him ibid. Gustavus retires from Upsal with precipitation 149 his infantry being terrifi'd left the main body of his Army ibid. his Gentleman being hurry'd on with an unruly Horse fell upon him and threw him backward in the water ibid. he sustains as it were alone the whole shock of the Danish Forces ibid. he forms a design to surprize the Archbishop ibid. he receives the German Troops commanded by Colonel Sassi 150 he defeats the Archbishop's Army and re-enters into Upsal with his victorious Troops ibid. he marches directly to Stockholm 152 he obliges the Vice-Roy and the Archbishop to leave the City he is inform'd by a Courtier of the reducing of the Castles of Wadestene Hora and Sceninc in Ostro-Gothland 154 the Towns of Lincoping Norcoping and Sudercoping at the first approach of his Forces take up Arms and expel the Danes ibid. Gustavus receives the sad news of the death of his Mother and Sister who were cast into the Sea wrapt up in a Sack by the command of Christiern ib. he give orders cut in pieces all the Danes that could be taken ibid. he marches to Ostro-Gothland putting Garrisons and Governours into the Towns that adher'd to his party ibid. he advances to besiege the Bishop of Lincoping in his Castle 156 That Prelate opens his Gates and goes out to meet him with his principal Clergy ib. he calls a Meeting of the Estates of the Realm at Wadestene few Deputies of the Provinces are present and for what reason ibid. The Assembly earnestly entreats him to take upon himself the Administration of the Government 157 they are also desirous to confer on him the quality of King ibid. he positively refuses this Title and contents himself with that of Administrator ib. he is ackowledg'd by the Estates and in the Army as General Governour and Soveraign Administrator 〈◊〉 Sweden 158 H. HAquin King of Norway 9 I. INdulgences the Augustin Monks were usually employ'd to publish the Indulgences in Saxony 134 The Jacobins under Pope Leo X. take this Commission from them ibid. They amplifie the Virtue and Efficacy of Indulgences ib. They spend in Feasts and Riotous Excesses the Money so gather'd ibid. Luther preacheth at first against the Scandalous way of Publishing Indulgences ibid. Afterwards being exasperated with the Threats and Injuries he receiv'd from the Jacobins he inquires into the Origin and Foundation of Indulgences 135 He maintains the Indulgences were neither grounded on Advice nor Precept and that they were equally unprofitable both in this and the other World ibid. Jonas of Nerderby a Swedish Gentleman outlaw'd by Christiern retires to Gustavus's Army 131 K KIngs of Sweden their limited Power and Authority seq Many have attempted at several times to make themselves Masters of the Government 8 but in vain 9 c. see see Sweden L LAurentius Petria Lord of Sudermani declares in favour of Gustavus 143 he besieged the Town of Nicoping ibid. Leo X. Trolle Archbishop of Upsal receives the Pallium from the hands of Pope Leo X. 38 The Administrator of Sweden writes to the same Pope complaining of the Archbishops Misdemeanours 47 Leo X. answers him in obliging and favourable Terms ibid. However he only blames that Prelate in appearance ibid. for what reason ibid. He orders his Legate endeavour to procure an accommodation betwixt the Archbishop and the Administrator 53 The Archbishop being constrain'd to renounce his Dignity in a full Senate makes a complaint to the Pope of the Violence that was offer'd to him 66 Leo X. threatens to Excommunicate the Administrator of he doth not forthwith re-establish the Archbishop ibid. The Administrator Steno complains to the Legate of the Pope's partiality ibid Pope Leo X. upon the Administrators vsâ—sal to restere Trolle Archbishop of Upsal 〈…〉 former diâ—uity suspends the whole Kingdom of Sweden from Divine Service and Excommunicates the Prince and Senate 69 He commits the execution of this Bull to the King of Denmark the profess'd Enemy of the Swedes ibid. Lincoping The Bishops of Lincoping and Stregnez privy to the Secrets of the Archbishop of Upsal 83 They boldly declare for Christiern II. King of Denmark ibid. They hinder'd the Nobility from taking up arms to defend their Country ibid. They magnify the power of the Danes 84 They oppose the Election of a new Administrator ibid These two Prelates bring over to their Party three Senators and some Lords ibid. They engage these Noble-men to demand a Truce of Otho in the name of the whole Nation ibid. The Bishop of Lincoping is condemn'd to death by the order of Christiern 110 However he causes him to be set at Liberty and for what rea-son 110. 111 This Prelate durst not declare for Gustavus against Christiern but shuts himself up in his Castle 155 The Bishop of Lincoping being inform'd of his displeasure and approach goes forth to meet him with some of the chief of his Clergy in order to appease his Anger and to make a Submission 156 Lords of Sweden their Authority and Power 6 see Sweden 6 Luther Martin an Augustin Monk Doctor and Professor in the University of Wirtemburg 134 He Preaches against the abuse the Jacobins made of their power in publishing of Indulgences ibid. He publish'd his Opinions concerning the Remission of Sins Repentance and Purgatory He calls in question the Popes Authority 136 Luther is condemned at Rome as a Heretick 135 He engageth the Secular Princes in his defence against the Court of Rome ibid. Laurentius and Olaus Petri propagate his Doctrin in Sweden 151 Olaus Petri publickly Preaches it in the Cathedral Church at Stregnes ibid. He prevails upon the Professors and Scholars of the University to profess the same Dostrin 152 The Bishops of Sweden neglect to take notice of the rise and progress of Lutheranism ibid. M. MAgnus Smeck his Reign Wife and Children 9 He attempts to render himself an absolute Monarch in Sweden and entirely to abolish the Senate ibid. He is driven out of Sweden by his Subjects ibid. Margaret The Estates of Norway confer upon her the Regency of the Kingdom and the Guardianship of the Young Prince Olaus her Son After the death of Prince Olaus she is elected by the Estates for their Soveraign Princess ibid. Her Father Waldemar King of Denmark dying without Issue she sends Deputies to the Estates of that Kingdom to sollicit her Election in their Assembly She is proclaim'd Queen of Denmark ibid. The Swedes offer their Crown to the Queen Margaret ibid. 13 She accepts it and for what reason 13 The Treaty which she made with the Swedes ibid. She is acknowledg'd as the Soveraign Princess of Sweden ibid. The Character of this Princess 12 Having no Children and not being willing to Marry she appoints her a Successor at the request of the Swedes 14. 15 She proposes the Union of the 3 Kingdoms under the same Monarch to the Deputies of the 3 Nations Assembled at Calmar 15 she obtain'd her desire 16 by what means she made
which furnish'd 'em with Meat for their Subsistence and Skins for the Prince's Tribute They were mere Savages for the most part bred in Woods jealous of their Customs and having little to lose were ready upon the least Occasion to rise up in Arms and revolt against the Government Idolatry was still openly profess'd in some of their Villages and Christianity prevail'd in others but their Religion was so disfigur'd by a Mixture of their Ancient Superstitions that they scarce retain'd more of it than the bare Name of Christians The Peasants were the most numerous and potent Body of the State Some of 'em held immediately of the Crown and sent Deputies to the Diets and the rest were Vassals to the Clergy and Nobility Tho' the Tribute they paid to the King was very easy and inconsiderable he was oftentimes oblig'd to levy it by Force and to send some regulated Troops to the Forrests and Mountains for the Security of those who were appointed to collect his Duties They seldom or never contributed their Assistance to the Preservation of the State but in the Quality of Soldiers and even in that Case they thought themselves oblig'd only to defend the Frontiers of their respective Provinces and always claim'd the Privilege of chusing their own Leaders In all other Respects they liv'd almost without any Dependence upon the Court and ev'n without any Union or Concord among themselves being equally incapable of Society and Submission and affecting rather an untractable Wildness than a generous Liberâ—y If we reflect upon the Independency of the Subjects the limited Authority of the Sovereign and the different Interests of the several Orders that compos'd the State 't will not appear Strange that the Kingdom was almost perpetually harass'd with Insurrections and Civil Wars Most of the Kings aspir'd at a more absolute Authority and some of 'em by the Assistance of their Friends and Creatures endeavour'd to make themselves Masters of the Government and to shake off their Dependence on the Senate But the People were so far from being unconcern'd Spectators of an open Violation of the Liberties and Privileges of the Nation that the very Shadow and least Appearance of Arbitrary Power occasion'd an universal Revolt and re-united all the States against the King The Bishops were afraid of Reprizals under too powerful a Prince who might seize upon his alienated Revenues and perhaps confine the Clergy within the Limits of their Profession The Noblemen took up Arms to defend the Privileges that made 'em in a manner Independent and the Peasants without comprehending their true Interest fought with the utmost Vigor and Obstinacy for the Preservation of certain Customs that were useless to the Public but agreeable to their Savage Temper The whole Kingdom was a perpetual Scene of Seditions Desolations and Revolts The Fate of the King seem'd to be in the Hands of his Subjects and to depend on their Capricious Humour and several Princes were driven out of the Kingdom for attempting to make themselves Absolute The Jealousy that reign'd among the principal Families of the Kingdom made 'em willing to retain the Title and Dignity of a King But at the same Time they resolv'd to bestow that Honour only upon a Foreign Prince that having no private Estate in the Kingdom and being wholly destitute of Relations and Creatures they might oblige him to content himself with as much Authority as they thought fit to allow him About the year 1363. Magnus Smock reign'd in Sweden he had two Sons Eric and Haquin by his Wife Blanch Daughter to the Count of Namur The Elder of these Princes being dead the People of Norway bestow'd the Crown of that Kingdom upon the Younger who by his Father's Advice had marry'd Margaret Daughter to Valdemar IV. King of Denmark Magnus having secur'd Norway and being supported by his Danish Aliance wou'd not let slip so favourable an Opportunity to make himself absolute in Sweden by abolishing the Senate of that Kingdom And perhaps that Project was concerted by all the Three Kings and design'd to be put in Execution in their respective Kingdoms to rid themselves of that dreaded Assembly which check'd their growing Authority and controul'd all their ambitious Designs But as soon as the Swedes discover'd the Intentions and Correspondence of these three Princes they took up Arms immediately and Sweden became the Theatre of a cruel and bloody War Valdemar during his Life was very diligent in assisting his Ally and Haquin sent a considerable Body of Men to re-inforce his Father's Army But the Swedes alone who were always strong enough when they fought for the Defence of their Liberty routed the Joynt-Forces of these three Monarchs and at last drove Magnus out of the Kingdom esteeming themselves sufficiently rewarded for all the Blood they had spent in the Cause by the Liberty they had to chuse a new Sovereign They proceeded immediately to an Election and the Choice fell upon Prince Albert second Son to the Duke of Meckelburgh and Nephew to the late King Magnus excluding King Haquin and Henry Albert's Elder Brother whom they hated and suspected as persons who had always promoted the Interest of the Prince whom they had lately dethron'd Thus Albert ow'd his Advancement to the impatient Humour of the Swedes which cou'd not bear the Yoke of too absolute a power Before his Accession to the Crown that he might promote his own Interest he seem'd to embrace that of the People but as soon as he found himself fix'd upon the Throne he began to follow the Maxims of his Predecessors and study'd the most promising Methods by which he might make himself the absolute Master of his Subjects The Senate was the object both of his Jealousy and Aversion but the Fate of King Magnus deterr'd him from attempting to abolish that powerful Body much less cou'd he hope either to gain or over-aw those rich and potent Lords that look'd upon themselves rather as his Tutors than Councellors And therefore to ballance their Authority he sent for some Princes of his Family and several German Lords and Captains whom he intrusted with the Command of the Troops and principal Forts of the Kingdom He introduc'd some of these Strangers into the Senate against the fundamental Laws of the State and under various pretexts brought into Sweden a considerable Number of Foreign Troops who began to render him terrible to his own Subjects Then he proceeded to impose exorbitant Taxes upon the People for the payment of his Army But this politic Contrivance to establish his Authority being push'd on too far serv'd only to hasten his Destruction for the Swedes grew jealous of their Privileges and resolv'd to shake off that rigorous Yoke which they were not accustom'd to bear Margaret the Daughter of Valdemar King of Denmark and Widow of Haquin King of Norwey was at the same time possess'd of the Crowns of both these Kingdoms For after the Death of the King her Husband who did not long Survive
the Defeat and ABDICATION of his Father King Magnus the States of Norwey intrusted her with the Regency of the Kingdom and the Guardianship of her Son Olaus And during her Administration of the Government she made so good Use of her Time and manag'd her designs with so much Dexterity and Success that when the young Prince dyed the Norwegians found they were not at liberty to proceed to a new Choice She was Mistress of the Army and of the Forts or places of Strength so that the Principal Lords of the Kingdom who were not gain'd to her party durst not seem dissatisfi'd nor so much as indifferent at a Time when they cou'd not without Danger discover their true Sentiments Thus Margaret was elected by the Estates and exchang'd the Quality of a Regent for that of a Sovereign Queen having already born the same Title as the Wife of King Haquin King Valdemar her Father dying the same Year without leaving any Prince of his Blood whom the Danes might chuse for his Successor she sent Deputies to the States General of the Kingdom to Solicite her Election to that Crown Henry of Mackelburgh the Elder brother of Albert King of Sweden and Husband of her Elder Sister the Princess Ingelburge employ'd his interest to obtain the same Dignity and flattering himself with the advantage he had of being a Son-in-Law to the deceas'd King thought he might easily contend with a Female Competitor But the Queen's Agents drew such convincing Arguments from the Merit and perhaps also from the Money of their Mistress that she was unanimously elected by the whole Assembly and proclam'd Queen of Denmark in the Meeting of the Estates As soon as she receiv'd the News of her Advancement she left Norwey and went immediately to Copenhagen where she fixt the Seat of her Empire This Princess who by some is call'd the Semiramis of the North besides the usual Ambition of her Sex was Mistress of a Dexterity in the Management of Affairs and of a Capacity to form a long Series of coherent Projects that are rarely observ'd in a Woman Her Inclinations to Love were sutable to her Character and Dignity that is she was not really in love with any thing but Glory or sensible of any Passion but her Ambition to extend the limits of her Empire and advance her Authority She rejoyc'd in secret at the Dissatisfaction of the Swedes and endeavour'd to gain some of the Leading Men of that Nation She bestow'd Pensions and an honourable Entertainment on those that were ill treated by King Albert and openly blam'd his injustice in violating the Liberty and Privileges of his Subjects That Prince was daily laying new Impositions upon his People without the consent either of the Estates or Senat and had already Squeez'd considerable Sums out of the Clergy by way of Loans But nothing render'd him more odious both to the Bishops and Nobility than his Reuniting to the Crown the third part of those Fees or Estates to which the Clergy and Gentry claim'd a right by vertue of so long a Possession This was the fatal signal of an universal Revolt the Swedes conspir'd unanimously against him resolving to drive him out of the Kingdom and to offer the Crown to Queen Margaret They imagin'd that she had already so much business in Denmark that she wou'd content her self with almost the bare Title of Queen of Sweden And tho' she shou'd endeavour to stretch the Prerogative too far they concluded that the Danes and Norwegians wou'd unite all their Forces to keep their common Soveraign in a dependence on the Estates and Senate of each Kingdom In pursuance of this Design they secretly deputed some of the most considerable Lords of the Kingdom to offer her the Crown and she receiv'd the Proposal with joy as the most probable means to secure the Peace of Denmark For the violent Animosity that reign'd betwixt the Subjects of both Nations was of as ancient a date as the Foundation of the two Kingdoms and that Antipathy which is usually observ'd betwixt Neighbouring States had all along been a perpetual source of War which had oftentimes prov'd fatal to Denmark And besides this prudent Princess concluded that her new Advancement might one day furnish her with an opportunity to unite Sweden to Denmark These considerations made her resolve to give a favourable answer to the Proposals of the Male contents She agreed with their Deputies that the Nobility shou'd rise up in Arms that they shou'd acquaint King Albert with his Deposition that the Army and Estates shou'd publickly acknowledge her to be their Soveraign and that after her Election she shou'd be oblig'd to send a considerable Body of Troops to support and defend ' em The Treaty being sign'd the Swedes immediately took up arms against the King and sent a Herald to intimate and declare that they renounc'd the Allegiance they had sworn to him At the same time they proclaim'd Margaret de Valdemar Queen of Sweden and assoon as they had receiv'd the Reinforcement which they expected from that Princess the united Armies march'd towards West-Gothland where King Albert was drawing his Forces together to oppose ' em That Prince had taken all possible care to put himself in a posture of defence he had rais'd a considerable Body of Troops obtain'd the Assistance of several German Princes who were either his Relations or Allies and engag'd the Isle of Gothland for the payment of twenty Thousand Rose-Nobles of the Coin of England which he borrow'd of the Knights of the Teutonick Order to maintain the Charge of the War But all these preparations could not divert his impending Fate The two Armies met near Falcopinc and Albert was not only defeated but had the Misfortune to fall into the Hands of his Enemies with his Son Prince Eric and the principal Lords of his Party The Princes of the House of Meckelburgh and Gerard Count of Holstein endeavour'd to revive the drooping Hopes of this unfortunate Prince They levy'd new Troops and obtain'd considerable Succours from the Hans-Towns who were jealous of the Queen's Power and dreaded the successful progress of her Arms. Thus Sweden was made a prey to several different and Jarring Nations who seem'd only to agree in a Design to ruin that Kingdom and amid'st so many Disasters the poor Inhabitants cou'd not distinguish their Friends from their Enemies The War lasted almost seven Years with extraordinary Fury and a vast expence of Blood And the Peace that succeeded was rather an effect of the Weariness of the two contending Parties than of any Abatement of the Rage that animated ' em Albert was at last constrain'd to exchange his Crown for his Liberty and retir'd to his Native Country after which Queen Margaret's Title to the Crowns of the Three Kingdoms of the North was universally own'd and acknowledg'd The Swedes seeing themselves subject to a Princess that had no Children and fearing that after her Death King Albert or the Prince his Son might renew their pretensions to the Crown intreated her to secure the happiness of the Kingdom by an advantageous Match This Proposal however intended was not at all welcome to the Queen She
Dignity of Administrator was properly a Commission during the Inter-Regnum or Vacancy of the Throne which might be revok'd and made void by the Estates He was by his Office the General of the Kingdom and had a more immediate Authority over the Soldiers and Officers who took an Oath of Fidelity to him The Arch-Bishop of Upsal as Chief Senator which was a Dignity annex'd to his Office had the Precedency in publick Solemnities and on Days of Ceremony but in Time of War the Sovereign Power was lodg'd in the Person of the Administrator and he enjoy'd all the Authority of a King tho' he durst not assume the Title The Swedes were so afraid of absolute Power that they dreaded the very Name of a King and imagin'd that they enjoy'd a greater Liberty under an Administrator tho' his Authority was not Inferior to that of a King and might be advanc'd as high as he had the Courage and Dexterity to raise it Christiern the First endeavour'd sometimes by Treaties and sometimes by Force to abolish that Dignity and re-establish the Union of Calmar The Bishops were still devoted to his Interest and declar'd in his Favour as often as they cou'd discover their Inclinations without Danger During the space of Four and Forty Years that Monarch and King John the Second his Son govern'd Sweden by Turns with the Administrator Steno and Suanto Sture For it happen'd not unfrequently that the King of Denmark and the Administrator were at the same Time Masters of several Provinces according as the Faction of the Bishops or the Party of the Nobility prevail'd In the mean time neither of 'em cou'd make themselves Absolute in a Kingdom where the Sovereigns were oftentimes oblig'd to part with some Branch of their Prerogative to purchase the Obedience of their Subjects Such was the State of Sweden when it began to be made the Theatre of the most memorable Revolutions that ever happen'd in the North which may be justly reckon'd the Foundations of the Swedish Monarchy Charles XI King of Sweden of the Palatine Branch of Deuxponts is the Grand-son of Catherine de Vasa the Daughter of Charles of Sudermania and Wife of Casimir Count Palatine of the Rhine and of the Grandeur of that Family which at present possesses the Throne After the Death of Swanto Sture the last Administrator of Sweden the Factions and Parties which by his Power and Policy he had broken and disperst began to break forth with fresh Violence He ow'd his Advancement to his own Merit and to the need the Kingdom had of his Protection For he was chosen Administrator at a time when that Dignity seem'd to be instituted on purpose to oppose the Attempts of the Danes His Victories over the Muscovites rais'd his Glory and Reputation and made his Memory Illustrious His Power was almost equal to the Authority of the most Absolute Monarchs He was Fortunate in War and respected in Peace he oblig'd John II. King of Denmark by the Terror of his Arms to make a Truce with Sweden and establish'd Peace and Plenty among his People The Nobility and Peasants look'd upon him as the Protector of the Publick Liberty and his Merit procur'd him the Friendship of some of the Bishops whom he had perswaded to disingage themselves from the Danish Faction He never undertook any important Affair without imparting his Designs to James Ulfonis Archbishop of Upsal and Heming Gadde Bishop of Lincopine For tho' those Prelates were Enemies to his Dignity they cou'd not forbear loving and esteeming his Person He shew'd an extraordinary Respect to the Senate and affected so little Superiority over the Noble men that he seem'd only to excel 'em in Merit tho' he was willing that People shou'd know that this was rather an Effect of his Moderation than of Weakness and Meanness of Spirit He kept always a considerable Body of Standing Forces that his Enemies might never find an Opportunity to Surprize him before he was prepar'd to receive ' em His Court and Houshold were compos'd of the Officers of his Army he maintain'd 'em with his own Revenues in time of Peace and made 'em his Ministers and Favorites These prudent Maxims which he observ'd in the Management of all his Affairs made him the Terror of the Danes and their Faction who durst never engage in any Attempt against Sweden during his Government After his Death the Senate call'd a Meeting or Convention of the Estates at Arboga to proceed to the Choice of a Successor The Bishops led by the Consideration of their private Interest endeavour'd to support the Claim of the Kings of Denmark under whose Reign they had always the largest Share in the Government and lest no Means unattempted to revive the Union of Calmar They represented to the Estates that Plenty and a flourishing Trade were the happy Effects of the Observance of that Treaty in Norway that this was the only Way to change the present Truce with Denmark to a solid Peace which cou'd not but be extreamly Advantageous to Sweden and that on the contrary the Election of an Administrator wou'd make the Kingdom the Seat of a bloody and pernicious War so long as there were any Kings in Denmark able to maintain the Justice of their Pretensions to the Crown of Sweden But these Arguments were not much regarded by the rest of the Assembly who were convinc'd that these designing Prelates wou'd for their own Interest bring the Nation under a Yoak that was Grievous and Insupportable to all the other Estates of the Kingdom The greatest part of the Deputies declar'd aloud That they wou'd have an Administrator and the Bishops were forc'd to comply with the prevailing Opinion The Archbishop of Upsal was the first that gave his Vote and declar'd in Favour of the Senator Eric Trolle who was a prudent and deserving Person and besides recommended by his Age Birth Riches and Alliance to the late Administrator The Archbishop to prevent any Opposition that might be made against that Senator's Advancement assur'd the Friends and Relations of the late Administrator that 't was only the Respect he had for the Memory of that Great Man which made him name Trolle for his Successor adding That by this means Swanto's Son who by reason of his Youth cou'd not be suppos'd to be yet Master of so much Skill and Experience as was requir'd for the Discharge of so great a Trust wou'd have an Excellent Opportunity to fit himself for the Management of Affairs and to learn the Art of War under the Inspection of his Kinsman who by reason of his old Age cou'd not keep him long from the Possession of his Father's Dignity But this was only a specious Pretence to cover his hidden Designs He had resum'd the old Maxims of the Clergy after the Death of Swanto or rather began now to discover those Inclinations which he durst not own under the Reign of that wise and powerful Prince Eric Trolle was his intimate Friend and
Harald King of Denmark and gave him his Daughter in Marriage Siward to prevent the ill consequences of the Confederacy gave his Daughter Vlvilda to Frotho the King of Denmark's Brother who by reason of his Valour was more respected among the Danes than the King his Brother These cross Matches kindl'd a civil War in Denmark and Frotho was supported by those who admir'd and endeavour'd to imitate his Bravery He fought with the King his Brother routed his Army and slew him with his own hand in the heat of the Fight King Harald left two Sons Haldan and Harald who to revenge their Father's Death surpriz'd Frotho in his House Burnt him alive and Ston'd Queen Vlvilda This furious piece of Revenge which was esteem'd by those Barbarous People as a most brave and generous Act made all the Danes unanimously resolve to follow the young Princes They March'd into Sweden gave Battle to King Siward cut his Army in pieces and slew him in the Fight Eric IV. The two victorious Brothers divided their Conquests Denmark falling to Harald's lot and Sweden to Haldan's But the Swedes set up Eric Siward's Grand-child against Haldan which occasion'd a new civil War Eric was victorious for several times on Land But Harald coming with a great Fleet to his Brother's Assistance routed Eric's Navy who rather than yield up himself to his Enemies Mercy threw himself into the Sea Haldan II Succeeded Eric according to the custom of those Times when the Crown and Dominions of the Vanquish'd Prince were always the Conquerour's Reward This Prince slew with his own hand two monstrous Giants and fought afterwards alone against Siward and his seven Sons whom he kill'd in a single Combat Such great Exploits procur'd him the admiration of the Swedes who celebrated his praise in their Heroick Songs and after his Decease rank'd him among their greatest Heroes Vnguin This Prince who was already King of the Goths was appointed by Haldan for his Successor to the Crown of Sweden But the Swedes resolving to maintain their Priviledge of chusing their own Master Elected Raguald One Battle decided the Difference in which Vnguin was slain by Raguald Raguald This Prince not contented with the Death and Defeat of King Vnguin pursu'd Siguald his Son to Denmark whither he had retir'd who being assisted by the Danes gave him Battle in Seland and kill'd him with his own Hand at the Head of both Armies Amund He succeeded his Father Raguald and contented himself with the Possession of the Crown without undertaking any Considerable Attempt He had four Sons who resided in the Court of Denmark where they occasion'd great disorders If we may believe the Chronicles 't was the usual custom of Young Princes in those Times to Travel thro' the Neighboring Countries in quest of hazardous Adventures to signalize their Courage and Valour To kill a Giant in single Combat or a Wild Beast in the presence of a King to carry away a Young Princess and to Debauch or Ravish a Queen were reckon'd among their Noblest Exploits and worthy of Immortal Honor. And the bold Hero at his return to his Countrey was always preferr'd before the rest of his Brothers when the Throne became vacant by his Father's Death Haquin This Prince during the life of his Father Amund invaded Denmark routed King Sigar in a pitch'd Battle and put the whole Country under Military Execution to revenge the Death of his Brothers who were kill'd by the King of Denmark's order He was advanc'd to the Throne after his Father's Death and had the good fortune to die in peace nor was the tranquillity of his Reign disturb'd by any Civil or Foreign War Osten He was the Son of Gether King of Norway and obtain'd the Crown of Sweden by Election To revenge his Father's Death who was Assassinated by the Norwegians for his cruelty he enter'd that Kingdom at the head of his Army and having destroy'd the whole Country with Fire and Sword without sparing either Age or Sex he appointed his Dog to reign over 'em as reckoning 'em unworthy to obey a Man Perhaps this Story is a meer Fable occasion'd by a punning Allusion to the Name of the Person whom he intrusted with the Government during his absence tho' if we consider the wild and barbarous Genius of that Age it may not improbably be suppos'd that he gave the Title of Viceroy to a real Dog Nor will that Act of Revenge seem more surprizingly extravagant than the fantastical Humor of a certain Roman Emperor Caligula who made his Horse a Consul Alver This Prince being one of the most considerable Persons of the Swedish Nation was chosen King after the Death of Osten He defeated the Russians and made 'em tributary to the Crown of Sweden He died in Peace after a short Reign Ingo He was chosen King after the Death of his Father Alver and fix'd his residence at Vpsal which he made the Capital City of the Kingdom His Successors oftentimes assum'd the Title of Kings of Vpsal to distinguish themselves from other Petty Sovereigns who founded little Monarchies in several Provinces of the Kingdom Fiolmus History has only preserv'd the Name of this Prince without acquainting us with his Actions or with the length of his Reign Nor are the succeeding Princes for a Hundred Years so much as mention'd in the Swedish Chronicles Ingell He was so incenst at his Brother Olaus for admonishing him of his Wife's Infidelity that he became his declar'd Enemy But the Quarrel was soon decided by the Death of Ingell who was kill'd by Olaus Germunder The Son and Successor of Ingell He declar'd War against Harald King of Denmark his Brother-in-Law who finding himself unable to sustain the Shock of so potent an Enemy begg'd a Peace and having obtain'd it desir'd Germunder to make a visit to the Queen his Sister Immediately that unfortunate Prince Disbanded his Army and went to the Court of Denmark where he was apprehended and afterwards hang'd by the Command of the Treacherous Harald in the sight of all his Vassals whom he invited to be Witnesses of that dismal Spectale 'T was not the custom in those days to exchange Hostages the Kings kept no Guards nor did their Houshold consist of a numerous Train of Officers During the War they were serv'd by the principal Persons of the Nation but assoon as a Peace was concluded every man retir'd to his own House and left the Prince alone with his Family and Domestick Servants Haquin Ringo No sooner was the Young Prince able to bear Arms but he resolv'd to revenge his Father's Death upon his Faithless Murderer In order to the effectual Execution of that design he us'd more than ordinary diligence in levying Forces and entertain'd all the stragling Adventurers that wou'd enter into his Service The Neighboring Nations engag'd in the Quarrel according to their various Interests or the Designs and Inclinations of their Sovereigns The English Irish and Saxons declar'd for the King
of Denmark and Haquin was Assisted by the Norwegians Curlandians and Esthonians The two contending Princes Arm'd all their Subjects and even the Women were inspir'd with a generous Ambition to obtain a share both in the Hazard and Glory of so important an Action Hetha Commanded a company of Women in the Swedish Army and Visna march'd under the Danish Standards At last the two Armies came to a decisive Battle in which Harald was kill'd and the victorious Haquin having made himself Master of Denmark entrusted Hetlâ—a with the Government of that Conquer'd Kingdom Historians observe that the King of Sweden ow'd his Victory to the Valour of the Dalecarlians who inhabit one of the Northern Provinces of that Country Egil The Son and Successor of Haquin He impos'd a Tribute upon Amund King of Denmark subdu'd a seditious party that rebell'd against him and after all was unfortunately kill'd by a Wild Ox at Hunting Gother He seiz'd and carry'd away the Daughter of Amund King of Denmark and conquer'd Schonen and Haland which belong'd to the Danes At last he was kill'd by his own Subjects who revolted against him for establishing some new Laws that seem'd to encroach on the Priviledges and Liberty of the Nation Adelus Gother was succeeded by his Son Adelus whose reign is remarkable for his successful Expedition against the Danes to revenge the Death of his Sister who lost her life by the ill-grounded jealousie of her Husband Jammeric King of Denmark The King of Sweden invaded Denmark and besieg'd that cruel Prince who was no less odious to his own Subjects than to his Enemies Jammeric was taken after a Siege that lasted some Months and his Legs and Arms were cut off by the Victorious Swedes who pillag'd his Treasures and reunited the Provinces of Schonen Haland and Bleking to Gothland from which they were formerly dismember'd Ostan This Prince lost both his Crown and his Life by endeavouring to impose a Tax upon his Subjects for that fierce People who were extremely jealous of their Liberty were so incenst against a Prince whom they look'd upon as an Oppressor that having surpriz'd him in his House they Burnt him and his whole Family 'T is plain from this instance and from the History of the preceeding Kings that the fate of those Princes seem'd to be in the Power and to depend upon the Humor of their Subjects Ingomar Historians relate that Gothland was at that time subject to a distinct King who had a Daughter of admirable Beauty which is the usual Character of all the Princesses that are mention'd in those Ancient Histories Snio King of Denmark and Ingomar King of Sweden were both Captivated by the Charms of that young Beauty and tho' the former was more agreeable to the Daughter the latter was preferr'd by the Father who made the King of Sweden happy in the Possession of his Mistress with the Reversion of a Crown for her Dowry The King of Denmark cou'd not patiently bear the loss of so considerable a Prize He enter'd Sweden at the Head of an Army and having vanquish'd his Rival he seiz'd on the fair Queen who without reluctancy follow'd the Conqueror of her Husband But Ingomar was rather irritated than discourag'd by his mifortune He made new Levies invaded Denmark routed and kill'd Snio and was so far from scrupling to receive his Beautiful Wife that the difficulty of the Conquest serv'd only to lighten the pleasure of the Victory At last he was kill'd in a War which he undertook against the Russes Halstan I. Raguard Wartman Lordon Rodolph Gostag Arthur Haquin Charles IV. Charles V. Birger Eric V. Torril Biorn II. Alaric II. Here there is a long Interruption in the Swedish History for tho' the Names of the Princes who Govern'd that Kingdom from the Year 460 to the beginning of the Ninth Age are preserv'd the Memory of their Actions is entirely lost neither do we find in the Chronicles so much as an account of their Families Biorn III. The reign of this Prince may be reckon'd a considerable Aera in the History of Sweden For the Emperor Lewis the Gentle sent Angsarus Bishop of Breme who preach'd the Christian Doctrin in that Kingdom and converted several Petty Kings But notwithstanding all the labours of that Prelate Idolatry prevail'd in the Kingdom till the end of the Tenth Age when the People began to erect Churches to the Honor of the true GOD under the Reign of King Olaus the Tributary who openly profest the Christian Religion Braut-amund This Prince perceiving that the People were very numerous Disforested the Wooly and Untill'd Grounds and bestow'd 'em on his Subjects who by way of acknowledgment were oblig'd either to pay a certain Tribute or to Assist the King on Horse-back in time of War From hence we may reckon the Original of the Fiefs of this Kingdom which at first held immediately of the Crown but were afterwards usurp'd by the Clergy and Nobility King Braut-amund did not long enjoy the Advantage of this new settlement for his Brother Sivard rebell'd against him and kill'd him at the head of his Army in the third Year of his Reign Sivard II. The Swedes immediately plac'd the Crown on the head of the Victorious Rebel while he was yet stain'd with the Blood of his Brother and Sovereign For in those Days Force was the supreme Law and a fortunate Malefactor was prais'd and rewarded for a Crime that wou'd have been severely punish'd if it had not been attended with success Sivard seeing himself fixt on the Throne Invaded the Norwegians whom he surpriz'd before they cou'd put themselves in a posture of defence He pillag'd the whole Countrey ravish'd the most Beautiful Women and after he had satiated his own Lust left 'em to be abus'd by the chief Captains of his Army But these Barbarities were in some measure expiated by the speedy Vengeance that overtook the impious Tyrant The Norwegians animated with Despair and Fury made head against their Oppressor the very Women ran to Arms and Sivard himself fell by the hand of one of those Heroins whom he had abus'd as a Sacrifice to her injur'd Vertue and to the Honor of the Nation Herot This Prince had a Daughter who was reputed a compleat Beauty Regner King of Denmark demanded her for his Wife but the King of Sweden according to the usual custom of those Times wou'd not bestow the Princess upon him till he had signaliz'd his Courage by fighting against two Bears of a prodigious bigness who infested the Country about Vpsal Regner accepted the condition slew the two Bears and receiv'd the dear Recompence of his Valour Some Authors relate that these pretended Bears were two Robbers who made a terrible havock in the Country and for that Reason were call'd Wild Beasts by the People Charles VI. He was Elected by the unanimous consent of the Swedes Herot 's Children being excluded from the Succession One of the Sons of the Decea'd King was incited by
Oldenburg a Younger Son of that Family with a design to release Christiern II. who was still a Prisoner in the Castle of Sunderberg In order to which that Prelate levi'd Forces and scrupl'd not once more to prophane the sanctity of his Character He was wounded and taken Prisoner in a Battel fought in Funen betwixt the Forces of Christiern III. and those of Lubeck and was carri'd to Sleswick in Holstein where he di'd of his Wounds Gustavus being thus happily deliver'd from all his Enemies Reign'd afterwards without any Disturbance or Molestation and with as much Authority as if the Crown had been his Birth-right All the Princes of Europe that had no dependency upon the House of Austria gave him extraordinary marks of the singular Esteem they had for his Personal Merit and Valour Francis I. King of France notwithstanding their Difference in Point of Religion sent him the order of St. Michael the only Order that was then establish'd in France A desensive League was made betwixt these two Princes against the Emperor and the House of Anstria by which they were both engag'd to Assist each other in case of War with 6000 Men to be paid by the Assistant and if Occasion requir'd to Assist the Invaded Prince with 25000 Men and Fifty Ships Gushavus was the first King of Sweden who rais'd the Reputation of the Crown and made it appear to the World what Insurence it might have upon the general Affairs of hurope The Princes of the League of Smalcalden invited him to joyn with them for the common Desence of their Religion and thought themselves happy to have so great a King on their side To compleat his Happiness there was nothing wanting but the fixing of the Succession upon his Royal Issue This was a very nice and difficult Point for the Nobility was extreamly Jealous of that Priviledge well knowing that Arbritary Power do's commonly attend a Hereditary Succession and that it wou'd by degrees destroy the Liberty of the Nation However the King call'd a meeting of the Estates of the Kingdom at Westeras to abrogate the Right and Custom of Election He put 'em in mind of the great Services his Family had done to Sweden and of the fatal Consequences of the Division and Contests of opposite parties at Elections His Anchority was already so well Establish'd that there was not one in the Assembly who durst oppose his Designs The Heads of the Principal Families and the Ancient Senators were kill'd in the Massacre of Stockholm and the young Lords that came into the World since his Accession to the Crown were accustom'd to a blind Obedience There was not the least Foot-step left of their former Liberty or of the Ancient constitution of their Government so that the Deputies consented with great Submission to the abrogating of the Right of Election in behalf of Prince Eric and the other Princes his Children and Successors both in the direct and collateral Line This Resignation was solemnly entred as a Fundamental Law call'd the Hereditary Vnion by which the Crown with an absolute Power was made sure to his Children and Successors This was a very mortifying peace of News to Christiern III. King of Denmark who still pretended a Right to the Crown of Sweden for by this Hereditary Vnion the Treaty of Calmar was entirely disannuli'd and abrogated Christiern quarter'd the Three Crowns in his Coat Armorial which are the Royal Arms of Sweden as a publick Claim and Mark of his Right to that Kingdom under pretext that Queen Margaret the Daughter of Waldemar Reign'd over the three Kingdoms of the North tho' 't was probably a like reason that made the Kings of Sweden take these Three Crowns for their Arms since they are found in the Shields and Seals of the Kings Steric and Birger II. about the middle of the Twelfth Age. King Gustavus sent an Embassy to Christiern to complain of his Attempt but cou'd obtain no satisfaction from a Young and Ambitious Prince who was puff'd up with some Advantages he had gotten over the Hanse-Towns and obstinately resolv'd to pursue his Ancient Claim Gustavus finding himself weakn'd and spent with Age and the Fatigues of War conceal'd his Resentment and did not think it convenient to ingage in a new War or to hazard his Fortune and that of his Children at a time when he maintain'd his Authority rather by his Reputation than by his Valour He was so far from dreading the opposition of a pretended Claim against the actual Possession of a Crown which had lately been Intail'd upon his Issue by a Solemn Act that he contented himself with procuring a Treaty to be set on foot at Bromsebroo by which 't was mutually agreed to leave the difference undecided for the space of Fifty Years Gustavus having thus settl'd a solid and durable Peace in his Dominions apply'd himself wholly to the Improvement of Trade in order to which he receiv'd into his Ports all Merchant Ships from France and Holland that his Subjects might be free'd from their dependence on the Lubeckers who were possest of the whole Trade of Sweden He erected Citadels on the Frontiers of his Kingdom and built Royal Palaces in several Places with a Magnificence that till then was unknown to the Swedes He never stay'd long in one place but travell'd successively from Province to Province always attended with a numerous Train of Courtiers who stir'd up the Curiosity and Admiration of his People and accustom'd 'em by their Example to respect his Authority He sign'd all Orders and Dispatches with his own Hand took Cognizance of all Affairs gave Audience to all Men and Admininistred Justice with great strictness and severity All Controversies and Suits about Religion Revenues and Buildings and even Differences and Law-Suits betwixt Noble Men were pleaded before him and decided by him As he had manag'd his Wars without Generals so he rul'd in Peace without Ministers He reign'd alone without either Favourites or Mistresses and the only object of all his Passions and Designs was his own Glory and the Happiness of his Subjects Some time before his Death he began to apply his mind to the finding out of a suitable Match for his Eldest Son Prince Eric that his Family might be supported by a considerable Alliance In pursuance of this design he cast his Eyes upon Elizabeth Queen of England who was then Courted with great Assiduity by the greatest Princes of Europe But that Politick Queen had the dexterity to manage her Lovers as she pleas'd and to feed 'em all with hopes according to her own Inclination and the posture of her Affairs by which it appear'd that she had taken a secret Resolution never to Marry any of ' em Gustavus sent an Embassy to her to propose a strict Alliance betwixt both Nations and the chief Embassador was charg'd to feel her Pulse as to this Match Denis Beure the Prince's Governour had that particular Commission from the King He was a Frenchman born but