still sounding foorth the prayses of Gustovus whose name shall neuer die so long as the memorie of the Swethen State indures CHAP. III. Ericke is crowned King of Swethland after the death and Funerall of his Father A marriage is plotted with Elizabeth Queene of England That failing another is tendered to the daughter of the King of Poland His brother Duke Iohn conspires against him AFter the death of Gustovus Erick his eldest sonne is with all generall applause and the Countries ceremonie crowned king of Swethland about the yeere of our Lord 1559. and in the same yeere an ouerture of mariage was made with Elizabeth Queene of England in the beginning of her raigne Duke Iohn his brother sent Ambassadour princely appointed in this negotiation who safely arriuing in England with his whole Fleete was honourably intertained Howbeit the matter of his Embassage was rather flattered then graunted rather fairely countenanced then embraced For some noble men at that time great in their places either in their owne respects or the honour of the Queene stood against it But the Queene her selfe did fairely intreate the Prince royally feasted him gaue him many princely gifts Told him in conclusion that she tooke the Tenor of his Embassage in very gratious manner Sent kind commendations to the king his Brother with this hopefull message that if it pleased him to take the paines to come into England she would take such order for his entertainement that hee should haue no iust cause to returne discontent For saith she I haue made this vow neuer to conâ—ract my selfe to any whom I haue not first seene The Duke thus furnisht with this answere takes his leaue imbarkes himselfe boyseth sayle arriues in Swethland and deliuers to the longing languishing King this hopefull doubtfull answere of the Quéene The young King imbraceth this newes and his brother for them flatters his fancie kisseth the Quéenes picture beguiles imagination buildes Castles in the ayre rigges his Fléete at Sea exhausteth his Treasure makes himselfe poore to enrich his hope which proued indéed farre aboue his Fortune The Winter following was spent in this preparation for England During which time Frederik then king of Denmarke a Wise and politike Prince stoodmuch against this Alyance with England foreséeing the danger that might redound to him in his neighbours marriage with so potent a Princesse sendeth Ambassadours to King Erick shewing both the inconuenience that would happen by marriage in a Countrey so farre remote as also the dangers that were like to ensue in ioynâ—ng with a Quéene more strong then himselfe But the king gaue a deafe eare to this Embassage Continuing his preparations still for England Some say that in that Winter ryding betwéene Vpsale and Wasten Castle a Maide of excellent beautie but obscure parentage whose name was Gondole comming amongst others to behold the king who by chance casting his cies vpon her was so sodainly ensnared in her beautie that that poyson which he drew then into his heart by his eies did so corrupt the whole body of his affaires that at last he loste both his life and kingdome but others say it was the winter after But to returne to our voyage for England The kinges fléete being royalty rigd and all thinges ready for so great a busines the king tooke shipping about the beginning of May leauing Duke Iohn his brother Uicegerent in his place and sayling along the Coasts of Norway Report saith that Frederick king of Denmarke had procured certaine Witches in that Country to drowne or dispearse the Fléete of king Erick and by their spelles and deuillish incantations to Confound this intended Uoyage whether this bee true or no I know not but this is certaine that the king being vpon the coast of Norway such a strange foggy thicknes did so cloath the ayre that the kings Fléete had soone loste sight of one another And then followed such horrible thunders and vnheard of Tempests that it séemed heauen and earth had met together in the disturbance of this intendment The king being at his wits end long before hée came to his waies end was so perplexed in his thoughtes that he knew not what to do either to goe forward or to returne The sight of y â— Eye was so taken away by the the thicknes of Aire the beneuÌ„t of the Eare was consounded by the noyse of the thunder the waters rose so high as if they meant to kisse the Cloudes Noe light but what the flashes of lightning made which amased them all the raine fell so thicke that they could scarce kéepe the Hatches the maister calles to the Boatson and is not heard the Sternes-man cryes to the Maister and is not regarded Thrée daies togeather continued these thrée nightes of darknes wherin was séene neither sunne Moone nor starre the kinges Fléete was diuersly dispearst some into the coast of Denmarke others back againe into Swetland the king himselfe vpon the Coast of Norway looks euery hower for his buriall in the Sea At last entering into cogitation with himselfe he thought that God had suffered his pride to be thus punisht for that he vndertook a Mariage with such a Quéene whose fame and glory was so great as well from her State and gouernment as for the riches and strength of her Crowne and kingdome that entering into cosideration of it he held himselfe much vnworthy of such a fortune Upon this the king rashly vowes that if it would please God to deliuer him from that daunger he would giue ouer his ouer high attempt returne into his Countrey and learne hereafter to suite his desires to his estate At last these stormes haue end the king returnes according to his vow shortly after arriues in Swethland And thus fayled this Negotiation for England The king soone after his landing beginnes say some renewes say others his loue to his faire Gondole that afterward prooued as fatall to him as Cleopatraes loue to Anthony His eies were seldome off either her person or her picture His minde museth on nothing but the pleasures of her body his tongue speakes of nothing but her delightes and praises all publicke affaires are abandoned the pallaces are like a wildernesse desolate the Court is kept where Gondole hath her byding reason and regard of gouerment are now banished pleasure and sensuallitie made his Counsellors of Estate The Noble men would oftentimes aduise him but all in vaine his brother Duke Iohn did still smooth the Kings humors not as being enamoured oâ— his delights but as from hence drawing a subiect that happyly hereafter might serue his turne in case the Nobility as they beganne a little should afterwards wholly withdraw their affections from him Thus whilest the king followes his pleasures Duke Iohn pursues his purposes would oftentimes complaine to certaine of the Rexen-Roade which we call The Blood Royall of his brothers effeminate and vnlikingly gouernement but especially to Duke Charles his youngest brother yet no further engaging himselfe to danger then
he knew meanes how to wind out againe Not long after another Mariage was tendered of the Polands Daughter which the king Coulorably entertained to satisfie his Nobility whilest his heart doted vpon his Paramour Duke Iohn his brother was imployed in this businesse and it fell out as he desired For if the cardes were dealt aright he might happely himselfe mary the Polands daughter And thus with a false heart taking a faire leaue of the king his brother being furnished with all accowtrements fit for such a busines shortly after arriued in the Court of Poland where after the solemnitie of such entertainements he deliuered his Message with such a Maiesticke grace both in his spéech countenance and cariage of himselfe as sure hée was a most accomplisht Gentleman that it wan him great commendations in the kings Court especially with the yong princesse in whose tender heart there was such an inward breach made as was soone outwardly perceaued for her eyes that conuayed these pretie assaultes vnto her heart did soone betray her hidden affections which the Duke perceiuing laies hold vpon the occasion Winnes by rewardes many tongues to speaken in his behalfe ioyes with the greatest of the Kings Counsell and in especiall with one Feâ—nsbecke Duke of Leif-lande He told them that the condition of his Countries disordered estate occasioned by the discordant disposition of his brother mooued him rather to looke with a publike then a priuate eye If he ought nature and dutie to his Brother he ought no lesse vnto his Country and it was his countries cause to the which hée was most bound that made him inueigh against his brother Let no man quoth he rashly ceâ—sure me but comparing the State of the kingdome to the condition of the King let him then iudge whether all is not like to ruine if preuention be not made which in the Kinges person quoth he will neuer be for that he séemes to be buried in his his owne delightes and the breath which he himselfe should drawe lies not in his owne but in anothers body The most and best part of the Nobility being by these and the like suggestions wonne vnto his party a way was quickly made for the Duke to Wooe for himselfe which was not long a doing for the heart that was already so strongly assaulted was soone framed to yeeld To bee short the young Duke Weddes and beddes the princesse with great honour and delight so easily is the pollicie of a state drawne to obey the necessity of the time the newes hereof is soone brought to Swethland wherein the wise lookt into the danger of the King how be it the King himselfe foresaw no peril But as a Man wholly deuoted to his delights doth against the aduise of all his friendes quickly after Marrie the said Gondole whereby he did sodainly runne into such a scandalous hatred of his owne Subiectes that they euer after held him vnworthy of his Crowne and kingdome Within a yeare after his Mariage he had a Sonne not long after whose byrth Duke Iohn hauing assured promises from his youngest brother Duke Charles procures an Army to be leuied by the King of Poland his Father in law and arriuing in the Dukedome of Estergutland was louingly entertained of his brother Duke Charles who ioyning their forces together hauing also the ayde of other Noble Men in the Country gaue battaile to his brother King Ericke who being ouercome and flying to Stock-holand was there by his two brothers taken and made away no man euer knew how A noble man in the Countrey brother to Herrerick Gusterson and deare vnto the King was at that time honorably slaine in the defence of his Prince The Quéene had before sent her young Sonne out of the Land foreséeing the danger that was like to happen Who now liues as an Exile in the great Duke of Moscouias Court and the Quéene her selfe confined to Stickborrow Castle where shee yet liues a sad and solitary life Thus ended the vnfortunate Raigne of King Erick who might long haue liued and gouerned in the Land had he but subdued his owne affections CHAP. IIII. King Iohn is crowned king of Swethland hath a Sonne borne called Sigismond The King of Poland dies young Sigismond is sent for to be King of Poland Hee staies there certaine yeares till the death of his Father and is then sent for by his Vnckle Duke Charles to receaue the Crowne and kingdome of Swethland DUke Iohn hauing thus by his brothers murther attained vnto the Crowne disposeth with his best Counsell the affaires of the kingdome disperseth his Army satisfies his Subiects in the cause of these indirect procéedings against his brother and hauing set all things in order sendeth for this Quéen out of Poland who with an honorable traine being conducted into Swethland was there Royally entertained and shortly after with Duke Iohn her husband in all princely manner Crowned King and Quéene of Swethland at Vpsale Castle Many Statutes he repealed which the King his brother had made being found preiudiciall vnto the Country and others hee enacted that were held more profitable To all Sutors he shewed himselfe very gentle and gracious And because the treasure of the kingdome was much exhauste in his expedition into Poland he was driuen to borrow many great Summes of money both there and of his Friends at home Hee kept a Princely port and was very liberall in his rewardes delighting much in all Martiall exerrises His liberality was equall to that which was so highly commended in a worthy Captaine of Thebes who when hee had obtayned a victory against the Lacedemonians tooke onely of all the spoile but one sword distributing the rest amongst his Souldiors saying Fellowes in Armes this I Challeng because I wrong it out of the hand of mine Enemie Whatsoeuer else is yours as the reward of your trauells for the Theban Senatours warre for honour not for treasure The Mercenary Man that beareth Armes for hier and for his ordinary Paye feareth not to venture his life in the face of his Enemy hauing but his wages hath but his due So that if hope of spoile and the bounty of his Captaine did not encourage him in his attempts he would both doubt the danger of his person and scorne for so little gaine to ranne vpon such imminent perills His liberality towards his associats in Armes and his experient wisedome and valour in Martiall enterprises made him both honoured feared and held in worthy estimation Thus by this and his other vertues Duke Iohn in short time Crept into the hearts of his Subiectes The first yeare of his raigne the Quéene brought him a goodly Boy which was Christened by the name of Sigismond the Emperor beeing his Godfather which Sisgismond is now King of Poland About the Tenth yeare of his raigne King Iohn made an honorable iourney into Russia vpon the breach of a League made betwixt them From whence he returned victorious The rest of his raigne was quiet
and peaceable And set a side the staine of his brothers death he was doubtlesse a most excellent Prince and worthy of the Crowne and kingdome and although there were many times iarres betwixt him and his brother Duke Charles yet alwaies the matter was so handled that they were soone reconcilde againe By which were cut off all occasions of Ciuill warre In the twelfth yeare of his raigne his father in law the King of Poland dies for whose death the Quéene his daughter mourned heauily The young Prince Sigismond her Sonne was elected King of Poland and with an honourable conuoy being guarded thither was with all solemnity in all Princely manner Crowne King of Poland Shortly after Marries honourably into the house of Austria and in the twelth yeare of his raigne in Poland King Iohn his Father dies whose death being much bewailed of his subiects he was with appertaining solemnitie buried in the Chappell of the Kings in the Castle of Vpsale Duke Charles of Estergutland after the death of his brother sends into Poland for his Nephew Sigismond to come to receaue the Crowne of Swethland Sigismond takes heauily the death of his Father and deuines before hand of the troubles that followed in that kingdome Great preparation is made for his iourney into Swethland and doubting of his vnckles minde proiectes carrieth a great power of Poles with him to preuent all daungers The king arriues safely in Sweathland is with all honor and signe of loue receaued by his vnckle Duke Charles and the rest of the Nobilitie of Swethland He is honorably conueyed to Vpsale Castle where hee was louingly receaued of the Quéene his Mother whom he comforteth being a sorrowfull widdow for the death of King Iohn her husband Shortly after he was crowned K. of Swethland without any disturbance A Rex-day was held in the castle of Vpsale where all things being established Duke Charles is made vicegerent of the kingdome hauing with him ioynd in Comission foure Noblemen of the Rexen-road whose names were Hergusten Bonner Hersten Bonner his brother Herrerick Spare and Hartor Belk These fower Noble men being great in the kingdome but not very great with the Uicegerent were of purpose ioynd by the King in commission with the Duke to curbe or Controule all ouer haughty and headstrong attempts that the Duke might happely Commit by the greatnesse of his place and power in the absence of the King who was then ready to returne to Poland The Duke perceaues the drift but dissembles it before the Kings departure order was set downe by the King with the Duke and the Commissioners for the payment of certaine sommes of money which King Iohn his Father did owe vnto many Souldiours that were yet vnpaide since the time of expedition into Russia and vnto many Merchants of England Scotland and other Nations for the prosecuting of that warre After all things were thus setled and ordered the King returnes to Poland leauing behinde him that fire that afterward consumed the peace of the whole Kingdome for the Noblemen the Commissioners being commanded by the King that was euer iealous of his Unckle Charles to obserue and enforme his Maiestie of the manner of his gouernment did so oppose themselues against him in all his procéedinges and especially in the payment of this money that the Duke plainely perceiued that this new gouernment was but laide as a trap to ensnare his life A Rex-day was holden at Vpsale no order Concluded nor money paide and much adoe there was to kéepe them from factions the Commissioners would haue these summes paid out of the Subiectes purses the Duke out of the Common Treasury which the commissioners refuse alleaging the Kings want of money The Duke writes faithfully The Lords falsly to the King To whom they intimate feare of innouation and that the Duke by all likelyhoods aimed at the Crowne that he had paid parte of the money due to the Souldiours out of the Reuenues of the Dukedome to draw their affections to him that he sought to further the State and wealth of the Commons more then stood with the loyall nature of a Subiect that he kept the Porte and State of a King rather then a Deputie and that it was not like he would long yeeld his honors vnto Uassalage whose fortunes in such a minde and State as his might attaine to Soueraignty if preuention were not spéedily made The Duke intercepts these letters and sends them inclosed in his own vnto the King to whom he writes very humbly and with all protestations of duty and alleagance the king receaues the letters but beleeues the Lords and distâ—usteth the Duke sendeth secretly to the Commissioners that they should sodainely surprise him depose him from his gouernement and to that end he sent his authority and finally to kéepe him prisoner his wise and children during life in a castle built of purpose for that stratageme within the dukedome of Litto Oh that the nature of fortune should be so fickle and vncertaine neuer singular either in her frownes or fauours but that commonly in the height of any hope it produceth some crosse accident of vnhappy misfortune The Duke notwithstanding hauing intelligence of this plot beganne to looke about him hasted into his owne dukedome and raised a great power of men Some say that if hee had but staide one hower longer in Vpsale the plot had beene effected and the Duke vtterly vndone The Lords were in a maze vpon the Dukes departure knowing that their deuise was discouered they now perceaued their owne weakenesse to resist the Duke being in power place and opinion and farre aboue them And though they had the Kings authority yet was he farre from them and they néer vnto their danger they knew not well what course to take sometimes they purposed to flie to the King and then they feared the waies were forelayd To stay in the Castle of Vpsale were no safety it being a place of pleasure not of defence whereupon they determined to depart from thence Thrée of them vnto the Castle of VVasten in the Dukedome of Finland and Hartourbelk to Calmer Castle Hauing theis Castles deliuered vnto them they purposed to stay there to vnderstand the Dukes procéedings and in the meane time dispatcht letters vnto the King of the particulars of these troubles The Duke as I sayd before hauing raised a great power of men marcheth spéedily towardes the castle of Vpsale but vnderstanding of the Lords departure towards Wasten bends his course thither It is a world to sée what numbers of men came vnto the Duke from all parts proffeting their seruice to him All which hee gently welcomed Some he entertained and the rest sent home againe with speciall charge to looke vnto the Kinges peace signifying further that the cause why hee was now vp in Armes was but to right himselfe of such wronges done by those Lords who neither loued the King nor him The Lords that were in the Castle of Wasten vnderstanding of the
liued in a continuall feare of being discouered as well for that many great men in the Towne had before seene him in Swethland and might then remember him As also for that his Master would many times prie into his countenance and behauiour and vtter strange words and shew strange passions euen in his presence sometimes repeating the name of Gustovus The Prince holding thus a Wolfe by the eares in doubt whether to stay or goe in both which he found danger was wondrously perplexed Sometimes he thought to discouer himselfe opposing his mind against the worst of fortune that if the Towne did betray him his blood should be shed in Innocence and he be rid of that torment wherin his mind was diuersly distracted betwixt Hope and Feare and Feare the predominant but at last resoluing with himselfe to stay hee still framed his mind vnto his businesse One day cleauing of wood in the strayning of his bodie a button that held the flappe of his Ierken brake and there withall a little Chaine of gold whereon did hange a Iewell of inestimable price fell from his necke Which a maid seruant in the house beeing by perceiuing was desirous to see it but hee suddainely snatching it vp told her that it was a thing of no worth but giuen him by a friend of his in the remembrance of her The maide dissembled her opinion for the present but soone after told it to her master The Merchant vpon this accident confirmes his former suspition and hauing now matter more relatiue then before enformed the State of Lubeck with this circumstance The Burgomasters of the Towne sitting then in Counsell sent for the stranger by a guard to come before them How the Message was entertained by the Prince let them iudge that haue vndergone the like aduenture There was no deniall nor possibility of escape Obey he must And it is a hard thing when Princes must obey Being brought before the Magistrates it was demaunded of whence he was he answered of Swethen They askt him of what degree He told them as meane in birth as in fortune what mooued you quoth they to forsake your Countrey The Prince replied my vnkind vsage there A principall Senatour of the Towne looking all this while stedfastly vpon his countenance perceiued that it was Gustovus and whispering the rest in the eare assured them that it was the Prince The matter was before concluded what they meant to doe Whereupon this great Citizen began to speake in this manner Your birth quoth hee is farre better then your fortune Therein you dissembled but your fortune beares the blame your first and last answere is true for we know that you are of Swethland and your name is Prince Gustovus and the vnkind vsage of your Countrey hath driuen you from thence what we meane to doe you shall vnderstand shortly In the meane time repose your selfe securely and hopefully in the rulers house The Prince acknowledged himselfe and thankt them for these signes of their good will And if you shall find quoth he my protection or defence to prooue dangerous vnto your State Let my life rid you from that feare I shall be well content so I may free you from danger to be your Sacrifice Whereupon they all imbraced him with the teares standing in their eyes euery one honouring him and putting him in great hope and comfort They caused him presently to be inuested with royall ornaments and in all honourable and louing manner conuayed him that night to the â—ulers house The Prince stayed as prisoner but honourably attended about two yeeres in Lubeck During which time the king his Father sent diuers Gasants with faire words and large promises to haue him deliuered but it would neuer be granted Howbeit they promised that they would keepe him safe from attempting any innouation The Prince during his stay there would often visite his old master whom he would alwaâ—es call his kind master affirming that if his discouery had not bene made knowen he could as contentedly haue liued a poore seruant in his house as he did then a princely prisoner in the Towne The Merchant would many times tell him he had much adoe to keepe himselfe from the sinne of pride for that it was his fortune to be master of such a seruant Within two yeeres after the king his Father died and the State of the Countrey proclaimed the Queenes Sonne King of Swethland Gustovus had quickely intelligence thereof as such newes flies euer with the Swallows wings receiues Letters from many Noble men and other of his friends in the Countrey wherein he was aduised to vse all means possible for his return with assured coÌ„fidence of their assistance The Prince shewes the Letters to y e Lubeckers solicits them in his own behalfe for aide giues them princely pomises of their requitall The Prince returnes to Swethen full of hope and encouragement His friends meete him in great multitudes with all signes of loue and obedience His enemies are disperst without battaile some fled some taken prisoners the Queene with her sonne conuaied to Vpsale Castle The three Dukes beheated and all the rest pardoned When all things were established and the summes of money paid backe to the Lubeckers Gustovus was shortly after with all solemnitie Crowned king of Swethland and not long after was honourably married out of Germanie His Queene being nobly borne in that Countrey By whom he had foure sonnes Prince Erick the eldest Duke of Doland Iohn Duke of Finland Magnus Duke of Warmland and Charles the youngest Duke of Estergutland that now liues and inioyes the Crowne of Swethland This Gustovus Raigned peaceably and happily Laden with many yeeres but with many more Trophies of honors The care and loue hee bare vnto his subiects was well seene in their reciprocall respect to him His sonnes brought vp in all princely knowledge acknowledged faithfully their naturall duties during his life Though after his death they fell at vnnaturall debate one with another In the last of his yeeres he shewed the best of his affections different from the obseruance taken in other Princes who after a long continued Soueraignetie doe much decline from the gentle behauiours of their beginnings But at last as euery thing is vnstable each estate that hath being in this world holds his vncertaintie This noble king deceased at that time wherein his life was most desired of his subiects whose loue had bene the like vnto his sonnes had it not bene crost by the nature of the tumultuous times that followed The dead corps being now the sadde remnant of a king was with all solemnitie conuaied and enterred in Vpsale Castle His friends following it with all tokens of sorrow calling him the proppe and protector of Religion the defender and preseruer of his Countrey the honour and glory of the Swethen Nation His fame went before him dilating his Noble acts and princely vertues that not buried in the graue with him returned backe posting through the world and