him by way of Acknowledgment that he shou'd so basely betray his Dignity and Ministry The King finding him Inflexible found out an honourable way to get rid of him by conferring upon him the Character of Embassador He was order'd forthwith to set out for Poland and the King sent him word that he shou'd receive his Dispatches at Dantzie The Archbishop apprehended presently the Drist of this Commission and lookt upon his Embassy as little better than a Banishment However he they'd the King's Orders with a great deal of submission and went for Dantzic with his Brother Olaus Magnus Where having waited some time but in vain for his Dispatches and his Majesty's Orders and hearing that Lutheranism got ground every Day in Sweden he went to Rome to implore the Pope's Assistance and inform his Holiness of the Danger that threatned the Catholick Religion in Sweden under so politick and so mighty a Prince But the Pope was in so bad Circumstances that he cou'd not take much notice of the Affairs of Sweden Clement VII His extraordinary Ambition to advance and aggrandize his Family made him enter the Year before into a League with Francis I. King of France and the States of Venice Florence and Switzerland against the Emperor Charles V. The Design of the Confederacy was to procure the Liberty of the Children of France who were then Hostages in Spain to recover the Kingdom of Naples to the Holy See to maintain Sforza in the Dukedom of Milan and to defend the Liberty of Italy in a word to oppose the Power of the Emperor who was grown formidable ever since the Battel of Pavia That Prince was so incens'd against the Pope whom he lookt upon as the Author of the League that he rais'd a bloody War against him But the War it self was not so grievous to the Pope as the Emperor's Exhortation to the Cardinals to summon a lawful Council for the Good of the Church which wanted to be Reformed as the Emperor was pleas'd to express it both in her Head and Members Clement was extremely averse to a Council which he dreaded wou'd not only regulate the Papaal Power but enter upon some Enquiry that might be prejudicial to his Person and Dignity He was always reputed the natural Son of Julian de Medicis till Pope Leo X. being of the same Family declar'd him Legitimate upon the Information of his Mother's Brother and of certain Monks who deposed that there was a Promise of Marriage tho' such an Evidence was somewhat suspicious in so nice an Affair There was indeed no positive Law to exclude Bastards from the Pontificate but 't was the common Opinion that so eminent and holy a Dignity was inconsistent with so great a Blemish The Pope therefore might justly fear that the Emperor wou'd insist upon it in a Council and by his Authority colour it with a Pretext of Justice and Religion Besides he knew that the Emperor had a Note in his Hands which he had given to Cardinal Colouna in the Conclave to purchase his Vote Thus he saw himself in danger of being depos'd as was Balthazar Cossa known during his Pontificate by the Name of John XXIII and the rather because Pope Julius II. had issued out a strict Bull annulling and making void all Simoniacal Elections and putting it out of the Power of the Cardinals by a posterior Consent to make 'em valid But Charles V. did not so much aim at his Person as the Principalities annex'd to his Dignity His eagerness for a Council was only to get an opportunity to raise him new Enemies and to make him depend upon his pleasure He wou'd fain have had the Command of the Pope's Territories which lay so convenient for him in that juncture of War for the Communication of the Milanese with the Kingdom of Naples and the late League the Pope had made with his Enemies afforded him a plausible pretence to seize on ' em He gave Orders to his Army to march into the Pope's Territories His Troops besieg'd and took Rome by Storm where they committed such Barbarities as cou'd not be expected from Infidels Both the Massacre and Plunder lasted several Days the Virgins were ravish'd in their Mothers Arm and at the foot of the very Altars the Monuments of the Apostles and the Relics of the Saints were prophan'd by the Avarice and Insolence of the Soldiers the Cardinals and Prelates of the Court of Rome were thrown into dismal Dungeons where they were perpetually alarm'd with the fear of an ignominious Death to make 'em deliver up the Treasures of the Church The Pope himself was seiz'd and imprison'd in the Castle of St. Angelo by the Emperor's Officers And that Prince who affected the religious Title of Catholick design'd to send him to Spain as he had done Francis I. that he might almost at the same time Triumph over the two greatest Powers of Europe one Spiritual and the other Temporal Gustavus heard with a secret Joy the News of this War betwixt the Pope and the Emperor but especially of the amazing Success of the last He therefore resolv'd to follow his Example and to make use of this Juncture to give the fatal Blow to the Dignity of the Bishops of his Realm His Power was so great that he feared no Rebellion having a considerable number of Troops on foot which made him formidable to his Enemies at home and abroad Most of his Officers were Foreigners or Lutherans all equally devoted both to his Person and Fortune the Senators were all his Creatures and the Danes his Allies Thus whilst all Europe dreaded his Power or admir'd his Greatness he form'd a Design to take from the Lishops all the strong Holds that were under their Jurisdiction and at the same time to make an exact Enquiry into all the Purchases or Usurpations of both the Regular and Secular Clergy since the Prohibition of King Canietson But above all he resolv'd to get all his Declarations and the Decree made in the Senate relating to the Tithes confirm'd by the Estates of the Kingdom In pursuance of this Resolution he call'd a Meeting of the Estates at Westeras and made use of his Authority in all the Provinces to influence the Election of such Deputies as might serve his turn He sent secret Orders to a certain number of his Officers of War to be present at the Elections under colour of soliciting for the Payment of the Troops He himself follow'd 'em soon after attended by all the Senators and follow'd by a Crowd of Courtiers who shew'd his Greatness and served at the same time to maintain it He began to discover his Intention in the ordering of a Treat which he gave the Bishops Senators Deputies of Provinces and all the Members of the Estates The Officers of his Houshold alter'd the usual order of the Seats at Table The chief Places were given to the Temporal Senators to the prejudice of the Bishops who claim'd that Honour by prescription And the
Arguments to excuse and even to justify Injury and Oppression The devout King Eric was Barbarously Assassinated by his seditious Subjects and the King of Gothland was suspected of encouraging and corresponding with the Rebels Charles VII The Swedes advanc'd this Prince to the Throne that the two Gothlands might be reunited to the Crown He took all possible care to keep his Subjects from suspecting that he had a Hand in the death of his Predecessor In pursuance of that design he began the Exercise of his Regal Authority by ordaining that all the Laws of St. Eric shou'd be punctually observ'd He recall'd Canut that Prince's Son who after his Fathers Death had made his escape into Norway And to remove all the pretexts that might be us'd for embroiling the Kingdom in a civil War he made a Law that Canut shou'd inherit the Crown after his Death and that for ever afterwards the King shou'd be chosen by turns out of the two Royal Families Afterwards he erected several Monasteries to gain the Esteem and Affection of the People who are always extreamly fond of such external Marks of Piety and Devotion He sent an Embassy to Rome to obtain from Pope Alexander III. the Title of Arch-Bishop and the Pallium for the Bishop of Vpsal who was Primate of the Kingdom The Pope was easily prevail'd with to grant or rather to sell him the favour he desir'd according to the usual Maxims of the Court of Rome and that Prelate was invested with the Archiepiscopal Dignity on condition that the Estates of all those who died without Children in the Kingdom shou'd be intail'd upon the Holy-See but the Swedes soon grew weary of that Religious Bâ—â—dage and freed themselves from so 〈…〉 Canut Tho' King Charles had made a solemn Law to settle the Succession upon this Prince his Ambition cou'd not be satisfied with the prospect of a Crown in reversion He levy'd Forces in Norway and resolving at once to recover the Throne and revenge the Death of his Father he invaded Sweden routed King Charles kill'd him in the Battle and by that Victory made himself Master of the Kingdom He lest no means unattempted to extirpate the whole Race of his Predecessor but since 't was never in the power of a Tyrant to secure his Ursupation by the Death of his Successor all the cruel Diligence with which he persecuted the Family of the late King cou'd not hinder the Swedes from Electing Suercher the Son of that Prince according to the Law by which 't was ordain'd that the two Families shou'd enjoy the Crown by turns Suercher III. This Prince imitating the Barbarous policy of his Predecessor order'd an exact search to be made for all the Relations and Posterity of St. Eric But one of those Princes escap'd his fury and rais'd an Army to make head against his Persecutor Eric X. He defeated King Suercher in a Battle and after that Prince's Death obtain'd the Crown which at that time was always the Reward of the Conqueror As soon as he was fix'd upon the Throne he endeavour'd to make a friendly Agreement with the Family of his Predecessor in order to which he offer'd to re-establish the Law that was made by King Charles for regulating the Succession and to convince the posterity of that Prince that he really design'd to put the Treaty in Execution he appointed John the Son of Suercher to succeed him excluding his own Son Prince Eric who was oblig'd to content himself with a distant prospect of inheriting the Crown after the Death of Prince John Iohn I. He conquer'd some places in Livonia and endeavour'd by Force of Arms to make the Esthonians renounce the Idolatry that prevail'd among 'em But the People of that Country looking upon their forc'd Conversion as a sort of Slavery took up Arms and drove the Swedes out of their Province In the mean time King John Died in the Isle of Wiensingso after he had reign'd three years Eric XI call'd the Stammerer He was the Son of Eric X and obtain'd the Possession of the Crown without the least Effusion of Blood It may be reckon'd a very rare Instance of moderation that a Royal Family shou'd so tamely divest themselves of the Sovereign Authority and suffer a Prince of another House to mount the Throne without Opposition This Monarch had occasion during his Reign to perform a very important piece of service to the Regency of Lubeck The Danes Besieg'd that City with a numerous Army and shut up the Port with an Iron Chain which was defended by a potent Fleet. But when the City was reduc'd to the utmost extremity the King of Sweden sent a considerable number of Ships mann'd with Soldiers under the Convoy of several Men of War who beat the Danes open'd a passage thro' their Squadrons broke the Chain with which the Mouth of the River Trave was block'd up reliev'd the City with Men Provisions and Ammunition and by that seasonable and important supply deliver'd the Republick from the Danish Yoak The Regency as a Testimony of the publick gratitude for so signal a Deliverance ordain'd that the Swedish Merchant Ships shou'd from that time be exempted from the payment of Customs and Duties Waldemar The Family of King Suercher shou'd have had their turn in the Election by vertue of the Treaty concluded with the House of Eric But it seems the Swedes had either forgotten or neglected that Agreement for tho' Eric the Stammerer left no Issue they Elected Waldemar the Son of that Prince's Sister and of Ierl or Count Birger who was General of the Swedish Forces during the preceeding Reign It may perhaps appear strange that the Son tho' an Infant was preferr'd before his Father but 't is plain from the Swedish History that tho' the Kingdom was always Elective 't was the perpetual custom of the People to chuse a Prince of the Royal Family preferrably to all the other Lords of the Kingdom In the mean time the Count or Ierl Birger was intrusted with the care of the Government during the Minority of King Waldemar And that Wise Lord who was his own Son's Minister made it his principal Care to raise the Honor and Authority of the Crown He concluded a Peace with the Neighbouring Princes and then apply'd himself wholly to the contriving and pursuing of those Maxims that might make him absolute in the Kingdom He built and fortify'd the City of Stockholm instituted good and useful Laws and exacted a punctual observance of ' em Upon advice that some Lords began to grow Jealous of his Authority and to complain that he made an ill use of it he suppress'd those brooding Commotions by ordering the principal Fomenters of 'em to be beheaded Afterwards he marri'd the King his Son to Sophi the Daughter of Eric King of Demark that the Authority of his Family might be secur'd by so powerful an Alliance As soon as the young Prince was of Age he advanc'd his Father from the Dignity
and Title of a Ierl to that of a Duke as a Recompence for his paternal Care and by his Father's Advice he created his Brother Magnus Prince of Sadermania Eric Prince of Smaland and Benedict Prince of Finland Birger having sâ—ttl'd his Family and establish'd his Son upon the Throne died not long after and the Peace and Happiness of Sweden ended with the Life of that Great Man King Waldemar repenting his Kindness to the Princes his Brothers endeavour'd to deprive 'em of the Estates he had bestow'd on 'em by way of Appennâ—ge especially Duke Magnus whom he accus'd of aspiring to the Crown These Animosities occasion'd a furious intestine War which was fomented by the Danes and ended in the Defeat and Abdication of King Waldemar who was taken Prisoner and after he had resign'd the Crown retir'd with his Danish Auxiliaries to Malmogen in the Province of Schonen Magnus Ladisias The Merit of this Prince entitl'd him to the Possession of the Crown which his Brother was neither able to preserve nor worthy to enjoy In the Beginning of his Reign he made it his Business to encrease his Revenues and diminiâ—h his Charge as the surest way to establish his Authority He made so strong an Interest in the Convention of the Estates that the Sovereignty of all the Mines in the Kingdom and of the Four great Lakes Meler Wener Weter and Hielmer and all the Duties or Rents of the difforested 〈◊〉 were solemnly vested in the Crown This wise Prince made use of so considerable an Augmentation of his Revenues to secure his Authority against the natural Inconstancy of a Nation that could neither live without a King nor submit to the Dominion of a potent and resolute Prince He invited several German Lords to his Court and advanc'd 'em to the principal Offices in the Kingdom The Promotion of these Strangers and the Interest which the King had in Foreign Countries made the Swedish Lords extreamly uneasie and at last irritated 'em to such a degree that they assassinated all the Germans The King was highly incens'd at so bold an Action but had the Prudence to conceal his Indignation In the mean time he made secret Levies and as soon as he saw himself in a condition to execute his Revenge he surpriz'd the Male-contents and caus'd their principal Ring-leaders to be beheaded The Spirit of Rebellion seem'd to be quite extinguish'd by the Severity of so terrible a Blow and that wise and daring Prince wou'd have certainly establish'd his Authority upon such sure Foundations and advanc'd it to so great a height that he might have bequeath'd an absolute Power to his Children if the Accomplishment of his Designs had not been prevented by his Death He left three Sons Birger Eric and Waldemar the eldest of whom was not 11 years old Birger II. During the Minority of this Prince the Care of the Government was intrusted to Torckel Enutson who made himself Master of Carelia took Hexholm from the Russes and fortified Wiburg to cover the neighbouring Places from the Incursions of that People After the King was of Age to undertake the Management of Affairs he marri'd Meretta the Daughter of Eric King of Denmark Prince Waldemar his Brother toook to Wise the Daughter of the Regent Enutson and Prince Eric marri'd Ingeburgh the Daughter of Haquin King of Norway This Prince was so far from being deterr'd by the Faâ—â— of his Unkle King Waldemar that he seem'd re 〈…〉 follow the same Methods which occasion'd all the Disorders that discurb'd the Reign of that Prince He seiâ—d on the Tythes and imprison'd some Bishops who took the liberty to complain of his Incroaching upon their Privileges Nor did the Princes his Brothers meet with a better Treatment for instead of suffering 'em to live unmolested in their respective Governments he endeavour'd to make 'em depend absolutely on the Court and to reduce 'em to an entire subjection to his arbitrary Commands The injur'd Princes perceiving the general Dissatisfaction of the People took up Arms and were follow'd by all those who were offended at the publick Violation of their Liberty and Privileges In the mean time the King levy'd Forces to oppose the Designs of his Brothers and was assisted by his Brother-in-law the King of Denmark But finding himself unable to resist the prevailing Faction he resolv'd to execute his Designs by Treachery since he cou'd not depend upon the Success of his Arms. In pursuance of that unmanly Resolution he invited his Brothers to Court under the pretext of a sincere Reconciliation and as soon as he had made himself Master of their Persons by that infamous Stratagem he order'd 'em to be cast into a Dungeon where they were starv'd to death The Swedes abhorring the Baseness and Inhumanity of their Treacherous Sovereign took up Arms immediately advanc'd Magnus the Son of Duke Eric to the Throne and march'd in pursuit of King Birger who had the Misfortune to see his Army defeated and his Son taken Prisoner by his Enemies That unhappy Prince was made a Sacrifice to the Fury of the incens'd Multitude who cut off his Head to deliver Magnus from so dangerous a Competitor and his miserable Father dreading the same Fate fled to Denmark where he died in an obscure and ignominious Retreat The Reader will find at the beginning of this Work the Names of the succeeding Princes with a short account of their Actions 1330 Magnus Smeck the Son of Duke Eric 1372 Albert of Mecklenburg 1395 Margaret the Daughter of Waldemar K. of Denmark and Q. of the three Northern Nations 1424 Eric XIII Duke of Pomerania Sovereign of the three Kingdoms of the North. 1441 Christopher of Bavaria K. of the three Northern Nations 1445 Charles Canutson a Swedish Lord elected K of Sweden Norway 1457 Christiern of Oldenburg Ancestor of the present King of Denmark King of the three Northern Nations 1470. Steno I. King Canuâ—son's Nephew Administrater of the Kingdom of Sweden 1504 Suanto Sturius Administrater of Sweden 1512 Stero II. the Son of Suanto Administrator 1520 Christiern II. Sovereign of the â— Kingdoms of the North. 1523 Gustavus Vasa a Swedish Lord Administrator and afterwards King of Sweden procures the Crown to be entail'd A Table of the Principal Matters A. ANderson Chancellor of Sweden his good and bad Qualities 42. his Employments 43. he embraces the Dectrins of Luther 44. he confirms Gustavus in his design to humble the Clergy ibid. he advises him to make use of Luther's Reformation in order to suppress the Temporal power and riches of the Clergy ibid. he presides in the King's behalf in a Lutheran Council held at Orebro 92. Arwide Besieges Stegeburg 2. B. The Bishops of Sweden Gustavus King of Sweden impatiently suffers the Power and Riches of the Clergy 41. his designs to humble them 43. he infringeth their Privileges 49 and 100. he prohibits by Declaration the Bishops to appropriate to themselves the Goods and Succession of Ecclesiastical Persons in
An Account of the Religion Civil Government and Art of War with the Remarkable Customs and Ceremonies publick and private With Copper Cuts of the principal Buildings c. To which are prefixed two Essays concerning the Roman Learning and the Roman Education By Basil Kennet of C. C. C. Oxon. Dedicated to the Duke of Glocester Octavo The Evangelical History Or The Life of our Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ Comprehensively and plainly related With Practical Inferences and Discourses thereupon Adorned with Copper Cuts Octavo The Evangelical History Part the Second Being the Lives and Acts of the Holy Apostles comprehensively and plainly related according to the Holy Scriptures and the Writings of the Primitive Fathers of most approved Authority Illustrated with the Effigies of the Apostles and a Map of their Travels fairly Engraven on Copper Octavo A new History of Ecclesiastical Writers Containing an Account of the Lives and an Abridgment of the Works of the Primitive Fathers and other Ecclesiastical Writers from the Time of our Saviour to the End of the Ninth Century Written in French by L. E. du Pin Englished In Seven small Volumes in Folio The Seventh Volume of Monsieur du Pins Ecclesiastical History Containing the History of all Transactions in the Church during the Ninth Century Englished in Folio may be had alone CAMDEN'S BRITANNIA Newly Translated into English With large Additions and Improvements and Maps of every County newly Engraven according to the latest and best Surveys Published by Edmund Gibson of Queen's Colledge in Oxford Folio Now in the PRESS THE Antiquities of Greece Or An Account of the Religion Civil Government Magistrates Laws Customs Military Discipline Arms Publick Buildings Exercises Sports c. of the Ancient Grecians With a Description of the City of Athens c. Octavo The History of the Revolutions in Portugal Done out of French The Memoirs of the Imprisoned Mareschal de Boufflers Important Meâ—nâ—â—â— A Continuation of the Voyage to the World of Descartes All 〈◊〉 from the French will be speedily 〈◊〉 A TABLE Of the Principal Matters Contained in the First Part. A. ADministrators of Sweden what the Dignity was 29 Albert second Son of the Duke of Meckelburg King of Sweden his Reign 9 his Subjects deposed him 10 13 he is defeated by Margaret and taken Prisoner 14 Joannes Angelus Arcemboldi Legate of Pope Leo. X. in the Northern Kingdoms 49 his good and bad qualities 50 his Covetousness in heaping up Treasure ib. he distributes Indulgences ib. he holds a Conference with Christiern King of Denmark ibid. he promiseth to maintain his Interest against the Administrator of Sweden 52 he departs for the Court of Sweden ibid. his Negociation in Sweden with the Administrator ibid. seq by his discourse he gives occasion to the Administrator to suspect that he was brought over to take part with his Enemies 53 The Administrator permits him to distribute his Indulgencies in Sweden 54 he gathers together vast summs of Money in Sweden and the Administrator lets him export them out of the Kingdom 55 He discovers to the Administrator the designs of the King of Denmark his correspondence with the Clergy of Sweden and the Treachery of the two Governours of the Castles of Stockholm and Nicoping 56 he returns to Denmark and seems concern'd at the ill Success of his Negotiation ibie the Pope enjoyns him to take another journey to Sweden and to threaten the Administrator with Excommunication in his name 66 he used all possible means to engage that Prince to give Satisfaction to the Pope ibid. the Administrator offers him the Archbishoprick of Upsal 68 he blames the Archbishops conduct contrary to the Orders he had receiv'd from the Pope to maintain his Authority ibid. he imploys his Friends to perswade his Holiness to confirm the deposition of that Prelate ibid. he returns from Sweden to Denmark 70 Arwide a Noble-man of great note in West Gothland he declares for Gustavus against the Danes and by his order lays Siege to the Castle of Wadestene Augustin the Court of Rome usually employ'd Augustin Moâ—ks iâ— Savony to publish the Indulgences they were supplanted by the Jacobins the mischiefs that ersu'd B. ERic Banner a Danish Lord asks leave to keep his Kinsman Gustavus upon his parole 76 he obtains his request upon condition that he should cause Gustavus to be conducted to the Castle of Calo whereof he was Governour and that he should pay six thousand Crowns of Gold for his Ransom if he suffer'd him to make his escape 76 77 the kind entertainment which Banner show'd to Gustavus 77 Banner being inform'd of the Flight of Gustavus his Prisoner pursues and overtakes him 89 he taxeth him with ingratitude ibid. he is convinc'd at last of the equity of his Reasons 90 Bishops of Sweden their Authority and Riches See Clergy Olaus Bonde Lord of Nericia riseth up in Arms against the Danes and besiegeth Orebro the Capital City of Nericia The Bull of Leo X. which suspends the Kingdom of Sweden from divine Service and excommunicates the Administrator with the whole Senate 69 The Burghers and other Inhabitants of the Maritime Towns of Sweden 6 why their Deputies had little Authority in the Diets ib. C. CAlmar the union of Calmar 16 the statutes and conditions of it ibid. It was the Foundation and Original of the Wars that continued above an Age between Sweden and Denmark 16 Christiern makes himself Master of Calmar 95 he gives the Government of it to Severinus of Norby a Danish Lord ibid. Canutson Grand Marshal of Sweden acknowledg'd King of Sweden and Norway by the Estates 23 he goes about to infringe the Authority and Fower of the Bishops 24 they compel him to leave the Kingdom 26 he is set on the Throne again after seven years of Exile 27 he is detained and taken Prisoner 28 he was constrained to renounce the title of King ibid. and was sent away to a Castle in Finland ibid. he gets possession of the Throne a third time 29 Charles V. his aspiring to an universal Monarchy It is reported that he gave his Sister in Marriage to Christiern only on condition that he should acknowledg him for his Successor to the three Northern Kingdoms in case he should die without issue Christiern the first Count of Oldenburg Progenitor of the Royal Family that now Reigns in Denmark 22 Canutson hinders him from being own'd as a Soveraign Prince by the Estates of Sweden 23 For what reason ibid. after the deposing of Canutson he was proclaimed King of Sweden and Norway 26 he was expell'd seven years after 27 Christiern II. King of Denmark his good and bad qualities 37 he aspires to the Throne of Sweden ibid. what he did in order to get possession of it ibid. sequ he is offended at the Mission of the Legate Arcemboldi and why 50 he endeavours to make use of him to prosecute his designs against Sweden with greater success 51 sequ he communicates his designs to him 52
Government in Sweden and 't is probable the Crown was only Hereditary when the Sons of the deceast King were strong enough to maintain themselves in that station nor were they advanc'd to it before they had signaliz'd themselves by some bold and extraordinary exploit Suibdager King of Norway Conquer'd Denmark from Gram King of Cepers The Swedes charm'd with his Valour or aw'd by his Power chose him for their Sovereign by which Election he saw himself at the same time absolute Lord of the three Northern Kingdoms This Prince according to the Swedish History is the first Foreigner upon whom the Crown was conferr'd Hasinund Son and Successor of Suibdager was slain in a Battle against the Danes Vffo Son and Successor of Hasinund carry'd on a War against the Danes with success but at last Hading King of Denmark under colour of an Interview for a Treaty of Peace drew him into a place where he caus'd him to be Assassiinated Huning Vffo's Brother and Successor after a Bloody War which he undertook against the King of Denmark to revenge the Death of his Brother chang'd of a sudden his violent hatred against his Enemy into an excess of Friendship A Solemn Peace was concluded betwixt these two Princes with a Solemn Oath on both sides that upon the Death of either the other shou'd not survive him It happen'd not long after that Hading was salsly reported to have been Assassinated by his own Daughter which Huning believing resolv'd to die according to his promise In pusuance of this design he regal'd his Friends and the chief Persons of the Kingdom with a sumptuous Entertainment and at the conclusion of the Feast being Drunk he threw himself into a deep Tub full of Mead and so drown'd himself Hading was vext at the News but resolving to imitate the Generosity of his Friend he very coâ—â—ageously Hang'd himself in the sight of all his People if there be any credit to be given to those ancient Histories or rather to the Histories of those Ancient Ages Regner The Son and Successor of Huning was made King of Sweden notwithstanding all the opposition of his Mother-in-Law Torilla He Govern'd his Subjects with much Equity and Moderation But these peaceful Virtues were so far from procuring him the Love and Esteem of a Cruel and Barbarous People that he was slighted and contemn'd because he wou'd not gratify their savage Humour by Plundering the Neighbouring Countries and perhaps also because he was too generous to cause his private Enemies to be Assassinated Hothebrod The Son and Successor of Regner was a warlike and daring Prince and undertook several fortunate Expeditions against the Finlanders Russes Esthonians and Curlandians After which he Attack'd Roe King of Denmark whom he kill'd at the Head of his Army He pursu'd this Victory with so much vigor that he made himself Master of the whole Kingdom But he did not long injoy his Conquest for the Danes revolting at the instigation of Helgo Roe's Brother Hothebrod was routed and kill'd and by this means the Swedes were expell'd out of Denmark These pretended Conquests of Kingdoms were only Inrodes made by the victorious party into the Enemies Country For since there were no places of strength where Garrisons cou'd be left to secure the Conquest as soon as the Victorious Army retir'd with their Booty the Conquer'd Nation took up Arms and chose a new King or Captain to Command ' em Attila I. Succeeded his Father Hothebrod and Marri'd the Mother of Rool King of Denmark But that Match instead of producing a lasting Peace between the two Kingdoms and a good Understanding betwixt the Kings serv'd only to re-kindle the War with greater fury than ever The Queen of Sweden having seiz'd upon the Treasury of the King her Husband fled to her Son in Denmark Attila incens'd at her persidiousness invaded Denmark with his Forces and routed the Danes Rool was defeated and kill'd by one of the Swedish Generals and Hother Attila's Brother was made King of Denmark Hother King of Sweden and Denmark routed the Danes who revolted at the instigation of Balder a Prince of that Nation after which he march'd against the Russes but lost his Life in that Expedition Rodric This Victorious Prince reveng'd his Father's Death by the defeat of the Russes and subdu'd the Finlanders Wendi and Slavonians Attila II The Son and Successor of Rotherick he fought a single Combat at the Head of his Army with Frovia General of the Danish Forces and kill'd him Frovia left two Sons who as soon as they were grown up to Age went to Sweden and offer'd their service to Attila pretending to be Soldiers of Fortune They were receiv'd into the King's House whom they afterwards Assassinated to revenge the Death of their Father Botwil Charles II Grimmer Lordon Gothar Adolphus Algot Eric II. Lindorp The Fabulous Chronology mentions only the names of those Nine Princes without relating their Adventures or so much as the length of their Reigns Alaric Under this Prince's Reign the Swedish Monarchy was divided into two Kingdoms Alaric reigning in Sweden and Gestiblind in both the Gothlands This Division and the Neighbourhood of two Barbarous Nations occasion'd Bloody Wars betwixt ' em Alaric according to the custom of those Times challeng'd Gestiblind to a single Combat who declin'd it by reason of his Age but offer'd in his stead Eric Prince of Norway who was come to his Assistance These two Champions fought with all the Fury and Obstinacy that Men are capable of when they resolve either to vanquish or die Alaric was slain and Gestiblind to reward Eric's Valour not only gave him the Crown of Sweden but appointed him his Successor in the Kingdom of Gothland by which means these two Crowns were not long after reunited upon the Head of that Prince Eric III. surnam'd the Wise This Prince liv'd in a profound Peace and apply'd himself wholly to the Administration of Justice and Execution of the Laws This got him the surname of Wise which he preferr'd to that of Brave and Courageous tho' he really deserv'd it by the Valour he shew'd in the Combat he fought with King Alaric Halden I. The Son and Successor of Eric the Wise A. C. 43. he signaliz'd himself in the Wars of Norway and restor'd Fricdelef King of Denmark to his Fathers Throne from which he had been expell'd by an Usurper Returning to Sweden at the Head of a Victorious Army he resolv'd to make his Will the only Standard and Rule of his Government Upon which his Subjects revolted his Officers and Soldiers forsook him and he was at last put to Death by the Malecontents Siward Haldan's Son was own'd for his Successor upon condition that none shou'd be molested about the Death of his Father Under this Prince's reign the Goths were again separated from the Swedish Monarchy and chose for their King a Prince call'd Charles of the Family of their Ancient Kings who to establish his Authority made a League with
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