Office and represents the Power 2. Both in this and other Kingdomes the Rulers have been called by such Titles as is evident in our Histories where Torchilus the Son of Canutus Suanto the Son of Nicolaus Steno Sture the younger and many others have been entitled Governours and Administrators of the Kingdome 3. This Title cannot derogate from the Regall Dignity for his Majesty had by Writ honoured Claudius Flemingius with the like which he was uncapable of as not being approved by the States of the Kingdome neither had they both equall right to the Government For his Highnesse sprung from the Regall Family is a Prince hereditary of the Kingdome but Flemingius a Subject of his Majesty and of his Highnesse The third head of the said Decree containes likewise nothing but what is consentaneous to the Lawes of Suethland For by those written Lawes each cause is to be tried in the Province where the Delict was committed and the punishment to be made exemplary where the Crime was so besides many confusions and prejudices would accrue to the Country if the cognition of all Causes should be made in Poland As 1. There could not be so ample information as were requisite in regard the true state of Crimes may be more certainly known upon the place 2. A just Cause might happen to be lost for want of ability to attend personally and prosecute the definition to produce Witnesses and exhibit other instruments conducible to its legall cognition 3. The Natives Estates would be utterly exhausted by those long Journeys whence their unavoidable ruine must of necessity follow 4. The ancient Jurisdiction Lawes and Priviledges of Suethland would be violated which may not be tollerated All Nations have unanimously and obstinately maintained their own and have pronounced that the Infringers of the Jurisdiction of others were to be punished as Peace-breakers Item that who so should bring an Action before a Court incompetent was to be fined Whereas therefore his Majesty had bound himselfe by Oath not to impaire the Jurisdiction of Suethland he should trespasse against the same by constituting either in Poland or elsewhere any extraneous Judicatory to be competent for the Suethes Our Annals do likewise shew that for the like great troubles did arise to Ericke the thirteenth and other Kings 5. Hereunto is added that his Majesty whilest in Poland cannot determine the causes of Suethland as not having those persons there with him by whose counsell he is sworn to administer this Kingdomes Affaires The fourth Article of that Decree is grounded upon the Lawes of Suethen as treating of distributing of Offices And if his Majesty will preserve the Lawes intire as he hath sworne he may not whilest absent confer Offices at the request of every one who shall sue unto him According to the Lawes of Suethen the King absent is expresly prohibited from constituting a Provinciall Judge but such constitution belongs to him who in his absence supplies his place How much lesse then may he dispose of the more weighty charges And it hath been alwaies usuall here that the great Sewer or Vice-roy of the Kingdome should collate Offices in the Regall absence as appeares by the Union whereby he is endowed with that Power In regard therefore of what before alledged it is uncontrovertably apparent that the foresaid Decree doth not violate his Majesties Rights nor Dignity but doth rather enlarge and illustrate them and that if regard were had to the Lawes his Highnesse might expect and receive thanks for having in his Majesties absence undergone a Government so replenished with cares and toyles However it was not decent to vitiate this pious Office with such contumelies and ignominious expressions as the Letters delivered unto him are farced with But if his Majesty shall say that he doth not so much argue and protest against the Decree it felf in regard those Articles seem not so averse unto the Regall Dignity and Rights as against the power and authority assumed by his Highnesse of indicting a Parliament that being a Prerogative Royall belonging to the King solely His Highnesse answereth that by the Lawes it is not easily proved that the right of calling Parliaments is peculiarly Regall for those Royalties which by speciall concession are conferred upon any person go not beyond the same but that it is otherwise observed in Parliamentary Rights examples do shew for even in Poland the Arch-bishop of Gnesnen hath power to call Parliaments and to enact Lawes in the Kings absence And albeit that a Law to the contrary might be alledged yet ought it not to be of any validity in this case for as much as the Suethes by a long prescription of time have acquired this right in the same manner that all Regall Priviledges are as may appear by many Parliaments celebrated in this Kingdome in the Raignes of Ericke XIII and John II. Moreover the Countries well-fare and necessities required the calling hereof And necessity is above all Law neither admits of any Forasmuch then as by the precedent reasons it is manifest that the Sudercopian Decree containes nothing but what is conducing to the preserving and promoving of Unity in Religion to the maintaining and confirming the Lawes and Priviledges his Majesty cannot by the most Subtilized Arguments render the same Invalid without revoking his Oath But for the better cementing of things his Highnesse will briefly resolve and refute the Arguments used by his Majesty for the illuding of that Sudercopian Transaction HIs Majesty argues that in all lawful Conventions two things are chiefly requisite First the Superiours approbation and consent Secondly That the necessity and motives for calling a Parliament be maturely signified unto him But whereas the Sudercopian Covention was held without the Regall assent and timely signification of the Cause impelling thereunto his Majesty pronounceth the same needlesse and unlawfull And that his Majesties affirmation may appeare grounded upon Reason and the Authority of the Law he confirmes and fortifies the same out of the second Chapter of the Title of Regalls by a Text wherein is expressed that Subjects are bound to obey their King but his Majesty by Edict prohibited that Convention as appeares by the Writ Ergo c. This Proposition is not rationally laid down For thus many evil Conventions would be approved and laudable ones tending to the good of Empires and Kingdomes would be rendred of no valididity because held without the Knowledge or consent of the Supreme Magistrate which were dangerous to say The Syllogisme ought therefore to be thus formed It is a lawfull Convention wherein nothing is treated but what is consentaneous to the Laws and appertains to the well-being and to the best State of a Common Weal but â—n the Sudercopian Convention nothing was determined that is not agreeable to the Laws of Suethen and other Nations Who therefore will call such a Convention unlawfull And if that be to be called a lawful Assembly of the causes and necessity whereof
differences by an equall and mutuall moderation It may be effected if the Councell of whom it behoves may be admitted waving threats from the threatned who feare them not Otherwise if the controversie which God forbid must be decided by Armes not onely the King and Prince themselves but the neighbour Princes and Territories also may be disturbed perhaps with great prejudice to the Regall Family for what side soever should win it would be to him detrimentall as many times in Civill Warr both Parties being weakned do easily become a prey to any third The Orders therefore of Poland and Lithuania are in loving and brotherly manner desired by his Highnesse and the Senators of Suethland as a thing worthy of their prudence equity and mutuall society becoming fellows and friends the Ambassadors likewise intervening to endeavour the eradicating of this suspition from the mind of his Majesty who is King and Lord of both the Peoples And that themselves also will eject it and will intreat admonish and conjure his Majesty not to be induced by the Counsell of wicked persons to the meditating of any hurt to this kingdome nor suffer his Royall mind to be alienated from his Paternall Soil And that they will consider not in what way of Religion the Suethes worship God but with what fidelity and sincerity they reverence their King The Ambassadors desire an abrogation of things contrary to the Lawes and the same is instantly sought by his Highnesse and the Senators Let the heads of the Suethish Law whereby the King and Subjects are mutually bound by Oath be scrutinized so as the least deviation may easily be found and the generall Conclusion followes in these words We viz. The Subjects are obliged to our Soveraigne in true obedience That is to obey his command in all things feasible which before God and man he ought to command and we to obey saving his Rights and our owne At Sudercopia nothing was concluded repugnant to the Lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome confirmed by Oath If any think otherwise let those be Judges and Arbitrators they are not obscure ambiguous nor abrogated but sometimes Sacramentally Corroborated No Article is annulled by Hereditary Succession onely the Election altered into a right of Devolution To this Scale those Transactions are submitted The Duke and Senate refuse not to render an account to a most mild and gracious King Let the Suethes adhaere to and without blame enjoy the Lawes and Priviledges acquired by their owne and their Ancestors great Merits which his Majesty hath sworne to preserve and let him then as we desire and hope he will with the same patience that a Macedonian King reviewed a private cause examine that of his most ancient and now Hereditary kingdome within the Paternall Soil And so lend an eare to Accusers as not to refuse another to them unpossessed of Calumny And they do hope that the Orders of Poland and Lithuania are so equall toward all men as themselves will not onely forbeare suspition in the future but evidence the innocency of the Suethes to others also If otherewise and that for private profit and favour they will have no regard unto their innocency it may produce danger one mans damage being sometimes hurtfull to his Neighbour Poland is a flourishing kingdome and may it ever flourish Neither doth this want Monuments of having flourished If now it appeare wasted by a continued War what wonder What Kingdome or Common-Weale hath waged War full thirty six years with its owne Forces and charge and is not wasted so as it may seem fit for any obtrusion Neverthelesse the said Orders are perswaded that as a rapid overflowing River incountring some of the largest Trees felled in the neighbour grounds hurries them into the same precipice So the fall or least mutation of the ancient State or Government of potent kingdomes draws others with it into ruine The Prince and Senate do therefore heartily desire the States and Orders of Poland to interpose their power with his Majesty that regard may be had to this defence and that they will employ their Wealth and Fortunes and what else is dear unto them for the preservation not the subversion of Lawes and Priviledges then which there cannot be a stronger confirmation of the Royall Scepter or way more durable for retention and encrease of the Royall Dignity of a two-fold Crowne nor ought more worthy of the Polish Nation for the Vindicators of liberty and the maintainers of priviledges have ever been in laudable estimation And therefore it is not feared that they will go about to obtrude upon others what they would account to be unjust if done unto themselves The Suethes have alwaies much esteemed the Polanders and will with them if need shall be defend his Royal Majesty with the hazards of their lives and fortunes and fixed upon the Regall Oath will with the Polanders remaine constantly faithfull and obedient toward their King and willingly on their part preserve the ancient Concord between the two Kingdomes saving to each their right And do returne offers of readinesse and propensity to all Offices of love unto the Senate and Orders of Poland and the great Dukedome of Lithuania to whom they desire to be in most respective manner remembred and do entreat that this answer may be received in good part according to the time as being wholly necessary for their own defence no way intended for reproaching or inveighing To conclude a quiet Navigation with prosperous winds and happy returne unto their Principalls and Friends is wished to the Lords Ambassadors by his Highnesse and the Senate This was the substance of the Polish Ambassadoriall Oration and of the replyes made thereunto by Duke Charles and the Senators of Suethland Who neverthelesse do say that this Legation was instituted to no other end then the abrogation of the Sudercopian Conclusions those Ambassadors divulging that the sayd Assembly was much derogatory to the Royall Majesty and Authority and by their perverse contention procured the sudden breaking forth of formerly buryed dissentions which brought many to their last end with incomparable mischiefs upon Suethland Finland and Leisland When the Duke therefore saw that for his labour and love toward his Countrey and Nephew hee was requited with such ingratitude and that the Embassie fore-mentioned was accompanied with so many prejudices to the Nation not without a Charge of high Treason he was constrained to call another Parliament at Arbogia against the fifth of March 1597. To this Comitiall Convention all the Orders of the kingdome according to the custome and necessity were invited and by King Sigismundus the repaire thereunto strictly prohibited hoping by his Mandates dispersed through the kingdome to deterr the Natives therefrom as he had by his late Legation gained the adhaerency of severall Senators of whom the chief were Ericke Sparre Hogenschieldus Bielke Claudius and Turo Bielke Gustavus and Steno â—aner Georgius Posse the Son of Canutus with the more eminent of
miseries of his people but by Letters from Warsaw of the twenty eight of Aprill preceding had incited the Finlandians with their Governour thereunto so as the Duke was necessitated to make an expedition into Finland where assisted by Divine providence he freed that suffering Province from oppression the 〈…〉 osers neither daring to try it in the Field nor to defend 〈◊〉 Forts they were possest of whereby the Tumults in Finland were so appeased in the year 1597. as they needed not any more to apprehend the like Notwithstanding all these things with others fore-mentioned perpetrated as the Suethes alledge by King Sigismundus and his evill Counsellours The Duke with the Senators of the Kingdome by Letters he of the fourteenth they of the twentieth of February 1598. dated from Vbsall seriously invited his Majesties returne in quiet and peaceable manner to settle the Affaires of his Native Kingdome But contrary hereunto say they he repaired thither with an Army of eight thousand horse and foot and a hundred Sail of Ships to which extraneous forces no smal number of Suethish Souldiers with sundry of the Nobility and Military Commanders hoping thereby to gaine great Stipends joyned themselves through the crafty allurings and seducements of those unfaithfull Counsellours as themselves found when too late for things not succeeding to the Kings desire he deserted them without refuge or comfort King Sigismundus landing at Calmar with his Army Duke Charles likewise raised forces and approached toward Stegeburg and desired by severall Letters and Messengers to be certified of the cause inducing his Majesty to returne into his Native Country with such a numerous armed attendance and withall that he might be admitted to a conference with his Majesty but the King also marching toward Stegeburg soone gave notice say they of the ends he came for by a sudden on-set wherein some hundreds were slaine on either side Which hostile Act the Duke would not revenge albeit power was not wanting but shewed himself willing to embrace a friendly composure and pacification with the King and those unfaithfull Counsellours There were at the same time present with the King severall Ambassadors from the Prince Elector of Brandenburg the Marquesse of Ansbach and Duke Vlricke of Mecklenburg with whom those Counsellours were earnest at least in pretence to endeavour a pacifying of the differences between the King and Duke Charles which they did to their utmost but seeing their labours fruitlesse they departed and were by his Highnesse Order honourably conveyed unto the borders of Denmarke The Duke also made offer of answering before equitable and competent Arbitrators to whatsoever could be objected against him and desired that the King would make choice of six persons of the Nobility and so many of the Military Officers to meet with an equall number to be elected by himself for a friendly compos 〈…〉 of all differences but the King as they forthwith permitted the Marquesse of Baden and Wejerus to discharge his Ordinance against the Dukes Forces and gave order to the Generall of his Army Georgius Farensbecius to charge into the Dukes Camp in the silence of night with his whole Forces and to slaughter all he should meet with and albeit the Duke and those of his side attempted nothing that was not lawfull and consentaneous to their Oath yet they reape no other reward then open enmity secret hatred and treacherous machinations for by deferring all amicable transactions they onely waited the approach of Auxiliary Forces from Finland for the more commodious execution of their tyranous intentions At last King Sigismundus perceiving that assistance from Finland was in vaine expected and that a gallant Navy of the Dukes approached his Army was therewith so terrified as that not daring to make longer stay he with his whole power withdrew secretly under night from Stegeburg toward Lincopia abandoning his Ships and Ordinance with other things of great moment yet for the better understanding of the History let us view the heads of the whole passage before he left Stegeburg beginning at the time of the rendition of Calmar And first we will premise the instructions given by Duke Charles unto Prince Gustavus Duke of Saxony and Westphalia with George Claudius and Olaus Hard for the Government of Calmar the same dated the tenth of June 1597. in the severall Articles whereof is contained 1. THat they preserve the sayd Fort for his Majesty and the good of the Common-weale and that they admit not of any Person of what degree soever to enter the Castle without Letters from his Highnesse to that effect nor suffer any dissipation to be made of the Ammunition or other necessaries to the Castle appertaining 2. That they containe the Inhabitants in due obedience to his Majesty and his Heirs and to his Highnesse during his Majesties absence 3. That they maintaine the Subjects there in their former Liberties and Priviledges without violence injustice or extortion by bribery 4. That they endeavour the preservation of the Crowne rights from diminution and that all things imbezelled may be restored 5. That his Majesty coming to Calmer in peaceable manner like a gracious King conforme to his Coronation Oath and the Lawes of Suethland the Gates of the Castle be open to receive him with all due reverence and honour But that if his Majesty should approach with armed Bands in a way of violence to devast and destroy his native Soile contrary to his sayd Oath the Laws of Suethland and of Nature they should not then permit his Majesty or any in his Name to enter the sayd City or Castle but should defend the same with all their might untill upon advertisement they received answer from his Highnesse that the King and he were reconciled And that in the meane time they admonish his Majesty to desist from violence and if any extraneous force should attempt the place they were to oppose the same to the utmost of their power 6. That they repaire the Walls and Towers c. according to their abilities and the necessities emerging not permitting the Baths or Stoves to perish 7. That as need should require they order the Souldiers commanded by Abraham Nicolas John Gustavus and Nicolas Finno to keepe the City watch carefully that no sudden irruption or other violence happen therein 8. That by the helpe of the Citizens and Souldiers the Fabricks begun should be continued and finished and that the Money by his Highnesse thereunto ordained be imployed about the same 9. That they behave themselves friendlike and peaceably toward the neighbour Nations Viz. the Dane according to the agreements between those flourishing Kingdomes 10 That they pacifie all quarrels and contentions and that they speedily certifie his Highnesse of those difficulties which of themselves they could not reconcile and that they extend not punishment of death unto any without first acquainting him therewith THat they should adhere to their former Instructions to wit that if the King should
capable of the government and so manage the same as might tend chiefly to the honour of God and the good and welfare of their most deare Countrey Promising that if he would so do they would continue even to the death his Majesties most faithfull and obedient Subjects And as their dutie did in like manner oblige to the young Prince as to their hereditary King And that as they hoped his Majesty would grant this their just and sincere Petition so they with equall humility and observancie entreated that his Majesty would release and send back certain innocent persons viz. George Claudius Olaus Hard Andreas Sweno and others who contrary to his Regall Oath right and Justice had been imprisoned and conveighed out of the Countrey But that if his Majesty contrary to their expectation should refuse to grant these desires which contained nothing but what was consentaneous to Christianity to the Lawes to Concord and the Regal Oath they w th all the Orders of the Kingdom would then protest before God claer their innocency towards all Christian Monarchs and the whole world that they were compelled to renounce their former obedience to his Majesty as seeing evidently that their longer continuance under his Soveraignty tended to the rejecting of the Divine word To the persecution of Subjects the abolition of legally acquired priviledges and prerogatives and the bringing of them under the yoake and Servitude of strange Lords Thus farr omitting the Criminations at the beginning out of the letter it selfe Hereunto King Sigismundus returned no answer but more then ever say they by open force and secret practices stirred up discord and dissention within the Kingdome For w ch cause with unanimous consent a Parliament was appointed to be held at Stocholme the moneth of July next following to consult upon these and other important affaires of State In that assembly the Senators and Orders of the Kingdome of Suethland the Earles Barons Bishops Gentrie Clergie Burgesses and Corporations there convened declared that forasmuch as their Ancestors the Orders of Suethland had at Arosia An. 1544. Framed certain constitutions for that Common Weales future government which were afterwards confirmed by each particular condition of the inhabitants importing that whereas in former times many discords mischeifes and inconveniences had sprung up in the Land partly because stranger Princes had been preferred to the Crowne of Suethland who exercised much violence and tyranny toward the Suethes partly also because concord could seldome flourish among the Kingdomes native Colonies whilst the choice and election of Kings rested in the Swethish Patriall Families according to the customary Lawes of the Kingdom and that the Royall Diadem did not discend to any certaine race wherefore it had been thought necessary to pitch upon the linage of some certaine Family whereon the Regall Dignity might be setled for ever so long as it should please God that any one of the Male issue thereof should remaine whereby the entrance into such dissensions in Suethland might be for ever closed and that they had not found any more worthy of that Regall eminency nor who had better deserved the Diadem both for himself and his Successors then their then present King Gustavus Erikson as who through Divine assistance had with exceeding diligence toyle and care and many hazards of his Person freed their Countrey from the servitude it groaned under of forraine Kings and had restored all the Orders of the Kingdome from the highest to the lowest to their ancient condition and liberty and not that alone but had likewise delivered the same from the unsupportable yoak of Romish Superstition and in stead of that false worship had restored the true Evangelicall Doctrine conforme to the Divine Word whereunto he had also commanded his Successors to adhere as they would avoyd the eternall losse of their Soules The present Parliament did confesse themselves obliged to observe the same as they had hitherto done by the Crowning of Ericke his eldest Son after his decease and he for most cruell tyranny and unworthy Government being with his Successors worthily deprived of the Scepter the same had been conferred upon Duke John the second Son of King Gustavus with his Male issue and he deceasing upon the present King Sigismundus notwithstanding the just objections they had for his imbracing the Romish Superstition contrary to the Godly admonitions left by his Grand-father as also for his accepting a forraine Crowne without the knowledge and consent of the Orders of Suethland with conditions so prejudicall to his native Conntrey as the same would never have admitted and his departure therfrom without their privity But not to insist here upon all their criminations consisting mostly of things formerly mentioned that Parliament further declared that for the sayd reasons and for that King Sigismundus had not daigned to returne any answer to their desires signified unto him from Jenecopia the preceding Winter they had unanimously and with one consent concluded not to acknowledge him any longer for their King or to be thenceforward obedient or subject to his government but renounced him and resumed and dissolved their Oath of fidelity and obedience wherein they had been hitherto bound by Law and the Acts of Hereditary union That albeit they had just cause to remove in like manner his Heirs Males from the Crown yet would not they impute the faults of the Father to the Son but had and did thereby decree to accept and receive Prince Vladislaus his Majesties Son for their Lord and King conditionally that within the space of one half year his Majesty would declare whether or not he would send his said Son into the Kingdome and commit him to the tutory of Duke Charles as his nearest in blood with other honest faithfull Men to the end he might be educated in the true Evangelicall Profession whereunto they in that Kingdome had bound themselves as also in the language and custome of the Countrey and would accordingly transmit him thither within six months next ensuing the half year fore-specified That this being thus done they would admit of and receive the said Prince before all others for their lawfull Lord and King when he should have attained those years wherein according to Law the ancient Jurisdiction and laudable custome of the Kingdome he might secure and govern them and it and that in the mean time they would acknowledge Duke Charles for their Hereditary Governour untill the Prince should attain to lawfull age But that if his Majesty should not do what before expressed within the prefixed times they would then also reject him so as neither he nor his Heirs should ever be admitted to sway the Scepter of Suethland but as the Father so the Son to be forever deprived thereof themselves being the causers of their prescription from the Royall Throne and their own dispoylers of all Authority and Dignity in Suethland wherof the said Orders were innocent before God and the World as not
for favour of great Ones peculiar profit or other causes under what notion soever comprehended or shall refuse to contribute their endeavours hereunto whereby force secretly or openly may be obtruded by any whosoever in prejudice of what his Majesty hath given assecuration to the Kingdom and wherupon this our Transaction is founded We shall account them as persons treacherous to the King and seditious to the Kingdom perfidious men and to their Countrey Traytors and that we will mutually assist each other to their prosecution and extermination Enacted at Sudercopia the twenty second of October 1595 More particularity hath been used in reciting albeit briefly the heads of this Parliamentary Act and its conclusions then is intended with others the like this being that which King Sigismundus afterwards so much endeavoured the disannulling of and which the Suethes do so much instance and justifie themselves upon In this manner was Duke Charles designed Governour of the Kingdom which was no way pleasing to King Sigismundus suspecting the like had severely forbidden all men the repair to that Convention and afterwards endeavoured the frustration therof by discouraging and diverting the observances requisite and partly by Letters Patents partly by threatnings by promises and rewards he drew sundry to his party But the States of the Kingdom fore-seeing as they affirm great disturbances to arise which were of necessity to be crusht assembled in full body valuing more the generall good then the Regall Injunctions in prejudice therof Albeit severall and of the Finlanders not a few did decline their appearance Nor did the King by his Letters only endeavour say they the annihilation of this Convention but likewise stirred up most grievous tumults and dissentions in Finland where by the Tyranny of the Governour there so cruell Wars were raised as sundry thousands of innocent Rusticks Tenants or Tributaries of the Crown were miserably slain for opposing themselves to unheard of Exactions and Military Stations or Quarterings great numbers of Souldiers being there kept on foot along time whom the King by the treacherous insinuations of the Claudius Flemingius Aruidus Ericke and Axell Kurike allured to his side arming and incensing them to the ruine of his Country And when the Country's grievances were dilated unto him they were say they slighted and no redress obtained by means wherof the Souldiers and Subjects exasperated against each other did rush together with mutuall Wounds and Slaughterings Many of the fore-mentioned Crown Tenants or Tributaries losing not only their Goods but their lives For the Lawless Souldier first spoyling the Inhabitants of their Possessions the poor people were provoked to resist force with force wherby the Militarians finding themselves frustrate of gorging their licentious desires did with armed Bands assault the unarmed Rural Menie whom they miserably slaughtered and a sad sight to see extended on Wheels These things say they thus perpetrated King Sigismundus soon after the Sudercopian Parliament sent as his Ambassadors into Suethland Count Ericke of Visingsburg with his Uncle Aruidus Gustavus and from the Crown of Poland were emitted Stanislaus Dzialinskie and Nicolaus Sapieha who vehemently accused Duke Charles and those States of the Kingdom that had assisted at the fore-cited Convention or assented to the conclusions therof But because the accusatory Oration of the Polanders albeit most elegantly delivered with the Criminatory Articles of Count Ericke and Aruidus Gustavus as also the reply to either and the refutation of the severall particulars in each contained as well by Duke Charles apart as by him and the Senators joyntly are over-long to be here Verbatim inserted I shall refer the more diligently Curious to the Acts themselves long since published and only deliver the heads of either with as much brevity as the circumstance will permit THe Oration did begin with the comparison of a Kingdom under one Prince to the body of man united in its Members by such a strickt conjunction voluntary consent mutual co-intelligence and admirable sympathy under the government of the head that any of them being ill affected the rest moved with the danger do with all diligence endeavour its remove but that they all are joyntly carried on with far more earnestness to preserve the head safe unhurt as knowing that upon its welfare dignity and authority the wel-being of the whole body depended and that the same being forsaken by the Members a totall decay disturbance of their Order with the dissolution of the whole speedily insues That the same harmony ought to be between the Subjects of one and the same Prince and that instructed by the same admirable Office of Nature they should be lincked with bonds of love and nourish mutuall Peace and Concord and not offer but divert and resist any prejudice that might accrue to either but chiefly to provide that the Dignity Authority and Preheminency of their Prince and Soveraign as head and Director of the whole body of the Common-wealth should not suffer the least diminution or derogation And that exhibition of due honour fidelity and obedience should not be wanting in all Services that were to be rendred especially from the Subjects in regard that by violation of the Rights of Majesty or their Usurpation the Harmony Politick was disturbed and the Kingdoms ruine must consequently follow even as the hand or foot indulging themselves and refusing their service to the head the same would soon langish and the whole therwith perish He next commemorated severall former Leagues and Alliances between Poland with its dependencies and Suethland but mainly as neerest related that by the present Sigismundus the third King of both the Realmes but Suethlands Nursling and the true Progeny of the ancient Suethish Kings begotten upon a Jagellonian Polish Infanta and adorned with all Princely gifts Sanctimony Piety Justice Prudence Fortitude Wisdom and Magnanimity the patern of all Vertues mercifull to his Subjects devout meek gratious To his Friends most friendly but to his Foes a terrour and destruction That to this Sigis the third Heir Inaugurated and Crowned King of Suethland Elected also and Crowned King of Poland and of the great Dukedom of Lithuania the said Nations and People did owe obedience and did acknowledge honour and reverence as the sole Ruler and Moderator of both the Kingdoms whose Raign they wished might exceed Nestors years And that the Orders of both the Kingdoms ought to take equall care that as their mutuall peace and tranquility was under God from him to be derived so the Dignity Majesty Regall Rights and Prerogatives of thier mutuall Prince should be preserved unviolated with his Majesties particular Rights Dignity and Praeeminency in all things saving to each Kingdom their own for otherwise any one might easily judge that neither of the Kingdoms could remain safe and intire That the late Parliament at Warsaw in Poland understanding what things there purposely published had been enacted at the Sadercopian Parliament in Suethland the Senators of Poland with the
present execution Lastly his Majesty had promised by Oath to governe that Kingdome during his absence in Poland by the Counsell of the Duke and the Senators of the Kingdome That new Exactions Structures of Edifices and burthensome entertainments are imposed That since his Highnesse undertooke the Government he had altogether endeavoured an alleviation of the Subjects former pressures as could be witnessed by themselves That the contribution condescended unto at Sudercopia had been by joynt consent of the Subjects unanimously concluded upon the Senators report to the other Orders concerning the Kingdoms debts w ch without their assistance could not be discharged wherupon their result was desired that himself had given charge to the Collectors not to require more from any Subjects then their estates would bear and themselves willingly undergo That the same was more tollerable then those new exacting waies whereby the Subjects Goods were ensnared and they reduced to extream poverty That those Leavies had not been made but in cases allowed by the Lawes and that albeit peace had been concluded with the Russian yet the Souldiers and others who had lent great summs of money for waging that War were not payed their Salery and Debts This was the cause of that imposition as if in the Exigency of War in regard the Debts therein contracted were not satisfied Next that there were some Illustrious Persons also Kings Daughters who demanded their Dowries from the Kingdome yea that the King himself had required the Duke to impose a contribution upon the Subject for the marrying of the Princess Anna a Regall Virgin So that his Highness was injured whilest blamed for onerating the Subject with new exactions and the more in regard the Subjects willingly consented to those contributions and affirmed that by Law they ought to pay them Hereto is added that the Kingdomes necessities which are above all Law required them As to new Structures his Highness remembred not any to have been by him commanded otherwise then by the Laws of Suethen the Subjects were obliged unto Viz. Repairing the Forts Frontiers and Navy with other like for defence of the Kingdome and the repulsion of hostile Irruptions Nor that in them he had not exceeded the constitution made by his Majesties late Father and left when dying to his Majesties performance But that if his Majesty thought good they should be wholly neglected he would surcease That for the entertainments insisted on how or by whomsoever obtruded and whether right or wrong his Highness was confident that neither of him nor his Servants any just complaint could be made in that matter That the Crown Kevenues were not rightly administred and the Duke therefore desired to render account That what he had received had been by him issued toward the discharge of the Kingdomes debts and necessary expences and that he therein referred to the Auditors accounts But the Copper Butter and other Merchandizes received by his Ministers he challenged to himself for payment of money and other things lent sundry years past unto his Majesties Father and the Kingdome whereof a considerable summ was yet unsatisfied as might appeare by the respective Instruments That if his Majesty would reflect upon the profusions made of the Crown Revenues by his Largesses and Mandatory Epistles he should find but small cause to call him to account That the Demaines of Finland had been so lavished and the Inhabitants Estates so attenuated and exhausted by Souldiery entertainments as they could render no Debit either to the King or Kingdome That himself had contracted envy from many for endeavouring a right conservation of the Kingdomes Rents and had likewise improved them as was evident by the Revenue of the Mines which might have yeilded yet more profit had not the same been obstructed by the disobedience of certain persons That Innovation in Religion was endeavoured That he had not altered ought in Religion But that the Senators Bishops and other Orders remembring the dissentions and discords of former years during the Raign of his Majesties Father had convened at Vbsall to compound controversies and settle uniformity in Religion as the strongest bond for conciliating the minds of Subjects as on the other side no greater distraction could be of wills and affections nor greater disturbance to the publike then proceeded from difference and disparity in Religion That what had been there concluded he had left to them and was therfore unjustly aspersed therwith but that the same might more deservedly be retorted upon his Majesty who had contrary to his Oath and Assecuration planted his Emissaries Romish Priests to disperse Pontificiall Superstitions and books in publike as Stocholme with the Monasteries of Dortningolmense and Vastena could witness That moreover in latter daies his Majesty had by writing exhorted his Subjects to embrace the Papall Superstition of Elevation Salt and Tapers with other like not grounded on Sacred Writ And unbyassed Judgments might discern whether this rather were not an attempt upon Religion Which a godly and free counsell if called by his Majesty in imitation of that Synod would not have been but his Oath and Regall Assecuration had remained unviolated The dispersing of Popish books seducing the Children of honest Natives nor practising upon the illiterate youthfull Menie would not then have needed as hath been in former years and still is done That his Highness was also confident that if any useless or scandalous Ceremonies resembling Romish Idolatries had been abrogated the same could not be called innovation in Religion That he rendred thanks to the most High for so inlightning his mind by the Divine Word that he could discern the true word of God from the traditions of men and that the constitutions of their Church did permit those abrogations that had therein been made That his Highness had Ministred occasions of mutation in the State of the Common-wealth That he was ignorant of any such occasion administred by him That by Gods goodness he had studied the pure Religion and without boast had maintained the Lawes and good Order in the Kingdome That by these no motives to alteration could be tendred but that by their neglect or violation a Kingdome becomes lyable to ruine And that therfore he entreated his Majesty not to afford matter of change as not being ignorant how often his Majesties Oath and Assecuration with the Lawes of Suethland both in Ecclesiasticks and Politicks had been trespassed upon That the Duke had degenerated from his Fathers Vertues whereby the Hereditary Right had been obtained That this reflected more upon his Majesty as having but meanly traced his Grand-fathers steps had acted much contrary to the Auital Testament which was the ground-work of the Hereditary agreement That such Unions are not attained to the end a King should neglect his Oath Right and Justice Act Arbitrarily and abolish things constituted for the Countries good but preserve them unviolated and that therby Hereditary Unions retained their
by Tico Laurentius signified unto him That he wished the promises of observing unblamedly what had been sworn unto and of a reception corresponding to the Regal Dignity which he willingly received might be seconded by effects which hitherto they had not been and but small hopes for the future according to the reports made of the unnecessary Military expedition undertaken by his Dilection the decision and disposing whereof he committed to God That as to the imprisonment of those found in the Fort of Calmar which in his second Letter he argued to be contrary to Justice and to promise it was evident that no injury was done unto them and wished that more hard measure were not offered to his owne Servants in the like case and of greater authority That he hoped and was perswaded his Dilection would not fall into extremities by giving beginning or cause of effusion of blood which himselfe would by all faire meanes decline and shun so as if things should fall out otherwise hs might have a cleer conscience before God and the World herewith he committed his Dilection to the Divine goodnesse These were given from the Campe at Stegeburg the 24th August 1598. I have onely recited the heads of these Letters the whole being over-long to insert and shall use the like abbreviation in those that follow referring the curious for further satisfaction unto the things themselves TO these Letters the Duke returned answer by Lindormius Robbing desiring a positive Declaration of what might be expected from his Majestys returne into the Kingdome with such extraneous armed Bands besides his raising of Horse and Foot in each Province concerning which his Majesties Letter gave no satisfaction That unlesse an absolute and wished answer were obtained he should be compeled albeit un willingly whereof he called God to witnesse to renounce the Oath of fidelity made to his Majesty as his Majesty on the other part had not observed his promises But that if his Majesty would grant to him and his followers such Letters of security as had been by him lately tendred to the Electorall and Ducall Ambassadors for the Regall confirmation and would dismisse his forraign Forces refering all Controversies to a faire decision in free Parliament in the presence of Electorall and other Princely publick Ministers he likewise would then disband his Army and render to his Majesty that duty and obedience whereunto he was bound by Oath his desires being only that himself with the Orders of the Kingdome might enjoy their Habitations peaceably and that his Majesty would not permit those perfidious Counsellours to seduce him any longer to the ruine of his Majesty his Subjects and the Realm These were dated at Lincopia the twenty seventh of August 1598. This was seconded by an other of the thirtieth of the said Month wherein the Duke shewed that he never intended to receive his majestie otherwise than as became his lawfull King which he had personally demonstrated at his Majesties arrivall if the conclusions made with Samuell Lasky his Majesties Ambasador had been observed and that the Finlanders had not rebellously fallen down in multitudes with Shipps Ordinance Fire-balls and other military furniture to the very skirts of Stockholme threatning rapine slaughter and devastation to his Dukedomes when he should be gone to meet his Majesty He therefore in friendly and brotherly manner besought his Majesty to be mindfull of his Regall promises To dismisse those Aliens to secure him and his followers and to remit all matter of dissention to a legall inquisition and discussion in free Parliament before equall un-interessed Arbitrators These Letters wherin severall objections of the Kings were answered but here for avoiding of prolix repetitions omitted were dated as abovesaid from the Memmian fields whether the Duke was then come with a strong Army TO these the King returned answer that the transaction with Laskie of the breach wherof he was taxed was also un-observed on the other part That the Finlanders by his Command had approached towards Stocholme to attend his coming That they were not to be accounted Rebells who did not appose their lawfull Lord nor obtrude upon him intollerable Conditions but sought to protect the Regall Jurisdiction and Authority according to the Lawes of Suethland That the Army of Aliens whereof his Dilection complained so much should be discharged in time convenient especially when his Dominion Subjects Forts Army Navy Ordinance and other things rightly belonging unto him were restored But it was evident that his Dilection with a numerous power raised in his owne Dukedomes was come against him exhausting his Subjects with exactions and payments so as in his owne Kingdome he could not enjoy his peculiar Revenues And that all things might be wanting to him and his Regall Traine in his Progresse his owne Souldiers were invited seduced and entertained by the adverse party by all which things it was evident by whose default the Countries substance was consumed That concerning his Dilections desire of security from violence and Injustice and the leaving of all discords to the examination of sincere Neutrall Arbitrators he had formerly answered that having attained the yeares of discretion he understood what the Municipall Law advised in that case wherunto he resolved to adhere and accordingly to protect his Dilection and Followers as also his other Subjects But that as things were himselfe was not permitted to enjoy a peaceable Habitation nor the Revenues of his Kingdome or any other thing that by the Law of Suethland belonged unto him That he therfore required his dilection to retire into his dukedom and there quietly to remain restoring all things he had taken from him as also his faithful Subjects and Servants in former years and lately even at his doors surprised and hurried into Prison That as to further security it was convenient and practicable according to the best constituted Christian Lawes even amongst equals that whatsoever were unjustly detained should be first restored with sufficient security for all matters of further demand That his Dilection should likewise abstaine from the Title of Governour usurped without the Royall consent Himself being now of full age and able by the Divine assistance to rule alone without a Tutor It being contrary to Justice and reason yea a thing unheard of that a King being of lawfull years there should be any other Governour in Suethland besides himself And was therefore resolved not to expose himself to derision or to a diminution of his Honour by a longer sufferance of such Injuries That when his Dilection should perform all these things his Actions would then be answerable to his words and would give a cleer testimony that he began to have a due regard unto the Royall Dignity and to the prosperity peace and emolument of the Nation That by such meanes all things might not onely come to a right examination but also attaine the wished end These dated from Stegeburg the third of September 1598. The Duke by a reply
having administred the least occasion therunto That thereafter they would choose such a King and Lord as should maintain and govern them according to the pure word of God and the Suethish Lawes Thus much out of the Act it selfe concluded the twenty fourth of July 1599. whereunto the further curious are referred I shall onely adding as a preparatory to the next ensuing Parliament that in this it was degreed that when his Highnesse the Duke should return from Finland whether the troubles there did call him they would again convene in place convenient for the triall of those Counsellours and others then Prisoners and on the guilty inflict deserved punishment and that the Duke and they had resolved for the cleering of themselves before all Christian Monarchs and the whole World that they proceeded not otherwise in that Affaire then right and justice required to entreat certain Electors and Princes of Germany to send some men of probity and integrity into Suethland not as Judges of controversies but as Auditors onely But if those Ambassadors did defer their coming that themselves would then proceed This Parliament ended they without delay by Letters of the thirtieth of the said month advertised King Sigismundus of what had been therein concluded and humbly desired his Majesty to declare himselfe within the time limited But to these Letters say they he returned no answer Whereupon another Parliament was indicted at Lincopia against the month of March in the yeare 1600. In this Convention the whole Orders of Suethland as in the former they had done did expresly and absolutely renounce King Sigismundus and his Government as also his Son for himselfe and Posterity in case of his not being sent into Suethland within the time specified in the former They thereupon do likewise cleer his Highnesse from affecting the Soveraignty or its Title notwithstanding the tender thereof unto him and confirmed him for their Governour during the absence as also the minority of the Prince if he should come within the time five months whereof were yet unexpired And albeit as they in the nineth Section or Pause of that Act do acknowledge Duke John the Brother of King Sigismundus was the next in right unto the Crowne according to the severall times fore-mentioned hereditary Unions yet did they decline him fearing least when he had attained the Regall Chaire he might moved thereunto by naturall affection to his Brother or his Heirs enter into such Covenants and make such transactions as might be destructive to themselves and to the Country by joyning with them to revenge upon Duke Charles or his Successors those things which in those turbulent times had been acted in reference to King Sigismundus and his Family and so the latter evill might be worse then the former And therefore they unanimously decreed that the said Prince John should have the Dukedome of Ostrogothia formerly designed for his Uncle Duke Magnus conferred upon him with certain reservations and equall compensations for the same therein expressed The said Prince to rest therewith contented without pretending to any other part in the Kingdome Hereditary Goods expected which by paternall or maternall Inheritance might be devolved unto him yet with certaine restrictions therein contained And as in the eight Section or Pause of the said Act they repeat the Motives of their defection from King Sigismundus as his deserting the Evangelicall and embracing the Papall erroneous Profession his endeavouring to obtrude the same upon that Kingdome his departure from thence severall times without their privity after he had brought a numerous forraign Army into the bowells of the Country against all right naturall affection and the Lawes of that Nation and had by severall other waies acted contrary to his Oath and assecutoriall Letters as also had not daigned to answer one sylable to their humble desires and assurance of committing the Soveraign rule of Suethland unto his Son if transmitted for due Education within the prefixed time For which causes they likewise renounced his Son and all other his Heires and Successors depriving them of all Jurisdiction otherwise by the Hereditary Union rightly belonging unto them so as neither his Majesty nor any of his Progeny should thereafter obtaine any right unto the Suethish Diadem withdrawing themselves from all Obligations wherein they were tyed to his Majesty and his Heires as also renouncing all fidelity security and assistance formerly exhibited to his Majesty So in the twelfth Pause or Section of the same they approve of and confirme Duke Charles for their future King promising unto him therby unanimously and with one assent obedience fidelity security and their utmost assistance as to their naturall and beloved Lord and King yea that albeit he should refuse to accept the Crown and whether the Coronation Ceremonies should be performed or not they would neverthelesse acknowledge and observe him as their lawfull Lord and King They likewise bound themselves in that Act that after the death of Duke Charles they would render and perform the like obedience unto his Son the Prince Gustavus Adolphus and to his Heirs Males so long as any of them should survive But they sailing the Royall Scepter to come to Duke John afore-named Provided that he and his Successors were obliged not to enter into any Union or confederacy with King Sigismundus or his Heirs especially relating to any share or government in that Kingdome and that he nor they should in no sort adhere unto the Romish erroneous Doctrine Concerning their establishment of Church-service as also their Treaties to be had with the Russian and those of Lubecke the curious are referred to the Act wherein also provision was made for dispatch of Juridicall Suites Scrutenies into the publike Revenues of the Crown Setling of certain numbers of Horse and Foot in each Province to be ready upon emergent occasions their constant Salaries and Sustentation whilest remaining at home to be out of the Crown Revenues onely but when the whole Forces of each Province or any part therof should move in Military expedition against the Kingdomes Enemies each Province to furnish their proper Souldiers with Provision or Maintenance during the expedition that so each might be assessed for their own Militia and not burthened with that of any other And that forasmuch as each Province had not equall number of Souldiers no more then equall frequency of subsidiary Inhabitants it was ordained that the Assesments for the maintenance of the Army should be equall in each Province wherby the Inhabitant of one Province might not be liable to a larger Military contribution then one of another Province and if the Military number in one Province were greater then its proper contribution could maintain during the expedition the defect was to be supplied out of the Crown Revenues of that Province wherby the Souldier might out of the same Province be provided of necessaries during the expedition This Decree to be perpetually observed whether the
Military bands should remain at home or march under the Ensignes against the Enemy Care was likewise taken for the regulating of Decimations or Tithes in field provisions whereof the Minister was to have a third for his peculiar use and the residue to be carried into the Granary of the Church the Minister to make Oath of what by him received and upon prevarication found either by the Minister or by the Husbendman to the Minister or to the Granary of the Church the party offending to be cited into Judgment and fined During this Session the Captivated Senators and such as upon their account had been sent for from Finland were brought to tryal concerning whom it was concluded that forasmuch as those Counsellors who in this present Parliament had appeared in Judgment and were by Duke Charles personally in presence of the Lords Clement Gadderdorf and Gerhard Stedding Ambassadors from the Prince John Adolph Duke of Holstein accused and convicted that they were not only the first who causelesly deserted the Acts enacted and decreed by themselves as well as others at Sudercopia and elsewhere and like Malefactors fled out of the Kingdome therby deserving the punishment which the said Acts and other laudable transactions of the Kingdome enjoyned to perjured persons and violaters such as these were of their own Snbscriptions but also derogating from their Oath and all naturall Patriall affection had perswaded King Sigismundus themselves accompanying him to bring an Alien Army to devast and destroy his Native Soile and not as became a gratious King to visite and defend his Subjects according to equity and the Lawes Of all which Crimes they were convicted by their own Letters besides many other wicked conspiracies by them formerly and of late malignantly practised against his Highnesse and their Country for which they had been by most equall Judges condemned in losse of life and Goods as by the Sentence it self the tenour wherof followeth doth appear in these words BY the particular Letters and Writings of these Trayterous and unfaithfull men Gustavus Baner Ericke Sparre Steno Baner and Thuro Bielke of the Senatoriall Order it is manifest that they have not adhered to their written Obligatory Engagements sent at severall times to his Highnesse but have shamefully digressed from their own Acts under their hands and Seales and from the laudable Decree ratified by them at Sudercopia We therfore who by the universall Orders of the Kingdome are deputed for the pronouncing of this Sentence cannot acquit nor free them from that punishment wherunto persons perjured and transgressors of their own Acts are subject according to the Lawes in regard the Sentence following inserted by themselves in the Sudercopian Decree doth condemn them in these words All persons who shall swarve from this our Vniversall Vnion for favour of great Ones peculiar profit or other causes under what name or notion soever or shall lend assistance that violence be used by any person openly or privately against this Decree or those things whereof his Majesty hath secured the Kingdome of Suethland whereupon this our Constitution is founded We shall repute those men for such as are unfaithfull to his Majesty to the Kingdome turbulent treacherous persons and to the Country Traytors whom We will endeavour by all meanes to suppresse Moreover they have most wickedly slandered his Highnesse unto his Majesty wherby many Calumnies have been divulged in Print and otherwise themselves having in their Letters spread very many things much tending to blemish the Honour good Name and Princely repute of his Highnesse which neither themselves nor any other can prove Wherfore in as much as by their Writings they have so ignominiously depraved his Highnesse the Uncle to the King and Hereditary Prince and Governour of the Kingdome to which Dignity he was by themselves elected they are to undergo the punishment assigned them by the Lawes of Suethen in the ninth Chapter of the Title De Regallibus which is Whosoever shall speak ought derogatory to the honour and fame of the Royall Majesty or of one or more of his Counsellours and cannot rationally and legally prove the same let him lose his head Furthermore forasmuch as they have sowed hatred and discord between King Sigismundus and his Highnesse instigating his Majesty to wage War against his Highnesse contrary to the Lawes of the Land and all regard of naturall affection therby bringing desolation and devastation to the Country Therfore we cannot judge otherwise but that they are obnoxious to the punishment which the eighth Chapter in the Title of the most high Capitall Crimes according to the Laws of Suethen ordains to be inflicted on them in this form of words Whosoever shall raise an Army against the King or the Governour of the Kingdome to surprize them at unawares or to slay them or shall attempt any violence or unjustice by Letters Writings Counsell Endeavours or Assistance if taken in the Fact shall undergo the losse of life and goods Wherunto is added in the same place a Chapter of the Tenor ensuing If any one shall bring a forraigne Army into his Native Soile and wage unlawfull War against his lawfull Lord by devasting the Country unlesse in company of him who is legally promoted to the Government of the Kingdome he with all his partakers are to be deprived of life and their Estates to be for ever consiscated But wheras they and others of the same faction will happily imagine that the said recited Chapter of the Suethish Law may be a help and excuse unto them because it saith unless they shall accompany the King lawfully advanced to the Throne of the Kingdom It is therfore to be considered on the otherside that themselves were the causers of all the troubles and effusions of blood which to our grief hath for some time overflowed the Country it is to be feared that the same wound of dissention may again fester unless by the divine goodness it be in mercy salved For in the first place if his Majesty would attempt ought against his Oath his Covenants and the Lawes they were not bound to adhere unto him in that point as the fifth Chapter in the Title De Regalibus concerning the duty of Senators doth express in these words We shall yeild unto the King lawfull obedience and shall performe his commands in all things which he shall enjoyn us rationally and legally and so as We may before God and man justly maintain and answer for as well our obedience as the things which he commands Therfore according to their Oath of Office they were bound to perswade the King to such things as they knew to be advantageous to his Majesty and the Natives and ought to have exhorted him to preserve not violate the Regall Rule that so he might not have transgressed the Oath made to the universall orders of the Kingdom and should have put in execution the things which they had promised to the King and Kingdom but they have gone