too formidable for the
viceroy to encounter ; he retired with the
Obliges the utmoft precipitation ; and placing the beft
tire to Stock" part of his troops in the caftle of Wefteraas,
holm. ke returned with the reft to Stockholm j
where he endeavoured to chafe away the
fenfe of danger, by abandoning himfelf to
all the diffolute pleafures in which he had
hitherto paffed the greateft part of his life *.
Gustavus could not, without impru
dence, leave behind him fo great a body of
forces as the archbifhop had placed in
Wefteraas, and yet his fierce and impetuous
Dalecarlians were unfit for a fiege, which,
from the ftrength of the place, the number
of its defendants, Guftavus's wantof cannon,
and every material requifite for an attack,
could not fail of being tedious, and of weary
ing the impatient courage of his troops with
Jong delays ana inactive expectation. He
could not hope to draw the army out of the
1 * Hiftoire de Darin, torn, iv p. 5 1 c.
town

Gustavus EriCson. 161
town to a pitched battle, without the affift-
ance of fome ftratagem, which the neceflity
of the cafe fuggefted to his mind. He
ordered Laurence Eric, one of his principal
officers, to cohdudt his cavalry under cover
of the woods, which were there very thick ,
as near the town as he could approach
unperceived. He planted the greateft part
of his infantry at the foot of a mountain,
which ferved to conceal them, not far
from the city ; and then, at the head of
three thoufand men, advanced in full
view of the enemy to the chapel of St.
Oiaus, where he entrenched himfelf, with
all the care and difpatch of a perfon who
fears being attacked. The troops in Wefte- Guftavus by
raas imagined, that the body they faw was ^wfthe
the whole of Guftavus's army : encouraged garrifon of
by the fmallnefs of their number, and the 0fthetown.
apprehenfions with which they appeared to
be adtuated, they fallied out of the town to
give them battle.
Gustavus's troops received them with
that alacrity which' the fuccefs of a ftratagem
infpires, and the fight was very obftinate on
both fides for fome time ; when Guftavus
began to retire, though in good order, and
ftill making a vigorous defence, till he had
M drawn

162 The L if e of
drawn the enemy near the place where his
infantry were concealed, and had given time
for his cavalry to get between them and the
town. He then halted, and made a furious
charge on the Danes, who found themfelves
attacked on all fides. The fight now grew
defperate and bloody, Guftavus's army was
flufhed with their late fucceffes, animated
with the love of liberty, and their attachment
to their commander, who, while he gave
his orders with the wifdom and fkill of the
ableft general, expofed his life with all the
perfonal bravery, which is commonly moft
proper in a private foldier : the Danes were
made defperate by the dangers of their fitua
tion; and, fighting for their lives in the
midft of furrounding enemies, feemed rather
actuated by defpair than the hope of fafety;
equally fierce, and equally exafperated
againft each ether, quarter was neither afked
Defeats the nor given: moft of the Danes were killed
Wefteraas" on ^ *Pot> ancl ^e f"ew t^lat Scaped, hav-
and fome of ing fled to the town, were fo clofely purfu-
terthTrowni ec*> ^zt l^e vigors entered it with them;
the inhabitants being glad to receive Gufta
vus, for whom they would fooner have de
clared, had not the Danifh troops awed them
into obedience, while they were quartered
among them *.
• Hift. de Dan. torn. iv. p. 5 1 7. The

6tfsf AVUS ERICsdN'; t,6$
T^e day was now far fpent, and the foU
diers, in oppofition to the ftrongefi remon-
ftrances their officers could make, difperfed
themfelves all over the town in fearch of
plunder. As the northern nations are natu- where, from
rally fond of drinking* and their fatigues SS^"^
made them particularly defirous of refrefh- ?« brought
ment* they drowned all fenfe of order or danger.
caution in feftivity and debauchery. Guf
tavus had not entered the city ; but the fol-
diers that had remained with him, hearing
how agreeably their companions were em
ployed, could not, by all his authority or
entreaties, be detained in his camp ; they
ran to claim their fhare in the plunder, and
falling into the fame exceffes; were foon in
as defencelefs a ftate as thofe who had been
longer in the towm
The captain of the garrifon in the caftle^
perceiving the diforderly condition of the
enemy, fallied forth upon them* and meet
ing with no refiftance, Would have made
great havockj if Guftavus had rtot been Guftavtfs
fpeedily informed of their danger. He Went £™s J^*™*
with his officers and his guard to their re- fruition.;.
lief, and while the latter made a ftand,
which flopped the progrefs of the garrifon,
he fearched all the houfes, dragged his fold-
M a diers

164 The L 1 f e of
diers from the cellars, and though moft of
them were too much intoxicated by the
liquor they had found, to be able to defend
themfelves or obey him, yet he collected a
few, with whom he drove the Danes back
into the caftle.

andblockades Gustavus invited the governor to a
the caftle. capitulation ; but as he refuted to enter into
any treay, he blockaded the fort, leaving the
care of it chiefly to the inhabitants of the
town *, and again took the field. Great
numbers now repaired to him from all parts.
Almoft all the Swedes of any diftindtion
either joined him at the head of their vaflals,
or fent him every token of attachment
which their fituation would permit, though
the vicinity of Danifh troops or garrifons
prevented their making public declarations
of their favourable difpofition towards him.

Great num
bers of the
Swedifti no
bility join
Guftavus.

As the king had no army capable of tak
ing the field, Guftavus divided his troops
into feveral bodies, and fent them into dif
ferent provinces, under the command of fuch
nobles as had moft intereft in them, in
order to diftrefs and confound the king by
fuch various attacks.

Hift. de Dan. torn. ir. p. 518.

A BANS

Gustavus Ericson. 165
A band of thefe troops got poffeflion of
Upfal, after deftroying the garrifon which
the archbifhop had placed in it. Guftavus
repaired to this city as foon as he heard it
was taken ; and, defirous of gaining the
archbifhop to his party, he preserved from
the rapacioufnefs of the foldiery his houfe
and furniture *. This prelate alone kept
alive a party for the king ; firm in an at
tachment to him, as it was founded on his
own intereft, and vigilant in his endeavours
to fix the fidelity of the people of Stock
holm, he was the moft formidable enemy
Guftavus had, who could not hope for a
reconciliation with him, but by making him
expect greater advantages from his friend
fhip, than from the favour of Chriftiern.
But another negociation at that time
employed Guftavus's thoughts. Before he
entered Sweden, and while he was at Lubec
in the character of a diftreffed and adven
turous fugitive, going to embark in the
moft defperate enterprize, without any re-
fource but his own courage and the goodnefs
of his caufe, the burgo-mafter had promifed
him, that, if fortune favoured his attempt,
the Republic would forward his fuccefs by
• Hiftoire de Dann. torn. iv. p. 519.
M 3 timely

The Life of
timely fijCCQure. The great and quick
progrefs he had made fufficiently intitled
him to require the effectual fulfilling of this

Guftavu? He therefore fent an agent to Lubec, who
toYubecfo^reprefented lt how much it was for the in-
foUicitfuc- cc tereftof that city to prevent the three
cgurf. J r
« northern Kingdoms from being united
" under pne monarch ; and, that a more
" favourable opportunity of dividing them
" could never offer, fince Guftavus was al-
" ready in poffeflion of above one half of the
" kingdom, and was no lefs ardently de-
*< fired by the reft. This he had effected
*c with undifciplined troops, and chiefly by
" the afliftance of the brave, but diforderly
*c Dalecarlians ; who, as they ferved without
" pay, id the time of their fervice could not
" be limited, but by their own inclinations ;
*c and it could not be wondered at, if, after
*' having fo long laboured for his advance-
" ment, they at laft gratified the natural
«c defire of returning to their country, their
" wives, and their children, though he
<c fhould thereby be abandoned in the
?c midft of his conquefts, and his faireft pro-.
«' fpects blafted. To prevent fo fatal an
S? event, he requefted, in his matter's name,
v i- a body

Gustavus Ericson. r6/
<c a body of regular troops, by whom he
<c might be preferved in the poffeffions of
" what he had acquired, if not enabled to.
" make farther conquefts. He likewife
" defired the Republic would affift him
" with fome fhips, as the want of naval
" force incapacitated him from befieging
" Stockholm, which, if he could obtain,
" would foon be followed by the reduction
" of the whole kingdom."
The ftate of Lubec had indeed been ap-
prehenfive, that fome detriment might arife
to themfelves from the union of the three
crowns, at the time that Chriftiern, a young
and turbulent prince, firft afcended thofe
joint thrones ; but the tyranny of his go
vernment, by difgufting his fubjedts, had
left him fo void of power or leifure to en
croach on the liberties or privileges of his
neighbours, that they were become entirely
eafy in regard to him, and now faw more
reafon to be apprehenfive of the growing
power of a young hero, the rapidity of whofe
conquefts might prove too fuccefsful an en
couragement to turn thofe arms againft his
neighbours, which had eftablifhed him in.
the quiet and entire poffeflion of his own.
kingdom. Nothing could be more falutary
M 4. to

l65 The Life of
to them, than the inteftine divifions of the
northern nations, which not only fecured
them from any hoftile attempts, but by in-
rerruptingthe freedom of commerce in thofe
kingdoms, occafioned an increafe of the
trade of Lubec. The northern affairs coukl
not wear a more favourable afpect for that
Is refufed, city, and therefore Guftavus's agent found
but engages a jjttie enC0uragement in his follicitations,
pody of Ger- °
man cavalry, from a people who were more fcrupuloufly
attached to their interefts than to their word.
Though the citizens of Lubec corre-
fponded fo ill with Guftavus's views, yet
his agent found there good part of the
affiftance which he wanted. Stephen Saffy,
a German, and colonel of a fet of mercena--
ries, whofe trade' was war, engaged, for a
ftipulated fum of money, to bring 1 200
men into Sweden to ferve under Guftavus,
before the month of Auguft was expired.
In the beginning of July, Guftavus faw
himfelf expofed to the difficulties he had
apprehended; his troops, which had hither
to ferved him with fo much bravery and
fuch perfevering attachment, afked for dif-
miffion, that they might return into their
refpedtive provinces, to gather in their har-

Gustavus Ericson. i6p
harveft -f. When peafants are foldiers,
the call is reafonable, and compliance was
as neceflary to the kingdom, as agreeable to
thofe that alked it ; and, had Guftavus been
averfe to grant their rcqueft, in all probabi
lity a denial would have been unavailing ;
for, unaccuftomed to fubordination, and
ftrangers to difcipline, they would have pre
ferred the neceflary care of their affairs, to
an implicit obedience to their general.
Gustavus therefore, though unwilling Guftavus's
to flop in the purfuit of glory and conqueft, him^andgo
was obliged to confent to their departure, home t0 ga-
. , , . . . r ~ . . ther in their
and, the better to obtain a promife of their harveft.
return when they had got in their harveft,
he difmiffed them with real gratitude and
apparent iatisfadtion : only one company of
horfe,.and 600 foot, compofed of thofe Da
lecarlians, which, from the firft, had been
attached to his fortune, refufed ever to leave
him, and were now all the troops which re
mained with him.
That this time of inaction might not
prove quite fruitlefs, Guftavus employed
emiffaries to endeavour to fow diffentions
smong his enemies, and to gain over the
t Hift, de Dan. torn. iv. p. 519. moft

170 The Life of
moft confiderable of them to his party^
Guftavus en- He particularly applied to the archbifhop of
O.C3.VOUTS tO
gain the arch- Upfal, and fent two canons of that church
fafthb Up t0 *"m with a letter, containing all the offers
party. that could fatisfy his ambition, or flatter his
pride. The archbifhop could not hope for equal
power under a prince of Guftavus's turn
of mind, as he enjoyed under Chriftiern ;
nor was he fo credulous, as to expect real
confidence and regard from a man, whofe
father and friends he had facrificed to his
refentment ; he therefore determined with
out hefitation to reject his offers ; but fear
ing the intercourfe fhould be difcovered,
and render him fufpected by the king, he
carried the letter to the viceroy, and requir
ed him to condemn the two meflengers to
death for fo treafonable an undertaking. The
two poor canons, terrified at their danger,
protefted they had contented to it only as a
pretence to get out of the hands of their
enemies, and endeavoured to obtain their
pardon by the moft violent invectives againft
Guftavus, whom they had before as vehe
mently extolled to the archbifhop ; and, to
prove the fincerity of their attachment to the
Danifh party, they informed the viceroy that

Gustavus Ericson. 171
that Guftavus was abandoned by his army,
and reprefented him in ftill a more defencelefs
fituation than he really was, to render their
account the more agreeable. Fear of offend
ing the clergy' fecured their pardon from
the viceroy, who perceived that the arch
bifhop demanded their deaths, rather as a
proof of his zeal for the king's caufe, than
from any real inclination for their execu
tion, The viceroy's mind was fo engroffed by
the licentious pleafures in which he was
jmmerfed, that the change in Guftavus's
fituation gave him no other fatisfaction,
than as it teemed to promife him an unin
terrupted indulgence of his vices. But the The Arch-
fiery archbifhop was inftigated by it to other [JJJp *~ra£
thoughts. He prevailed on the viceroy to P"2? Gufta-
give him a body of three thoufand five hun- VUSm P * "
dred foldiers, with which he promifed either
to bring him Guftavus in bonds and fhackles,
or to drive him once more into the moun
tains of Dalecarlia.
At the head of this army the archbifhop
proceeded to Upfal, with fuch celerity and
fecrecy, that if Guftavus had not been ap
prized of his approach two hours before he
reached

172 The Life of
reached the town, by the great diligence of
a friend of his, who ftill, in appearance, had
continued attached to the contrary party,
and was then in the archbifhop's fervice, he
might indeed have been expofed to the fate
which his enemy's arrogance had prompted
him to think was unavoidable.
Guftavushas Gustavus faw, that to defend the town
to e'vSuate6 with fo few forces was impracticable; he
the town be- therefore immediately determined to retire to
archbifhop &$ foreft of Noftan. He made his infantry
arrives. begin the march, and himfelf with his ca
valry followed in the rear, to fecure their
retreat. They had no fooner evacuated the
town, than the archbifhop entered it ; and
finding Guftavus had taken the alarm, he
la purfued by purfued them with the ardour which the
the archbi- belief of certain victory infpires.
Gustavus's troops, unaccuftomed to re
tire, were difconcerted with the order; fa
unufual a proceeding awakened fears till
then unknown to them; and when they
found the enemy approached, their appre-
Is abandoned henfions were increafed into a panic: the in-
i «a £antrvfle(j precipitately; deaf to the cries of
their officers, and difobedient to all military
difcipline, they difperfed as many feveral ways,

Gustavus Ericson. 473
ways, as their fears fuggefted to be the moft
likely to fave them from the purfuit of their
enemies. The cavalry made but a faint re-
fiftance, and retired with a precipitation
which bore too much the air of a flight ; in
this confufion Guftavus was thrown off his J5 throwa
horfe into the water, by one of his own officers, horie.
who, mounted on an unruly fteed, rode
againft his mafter ; but his undaunted mind
was unmoved by this accident ; he mounted
his horfe again, and, at the head of his
guards, defended a narrow pafs till his ca
valry had reached the forefts. When he Retreats into
had fecured their fafe retreat, he retired to Noftwu* °f
them, with the lofs of few of his men,
though with the difperfion of many.
Animated by the danger in which he
had been involved, Guftavus immediately
took all poflible meafures to return the arch-
bifhop's attack, but with more fuccefsful
circumftances. He fent orders to Arvido,
one of his officers, whom he had before the
departure of his Dalecarlians difpatched into
an adjacent province, to form an ambufcade
with part of his troops, in the forefts which
were in the high road between Stockholm
and Upfal. His other friends, who were at
no great diftance, and had fome forces under
9 tueir

: £4 * ^e L I F e of
their command, repaired to him, with thai
anxious hafte which the concern for his late
danger infpired ; and at the fame time colo
nel Saffy arrived with his band of German
foldiers. Thus powerfully reinforced, Guftavu9
moved his camp near to the caftle of Rim-
ning ; and, intrenching himfelf in as nar
row a compafs as poflible, he endeavoured
to prevent the archbifhop from perceiving
that he had received any fupply of troops j
wherein he fucceeded fo perfectly, that the
incautious prelate was under no apprehen-
fions from him.
When the archbifhop had fettled all
affairs at Upfal, not thinking it fafe to follow
the enemy into the forefts, where, from the
concealments well known to them, they
might annoy his troops, and yet elude the
moft diligent fearch, he fet out on his re
turn for Stockholm, well fatisfied with the
honour he had acquired in having obliged
Guftavus to fly before him, and with all
the fecurity that the moft compleat conqueft
- could have given him. In this imagined
fafety, he found himfelf attacked by the
troops which Arvido had concealed in the
woods >

Gustavus Ericson. 175
Woods ; and being unprepared for defence,
inftead of making a vigorous refiftance, he
endeavoured to return with his army to
Upfal. But before they had retired far, Defeats the
they found that Guftavus, with a confidera- "chbifhop in
J ' his return.
ble reinforcement, had placed himfelf be
tween them and that city. Thus furround-
ed by their enemies, and in all the diforder
of a retreat, they were expofed to flaughter
on every fide. Terror deprived them o£
the power of refitting, and death was equal
ly the portion of almoft the whole army.
The archbifhop, with a very fmall part of
his forces, efcaped by the moft precipitate
flight to Stockholm, and Guftavus again
recovered Upfal *, where he no longer
fpared the archbifhop's pofleflions.
He then led his army towards the capi- Guftavus
tal, in hopes that the confufion occafioned stockholr^
by the archbifhop's defeat might give his
friends in the city an opportunity of exert
ing themfelves in his behalf, and procure
his admiffion into the town, which he could
expect to gain by no other means, being
deftitute of artillery, and every thing requi
fite for a fiege or an attack. The viceroy, The prelate*
the archbifhop, and bifhop of Stregnez, JJ^k.
* Hift. deDann. torn. iv. p, 519. Sara. Puff. Introd.
ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59, fenfibls

176 iThe Life of
fenfible of the hatred the citizens bortf
them, and equally convinced of their love
for Guftavus, did not think it advifeable. to
wait for his approach, but fet fail for Den
mark, on pretence of haftening the fuccours
from thence; which indeed were much
wanted, and had been long expected *.
Before their departure they gave the com
mand of the garrifon to an old Danifh officer,
who placed his troops fo well, that the citi
zens durft not attempt to rife, even when
Guftavus appeared at their gates.
A. D. 1 522. While he lay before thiscity, he received
The king of advice from Arvido of theredudtion of the
puts to death greateft part of Eaft-Gothland ; but, about
mothered l^e ^ame time' had me melancholy account
fitter. of the death of his mother and After, whom
Chriftiern, from a mean and brutal re
venge, had put to death in the moft cruel
torments, notwithftanding the earneft fol-
licitation of his queen, who ufed her utmoft
endeavours to fave their lives ; but little
could they avail with a man, who was
equally void of affection for his wife, and of
mercy for mankind ; alike the flave to a
lawlefs and criminal paflion, and to the in-
fatiable cruelty of his nature : fome other
* Hift. de Dan. p. 520. Swedifh

Gvstavus Ericson* 177
Swedifh ladies, who were prifoners at Lem- ana other
ward, he obliged to make the facks in which Swedifti
they were to be thrown into the fea. He-
then fent orders to all the Danifh officers,
and command ers of garrifons, to kill fuch
of the Swedes as were among their troops,
wherein he was obeyed with a barbarity
equal to the inhumanity of the command *.
Gustavus, though more fenflbly afflict
ed for his own private calamity, yet felt his
fhare of grief for the cruel fate of thofe, no
Otherwife allied to him than in that exten
five relation of fellow countrymen. He
ordered that reprifals fhould be made on the
Danes in all the places under his command;
a cruel policy ! and not fufficient to put a
flop to the brutality of Chriftiern, who felt
no concern for the death of his fubjedts, to
abate the inhuman joy with which he heard
of the deftrudtion of the Swedes, whofe
worft crime was their continued adherence
to him.Gustavus left the greateft part of his Guftavus goee
army, under the command of the colonels Gothland
Saffy and Freydag, to blockade Stockholm,
* Hift. de Dan. p. 523. S. Puffead. Introd. ad Hift.
Suec. cap. 59.
N and

178 The Lif e of
and went into Eaft-Gothland to regulatelm
new acquifitions. He repaired the fortified
tions of the cities, placed garrifons under
able and faithful commanders, and put them
in the beft pofture of defence. The whole
province fubmitted to him with joy, except
the bifhop of Lincopinc, who having once
faved his life by a fubterfuge, as we have
already related, was grown fo cautious of
what he had been fo near lofing, that he
could not determine what part to act in this
new danger. Guftavus's fuccefs, and Chrif
tiern's power, when oppofed to each other,
in his apprehenfive imagination, created an
uncertainty which it was not eafy to con
quer. He exhorted all thofe who were
about his perfon, and wrote to his more dis
tant dependents in the ftrongeft terms, not
to fwerve from their allegiance to the king,
who, he affined them, would, in a fhort
time, enter Sweden at the head of fuch an
army, as the prefent conqueror would not
be able to refift.
Gustavus, to ballance the prelate's fears
of the abfent king, chofe to alarm him
with the approach of immediate danger,
and led part of his army towards his caftle.
Though an enemy of Guftavus's difpofition was

Gustavus Ericson. 179
Was rlefe terrible than the friendfhip of
Chriftiern, yet his vicinity turned the fcale
in his favour. The bifhop went out to The bifhop of
1 • • 1 • 1 , , -Lmcopinc
meet him, accompanied with the clergy of fubmits to
thediocefe; and endeavoured to obliterate Guftavus*
his farmer refiftance by the utmoft extremes
of flattery, and the moft facred vows of
fidelity and affection, which were eafily
lavifhed by one fo fkilful in mental referva-
tions. Guftavus knew how little the bifhop's
oaths or profeffions were to be depended
upon ; but, for fear of offending the clergy,
he was obliged to content himfelf with
them, not daring to put a garrifon into his
caftle, as it might be looked upon as an
encroachment on the privileges of the
church. Gustavus was little concerned about the
title he wore, while it was an empty digni
ty ; but now that he was poffeffed of the
greateft part of the kingdom, he judged it
neceflary to put his authority on a legal
foundation ; and, on that account, fummon-
ed the ftates-general to meet at Wadftena Aflembles the
the 24th of Auguft, to fettle the confuted aes'S*nera"
affairs of their country *.
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59:.
N 2 The

8o The Lif e of ' • *
The ftates were compofed. of few mem*
bers befides his own troops : moft of the
nobles and gentlemen had been, put to
death by the Danes; thofe who remained
had taken refuge in Guftavus's army; many
of the peafants, in the provinces not yet con
quered by him, were awed by the appre-
henfions of a reverfe of fortune in favour of
Chriftiern, and therefore were afraid of
fending deputies to an aflembly, where, to
have appeared, would have been fufficient
to expofe them to the utmoft rage of that
king. When the eftates were affembled, Gufta
vus reprefented to them " the neceffity of
" entrufting fome perfon with a legal au-
tc thority, that the Swedes might proceed
" with greater vigour and unanimity in
" expelling the Danes entirely out -of the
" kingdom ; affuring them, that he urged
" no claim from his fervices, nor wifhed,
" by his power, to influence their choice,
" which he defired might fait on the man
" they efteemed moft worthy of the charge,
" for that he fhould readily fubmit to any
" one to whom they gave the preference,
" always thinking himfelf fufficiently re-
" warded in the glory of fighting for his
" country ;

Gustavus. Ericson. 181
-^'Country ; he fhould not ferve with lefs
" -zeal and pleafure for being fubordinate
" to any man, whofe fuperior merit gave
*' him a ftronger recommendation to their
«< favour."
•Gustavus's modefty and moderation in
this fpeech, received no lefs applaufe than
the wifdom and valour of his adtions, tho'
in reality, much more fallacious : he was
fenfible of his own indifputable fuperiority
of merit and of the entire attachment of the
Swedes, who thought there was no fecurity
for their lives, nor hopes of their liber ty,_ but
from his protection; and might, without
putting any reftraint on his ambition, invite
them to a choice, which could fall on no
one but himfelf; and if it were poflible that
the inclinations of any fhould waver, from
the mean fuggeftions of envy, or fear of his
authority, this apparent moderation and dif
intereftednefs were fufficient to fix them
in his favour.
The affembly not only gave Guftavus the
applaufe which he had fo juftly deferved,
but conferred on him a more fubftantial
proof of their real fenfe of his merit. They
offered him the title of king, but he refufed
N 3 to

i8"2 7he~h i f e of
to accept it, as he could not have the "iini-
verfal confent of the people, fo many of
them being prevented from coming to Wad
ftena, and declared, " that he did not
« think himfelf worthy of it, till he had
" entirely driven the enemy out of the
" kingdom." As they could not, by any
follicitations, overcome his refiftance, they
could, prove their zeal only by railing him
The ftates ap- to the dignity of adminiftrator *,• affuring
adminiftrator. him, that, when the affairs of Sweden were
in a more profperous fituation, they fhould
expect him to afcend the throne.
The king of ^HE king of Denmark was much difpleaf-
Denmark of- ed with the two archbifhops and bifhop of
fended with _ . - , _ , . „. .
the bifhops, Odenfy and btregnez s return into Denmark,
for abandon- bv wnich they fhewed a more tender care of
ing Sweden. ' . J . .
their own perfons than of his interefts, as,
by continuing in Sweden, they might ftill
have done him fervice. About this time
the archbifhop of Lunden and the bifhop of
Odenfy and Stregnez felt the fatal effedt of
his refentment, for timoroufly abandoning
their pofts.
The pope, either fhocked at the cruel
ties which Chriftiern had committed, or
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap, 59. Hift. de
Dann. torn. iv. p. 524. defirous

Gustavus Ericson. 183
.desirous to render him more odious to his
fuhjects, and to pleafe the clergy whom the
king had grpatly offended, or perhaps think
ing it prudent to juftify himfelf from bar
barities committed under his fanction, and
to appeafe the Swedes, whom it might be
dangerous to exafperate at a time of fo great
defection from the Romifh faith; adtuated
by fome or all of thefe reafbns, the pope
fent a commiffary into Denmark, to enquire
into all the circumftances of the maffacre
at Stockholm, and take informations upon
it. Chriftiern, willing to remove the igno
miny of the adtion, and the anger of the
pope from himfelf, and, at the fame time, to
be revenged on the two prelates, whom, on
pretence of the pope's bull, he had made
judges of the whole affair, he difculpated
himfelf by charging it all on them, who
were condemned to death for their abufeofThearch-
the pope's authority and their infamous bar- Lunden and
barity * ; a fentence they well deferved, as Wihop of
c , . , Stregnez put
the minifters and executors of the inhuman to death in
councils and decrees of fo fanguinary aDeiunark'
tyrant. The archbifhop's fate gave particular
fatisfadtion to the Danes, who had, with in-
* Hift. de Dan. torn. v. p. 522. J. Meur. lib. iii. p. 80.
N 4 dignation,

The h i f e of
dignation, beheld him, from barber to tiie
king, rife to the dignity-of archbifhop and
favourite, by the loweft and vileft means,
and then for his inhumanity and, injuftice
exalted to the rank of viceroy of a great
kingdom, and the moft import-ant truft his
fovereign could beftow : a poft wherein-he
acquitted himfelf with all that meannefs of
nature which might properly have been ex
pected from him; immerfed in voluptuouf-
nefs, and as great a flave to his own vices
as to thofe of his prince. That his fall
fhould be as fwift as his promotion, appeared
natural ; and that it fhould proceed from the
fame crimes which had occafioned his exalt
ation, evinced, that divine juftice, tho' flow
in its punifhment,had notbeen unmindful of
what was due to fuch flagrant wickednefs.
The archbifhop of Upfal might not per
haps have been treated more favourably by
Chriftiern, had he not feared offending the
clergy of Sweden, who were the only peo
ple in that kingdom fincerely attached to
his interefts, as they alone found their ad
vantage in his government.
Guftavi-s After Guftavus had difmiffed the af-
mor'gages his
l. nds, and fembly of the ftates, he fought to increafe
uoopSm0re his army by every poffible means ; he
mortgaged

Gustavus Ericson. 185
-mortgaged all his lands,rwhich, if cbnqueft
attended' his arms, he knew he might re
deem ; and, fhould he fail, he muft abandon
them with his "country. The money thus
procured he employed in levying troops;
and in buying off his enemies ; fenfible, that
for a prince whofe fortune depended fo
much on the rapidity of his fuccefs, it was
of much greater advantage to fpend his
money than his time. The firft attack he
made againft thofe who oppofed him was
upon their avarice or ambition; and he
never befieged any place, till the governor
had refufed his offers of fortune or prefer
ment. He divided his forces among his generals, Divides his
whom he fent into different provinces, orces*
keeping only a flying camp for himfelf, with
which he went from place to place with a
fecrecy and fpeed that deceived his enemies,
and made him the director and affifter of all
his friends. Every enterprize was planned
by himfelf, and he was prefent at the exe
cution of the greateft part of them ; the ce
lerity of his motions enabling him to over
look them all. Thofe caftles which refitt
ed his generals, would, on his appearance,
fubmit, either intimidated by the pretence of

i'86 The Li f e of ;.- .?•
of fo fuccefsful ,a £onqueror? or engaged to
his party by the advantageous terms which
he granted them ; and thofe whom heonce
won by prefents, he afterwards attached
with fincere loyalty to his caufe, by a libera
lity which excited their gratitude, . and an
affability which gained their, affections. .,
Chriftiern While Guftavus's arms were crowned
bias with"" wifh tuccefs in every other part of the king-
confiderable dom, his troops employed in the blockade
Stockholm, of Stockholm received a confiderable dif-
grace. The king of Denmark had at laft
fitted out a fleet, on which he had embark
ed many foldiers, and fent them under, the
command of admiral Norbius, to the relief
of Stockholm. The fleet entered the port
without refiftance, as Guftavus had none to
oppofe it ; and landed their men unperceiv-
ed by the befiegers, as their attention was
chiefly engaged on that fide of the town
againft which they lay. The two com
manders of Guftavus's army, as is cuftomary
in a divided authority, were at variance, dif
fering in their opinions in regard to the pro
per operations ; and, equally averfe to admit
a fuperior, neither would fubmit. Their
thoughts thus engrofled by their private
quarrels, and defpifing the weaknefs of £he
garrifon,

Gustavus Ericson. 187
garrifon, they divided their camps to as
•great a diftance from each other as; they
could. They were very negligent in their
obfervation of what paffed in the caftle, and
took no means to defend themfelves againft
an enemy, whom they imagined too weak
to attack them. Admiral Norbius, taking Norbius de-"
advantage of their diffenfions and their feat,s Gufta"
t> vus s army
negligence, forced each camp fucceffively, before Stock-
and, by their little inclination to unite or to
affift each other, put both to flight *.
Gustavus was on his way to Stockholm
when he heard of the defeat of the be-
fiegers, which only ferved to haften his
march. The foldiers, when recovered from
their firft alarm, rallied under their com
manders, and Guftavus found them little
diminifhed in number, though lowered in
reputation. He immediately renewed the Guftavus re
nege ; but as no good fuccefs could be ex- f^;
pected without a fleet, to block the town up
by fea, he fent another agent to Lubec, to
follicit the aid of feme fhips, which they
had given him encouragement to hope -j-.
• S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59, Hift. de
Dan. torn. iv. p. 520.
•j- Ibid. S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
a That

188 )The Life of
That Republic was now inclined . to
liften more favourably to his requeft, Chrif
tiern having raifed their refentment, by in-
creafing the tax their fhips had been ac-
cnftomed to pay in their paflage through
the Sound, by endeavouring to intercept
their commerce with Sweden, and attempt
ing every means in his power to oppofe the
interefts of that ftate *.
The defeat of Guftavus's troops before
Stockholm, was likewife a ftrong argument
in his favour with the magiftrates of Lubec j
they imagined, from the reports fpread by
the Danes, that his power muft be fo much
decreafed by this misfortune, as to render
him an unequal competitor to Chriftiern,
whofe recovery of Sweden would prove very
detrimental to their Republic.
Guftavus ob- Gustavus's follicitations, when aflifted
"nd a bod" f w^ ^uc^ Prevalent reafons, were eafily
land forces complied with ; and eighteen fhips, with
four thoufand men were granted him, upon
-his engaging <l to pay a confiderable fum for
" the expences of the armament, as foon as
" he was eftablifhed on the throne ; and that,
" in the intermediate time, the merchants of
* S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
" Lubec

Gustavus Ericson. 189
'^ Lubec fhould trade in Sweden, exempted
" from all cuftoms and duties, and " the
" Swedes be forbid to traffick with any other
" ftate ;" with other conditions, equally dis
agreeable to Guftavus : but he was obliged
to purchafe an affiftance fo neceflary, how
ever exorbitant their demands. ;r
About the middle of June this fleet ar
rived at Sudercopinc, and landed four thou-
fand troops under the command of John
Stammel ; but they refufed to take the oath
of fidelity, except in the pretence of Gufta
vus, who was obliged to go there for that
purpofe. Thefe mercenaries were fo charm
ed with the extreme gracefulnefs of his per
fon, and the affability of his manner, that
they took the oath with alacrity, and con
ceived that fudden attachment to him,
which is fo often the confequence of thofe
external advantages which dazzle the mul
titude. Gustavus led' the troops to his camp with ™hich
, , . r hepreffesthe
before Stockholm, and placed them near fiege of
the port of the city. Admiral Norbius, Stockholra'
finding no employ for his fhips, where he
had no enemy to oppofe him, bad leftStock-
holm, and taken Caimar, with fome other
maritime

19° 3%e Li f e of
maritime places-. His abfence afforded free
entrance for the fleet of Lubec into theporfy
where Guftavus added to them a few
Swedifh fhips, which he had procured-,; and
put under the command of Eric Flemming,
a nobleman of Finland, and ftrictly charged
them to prevent any fuccours. from being
thrown into the city.
They had not been long in that port,
when Flemming defcried a fleet of Danifh
fhips. He fheltered himfelf behind the cape
of Stockholm, and, concealed from view,
waited their approach. Thefe fhips were
laden with provifions, and fent by Norbius
to fupply the garrifon of Stockholm, under
the command of the governor of Aboo : the
admiral had not received advice of the fuc
cours fent from Lubec to Guftavus, there
fore was little apprehenfive that any difafter
threatened his convoy. . Thefe veffels con
tinued under full fail, and were preceded
by two frigates, who at certain diftances were
to fee that the fea was clear from any ene
my, or to give them notice of impending
danger.

Guftavus's fleet takes
a Danifh
convoy.

As foon as the firft of thefe frigates
doubled the cape, Flemming, furrounding it
with

Gustavus Bricson. iqt
wlth his mips, took it without refiftance.
HdYdmoved the tailors into another veffel,
and filled the frigate with Swcdifh marinets
artdfoldiers, and, '-entering into it himfelf, fet
fail towards the other, in which was the
governor of Aboo; who, furprized to fee the
frigate returned, in the impatience of his
curiofity to learn the occafion of it, got into
a boat, that he might reach it the fooner ;
but the inftanf he approached it, he was
feized, and carefully confined. Flemming
then making a fignal for all his fleet to ad
vance, the ;convey was taken *, while they"
remained in fuch confufion from the lofs of
their commander, that the captains were
unable to determineon any order of defence.
The governor of Aboo was executed by
Guftavus's command, as a punifhment for
the cruelties:he had exercifed in his govern
ment, in putting to- death all the Swedes
that- were in- his garrifon, or that fell into
his hands;
Admiral Norbius, alarmed for Stock- Norbius re-
holm, which, "by the lofs of this convoy, was "erf"s^fe
in danger of being reduced to great dif- Stockholm.
trefs, and enraged to find that Guftavus
had acquired a maritime force, which di-
* Hift. de Dan. torn. iv. p. 528, minifhed

192 The Life of
minifhed his power over thofe teas where,
he thought himfelf fole commander, fitted -
out his fleet with the utmoft diligence ; and
taking on board a great quantity of provi-
flons to fupply Stockholm, he fet fail for
drawn^attle tHat P0rt' He WSS met ^ the fleet °f
Norbius an- Lubec and Flemming's fquadron ; they foon
fmall iftand3 came to a fort of diftant fight, which con
tinued all day, without any apparent advan
tage on either fide, and at night Norbius
was obliged, for fafety againft any ftorm that
might arife, to ftrike anchor near a little
ifland, at a fmall diftance from the fhore.
In the morn- It froze fo hard that night, that, when
hiffket im- the morning came, the admiral found his
moveabiy fix- £hjps farr0unded with ice, and fixed beyond
ed, by the r . ,. J
freezing of a poffibility of getting clear ot it. Guftavus,
the water. mformed of this event, determined to fet
them on fire; and taking with him the
Lubec troops under cover of the next night,
he led them acrofs the ice to the ifland
againft which the fhips lay. When the ad
miral difcovered their approach, he prepared
for a vigorous defence, and fired inceflantly
Part of his upon them. The fight was extremely def-
G^ftavus? Jrperate, and many of the veffels were fet on
fire. The Danes, reduced to quit their
fhips, in avoiding the flames ran on the
fworda

GustaVUs Ericson; 193
fwords of their- enemies : the confirmation
Was univerfal ; and Guftavus was certain of
deftroying them all, when, in the midft of
his vidtory, Stammel, the general Of the Lii- ill behaviour
bee troops, refuted to continue the fight any g^^ ubeC
longer ; and, in bppofition to all the en
treaties or menaces which were forced from
Guftavus, by the difappointment of having
a conqueft fo compleat, and of fo great con
fequence, wrefted out of his hands, he led
back his . troops * ; while the conqueror
was hot only obliged to accompany him in
his retreat, but to pafs over fo great a piece of
treachery or cowardice without an apparent
refentment ; his fuccefs againft the capital,
which; if once taken, fecured him the king
dom, depending in fo great a degree on the
Lubec fleet ; for; if Stockholm was left
open to the fea, ne had little chance of being
able to force it to furrender.
A thaw which began the next day, fet The femaiit:
the remainder of the Danifh fleet at liberty ; %* return "»
. . ¦ T . . . / Caimar.
and admiral Norbius taking advantage of it,
failed to Caimar with the fhips that had
efcaped .the enemy, where he fpent the
Winter in refitting them, and increafins: his
land forces ; defigning to attempt the relief
* Hift. deDan. torn. iv. p. 529,
O of

194- Tie Life of
of Stockholm, as foon as the rigour of the
feafon fhould be abated *.
Guftavus Gustavus in the mean time blocked up
fiege"1165 ° tne city fo clofely, that, as no fuccours could
be thrown in, they were reduced to great
extremity ; and the fpring brought an
event which made Norbius defift from his
defign, and delivered Guftavus at once from
all his enemies.
Christiern's cruelty had long rendered
him hateful to his fubjedts. The defire of
extirpating the fenate, which had occafioned
fo terrible a maffacre in Sweden, accom
panied him into Denmark : he put to death
A. 0.1523. a great number of the nobility, and two
bifhops, without any legal procefs ; which
exafperated the two powerful bodies of the
nobles and clergy againft him; and, by op-
preffing the nation in general with exorbitant
The Danes taxes, he became univerfally odious. The
rebel againft inhabitants of Jutland firft took arms, and
their example was foon followed by the
greateft part of the kingdom -{-.
Christiern was adtuated by thatmean-
* Hift. de Dan. torn iv. p. 530.
t S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. Comp.
Ri;g. Suec. p. 646. J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. iii. p. 84..
4 nefs

Gustavus Ericson. 195
nefs of fpirit which one might naturally ex
pect from fo cruel a tyrant : confcious that
he deferved no man's affection, he had not
courage to confide in any : his hereditary
kingdom of Norway had not fhaken off his
yoke ; Copenhagen, either reftrained by his
pretence, or lefs averfe to his government
than the reft of the kingdom, ftill continued
to adhere to him. But he could not be
prevailed with to wait the event of a rebel
lion which was then fo uncertain. He fled He flies to
to the emperor, Charles V. * whofe After e emperor*
he had married, carrying with him his wife,
his family, and Sigibritta ; and hoped to re
ceive fuch affiftance from that powerful
prince, as might enable him to recover a
kingdom, which, at that time, had not en
tirely rejected him for their king ; though »
as foon as they found that he had meanly
abandoned the throne, and was no longer
the object of their fear, the defedtion became
general. The eftates declared him unworthy Is depofed,
° . ... , . !,,,,- , • and Frederick
to reign, declaimed all obedience to him, 0f Oldenburg
and offered the crown of Denmark to his chofen king'
uncle, Frederick of Oldenburg, duke of Hol
ftein, and third fon to Chriftiern I. king of
Denmark -j-.
* J. Meur. Hift. Dan. lib. iii. p. 85.
•f- S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Europ. cap. 9. Comp. Reg.
Suec. p. 646. Hift. de Dan. torn. v. p. 4.
O 2 The

196 The L if e of
The dazzling temptations of royalty
have often overcome all the ties of amity and
blood : it is not to be wondered if Frederick
thought an alliance to a man, 'whofe vices
and cruelty were not only difgraceful to his
family, but even to the human fpecies, too
weak a band to unite him to Chriftiern's
interefts, and infufficient to induce him to
refute the offer of a crown, which, being
elective, was indifputably in the difpofal of
thofe who invited him to accept it. Tho'
not naturally ambitious, yet he was not fo
infenfible to the charms of a regal ftate, as
not to afcend the throne with pleafure.
Norbius re- Admiral Norbius being acquainted with
iflsof G°oth- this revolution in Denmark, laid afide all
land. h;s intentions of attacking Guftavus. He
left a fmall garrifon in the caftle of Caimar,
His orders to to whom he gave orders, if they were attack-
ScS«n ed' that they fnould kin the citizens> plun-
der the town, and then fet it on fire, and
follow him into the ifle of Gothland with
all the booty they could fecure. After he
had given them thefe directions, he retired
with his troops into Gothland, determined
to render himfelf fovereign of that little
ifland, on pretence of preferving the pof
feflion of it fqr Chriftiern, to whom he
ftill

Gustavus Ericson." 197
ftill profeffed inviolable fidelity ; though his
real view was to eftablifh himfelf in a prin
cipality during the confufion in which the
northern kingdoms were involved.
Gustavus was not yet in a fituation to
take offence at the admiral's motives ; the
effect was very favourable to him, the citi
zens at Caimar having difcovered the cruel
orders which Norbius had left with the
garrifon, invited Guftavus to take poffeflion Guftavus
of the town, and, on his approach, which inta " amar#
regard to their fafety was performed in the
night, the citizens opened their gates, and
admitted him amidft the general acclama
tions of the joyful inhabitants. The caftle
was forced, and the -garrifon made pri
foners *.
No' confiderable power being left tooppofe
Guftavus, he reduced all Sweden, except
Stockholm, and a few places in Finland, to
fubmit in a very fhort time. Stockholm
was in want both of provifions and ammu
nition ; a longer refiftance was fruitlefs ; they
might exafperate the befiegers, but could
expedt no reward for their obftinacy, as
Chriftiern was no longer in a fituation, either
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. caput 59.
O 3 to

i98 7VL if e of
to receive benefit from or to acknowledge
their fervices. In this ftate of their affairs,
their only part was to capitulate ; they offer
ed to deliver up the caftle, if Guftavus
would difcharge the arrears of pay that was
due to them.
Gustavus knew they could not hold out
much longer ; and having no other call
for his troops, he was not fo earneft to fave
his time at the expence of his purfe, as when
his arms had more employment in the king
dom ; he therefore refufed to pay them for
fighting againft himfelf, and determined
to wait till their neceffities made them re-
Guftavus linquifh their demands. In the interim, he
fmeTwm^t fummoned the ttates-general to meet at
at Stregnez. Stregnez. Some attribute his rejedtion of
the propofal made by the garrifon of Stock
holm to a defire of prolonging the fiege, till
after the ftates had given him that proof of
their attachment which he expected from
them ; apprehenfive that, lefs powerfully
actuated by gratitude than fear, they might
not fo readily exalt him to the throne, if the
kingdom wasentirely free fromforeign troops.
But this fuppofition feems more naturally to
arife from the political refinements of thofe
who feek for myfterious policy in every
action

Gustavus Ericson. 199
action of a prince, who Was to great a poli
tician as Guftavus, than to have been his
real motive ; for the firft emotions in fuch
cafes are violent, the acknowledgments to
the deliverer are in proportion to the fears
which poffeffed the minds of thofe whom
he has delivered ; joy infpires them with
confidence, and they frequently, by their too
bounteous recompence, create in their bene
factor a more dangerous enemy than him
whom he had fubdued. But Guftavus did
not merely depend on their gratitude : while
they were truly fenfible of his fervices, they
muft be confcious, that they could not refift
the defire of a young conqueror, animated
with yjctory, and idolized by the multitude.
No arts therefore were neceflary to procure
him the crown, which his actions had fo
we'll merited ; and which he had fufficient
power to feize without the form of elec
tion, if he had not chofe to receive it in a
more legal manner.

The eftates met according to the fum- The ftates
meet at

mons; and as the fenate was reduced to as
very fmall body by the maffacre at Stock
holm, and the other cruelties which Chrif
tiern had exercifed, Guftavus filled up the
vacancies, and reftored it to its ancient num-
O 4 ber

nez.

Elefl Guf
tavus kinj.

2p§ ."' ' The-Xj ife of- -'
ber of fenators. The fpeaker &o fbone£
reprefented to the affembly the neceffity of
chufing a prince, than, eager to fhew their
gratitude and affection to Guftavus, they
neglected the ufual order of election, and
with a confuted unanimity proclaimed him
king *¦, breaking forth into the moft extra-?
vagant praifes of his virtues, and profeffions
of attachment to his perfon. They gathered
round him with tumultuous zeal, and ex-
prefled their admiration in terms little fhort
of adoration.
Gustavus found inexpreffible harmony
in defervedpraife, and felt all the fweetnefs of
that joy, which muft arife from a fenfe of
being ardently beloved by a whole nation,
He affured them, that the affection they
fhewed gave him a more exquifite pleafure
than the confequence of it, the offer of the
H? rcfuf»s throne, which he declined accepting, with
an affumed humility, feldom hazarded but
by thofe who know it will be ineffectual,
and with no other view than to increafe
the defire which they intend to, gratify,
but, in his cafe, might not be wholly inT
fincere ; for the known averfion the Swedes
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Sue*, cap. 59. Comp.
Reg. Suec. p. 646k had

Gustavus Ericson. 201
had conceived to the title of king might
naturally make him hefitate, as to the ac
ceptance of it.
The people, too impatient and ruftic to
underftand thefe arts of refinement, were
alarmed at a refufal which they did not ex
pect ; and, by the moft earneft petitions,
and the exclamations of the moft cruel dif-
appointment, foUicited his acceptance of the
crown ; till, no longer able to refift their im- vvkh^oac-
portunities, he, with teeming reluctance, cePc "•
afcended the throne, and received the oaths
of fidelity from the whole affembly; but
delayed his coronation, which they were
defirous fhould be performed at that time,
on pretence that he did not deferve to wear
the crown, while any part of Sweden re
mained in the hands of the enemies of the
kingdom. But the fequel juftifies a fup-
pofition, that his real reafon for deferring it
Was, to avoid taking the oaths, by which
every king at his coronation engaged to
preferve the clergy in all their privileges and
immunities.

Gustavus returned to his camp before June the 2jft,
Stockholm, whereupon the garrifon offered fu°rcender™
again to capitulate. They engaged not to
ferve

2Q2 The Life*?/"
ferve againft Sweden for the enfuing fix
months, and the king promifed to fend them
either to Wifinar or Lubec, according as they
fhould chufe. Thefe conditions being fettled,
they delivered up the caftle to the Lubec
general *, in hopes of either detaching him
from Guftavus's party, by putting fuch a
power into his hands, as his conduct in the
attempt to burn Norbius's fleet made them
fufpect him of being favourably inclined to
the Danes, or at leaft by diftrefiing the king
by the confequence the general might affume
to himfelf from it ; but Stammel immediate
ly gave it up to Guftavus, who entered the
town amidft the moft extravagant acclama
tions of the citizens.
The king en- The fenators and nobles had accom-
:e« the city. panjed hjm frQm fa affembly Qf the ftates
to his camp, and now attended him in his
entrance into Stockholm ; his officers and
foldiers followed with regularity and order,
but amidft all the pomp he could affume, his
majeftic perfon and behaviour were the
chief objects of the general admiration, and
gave him all the advantages in the people's
eye, which thofe circumftances ufually bear
in the opinion of the vulgar.
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59,
The

Gustavus Ericson. 203
The king alighted at the church, where
he offered up a thankfgiving to God for the
fuccefs of his arms ; and added the appear
ance of real piety to his other numerous
virtues. As foon as Guftavus was poffeffed of the He reducei
capital, he fent fome troops into Finland, to ln
reduce thofe places which ftill refifted him.
His lieutenants met with little oppofition,
for the Danifh garrifons were glad to de
liver themfelves into their hands, as an
afylum from the fury of the people, who
were fo exafperated at the cruelties they had
committed while they retained the command
of their towns and caftles, that it required
all the authority of a victorious army to
preferve them from the fatal effects of a re
fentment, for which they had given but too
juft caufe. Thefe troops were fafely con
ducted into Denmark, where they reprefent
ed Guftavus's power and popularity with all
the exaggerations of fear and gratitude.
Archbishop TroHius's fpirit was not to Archbifhop
be conquered by all that prince's fuccefs. He TroHius's in-
ftill entertained hopes of expelling him
from a throne, which he could not prevent
him from afcending. He was fenfible that he

204 The Life of
he muft never expedt to be reftored by
him to his dignity, and he had found no
thing in his fituation in Denmark to recom-
penfe him for what he had loft in Sweden.
The natural antipathy that all men bear to
a traitor rendered hi:n fhe object of general
contempt, ana his adherence to Chriftiern
could prove no great recommendation to
thofe who had rebelled againft him. His
want of power made him negledted, and he
might have funk into oblivion, had not the
liatred he had incurred preferved him in re
membrance. This fituation iii fuited his
proud and ambitious mind, and he could
not hope to extricate himfelf out of it, but
by renewing thofe troubles and diffen
tions which might render his bufy and in
triguing fpirit ufeful. He therefore infti
gated Frederick, king of Denmark, to affert
his title to Sweden, afturing him of'a ftrong
party among the laity, and that the whole
body of the clergy were entirely devoted to
the Danifh government *.
So flattering an aflurance met with fome
credit from Frederick ; but as he was too
prudent to fuffer his credulity to betray him
into any meafures that might hazard the
f Hilloire de Dann. torn. v. p. 5. ,L
crowa

Gustavus Ericson. 205
crown he already poffeffed, or interrupt the
peace which he had cherifhed during the
whole courfe of his life, he did not urge his
claim by any very forcible methods. He Frederic
fuffered himfelf to.be crowned kin?- ofcai!feshimfelf
_, o to be crown-
Sweden by the archbifhop of Upfal, and ed king of
fent anambaffador into that kingdom, to^™^
follicit the eftates to acknowledge him forcrown«
their fovereign, and to remonftrate againft
the election of Guftavus, as a breach of the
treaty of Caimar *.
The fenators were fo offended with this
ambaffy, that they were inclined to order
the ambaffador to leave the kingdom, with
out fuffering him to declare the occafion of
his coming ; but Guftavus, who wifhed to
enter into an alliance with Frederick, that
he might have leifure to compote all the
confufions in the ftate, thought nothing
could prove fo effectual for this purpofe, as
by convincing Frederick of the unanimity of
the Swedes in their attachment to him, and
of the great authority which he enjoyed, to
make him fenfible how little profpect there
was of his being able to difpute the throne
with any probability of fuccefs. He there
fore convened the ftates, and the ambaffador
* Hift. de Dann, torn, v. p. 5.
was

206 The Life, of
was introduced into the affembly ; where
His ambaffa- fo& t0Q^ much pains to prove, that " ac-
dor urges his r *
claim. " cording to the treaty of Calmarr Fre-
" derickhad an indifputable right to be ac-
" knowledged their fovereign; that it would .
" be their beft fecurity againft any future
" attempts which Chriftiern, with theaffift-
" ance of the emperor, might make to
" recover the northern kingdoms j and at
" the fame time would yield them all the
" advantages and happinefs which muft
" accrue to a people, who had the good
<c fortune to be under - the command of a
" monarch, fo illuftrious for his virtues and
" wifdom."
More prevailing eloquence than could
be expected from a northern orator in that
age was requifite to procure a tolerable
The anfwer reception to fuch a propolal. The affembly
the ftates? 7 replied with great indignation, " that they
" had felt the ill effects of the union of
" thofe kingdoms too feverely, ever to
" fuffer them to be re-united ; that the
11 treaty of Caimar had been violated as
" foon as made, and therefore, as it
" was rendered invalid, it could be no
" foundation for the king of Denmark's
" laying any claim to the crown of
" Sweden.

Gustavus Ericson. 207
" Sweden. That the tranfcendent virtues
" of Guftavus, and their election, were
" the beft titles to that throne ; and they
" had no fear, but that he who had con-
" quered the kingdom againft a powerful
" enemy, and reftored them to their liber-
" ties, would be fufficiently able to preferve
" both againft any invaders."
Resentment againft the archbifhop of
Upfal, who had been the caufe of fo much
bloodfhed in the kingdom, led them, in the
pretence of the ambaffador, to declare him
guilty of high-treafon, and the enemy of They declare
his country, for having crowned king Fre- ?* arcl?bl-
derick *. Their zeal went ftill farther ; treafoo.
hurried on by a defire to prove the warmth
of their attachment, and their entire con
fidence in their king, they empowered him
" to take every neceflary meafure for the de-
" fence of his perfon and dignity, and to de-
" clare war or conclude peace as he fhould
"judge moft expedient, without waiting
" for the concurrence of the affembly of the
" ftates ; declaring, that all thofe who op-
" pofed him fhould be, from that time, re-
" puted enemies of the nation."
• Loccenius, lib. vi; p. 237.
Gus-

208 The Life of
Guftavus en- Gustavus detained the Danifh ambafi
tertains Fre r . n , .
derick'sam- iador fome days longer at his court* enter-s
banador tained him magnificently, treated him with
magnificent- ° , 3
Jy. great affability and diftindtion, invited him
to accompany him in a review of his troop Sj
and, at his departure, made him confiderable
prefents. The ambaffador returned home
with a very high idea of Guftavus's merits
and his power, which he reprefented in
very ftrong colours to Frederick; thereby
correfponding with Guftavus's intentions*
and rendering that king lefs inclined to pur-
fue his claim *.
fend^Inam- The ambaffador was accompanied into
baffador in- Denmark by an envoy from the king of
Sweden, who was commiffioned to follicit
the king of Denmark to reftore to liberty
the widow of the adminiftrator Steeno-
Sturius, her fons, and the other Swedifh
ladies who were prifoners in that kingdom.-
An adtion not lefs agreeable to the nation
than to Guftavus himfelf, whofe regard for
Steeno furviving the objedt of it, defcended
to his family, whom he treated with pa
rental affection.
Gustavus had likewife given his envoy
? Hift. de Dann. torn. v. p. 8:. feere-S

Gustavus Ericson. 209
fecret inftructions, to try how Frederick ftood
difpofed towards a peace, and, if he found a
proper opening, to pave the way to a lafting
agreement. Frederick, whofe ambition was
not very great, neither turbulent nor reftlefs
by nature, was not averfe to fuch a propofal.
The report of his ambaffador had convinced
him the king of Sweden was too powerful
an enemy to attack with impunity; and
that the archbifhop had lefs confidered
truth, or the advantage of Denmark, in his
reprefentation of the ftate of that kingdom,
than his own private interefts and animofi-
ties. The Swedifh envoy perceived this fa
vourable difpofition, and therefore com
plained to him, in his mafter's name, " of
" the attempt he had made on his crown ;
tc adding, that he was not yet fo firmly
" eftablifhed on the throne of Denmark,
" as to be in a condition to aim at the con-
" queft of another kingdom, efpeciaily,
" when Chriftiern was endeavouring by
" every means to recover Denmark; and
" had even propofed to acknowledge the
ce king of Sweden's election, if he would
" enter into alliance with him ; but that
« his mafter had refufed to treat with the
P " mur-

210 The Lif e of
" murderer of his father, and the oppreflbir
" of his country."
The two Frederick did not long refift the ad-
iruo°a treaty vances the king of Sweden thus made him.
ofFeace.and He declared himfelf well difpofed to enter
.Frederick re~
ftores the into the ftridteft alliance with him, which
Swedifo la- feemed the m01a advifeable ftep for their
dies who were r
imprifoned in mutual interefts ; and, as the firft proof of
his regard for that monarch, he fent him the
Frederick Swedifh ladies, whole liberty he defired,
fends back . r . r 1 ¦
the Swedifti with a magnincent retinue, after having
ladies. treated them with great diftindtion *.
Guftavus's Gustavus, ' accompanied with all his
reception of L .
Chriitina. court, went out of Stockholm at Chnftina s
approach, and received her with the greateft
demonftrations of refpedt and affection.
He conducted her to the caftle, where he
fixed her abode ; eftabliihed her in the fame
rank which fhe had enjoyed during her
hufband's life, and paid her all the honours
and deference which her virtues could de
mand, or her near relation to himfelf,
(whole aunt the was) or to the late admi-
niitrator, cculd intit.'e iier to receive, from
a man who aienLhed Lis memory with fin-
csre reip^dtand aric-ction. Her two young
* Hiftoire de Diva., tore, v, p. 10.
6 fons

GusTaVUs Ericson. 211
fons he placed in his palace, and educated
them with the care of a father. A pro
ceeding wherein pofliblyhis prudence might
have no fmall fhare, fince to keep them thus
under his own eye, and to endeavour, by
his parental behaviour, to attach them by a
filial affection to his perfon, were the beft
methods which a generous and upright
mind could take, to prevent any ill confe-
quences that might arife from the great
efteem which the Swedes retained for the
memory of Steeno-Sturius.
Gustavus reftored to the widows of all A. D. 1523:
the lords whom Chriftiern had put to death
the fortunes of their families. Thefe ladies
indeed he made fubfervient to his interefts,
while he appeared only indulgent to them.
Many of them were ftill young, and not
bigotted to the ftate of widowhood, but were
reftrained by thecuftoms of Sweden, which
had rendered it fcandalous for a woman
to efpoufe a perfon of a birth inferior to her
own ; and the cruelty of Chriftiern had ex-
tinguifhed fo many of the noble families of
Sweden, that thefe ladies muft have remain
ed unmarried, if Guftavus had not, by his
advice and public approbation, encouraged
them to accept of merit inftead of birth, and
P 3 to

212 The Life »/
to eftimate true nobility by the fervices ren
dered to their country. He then recom
mended his principal officers to their choice,
and thus, without difpoffefling or even dif-
eontenting the original proprietors, he re
warded thofe, whom he moft wifhed to
recompenfe, with the greateft fortunes of
the kingdom; for it was not probable that
the ladies who obtained the liberty of mar
rying only by the king's fandtion, fhould
reject his recommendation.
Gustavus was very diligent to reward
all who had ferved him, fenfible, that pru
dence as well as gratitude required it, fince
by this means he fixed his old friends, and
obtained new ones. As foon as he was-
eftablifhed in full poffeflion of his kingdom*
he fent for the clergyman who had faved
him from Peterfon's treachery, but had the
mortification of hearing that he was dead*
Though this faithful friend could not be
rewarded by him, yet to do honour to the
memory of one who had fo effentially ferved
him, he caufed a gilded crown to be hung,
on the fteeple of his church, as a lafting
memorial of the merit of the deceafed, and
of his own gratitude. His refentment of
injuries does not appear to have been fo
ftrong

Gustavus Ericson. 213
ftrong as his fenfe of benefits ; for I cannot
difcover, that he took the fame care to punifh
Peterfon for his treachery, as he did to re-
compenfe the man who had preferved him
from falling a facrifice to it.
Gustavus had long kept one point in Guftavus
view. That the difturbances in the king- d°£gf0efsd*.
dom had for many ages been chiefly owing prefling the
to the ambition and exorbitant power and c ergy'
wealth of the clergy, was very palpable:
fome of the German princes had fet an ex
ample of reducing them within more proper
bounds ; a reformation to none more defina
ble than a monarch of Sweden, fince no
kingdom had fo feverely felt the want of it.
Another inducement was the very low ftate
of the finances, which could not be fupplied
but by great taxations : with thefe the king
was little inclined to burthen his faithful
fubjedts, to whofe afliftance he owed the
power of doing it ; and indeed the ravages
of war had rendered them incapable of
paying any confiderable contributions with
out greatly diftreffing themfelves. The
clergy alone continued opulent ; their pof-
feflions could not be alienated even by them
felves ; and, in the utmoft rage of war, they
&ad been reipected by their enemies, who
P 3 feared

214 The L i f e of
feared incurring the cenfures of the church, if
they did any damage to its lands.
Though Guftavus wifhed to fhare
riches converted to fuch bad purpofes, fpent
in luxury, in pomp, often in vice, and not
lefs frequently in railing difturbances in the
ftate, yet this was not the work of a day.
Violent and fudden proceedings were con
trary to the prudence with which he always
acted ; but to prepare the way for farther at
tempts, and in part to fupply the prefent
neceffities of the government, he laid con
fiderable taxes upon them, borrowed great
fums of money of many, and the church
plate of others *.

Lutheranifm From the time of the fiege of Upfal,
jntroi'
into •

'""Iwefen. Guftavus had been no ftranger to the doc

trines of Luther, which had then made
great progrefs in Germany, and entered
into Sweden with the German foldiers, who
came to his affiftance at that fiege. Some
Swedes likewife, who had ftudied under
Luther at the univerfity of Wirtemberg,
particularly two brothers, Laurence and
Qlaus Petry, canons of the church of Upfal,
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. Comp.
Reg. Suec. p. 647.
had

Gustavus'Ericson. 215
had imbibed his doctrines; and returning
into their country about that time affiduouf-
ly propagated them. As no nation had feen
ftronger proofs of the great abufe the court
of Rome made ofthe traffick of indulgencies,
which firft gave rife to Luther's attack on the
papal power, one might have expected that
Sweden would have been the beft difpofed
to embrace the reformation ; but prejudice
is the concomitant of ignorance; the people
were obftinate in their adherence to their re
ligion, in the fame proportion as they were
ignorant of its doctrines ; the multitude ra
ther profeffed than believed ; for, except in
the external ceremonies, they were quite
uninftrudted. Their clergy were more in- The conducl
duftrious in fowing diffentions in the ftate 3^ h
than in teaching their flocks, and wereoftenerclersy-
feen. at the head of an army than in their
pulpits. Thofe of more peaceful difpofi-
tions were not lefs negligent in their func
tions, only they fpent that time and money
in the gratification of their vanity and the
indulgence of their vices, which the others
paffed in a more martial, but fcarcely a lefs
unbecoming manner. This conduct of the
fuperiors in the church, difgufted thole
whofe education had taught them to reflect,
and whofe underftandings were enlarged
P 4 " by

2l6 The L i f e of
by fome fhare of learning and knowledge,
though the ignorance and prejudices of the
vulgar prevented them from taking umbrage "
at it. The clergy had indeed another fecu
rity for their opinions ; the church poffeffed
fo great a part of the kingdom, that their
yaffals were very numerous, and they were
obliged, by temporal interefts, to adhere to
every thing their mafters ordered them to
believe. But the Lutheran doctrine made fome
impreflion on the nobles and officers in.
Guftavus's army, and the king himfelf
liftened to them both with curiofity and
favour. War had not fo entirely engroff-
ed his thoughts, or employed his time
as not to have allowed him leifure to culti
vate an underftanding, which was naturally
very fuperior to that of moft other men. This
great alteration in religion became the object
of his attention; the clergy had been too inve-
terately his enemies to leave him any preju
dices in their favour. His reafon acquiefced
in the doctrines of Luther, and his inclina
tions welcomed them. He was half per-
fiiaded of their truth, by his wifhes that they
might be true ; and he who defires to be conT
vinced is feldom far from conviction.
One

Gustavus Ericson. 217
One of Olaus's firft converts in Sweden Larz Ander-
was Larz Anderfon *, a man of low birth, tolhe Lu- e
hut fo diftinguifhed for his abilities, as fuffi- theran *&-
ciently recommended him to the king's faited by the
favour. His fuperior genius, the great Jffe* that
extent of his underftanding, and his perfua-
five eloquence, fecured him advancement
from a prince who had a capacity to dittin^
guifh, and a defire to reward, as well as to
attach to his fervice, perfons of exalted
merit. As Guftavus found he interefted
himfelf much in the controverfies between
the Lutherans and thofe of the eftablifhed
church, he applied to him for a more par
ticular information concerning Lufheris doc
trines than could be gathered from the
difputes between them, where the warmth
of zeal often obfcures the truth, and hurries
the difputant to an omiffion of fuch necef-
fary definitions, as are requifite to clear up
many points of the doctrine for which he
contends. Anderson inftructed the king more like
a ftatefman than an apoftle. He acquaint
ed him indeed with the articles of the Lut
theran faith, and of the conformity it bore
fo the fcriptures, fo far fuperior to what the
f S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
Romifh

2 1 8 The L i f e of
Romifh church could pretend to ; but he
likewife took advantage of the king's defire
to lower the power of the clergy, and fhewed
him how direct a road this new religion
opened for effecting it.
Sollicitous to have the doctrines he
believed propagated and eftablifhed in the
kingdom, he was contented to ufe very-
worldly motives to work on the king's
mind. His ambition might poflibly have
more fhare in this manner of proceeding than
his piety ; and a defire to correfpond with
his mafter's views might as ftrongly infti-
gate him as the fuggeftions of his con-
fcience ; but he was not blameable in calling
to his aid fuch inducements as might more
warmly animate his majefty in the profecu-
tionof fo difficult a tafk. The motives he
urged were not only reafonable but for the
benefit of the kingdom, whofe bane the
power and wealth of the clergy had long
been ; and if he made them conducive to a
good fuperior to that which he aimed at, fure-
ly it was an innocent if not a laudable art.
He told the king, that ct the name
" Church had been greatly corrupted; that
" it originally meant all the communion " of

Gustavus Ericson. 219
{t ofChriftians, who depofited their money
fc in one common flock, and were content-
" ed to be put on an equality of fubfiftence
" here, as they were equal fharers in their
<c hopes of happinefs hereafter. This bank
<< indeed was in the hands of the clergy,
" who dividing it with impartiality among
" the community, were the ftewards, not
" the proprietors, of what they poffeffed.
<c That, as corruption ftole in among Chri-
" ftians, the clergy began to monopolize the
" name of church, as a means of converting
" to themfelves what had been common to
" all the profeffors of the fame religion."
He added, that " as every member of
" the Chriftian faith was confequently a
" member of the church of Chrift, they
" might all urge the fame plea for the fa-
'< crednefs of their profeffions ; and that it
" would ill fuit an order of men, who
" fhould be more exempiarily juft than any
" others, to refute to contribute towards the
" fupport of the government, in proportion
" as they received benefit from its protec-
" tion. But that, however reafonable all
ts this muft appear to an unbiaffed judg-
*£ .ment, yet wnile the people preferved
« their reverence and fubmiffion to the
" clergy,

220 The L i.f e of
" clergy, that body would take advantage
" of their prejudices, to excite new difturb-
" ances in the ftate. The firft ftep there-
" fore to reduce their power was to dif-
" abufe the multitude, and, by convincing
" them of the fallacy of their doctrines,
" abate their refpedt for their perfons."
Anderson likewife urged, that " the peo-
" pie would foon be reconciled to fuch de-
" predations on the clergy as fhould deliver
" them from taxes, and it would not be
" more difficult to render it agreeable to
e{ the nobles, who envied their power, and
" unwillingly faw them poffefs lands which
" the miftaken piety of their anceftors had
" alienated from their own families, to
" annex to the church.
Gustavus was much influenced by thefe
arguments; they feemed to promife him fuc
cefs in a particular, whereon the quiet of his
reign, and the addition of fovereign power
to the title of monarch depended. If the
clergy retained the influence they had fo
long enjoyed, and made fo bad a ufe of, he
faw that himfelf, like his predeceffors, un
der the appellation of King, would be no
thing more than a Have to their ambition and

Gustavus Ericson. 22i
and infolence, and he fhould leave to his
children only the fhadow of royalty. From Guftavus de-
this time he took the refolution of intro- •te!mj{"l,°L.
- introduce tne
ducing a reformation of religion into S we- reformation*
den ; but as he was not then mafter of the
capital, his power was too precarious to
make any open and confiderable attempts in
its favour, but he adhered fteadily to his views,
was careful in avoiding any thing that might
render the execution more difficult, and en
deavoured by fmall degrees to advance it,
till he had power to operate more effec
tually. In this difpofition Guftavus encouraged Difputations
difputations between the Petry and their op- encoara£ed-
ponents *. Reafon, or the love of novelty,
made many converts in the army, and ftill
more in the town ; feveral members of the
univerfity embraced the new doctrine, and
joined in their endeavours to propagate it;
but Guftavus (as I have faid) was not then
at liberty to declare publickly in their fa
vour. In this fituation that affair continued from
the time of the fiege of Upfal, till Guftavus
was fixed upon the throne ; he then deter-
* Sam. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. mined

2 22 The L I f e of
mined to be?in to introduce the reforms-
tion, and as the firft and moft neceflary ftep
for the welfare of the kingdom, took mea-
fures for deprefling the clergy, who he
found were ftill carrying on fecret intelli
gence with his enemies.
The pope The pope being informed of the pro-
ifntnodSweden°grefsthe Lutheran religion made in Swe
den, fent John Magnus in quality of nun
cio, to ufe his utmoft endeavours to ex
tirpate it out of the kingdom ; and likewife
to enquire into the particulars of the pro-
cefs againft the archbifhop of Upfal, and of
thofe bifhops whom Chriftiern had put to
death *.
Bifhop Braaflc The clergy were extremely offended
nccufes the at fa taxes which Guftavus had impofed on
king of here- 7- t •
fy. them, efpecially Braafk, bifhop of Linco-
pinc, who omitted no endeavours to heighten
the refentment of the reft of his order. He
carried his infolence againft the king fo far,
as to accufe him before the nuncio of herefy
and avarice -f\ The bifhop of Wefteraas,
equally his enemy, attempted to inftigate
the Dalecarlians to a revolt %, accufing
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
f Ibid. Comp. Reg. Suec. p. 647.
X Ibid. the

Gustavus Ericson. 223
the king of notorious impiety and tyranny,
fparing no invectives, which he thought cal- TheBiftiopof
culated to exafperate that people, who, by W^S*ion
their diftance from the capital where the amongft the
, • r-i j '/• , . ,-1 Dalecarlians.
king reuded, were fo much the eafier de-. -
ceived, as they were more ignorant of his
actions. Gustavus was too well aflured of his
own power to be alarmed at thefe proceed
ings ; he even ventured at this time to dif-
mifs the greateft part of his mercenary
troops. He conquered the province of
Bleckingy, and, at the follicitation of the
king of Denmark, he fent him a fleet of
feventeen fhips to affift him in the reduction
of the ifland of Bornholm; and then with
the fame fleet reduced all the places in Fin
land, which had till that time refifted his
arms *.
The pope's nuncio proceeded in his com- The difputa-
miffion, and endeavoured to confute fhet.ions,con-
. . tinued.
Lutheran doctrines; but Oiaus Perry, unin-
timidated by his pretence, defended them
with a zeal fuperior to that of his antagonift.
As he was a man of greater abilities, and
more fpirit and vivacity, the better caufe,
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
when

224 The L I f e of
when in abler hands, could not fail of
triumphing over the other. The nuncio's:
arguments were weak, and only ferved to
open the eyes of the people. The king at
tended thefe controverfies, and chofe to have
them rendered as public as poffible, in hopes
of teaching his fubjedts to employ their rea
fon, on points that had hitherto been only
a foundation on which to build many pre
judices, hurtful to the ftate and regal power*
and entirely contrary to his views.

The impreffion which Olaus's argu-
guments vifibly had on the king's mind*
only ferved to exafperate the clergy ftill
more *. Thofe loans which greatly offend
ed them when firft made, now excited their
fears, as well as their indignation, forefee-
ing that they were but the firft ftep towards.
depriving them of a more confiderable por
tion of their wealth, and much of their
power, by encroaching on their immuni-
The clergy ties. Eager to remove a prince fo danger-
excite the ous to their interefts, they grew more af-
peopie to re- flfjUOus in their endeavours to excite a re
bellion, and employed every art to that pur-
pofe ; but they were checked in their pro
grefs by the interception of fome letters,
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. written

Gustavus Ericson. 225
Written by the bifhop of Wefteraas, to; ani
mate even foreigners againft the king.
Gustavus, by an exact adminiftration
of juftice, great application to the affairs of
ftate, and the affability of his conduct, was
become too fecure of the hearts of his fub
jedts, to be obliged to let fuch an offence pafs
unpunifhed. He had attached the nobility
to his perfon, by rendering his court a fcene
of politenefs and pleafure, beyond what had
ever been known in Sweden. To foften Guftavus en-
the manners of that ferocious people, he had ^eavours to
r r foften the
introduced a degree of luxury and fplendor, manners of
which, by furnifhing the nobles with va-the Svvede8-
rious methods of expence, often diminifhed
their fortunes, and, by attaching them to
the court, prevented them from increafing
their intereft and dependants in the coun
try. Thus he had in great meafure damped
that extreme jealoufy of the regal power,
which formerly led them to make fuch cri
tical obfervation on all their king's adtions,
and, with a fufpicious imagination, to fcru-
tinize into his very thoughts, and vigoroufly
to oppofe every real, or even fuppofed en-
croachment._ The fate of his predeceffors fufficiently
Q_ evin^d:

226> Tl^e Life of
evinced, that abfolute power was not to Be
obtained in Sweden by open force. The
monarchs were far inferior in the number
of their vaffals to many of the nobility, their
revenues were too fmall to purchafe them
willing flaves, therefore all attempts to in
creafe their authority had ended in their
ruin. Guftavus, whofe many virtues were
tinctured with that love for abfolute power,
which is fo ufual to princes, and fo danger
ous to their fubjedts, was too wife to follow
their meafures, but endeavoured to enflave
the minds of the Swedes inftead of their per
fons, and to fecure their obedience, by en
gaging their intereft and their affections on
his fide. By thefe means he had attached
them fo firmly to him, that the clergy be
came lefs formidable. He therefore ven-
The bifliop tured to- profecute the bifhop of Wefteraas
of Wefteraas , . ; , ~, r . c
degraded. and his dean i,nut, on an- accufation ot
treafon ; and, being convicted,, they were
deprived of their dignities *.
THisfeverity, however juft, increafed the
hatred of the clergy. The bifhop of Lin-
copinc renewed his accufations againft the
king with greater bitternefs than ever, and,,
by his defire, the pope's nuncio, John Mag-
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift.. Suec. cap. 59. nus,.

Gustavus Ericson. 227
nus, ftrongly admonifhed him " to adhere The king ad-
tc to the eftablifhed church, to refpedt the the nuncio.
" immunities and privileges of the clergy,
<c and to fupprefs the preachers of the Lu-
" theran doctrine." He like wife ufed his
utmoft endeavours to prevail with him to
pafs a decree,, " that fhould declare it a ca-
" pital offence for any Swede to embrace
" the new opinions, to read Luther's books,
" or bring them into Sweden." But Guf
tavus, who avoided giving promifes which
he intended to break, contrary to the general
practice of his predeceffors, refufed to com
ply with his follicitation *.
Disappointed in this attempt, Magnus
fent for Oiaus Petry, and his firmeft ad
herents, and ftridtly forbad them to continue
preaching the Lutheran religion. He en
deavoured to perfuade them to abjure thofe
doctrines, and return to their ancient profef-
fion ; but with as little effect as he had
found from his exhortations to the king.
The bifhop of Lincopinc was greatly
offended withthe nuncio's conduct ; his mo-
deration little fuited the fiery zeal of that
prelate, who accufed him of betraying his
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
Qji caufs

22o* The L IF E of
caufe and his confcience, and of leaning to
" the new doctrines. Magnus received his-
reproaches with meeknefs, promifed, when
he returned to Rome, to confult about pro
per remedies for this growing herefy, and
either to come again into Sweden the next
year to put them in practice, or to prevail
on the pope to appoint him (the bifhop) for
his nuncio in that kingdom. In the mean
time he exhorted him " to forbear all bit-
"¦ ternefs of language ; to act without vio-
" lence, and fpeak without virulence ; as a
" contrary conduct would difgrace himfelf
" and his religion, and exafperate his ene-
" mies, without convincing any perfon *."
The bifhop at laft, by his importunities,
prevailed on Magnus to appoint inquifitors
in every bifhopric, to make an exact fearch
after all the propagators of the new doctrines.
As to the other part of his commiffion, the
nuncio having duly examined all the circum-
ftances concerning the bifhops, he declared
archbifhop Trollius- unworthy to exercife
the functions of his profeffion, or to poffefs
the archbifhopric ; and the bifhops, whom
Chriftiern had executed, to have been entire
ly innocent ¦f.
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
t Ibid_
Thougu

Gustavus Ericson. 229
Though the nuncio's moderation gavefo
much diffatisfaction to the bifhop of Linco-
pinc, it procured him the favour of a more
powerful patron. The king caufed himThekin^
(though then on his return to Rome), to be makei t:i*
" ' nunci'j arch'
elected archbifhop of Upfal, -that fee being bifhop of
vacant by the abfence and condemnation p d '
ofjts late turbulent poffeflbr *. As Gufta
vus did not think it yet time to declare him
felf publickly for the Lutheran reformation,
he could not have made a more prudent
choice. Magnus was by birth a Swede, a
man of fincere piety and exemplary virtue,
but void of that fire which converts piety
into outrageous zeal, and religion into a
perfecuting fpirit. He preferred a peaceful
folitude to the turbulence of power, and was
more inclined to execute meekly the duties
of his function, than to contend in contro-
verfial difputes. His underftanding had no
thing of the acutenefs fo neceflary for an
eager difputant ; nor had he that firmnefs
and inflexibility of fpirit, requifite for a
zealous perfeoutor. His intentions were up
right ; and, as he fincerely believed the re
ligion he profeffed, he thought no arts or
fubterfuges need be called in to its defence,
* S, Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
Q^_3 trufting,

23° The Liyil of
trufting, that truth alone fufficed for that
purpofe. The bifliop of Lincopinc's ardent zeal,
which nothing could quiet or abate, foon
after gave the king fuch offence, that, im
patient with the reftraint he had laid upon
himfelf, he oppofed the election of bifhops
The kmg t0 me 0ther vacant fees, and fent to Wirtem-
places Lu
theran burg for feveral learned and eloquent
vlriou?" '" Preachers of the Lutheran perfuafion, whom
churches; he appointed to different churches, and
named Oiaus Petry to be preacher of the
great church of Stockholm *.
* • D- J5Z4- But thefe new paftors were but ill
received by the multitude, who tried their
fincerity by the dangers to which they were
expofed in the execution of their office; the
who are ill- people often throwing ftones at them, and
multitude! the threatening them with ftill more fevere
effects of their anger. Oiaus, by officiating
in the moft populous place, was the moft
frequently attacked ; but his courage was
fuperior to thofe dangers ; he continued his
preaching ; and fometimes, by the ftrength
of his reafons and the force of his eloquence,
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. Comp.
Reg. Suec. p. 6.17. con-

Gustavus Ericson. 231
¦converted thofe who came to the church,
only with a defign of difturbing and terrify
ing the congregation. The Dominican
friars were among his bittereft enemies ;
but, to controul the effects of their malice,
Guftavus appointed them for priors fome of
Olaus's friends, and firm Lutherans, and
drove all the friars of that order, who were
foreigners by birth, out of the kingdom *¦
He refufed to comply with the bifhop ofLin-
copinc's defire, that the Swedes might be
prohibited from reading Luther's writings,
alledging, that " they had not been con-
" demned by competent judges;" and de
clared, " that while his Lutheran fubjedts
" were not convicted either of erroneous
" faith or of immoral lives, they were in-
" titled to his protection, nor could he, with-
" out flagrant injuftice, refute it them -j-".
The progrefs of the reformation in Swe
den was interrupted, for fome time, by an
enterprize the king undertook againft the
ifle of Gothland. Admiral Norbius, who Norbias's
had feized it, when he was reduced to leave Pirac7-
Sweden to the victorious arms of Guftavus,
at firft began by declaring his firm ad-
* Comp. Reg. Suec. p. 647.
t S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap, 59.
Q_^4 herence

232 The Life of
herence to the depofed king Chriftiern, and
his equal deteftation of Frederick and Guf
tavus. In confequence of this avowed en
mity, he feized the fhips of both nations,
and greatly molefted their trade; but at
leno-th, allured by the riches he thus acquir
ed, he extended his piracy to other nations,
and looked on every veflel he could take as
lawful prize. The city of Lubec fuffered
moft feverely by this piratical conduct;
their trade v/as interrupted, their merchants
ruined, and their city impoverifhed. Better
qualified for traffic than war, they would
not venture to redrefs this grievance by force
of arms. Guftavus was the perfon on
whom they caft their eyes in this exigency :
from his courage and conduct they hoped
to fee this common enemy fubdued, and
were encouraged to apply to him on this
occaiion by the complaints of the Swedes,
who were very earned: to be delivered from
fo pernicious a pirate *'.
Gustavus, though as great a general
and or as intrepid a fpirit as any prince of
that or the fucceeding age, yet was free
from the reftlefs difpofition of a conqueror,
He ha:i given the ftrongeft proofs of perfonal
* Hift. de Dan, torn. v. p. 1 1 . bravery.

Gustavus Ericson. 233
bravery, but fighting was not his pleafure ;
he ufed it to obtain fubftantial poffeflions,
not' to win that fort of fame which a wife
man muft defpife ; for, to bring the miferies
of war on mankind, only to gain the reputa
tion of an hero, is a degree of brutality,
which fhould degrade him below the rank
of a man, who is aiming by it to exalt him
felf in fame above the reft of his fpecies.
Gustavus wifhed to enjoy in peace the
kingdom he had conquered by his fword,
and was more bent on civilizing than extend
ing it. His defire was to let his fubjedts
feel the benefits of his juft and mild govern
ment ; and to fee them pafs in fafety and
comfort the remainder of thofe days, the
earlier part of which had been expofed to fo
many difafters, from the cruelty of their
prince, and the diforders of war. He iiften- The Swedes
f. , - .... , , prefstheking
ed therefore very unwillingly to the re- 10 attempt
monftrances of his fubjedts. He was fenfi- J^Sf J
ble, that to recover the ifland out of Severino Gothland.
Norbius's hands was very defirable, but he
forefaw the enterprize exceeding difficult,
and net to be prudently undertaken, in the
prefent fituation of his affairs. An ambaflyThe Lu-
from the city of Lubec increafed the impor- ijcithimto"
tunitvofhis fubjedts, at the fame time that t^t effect.
6 it

234 The L i f e of
it foUicited him from allies whom he could
not fafely difoblige.
The embaffador of that republic tried
every art to inftigate Guftavus to undertake
this enterprize ; he endeavoured to ftimu-
late him by the love of glory, reprefenting
that his reputation was engaged not to leave
fo valuable an appendage to the kingdom of
Sweden in the hands of fo troublefome an
enemy. The king replied, that " his pretence was
" neceflary in a kingdom fo newly con-
" quered, and which Chriftiern was pre-
" paring to attack ; and though his right
" to that ifland was inconteftible, yet the
" kings of Denmark had fome pre tenfions
" to it ; and, as he chofe to keep on good"
" terms with Frederick, he would firft fet-
" tie with him all difputes as to their re-
" fpective titles, before he would attempt
" the conqueft."
Gustavus was deftitute of money to
fupport a war, and did not chufe to lay any
taxes on his fubjedts, who were then fo un
able, and always fo unwilling to pay them.
Norbius had amaffcd great wealth, and
might

Gustavus Ericson. 235
might be able to defend the ifland much
longer than Guftavus could maintain troops
to attack it. He knew the Republic had
only their own intereft in view, and that he
could depend on their engagements no
longer than agreed with the principle on
which they acted.
The ambaffador finding the king receiv- Promife him
ed fo coldly what he had faid on this tub- gc«
ject, affured him, " that the Hans Towns p°fe.
" would affift him with a powerful fleet,
" which fhould tranfport his troops into
" the ifland, and afterwards guard thofe
" feas with fuch vigilance, as would prevent
(C the Danes from giving him any molefta-
" tion, or his enemies any fuccours ; and
" that if Frederick fhould prove tenacious of
" his title to that ifland, and difpute it with
" him, they engaged to obtain for him that
" king's daughter in marriage, with a
{C cefiion of all her father's pretentions to it,
" as her wedding dower." He likewife
promifed, that " the magiftrates of Lubec
'-' would not require him to pay the funis
" he owed them for five years to come ;
<c and that if he failed in his attempt "of

236 The L 1 f e of
" of conquering the ifland, they would
" defray one half of the expence *."
Threaten to To ftrengthen thefe offers, the ambaffa-
addrefs them» dor „ave out that " if Guftavus refuted to
felves to the b
king of Den- " undertake this enterprize, the city of
raark' " Lubec would be reduced to apply to the
" king of Denmark, who would more rea-
" dily accept of their afliftance to deliver his
" fubjedts from the depredations of fo fuc-
" cefsful a pirate." By thefe infinuations
he increafed the ardor of the Swedes for this
undertaking ; and their importunities at
length became fo great, that the king could
no longer refift them, without hazarding
the lofs of their good opinion. He figned
a treaty with the ambaffador on the terms
already mentioned; at the fame time declar
ing to his fubjedts, that he did not expect the
fuccefs they promifed themfelves from the
enterprize.
Guftavus un- ^N orc^£r to ra^e money to fupply the ne-
dertakes the ceffary expences of the expedition, he melt-
the ifle of ed down all the plate that belonged to the
Gothland, palace, and got fome from the clergy for
the fame purpofe; and when the Lubec
* Hift. de Dann. torn. v. p. 12. S. Puffend. Introd.
ad Hift. Suec. cap 55, fleet

.Gustavus Ericson. 237
fleet came to Caimar, he embarked a con
fiderable body of troops, and gave the com
mand of them to Bernard de Meelen *.
Bernard conquered all the ifland, except
Wifbuy the capital, in little more than a
fortnight, and befieged that town, whofe
fortifications enabled it to make a ftrong re-
fiftance. Norbius, after having made a
vigorous defence, finding that his garrifon
muft fuffer more than the beflegers, who
could receive frequent reinforcements, fince
though he repelled, yet he could not defeat
them, faw no hope of delivering himfelf by
his own force or courage : he therefore en- Norbius ap-
deavoured to procure himfelf a powerful £;'" ^ QCe
ally, and fent an agent to Frederick, with mark.
an offer to acknowledge him as fovereign of
the ifland, if he would grant him his affift-
ance againft the Swedes -j-.
Frederick had fome time before enter
ed into alliance with the king of Sweden,
in order to fecure his aid againft any attempts
that Chriftiern or his adherents might make
to difpoffefs him of the throne. They had
lived in good intelligence, and profeffed a
* Hift. de Dan. torn. v. p. 12. S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift.
Suec. cap. 59.
t Hift. deDann. torn, v. p. 13. S. Puff. ibid. friendfhip

238 The L 1 f e of
friendfhip for each other ; which, founded
folely on theflmilitude in their fortunes, both
ruling over kingdoms to which Chriftiern
equally laid claim, lafted only while their
interefts appeared the fame; and the king of
Denmark's was notproof againft the tempta
tion which Norbius offered him. Great as
his defire was to annex this ifland to the
kingdom of Denmark, yet he could not
refolve to come to an open rupture with the
king of Sweden, while his kingdom was
threatened with an invalion from the de
pofed Chriftiern, and as he was confcious of
the fuperior abilities of Guftavus in all mar
tial flsill. Art is the only refource of him
who is inferior in power to the man he would
Frederick injure : to this Frederick had recourfe, and
fovereignty attempted to obtain by negociation what he
of the hiand, fenfible he could not gain by force. He
and lends am- ° /
baiiadors to had received certain intelligence of the treaty
between the city of Lubec and the king of
of Sweden; but chufing to appear ignorant
of an alliance he defigned to break, he fent
an ambaffador to Lubec, to " urge his titleto
" the ifland of Gothland, to complain of
" the attempts Guftavus was making
" againft it, and to defire the regency of
" that city to interpofe their mediation, to
" prevail with him to withdraw his troops."
The

Gustavus Ericson. 239
The ambaffador then urged " the danger
" which might arife to the Hans Towns,
" from an increafe of power in the hands
<c of fo brave, fo martial, and fo enterprifing
" a prince as Guftavus. He acquainted
" them, that Norbius having returned to
" the duty he owed the king of Denmark
" as his fovereign, he could not well avoid
" defending fo valuable a part of his do-
" minions; but yet, from the great confi-
" dence he had in the wifdom and juftice
cc of that Republic, he was ready to fubmit
" the contention between himfelf and the offers a fe:
" king of Sweden for that ifland to their 1ueftratioB'
" judgment, and would confent that it
" fliould be put into their hands till the fen-
" tence was paffed *."
The magiftrates of Lubec were as little
capable of refitting this trial of their fidelity
as Frederick had been of conquering that
which Norbius had offered to his friendfhip.
They accepted the propofed fequeftration ;
but, afhamed to avow their treachery open
ly, they fecretly promifed " to fuffer the
" king of Denmark to throw fuccours into
" Wifbuy, without moleftation from their
" fleet ; and, if he would fend to Guftavus
* Hift. de Dann.tom. v. p, 14. " to

240 The Life of
" to claim that ifland as belonging to his
" kingdom, they engaged to offer their
" mediation to fettle the difpute, and to
" prefs it in fuch a manner, that the king
ct of Sweden fhould not venture to refute it."
The king of This agreement was fulfilled. The Repub-
Denmark ° _.,_,. ,
throws fuc- lie's fleet fuffered Frederick to convey a con-
w^suint0 fiderable reinforcement into Wifbuy, and
the ambaffador he fent to Stockholm, to
complain to the king of his having attacked
part of the Danifh dominions, without a
previous declaration of war, was met by
others from the Hans Towns, who propofed
a fufpenfion of arms, and an interview, be
tween the two monarchs at Malmoe, where
the ambaffadors offered to meet them, as
commiflioned by the Hans Towns, to me
diate a peace, and fettle all the particulars
about which they had any contention*.
At the foili- The friendfhip of the Hans Towns, on
citation ofthe whom all the trade of Sweden then depend-
Guftavuscon- ed, was of too great confequence for Gufta-
fents to con- t venture to break with them, though
ferwith ' o
Frederick at the infraction of their treaty, and their thus
Malmoe. . . ' . . „
apparently entering into a league againft
him, filled him with indignation. Malmoe
* Hift. de Dan. torn. v. p. 16. S. Tufferid. Introd. ad
Hift. Suec. cap. 59, was

Gustavus Ericson. 241
Was a town in the king of Denmark's pof»
feffion, and Guftavus was not ignorant of
the great imprudence a king was guilty of,
who put himfelf in the power of his enemy.
He Would gladly have avoided the con
ference; but finding the Republic obftinate
in this point, he with great unwillingnefs
contented to their propofal ; and after re
ceiving hoftages from Frederick, he went
to Malmoe, attended by Thuro Johanfon,
grand-marfhal of the kingdom, and fome
other fenators.
Frederick again urged his claim to the Frederick
kingdom of Sweden. But Guftavus gave u,rSes his ,
& ... claim to the
" inconteftible proof of the miferies that na- crown of
« tion had fuffered by the union of the three ^ted by
" ftates, which had made Sweden a pro- Guftavus.
" vince to Denmark, and fubjedted the peo^
" pie to the condition of wretched flaves to
" the moft cruel tyrants. Denmark indeed,
" he added, had been enriched by their
" fpoils, and wifhed for a reunion, for the
" fame reafons that the Swedes detefted it,
<c who were determined never again to fub-
<c mit to a foreign yoke, after having fo fuc-
" cefsfully freed themfelves from Danifh
" tyranny, and being fo capable, by the na-
" tural ftrength of the kingdom, and the
R valour

242 The Life of .
ct valour of its inhabitants, to defend and"
" preferve the liberty they had glorioufly
" gained .*."
As Frederick afferted his title to the king
dom only as a ceremonial he thought due
to his honour, he did not contend long on
Frederick mjs point, but proceeded to his claim to the
'of Gothland, ifle of Gothland : and the chief officer of
his houfhold was ordered to difpute this
point againft Thuro Johanfon, whom the
king of Sweden appointed to defend his
right. But this nobleman acted with little
honour in the affair. The great eftate he
had in Denmark made him cautious not to
offend that king, who threatened to con-
fifcate his poffeffions, if he pleaded ftrenu-
oufly againft him: he therefore made a very
weak defence, and, even meanly affected a
cough and hoarfenefs, to excufe him from
ipeaking much -j-.
Gustavus did not fuffer by this trea
chery ; it gave him a pretence to plead his
Guftavus's own caufe, which he could do far better than
rep y' any other, with a force of eloquence, which,
together with the juftice of his title, muft
• S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
¦J- Hift. de Dan. torn. v. p. 18,
con-

Gustavus Ericson. 243
convince all his hearers. He entered into a
detail, wherein he fhewed themj that " tho'
tc Waldemar, king of Denmark, had in-
" vaded it, yet Albert, king of Sweden, not
" only poffeffed it as part of his dominions,
" but mortgaged it to the knights of Pruffia,
cc from whom queen Margaret redeemed
" it with money levied on the Swedes, giv-
" ing them thereby a double title, the right
" of purchafe added to their original claim.
" Eric, indeed, after his abdication, gave it
tc up to the Danes, when, from his depoii-
" tion, he had no right to poffefs it, confe-
" quently none to difpofe of it ; and that
<c it had fince been unjuftly detained, on the
" pretence the kings of Denmark had taken
" from the treaty of Caimar to demand
" the three northern kingdoms, and there -
" fore kept the ifland of Gothland as part of
"¦ the kingdom of Sweden."

'a

Gustavus proceeded to prove, that
" many provinces, then claimed by Den-
" mark and Norway, in juftice belonged
" to Sweden, particularly Bleckingy in the
tc former, and the province of Wyck in the
" latter ; which had been mortgaged to
" Sweden for fix thoufand ducats *.
* S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
R 2 Though

244 The Life 0/
Though Guftavus convinced his anta-
gonifts of the badnefs of their caufe, yet
their judges were too much interefted in
The decifion not bringing it to a final decifion to pafs any
referred to fentence hut referred it to the regencies of
the regencies ' &
of the Hans the Hans Towns of Lubec, Dantzic, Ham
burg, Roftoc, Wifmar, and Luneburg, and
propofed that the ifland fhould be put in fe-
queftration into their hands, and a garrifon
from the city of Lubec be admitted into the
capital, till the affair was decided : but Guf
tavus rejected the propofal with indignation,
and declared he would not relinquifh his
conquefts. Frederick, who had now got
poffeflion of Wifbuy, was well contented
that affairs in that ifland fhould be left in
the ftate they were then in, till the definitive
The two fentence. And a treaty of alliance offenfive
Hans Towns and defenfive was ratified between the two
enter into a crowns 0f Sweden and Denmark and the
ftrict alliance. Hans Towns, againft Chriftiern, their com
mon enemy ; wherein it was fpecified, that
all prifoners fhould be releafed, and that
neither ftate fhould grant a retreat to the fe-
ditious fubjedts of the other -j-.
Guftavus re-^ As foon as the conferences were ended,
turns into tiie j.jng; recurned into Sweden, but thought
Sweden. ° °
¦J- S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 5g»- • his

Gustavus Ericson. ~ 245
his imprudence in going out of it fo great;
that, when he re-entered it, he bound him
felf by an oath- never again to go out of his
own dominions, except it were at the head
of an army -j-.
Severino Norbius, by the force of
money, or of an old friendfhip which had
fubfifted between him and Bernard Meelen,
prevailed on ihe latter to raife the fiege of
Wifbuy ; and foon after, without the king's
orders, to evacuate the ifland, carrying all
his troops back into Sweden *. Norbius,
by Meelen's treachery, delivered from all
apprehenfions of the Swedes, refufed any
longer to acknowledge the fovereignty of
Frederick, and reaffumed his firft refolution
of keeping the entire poffeflion of the ifland;
though, as the more plaufible proceeding, he
ftill profeffed preferving it for Chriftiern,
who had committed it to his care.
While the king was engaged in the con- German ana-
ferences at Malmoe, fome German Anabap- ^stock-"™0
tills came to Stockholm. At firft they en- holm-
deavoured to inftill their opinions privately
into the minds of thofe. people to whom they
f S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. Hift.de
Dan. torn. v. p. 19.
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
R 3 coukj,

Ul

246 The L 1 f e 0/
could eafieft gain admiffion ; but, animated
by fome fuccefs, they proceeded to preach
openly and boldly ; and, having acquired a
tolerable number of difciples, they carried
their zeal fo far, as to break the images
Theydeftroy and deftroy the ornaments of the churches.
' IhuTchcT.^The Roman Catholics were not ftrong
enough to venture to cppofe them, and the
Lutherans pretended to be ignorant of the
diforders they excited. They were no
friends to thofe decorations in the churches,
and therefore were not forry to have them
deftroyed by others ; and the-- hoped that,
when the violence of this -r.ge ihould fub-
fide, their moderation would gain by the
comparifon, and they fhould become more
acceptable than before. But in this view
they were deceived ; the multitude, ig
norant of the oppofite tenets of dif
ferent fedts, confounded all the c.- pofers of
popery under the general denomination of
innovators, among whom the king bore the
foremoft rank -f.
A.D. 1525. When Guftavus arrived at Stockholm,
baniihesfhem anc^ was informed of what had paffed, he
the kingdom, caufed the principal perfons of the fedt to be
feized, and banifhed them the kingdom.
-j- S, Puff. Introd. adHift. Suec. cap. 59.
He

Gustavus Ericson. 247
He feverely reproached the Lutherans for
having omitted to fupprefs thefe diforders in
their firft appearance *{-. He forefaw the
bad confequences of offending the people in
their fuperftitions. Images, and the orna
ments of their churches, appeared to their
ignorant minds, dazzled by externals, the
effentials of religion ; and any infult or de
triment offered to them, they efteemed
more impious than a denial of all the articles
of their creed. The bad effects foon be
came vifible. Bernard Meelen, perhaps, Bernard
afraid of being called to an account for fo Qaejelen feiz!s
treacheroufly evacuating the ifle of Goth- declares
land, feized Caimar, and declared highly ifudierans5.
againft the new doctrines, accufing the king
of having imbibed their errors. Several
priefts who fled from Stockholm, while the
zeal of the Anabaptifts raged there, having
gone into Dalecarlia, continually inftigated
thofe people to rife in defence of their
religion £.

The king increafed the difcontent of the The king re:
clergy by requiring the bifhops to give him ^™s *hj:
the thirds of their tythes, towards the pay- tythes.
ment of his troops; fome of which he
t S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
X Ibid. R 4 quartered

248 The L 1 f e of
quartered in the monafteries. The bifhop
of Lincopinc wrote to him in the ftrongeft
terms, remon fixating againft this encroach-r
ment. Guftavus anfwered him with great
moderation, mildly intimating, that " as
" the clergy and monafteries owed their
" riches to the liberality of the crown, they
" could not refute to affift the kings of
t* Sweden, when their neceffities required
li it, fince the royal revenues were con-r
" fiderably diminifhed by their frequent do-
" nations to the church; nor could they, as
" reafonable members of the community,
'* be averfe to contribute their fhare towards
" the expences, of the government, from
" which they reaped the greateft benefit."
Oiaus Petry's Another circumftance that gave great
marriage. _. . ,-.
offence to the clergy was Oiaus Petry's
marriage, which he celebrated publickly +.
Violent were their invectives againft an
adtion which they efteemed fo very crimi
nal, and the zealous bifhop of Lincopinc, as
on all oceafions, diftinguifhed himfelf par
ticularly on this. But Oiaus defended him
felf boldly, " challenged the bifhop to
il prove from the holy fcriptures, that mar-
t S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59, Cornp. Reg.
Suec. p. 647.
1 " riage

Gustavus Ericson. 249
¦ fe riage was forbidden to the clergy, and
" wondered that he fhould treat him fo
" injurioufly, for having efpoufed a virtuous
" woman, when he fo quietly overlooked
" the criminal commerce which the priefts
" of his perfuafion carried on with the moft
" infamous of the fex -f-."
Such a defence of his conduct had the
natural effect. It exafperated the prelate
ftill more, who forbad, throughout his dio-
cefe, the leaft mention being made of the
tenets of the Lutheran faith, and endea
voured to prevail on the whole kingdom
to preferve a like fllence on thofe topics,
affuring them that there was a poifonous
venom in thofe dodtrines, which infinuated
themfelves into the minds of all fuch as
gave attention to them +.
The bifhop's great diligence was counter- The king
balanced by the king's authority ; who, ab"dges the
, n rr power of the
by degrees, took feveral fteps to leffen the clergy by va-
power and riches of the inferior clergy, [j°^ ara*
judging it fafer to begin with them, than at
firft to attack the moft powerful order of
bifhops, in any particulars more alarming
t S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 5g.
% Ibid. than

25© The Life of
than what he had already done. The priefts
raifed confiderable fums by the fines which
they laid on certain fins and irregularities of
conduct: thofe who were guilty of inconti
nence, or abfented themfelves from divine
fervice in purfuit of their pleafures, with
various other particulars, were condemned
to commute for their offences by a pecuniary
penance. The king deprived them of
this never- failing fburce of riches, by a de
claration, which forbad them to exact any
fuch fines for the future. By another, he
commanded them to forbear the ufe of ex
communication, and all the other church
cenfures againft their enemies or creditors,
which they had hitherto lavifhed upon
all who offended their pride, or interfered
with their interefts. The clergy had great
ly increafed their power by extending the
jurifdidtion of the ecclefiaftical courts. They
claimed the decifion of every caufe wherein
there was the moft diftant relation to the
church or churchmen. The king abolifhed
thefe courts entirely, and, by a declaration,
ordered, that the clergy fhould fubmit to
the decifions of the common law courts, like
the reft of his fubjedts.
q During

Gustavus Ericsson. 251
Curing this time Oiaus Petry publifhed He pubiifhes
the New Teftament in the Swedifti tongue, zJT^e NeT
having tranflated it exadtly from Luther's Teftamcnt;
copy. His adverfaries accufed him of falfi-
fying the original text, after the example of
his mafter. Guftavus preffed the archbifhop The king re-
of Upfal to caufe it to be tranflated by the eftawlftu-d
clergy of his perfuafion, that the people c'ersy t0 do
might thereby judge of the errors in the
Lutheran copy, and urged, that " the king-
" dom had a right to require this complai-
;c fance, as moft nations then had it in the
" language of their country : Denmark,
" among others, enjoyed this advantage;
" and yet it was in no place more neceflary
" than in Sweden, where fo many different
" opinions were embraced, of the truth or
" falfhood of which no judgment could
" be formed, without comparing them with
" the holy Scriptures." He added, that
" the ignorance of a great part of the clergy
" rendered it ftill more needful ; for, as they
" were wholly unacquainted with the Latin
" tongue, they frequently committed great
" errors ; and while they were blind them-
" felves, muft prove very dangerous guides
<c to others -j-."
t S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap, 59.
The

252 The Life of
The arch- The archbifhop felt the force of thefe
pofes it to an reafons, and the integrity of his mind in-
SSEwf duced him to comply with them: but as he
did not affume an abfolute authority over
the church, he convened an affembly at
Stockholm, of the bifhops and the principal
perfons among the clergy, and acquainted
them, that the king had very properly re
commended to them, to oppofe a verflon of
their own to that of Olaus's, whereby the
people might be convinced of the faults in
that which their adverfary had publifhed.
The biftop The bifhop of Lincopinc declared ftrong-
of Lincopinc \ l ,
oppofes it. ly againft fuch an undertaking, as being the
moft probable means of affifting the pro
grefs of the Lutheran religion. He urged,
that " our Saviour had left the interpreta-
" tion of the holy Scriptures to the bifhops
" and learned fathers of the church, to pre-
" vent the errors and diflenfions into which
" the weak and ignorant might naturally^
" fall, if, by expofing the doctrines to pub-
ct lie view, every one had a power of judg-
cc ing for themfelves. That religion and
<l the concerns of the church muft not un-
" dergo any examination ; nor would he
" ever content to a meafure which muft be
5* a foundation for endlefs difputes, and ap-
" pear

ct

Gustavus Ericson. 253
pear like putting themfelves on a foot"
ing with heretics, with whom no other
means of conviction fhould be ufed, but
thofe unanfwerable arguments of fire and
fword." He added, " that their firft
action fhould be to excommunicate Oiaus,
and it was the indifpenfible duty of the
bifhop of Stregnez (of whofe diocefe he
belonged) to caufe him to be feized, and
either proceed againft him as the church
directed, or fend him to Rome."

The archbifhop was not to be moved by Theynever-
any of the reafons the zealous prelate had :akeeit.Under"
urged againft the verfion. His word was
engaged ; and his reafon correfponded with
the king's defire. After much difputation,
the affembly came to a refolution to under
take it, and it was divided amongft the
clery and the monks, each feparate diocefe
and diftinct order taking a certain portion of
the fcriptures *.
The archbifhop was now called to a more The archbi;
fecular employment. The time approach- ^fado"™"
ing when the Swedifli and Danifh ambaffa- Lubec.
dors were to meet at Lubec, to wait the
decifion of the Hans Towns concerning the
S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. points

*

254 The L I f e of
points in difpute between them, according to
the treaty of Malmoe, Guftavus fent thither
the archbifhop and the earl of Hoya
(who had married the king's fifter), as his
plenipotentiaries. But contrary winds de
tained them fo long, that they could not
8th of July, arrive at Lubec, till after the appointed day
was elapfed ; which the Danifh ambaffador
taking advantage of, as foon as ever the day
was pafled, returned home, notwithftanding
all the endeavours the magiftrates of that
city could ufe to detain them. The arch
bifhop being informed at his arrival of their
departure, wrote to the king of Denmark,
to acquaint him with the cccafion of his not
being at Lubec by the day appointed ; and
" complaining of the fudden departure of
" his ambaffadors, defired that they might
" return to Lubec, where he would wait
" for them *."
Frederick had not fo good an opinion?
of the juftice of his title as to be defirous
of an impartial judgment; he was better
pleafed that things fhould remain in the
fituation they were then in, than to run the
hazard of having it decided againft him: but
" S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. Cap. 59. Hiftoire
de Dann. torn. v. p. 20; to

Gustavus Ericson. 255
to give the better air to his proceeding, he
had recourfe to diflimulation, and in anfwer
to the archbifhop wrote word, that thofe am- 2d of Auguft.
baffadors were then abfent, but he would
order them to repair to Lubec by the firft
opportunity : an engagement he never ful
filled *. But having foon after defeated
Norbius, who had invaded Scania, and
obliged him to deliver up the ifle of Goth- Norbius de-
i-ii-i 1 • t . livers up the
land to him, he mortgaged it to the city of ifle of Goth-
Lubec, in order to prevent its being annex- ^ r0°f £*
ed to the crown of Sweden ; and never raark-
would be perfuaded to fend ambaffadors
there again, to receive their decifion on the
difpute in queftion. The king of Sweden
in return, kept poffeflion, for many years,
of the provinces of Bleckingy and Wyck,
the inhabitants preferring his government to
that of the Danes -j-.
The clergy having excited difturbances
in the province of Dalecarlia, Guftavus went
thither, and drove out fome feditious priefts
who had been the moft notorious offenders,
and obliged them to fly into Norway. His
care was not only employed in fuppreffing
the rebellions of the Roman Catholics in
* Hiftoire de Dann. torn. v. p. zo. S. Puff. Introd.
ad Hift Suec. cap. 59.
t Ibid. Hift. de Dan. torn. v. p. 25. their

256 2VLi:f.e 0/'
their firft beginnings*, but he likewife-paid
due attention to the entrance of any errone-
Guftavusre- ous dodtrines among the reformed. He
preaching of forbad the preachers all abufive declamations
the Lutherans againft the pope and bifhops, wherein they
in fome cer- .... , . - . . .
tain points, had indulged themlelves with an indecent
virulence, which j in all reafonable minds,
that were well inftrudled in that fpirit of
meeknefs and humility which is the great
effential of Chriftianity, was more hurtful
to themfelves than to thofe who were the
fubjedts of their abufe. He likewife warned
them againft that feparation of faith and
good works as neceflary to acceptation, to
which fome of the preachers then began to
incline*; plainly perceiving, that however
good the intention of the preacher was,
and though his principles might be free from
the errors which his doctrine teemed to ex*
prefs, yet any thing that could give the leaft
appearance to the Lutheran religion, of not
requiring a purity and benevolent charity of
life in its difciples, as neceflary to falvation,"
muft reafonably bring the worft of imputa
tions on its doctrine, and deferved hatred on
its profeffors.
The Romifh clergy addreffed the king,
* S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. to

Gustavus B&i'csbfc 257
to " revoke the declarations he had pub-
" Kfhed to the detriment of their rights
*c and privileges, befeeching him to be the
" protector of their religion and their order,
" and to confent to their profecuting Oiaus as
" an heretic." Guftavus replied, that " the
" clergy had, during the civil wars, ufurped
" many of the croWn lands, and much en-
u croached on its power, therefore, it was
" but juft that he fhould reaffume what had
" been unjuftly feized or alienated. As for
" the profecution of Oiaus, he did not pre-
" tend to fcreen him, if he was duly con-
" vidted of herefy ; but that, as he had
*c heard the ftridtnefs of his morals and the
" purity of his life greatly extolled, he could
,c not, without full proof againft him, refufe
" to protect a fubject, whom many held in
" the higheft efteem, and thoughtthename
" of heretic was only given him in common
" with alt thofe who differ from the ortho-
»c dox- clergy, though in the moft frivolous
" particulars-;" He then propofed a conference between
the profeffors of both religions at Upfal,
where they might fully difcufs the principal
points in difpute. A propofai neither fide
could decline, without appearing to doubt
S the

258 The Life of
the gOodnefs of their caufe, or their own
abilities to defend it.
Dcc.'the 22d, The king, the fenate, and the court, were
between tie" a11 Prefent at this conference. Peter Gallus,
Theoiogiftsofa famous theologift, was chofen by the
re igion. j^^ t0 0pp0fe Oiaus Petry. They dis
puted long upon purgatory, indulgencies,
and communion in two kinds, celibacy, and
the temporal power and dignity of the
church, but were wide from any agreement,
as Oiaus difclaimed the authority of tradi
tion and councils, and would admit no
proofs that were not taken from the holy
fcriptures. He called upon his adverfary to
fhew from thence that bifhops might poflefs
principalities and fecular dignities, and em
ploy the cenfures of the church to gratify
their private piques and unjuft quarrels.
Gallus was deprived of the ftrongeft
proofs for fome of the principal tenets of his
religion, by the exclufion of tradition, and
the decifions of councils, and found thefcrip-
tures very infufficient for this purpofe.
Thofe who came to the affembly unpreju
diced, were ftruck with the fuperiority that
Oiaus had in this conteft, and furprized to
find that the Catholic religion contained fo
many

Gustavus Ericson. 259
manv articles which had no foundation in
fcripture, the only true bafis of chriftianity.
He was judged to have obtained the vidtory
in this conference ; and, upon comparing
the two verflons of the New-Teftament, hisTheLdtheraa
was preferred to the other, which, being per- New-Teal-'
formed by different hands, was declared a™™'?*
motley and irregular piece, various in ftile,
and unequal in elegance *.
Gustavus had ordered that the difputes
in this conference fhould be committed to
Writing at the time of difputation ; this was
afterwards publifhed; and thus the reft of
the kingdom became informed of the man
ner in which the whole had paffed ; not a
little to the advantage of the Lutheran reli
gion, as it had there appeared in a favourable
light, even to thofe who would not fubmit
to conviction.
The year following, the archbifhop A.D. 1526,
made a progrefs through all the kingdom,
and applied his utmoft efforts to eradicate
the Lutheran principles out of the minds of
the people. At his return, he expatiated
with great joy to the king, on the conftancy
* S. Puffend. Ir.trod. ad Hift. Suec. cap, 59. Comp.
Reg. §uec. p. 647. ,-
S 2 and

260 The L i f e of
and zeal with which thofe of the northern
provinces adhered to their ancient religion.
But Guftavus, inftead of congratulating him
on acircumftancewhich gave him to much
pleafure, only replied, that " he would have
" employed his time much better in teach-
" ing the truths of the gofpel to that illite-
' c rate multitude, than in beftowing his bene-
" dictions on their bells, their images, and
" their churches. This being the chief
tc bufinefs of the prelate's vifitation *."
Guftavus afks The king then recommended to the bifhops
fupphes of cc to abftain from fome of their fuperfluous:
the biftiops. r
" expences, and to employ their attention
tl and their money towards difcharging
" part of the national debt, and putting the
tc kingdom in a proper ftate of defence,
" againft any attempts Chriftiern might
" make to recover it ; wherein he afked no
" more than the clergy of Denmark had
" done in favour of their monarch, and he
" expected to receive the fame affiftance
" from them."

Batfindsthem The bifhops pleaded their privileges and
not inclined . . . , . . . ,. , ,
to grant any. immunities ; but the king replied, that
" fince they had not received them im-
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. caput 59.
i( mediately

Gustavus Ericson. 261
" mediately from God, but owed them to
te the indulgence of fecular power, they
" might, without offending any divine law,
" be made to give way to the neceflities of
" the ftate * "
This prudent monarch was defirous of
receiving the advice of thofe who were moft
learned in the laws of the land, and the pri
vileges of the clergy, before he took any
ftep in confequence of what he had faid to
the prelates, who he found were not dif-
pofed to grant any thing he afked, unlets
compelled. He therefore refolved to go' to May theisth,
Upfal, where he might be affifted by the t0" \u^z09*
advice of fome of the ableft men in that uni
verfity ; and knowing the difcontents which
the clergy had fomented in the kingdom,
and the alarm they had raifed among the
people by the religious fears they excited,
he chofe to repair thither at the time of an
anniverfary fair, which occafioned a very
great concourfe of the populace; and to
increafe their refpedt, Ijy appearing formida^
ble to them, he caufed a confiderable body
of troops to attend him.
When he arrived at Upfal, he addreffed
f S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
S 3 the-

-262 The Life of
the people, and told them, that " as there
" was in the kingdom a great number of
" priefts and monks, the lazinefs of whofe
" lives rendered them ufelefs to the com-
" munity, while the induftrious were re-
" duced to labour for their maintenance,
<c he was determined to employ their per-
tc verted revenues to the neceflary fervices of
" the ftate, and thereby deliver the more
" worthy part of the kingdom from the
tc taxes with which they muft otherwife he
c< cppreffed."
This clofe of the king's fpeech had not
the effect he hoped from it ; the people
were too much attached to their ancient re
ligion to approve his intention of difpof-
feffing thofe of their wealth whom they
held facred, and whofe apparent aufterities
gained their veneration. As he perceived
they were not pleafed with what he had
faid, he urged it no further ; but appearing
to concur in the feftivity of the occaflon, tie,
according to the cuftoms of the country and
the feftival, put a crown on the archbifhop's
head, declaring him king of the feaft, in
order to oblige the prelate to. entertain him
is entertained and his troops at his own expence. This
b'iftiop. fCl' ^ie archbifhop did in a very magnificent manner 5

Gustavus Ericson. 263
manner; but, by the proud equality he
affumed, loft the opportunity of obliging a
monarch, who knew how to reconcile the
royal dignity with a condefcending affabi
lity. In every particular the archbifhop arro- The prelate's
gated the appearance of equality with his haviour.De*
gueft, and when he drank to him, the ex-
pretfion he ufed was, " our grace drinks to
<c your grace." Nor could the contempt the
king's attendants fhewed for fuch injudicious
pride, influence him fo far as to make him
give up cuftoms, which the infolence of the
clergy had affumed under weaker princes *.
Gustavus thought this would be a good Another con-
opportunity to difabule the peopie in thofe erence-
points, wherein he was particularly defirous
to change their opinions. He therefore
ordered, that another conference fhould be
held, concerning the rights and privileges
of the clergy. Oiaus Petry and Peter Gallus
were again pitched upon for the dilputants.
Gallus aiferted very ftrenuoufly the fandtity
of the immunities of his order; but being
required to prove their title to them from the
holy fcriptures, he was reduced to retreat
* S. Paff. Intro i. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
S 4 under

264

The king
publifhes a
declaration
pffenfive to
fhe clergy.

The Life of
under the fanction of councils, and, as thf$
moft favourable afylum, when the occafion;
would permit, he took fhelter in the autho
rity qf fome of the ancient fathers.
The king hereupon publifhed an ordk
nance, declaring, that " fince the privileges
" which the clergy had fo long abufed,
*e to the almoft entire deftrudtion of the
" kingdom, had no foundation in facred
" writ, that body fhould henceforward de-
" pend abfolutely on his will *." This
action raifed to its utmoft height the bifhop's
hatred to the king ; but he paid little regard
to it : he proceeded fteadily and gradually
on a regular plan, refolved to furmount all
the difficulties that oppofed him, by a cou
rage, tempered with prudence, tho' with the
hazard of a crown, which he did not think
a defirable poffeflion, while its authority was
fubject to the controul of the moft haughty,
tyrannical, and diffolute body of people in
fhe kingdom.

While he was proceeding with fo much,
fpirit in the defign he had formed, he was
not without difturbance from foreign ene-j
mies. Severino Norbius not only diftreffec!

? S, Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.

the

Gustavus Ericson. 265
jfehe Swedes very much by his piracies, butN°rbil"in-
jnvaded Finland, where he committed hor- land.
rible devaftations. The regency of Lubee
had for fome time been very importunate for
the money due to therji, The king affem- J"1/-
bled the ftates, in order to advife with them fembies th*
about the proper means of proceeding in this at?*>
emergency. He reprefented to them the
neceffity of fubduing Norbius, and of fatiff
fying the demands of the city of Lubec ; but
the affembly were not inclined to affift him
with the fums requifite; they urged " the
" poverty whereto the nation had been re-
^ duced by the late wars, and from which
¦ ' it had not yet recovered ; fo great an im-
• c pediment being put to the increafe of the
*c wealth of the kingdom by the treaty
lc with the city of Lubec, whereby they
lc were deprived of the liberty of trafficking
*' with any but the Hans Towns." But
this refufal perhaps was rather a compliance
with than a contradidtion to the king's in
clinations. He wanted only an apparent
neceffity for feizing fome of the revenues of
the clergy, and the confent of the ftates as a
fanction to it; this was fo well known,
that they were fenfible they paid the belt
court to him, in thus rejecting his requefts. The

266 The Life of
The king, as if convinced, and affedted
by their reaibns, propofed, that " the clergy,
" whofe riches had fuffered no dimunition,
" either by domeftic troubles or foreign
" wars, fhould be made to affift the ftate on
" this occafion ; and for that purpofe pay
<c two thirds of the tythes, which were
" the property of only the richer part of the
" order ; and likewife, that they fhould de-
" liver all the church bells that were of no
Cf effential ufe, and fuch plate as was fuper-
" fluous, to the city of Lubec, in part of
payment for the fums demanded -p."

<c

The ftates The ftates approved this propofai, either
grant the king £rom a defire of fecuring the kind's favour,
two thiras of . ° ° '
the tythes or lor the more fubftantial benefit of being
church bells. releated from the taxes, which would other-
wife have become neceflary. Befides, Lu
theranifm had made a great progrefs in the
kingdom, and leffened the reverence in which
the clergy had formerly been held, in many
who did not embrace all its doctrines. They
began to envy their wealth, and be offended
at their power, and were well inclined to ac-
quiefce in fuch an abatement of their order,
as they faw muft neceffarily prove of great
advantage to the nation, and a relief to every
lay-individual. i S. Puff. Introd, ad Hift. Suec, cap, 59, The

Gustavus Ericson. 267
The king, now fufficiently impowered,
appointed officers to put the adt, which the
affembly had paffed, in execution: they
feized in fome places that part of the tythes,
plate, and church bells, which were thus
appropriated to the ufe of the ftate, to the
great terror as well as offence of the clergy,
who now faw that the greateft part of the
nation concurred with their monarch in their
deftrudtion. . The archbifhop complained bitterly of
the injuftice done to the church, and the
facrilegious rapacioufnefs of the officers.
But he received no other anfwer from the
king, than that " what they had taken from
tc the clergy would be more laudably fpent,
C( when dedicated to the defence of the
" kingdom, than if lavifhed on the pomp
" and luxury of eccleflaftics."
The rage of the clergy was foon induftri- .
oufly communicated by them to the people,
whofe discontents rofe to a great height.
The lofs of their bells and church decora
tions, as the only part of religion which they
comprehended, offended them greatly; and
they were eafily perfuaded by their priefts,
that the monarch, who couid facrilegioufly rob

268

Norbius dri
ven out of
Finland.

The arch
bifhop con
fined to a
convent.

The Life a/
rob the church of a bell and a crucifix, muft
be the moft impious of men, and unworthy
of the throne. This general ill humour
would probably have immediately broke
out into open rebellion, had not the fuccefs
of Guftavus's arms at this jundture repre
fented his power in a light that much re
ftrained their ardour.
His troops drove Norbius out of Finland,
and reduced him to fly to Narva, where
the Ruffians, who were in alliance with Guf
tavus, feized and imprifoned him. At the
earneft follicitation of the emperor Charles V.
they afterwards releafed him. He entered
into the fervice of that prince, and was killed,
at the fiege of Florence, in the year 1 530 *.
As the archbifhop was very induftrious
in fowing diffenfion among the people, and
though mild in his difpofition fhewed him
felf very fteady in fuch particulars as he was
convinced were effential to his religion, the
king, after many unfuccefsful attempts to
prevail with him at leaft to ftand neuter,
put him under arreft, and confined him in
a convent at Stockholm. Every argument
was again urged to perfuade him to tempo-
• S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hilh Suec. cap. 59. Hift. de
Dann. torn. v. p. 25. rize,

Gustavus Ericson. 269
rize, but he perfifted with great refolution :
he anfwered, that " he had not fought the
tc dignity to which he was raifed, the king
" had unfollicited conferred it upon himj
' c but that* fince he had accepted it, he would
" never betray its rights and privileges ; and
,c hoped his majefty, who, as a mark of his
" favour, placed him at the head of the
" church, had not defigned thereby to lead
*c him into adtions which muft wound both
" his reputation and confidence."
As Guftavus would not fuffer any vio
lence to be offered to his perfon, he there
fore forbore to bring him to a trial, as the
proofs of his treafon were indifputable, and
only chofe to remove him out of the king
dom. To effect this, in a manner the moft Sentonan
honourable to the archbifhop, he fent him as Poland.
his ambaffador into Poland, giving him in
commiflion to negociate a marriage between
him and the daughter of king Sigifmond,but
furnifhed the prelate with no money to
defray the expences of his ambaffy. As
toon as the archbifhop had got on board the
fhip on which he was to embark, he wrote
to the clergy of Roflagen, to defire them to
fupply him with what money they could
collect; and as foon as he received it,inftead of

270 The L 1 f e of
of proceeding on his ambaffy, he went to
Dantzic, and from thence to Rome, com
mitting the direction of the churches in
Sweden to the bifhop of Lincopinc *.
At this time there proved to be a great
dearth in Sweden, which raifed provifions
to a very high price. The priefts perfuad-
ed the people this famine was fent as a
judgment on the nation,, for the encourage
ment which had been given to the Lutheran
religion ; and as diftrefs heightened their
credulity, which was naturally great, they
very fincerely imputed all their wants to that
caufe. Guftavus, in hopes of leflening their
prejudices by abating their hunger, fent for
great quantities of corn from Livonia, which
put an end to their neceflities, but not to
their inveteracy againft innovations in reli
gion -j-.
A young pea- The malecontents at Iaft, determining to
fant afiiimes . °
the name of a enter into an open revolt, prevailed on one
S°tur°usSteen°'Hans' a y°unS Peafant' in Weftermania, to
affume the name of Nils Sturius, eldeft fon
of the deceafed adminiftrator Steeno-Sturius,
tho' that youth had been dead above a year §.
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
t Ibid. $ Ibid.
Hans

Gustavus Ericson. 271
Hans had a good perfon, an air not unbe
coming of the name he ufurped, was, bold
and lively. At firft he frequented only the
mountains, the forefts, and the mines, was
cautious of being feen, and avoided much
difcourfe with any one, never ftaying longin
the fame place. Prudent precautions in the
movers of this puppet, not only as it gave
him a myfterious air, which impofes much
on the vulgar and the credulous, but alfo as
it prevented a difcovery of the deficiencies
which muft, on much acquaintance, become
very apparent in a man of fo low a rank,
who affumes that of one fo much his fuperior,
and which no art in his inftrudtors could
fupply. He declared himfelf in continual appre- His artful ad>
prehenflons " of being difcovered by Guf- peopk? * °
" tavus, who, jealous of his title to the
" throne, was bent on his deftrudtion, un-
" mindful of the favours which he had
" received from the adminiftrator ; that he
" had often attempted his life, till his mo-
" ther, in continual appreheniions for a fon
" fhe fo tenderly loved, had advifed him to
" retire from court, as the only means of
" fafety now left him." He would then
afk them, with all the appearances of the
4 deepeft

272 The Life of
deepeft' afHiction, " if the adminiftrator wnd'
" had facrificed his life in the defence of his
" country, deferved that his fon fhould be
" reduced to the diftreffed ftate of a vaga-
" bond, without even the fecurity which
" poverty and obfcurity beftow on fuch, to
" preferve the life which he knew not how
" to defend or fupport ; a life rendered irk-
" fome by the indignities to which he was
**- expofed, and continually threatened by
" his moft inveterate enemy, the man, who;
<c if gratitude or juftice could influence him;
" would be his firmeft friend, and vigilant'
" protector. But," he would add, "what
<c virtue could be found in him who violated
" their moft facred religion ; and, perhaps.
" he had no reafon to complain in being
" perfecuted by the man, who at the fame
" time perfecuted the true catholic and
" orthodox faith, and who thus made his
" caufe and that of religion the fame, feek*,
" ing to unite them in one common ruin."
He then threw himfelf on his knees*
and with a torrent of tears " befeeched the
" peafants tO pray for the foul of his dear
" father, whilft yet they were fuffered to
" believe the exiftence of a purgatory." He
never named his father but with tears, and

Gustavus 'Ericson. 273
" and was lavifh of his Invedtives^againft
" Guftavus, whom lie acctifed of herefy and
" ufurpation, and not only of difciaiming
u the triie religion himfelf, but not fuffer-
" ing even his fubjedts to exercife it with
u impunity." As the inhabitants of the northern pro- A.D. 1527;
vinces knew little of what paffed in the reft
of the kingdom, but by the accounts of the
feditious incendiaries who difperfed them
felves among them, and had lefs regard to
truth in what they faid than to the end
they aimed at, the exciting them to rebel
lion, they eafily credited this impoftor.
He was privately encouraged by the clergy, Ts Supported
and his title acknowledged by the bifhops, biftiops.
who were thought to be the firft perfons
that inftigated him to undertake the part he
acted, and his heft inftrudtors in the per
formance of it. Hans was foon followed
by a croud of peafants and perfons of def
perate fortunes, whom diftrefs ftimulated to
attempts of innovation. The archbifhop of
Drontheim in Norway increafed his party
by fome fuccours, which, as better difciplin- •
ed, rendered him more formidable to the
king *.
a • ~ j ¦
* S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift Suec. cap. 59. Hiftoirede
Dann. torn. v. p. 27.
-*- , T This

274 The Life©/"
This monarch, who feldom had recourfe
. to arms till he had tried by gentler methods
to effect his purpofe, applied to Chriftina to
ufe her endeavours to undeceive this milled
Chriftina un- people. Accordingly fhe wrote circular let-
Dakcarilans ters to me Dalecarlians, affuring them, that
by letters. cc jier fon ]\jj[s Sturius had been dead above
" a year, to which the whole city of Stock-
" holm bore witnefs, having affifted at his
" funeral obfequies ; and fhe had only one
" fon remaining, of whofe tender years the
" king was the kind protector, and treated
" him with the affection of a parent."
The fenate likewife wrote to them,
" warning them againft giving any credit
" to fo infamous an impoftor, and exhort-
" ing them not to depart from their alle-
" giance, but to defend their king with
" their lives and fortnnes to the laft ex-
" tremity."
They fay The Dalecarlians, as eafily undeceived as
ar°ms! ancT milled, were convinced by thefe letters that
their pretend- fa\v fuppofed prince was an impoftor, and
edorince flies . ,. . , , , , . . , , ,
into Norway, immediately abandoned him. As he had
reafon to fear that the next ftep might be to
deliver him into the hands of Guftavus, he
fled with his Norwegian troops to the arch
bifhop

Gustavus Ericson. 2J$
oifhop of Drontheim, who, at the requeft of
the Swedifh prelates, received him as the
prince of Sweden, publickly acknowledged
him as filch, and* flattered by his promifes
of reftoring the province of Wyck to the
kingdom of Norway, its foon as he afcended
the throne of Sweden, he fuffered hijm to where hfe ie
• r * , r r fuffered to
raife a body of forces; raife tIQOfa
The king of Denmark, jealous of the
power or envious of the glory of the king
of Sweden, would have been well pleafed to
fee that kingdom involved in a civil war j
and therefore affedted ignorance of the arch*-
bifhop of Drontheim's proceedings. Hans
prevailed with a lady of great rank and
fortune in Norway, whofe ambition was
fuperior to either, to promife him her daugh
ter in marriage, having had Frederick's con
tent to the alliance.
The pretended prince engaged to place
the young lady on the throne of Sweden,
Which he declared himfelf certain of attend
ing with great facility, from the numerous
adherents he had in that kingdom. The
old lady made him many valuable prefents,
to bind him more ftrongly, left, when he
had fucceeded in his defigns, he might enter-
T 2 taia

276 The L if e of
tain higher views, and her daughter be dif-*
appointed of the regal dignity *.
The young man, encouraged by thefe
flattering profpects, fome time after re
entered Sweden at the head of fuch troops
as he had raifed in Norway, threatening
deftrudtion to the city of Stockholm, be
caufe the inhabitants of that town had fhewn
the greateft zeal for the abolition of popery,
and the eftablifhment of the Lutheran reli
gion.
The ftate of The bad fituation of the pope's affairs at
une. this time catfe a damp on the fpirits of the
clergy, which promifed Guftavus a- fhort
relief from the difturbances they had fo con
tinually occafioned him. The pope had en
tered into a league with Francis the firft
king of France, the Republics of Venice
and Florence, and the Swifs Cantons, againft
the emperor Charles V. all of them alarmed
at the dangerous power to which that am
bitious and victorious prince had arrived; but
publifhing, as the occaflon of their league,
the defire of procuring liberty to king Fran
cis's children, who were detained, when he
was fet at liberty, as hoftages, till the per-
* Hiftoire de Dann. torn. r. p. 28. formanee

Gustavus Ericson. '277
formance of the treaty which he had made
With the emperor during his confinement,
and refufed to fulfil after he was returned
into his kingdom.
The pope had been extremely induftrious
in forming this league, apprehenfive, after
the emperor's vidtory at Pavia, of the increafe
of his power in Italy. Charles was well
apprized of the part Clement had acted: to
revenge it, he laid wafte all the domain
of the church, and, at length, befieged him
in Rome ; continually exhorting the cardi
nals to call a general council, to reform the
diforders crept into religion, and regulate
the papal power. A general council had
been called for by almoft all the princes in
Europe, and was greatly feared by the pope,
at a time when Luther's doctrines were
making fo quick a progrefs, and that the re
formation in religion, which all acknow
ledged to be wanting, was proceeding by
fuch quick degrees in many places, in a
manner fo contrary to the interefts of the
church of Rome. To fubmit its doctrines
to publick difquifition, at a time when peo
ple's eyes feemed opening to the fuperftitions
and abufes which had been intruded into it,
by the reftlefs ambition of a long fucceflion
T 3 of

2"J% The L i f e of
cjf imperious and artful pontiffs, might prove
extremely dangerous to the papal power,,
which, obtained by dark intrigues, could but'
ill fupport an examination in the full light
of truth. But pope Clement had likewife
fome private intereft in not complying with
fo univerfal a demand.
Clement had always been looked upon
a# the baftard fon of Julio de Medicis, till
having ingratiated himfelf with Leo X. who
was of the Medicean family, that pope deT
clared him legitimate, on the teftimony of
Clement's uncle by his mother's fide, cor
roborated by the depofitions of fome monks,
who declared that a promife of marriage
fubfifted between his mother and Julio de
Medicis. As this authority was not fuffi^
cient to convince the world of his legiti
macy, he feared the emperor would urge
this blemifh in his birth as a reafon for de-
pofing him from fo high a dignity ; for
which another juft pretence was not want-?
ing, that prince haying in his hands indif
putable proof of his obtaining the pontificate
by fimony.
These reafons were fufficient to fix the
pope in his oppofition to a general council ;
but

Gustavus Ericson. 279
but the emperor meant rather to diftrefs
him by the demand, than to force him to
comply with it. His views were entirely
temporal ; he was little anxious about the
abufes in the doctrine of the church, if he
could but leffen its power, and aimed to de
prive the pope of part of his territory, and
not of his triple crown. His troops took
Rome by affault, and imprifoned Clement
in the caftle d'Angeli, into which he had rt>
tired. The imperial army facked th^e city
in the moft mercilefs manner, and by the
moft cruel means forced the cardinals to de*
liver up the treafures of the church.
Gustavus would not fuffer to favour- Guftavus de-
able a conjuncture to prove ufelefs to him.t"i™n^pn°g
The populace in all parts of the kingdom favourable a
vr 1 /• 1 1 *i- r r 1 • conjuncture.
were diipleafed that Mafs was performed in
the vulgar tongue, and new hymns intro
duced ; that foldiers were quartered in the
monafteries, and every difcouragement
given to the monks. They likewife com
plained of the dearnefs of provifions, the
fcarcity of current coin, and the taxes fo
often laid upon them. The king thought Summons the
this a fair opportunity for deprefling the
T 4 clergy

280 The Li f e of
clergy ftill more, and therefore called
an affembly of the ftates at Wefteraas *.
He pubiifties But before they met, in anfwer to the
a ec aration. generaj complaints, he publifhed a declarar-
tion, wherein he fet forth, that " he had
" embraced no doctrines but what were
" preached by Jefus Chrift and his apoftles;
" and that the clergy charged him with in-
" troducing novel opinions, only becaufe
" he forbad them to exact pecuniary fines
<e from the indigent peafants, who on feaft
" days caught either birds or filh for their
" neceflary fuftenance ; had obliged the
" clergy, in affairs wherein, religion was
" not really concerned, to be fubject to
" the common jurifdidtion of the fecular
" judges ; had declared, that if a prieft
f c fought with a layman, they muft both be
" comprehended in the fame fentence of
" excommunication, if any was iffued
" againft either of them, and that no prieft
" fhould excommunicate a perfon becaufe
te he owed him money, when he commit-
" ted no offence againft religion, which
,c rendered him juftly liable to it, but might
" profecute him according to the common
" forms of legal courts. That the bifhops
lf mould no longer inherit the fortunes of the
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hill. Suec. cap. 59.
<? ''" priefts.

.Gustavus Ericson. 281
w priefts who died inteftate, becaufe fuch a
f ' proceeding was a manifeft and grievous
" injury to the relations of the deceafed ;
" and likewife, becaufe he would not fuffer
" them any longer to appropriate to them-
" felves the crown lands, whereby they im-
" poverifhed the royal revenues to fo great
" a degree, as reduced him to burden
" the people with taxes, in order to fupply
" the neceflary expences of the govern-
" ment." He concluded by directing their
obfervation to the emperor Charles V. " who
fC thought the pride and ambition of the
" clergy was grown to fo fcandalous a
" height, that, to reduce them, he had at-
ct tacked even the head of the church, and
" at that time kept him imprifoned."
This declaration awakened a great part
of the people from the delufion in which
their priefts had kept them. They faw that
the king's proceedings had been manifeftly
for the benefit of the nation, and that if he
had introduced any innovations, it was not till
the ftate of the nation abfolutely required it.
They acknowledged, that, more refpectful
to the church than the emperor, who by
his rank was ftiled the protector of it, tho'
he had abridged the encroachments and
attacked

282 The Life of
attacked the dangerous power of the clergy,
yet he had not ill treated their perfons.
They were thus difpofed to attend at the
affembly of the ftates in a better humour
than before this declaration was publifhed.
As the Dalecarlians, from the fuperior
fiercenefs of their natures, and their extreme
ignorance, were moft inclined to rebel,
and the fervices they had done Guftavus at
his firft oppofition to Chriftiern, to which he
owed his crown, rendered him very unwil
ling to punifh them, he endeavoured by
the moft engaging affability, and all the
gentle courtefies of behaviour, to gain the.
affections of fuch of the Dalecarlians as
came to the affembly of the ftates, and, if
poflible, to prevail with them to lay afide
that fpirit of rebellion, for which their
province was fo remarkable *.
The king of- The king then thought it advifeable at
^atai^enf'onceto rouze the pride of the nobles, and
tertainment, mortify that of the clergy, whereby an en-
by altering J °J r- • 1
the order of mity, by no means ufelefs to him, might
precedency. zfa between thofe two orders. At" an en
tertainment he made forthe whole affembly,
he caufed the fenators to be placed next

* S.. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.

himfelf,

Gustavus Ericson. 283
himfelf, a rank which had hitherto been
always enjoyed by the bifhops,' who now
were made to exchange with the others, and
iilled the feats of the fecond rank, the third
place was given to the nobles, the fourth to
the lefs dignified ecclefiaftics, the fifth to the
citizens, and the fixth to the peafants.
The clergy eafily perceived, by this alter
ation in precedency, how firmly the king
was determined to abate them. All his
proceedings fhewed him refolved to leffen
their power, and this laft adtion evinced, that
he would not allow them even a vain prero
gative, but, to leffen their authority with the
better fuccefs, would rob them of that vene
ration, which fuch external trifles are apt to
raife in the minds of the vulgar. They
affembled the next day with all poffible
fecrecy in the principal church of that town,
to confider in what manner they fhould act
in regard to fo great an affront; and, deter
mined not to fhew their refentment in 4
trifling manner, they entered into an en
gagement never to comply with the king's
defire of lowering their dignity, never to
give up any of the poffeflions of the church,
nor to fuffer the leaft alteration in the efta-
blifhed religion. This they all figned in
She

284. The L 1 f e of
the moft folemn manner, and then conceal
ed the writing in one of the tombs in the
church, where it was found fifteen years
after, and delivered to the king *.
Theftatet The next day the affembly of the ftates
met. Guftavus was entirely ignorant of this
whole tranfaction, and propofed to the af
fembly the confideration of the proper means
of fatisfying the complaints of the people,
and particularly of preventing any future re
bellions in Dalecarlia, by avoiding taxations,
and reducing the power and riches of the
clergy within more moderate bounds. " By
" the too great eafinefs of my predeceffors,
The king " (faid the king) the revenues of the crown
propofesthe cc are reduced to a trifling; fum, while the
refumption or °
church lands. " clergy, taking every advantage which the
" fears or fuperftitions of fuch weak princes
" as preceded me on this throne could give
" them, have raifed themfelves to fuch ex-
" orbitant power, and amaffed fuch great
" wealth, that, more potent than their fove-r
" reigns, infolence, the attendant on ufurp-*-
te ed authority and ill-gained riches, has
" frequently led them to rebel againft their
' " monarchs, and to involve their country in
" unparallelled calamities. To defend thenar
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 5a. " felves

Gustavus Ericson.
" felves from the punifhments which juftice
" might denounce againft them, they havsj.
** built numerous caftles, and ftrongly forti-
" tying them, fecured convenient afylums
" to themfelves, and places of great ftrength
" to the enemies of the kingdom the Danes,
M to whom they have often facrificed the
tc crown of Sweden."
" Such haye been the effedtsof epifcopai
" power and wealth. In the inferior clergy
" the torrent of riches which has for many
" ages been flowing into the church, and
" wherein each member has had a fufficient
" fhare for his own detriment, has had ano-
" ther effedt, which, if of lefs glaring eonfe-
" quence, has, upon the whole, not been
" lefs deftructive to the manners of the na-
" tion, and the purity of religion ; for their
" fuperfluous revenues, making them dili-
" gent in the fearch of means to confume
<c them, they have indulged in the moft
" flagrant exceffes, and practifed every
tc vice with impunity. Grown vain and
" licentious in their difpofltions, from
" the corruption of mind and manners
" which naturally arife from wealth
" and idlenefs, their lives, which fhould
ft be dedicated to the inftrudtion of
" the

286 The Life of
ic the ignorant and the reprehenfion of the!
tc vicious, are fpent in the moft abandoned
" courfes ; while thofe under their care*
" uninformed by precept, are corrupted by
" example, and think wickednefs receives
" a fanction, in being practifed by an order
" which they have been accuftomed to
" revere as facred."
" The doctrines of felf-denial and mor-
" tification are grown fo intolerable, that
" •thofe monafteries which ufed to contain
" fixty monks, can now fcarcely produce
" eight of thofe profeffors of aufterity; and
" thefe, notwithftanding their vows of
" poverty, abftinence, and humility, con-
" fume the revenues, which were an ample
" provifion for the greateft numbers that
" thofe houfes ever contained. And while
,c thefe inactive and ufelefs members of foi
u ciety live in all the abundance of fuper-
" fluous wealth, the nobles, whofe eftates,
" like the domains of the crown, have been
" continually dwindling through the mif-
" taken piety of a feries of anceftors, who
" hoped, by dying bequefts, to commute
" for the fins of their lives, are now reduced
" to a ftate of extreme poverty ; and thofe
*-' who conftitute the firft order of the ftate
" are

Gustavus Ericson. 287
u are become the moft indigent members
" of it." " Such," continued the king, " are
" the reprefentations which I have received
*' from- the nobility of their prefent condi-
" tion, and I fee no way of redreffing fo
" great an injuftice as has been done them
" by their -anceftors in thus impoverifhing
" them, by pouring wealth into a gulf
" which is always ready to receive and for-
" bid ever to reftore, but by refuming all
¦ " the lands granted or bequeathed to the
" church fince the year 1 454, when Charles
" Cnutfon prohibited any future bequefts
" to the church, and re-annexing them
" to thofe eftates from which they have
" been divided."
" While the nobility are thus reftored to
" that fplendor fo juftly their due, the re-
" venues of the crown, as well as my pri-
" vate fortune, will be fo much increafed,
" as may enable me to deliver from the
" burden of taxes the too much oppreffed
" people, whofe fufferings I muft now
" unwillingly occafion, and whom I would
" wifh toeftablifhin plenty as well as peace,
u and give them reafon to love me as their
"tender father, while they refpedt me as
" their fovereign." As

288 The Life of
As the king's view was not only to leiTeii
the opulence but the power of the ecclefiaf
tics, he likewife required that the bifhops
fhould deliver up their caftles into his hands,
and forbad them to exact any fines from the
people, to make any appeals to Rome, or to
feek from thence the confirmation of any
ecclefiaftical dignities ; which were all fo
many ways of impoverifhing the nation,
by exporting money out of the kingdom *.
Meets with a The bifhop of Lincopinc, ufually the
ftronff oppoli- .
jion. fpeaker for the whole order, anfwered in the
general name, that " the lands which
" pious fouls had confecrated to religion
" could not be alienated from the church,
" nor converted to carnal ufes, without ex-
" poling the whole nation to the moft ter-
" rible judgments which God's wrath could
" inflict; and added, that every ecclefiafti'c
" depended fo entirely on the pope, that
" they could do nothing without his con-
" fent."
Though Guftavus was not furprized that
fo zealous a prelate fhould oppofe his de-
demand in fuch explicit terms, yet he was
both furprized and offended at feeing that
* S, Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. what

Gustavus Ericson. a8§|
what he faid met with the approbation of
many of the fecular members, and was in
particular loudly defended by Thuro Johan- Thuro- jo-'
fon, the grand marfhal, whofe vanity, flat- ^"J^de?
tered with the appearance of being the head fence of the
of a party, and his ambition conceiving ersy'
hopes from oppofing the king in a popular
caufe, undertook the defence of the clergy^
and faw himfelf in the important light of the
protector of religion.
When the king found fo ftrong a party
againft him, he rofe from his feat ; and ob-
ferving to the affembly, " how little im-
" preffion the many benefits they had re-
" ceived from him had made On their
" minds, and that they were incapable
" either of gratitude or obedience, he de-
" clared, that he would no longer poffefs a
<e throne which he had neither power nor
" money to defend; nor like a pageant
tc king wear a diadem without authority;
" He defpifed an ufelefs fcepter and an
" empty title, and would not bear the ap-
" pearance of royalty, fince he was de-
" prived of all that could make it defirable,
" the power of rendering his kingdom
" flourifhing, his people happy, and making
(t the Swedes refpected by the very neigh-
U u hours

290 The Life of
" hours who envied them. But as in de-
" livering the kingdom from an oppreffor,
tc who had exerted the moft cruel tyranny,
*c and teemed to aim at depopulating the
" whole country by his fanguinary execu-
" tions, he had not only hazarded his life
" in innumerable occafions, but fpentall
*c his paternal fortune, he defired they
" would repay him what he had employed
" fo much for their benefit, with which he
" would remove into a foreign country,
" and never return into his native land, to
" fecure them from any fears of the reftora-
" tion of a king, whofe entire application to
" the duties of his office, and fincereft de-
"• dication of all his faculties to the fervice
" of the ftate, could not reconcile them to
" that dignity, which they fo often con-
'' ferred, and yet fo conftantly hated; and
<c at the fame time he would deliver him-
C( felf from ever more beholding an un-
¦' grateful people."

The king ab- After he had made this ftrong declara-
throne, and tion he left the affembly, and retired into the
ieures into caft{ej filled with indignation at the oppofi-
tion he had met with, and fenfibly touched
at finding himfelf not fo univerfally beloved
as he juftly deierYed an^ reafonably expected ;
but

GitsTAvys Ericson; 29$
hut, as fuperior to difappointment as to dan-
danger, he fpent four days there in focial
mirth with his officers, and, in appearance;
with a mind totally difincumbered of all
ftate intrigues or political cogitations *;
though in all probability he was not idle,
but concerted meafures with his chancellory
to render his abfence more effectual to his
purpofe, than his pretence had yet, been.
Guftavus's mind was too great and extenfive
to be embarraffed; and, while he was carry
ing on affairs of the utmoft importance, he
was capable of enjoying all the focial plea-
fures of converfation, and of charming thofe
about him with his affability and eafinefs of
addrefs, a talent at that time fo little known
in the northern nations.
Gustavus's officers endeavoured to per
fuade him to feize by force the power which
the affembly feemed fo ill-inclined to give.
Thesnterprife would not have been difficult,
for much the greater part of the kingdom
Wasfincerely attached to him; but he thought
it highly unbecoming the man who had.j
with fo many perils, and fo much labour,
expelled a tyrant, to erect a tyranny; and as
he meant to exercife the fovereign poWef
• S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
U z only

292 The Li f e of
Only for the benefit of his fubjedts, he had
little reafon to feize it againft their inclina
tions ; and by one adt to violate the laws,
which it would be his great duty to enforce.
If he could not rule the hearts of his fubjedts,
he did not with to govern their perfons or
difpofe of their fortunes; a willing obedience
was the only fort of fubjection that could
afford him any fatisfadtion.
Many of the king's friends remained in
the affembly of the ftates, and among the
reft the chancellor, as the means of doing
him more fervice than by attending on his
perfon, or increafing his fociety in the caftle.
The affembly Guftavus's departure filled the affembly with
thrown into fuch confufion that they broke up directly ;
great confu- an(j many returned to their houfes in all the
confternation which the apprehenfions of
lofing an excellent king, and the fears of
being again reduced to the horrors of anar
chy could excite ; while the clergy exulted
with extravagant joy, and conducted home
Thuro Johanfon with drums beating before
him, and all the pomp of a triumph *.
The three fucceeding days they met
again, to deliberate on the manner they
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. fhould

Gustavus Ericson. 293
fhould proceed in regard to the king.. The T1*e chancei-
r ° ° lor reprefents
chancellor ftrongly reprefented to them, the danger of
« the fituation from which that monarch ^ding the
" had refcued the nation. He recalled to
" their remembrance the fucceffive fcenes
" of horror, wherein almoft all the nobleft
" families of Sweden had perifhed, and
" every order of the ftate fuffered the ex-
" tremeft miferies, except the clergy, who,
" as in great meafure they occafioned, fo
" they triumphed in the general diftrefs,
" and even faw two of their own order fa-
" crificed to the tyrant without compaffion,
" as themfelves found their private intereft
" in a Danifh monarch." He obferved to
them, " how neceflary fuch a king as
' c Guftavus, invincible in war, and moft fu-
" periorly wife in peace, was at that time
" to the nation, which, though threatened
" with an invafion from its cruelleft enemy
" Chriftiern, whom the emperor was pre-
tc paring to affift with a powerful army, was
" divided by internal diffentions, of a nature
" the more dangerous, as religion was con-
" cerned in them; and they differed in
" points on which neither fide was inclined
" to be convinced, but both were difpofed
CJ to defend with all the fire of zeal."
U 3 Olaus

294- The Lino/
Oiaus Petiry Olaus Petry offered to prove the fcripT
Offers to de- . ._ ¦ .*. . „ *
fend the tural foundation of Lutheranifm againft Gal-
giofsVrinci- *us> as a defence of the opinions with which
pies againft the king was charged ; but the latter would
confent to the difputation only on condition
it paffed in Latin, while Oiaus infifted on
their making ufe of the Swedifh language,
Which, being generally underftood, was moft
proper for an affembly where every one
ought to have the power of judging for
themfelves. This, as the more open and
candid method of proceeding, turned much
to his honour. People were naturally
prejudiced in favour of that man's opinions,
who fo frankly defired to fubmjt them to
their judgments, and not only faw reafon to
fufpect thofe, which, by him that entertained
them, were fo carefully concealed from pub
lic obfervation, but felt their underftandings
infulted in the attempt to exclude all, who
were ignorant of 'a dead language, (which
then was far the greateft part of the laymen
in the kingdom) from a right to judge of a
matter of the higheft and moft univerfal
importance. The bifhop of Stregnez, who was much
devoted to the king, joined his endeavours
with the chancellor to bring Thuro Johan- fon

Gustavus Ericson. 2g5
fon over to their fide *. They urged evqry
reafon that could avail; but above all,. the
imprudence of wiftungto remove out of the,
throne a monarch, to whom he was fo near
ly allied, being married to Guftavus's aunt;.
Thuro declared, that a prefent compliance
would be of little benefit to the king, for if
he did not return to the ancient religion, he
could at any time find means of compleat-
ing his ruin.
The citizens of Stockholm, by declaring The city of-
that they would defend the town for feven adherestothe
years to come againft all the king's enemies, kinS-
and preferve an inviolable fidelity to him,
were more effedtual than any other means
towards determining the ftates to comply
with what he required. They had always
feen, that whoever had poffeflion of that
city was mafter of the kingdom, and there
fore they might offend, but could not refift
their prince, if he chofe to affert his claim to
the throne on his own terms.
Mature deliberation determined . the The ftates
ftates to fubmit : they deputed fuch of their ["JSg!"
members as they thought would be moft
acceptable to the king, to afk pardon for
the oppofition they had made to his will.
*' Loccenius, lib. vi; p. 270.
U 4 Gustavus

*S§ The Life of
Gustayus received them gracioufiy,
but would not comply with their requeft of
returning to the affembly, nor promife "to
<j>- re-afcend the throne. The peafants grew
clamorous ; thofe of higher rank were dif-
treffed to find him fo obdurate ; they were
now in defpair, left they fhould not prevail
with him to refume the power, which
four days before they were defirous of
wrefting out of his hands. They renewed
their fubmiffions, and more earneftly foUi
cited their pardon, and his re-acceptancc of
the regal dignity, which they could not bear
even to dunk he had renounced. After this
ed^poTto*11' ^ac* been many times repeated, the king
re-a c.end the complied, and went to the affembly, where,
taking advantage of the fudden joy his pre
tence occafioned, he required the bifhops of
Stregnez and Scara to deliver up to him their
caftles of Tinnelfoe and Leckae, which they
did without any great difficulty, being well
inclined to their prince, who promoted them
to thofe dignities, and had chofen them as
perfons not likely to oppofe his meafures '*.
3anethe24th, After they had thus fet an example of
obedience, the reft of the prelates durft not
venture an obftinate refufal : . the bifhop of
> • S- Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
Lin-

Gustavus Ericson. .297
Lincopinc for fome time difputed thermat-
ter, and ufed his utmoft endeavours to detain
his caftle of Munckebada for his life, con
tenting that it fhould fall to the crown at his „
deceafe. But as he, of all the "clergy, was JJ "Jjjjjfrf
the moft formidable, from his invincible their caftles.
fpirit, and unwearied oppofition to the refor
mation, all his attempts were unavailing.
The caftle was decreed to the king, and he
left the prelate no time to prepare means^for
delaying the execution, caufing a party of
his troops to take poffeflion of it directly.
As the bifhop's refentment on this occafion
gave reafon to apprehend that his animofity
againft the king, which had already rifen to -
fo great a height, would be much increafed,
he was required to get his friends toengage
for his future allegiance, and obliged, with
the reft of the clergy, to fign the decree
which the eftates had made, and wherein
were included the following articles.
l( That the holy Scriptures fliould be A decree
-" read in fchools, and all places deftined ^£^
" for the education of youth ; the churches f°rmabiet<»
" provided with paftors, whofe capacities defire. *
" enabled them to inftruct their flocks, and
fc whofe pious lives rendered them power-
ll ful examples. That the plain and limply
" doc-

298 The L if e of
« doctrines of the gofpel fhould be preached
«' throughout the kingdom, omitting points
" of lefs infallible authority. That no one
" fhould be ordained to holy orders with-.
" out the knowledge of the king. That,
« in all differences between laymen and
" ecclefiaftics they fhould be fubject to lay
" judges, and liable to the likepunifhments j
« and if a prieft died inteftate, his fortune
" fhould defcend to his next heir, according
" to the decifion of the law, and not to the
" bifhop of the diocefe. That the order of
" begging friars fhould not be fuffered to
<c- go about the country collecting of alms
" above twice in a year, nor be abfent above
" five weeks, at a time from their convent ;
*c and if they attempted to excite the peo-
" pie to rebellion, they fhould be treated as
<c their crime deferved. That all donations
" to the clergy fince the year 1 4.54, when
" king Cnutfon made an exact examination
" into the extent of the church lands, and
" forbad any farther alienations in their fa-
" vour, fhould be returned, and all the foun-
" dations made fince that period forfeited *.
" That the nobles might redeem fuch lands
" as they had mortgaged to the church by
V paying the fum ftipulated ; and that two
» f Comp. Reg. Suec. p. 648. " thirds

Gustavus Ericson. 299
fe thirds of the tythes which were exacted
tf by the bifhops and abbots fhould be fe-
f ' queftered for the maintenance of the army,
" while the nation was threatened with a
" war, and in time of peace applied to the
" foundation of public fchools and hofpitals,
t£ and fuch inftitutions as might prove for the
" benefit of the people, and the relief of
f* the indigent."
When the. affembly of the ftates had
done all that the king wifhed from them, in
putting into his hands the power of proceed
ing, under the fanction of law, in the re
formation which he was defirous of eftablifh-
ing, they were difmiffed with many proofs
of gratitude and affection from their mon
arch, and every diftindtion whereby a gene
rous nature can evince a ftrong fenfe of
thofe fervices he wifhes to reward. The
city of Stockholm felt very effential benefits
from his gratitude, for he reftored to it all
the ancient privileges it ever enjoyed, which
had, at various^times, from the refentment of
preceding monarchs, been abridged *.
The king then fent commiffaries into The king r«-
¦ • c j r i_ • fumes alldo-
every province in bweden, to fearch into all nations made
to the church,
* S, Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cat>. 59. fince the year
the1454.

300 The L t f e of
the monafteries and abbeys for the deeds of
donation, and returned fuch as had been
alienated from the crown, or from his pa
ternal fortune, after the year 14.54.. Amongft
thefe was the monaftery of Griphifolme, at
firft founded by his anceftors, and afterwards
gradually enriched by them, till it was be
come one of the moft wealthy in the king
dom. That they owed it all to the piety
and generality of his family was an unfuc-
cefsful plea in their favour, to a prince whom,
in his greateft diftrefs, while death feemed
to follow him clofely, and to threaten him
at every ftep, they had refufed to fhelter
from impending dangers. At that time
they were unmindful of the obligations his
family had conferred upon them, and they
could not expect that he fhould now look on
them with the tendernefs people often en
tertain for thofe plants, which owe their
profperity to the foftering hands of their
bounteous anceftors.
From fuch monafteries as had exifted
before the year 1454, as he could not le
gally difpoffefs them of their lands, he, by
degrees, took their moft valuable plate and
ornaments, and all the fuperfluous wealth
of which he could deprive them. Thefe he
put

Gustavus Ertcson. 301
put into the public treafury, and from hence
arofe all the riches of the crown of Sweden,
which before was reduced to very narrow
demefnes. This enabled him to bequeath
confiderable appenages to his children, and
at the fame time to leave his exchequer fo
well filled, as fupplied his fon Eric with
fufficient turns to defray the expences of his
war with Denmark, and furnifhed king
John with all that was requifite for the pro-
fecution of his with Mofcovy, betide the
other charges of the government.
During thefe tranfadtions the Dalecar- The Dalecar
lians, continually inftigated by the feditious lians revolt-
priefts, again revolted, and afferted the pre
tended Nils Sturius's title to the crown, who
had then led his little Norwegian troop
into their province. The methods which
had fb fuccefsfully fuppreffed thefe rebels
in the preceding year were again ufed, but
failed in their effect ; and the king finding
it neceflary to take more vigorous meafures,
fent a powerful army againft them. The
firft appearance of thefe forces intimidated
the Dalecarlians, who knew Guftavus's
troops were accuftomed to conquer as foon
they attacked : they durft not encounter an
army fo conftantly vidtorious, and with un
expected

302 The L i f e of
expected humility afked a fufpenfion of
arms, and permiflton to propofe fome griev
ances, which, if the king would promife to
redrefs, they would engage ever after to pre
ferve an inviolable fidelity. Their requeft
was granted, and they were encouraged to
make their demands; which were, " that
" his majefty fhould forgive their rebellion;
u fuffer their pretended prince to retire in
lc fafety out of the kingdom; not oblige
" them to forfake their own religion for any
" novel opinions ; that neither he nor his
" officers fhould wear clothes trimmed with
*c furs* nor made in any different manner
" from the ancient fafhiorts of that country %
" and that he fhould caufe all perfons to be
" burnt at the ftake who impioufly eat
" meat on Fridays/'
TheDalecar- The king granted the two firft articles,
more fubrait. but refuted to comply with this motley lift of
demands, wherein the moft frivolous trifles
were ranked with things of the higheft im
portance * ; but when we fee thefe people
fuch enemies to novelty, as to make the
fafhion of a coat^ or the addition of a trim
ming, one of the grievances which gave
rife to their rebellion, can we wonder that
* S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. they

Gus-tavus Ericson. 303
they fliould be alarmed at innovations in fo
material a circumftance as their religion ?
But we may judge how very ferious an
offence they efteemed the change in drefs
which the king had introduced, by their
putting on a footing of equal importance,
the burnins- of heretics and the un-
ornamenting of his cloaths.
Hans, deferted by his followers, with Hans flies to
great reafon thought himfelf happy in hav- S Chrif'
ing liberty to retire out of the kingdom.
He fled into Norway, where finding himfelf
deprived of the protection he had before re
ceived (for on Guftavus's complaining to
the king of Denmark of his former conduct,
he durft no longer countenance him), and by
the difappointment of his enterprize having
loft his miftrefs and her riches, he retired to
Roftock, and from thence repaired to the
few malecontents who ftill adhered to king
Chriftiern *.
Archbishop Magnus atlaftwent on thesigifmond
ambaffy with which his king had intrufted f ™| °**£
him ; and, by his perfuafion, Sigifmond king his daughter
of Poland offered his daughter in marriage \0 G^iiavus
to Guftavus, with a dower of 100,000 on conditions
that are re»-
* S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. iefted.
3 ducats,

304 ' The Life of
ducats, on condition that he would from
that time forfake the Lutheran religion, and
protedt that of the church of Rome *. But
he rejected fuch a propofai: unaccuftomed to
have terms impofed upon him, it was in vain
to endeavour to prevail with him to relin-
quifh the defign in which his heart was
moft engaged, for which he had hazarded
his crown and life, in exafperating fo great a
part of his kingdom, and among them fo
powerful and vindictive an order as that of
the ecclefiaftics ; efpecially at a time when,
after many difficulties, the wifdom of his
meafures, and the fteadinefs and intrepidity
with which he had purfued them, had at
laft procured him the power of executing his
whole purpofe.
Sigismond was defcended from Walde
mar king of Sweden, and the Swedifti male-
contents concurred with Magnus archbifhop
of Upfal in offering him the crown of Swe
den; but that prince was too wife to be daz-
led by fo precarious a chance for a diftant
kingdom, which he muft difpute with the
wifeft, and (though it was an age of heroes)
with as brave a monarch as any in that age §<
• S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
§ Corrip. Reg. Suec. p. 648,
the

Gustavus Ericson. v - 305
The archbifhop feems, even in fo treafonable
a proceeding, to have acted confiftently with
his charadter. He did not make this rebel
lious offer to Sigifmond till he found, by
Guftavus's refufal of that king's daughter,
there was no hopes of prevailing with him
to defift from the fubverfion of the eftablifh-
ed religion, to which Magnus was fincerely
attached, though with a lefs fuperftitious
and lefs flaming zeal than many of his
order *.
As fopn as Guftavus had fuppreffed the
Dalecarlian rebellion, he made a progrefs
through the kingdom, and examined very
ftridtly into the revenues of every monaftery
in the whole country. During this voyage
the bifhop of Lincopinc entertained his ma-
jefty very magnificently for fome days, and
when he faw the king was much pleafed
with his behaviour, he prevailed with him
to remit the engagements into which his
friends had been obliged to enter, as fecurity
for his allegiance ; and likewife obtained
permiffion to go a progrefs through the ifle
of Gothland, where he promifed to make an
exact perquifltion after the ancient titles
•? S. Puffend. Introd, ad Hift. Suec. cap, 59.'
X which

3c6. The Life of
which confirmed the right the Swedes
alledged to the propriety of that ifland.
The bifhop of The bifliop did not long defer his expe-
kaves'tiw dition. He went indeed into the ifle of
km^jora. Gothland, and having carried with him every
thin^ of value which he poffeffed, he left
'Ct 1
that place in a fhort time, and repaired to
Dantzic, the rendezvous of all the Swedifh.
malecontents +. Guftavus was by no means
difturbed at the prelate's voluntary banifh-
ment : that prince was of a nature fo un
commonly merciful, that he could fcarcely,.
after repeated treacheries and rebellions,
condemn any one to death. Many of his
enemies grew weary of offending, before he
was tired of forjrivina;. As he endeavoured
to foften the ferocious tempers of his fub
jedts, by introducing fome degree of ele
gance into their manners, and inftrudting
them in the gentle pleafures of fociety, fo
he tried, by a continual courfe of clemency
to his enemies, and mildnefs and affability
*:o his friends, to teach them the courteous
duties of humanity. With this backward-
nefs to punifh offenders, nothing could be
more agreeable to him than that rebellious
and feditious osrfons fliould leave the kine-
¦f S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
dom,

Gustavus Ericson* 307
dom, as they would then have lefs oppor
tunity to difturb his peace, and miflead their
countrymen ; would give him the power of
eftablifhing religion and juftice in his king
dom without interruption, and of promoting
the happinefs and profperity of his fubjedts,
with an earneftnefs of application equal to
the fincerity with which he wifhed it.
As the bifhops were not now in a fitua- Feb '2,1523,
x Guftavus is
tion to require any engagements from their crowned.
king, into which he did not chufe to enter,
Guftavus determined no longer to delay his
coronation, efpecially as the omiffion of
this ceremony led many to fuppofe him not
perfectly eftablifhed on the throne, and
from thence to draw encouragements to at
tempt afcending it, and to pretend to a
crown which he did not entirely poffefs.
To avoid an appearance of any deficiencies
in the accuftomary ceremonies, he filled the
vacant fees of Scara and Aboo, making the
bifhop of Stregnez ordain them ; which the
prelate could not be perfuaded to perform,
till they had given him a promife, under
their hands, that they would not officiate
till they had received their confirmation from
Rome, and that they would excufe him to
the pope for having coniecrated them wkh-
X 2 out

308 ' _ The L i f e of
out his permiffion. The king was theft
crowned at Upfal ; but the Dalecarlians,
ever reftlefs and turbulent, left him no
long time to indulge in the pomp and fefti-
vity of his coronation *.
Of the monks who had been difpoffeffed
of their monafteries, fome had embraced
the Lutheran religion ; others had entered
into a fecular life, and gone into more
adtive employments, weary of retirement,
and glad of an excufe to forfake it, or in com
pliance with the neceffity of the occafion,
and little biaffed by religious confideration sj
while many fled into Dalecarlia, where other
feditious perfons repaired. Thefe commu
nicating their difcontents to the provincials,
and inftigating them to make a laft effort
for the prefervation of their religion, foon
raifed the fpirit of rebellion in that fierce
people, always ready to take up arms, eafily
SitSbdT alarmed at tne dangers that threatened a
religion, of whofe effential principles they
were wholly ignorant, blindly credulous
and favagely brave.
The king, who found that mercy and
patience had fo long been tried in vain with
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. the

Gustavus Ericson. 309
the Dalecarlians, determined at laft to en
deavour to curb this rebellious fpirit by
harfher methods. He affembled a tuffi-
cient army to fupprefs an undifciplined mul
titude ; but, defirous of fhedding as little
blood as poffible, he caufed notice to be
given them, that " they muft meet him
tc at Thuna, either to give him battle or to
" fubmit to his mercy, otherwife he would
" deftroy their whole province, and make
" them fuffer the utmoft extremities of

u war.'

So dreadful a declaration terrified the and are again
Dalecarlians, who had too often been wit-
nefs of Guftavus's courage and fuccefs not
to fear his arms, tho' they were fo unwil
ling to fubmit to his fway. Intimidated by
his approach, they endeavoured to compen-
fate for paft rebellion by prefent obedience,
and hatted to the place appointed, where
they found the king ready to receive them.
He caufed the chief authors of the revolt
to be inftantly beheaded; and then having
accepted affurances of the moft perfect obe
dience for the future from the frighted mul
titude, he gave them permiffion to return
home. He then proceeded into the pro
vince of Helfingia, whofe inhabitants had
X 3 been

3 10 The L i f e of
been very feditious and turbulent, and after
giving ' them the* fevereft reproofs for their
paft conduct, he obliged the principal per--
fons of the province to pay confiderable fines,
as a moderate punifhment for their feditious
behaviour *.
Many con- Many monafteries which were ftill left
yents deferted n ',. r ,. r ... j
by the monks, ftancling, as of earlier foundation, were de
ferred by the monks, who, difclaiming a
celibacy which had never been agreeable to
them, married and embraced the Lutheran
doctrine much at the fame time, preferring
the office of a proteftant preacher to the life
of a reclufe, which could have no charms for
any but the iincerely pious or unconquer
ably indolent. This proceeding encouraged
the king to profecute his purpofe with
vigour: he affembled the principal clergy at
Orebrco, where his chancellor prefided -j-.
An aflembiy In this affembly the principal doctrines of
°Vtlie-^fV"' t-ie two oppofite religions were taken into
reject the confideiation, and moft of the peculiar tenets
principal te- _ . ..
nets of the or the church of ivome rejected. " They
RomiiiiiaHn.ee renounced obedience to the pope, pro-
" hibited prayers for the dead, abolifhed
* S. Puff Intrcd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
-j- Loc. lib. vi. p. 276. « the

Gustavus Ericson. 311
tc the Roman worfhip, introduced the Lu-
<z theran liturgy, and acknowledged the
" Augfburg confeffion as the ftandard of
" their faith ; confirmed the ordinances of
" the ftates relating to the church and the
" clergy, and decreed, that a theological
" profeffor of the Lutheran perfuafion
cc fliould be eftablilhed in every cathedral
" throughout the kingdom *."
Although thefe innovations were thus
introduced with the fanction of the clergy,
yet they were not received with perfect fub
miffion by the people. When the profeffor
of the church of Scara, in purfuance of the
fundtions of his office, began to expound the
Gofpel of St. Matthew, the people aflauked
him in fo violent a manner, that it v/as with
the utmoft difficulty his life was preferved.
This tumult was occafioned by the bifhop
of that diocefe, Thuro Johanibn, and fome
of the principal noblemen of Weft Gothia,
who had entered into a league to extermi
nate the Lutheran religion, and deftroy Guf
tavus ; flattering themfelves that this attempt
would be much facilitated by the averlion
the clergy had conceived againft him.
* Comr-. Reg. Suec. p. 648.
X j. To

people of
Dalecarliaand Smalan
dia to rebel.

312 The Life of
S^ndwher T° intereft the PeoPle in their cauf"e> ™ey
malecontents difperfed bitter invedtives againft the king,
with accufations of <c his having intro^
duced the moft atrocious herefy into the
kingdom, corrupted the public worthip,
defpoiled the monafteries and churches of
their ancient privileges, facrilegioufly.de-
prived many of them of their poffeflions,
and totally deftroyed feveral convents;
that he had allowed the monks and
priefts to marry, caufed mats to be faid
in the vulgar tongue, had diminifhed
the number of facraments, debated their
dignity, and leffened the refpedt due to
fuch facred inftitutions ; that he had
abolifhed the ordination of priefts, auri
cular confeffion, extreme unction, and the
invocation of faints ; actions of fuch fla-r
grant impiety and unpardonable tyranny,
as rendered him unworthy of the throne:
from which they called on the people, in
the facred name of their religion and the
their liberties, to expel him, and to elect
in his place a prince whofe piety would
*c extirpate the new doctrines, and once
*' more eftablifh their ancient faith in its
k fijll and true extent and luftre."

Thuro

Gustavus Ericson. 313
Thuro Johan son wrote to his two Thuro johan-
eldeft tons who were in Upland, command- his two eideft
ino- them to excite the people in that pro- fonst° con*
,° l r r cur in his
vince to rebel : but the loyalty and good meafures.
fenfe of thefe young men refifted an order
from a father, whom they could not obey
without violating their oaths to their fove
reign, and their duty to their country.
They carried his letters to the king, intreat- They deliver
ing him not to impute to them their father's JjJ^^n •
crimes, fince they were ready, with the
greateft alacrity, to facrifice their lives in his
majefty's defence and fervice -j\
So fincere a proof of a ftrong attachment
met with the moft affectionate reception
from the king, who gratefully acknowledg
ed their fervices, but could not be prevailed
with to make any warlike preparations
againft the rebels, till he had tried the fuc
cefs of gentler courfes ; declaring, that " he
could not eafily refolve to deftroy a fet of
ignorant people, whofe natural fimplicity
and courage rendered them the eafy dupes
of the artful and difaffected, and whofe
folly he pitied, while the leaders alone de-
ferved his refentment; and, if poffible, to
them he would confine the punifhments,
f S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. eap. 59. " which

314- The Life 0/
" which the neceflary regard for the quiet
" of his kingdom, rather than a defire of
", private revenge, might induce him to
« inflict."
Thuro fuc- Thuro Johanson found more obedience
with his and lefs loyalty in George his third fon, who
youngeft fon. was provoft 0f the cathedral of Upfal. This
young man, of a temper which bore a
greater refemblance to his father's, and who
by having been brought up to the church,
perhaps, was more firmly attached to the
religion in which he had been educated,
and certainly more interefted in the eccle
fiaftical rights, which Guftavus had fo much
infringed, concurred in all his father's views,
and very induftrioufly laboured to fow fedi-
tion in the province of Roflagen, by the moft
bitter invedtives againft his prince, and every
endeavour to put the moft flnifter interpre
tation on his adtions "*.
Thuro Johanson chofe the province of
Dalecarlia and Smalandia for the fcene of
his treafonable practices ; not only as they
were the places which promifed him moft
fuccefs, but at the fame time the beft fecuri
ty for his perfon ; an advantage to which he
* S.Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. was

Gustavus Ericson. 315
was not infenfible, being rather feditious
than valiant, and deftitute of the courage re-
quilite to give fuccefs to his attempts, while
his pride and vanity inftigated him con
tinually to excite feditions, which he was fo
little qualified to fupport. His party in
Smalandia maffacred fome of the king's
officers, and carried their violence fo far, as
to feize his fitter, who paffed that way in her
return from Germany, and to put her in
prifon. They declared that they renounced
their obedience to the king, and threatened
the inhabitants of Eaft Gothland with all the
deftrudtion that fire and fword could make
in their country, if they did not join them
in eight days time. To prevent furprize
from the king's forces, they planted centi-
nels in all the parts by which they could ao-
proach them, wherein they were imitated
by the Weft Gothians. To thefe laft-men-
tioned, Thuro Johanfon had recommended
Magnus Breyntefon, a nobleman of great
diftindtion, both for his rank and eloquence
in that province, for their king *, thinking
thereby to attach them more ftrongly to
his party, and not doubting but the great
poffeffions he himfelf enjoyed, together with
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. Cornp.
Reg. Suec. p. 648. his

3*6 ^ The L if e of
his very'high birth, would, at any time, give
him the power of fupplanting a man, whofe
chief influence was confined to one pro
vince. Gustavus, in order to difperfe the mul
titude thus affembled, without bloodfhed,
fent fome perfons into Smalandia and Weft
Gothia, <c to reprefent to the people their
tc ingratitude, as well as their folly, in re-
" belling againft a prince, who ufed the
rc regal power only to eftablifh the happi-
" nefs of his fubjedts and the dignity of his
" realm, and whofe authority was as irre-
" fiftable as his exercife of it was irreproach-
" able; to whofe clemency they owed
" their lives, fo often forfeited by their
" offences, but who ftill offered them par-
" don for the rebellion in which they were
" now engaged, if they would immediately
" lay down their arms."
The king of- The people, who the more they faw of
fers a pardon . J
to their army, their leaders the more frequent opportuni-
perfes. ' * ^es ^1 nad or" drawing difadvantageous
comparifons between them and their mon
arch, were not very unwilling to be per-
fuaded, by what the king's commiffioners
urged, that they had been impofed upon by

Gustavus Ericson. 317
by thofe who had made them the tools of
their ambition. " They promifed once
" more to preferve an inviolable fidelity to
<c the king, if he would allow them the
*c exercife of their ancient religion, and
" engage to abolifh the reigning herefies."
Thefe demands were tranfmitted to Gufta
vus ; but he was not likely to promife a
compliance, which muft have been made
either at the expence of his veracity or by
facrificing the labour of his whole reign,
for which me fuppreffing fo diforderly and
undifciplined a multitude was not a fuffi
cient motive, fince he could, by the force of
his arms, have reduced them into obedience
with no great trouble to himfelf, though
confiderable deftrudtion to them.
The people were contented with fuch
terms as the king was pleafed to allow them ;
and being affured of his pardon for the paft,
then thought of nothing but to avoid giving
fo gracious a prince offence for the future.
They returned quietly to their cottages, de
termined to poffefs the fruits of their in-
duftry in peace, and to enjoy that tranquility
and contentment in poverty, which renders
it a fituation defervedly enviable to thofe,
whom exaltation expofes to the toils of
powerj

318 TheX. if e of
power, or the tumults of ambition, if their
tafte was not corrupted by falfe ideas of
happinefs, and their judgment perverted by
the deceitful mediums through which
every objedt is reprefented to them by their
erroneous imaginations.
Thuro Johanson and the bifhop of
Scara were now among this wretched num
ber. Abandoned by the multitude on
whom they depended, their ambition dif
appointed, their refentment ungratified, and
their own lives in danger, a longer continu
ance in the kingdom was inconfiftent with
their fafety. They were fallen from the
vaineft and moft flattering hopes to fo low
a ftate, that they could not even find a fe-
cure retreat. Thofe who refufed to follow
them in the field, would not afford them
fheiter in their houfes; they now detefted
their pernicious arts, and would not har
bour the enemies of their kino-. He, who
but a few hours before had flattered his
imagination with the warmeft hopes of af-
cending a throne, could not obtain a corner
in the pooreft hut, being in a part of the
The chiefs of kingdom diftant from his own eftate. He
SLSSy therefore fled into Denmark, with his a-f-
into Den- fociate the bifliop, where they were well
mark. x J ,
received

Gustavus Ericson. 319
received by king Frederick, and confider
able prefents made them, notwithftanding
the treaty of Malmoe, wherein each mon
arch engaged, not to fuffer the rebel fubjedts
of the other to live in their refpective king
doms *.
The Danes could not willingly give up
all pretentions to Sweden, and with great
difcontent faw that ftate in poffeflion of the
province of 'Wyck; they hoped to regain
the latter, if the whole kingdom fhould be
too much for their forces to conquer, while
it was governed by fo wife and brave a prince,
and therefore were lefs careful to avoid piv-
O
ing him offence. Thuro Jonanfon.boafted
of his great power in Sweden, and allured
the Danes, that with the afliftance of three
thoufand men, he fliould in a very fhort time
get poffeflion of the whole kingdom, where
his party was invincible, if affifted by a few
regular forces.
Gustavus fent an ambaffador to the
king of Denmark, to complain of the in
fraction of the treaty of Malmoe, not only
by harbouring the rebels, but fuffering
them to fend emiffaries into Weft Gothia,
» S. Puffend. Introd, ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
who

320 * The Life of
who endeavoured to incite the people to re
bellion, and were in fuch numbers, as to
commit great violenes againft thofe whom
they found moft attached to the duty they
owed their fovereign. Frederic eluded the
charge, by evafions too poor to impofe on
the credulous, much lefs on the quick fight-
ed monarch to whom they were addreffed ;
The king of and even went fo far as to intereft himfelf
fomcitsrGuf- ^or ^e rebels, and to intercede with the king
tavus to par- in their behalf. But fuch interceffion could
without fuc- not fail of being rejedted, efpecially by a
cefs- prince, who chofe rather to have his ene
mies out of his kingdom than in his hands,
that he might at the fame time be delivered
from their attempts, and from the neceffity
of punifhing them, though he would have
wifhed them removed to a greater diftance
than Denmark.
The bifhop of Scara, who began to feel
the ill effects of his conduct, in being re
duced from an opulent to a dependent ftation,
was greatly exafperated at the refufal which
was given to the king of Denmark's inter
ceffion. He had feen fo many offend Guf
tavus with impunity, and pardons repeated
as often as their crimes, that he did not
expect to have found him inflexible to his
* firft

Gustavus Ericson. 321
firft rebellion ; not perceiving the different
light in which that monarch beheld the
offences of the ignorant and fimple, and
thofe of their artful, infidious, and treacherous
leaders, whofe actions arofe from the fuggef-
tions of a guilty heart, while the others were
adtuated only by erroneous judgment. The
difference in the degree of their crimes, or
the reafonable extenuations of them, made
no impreffion on the prelate, who, finding
himfelf excluded from forgivenefs, increafed
his offence, by writing the moft virulent
libels againft his king, and protefting againft
the decrees paffed in the affembly of Wefte
raas, which he declared he had been com
pelled to fign.
George Johanson, provoft of Upfal, The king de-
had contrived to keep his fmall body of johaWon^and
troops longer in the field ; but being inca- ta^.es him
pable of defending themfelves againft Guf
tavus's arms, they were foon difperfed, and
George taken prifoner. But his brother's
merits pleaded fo ftrongly in his favour, that
after two years confinement he was releafed,
and reftored to his employments. As foon
as this young man was taken, fhe king cal
led an affembly of the ftates at Wefteraas,
where Magnus Breyntefon, Nils Oloffson,
Y and

322 The Live of
and Thuro Ericfon, imagining the king ig^
norant of their treafonable practices, came,
amongft the reft of the nobles, and endeavour
ed to attribute all the difturbances in the pro
vinces where they lived to thofe who were fled;
but letters which they had written into Den
mark, whereby their guilt was fufficiently
proved, being produced againft them, they
were condemned for high-treafon, and the
Two other fentence was executed on the two firft, but
headed1*6' Thuro Ericfon's was changed into a fine *,
A great part of the ftates were ftill
fecretly attached to the old religion ; and
others were led to think, from fuch frequent
infurredtions, that the people would never
quietly confent to the abolition of it, nor
fuffer the kingdom to enjoy peace, while any
attempts were made to introduce the Lu-
The ftates theran faith. This affembly, therefore, foi
ling to licited the king with the moft preffing im-
tiieranifm11' Porturuty to extirpate the novel opinions,
and reftore the monks to their former pof-
feflions. Guftavus did not reject their re-
queft, but, under a teeming compliance,
evaded an abfolute promife ; and, in confe-
He orders the quence of their follicitations, he ordered the
polite.'0 m" clergy to temporize a little, and to forbear
* S, Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. preffing

Gustavus Ericson. 323
preffing the new doctrines, or introducing
new ceremonies, where they faw the people
much infatuated with their old opinions ;
giving them in charge to indulge them in
their ancient rites fo far as not to exafperate
them, and to endeavour to win, by fmall de
grees -and gentle compliances, thofe who
could not be gained by more open methods
of proceeding. Guftavus knew the difpofl
tions of men too well, not to be fenfible that
oppofition increafes zeal, and that, while
men's minds are kept in continual alarm by
the frequent fight of religious innovations,
they will contend with the utmoft violence
for the fmalleft trifles, and hazard then-
lives in defence of the moft abfurd ceremony.
But when lulled into fecurity by indul
gence, he hoped that curiofity would induce
them to examine into the foundation of the
doctrines, wherein their neighbours differed
from them ; and reafon, when their fears
were unawakened, would have leifure to
operate forcibly on their underftan dings ;
while, left to choice, the example of their
king would influence them, and the regular
lives of the Lutheran clergy recommend
their faith : thus the people might be con
verted more fincerely, though more flowly,
to. the religion he wifhed to eftablifh,
y 2 Gus~

324 The L 1 f e of
Gustavus, while he defended the rights
of his fubjedts, was not neglectful of thofe
of the crown : by his impartial adminiftra
tion of juftice, he prevented the powerful
from encroaching on the property of the
defencelefs, and now thought he owed
to himfelf the fame juft regard for the re
venues of the crown, which had fuffered
greatly, by the advantages which the pof-
feffors of the crown lands had taken of the
negligence or weaknefs of preceding mon-
archs, to whom they had refufed to pay the
fines due according to the tenure on which
they poffeffed the lands. The king made
exact fcrutiny into thofe grants, and obliged
the pofleffors to pay the proper fines for
renewal, on peril of having them re-annex
ed to the crown.
Demands The continual boafting of Thuro Johan-
thofe w°ho *"on' anc* tne Pertuafions of the other male-
poflefs crown contents, at laft prevailed fo far with the
king of Denmark, that he imagined Guf
tavus would be glad to avoid a quarrel with
him by any means, while he was fupported
by fo powerful a party among the Swedes,
as the rebels aflured him they had at their
command. Encouraged by this opinion, he

Gustavus Ericson. 325
he fent ambaffadors into Sweden, to de- The king of
mand the reftitution of the province of^f^
Wyck, with a fum of money which he re- baffadors into
quired, as due by the treaty of Malmoe, on de^and'the
account of the king of Sweden's omiffion in r<=ftituti°.n °f
° the province
not fending his ambaffadors to Lubec by the of Wyck.
time appointed.
Gustavus was not to be intimidated by His demand
the imperious manner in which Frederick refufed'
made this demand. He alleged many par
ticulars wherein that prince had infringed
the treaty of Malmoe, affured him, " he
" would not grant what he demanded, and
,£ gave the Dane his choice of war or
" peace, for either of which he was equal-
" ly difpofed and well prepared." An an
fwer fo contrary to the expectation of the
ambaffadors difcouraged them from follicit-
ing any farther the affair with which they
were charged : they well knew that their
king had no inclination to encounter Gufta
vus in the field, and therefore without delay
returned home, to give an account of the
fmall fuccefs of their commiffion *.

The Smalandians and the Weft Gothians, Seditions ex-
with the chapters of Scara and Lincopinc, abfentbiihopi of Scara and
• S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. Lincopinc
Y 3 at

326 The Life of
at the inftigations of their bifhops, raifed
fome new difturbances, but eafily obtained
pardon from their merciful monarch, who
fhewed fo much favour to the chapters, that,
charmed with hi? clemency, they wrote his
panegyric to their bifhops, in the warmeft
terms that gratitude and admiration could
dictate, and cited them to appear in Sweden
to juftify their conduct. They were not
inclined to obey a fummons, which required
them to come into a kingdom whofe laws
they had broken, or to fubmit to the judg-*
ment of men whofe hearts feemed fo de
voted to Guftavus ; therefore appealed to
the court of Rome. But the bifhop of Lin
copinc had ftill fo much influence over fome
of his diocefe, that they fitted out two
fhips, and infefted the Swedes with piracy;
but were foon taken on the coaft of Goth-*
land, and carried to Lubec, where they were
punifhed according to their crimes, by that
ftate, whofe commercial interefts rendered
them very fevere againft all pirates.
Theihtl-s The debt to the city of Lubec was not
grant of The entirely difcharged. The king confulted
foTthe 'a'1- t^e ^tes on tias means of paying it, who re-
jiK'ntcfthe newed their grant of all the ufelefs church
£yVrUbec,bells fcr tllat purpofe, which Guftavus caufed

Gustavus Ericson. 327
aufod to be feized with more exactnefs than
he had before attempted. The people com
plained that fuch expedients fhould be
fought, after the great fums which had been
taken from the churches and monafteries ;
but the king's officers replied, that " his
" majefty was not to account to them, for
" his employment of the royal treafures."
As complaints were fruitlefs, the people of The Daie-
Dalecarlia had recourfe to their ufual me- cheVe'iisfrom
thods ; thev forcibly took the bells from the the ?ffice,rs
J .... employed to
officers, and fpoke of the king in very inju- feize them.
rious terms. Their courage was animated
by the accounts they daily received of the
great army which king Chriftiern was rait
ing for the recovery of his dominions;
their hatred to him was abated by time, but
ftill more by affurances which the male-
contents continually fent them of the great
change in that king's difpofition and con
duct, which his misfortunes, they affured
them, had foftened and rectified.
Gustavus was preparing to fupprefs the
tumults in Dalecarlia, by his ufual merhods
of clemency and indulgence, when he was
informed that they had fummoned every
province to depute twelve lepiefentatives
Y 4 to

328 The L 1 f e of
They appoint to meet them at Arboga, to confult on the
" confide/on propereft meafures for depofing the king. So
proper mea- flagrant an act 0f infolence and rebellion was
pofing the no longer to be trifled with, He called an
Guftavus af- affembly of the ftates at Upfal, where he
fembies the went, accompanied with a good body of
^ates at p- tr00pS_ pje tkere declared his reafons for
having recourfe to this laft expedient for
railing money, fhewed the difad van tage
and difhonour that arofe from the debt
to the city of Lubec, and how much it
was for the benefit of the kingdom that it
fhould be difcharged, reprefenting the rea-
fonablenefs of converting to fo good a pur-
pofe, things hitherto ufelefs and unnecef-
Finding the fary. But finding the peafants uninfluenced
nous eheter- by what he faid, and breaking out into info-
rifiesthemin- ient complaints, he gave his troops orders to
to fubmiffion. / . ° r ,
fire at them, having before fecretly com
manded them not to obey. This excited
fo great a terror into that part of the af
fembly, that they inftantly fell on their
knees, begged their lives with all the impor
tunity of people under the impreffions of the
moft lively fears, and promifed obedience
for the future. The fenate then interceded
in their behalf, (as had been previoufly
concerted) and the king, in pretended de
ference to their foUicitations, pardoned them,
4 and

Gustavus Ericson. 329
and received their oaths of allegiance once
more, and every affurance of implicit obe
dience *-
Gustavus diredtly fent circular letters
throughout his kingdom, reprefenting to
the people the great neceffity to which he
was reduced for money to pay the debt to
the city of Lubec, and exhorting them riot
to join with thofe who were feduced by
king Chriftiern to turn rebels to their king,
and traitors to their country.
The Dalecarlians, notwithftanding all
their monarch's endeavours to quiet their
tumults, had forborn to appear at the af
fembly of the ftates, and remained fome
time under arms at Arboga, with fuch per
fons as had complied with their invitation to
meet at that place ; and though they at
length agreed to return home, yet they came TheDalecar-
to a refolution to continue armed, till the !,ians m.ake
. demands
king fhould promife never to appoint any which the
general to command the Dalecarlians, but ing r^eds"
one whom they themfelves fhould chufe
out of their own province, and never to en
ter the confines of Dalecarlia with more than
a certain number of perfons to accompany
• S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
him.

33° r The Life of
him. Thefe demands met with the fate
that might be expected from fuch infolent
propofals: the king abfolutely rejected them;
but as thefe turbulent peafants then forbore
all acts of violence, he took no meafures for
their immediate chaftifement.
Sweden now being undifturbed by
foreign enemies, and tolerably free from
inteftine divifions, the king had leifure to
turn his thoughts towards domeftic affairs.
The fecurity of his kingdom, as well as
his own inclination, which was well form
ed for focial happinefs, required him to
marry ; and as he did not chufe • to enter
into fo intimate an alliance with a Roman
catholic family, which muft hazard his do
meftic peace, and might prove dangerous to
the proteftant religion, his choice was con
fined within a fmall number, and he de-
The king manded Catherine the daughter of Magnus
marries the , . r _ T , " .
daughter of duke of baxe-L.awenburg in marriage,
the duke of wh0fe father readily granted her to fo
oaxe Lawen- ...
burg. great a prince *".
Against the celebration of his marriage,
and the coronation of the queen, he caufed
t S. Puff. Introd, ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59, Comp. Reg.
Suec. p. 649. Laurence

Gustavus EricSon. 331
Laurence Petry to be inftalled in the archie- Laurence Pe-
pifcopal fee of Upfal, which had fo long ^^ of
been vacant, by the abdication of Magnus Upfal,
the laft archbifhop. As Guftavus was ap
prehenfive that fo zealous a proteftant might
meet with a bad reception from a Romifh
chapter, and even undergo fome hazard of
his life from their violence, he appointed
him a guard of fifty men, who fecured him
from the infults of the inferior dignitaries in
that church, who were by degress deprived Lutheran
of their canonries, and their places fupplied pi^ed *n the
by an equal number of young ftudents, of church of
diftinguifhed underftanding and learning,
whom he deftined, when the temper of the
nation would better bear it, to propagate
the proteftant religion throughout the king
dom, by being properly difperfed in thofe
parts where inftrudtion was moft wanted.
To exalt the new archbifhop in the minds The archbi-
of the people, and give him in their eftima- a °^oao{
tion a dignity of which they might fuppofe tne king's.
him deftitute, from the abatement in the
pomp and grandeur which the primate of
the kingdom ufed to affume, he married
him to a near relation of his own ; perhaps
thinking it advifeable, in a political light, to
attach to himfelf the head of that order of
men,

22 2 The L i f e of
men, who had formerly been fo powerful
and fo deftructive to the royalty, and who,
notwithftanding the alteration in principles,
and the abridgement of power which they
had undergone, yet might ftill retain fo much
of the fame fpirit, as not to be void of ambi
tion or pride ; and by filling the place of
the popifh bifhops, might poflibly fucceed
likewife to their views and conduct. What
gives fome colour to this fuppofition is, the
king's continuing this alliance to the fuc-
ceeding archbifliop, whom he married to a
daughter that Laurence Petry had by this
lady ; Laurence having remained in poffef-
fion of that fee till his daughter was grown
up to woman's eftate *.
The Swedifti The emperor had long promifed Chrif-
fo?iicit°Chrif- ^ern t0 accompany him at the head of an
tiem to at- army, fufficient to reftore him to his kine-
tempt the y . &
recovery of doms; but the continuance of his war with
his kingdoms, prance fruftrated his intentions, and difap
pointed all Chriftiern's hopes, who, growing
weary of fruitlefs expectation, and continu
ally inftigated by Thuro Johanfon, who
flattered him with every affurance of fuccefs,
he refolved to attempt the recovery of his
crown, with forces inferior, but more cer-
* S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. tain,

' Gustavus Ericson.
tain, than thofe which were promifed him.
Thuro Johanfon affured him, that " the
" Swedes were fo difgufted with the inno-
" vations introduced into religion, that the
" firft appearance of a catholic prince, and
" the celebration of their ancient rites, would
" attract almoft the whole kingdom to his
" camp, fince nothing but the want of a
" leader and fome experienced troops kept
" them in apparent fubjection to Guftavus,
" who, by having difmiffed his foreign ca-
" valry, would be found in a very defence-
" lefs condition, the Swedes being at beft
" undifciplined, and too fierce to fubmit to
" martial fubordination, and now fo griev-
" oufly difaffected, that they would prove as
" deftitute of courage as of ikill."
Archbishop Trollius was not lefs zeal
ous in animating Chriftiern, whom he en
couraged with every argument; and had
furnifhed him with one very reafonable in
ducement, having, by his intrigues, gained
him a confiderable party in Norway, to
which place he perfuaded him firft to direct
his courfe, as, when joined by his adherents,
he might be the better able to encounter
the two kings, whofe joint interefts could
not fail of uniting them againft him.
Chris-

333

334 Tie L i f e of
f*C ^h^i'1 d Christiern took into pay 10,000 men*
with a fleet of whom he put on board a fleet of thirty fhips,
2KSS* and fet {a>1 wkh them frpm Holland to Nor-
men on way, preferring that kingdom to either of the
others for his firft attempt, both on account
of the party he had there, and of its defence-
lets ftate, the towns and caftles being ungar-
rifoned, and left to the natural fortifications
of rocks and mountains, which the king of
Denmark thought fufficientiy fecured it
Part of his from any enterprize ofconfequence. Chrif-
fleet loft in a .¦ > r n.
ftorm. tiern s voyage was unprofperous ; a ftorm
arofe wherein ten of his fhips perifhed, and
himfelf reduced to extreme danger, with
He arrives in mucn difficulty arrived fafe in the Bay of
Norway. Bahus, with the remainder of his fleet *.
As foon as he landed in Norway, arch-
bifhop Trollius fent emiffaries into Dalecar
lia, to excite the people to rebel <c againft a
u prince, whofe only defign (he affured
" them) was to fubvert their religion and
" deftroy their liberties, which they were
li now offered the means of preferving, by
u giving their affiftance towards the reftora-
" tion of their lawful and catholic fovereign."
Chriftiern, to do his part on this occafion,
* S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. Hiftoire de
Datn. torn. v. p. 37. J, Msur Hift. Dan. lib. iii. p. 83.
.6 publifhed

Gustavus.Ericson. 335
publifhed a manifefto, wherein he promifed
«¦«- a general pardon to all fuch of his' fub-
" jects as fhould return to their duty, and
" profefled the ftricteft attachment to the
" catholic faith, with the utmoft detefta-
" tion of the innovations introduced into it
" by Guftavus, whom he treated as the
tc ufurper of his throne ; and protefted that
" his principal view in that invafion was
" the re-eftablifhment of the ancient re-
" ligion." Gustavus, on the firft account he re
ceived of the army* -which Chriftiern was
raifing, of whofe aciKm^he had quick in
telligence, always keeping fpies about him,
made all neceffary preparations to refift an
enemy whofe views he had reafon to believe
were directed towards Sweden, and inform
ed the king of Denmark of the ftorm which
was gathering againft them.
Christiern had formed a defign of
paffing from Norway into Weft Gothland*
where the inhabitants he imagined ftill re
tained their rebellious difpofition, though
now awed into fubjedtion ; but receiving an
account that Guftavus had planted a con
fiderable body of cavalry on the frontiers of
that

336 . The Life of
that province, he judged it advifeable to
diredt his courfe northwards towards Dale-
Takes Obflo. carlia. He took the town of Obflo, which
had neither garrifon nor fortifications to en-
oiufsburgand able it to make any refiftance. He won by
Congel. affault the caftle of Olufsburg, in the province
of Wyck, the Swedifh garrifon, to whofe
defence it was committed, not being fuffi
cient to defend it againft a force fo fuperior j
and he afterwards took poffeflion of the
town of Congel. Though none of thefe
were places of any confequence, yet this
fmall appearance of fuccefs drew many
needy and defperate Norwegians into his
army * : but he received a more ufeful re
inforcement from archbifhop Trollius, who
joined him with a body of forces which he
had raifed in Brandenburg. Some Swedifh
catholics likewife repaired to his ftandard,
part of whom were natives of Dalecarlia ;
thefe foUicited him to enter into their pro
vince, where the peafants continuing their
zeal and unconquerable fiercenefs, promifed
" to receive him with joy, and facrifice their
" lives in his fervice, if he would engage, as
" foon as he was feated on the throne, to
" burn all who profefled the Lutheran re-
" ligion."
t Hift. de Dan, torn. v. p. 38.
This

Gustavus Ericson. 337
This condition was by no means offenfive
to Chriftiern, whofe difpofition was incapa
ble of feeling any reluctance to the fhedding
of blood : but the feafon of the year pre
vented his paffing into Dalecarlia, though he
earneftly wifhed himfelf there. The high
mountains which feparated it from Norway
were fo covered with fnow, as to render
thofe impaffable, which were at beft of very
difficult accefs.
As inaction is very detrimental to one who
aims at conqueft, and wants to increafe his
party, fince it leaves the minds of the people
time to cool, and throws a damp on their
hopes, Chriftiern, notwithftanding the fe-
verity of the weather, laid fiege to Aker-Befieges
huys. Magnus Gyllenftiern, viceroy of Nor-Akerfiuy''
way, fhut himfelf up in the place, in order
to preferve it for the king his matter. Chrif
tiern hoped to find lef& refiftance from his
fidelity than from his arms, and endeavour
ed by the moft lavifh promifes to prevail with
him to deliver up the town, but without
effedt. Gyllenftiern difpatched couriers to
Frederick to inform him that Chriftiern was
unprovided with forage or provifions, and
that the feafon of the year was a powerful
enemy to that prince, while it was an addi-
Z tional

33** ' The Lie e of
tional defence to Akerhuys, which could
with great fecurity wait four months for
fuccours from Denmark.
As fcon as the fpring returned, and the
fea began to thaw, Frederick fitted out his
fleet, and putting fome troops on board for
the relief of Akerhuys, gave the command
to Canut Gyllenftiern, bifhop of Odenfy,
and Eric Gyllenftiern, both brothers to the
viceroy of Norway, and for that reafon moft
likely to operate powerfully for the relief of
fo near a relation *.
Gustavus had fent various detachments
from his army to cover the frontiers of Swe
den, and ordered his generals to act in con
cert with the Danifh troops, while he con
tinued at the head of a large body of forces
in the interior part of his kingdom, to keep
the catholics from taking up arms, and
declaring for his antagonift.
The Danifh The two Gyllenftierns failed to the gulf
ChriftitnT of Bahus> wherc they found Chriftiern's
fleet, which they attacked, and, after a de
fperate engagement, entirely deftroyed it.
They then landed their troops, and marched
* Hift. dc Dann. torn. v. p. 40.
4 towards

Gustavus Ericson. 339
towards the town of Akerhuys. On their
road they were met by a confiderable part
of Chriftiern's army, which he had detach- The Danes
. . . i ¦ 1 i- r defeat part of
ed in order to prevent their landing, as foon his army.
as he was informed of their entering the
gulf of Bahus. Thefe the Gyllenftierns
totally defeated, and made great flaughter of
them *.
When Chriftiern was acquainted with He raifes the
. ,inn- ri-n i fiegeof Aker-
tne total deftrudtion or his neet and army, huys. and at-
and of the approach of the Danifh forces, he temPf to Pe"
rr » netrate into
raifed the fiege, and marched towards the Gothland,
confines of Gothland, but found them fo tou0 J^^.
v/ell defended, that he was obliged to retire fended, and
• • retires into
with the lofs of many of his men ; and with Congel.
great difficulty efcaping the joint armies of
Sweden and Denmark, which were then
united, he got into the town of Congel,
where he endeavoured to force fuch in-
trenchments, as might enable him to make
feme defence, as his laft refource ; though
little more could be expected from it than
a fhort delay of the deplorable fate which
appeared unavoidable. He was deftitute of
provifions, expofed to the extremities of
cold and hunger, deprived of all hope ot
• Hift. de Dan. torn, v, p. 40. S. Puffend. Introd. ad
Hill. Suec. cap. eg. Z 2 efcaping,

34° The Li f e of
efcaping, and every means of defence. De-
fpair promifed cruel effects in fuch a difpofi
tion as Chriftiern's. He was enraged againft
every one who had brought him into fo
defperate a fituation, by the flattering but
falfe reprefentations they had made to him
of the ftate of Sweden, and of the number of
their own friends. Thuro Johanfon, whofe
vain boafting had chiefly impofed upon him,
was now become the objedt of his greateft
fury ; he reproached him with vanity and
faifhood, fince none of that numerous party,
which he affured him would rife as foon
as he entered the kingdom, had appeared ;
and Guftavus, whom he reprefented as defti
tute of cavalry, had fufficient to defend the
frontiers of his extenfive kingdom. He
would not fuffer this nobleman to allege any
excufes to exculpate himfelf, but ordered
him to appear no more in his pretence.
Thuro Johan- Three days after his headlefs trunk was
dead. found in theftreets of Congel, and he was
fuppofed to have been killed in the night, by
the orders of the enraged and fanguinary-
Chriftiern *.
Christiern had now too fmall an army
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 5g. Hift. de
Dan, torn. v. p. 41. to

Gustavus Ericson. 341
to venture to give his enemies battle ; but
defirous, if poffible, of deftroying them by
ftratagem, whom he could not fubdue by
force, he made a feint of pafling the river
which was between him and the Swedes,
and was then frozen, in order to give them
battle. The Swedes, ardent to begin the
fight, which they hoped would deliver them
from their enemies, advanced to meet him
with fo much precipitation, that the ice
breaking under the weight of their numbers,
many fell in and were drowned, and Chrif
tiern's army fired on the others, who, dis
ordered by the lofs of their companions, A. D. 1523.
and tthe cracking of the ice every where un
der them, without any firm footing, and as
ill placed for flight as for defence, were ex- Cliriftiem de
pofed to a flaughter wherein the greateft Swedes"'7
part perifhed; but a fufficient number efcap
ed to prevent Chriftiern from penetrating
into Halland and Scania, which he unfuc-
cefsfully attempted, and was obliged to re
turn to Congel ; where, before he had made but is befieg-
great progrefs in the fortifications, with in n~e '
which he endeavoured to ftrengthen that
town, he was befieged by the Gyllenftierns.
Frederick at this time prevailed on £he k,ns of
r Denmark re-
Guftavus to reftore the province of Wyck to deems the
provincWyck.

Z 3 Den-?-rovinceof

342 The Life of
Denmark, on the payment of a confiderable
iurn of money ; and he likewife fent an
army into Norway, to enable Frederick to
act with frefh vigour againft the common
enemy. Christiern now was deprived of all
hope ; every pafs was fo well guarded, that
he could not efcape if he attempted it, even
alone and unattended. The Swedes and
Danes would no longer fight againft him,
who, they knew, muft inevitably fall into
their hands without hazarding the lives of
any of their men. Many of Chriftiern's
foldiers perifhed with hunger, others daily
deferted from a prince to whom they were
not attached, either by affection or efteem,
and whom they might accompany in death,
chrifiiern re- but could not preferve from it. Hunger,
iaftCext°e- Wronger than any engagements into which
miry. they had entered, induced them to prefer
the plenty which reigned in the Danifh
camp, to the pretence of him in whofe fer
vice they had inlifted.
The bifhop of Odenfy, moved with com
paffion for a prince who had once been his
fovereign, propofed an interview, wherein
he exhorted him, " no longer to ftruggle " with

Gustavus Ericson. 343
" with the difficulties which oppreffed him,
" but to furrender himfelf to his uncle,
" who, out of the great poffeflions of the
" houfe of Oldenburg, could eafily affign
" him an honourable fupport. He defired
" he would accompany him to Copenha-
" gen, where the fight of him could not"
1 c fail of exciting the king's compaffion ;" '^
but he promifed, " that if he was deceived
" in thefe expectations, and his uncle refufed
" to grant him honourable terms, he would
" replace him in Congel, of which he ftill
tc retained the poffeflion, or conduct him in
" fafety into the emperor's dominions."
These flattering hopes, and perhaps ftill Is perfuaded
1 rr - r. , , to go to Co-
more the extreme neceffity to wnich he was penhagen ;
reduced, prevailed on Chriftiern to go with
the bifhop to Copenhagen -j- ; but archbi
fliop Trollius obtained a fafe conduct to
Lubec, little inclined to attend the prince
to whom he had fo long been attached, in
fo hazardous an enterprize as that of ex
citing the compaffion of the man who pof
feffed his throne, or of perfuading fo cau
tious and politic a prince as Frederick to
put his competitor into a fituation of again
t Hift. deDann. torn. v. p.41. J. Meur. Hift. Dan.
lib. iii. p. S5. Comp. Reg. Suec. p. 649.
Z 4 afferting

344 The Li f e of
afferting his title to the crown of Den
mark. When the bifhop of Odenfy arrived at
Copenhagen, he found he had promifed
and is im- more than he had power to perform. Fre-
prifoned by derick immediately fent Chriftiern to the
the king of ' ,
Denmark, caftle of Sonderburg, without paying the
leaft regard to all that the prelate could urge
againft it, and that prince remained prifoner
there fourteen years *.
Guftavus Gustavus, thus delivered from his only
Dalecarlians formidable enemy, determined to make one
A, D. 1533. vigorous effort towards fuppreffing the re
bellious fpirit of the Dalecarlians. He went
in perfon at the head of his army into their
province, and furprifing them at Thuna,
where they were affembled, he reproached
them with their continual invectives and
mutinies, and their frequent rebellions, par
ticularly their laft effort to dethrone a prince
who had fo often pardoned them, when they
deferved the fevereft punifhment. He then
ca\ifed the principal authors of thefe dif-
turbances to be feized, condemned part of
them to death, and fdht the reft to Stock-
* Hift. de Dann. torn. v. p. 43. J. Meurfi Hift. Dan.
Jib. iii. p. 86.
holm,

Gustavus Ericson. £45
holm, where they were clofely imprhoned;
and, by this neceffary but long delayed fe-
verity, he put an end to their rebellions,
that province never after attempting to dif
pute his right or controul his authority *.
The feditious temper of the northern pro- Guftavus's
vinces, though they gave the king fomeffijg;.*
trouble and occupation, had never prevented
his application to the government of his
kingdom : but being for a time delivered
from interruptions of this fort, he began to
apply himfelf more affiduoufly than ever.
Heprefided in the courts of juftice, liftened
to all complaints, decided all caufes, ever
ready to redrefs the injured and defend the
oppreffed. As the amazing extent of his
capacity qualified him perfectly for every
article of government, he executed the
whole himfelf. While he was engaged in
war he directed every enterprize which his
lieutenants undertook, and in peace he alike
retained the fole power in his own hands.
Born and educated as a fubject, by his mif-
fortunes made acquainted with the wants
and difpofitions of each rank of people in
Sweden, he had feen and compaffionated
their neceffities, ftudied their tempers, and
* S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. obferved

346 The Life of
obferved their peculiar faults, while he ap
peared on fuch a level with them, that they
were not awed into concealment, nor tempt
ed, by a defire of gaining his favour, to var-
nifh them over with diffimulation.
As foon as he afcended the throne, he ap
plied himfelf to fupply the neceffities he had
felt, to rectify the difpofltions of his fubjedts,
and to correct their vices with the indulgent
hand of a tender parent. He endeavoured
to direct to the beft purpofes advantages
which no monarch can obtain, who rifes to
the throne by mere hereditary right, who,
furrounded from his birth by the fplendor
of royalty, nurfed in pomp and flattery, with
every pernicious quality of his mind ftrength-
ened by indulgence, is placed far above all
opportunities of knowing either the ftate of
his kingdom or the tempers of his people :
he may indeed render his country refpecta-
ble to his neighbours, if nature has endow
ed him with fuperior talents, but is unac
quainted with the means of making his
power beneficial to his fubjedts. Ignorant
of what conftitutes their happinefs, and an
abfolute ftranger to their grievances, he muft
depend on his minifters to inftruct him in
thefe material points, who, attached to their
private

Gustavus Ericson. 347
private interefts, generally beft fupported by
flattering the prince and oppreffing the
people, are more ready to pervert thanin-
form him. Guftavus wanted no affiftance
from the wifdom, nor inftrudtion from the
experience of others ; the bufinefs of his
minifters was to obey, not to advife ; tho*
unbigotted to his own opinions, he would
Iiften with pleafure to theirs, and weigh
them in his own better judgment with im
partiality and difcernment ; but, while they
were warped by felf-intereft, or blinded by
prejudice, the perfpecuity of his underftand-
ing, joined with the integrity of his heart,
made him purfue, in one fteady courfe, the
happinefs of his people.
It had been cuftomary with his predecef
fors to leave the government of the provinces
in the hands of their lieutenants, while they
remained fixed in Stockholm : but Guftavus,
whofe care extended equally to every part
of his dominions, made frequent progreffes
through the kingdom, and diftributed juf
tice in each place, eftablifhing order, and
fettling every thing that human forefight
could provide for the benefit of his fubjedts.

In this view Guftavus encouraged com
merce.

348 The L rF~E of
merce, and endeavoured to extend the trade
of Sweden, which had hitherto been chiefly
confined to the Hans Towns, and particu
larly Lubec ; on this account, he invited
the Hollanders to traffic in the Swedifh
ports, and cultivated a good correfpondence
with them. But this political fcheme of en
riching his fubjedts was the occafion of in
terrupting the tranquillity which he fb
well employed *.
The regency The city of Lubec, eager to engrofs the
complain that whole trade of the Baltic Sea, complained of
ers'aS^' the liberty Guftavus allowed the Hollanders
lowed to of fharing it with them; and determining to
trade in Swe- . ... , ,
den ; omit no means of getting them excluded,
they applied firft to the king of Denmark,
who readily contented to their demand,
adtuated more by refentment againft the
Hollanders, for the affiftance they had given
king Chriftiern, than by any particular at
tachment to the Republic of Lubec. They
next defired the king of Sweden to forbid
all commerce with Holland, of which Fre
derick had fo lately fet him the example ;
but Guftavus, too wife to be induced by
private pique, or an ufelefs thirft for re
venge, to neglect an effential benefit to his
• S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift, Suec. cap. 59.
kingdom,

Gustavus Ericson. 349
kingdom, declared, that " his ports fhould bur receives
" be free to all traders, and that he would "ion!"3 ^'
" not clog the commerce of Sweden by
" deftrudtive reftridtions, nor, out of partiali-
ct ty to any foreign ftate, prejudice the in-
c< terefts of his fubjedts."
This anfwer gave great offence to that
Republic, which thereupon demanded im
mediate re-imburfements of the money ftill
due to them *. The king replied, that he
was very ready to pay whatever they could
by any reafonable computation prove him
indebted. Guftavus had difcharged the
fum he had borrowed of that city, but there
remained a difpute about the intereft, which
they rated much higher than he could ac
knowledge juft.
The regency of Lubec, then in their
greateft profperity, and at the utmoft height
of their power, were grown proportionably
infolent. They threatened deftrudtion to
Guftavus, and publicly boafted that they
would deprive him of the crown which they
had obtained for him ; and, in concert with
the Swedifh malecontents, who were eftab-
lifhed in that city, began to prepare their
* Comp. Reg. Snec.p. 649. plan

350 The L if e of
plan for putting thefe menaces in execu
tion *.
Archbishop Trollius was one of their
moft vigilant affociates, aiming, with their
affiftance, to procure liberty for Chriftiern,
who ftill remained prifoner in the caftle of
Sonderburg. With this pretence they en
gaged Chriftopher, count of Olenburg, near
ly allied to the depofed king, to affift them
in this enterprize.
In the interim, Frederick king of Den
mark died -f-, and diffenflons arofe in the
nation about the election of a fucceffor.
The politic Republic of Lubec, ready to
take every advantage that art or accident
could offer them, prevailed on the cities of
Copenhagen and Malmoe to enter into an
alliance with the Hans Towns, offering to
make them free cities, but in reality with a
view of getting the whole kingdom into their
hands, by being thus poffeffed of the two
Form aeon- ftrongeft places in Denmark. They like-
agafnftthe w^e corrupted fome Germans who were
klns- fettled in Stockholm, by a promife of re
ceiving that city into their league, and

%

S.Pu

Send.

Introd.

ad Hift.

Suec.

cap.

59-

, Hift. de

an

. torn.

v. p.

45-

t
Ibid.
making
Gustavus Ericson. 351
making it an Hans Town, on condition that
they fhould free themfelves from their pre^
fent government by deftroying the king -j- j
which was to be thus effedted. It was
agreed, that they fhould place a quantity of
gunpowder under his throne in the great
church of Stockholm, and by taking an op
portunity of putting a lighted match to it,
when the king and his nobles were there
affembled, at once deliver themfelves from
him, and the perfons of greateft rank in the
kingdom ; and, while the people remained in
the confternation, which fuch a cataftrophe A. D. 1534.
muft neceffarily occafion, they were to put the
government into the hands of the Regency
of Lubec §. This confpiracy however was Which is dif-
happily difcovered ;-the confpirators were \ 0)veeretr und
feized, and their crirrtes being fully proved, confpirators
they were put to death, without exciting the execilte "
compaffion of the Swedes, who beheld with
abhorrence the men that could form a de-
fign of depriving the nation of a prince, who
feemed to poffefs the throne only to render
his fubjedts happy. Nor were thefe crimi
nals objects of the king's mercy ; he could,
with unexhaufted clemency, pardon re
iterated rebellions, pitying the force of pre-
f Comp. Reg. Suec. p. 649.
§ S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. judice,

35 2 The Life of
judice, or a miftaken jealoufy of liberty; but
affaffination was a crime that he would
have thought it cruel to forgive, as every life,
as well as his own, was liable to be cut off
by fuch defperate wickednefs.
The queen About this time the queen was brought
fon.Vere * to bed of a fon, named Eric, who fucceeded
his father on the throne of Sweden, and
now increafed his domeftic happinefs, tho'
it did not divert his attention from the ma
chinations of his enemies.
Themalecon- The Swedifh malecontents, with their
gencyof Lu- affociates the Regency of Lubec, difpatched
bee invite emiffaries to Suanto Sturius, the only fon of
riustojoin Steeno Sturius, the laft adminiftrator of
them ; Sweden, who was then at the duke of Saxe-
Lawenburg's court, the king of Sweden's
father-in-law, offering, that if he would
join them they would place him on the
throne of Sweden. They wifhed for the
countenance of a young man, for whom the
Swedes had an hereditary regard, and hoped,
that the national attachment to his family
but are de- niight draw many over to their fide. But
nied- Suanto, either too prudent to contend with
fo wife and brave a monarch as Guftavus,
or deterred by gratitude and affection for
> one

, Gustavus Ericson, 353
one who had acted the. part of a tender
parent, as well as a munificent prince, to
wards him and his family, rejected a pro
pofai which it was almoft difgraceful to have
had offered, as it too plainly evinced that
they had no high opinion of his probity and
gratitude. With better fuccefs they applied to John, Succeed bet-
count de Hoya, though he was brother-in- count'de'
law to Guftavus. This nobleman had been H°ya-
much favoured by the king, to whom he
had in return rendered fome confiderable
fervices ; but property, which in families of
lower rank is fo productive of difcord, had fet
even the king and his brother at variance; the
lattercomplaining,that,in the partition of the
eftates of the family of Vafa,the king had not
given an equal fhare to his After Margaret,
whom the count had married -f ; a diicon-
tent which perhaps was increafed, by being
difappointed of the benefits he might ex
pect from fo near an alliance to his mon
arch, Guftavus, who thought merit only
gave a juft title to his favours, void of par
tiality or prejudice, was of all men the moft
likely to difappoint the expectations of an
t S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. Kiftoire de
Dan. torn. v. p. 78. A a ambitious

354 The Life of
ambitious man, who had married fo near a
relation, and expected to be looked upon
rather in the light of a brother than a fub-
The ftates of Denmark fent ambaffadors
into Sweden to negotiate a ftridt alliance with
the king, to whom they difcovered all the
various machinations which were carrying
on againft him. A treaty was made be
tween the two crowns, whereby Sweden
engaged to affift Denmark with ooo men,
if that kingdom was firft attacked ; on the
contrary, if Sweden was invaded, the Danes
and Norwegians promifed to fupply them
with i ooo men * : fo moderate an affiftance
on each fide had more the appearance of a
mutual determination to fhew themfelves
united in the fame caufe, than to make any
powerful effort for each other.
The king Gustavus was fo exafperated at the trea-
caufes all the , .. } ,
eff.:cisbe- cherous proceedings of the regency of
longing to Lubec, that he caufed all the effedts belonp>
Lubec mer- . . , 6
chants in ing to that city, whicli were then to be found
Wdentobc jn Swedenj to b£ fe;zed- But the DaneSj
defirous if poffible to fettle all differences
• Hift. dt Dan. torn. v. p. 81. S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift.
Saec. cap. ^o, with

Gustavus Ericson. 355
with that republic in an amicable manner,
forefeeing that they muft neceffarily be en--
gaged in any quarrel that enfued between
Sweden and Lubec, interceded with Gufta
vus to accept of their mediation for accom
modating matters between him and that
city; an offer which he accepted,, and, for
the prefent, the northern affairs wore the
face of peace.
But this tranquility was of fhort of dura
tion. The regency of Lubec had raifed
their ambitious views to the empire of the
northern kingdoms * ; and, while they pre
tended a defire of procuring the liberty of
Chriftiern II. their plan was to deftroy the
royal family, and the principal nobility of
Denmark, and to bring the nation under
fubjection to them. If they fucceeded in
this point, they flattered themfelves that
Sweden would not be long able to refift the
¦united forces of the Hans Towns, and their
conquered kingdoms of Denmark and Nor
way ; and by this means they might appro
priate to themfelves all the trade of the
Baltic -j-.
* Comp. Reg. Suec. p. 649.
t Hilt, de Dan. torn. v. p. 82.
A a 2 The

356 The Lie e of
The regency The count de Hoya, who had entered into
the commfnd their fcheme, removed with his wife and
of an army children to Lubec, where all the difcontent-
to the county
ofoidenburg.ed Swedes repaired, and the regency gave
Denmark." the command of the enterprize to Chrifto
pher, count of Oldenburg, who, ignorant of
their fecret defigns, imagined his chief
deftination was to fet the captive king at
liberty. The count entered Denmark as foon as the
army was ready to take the field, and made
a confiderable progrefs at firft, till the Danes
elected Chriftiern III. fon to their laft king,
who gave fome interruption to the great
fuccefs of the enemies. He had married a
fifter of Guftavus's queen ; and, as foon as his
election was over, he fent to requeft affift-
ance both of men and money from his
Guflavns brother-in-law; with which Guftavus com-
to the king of plied very liberally, fending him fuccours
Denmark. both by fea and fand> Some of fa Swedi{h
A. L>. 1535. J
fleet was taken by that of the Hans Towns,
and carried into Dantzic ; but his land forces
The joint fucceeded better. They recovered great
armiesof ,- 1 . ,-TT ,, . , _
Sweden and part of the provinces 01 Halland and Scania;
Denmark de- wilcre being joined by the inhabitants, they
feat the count. ^ J 'J gave

Gustavus Ericson. 357
gave battle to the count of Oldenburg, and
defeated him *.
Archbishop Trollius, who commanded Archbifhop
a body of troops in the count's army, was Trollius is
mortally wounded in this engagement, and wounded in
being conveyed to Slefwicke, there ended l e att e"
a turbulent life, which had been fatal to
many, unhappy to himfelf, and difgraceful
-to his order.
The united fleets of Denmark and Swe- The fleets of
den obtained a naval victory over that of ^e"„^nd
Lubec, and took many of their fhios. tain a hiftory
Chriftiern III. was equally fuccefsful by Lubec.
land, and having defeated their troops in the
field, drove them out of all the kingdom,
except Copenhagen and Malmoe -j-.
The city of Lubec having omitted to re- The king of
inforce their fhattered army, Chriftiern Denmark

comes to

found no martial occupation, and therefore Stockholm.
took the opportunity of making a vifit to his
brother-in-law at Stockholm, to acknow
ledge the fervices he had done him, and to
follicit a continuance of the like alfiftance,
with which he might be able to recover the
* S. Puffend, Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
t Ibid. A a 3 cities

358 The Life of
cities ftill retained by the Republic, and fo
neceffary to afcertain to him the entire pof
feflion of his kingdom. Another motive
for the king of Denmark's taking a ftep. ge
nerally fo unadvifable, as a monarch is never
jfo fafe as in his own dominions, was to com
municate to Guftavus the ambitious views of
the emperor Charles V. who publickly de
clared an intention of placing Frederick
count Palatine, and fon-in-Iaw to Chriftiern
II. on the northern thrones, though his
principal defign was to get the abfolute
command of the northern and Baltic teas.
Chriftiern either expected a freer commu
nication of fentiments, by a perfbnal confer
ence on the neceffary means of refitting the
the emperor's pretentions, or hoped, by fo
ftrong a proof of confidence, and the ad
vantages of a friendly intercourfe, to obtain
greater affiftance from Guftavus's generofity
than niight be given to the colder follicita-
tions of ambaffadors *.
He was received with great regard and
politenefs by the king of Sweden, who
agreed to continue his aid, and befides lent
him a confiderable fum of money on War-
* S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift Suec. cap. 59. Hiftoire de
Dann. toia. v. p. 114, berg

Gustavus Ericson.
berg and the province of Wyck, which was
once more mortgaged to the Swedes.
Chriftiern, in return for thefe fervices, en
gaged not to enter into any negotiation with
Lubec, wherein they were not equally con
cerned, and fhould treat jointly *. A pr
mife which that prince but ill obferved.
During the time this monarch fpent at
Stockholm, he had fufficient opportunity to
obferve the benefits arifing to the nation
from the lowering of the power of the
church ; he faw how much the kingdom was
enriched thereby, and how firmly the king's
authority was eftablifhed, by deprefling fo
ambitious and feditious an order. Gufta
vus's advice correfponded with this prince's
obfervation ; and poffibly a defire to imitate
fo wife a monarch, in a point fo important to
him and his realm, might be his ftrongeft,
though fecret inducement for vifiting the
king at Stockholm, where he could have
the means of learning the progrefs by which
the change of religion had been eftablifhed
with the greateft clearnefs and certainty,
and of receiving the advice of a prince,
whofe natural genius had acquired all the
f Hiftoire de Dann. torn. v. p. 114.
A a 4 im-*.

359

360 The L 1 f e of
improvement that experience and mature
reflexion could give.
Be this as it will, the converfion ofChrii-
tiern III. and the eftablifhment of the pro-
^fcftant religion in Denmark, is generally
fuppofed to have been the refult of his vifit
at Stockholm.
The king of S o m e liiftorians affert, that Chriftiern,
Denmark re- , r r i • 1 n
turns into his having refufed to compiy with a requeft
kmgacm. made him by Guftavus, was fo apprehenfive
of the confequences that might arife from a
refufal which highly offended the king,
that he left Stockholm very abruptly, and
returned into his kingdom with great pre
cipitation. They add, that this was owing
to the advice of queen Catherine, which dif-
obiiged Guftavus fo highly, as caufed a very
great alteration in his affections towards her,
and fuch a change in his behaviour, that
the vexation arifing from it ihortened her
The queen days. This indeed is certain, that the did
not long furvive the king of Denmark's de
parture; but the reft feems rather the inven
tion of the Danifh hiftorians and partizans,
as fome excufe for Chriftiern's fubfequent
conduct, fince no grounds for any fears of
treachery on his fide were afterwards alleged by

die

Gustavus Ericson. 361
by him, to filence Guftavus's complaints of
his breach of faith, and yet the flighteft
foundation for fufpicion is fufficient to build
thereon the moft enormous invectives, and
greateft calumnies in a royal defenfive de
claration. The year following, the regency of Lu- a. D. 1536.
bee having offered the king of Denmark Denmark °f
very advantageous conditions, he, contrary makes a
to his engagements with the king of Swe- Lubec ;
den, made a feparate treaty with them,
wherein, without the knowledge of Gufta
vus, he was included, but in the moft offen-
five manner. It was fpecified in the treaty,
that " Guftavus fliould reftore to the city
" of Lubec all the privileges which it had
" formerly enjoyed in Sweden ; and refer
" to the decifion of the king of Denmark
" the points in difpute between him and
" that republic, as likewife the differences
£C he had with the heirs of the count de
" Hoya; and that, if the king of Sweden re-
" fufed the king of Denmark's arbitration,
" that prince fhould not give him any fuc-
" cours againft the contending parties."

Gustavus not only refufed to ratify to which
, . . , . . . ,,, . n . Guftavus re
this treaty, but complained of Chriftiern s {aies to ac-
enteringcede#

362 T, The L 1 f e of
entering into any independent negociations
with Lubec, and efpecially of his fuffering
articles fo infolent and derogatory to his
honour, as well as contrary to his determi
nation, to be inferted in it. To give a proof
'•of his refentment, of more material impor
tance than complaints, for the injury he
thought done him on this occafion, he re
called all his troops out of Denmark, and his
fleet from the Baltic. This was a ftroke
very detrimental to Chriftiern's interefts,
who thereupon fent ambaffadors to Sweden,
commiffioned to make every excufe for his
proceeding that political fubterfuge could
invent. They affured the king, that " it
" was not from any private or finifter views,
" nor from the leaft defire of breaking the
" union fubfifting between the two king-
" doms, that, their matter had entered into
" that treaty, but the immediate necefiity
" he was in of agreeing with the city of
" Lubec, who were otherwife on the point
" of engaging on the fide of the count Pala-
" tine; and in this he was obliged to pro-
" ceedwith fuch precipitation, as had pre-
u vented his paying proper attention to
!C whatever might prove offenfive to Gufta-
" vus, and deprived him of ieifure to con-
" fuk him in an affair, which, he acknow ledged.

Gustavus Ericson. 363
" ledged, had not the occafion Been fo
«' preffing, fhould not have been tranfadted
** without his concurrence *."
The king could not be deceived by fuch
excufes ; but as he was not adtuated by any
ambitious views on Denmark, nor chofe to
facrifice the bleffings which peace procured
to his kingdom, in order to add to it a few
provinces which might increafe its extent,
but not its happinefs, a rupture could afford
him no advantage ; therefore he pretended
to believe the king of Denmark fincere ;
and fome time after fent ambaffadors to Co
penhagen, to fettle thofe particulars which
were fo often the fubjedts of debate between
the two kingdoms. This was done accord
ingly, in regard to all but the propriety of
the ifle of Gothland ;. upon which, not being
able to agree, the decifion was deferred to a
more favourable opportunity. Guftavus
was not well fatisfied with the part his am
baffadors had acted, nor could he for a con
fiderable time be induced to confirm what
they had fettled ; but at length he ratified
the treaty ; and a firm friendfhip teemed
eftablifhed between the two kings, which,
* Hiftoire de Dann. torn. v. p. 124. S. Puffend. Introd.
ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. like

364- Tjte Li f e of
like moft royal connexions, reached no far
ther than exteriors *. There was a natural
animofity between the two nations, which
was fometimes ftifled, but never removed.
The Danes had a reftlefs defire to recover
the dominion of Sweden, which had prov
ed of fo great advantage to them; and
could not forgive the prince who had de
prived them of fo important a poffeflion,
' and left them no profpect of recovering it.
The Swedes had not forgot the injuries they
fuffered from thofe tyrannical mafters, who,
in defiance of every obligation that art can
invent to bind the faith of nations, had
changed the equality which was their due,
into the moft oppreffive flavery ; nor could
they behold the Danes in poffeflion of the
ifle of Gothland, and the provinces of Sca
nia, Halland, and Bleckingy, originally parts
of the kingdom of Sweden, without an envy
which rofe even to hatred. Thefe difpofl
tions were concealed during the life of Guf
tavus with all the arts that policy could
adopt, but they broke out into an open war
after his death.
Guftavus en
ters into a
treaty of Before the treaty with Denmark was
years\Sr>6° concluded, Guftavus made a peace with the
the Mofco-

¦vi:es.

* S. Puffend. Introd, ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
Mof-

Gustavus Ericson. 365
Mofcovites for fixty years, to put an end to
fome troublefome incurfions they were apt
to make into the Swedifh territories *.
The king, who had then been a widower He marries
about a year, in order to ftrengthen his in- fouXer'of
fluence in die kingdom, married Margaret, the governor
11 i r a 1 1 t- • /¦ °f Weft-
the daughter of Abraham brief on, governor Gothland.
of Weft Gothland, whofe power was. very
confiderable. This young lady was af
fianced to Suanto Sturius -}-; but either the
king's authority, which it might not be pru
dent to refift, or ambition to afcend a throne,
made her forfake her younger lover ; but
whom perhaps youth might not render fo
amiable as Guftavus, had he been deprived
of the crown, which has of itfelf fuch very
ftrong attractions for all mankind, and at
every age, much more may it be allowed
to charm the young and inexperienced, to
whom it appears encirled with pleafures,
while its cares are not obvious to their ob
fervation, nor difcovered by their reflexions.
Although the Lutheran religion was^-^-^/-
exercifed generally in Sweden, yet it con
tinued to be very difagreeable to fome of the
provinces, particularly to that of Smalandia,
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift, Suec. cap. 59.
t Ibid. whofe

366 The L 1 f e of
whofe inhabitants were much difcontented
for want of their ancient form of worthip^
and could not be reconciled to that govern
ment which had robbed them of the cere^
The Smalan- monies they venerated. In this temper of
dians rebel. mind they were ca£ly inftigated. by the
malecontents, who had voluntarily fled out
of the kingdom, to revolt againft the im
pious monarch that had deprived them of
their images and relicks. The Danes were
always ready to foment thefe difturbances,
defirous to keep the king of Sweden em
ployed in his own dominions, left he fhould
turn his thoughts to the recovery of thofe
provinces, which the Swedes, with a jealous
eye, beheld in the poffeflion of Denmark.
Gustavus finding that neither the lenity
of his government, his clemency to his
offending fubjedts, nor the gentlenefs with
which he introduced the reformation,.
wherein he employed no means but fuch as
were agreeable to the religion he would
eftabliih, could foften the rebellious fpirit of
the Smalandians, fent an army into their
province, which intimidated them fo much,
that they promifed all allegiance for the
future, and interceeded for pardon fo forci
bly, that he granted it to all but the two
leaders

Gustavus Ericson. 367
leade s of their revolt, who were condemn
ed to death, but the fentence was changed
into a pecuniary fine. Promifes made by
perfons under the terror of an impending
punifhment are feldom long kept : thus it
was with the Smalandians, whofe impatient
and reftlefs temper being well known, laid
them open to the application of all Gufta
vus's enemies, fure of finding in that pro
vince fome who were ever ready to create
difturbances. The Swedifh malecontents,
the Danes, the count Palatine, and Albert
of Mecklenburg, each on different occafions
prevailed on them to take up arms ; till, by Thatprovince
- , . . . at length pa-
executing fome ot the ringleaders every rifted.
time the rebellions were fuppreffed, Gufta
vus by degrees put to death the moft muti
nous, and thus at laft entirely pacified* that
province *.
During thefe tranfadtions the queen was The queen
brought to bed of a fon, who was named a fonered °
John, and attended the throne of Sweden
upon his elder brother's depofition.
The kings of Denmark and Sweden, a. D. 1541.
after having fome vears lived with all the
outward appearances of amity, but watch- ..,
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. ing

368 The Life of
ing each other's actions with a jealous eye,
continually fufpicious of defigned encroach
ments, began to make reciprocal complaints;
the accufations were mutual, and every
thing feemed tending towards an open rup
ture. Ambaffadors were difpatched by
each, and many conferences held, but with
out the leaft progrefs towards an agreement.
The two At laft the kings determined to meet at
mark and e" Bromfebroo, where they fettled every point
Sweden meet in difpute, but the propriety of the ifle of
at Bromie- -,,,,.. r.'
broo, and Gothland, which was again poftponed to a
¦ ! ?^€ •„ rnore convenient feafon, and concluded a
points then in '
difpute be- treaty of peace for the enfuing fifty years,
tween them. • • _ , c r , '" . . ,
entering into a defeniiye league with each
other -J-.
A_s the emperor ftill retained his views on
the northern kingdoms, and gave conftant
afliftance to the count Palatine, Guftavus
judged it advifeable to ftrengtlien himfelf
with foreign alliance?. The king of France
was the moft natural power for him to apply
to, when refitting the houfe of Auftria was
in queftion. He likewife hoped to increafe
the trade of his kingdom by this means ;
judging it far more profitable to traffick with
t S Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 5g. Hift. de Dan.
torn. v. p. 147. r every

GustavusEricson. 369
every nation for its own merchandizes, than
to receive them from a third place. : The
Wines and fait of France had been hitherto
imported into Sweden by the Holland- '
ers, which oblique mariner of trade • ren
dered thofe commodities both more fcarce
and dearer than if bought at the places
where they were made. Guftavus, with '
thefe views, fent one of his minifters into
France, to try how that monarch flood af
fected, before he proceeded in a more public
manner. Sweden was hitherto fo little known by
the fouthern nations of Europe, that it was
doubtful whether the king's ambaffadors
might be treated with the refpedt which a
confcioufnefs of his perfonal dignity, and the
great extent of his dominions, made Gufta-
vus fenfible was due to them ; befide thut,
being the firft prince who had raifed the
Lutheran religion even to the regal throne,
he was not certain how far his moft Chri
ftian Majefty might venture to for.n au
alliance with one, who had fhaken off all
obedience to the papal fee.
Francis I. was not the moft fcrupulous
prince in his time in thofe reipccts. He
B b agreed

France.

370 The L if e of
A treaty of agreed immediately on a treaty of commerce
commerce be- w}th fa Swedes, whereby they were al-
tween France ¦ ''..,'
and Sweden lowed more than common privileges in the
concluded.) commodities in which they propofed to
traffic. Francis enquired into the ftate and
c'onftitution of Sweden, its extent, ftrength,
and temper of its inhabitants, and then de
clared himfelf very defirous to enter into an
alliance with Guftavus.
A. D. 1 i\i. The king of Sweden, on the return of his
SdSmbaf- envov> fent a magnificent ambaffy into
fadors into France, intending by the fplendor of their
appearance to raife the opinion the French
might have conceived of a people fo little
A defenfive known to them. A defenfive treaty was
duaeVbeV agreed upon, whereby each king engaged
tween the two to affift the other with 25000 men, and a
.ing 01ns. £e£t o^ £^y fhips, in cafe either kingdom
was invaded. Francis font an ambaffador
into Sweden, to confer on Guftavus the
order of St. Michael, the only one then
eftablifhed in France * ; fo little did the
imputation of herefy affect him in that
prince's opinion.
And between The provinces united by the league of
Guftavus and Smalcaldie, invited Guftavus to enter into
the omaicai-
die league. * S.Psiffend. Introd. atiHift. Suec. cap, 59. their

Gustavus Ericson. 371
; their affociation, though it does not appear
that he ever took any confiderable part in
their wars : their union was rather religious
than martial ; in faith. they concurred, but
in other reipects teemed to have had no very
material tranfadtions.
Gustavus, now eftablifhed in perfect
peace, blcffed with domeftic happinefs in a
wife whom he paffionately loved, and a
numerous offspring, adored by his fubjedts,
admired by his neighbours, and refpected
even by diftant nations, where the name
of Sweden till nis time was fcarcely known,
had only one circumflance wanting to com
plete his profperity, and that was the render
ing the crown hereditary in his family. He
had made a proposition of this nature to the
ftates fome years before, but unfuccefsfully.
He now refolved to try if a longer courfe of
benefits had fo far increafed their attach
ment to him, as would incline them to com
ply with his defire.
He affembled the ftates at Wefteraac, Junetheicth,
and there propofed to them to render the' ' ' 54'1"
crown hereditary to his male heirs *. His
friends urged " the great fervices he had
* Comp. Reg. Suec. p. 690. B b 1. ~ic done

37 2 The L i f e of
" done the ftate, in delivering, it from the
" moft io-nominious and moft wretched
" flavery to which it could be reduced ; the
" fplendor he had given to a kingdom fo
« lately oppreffed under a foreign yoke ;
" his entire attention to the happinefs of his
" fubjedts, the impartiality with which he
" diftributed juftice to the meaneft of the
" people, and the riches he had brought
" into the kingdom by the encouragement
" of commerce. They expatiated on all
" his virtues, and the gratitude the Swedes
" owed him for every bleffing they en-
" joyed, which they could never fufficiently
" difcharge, but by fettling the crown on his
" defcendants. They then reprefented the
" many inconveniencies that arofe from an
,c elective throne ; the wars it occafioned
" by the number of pretenders, and the
" conftant readinefs of the kings of Den-
" mark to affert their claim, which private
*e diffenfions, ariflng from the ambitious
" contentions of the moft powerful among
*' the Swedes, would always give them
" opportunity of profecuting with advan-
" tage ; and, if Sweden did not again
'* become a province to Denmark, they
" muft expedt a long and defperate war, in
" order to defend themfelves from it on
6 i[ every

Gustavus Ericson. 373
tc every vacancy of the throne; and that
" nothing could force the Danes to relin-
" quifh their pretentions, but an act to ren-
" der the crown hereditary."
These reafons, and the influence which
the king had gained over the people by his
power and the fweetnefs of his manners,
difpofed them to comply with his propofai.
An adt was made, which was termed the The crown
hereditary union, " appointing prince Eric, ^^rred hs"
{? then eleven years of age, prefumptive
,c heir to the throne, and fettling that the
" king's defcendants in the male line fhould
11 fucceed in the order of feniority. But in
cc cafe of a failure of male heirs, the right
cc of election fhould again devolve on the
" fenate and ftates of the kingdom, who
" fhould be obliged, if the laft prince
" happened to leave daughters, to fettie
" competent fortunes on them *."
In this affembly, the king and the ftates Lutheranifm
bound themfelves by cam to continue iteci-c -
J tilt
faft in the Lutheran religion, to defend i: ex
the expence of their lives and poffeffions,
and to tolerate no other in the kingdom.
From this period we muft date the to:ai c;:-
Z. S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Susc. cap. 59.
Bb ^ terminatb:*

-,i:<i.

aol'.'iieti
tilt .1- ¦

374 The Life of
terminating of popery out of Sweden. Lu
theranifm had hitherto advanced by fuch
moderate degrees, that, though much indul
gence had been fhewn to the obftinate, yet
it was become fo generally nrcieiTed, that
there was no longer any great danger likely
to rife from the univerial eftablifhment of it.
The king's lenity abated the obftinacy of
the people ; their hatred expired with their
fears, and as they had not been forced into
a diffembied convention, truth had funk into
their h;ai\s. They examined into tenets
which they were not obliged to embrace.
Cuftom made the Lutheran worthip fami-
i.ar to them, and their prejudices abated as
the novelty became lei's ; fo that by this
time they were generally difpoied to join in
worfliip with their king, whole life and
actions made the beft defence of his faith.
About this period the king of Denmark,
after procuring a folemn renunciation of the
three crowns of Sweden, Denmark, and
Norway, from Chriftiern 11. his prifoner,
abated the rigours of his captivity, fuffering
him to partake or the chief amufements of
the northern kingdoms, hunting and fifh-
ing •••
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. Hift. Je
Dan. torn. v. p. 169. Tl-I E

Gustavus Ericson. 375
The remainder of Guftavus's life fur-
nifhes few materials for an hiftorian, tho'
various motives for the gratitude of his fub
jedts. Glaring adtions, founded on pride,
ambition, and thirft after falfe glory, make a
fhiriihg figure in hiftory ; the writer records
with pleafure, and his readers perufe with
admiration, thofe fadts, which, in reality,
render the vanquifhed miferable, and diftrefs
the conquerors ; for, while the prince gains
renown, his fubjedts are oppreffed with
taxes to fupply the expence of his wars,
and facrifice their lives to raife his fame j
his laurels are planted by their labours,
and draw nutriment from their blood.
The excefs of national pride may induce
fome of his fubjedts to facrifice the necef-
faries of life, and even themfelves, to the re
putation which they hope the kingdom will
fhare with their monarch, and accompany
him with the fame kind of animal eager
nefs in his purfuit of falfe glory, which
animates die fteed to ftrain all his natural
powers to reach the goal before his compe
titors in the race. But thofe who are more
rational, or farther removed from the in
fluential pretence of their prince, are deeply
fenfible of the miferies thatfpring from am
bition, and behold in a truer light the fame
B b 4 which

37G The Life 5/
which is purchafed by the calamities 'of
penury and depopulation, wherein the bulk
of the kingdom is involved to gratify the
ambition of a few.
These are the real fufferings of a people,
who, for their fins, are vifited by that cruel
punifhment, an heroic prince : but yet
heroes are the embellifhments of hiftory ;
and few readers would patiently proceed
through (what would be called) a lifelefs
detail of fuch actions, as render a king the
benefactor and real father of his country.
The peaceful virtues which difpenfe happi
nefs to millions, and extend their benign
influences through many lucceffive genera
tions, may be all enumerated in a few fhort
lines. I fliall therefore not expatiate on
this part of Guftavus's life, but comprehend
m a imall compafs the adtions of many
years, which cannot in the relation, without
a wear-home prolixity, fill much fpace, tho-
the effects are of fo extenfive a nature, as
never to be obliterated out of the grateful
memories of his fub;edts.
Gustavus, defirous of being perfonally
known to all his fubjedts, and fenfible that,
m fo e^cenliye a dominion, the great retort to

Gustavus Ericson. 377
to the court of the prince, while it enriched
the metropolis, impoverifhed ail the diftant
provinces, wifhed to divide his refidence near
equally among the whole. For ihis pur- Guftavus
pofe he built feveral palaces *, conftrudted palaces.
with a tafte and elegance of architecture
till then unknown to the Swedes. By this
change of fituation the riches of the king
dom circulated through every part : no
province was fubjected to the tyranny of a
governor, or the venality of judges; the
whole was under his immediate jurifdidtion,
and he was the fupreme judge in every
caufe. No crime could be committed in
any part of the kingdom with impunity,
fince the moft powerful could exercife their
oppreffions but for a very fhort term : when
the king repaired thither, the fufferer was
fure of redrefs; for his ears were ever open
to the complaints of the injured, and his
hand ever ready to redrefs them. Another
advantage arifing from thus dividing his pre
tence, was foftening the favage manners of
the people. By his natural politenefs he
had in a good degree polifhed his court, and
he hoped, by an intimate communication
with all his fubjedts, to abate their ferocity,
and, by engaging them in milder intercourfe
* Hift. de Dan. p. 169. and

$yS The Life of
and more delicate pleafures, to teach their
the gentle delights arifing from a well regu-
lated-and benevolent fociety.
manumcfures ^v the exact knowledge he acquired of
and trade, every part of his kingdom, he became fully
acquainted with the different kinds of
traffick and manufacture which were fuited
to each, and thus not only knew what
might moft properly be encouraged in their
refpective places, but by his pretence was en
abled to do fo in the moft effectual manner.
Euiids maga- He built magazines and ftore-houfes ; affifted
fttca nX;/es-k's fubjedts in fitting out trading veffels, and
in cultivating every means ofincreafing their
commerce. He gave free admittance to the
merchants of every nation, and granted
e\ cry encouragement that could induce them
to frequent his ports, which before his reign
were open only to the Hans Towns, who
en^rofled all the northern trade *.
hofcit.iis and He built hofpitals for the tick and indi-
fch0C;iJ ,
gent, a:-. a ichools for the cultivation of Chri
ftian knowledge, and to refcue- the enfuing
generation hom the ignorance that had till
then overwhelmed all the lower rank of the
Swedes: for though the peafants poffeffed
s Hift. de Dan. torn. v. p. itg.
a power

Gustavus Ericson. 379
a power which perfons of that degree enjoy
in few nations, fince by their reprefentatives
they had a very great fhare in the legiflature,
yet a total ignorance and brutality reigned
among, them. The king was not unmind
ful of thofe of fuperior ftation, whom he
endeavoured to excite to the purfuit of
literature, by the benefits he conferred on
the univerfity. of Upfal.
He eredted many ftrong forts on the fron- and citadels.
tiers of his kingdom, to defend it from the
incuriions of foreign enemies, whofe inroads
ufed greatly to annoy the borderers, and, in
a few days, robbed them of the fruits of
long and tedious labour j which Guftavus
was the more defirous to prevent, as it in
terrupted agriculture, and difcouraged that
induftry which he endeavoured to promote,
and was fo deferving the protection of a
prince. His care extended to their moft
diftant interefts, and was applied to fecure to
them every comfort of life.
He was not permitted to purfue fo lauda
ble a plan undifturbed by neighbouring
princes ; though he would not fuffer them
to turn his thoughts fo much from his great
purpofe, (a purpofe truly great, that of ren-
5 dering

380 The Life of
deting his fubjedts happy) as to make him.
neglect, in the fmalleft degree, the govern
ment of bis kingdom.
A. D. 1548. The king of Denmark, as an affertion of
his title to the throne of Sweden, in oppofi
tion to the hereditary union, and as a fort of
proteftation againft it, inferted three crowns,
which were the arms of Sweden, into thofe
of Denmark *.
Gustavus thought it neceffary to com
plain of this infult, and fent ambaffadors to
Denmark on that account, but to little pur
pofe ; Chriftiern, good at evafions, would
not give him any real fatisfaction; and the
king, who thought it not advifeable to give
up the fubftantial bleffings of peace to difpute
an empty title to his throne, which the king
of Denmark would not dare to profecute,
chofe to appear fatisfied with the excufes he
made; and, feeure of the poffeflion of the
kingdom, he left him to enjoy vain hopes
and a groundlefs title j. It was not recon-
cileable to Guftavus's idea of religion or
morality, to enter into "a war which muft
occafion the death of great numbers, and
* Hift. deDan. tom. v. p. 170.
X Ibid. the

GusTavus Ericson. 3&1
the fufferings of many more, for any con-'
fideration that was not of very effential. con
fequence. He thought it a melancholy,
though fometimes a neceffary means of ,¦
procuring general benefits, and only jufti-
fiable when the public good required that
the diftrefs of particulars , fhould be over-.
looked as the lefs material point. But the
gratification of a monarch's pride, or the in---
dulgence of that nice fenfiblity which fome
have of every thing that touches their vanity,
appeared to him in a very criminal light,
who thought a man, either in the character
of a Chriftian or a king, ought to attend to
the good of others, overlooking all private
views which are inconfiftent with it.
But this good king's happinefs received a A. D. 1551:
, ¦ -fi.- a AAug.thei6th.
more fevere interruption ; he this year loft QUgeri Mar-
a wife whom he loved with the utmoft ten-£aretdies-
dernefs j, and with whom he had. enjoyed
many years of domeftic felicity. He la
mented her death with unfeigned forrow,
apd cherifhed her memory with gratitude
and affection. She bore him feveral chil
dren, and the year before the died was
brought to bed of Charles, afterwards king
J S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59, of

382 The Li f e of
of Sweden, fucceeding to the throne after
his brothers Eric and John.
A. D.i 552. The king's deep affliction for the death-
The king 0£ queen Margaret did not prevent him
marries again. ~ ° r
from marrying the year following. The
lady whom he chofe was Catherine, niece
to the deceafed queen Margaret, daughter
to Guftavus Oloffon, then governor of Weft
Gothand -j-: The near affinity between
him and Catherine, made him apprehenfive
that fome objection might be raifed to his
marriage; he therefore afked the advice of
the bifhops, who making him eafy in that
particular, his nuptials were celebrated.
The Livonians, incapable of defending
themfelves againft the Mofcovites, fent am
baffadors to Guftavus to intreat his affiftance.
That people had invaded Livonia, and com
mitted unparallelled cruelties wherever they
paffed. The king returned a favourable
anfwer, and was preparing to give more
effectual proofs of his defire to fuccour them,
A.D. 1 s;,-. when the Mofcovites invaded Finland, to
vice's invade" Part °f which they pretended an old claim.

Finland.

They_ laid fiege to the town of Wyburg ;
•f- S. Puff. Introd, ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59, but

Gustavus Ericson. 38-3
but the garrifon defended it tilt Guftavus's
troops arrived to its relief, who defeated the
befiegers, and delivered the town from its
enemies. The Mofcovites recruited their
army, but could not alter its fuccefs; theArefeTCral
Swedes gained another victory, befides de- times defeat-
ftroying great numbers in various fkirmifhes.
The Mofcovites were at that time but bad
ibldiers; their barbarity rendered them for
midable in their incurfions, but they were
little able to refift better difciplined troops.
They were troublefome, but not dangerous
neighbours to Sweden, and, if attacked,
were better defended by their country thaa
by their arms, which rendered the wars
between thofe two kingdoms feldom lath
ing, and never regular in their operations.
The Polanders, who had been likewife in
vaded by the Mofcovites, propofed to enter
into a league with Guftavus againft them,
with which he readily agreed, and though
then far advanced in years, put himfelf at
the head of his army, and marched into
Finland, in order to proceed in concert with
Poland and the Livonians, according to the
plan agreed upon : but their inteftine divi-
fions preventing them from giving due at
tention to that war, they failed in fulfilling
their engagements. Guftavus waited for
them

3 84 The L if E of
them above a year, when finding them hot
at leifure to perform their part, he chofe
A. D. 1556. rather to make peace with Mofcovy, than to ¦
Guftavus enter wjmout ames int0 a war, which, at his
with the age, it was very precarious whether he fliould
live to profecute *;

Mofcovites.

The king, in confideration of his advanced
age, being much worn with the fatigues
of the earlier part of his life, and his intenfe
application to bufinefs during the remainder,
thought it neceffary to fettle the affairs of his
He makes his family in the beft manner he was able; He
bequeathed the revenues and government of
the province of Finland to John his fecond
fon ; Weft Gothland to Magnus his third ;
and to Charles the youngeft the provinces of
Sudermania, Nericia, and Wermland, which
they were to hold as fiefs of the crown -j-. To
each of his daughters he bequeathed an hun
dred thoufand crowns. He had thefe three
fons, and five daughters, by his fecond wife
Margaret.
Dec. the 6th. ^e affigned the revenues of the province
Affigns a con- 0f Smalandia, with the ifleof Oelane, to his
liderable reve- ..... in
rue 10 Erichis eldeft loft Eric, for his fupport, till he fliould
eldeft fon. * S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. Comp. Reg.
Suec. p. 650.
t Ibid. afcend

Gustavus Ericson. 385
afcend the throne -, but he made him enter
into a folemn engagement, " to preferve an Thecondi-
« inviolable fidelity to his father and the TllJ^c.
" ftate, and an affectionate regard to his
" brothers ; to employ his utmoft care in
" the defence of the frontiers of that part
" of the kingdom where his affignment
" was fituated ; to inform the king of any
" thing that was tranfadting againft him,
" and, in cafe of neceffity, to bring to his
" afliftance an army of 500 horfe and 2000
" foot; to forbear entering into any al-
u fiance without the king's knowledge ; to
" communicate to him all the letters he
" received from foreign princes; to keep
" the caftles and fhips of war in good re-
£t pair, fit for defence and fervice ; and,
" after the king's death, to affift, both with
" his advice and power, his brothers, fifters,
" and the queen, and in every thing pro-
6C mote their welfare *."
The diviflon which Guftavus had made
of his kingdom among his tons afforded
matter of difcontent to prince Eric. His
brothers were by their inheritances rendered
fo confiderable, that he thought it neceffary
to ally himfelf by marriage to fome power
* S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Sjec. cap. 50.
C c that

386 The Li f e of
that would, be able to affift him againft
them, if they fliould difpute his authority.
Duke John and the prince had lived in a
fucceffion of quarrels from their very in
fancy- Guftavus had fhewn a partiality for
the duke which increafed the prince's
hatred, a partiality which might arife either
from the king's fuperior tendernefs for that
prince's mother, or from the bad qualities
and capricious underftanding which were
difcoverable in prince Eric,
Eric endeavoured by the moft affiduous
popularity to ingratiate himfelf with the
people, and to attach the chief officers in the
kingdom and army to his interefts. Thefe
proceedings were reprefented to Guftavus
in fuch ftrong colours, and accompanied
with fo many accufations of his defign of
raifing a rebellion againft him, as greatly
exafperated the king ; but as he was not of
a difpofition eafily to give way to fufpicions3
he made a ftridt examination of his conduct,
and, from all the particulars he could collect,
acquitted him of the charge, and received
him again into favour *.
? S. Puff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap^g.
The

Gustavus Ericson. 3S7
The prince was led, by his defire of The Pr.ince
ftrengthening himfelf with a powerful al- ceptor into
liance, to form a defign of attempting to EnSland' to
0 10 negociate a
marry Elizabeth, queen of .England. The. marriage with
old king was much averfe to this alliance : jj"te^n
attached to the Lutheran religion, he was
apprehenfive Elizabeth's influence might, if
married to his fop, caufe it to give place to
that which fhe profeffed; and though they
were equally diftant from popery, yet he
was not fo much a Latitudinarian in his re
ligious principles, as to hold every fedt in
equal eftimation. The continual impor
tunity of his fon at laft conquered his re
luctance, and he contented that Denis
Beurre, a Frenchman, who had been the
prince's preceptor, fhould be fent into Eng
land, to difcover how hermajefty would re
ceive fuch a propofai * .
The favourable reception which Elizabeth
gave to the addreffes of every prince who
fought her in marriage, deceived the French
man into an opinion that his mafter's fuit
was extremely acceptable to her ; and as
courtiers are feldom backward in flattering
their prince's inclinations, his accounts other
favourable difpofition even exceeded his
• Comp. Reg. Suec. p. 650.
C c 2 opinion,

388 The Life of
opinion. He wrote Eriaword, that " her
" majefty liftened to his propofals with great
<c complacency, and nothing was wanting
" to compleat the marriage but his pre-
" fence."
The young prince was charmed with
this profpedt of fuccefs, of which his fanguine
difpofition no longer entertained any doubt :
he was impatient to appear at the Englifh
court, where he flattered himfelf the hand
of fo great a queen, and the fhare of an im
portant kingdom awaited him, and difpatch-
ed a perfon to Copenhagen to afk the
king of Denmark's leave to pafs through his
dominions. The king his father, wife by nature, and
made cautious by experience, could not
believe but the warmth of the Frenchman's
temper, and the natural vanity of his difpofi
tion, had rendered him too fecure of the
fuccefs of his negociation. He was befides
very unwilling to fuffer the heir of the
crown to leave the kingdom, at a time when
the infirmities of age increafed fo faft upon
him, that he imagined the throne would
foon become vacant by his death. He fent
-therefore to prince Eric to defire he would come

Gustavus Ericsson. 389
come to Caimar (where the king then was)
before he left the kingdom *.
Eric's impatience could not excufe his
difobedience to fuch a command, with
which he therefore complied ; and though
Guftavus ftrongly reprefented to him the
danger which muft arife from his being
abfent when the throne fhould become
vacant, as, according to the courfe of nature,
it moft probably would be very foon, yet it
was with great difficulty he prevailed on the
prince to fuffer duke John, and Steeno
Ericfon, one of the officers of moft diftin
guifhed rank and abilities in the court, to go
firft into England, in order to be informed
of that queen's real intentions. Steeno Eric- An ambaffa -
fon went under the title of ambaffador, and ^J^Tor
duke John accompanied him, on pretence of that purpofe,
a defire to travel. Their reception from the by duke John.
queen was extremely gracious ; and fhe,
who to keep her fubjedts from urging with
irrefiftable importunity the neceffity of her
marrying, took every opportunity of amufing
them with a profpect other fixing her choice
on the prefent lover, received the propofals
of the prince of Sweden with the fame com
placency fhe did all others, and gave fuffi-
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
C c 3 cient

n

go The L if e of -
cient encouragement for him to commence'
a negociation, though fhe would not fay
any thing that thould engage her to accept
him.

A.D. 1559. The queen treated the ambaffador with
great diftindtion, and careffed the duke
with the moft flattering affability. As her
purpofes required her to make a fpectacle
of her lovers, fhe was attended by duke
John in public^ and accompanied in all her
parties of pleafure by him, who was obliged
to perfonate his brother in ail the neceffary
attentions of courtfhip. To gain the favour
of the Englifh, the duke and the ambaffador
lavilhed great fums of money, and ran into
expences much disapproved of by the pru
dent king, who knew the benefits a mon
arch receives from a full treafury, and could
not fee, without difcontent, fo large a part of
thofe riches lawifhed with profufion in the
profecution of a fcheme, that he was well
convinced would never take place, which
he had accumulated by the fuppreffion of
mon-ifteries, and other means of the fame
nature, in order to procure a long relief to
his fubjedts- from the burden of taxes, and
to fupply the ufeful as well as neceffary ex

pences 01 government,

Dusie

Gustavus Ericson. 391
Duke John at his return confirmed all The duke
that Denis Beurre had faid, and affured his prince great
brother that his pretence would conclude ho,pesofluc'
ccfs
the affair, the queen appearing extremely
well difpofed towards him. But Guftavus
was convinced that they were all in the
fame error; their having brought no affur
ances from Elizabeth, nor being able to pro
duce any better foundation for their hopes
than her great affability and obliging recep
tion, fufficiently convinced him that fhe had
no ferious intention of accepting his fon *.
The prince was not to be diffuaded from The prince
his purpofe by all the arguments the king grTinToEng-9
could urge, to prove that Elizabeth meant land#
only to amufe him. His vanity fuggefted,
that if fhe was, as his father imagined, not
determined in bis favour, yet his pretence
would conquer her uncertainty, and that
fhe would accept with pleafure from him, a
propofai to which fhe had liftened with
complacency from his ambaffadors ; and he
was inclined to fufpect that his brother had
not profecuted the affair with a fincerity and
earneftnefs requifite to fix her content, but
had coldly urged a fuit which envy made
him wifh fhould fail of fuccefs.
* S.Fuff. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59.
C c 4 When

392 The L if e of
a.d. 1560. When Guftavus found the prince con-
Theeking af-' tinued obftinate in his defign, he aflembled
f.-mbiestne fa ft.ates 0f the kingdom, to receive their
advice and concurrence on the proper me
thod of proceeding. It was not without
great oppofition that the ftates contented to
the prince's marrying with fo powerful a
ftranp-er, and not till they had exacted con
ditions from him, which they thought ne
ceffary for their own fecurity, when the
heir of the crown was iuppofed to be near
obtaining a kingdom, which offered him a
more agreeable refidence than Sweden, and
therefore reduced them to the danger of
being governed by a viceroy. After they
had obliged him to enter into fuch engage-
ment?, as beft ferved to obviate all the ob-
vho srrarst jections which occurred, they granted him a
.'.ie ^xcences confiderable fum of money towards defray
ing the expences of his marriage. With
more fatisfaction and unanimity they con
firmed the act of hereditary union, and the
kind's teftamenrary will *.
;'he piince Prince Eric, foreieeing no remaining
"ervdi'ir,!' impediment to his vovage, made his pre-
^ his depar parations with the utmoft expedition, and
* S. Puffend. Introd. ad Hift. Suec. cap. 59. Comp.
Reg. Sue.c. p. 650.
went

>. tne mar
.age.

Gustavus Ericson.
went to Lodefo to be in readinefs for his
departure ; when his purpofe was prevented
by an event which proved very fatal to Swe
den, though it was not unexpected.
Gustavus had long been in a declining
ftate of health. Age had brought on him
many corporeal infirmities, tho' his mind
continued to be animated with all the vigour
of youth, and appeared fuperior to decay.
The throne was never to any man a more
laborious ftation than to this prince ; and as
he could not refolve to neglect any of the
duties of it while he kept the poffeflion,
neither age nor ficknefs induced him to
abate his application to public affairs. Even
when life teemed hovering on the wing,
and every moment threatened its departure,
he would not omit the fame laborious
offices, was ftill the fupreme judge of his
kingdom, without minifter, without fa
vourite, neglectful of his own infirmities,
but watchful over his people, vigorous in re-
dreffing their injuries, ftrong in defending
them. In this manner he acted till within a few
hours before his death; when finding his laft
minutes approaching, he fent for his fecre- tary,

39 *

394 The L if e of
tary, directed fuch proceedings as were
requifite to put the public affairs in exact
order, and provided the beft he could for
its profperity, even after his deceafe. He
then fent for his children, to whom he re
commended an affectionate union ; exhort
ing them to affift each other, and in every
article of their lives to preferve that love,.
which was fo material a duty in thofe
whom blood had fo clofely united. He
then charged them to obey their brother
Eric as their fovereign, to whom they owed
the allegiance of fubjedts, as well as the
affection of relations. After fome pious
admonitions, and a tender farewell, he gave
them his paternal benediction, and caufed
them to retire, that his thoughts might not
be drawn off from his moft material con
cern, by a too tender regret at parting
with perfons fo dear to him.
He filenced thofe about him, who, ac
cording to the cuftom of courtiers, were en
deavouring, as the laft effort of flattery, to
perfuade him that his cafe was not de
fperate, and to footh him with the hopes of
a recovery; a fort of flattery, which, like all
others, gains its greateft ftrength from the
weaknefs of thofe to whom it is addreffed. Guftavus

Gustavus Ericsson. 395
Guftavus had the fureft antidote againft the
fear of death, the happy confcioufnefs of a
well fpent life ; a feries of adtions which
fprung from real religion, and were confo-
nant to the ftridteft moral virtue. Reflec
tion on the paft, and fenfe of his prefent in
firmities, made him welcome death with
the compofure of a chriftian ; armed with
faith and hope, and depending on merits far-
fuperior to his own, he received it as a friend,
which was going to eafe him of all his toils,
and give him in exchange for a vain, a tem
porary, and a laborious crown, one of un
fading brightnefs, attended with everlafting
blifs. In this difpofition, it is not Arrange
that he fhould not Iiften to thofe, who
would perfuade him that his reward was at
a greater 'diftance. He excluded all from
his apartment but the few who joined in his
devotions, and fpent the fhort remainder of
his life in prayer, till, breath and fenfe failing, SePf- the 9th.
r r'is Prevented.
his foul left a body, no longer worthy of by the king's
detaining it from purer manfions. death-
Gustavus died at Stockholm * in the
feventieth year of his age. His body was
carried to Upfal, where it was interred;
* Comp. Reg. Suec. p. 650. S. Puffend. Introd. ad
Hift. Suec. cap. 59. but

396 The L 1 f e of
but the memory of his virtues were preferv-
ed in every Swedifh bofom. His fubjedts
lamented him with, that fincere and un
feigned affliction which affords the nobleft
elogium to a prince. Their tears, the moft
eloquent expreffion of forrow, flowed fafter
than their words, for language is better
fuited to lefs poignant grief. Every Swede
was his hiftoriographer, for their memories
were a record of all his actions, and bare
relation his beft panegyric.
No prince was ever more juftly entitled
to the love of his fubjedts than Guftavus, if
we confider either the fituation from which
he delivered, or that in which he left them.
In his earlieft youth he diftinguifhed himfelf
by his valour ; and by the happy mixture of
an uncommon juftnefs of thought, with
the greateft activity of mind, he entered the
world with all the advantages of experience,
joined with the warmth and vigour of a
youthful imagination. His fuperior talents
foon rendered himoffo much confequence,
that Chriftiern thought his removal from
the adminiftrator, who found him his wifieft
counfelior, was not too dearly purchafed by
the moft flagrant treachery and fcandalous
breach of faith. The next fcene of his lifehas,

Gustavus Ericson. 397
has more the air of romance than hiftory.
That infurmountable greatnefs of foul which
could encourage one man, deftitute of for
tune, without affociate, in that particular
without friend, to hope that he might de
liver his country, and could lead him to dare
the attempt, would in fiction be thought
out of nature. Can any thing be more
amazing to a common mind than to fee
him, regardlefs of the dangers which befet
him on every fide, not difcouraged by diflap-
pointments, nor difpirited by difficulties,
wander alone through a kingdom, feeking
affociates in an enterprize for which no
fmall forces would fuffice.
When, contrary to all reafonable hope,
he had fucceeded, his vigilance was not
abated by fuccefs. He conducted his little
army with all the prudence and wifdom of
the moft experienced general, while he ex
pofed his perfon with an undaunted intre
pidity, which in moft cafes would juftly
have expofed a leader to the imputation of
rafhnefs, but was in him agreeable to the
moft exact prudence. His foldiers ferved
voluntarily, without pay, and with no other
fubordination than what arofe from their
love and veneration for him. His courage
invigorated

398 - The Life, of
invigorated them ; they were brave from his
example, and would have looked on caution
in the light of cowardice.
Few princes who have been fortunate in
the race of glory can ceafe the purfuit of it,
and fuffer wifdom and juftice to mark the
bounds beyond which they fhould not pafs.
This was not the cafe with Guftavus. If
ever we may fuppofe a man who gained a
throne was adtuated by the love of his
country, rather than ambition, furely Gufta
vus may receive this teftimony from us.
Ambition is boundlefs ; it knows not how to
fay to the conquering fword, " thus far fhalt
" thou go, and no farther." This prince never
attempted to extend the fuccefs of his arms
beyond the deliverance of his own country.
But as his aim was to reftore it to liberty,
he next attacked another tyranny, that of
the church, and with unwearied perfever-
ance introduced a religion, lets calculated
to enflave, but more fit to reform the man
ners of his people.
There is good reafon to fuppofe that
Guftavus's attention to the Lutheran pro-
feffion might be firft directed by political
views : the neceffity of abating the exorbi tant

Gustavus Ericson. 399
tant power and riches of the clergy, and of
finding another fund for the expences of the
government than taxes, which drained the
poor people of the beft part of the fruits of
their labour, were ftrong inducements to
eftablifh it. But from the tenor of his life,
and his whole manner of proceeding in the
reformation, it plainly appears, that when
he examined the doctrine, he became a fin-
cere convert to the religion, and himfelf
embraced the faith which he recommended
to his fubjedts, and eftablifhed in a manner
fuitable to its precepts : free from the fpirit
ofperfecution, he tolerated the prejudices
of his fubjedts, and chofe rather to convince
their reafon than force their confciences. His
life was fuitable to his profeffion ; fo ready
to forgive, that few things were lefs dangerous
than offending him. He never punifhed,
but where mercy to thofe who were not cri
minal abfolute ly required it. In the execu
tion of juftice, wherein himfelf was no party,
he was impartial and rigid, efteeming a ftrict
execution of the laws the trueft clemencv.
Flis tender affections had no private objects
but his wives and children; beyond thofe
intimate ties, all his fubjedts fhared them in
proportion to their real merits. He had
neither favourites nor miftreffes; free from all
vice,

400 The Life of
vice, and, as far as is confiftent with- hu
manity, void of weakneffes.
His regal power was greater than any of
his predeceffors enjoyed ; for the people
ceafed to difpute an authority which was
employed only for their happinefs ; but how
far it was from being abfolute appears from
the fate of his fon Eric, who did not inherit
fo large a fhare of power as was requifite
to fecure to him a fovereignty which he
abufed. Guftavus feemed born for royalty;
his beauty, the gracefulnefs of his perfon,
and his majeftic air, at once engaged and
awed his beholders. His underitanding
and manner were free from the rufticity then
ufual to the Swedes ; he was eloquent, gen
tle, affable; and, by his example, foftened
their ferocity, and humanized his people.
His focial virtues and amiable intercourfe
charmed in proportion as they were little
known in that kingdom till they appeared
in him : gentlenefs and fweetnefs of manners
are delightful to all; but they furprized,
while they pleafed the Swedes, and operated
like a fort of enchantment on all who were
capable of a due fenfe of them. He taught
them, that elegance to a certain degree might
be attained without effeminacy, and focial
pleafure

Gustavus ERfcsoN. 401
pleafure enjoyed without vice. v The pleat
ing and innocent luxuries of. life he intro
duced, for the beft purpofes; and' while by
them he foftened their tempers into huma
nity, he took care that they fhould not cor
rupt their manners as Chriftians, conftantty
reftraining them from every abufe and ex
cefs, by the example, of irreproachable virtue
in his own condudt.
While he rendered them lefs favage, he
inftrudled their ignorance, and enriched them
by extending their commerce. He left his
kingdom furnifhed with every encourage
ment for induftry, ample rewards for know
ledge, relief for the poor, and confolation for
the tick and difeafed, in the magazines, the
fchools, and the hofpitals which he eftab
lifhed.

FINIS.

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