A SHORT Survey or History of THE KINGDOME OF SVEDEN Containing A BRIEFE DESCRIPTION OF ALL THE PROVINCES OF his whole Dominion As also the riches of his Kingdome the antiquity nature and manners of that Nation With the Government of his Realme Might and Power of this great King as well by Sea as by Land his great Officers his Customes and Revenves of the Crowne With a Genealogy and Pedegree of the Kings of SVEDEN of those especially who have reigned these last five hundred yeers with some of their most memorable Acts and Deeds with their Alliance and Issue or Off spring Something also more particularly concerning that Illustrious invincible Great GVSTAVUS ADOLPHVS the II. and of his Wars with the Russian Denmarke and Poland As also of his most Memorable Acts since his comming to the Crowne as well before as since his entring into Germany untill this present yeere 1632. LONDON Printed for Michael Sparke and are to be sold by Iames Boler at the Marigold in Pavls-Church-yard 1632. The Contents or principall heads handled in this whole Discourse 1 OF the division of all these Northerne Countries and antiquity of the kingdome of Sweden together with the large extent of this dominion and the commodities this kingdome affords 2 A more particular survey of the kingdome of Sweden with a short description of the particular parts or Provinces thereof and the benefit they yeeld to the king and subiect 3 Of the nature manners and customes of the Swedish or Suetians and into how many rankes or degrees the people are divided where the Clergie is also comprehended 4 Of the politicke and civill government of the kingdome of Sweden Of their five great Colledges or courts of Iustice and some others also Of the chiefe great officers of the kingdome Of the might and power of the king of Sweden both by sea and land of his horse and foot forces and great store of brasse ordnance Of the great number of warre-ships and other ships or seruice and the great number of marrriners wherewith this kingdome is for all occasions furnished 6 Of customes and tributes or subsi dies ordinary and extraordinary belonging to the king of Sweden 7 A catalogue of some kings of Sweden together with some of their most memorable acts 8 A more particular survey of the last kings of this countrey of these last 500 yeares wiâ—h some other principall acts alliance issue or off-spring 9 Of great Gustavus Adolphus this present king now reigning with his most memorable Acts both before and after his entering into Germany THE DESCRIPTION OF THE KINGDOME OF SWEDEN I. OVr moderne Geographers call all those Northern countries of Europe declining towards the North the Northern world This whole countrey say they is divided into two parts Scania and Dania Scandia or Scandinania by Pliny called an Iland of unknowne greatnesse hems in begirts about all the northermost part of Europe This is a large and vast Region extending it selfe from the 55. to the 72. degree of northerly latitude above 1000. English miles and from the 25. to the 65. degree of longitude or 2400 of our miles On the south side it borders on Germany and Denmarke on the North and West on the Ocean Sea and on the East on Russia The parts of this countrey lying neerest to the South where the Pole is not elevated above 60 degrees is indifferent temperat the Region lying betwixt the 60. degree and the arctick circle are not so temperate howbeit the intemperature of the ayre is well regulated with the fertility of the soyle in such places especially as are not covered over with woods or rocks in the south easterne parts principally But the extreme or most northern parts lying betwixt the arcticl circle and the pole arctick enjoy neither a temporate ayre nor yet a fruitful soile and since by reason of the faint heat of the Sun corne could not there well ripen therefore the wise Creator of all things hath furnished these countries with great variety of wild beasts and divers rivers lakes gulfes furnished with variety of wholesome fishes for the sustaining of the inhabitants lives It would seem that this Scandia was in former times far more populous then it is at this time witnesse these frequent transmigrations and as it were inundations of the Scanzian people into othcr remote regions of the world when as partly by reason of the multitude and naturall fecundity or fruitfulnes of that people partly by reason of dearth of corn partly by their inclination to war and avoyding Idlenes like Bees they sought out new hives for themselves and their children and those great heapes of stones even at this day in the most desarts woods to be seen in former times no doubt gathered together to cleanse the high waies do undoubtedly evidence unto us that in former times all those places have bin peopled and therefore not without great reason did the ancient writers call this country a shop of people officinam gentiuÌ„ populoruÌ„ que vaginam from hence have we not only the Normans Suevians Vandals divers other nations but the Westorgoths and ostrogoths also who after many peregrinations thorow many Provinces and Kingdomes whom they wearied out with their wars at length they setled themselves in Spain where even at this day they beare rule This Scandia or ScaÌ„dinavia comprehends under it 2 northern kingdomes Sweden Norway The kingdoms of Sweden as witnesse the Scanzian histories is more ancient then any of the others from whose Kings hath the ancient families of the Kings of Denmark Norway are desceneded for Dan first King of Denmark from whence this country was called Dania or Danmarchia was the sonne of Humelus the 16 King of Sweden and the Norvegians in their Chronicle before ever they come to their owne reckon vp 25 Kings of Sweden of whom is descended Hwithen by the mother descended of one soluon a certaine Prince of Norway succeeded him in his dominion and haviuing not a little inlarged the same left it to his lawfull heires and successros from whom Haraldus Harsagher being lineally descended in the fourth degree having vanquished and expelled all the other petty Kings did there first of all establish an absolute Monarchy as witnesseth the ancient Chronicle of Norway written by Master Iohn Martinus Slangerupensis and published in Denmarke Anno. 1595. Of this kingdome of Sweden I purpose now to say some thing as I finde it written in the Swedish History howbeit as briefely at I can and speaking of the countrey I shall say something of the several Provinces and Territories belonging to this Crowne the commodities and riches they yeeld both to King and Subject as also concerning the politicke government together with divers customes of this countrey In the next place something shall be said of the might and power of this great King both by Sea and Land his chiefe Officers of State c. and then come wee to
Besides in that country is great store of wild fowle and wild beasts of severall kinds and among these they hunt most that wilde beast in Latin called Alce in the Swedish language Elgh and in high Dutch Elent These beasts twice a yeere in great troopes passe over the river Nieva for in the spring they passe in great number out of Russia into Carelia and in harvest againe returne the same way into Russia This countrey hath in it many strong forts and castles which have hitherto beene accounted the keyes of the Russian kingdome and no other in all his dominions with them to be compared Notteburg is the chiefest and strongest hold of all the rest and therefore held impregnable howbeit at length taken in by the victorious King now reigning as hereafter shall appeare In the same country are also Capurio Iamarod Castles not onely strong by nature but very well furnished also by the art of man The last of all the Provinces belonging to this Crowne and Kingdome of Sweden is called Esthonia being a part of that vast countrey called Livonia and hath not beene vnder the Swedish gouernment above 60 and odde yeeres and by this meanes came first under that iurisdiction Certaine Nobles who tooke upon them to propagate the Christian religion being sent for into Livonia forgetting the errand they came about gave themselves wholly over to carnall lust and gluttonie and drunkennesse and withall keeping the inhabitants in such a base and slauish subiection that they seemed rather to command ouer beasts then men And for this cause God the auenger of all wrongs and punisher of all wickednesse stirred vp Basilius the tyrant of Muscovia to suppresse their insolencie and punish their pride who subdued a great part of Livonia destroying all in their way that made resistance with fire and sword These poore Livonians now perceiuing themselves puâ— to such a strait implored the ayde of the Emperour Charles the 5. keeping then a dyet or generall meeting of the whole estates of the Empire at Ausbourg 1551. this countrey then being a member of the Empire The Emperour then distracted with other warres not being able to send them any succour wished them to seeke for succour and and ayde of the king of Sweden and other neighbouring Princes The Revalians therefore and the Osclians demand ayde of the king of Denmarke Revalia being heretofore built by Valdemarus a King of Denmarke and from him received their priviledges howbeit to no end And therefore finding no sudden succour against so mighty and potent a Prince they were constrained to implore ayde of Ericus 14. king of Sweden and therefore in the yere 1561. freely submitted themselves under his obedience which petition of theirs notwithstanding his father Gustavus had in his life time denied and therefore some are of opinion that this king Ericus brought vpon himselfe and successours a great deale of trouble His sonne Iohn was as wel successour to this quarrell as to the kingdome and tooke from the Russian many of his strong holds The Provinces of this countrey of Esthionia are Revalia towards the North seated neere vnto the Finnicke gulfe vizia in which are these places Refenburgh Tolsburgh and Borholme Alentakia where is that famous merchant staple Naruia and Nystot â—erviai where is Wittensleyn and Lais and Vickia where are Hapsal Lebal and Lode And to this Esthionia belong these Islands also Dagho Orinso Nuko VVrango Odensholme Nargo Vifso and the one and other Nogho the inhabitants of which places as also of Osilea and most of the maritime parts of the continent speake the Swedish language In this great countrey of Livonia besides the Swedish there are yet foure other seuerall languages spoken the German or high Dutch vsed by the Nobles and better sort in the North-parts towards the Finnicke gulfe the Estthionian or Finnicke in the mediterranean parts the Livonians being now almost quite worne out and finally in the South parts thereof they vse the Letticke speech or of the countrey of Lettow which the people Eureles likewise vse the which is as it were a hodge-podge of many severall languages mingle together And these languages differ not onely in dialects but wholly and totally one from another This whole countrey of Livonia and consequently this Esthionia abound with all such things as are necessary for the life of man and are vsually to be found in these Northerne climats And so much shall suffice shortly to haue said concerning the description of the countrey of Sweden and Provinces subiect to the Swedish crowne CHAP. III. Of the nature manners and customes of the Suecians or Swedish and into how many rankes or degrees all these people are diuided THis people is reasonable wittie and vnderstanding and that not onely for learning and vnderstanding of any mechanicall trade but eve for the learning of the arts and sciences as also any outlandish tongues whatsoeuer For such as are of any eminent ranke and degree or competent meanes content not themselves with their Latine tongue and knowledge of the liberall arts but give themselves also very much to the learning of the Germane or high Dutch French tongues In former times their maners conditions were very plaine and homely and although now somewhat declining from former simplicitie yet are they farre from that height of luxurie and pride whereunto many other nations are now so much addicted The apparell of the vulgar sort is but meant but the Gentilitie are now somewhat given to follow outlandish fashions and to emulate their equalls Private mens houses as well in townes as the countrey are for the most part built low and of wood and that both for warmth and for avoyding the dint of great winds In Stocke-holme notwithstanding and some other walled Cities and townes most of their buildings are either of bricke or free-stone The countrey commonly yeelds plentie of good corne and might yeeld more if some of those vast unprofitable woods were cut downe howbeit there is there seldome felt any scarcitie of corne unlesse sometimes the yeare proue very unseasonable which in hotter climats commeth also sometimes to passe and in such a case the countrey-people are sometimes forced to make bread of the barke of the firre and pine-trees which they esteeme very wholesome agreeing well with their stomacks and free from any maligne qualitie Fish and flesh is here very plentifull howbeit neither in great request fresh but either salted up or dryed in the sunne or smoke They are also well stored with venison as also with wild fowle such especially as are accounted the daintiest The coniugall bed is among them kept undefiled and inviolable Their maides are not there maried without consent of parents or guardians neither yet is it lawfull for any man to betroth or marry such a maide without the presence of 4 witnesses two of the part of the bridegrome and as many on the brides side a
are called Dukes and livings answerable to their birth and greatnesse assigned them The daughters have portions assigned them yet not out of the Kings treasure but of the subiects purses And although the Kingdome be now become hereditary yet doe the Kings alwayes sweare to maintaine religion according to the Augustane confession The Nobilitie is divided into Earles Barons Knights Squires and ordinary Gentry The Earles were of old called Ieri and were by their Kings created as likewise Dukes called Hertzogh for their singular valor worth but none of those titles were hereditary or descended to posterity And by reason those great men had often in rebellion opposed themselves against their naturall Kings therefore for divers yeeres these titles were quite omitted vntill such time as Ericus 14. in imitation of other Kings and Potentates introduced again these titles of Earles and Barons and made them hereditary to posterity As for Knights they ever were as now they are also made for their worth and proofe vpon the atchieving of some noble exploits and descend not to posterity unlesse they succeed in their predecessours vertues and valour As for the other Gentry the chiefest of them are those we commonly call Squires and of old were called aff-wapu Out of these rankes of Nobility above mentioned are elected and chosen the supreme ministers and officers of iudicature and other great employments of the Kingdome and for this cause have great maintenance allowed them As for the clergie and state ecclesiasticall it is composed of these persons following first is the Archbishop of Vpsalia together with seueh other Bishops and besides these there are yet foure superintendents who although in name they differ from the former yet in nature function little or nothing and this last is most commonly the highest title among the Protestant Churches beyond the seas as well Lutherans or others So these Bishops and I superintendents were adioyned the Canons Prebends c. and under them Ministers and Preachers of euery Parish The Bishops in former times were possessors of many strong holds and Castles and great livings and were exceeding rich by reason whereof they were able to live like great Princes as at this day in Germany and other places is to be seen by this means they became so haughty and insolent that sometimes they waged war with their owne natural Princes sometimes expelling them out of their kingdome For this cause Gustavus the 1. of that name lest the like should befall himselfe or his successours assembled the whole estates of his kingdome to take counsell against the Bishops then making preparation for an open rebellion and by their advice and consent annexed unto the Crowne their lands and possessions together with all their strong holds and Castles reserving for these ecclesiasticall persons some part as well of the tythes as other revenues to be for them a fit and competent maintenance In former time these Bishops had place among the chiefe Senatours and counsellours of the kingdome and the Archbishop of Vpsalia and sometimes also the Bishop of Lincopia assumed unto themselves the title of Primate of the whole Kingdome for the which cause in those dayes this dignity was by great Nobles sued for but since this Kingdome made profession of the reformed Religion the clergie of highest title meddle only with Church-affaires and now mens sonnes of the meanest degree and birth merchants or husbandmens are admitted unto such functions And yet this priviledge they still enioy that in every parliament they have a voice as well as any of the Nobility or others Next follow the military forces as well horse as foot which notwithstanding consist not of forreine mercenary forces For the foot forces are culled and pickt out from among the choicest youth of the kingdome by decimation or taking every tenth man After they are once enrolled they are not onely freed from all subsidies impositions or other payments whatsoever but have also a yeerely stipend allowed them of the king who causeth certaine commanders for this same purpose appointed being first furnished with all manner of weapons for certaine yeares to traine them vp at home in the meane time enuring them to endure all manner of hardship and such toyle and labour as sould eours are wonted in war to endure while in the mean time the old bands if need so require be emploied in forreine expeditions And thus if commeth to passe that although the King carry never so great an army out of the countrey against a forreine enemy yet is the kingdome never left unfurnished of sufficient defence ready to serve upon all occasions and by this meanes there is the lesse use of mercenary souldiers unlesse upon urgent and extraordinary occasion as now in this great and memorable expedition against the Austrian house and the whole Catholike league It need not therefore seeme strange that this great King hath even in our memories waged war alone and the same time against all his three potent neighbours the king of Poland of Denmarke and the great Prince or Duke of Russia For whensoever his forces are either wearied or worne out he is able presently to exchange with a new supply who being already inured to hardship and military labor and toile are able to undergoe any difficulty whatsoever Their horse-forces are raised both from among the Gentrie and the common people The Nobles according to the greatnesse of their Lordships and lands maintaine many horsemen for the defence of the countrey and besides these the commons of every Province possessing rich Manors or Farmes to free themselves from all tributes and taxes maintaine according to their meanes certaine horsemen under the command of the Captaine of that place where hee liveth The fifth degree ranke or order is of merchants inhabiting cities and townes These both bring in and carry out of the kingdome divers merchandizabte commodities bought first of the naturall inhabitants from whence they gather no small gaine Now these cities and merchant staples have among them certaine peculiar municipal lawes and constitutions derived from the law of the most ancient city Bitia the which about 600. yeeres ago was the seat Royal where the King kept his Court and the chiefe staple of of the whole kingdome Each of these cities and townes enioyeth also certaine particular priviledges and very laudable constitutions by which it was ordained and determined after what manner the mediterranean cities should trafficke and trade with the inhabitants and maritime to the end that each place might bee an indifferent sharer in the gaine and besides this laudable constitution was also enacted that the benefit gaine or rising of one City should not prove the ruine of another But these laudable lawes and wholesome constitutions by reason of so many wars and broyles wherewith this kingdome hath so often beene troubled have beene by the governours of this kingdome now for a long time neglected and by this
receiveth and readeth all letters sent to the king and dispatcheth answers Besides in the counsell he propoundeth such heads as they are to consult about and withall he hath the charge of setting downe and publishing all Proclamations all decrees and acts of Parliament Hee is also Iudge of al private complaints and appeales from inferiour courts to the King and finally he hath the oversight of all the Secretaries Clerkes Religious persons and ecclesiasticall ceremonies and all controversies and negotiations with forreine Princes war peace and truce receiving messages from forreine Ambassadors and dispatching their answers This great officer hath ioyned with him for associates or collegues a Vice-chancellour and divers counsellers of the Chancerie besides the kings Secretaries with divers others The fourth Colledge or Court is that of the Admiraltie over which is the great Lord Admirall whose office is to oversee the Navy royall and to see that it be in a readinesse with all things thereto belonging against the time of need He hath under him a Vice-admirall besides Captaines and Commanders of every ship To his court belong all causes concerning trespasses against constitutions made for the preservation of the Navy-royal and many other things concerning maritime affaires The fifth and last is the Exchequer or as the French call it the chamber of accounts where are received all the revenues belonging to the crowne tributes customes subsidies c. Over this Court presides the Lord Treasurer of the kingdome who hath also ioyned with him in commission two others of the Nobility and to this court belong also a number of clerks who are chosen out of the inferiour ranke of people He hath also under his custodie the royall ensignes of the kingdome the apple the crowne the scepter and the sword He payes also all the kings armie and so doth hee all the kings servants their wages In a word hee takes all and payes all being accomptable to no body but to the king himselfe Amongst all the great officers of the kingdome the Lord Marshall is accounted the chiefe being master of the kings houshold and administrator or orderer of the great counsell who by the kings authority hath power to assemble the whole States of the land to command silence and attention to give leave to speake in Parliament to welcome ofrreine Embassadours and to provide things necessary for their entertainment To his office also it belongeth to remove out of the counsell such as belong not thereunto and to see the Kings decrees concerning matters of defamation and punishment of death duly put in execution Hee supplyes also the place of the matter of the ceremonies and suppresseth all tumults and disorders To him belongeth also the oversight of the kings houshold and domesticall servants and to correct the offenders And finally in all publike meetings he beares the great staffe before the king Next unto him in dignitie is esteemed the great Lord Constable the field Marshall the great Sewer the Lord Chamberlaine c. Moreover this whole kingdome is not onely divided into severall Province Duchies and Counties but besides each Province is againe subdivided into certaine territories or iurisdictions commonly called Haradh of the which some containe moe and some fewer parishes Each Province againe hath its governor or lieutenant called Landz-herren or State-haller and each territorie or iurisdiction hath a Iudge called Leensman and besides each parish hath a Iudge called Nembdarius or Nembdemannus Now all these are distinct offices and subordinate one to another and so may the plantise appeale from one inferiour court to a next superiour in due order and forme The supreame governour or magistrate of the Province is called Legifer as it were a law-giver and iudge and are esteemed in dignity next unto the king as being his iudges and uice-gerents Now as many as are the Provinces as many are there of these supreame iudges to eleven under whom are againe above 300. Vicounties or particular iurisdictions not unlike the courts of Parliament of France and the multitude of presidiall courts But the difference is that these supreame Iudges visit every yeare a great part of their Province untill all their Prouinces be visited and when they have travelled the round they returne againe where they first began which the French Parliaments doe not much after the manner of the Iudges circuits in this kingdome And as this course is very convenient for the remedying of the publike diseases of the kingdome so is it also some ease to the subiect these iudges demanding the tribute and taxes by turnes and not all at once of such territories and parishes as they visit that so the people be not all burdened at one and the same time It is yet further to be observed that by the ancient customes and constitutions of this kingdome besides all these aforementioned courts there was yet one generall court commanded to be kept in foure eminent places of the kingdome once or twice a yeere for determining and finishing some cases which by the other Iudges had not beene or could not so well be decided And this they call Iudicium Praetoriale which was a meeting of many Iudges together where controversies were duely and strictly examined and sentence according to equity pronounced This court was by Charles the ninth father to this now reigning king Gustavus Adolphus ordeined to be kept twice a yeere once in Vpsalia in winter at the time of a great faire then kept and the other about Saint Peters day in summer The Iudges were without faile to appeare at the place appointed in proper person sixe weekes after the publication of such a meeting Now whatsoever was in this pretoriall court determined betwixt party and party was to stand firme and inviolable for ever without appeale to any other court whatsoever And because the king will be sure that iustice be duely executed in all his dominions therefore besides all these former courts there is yet another great and solemne court sometimes kept called the court Royall or Ral whereas either the king in proper person or else a deputy or speciall commissioner heares all the grievances betwixt party and party and this is a court of reformation wherin some things which in other courts have not beene so well ordered are here reformed and amended And this court I take to be much like that solemne court sometimes kept in the kingdome of Scotland called the Iustice aire wherein very small offences were severely punished Now the king is sixe weekes before the time of sitting to intimate the same to his subiects And within 14 dayes after whosoever hath a complaint against any he must cause summon his adversary to appeare at the day and place appointed by the kings letters to that purpose to bee read in the first Plac it or Court or where there is none kept then at the next Parish Church Now if any upon this summons shall refuse to appeare the
made if there were any need And if the country people did not oftentimes conceal some mines newly found out the profit which would arise out of these mynes would amount to a farre greater summe The next way by which the kings revenues are increased is from the fruits of the earth and his customes as well by sea as by land for the king hath the tythes of all manner of graine wheate rye barly c. as also of butter cheese of beasts hides fish and the like the certainty of which reuenues although it be not to us assuredly knowne yet no question ariseth it to no small summe and as is credible to little lesse then 9 or 10. millions say their writers but this must be understood of their owne coine and account not of Sterline money Now concerning his customes the king receiveth custome of all wares transported out of the kingdome or imported into the same And that there be no want of good silver coyne within the kingdome this order hath beene for many yeares agoe established to wit that for every hundreth dollors worth of merchandize transported out of the kingdome they shall pay into the custome-house tenne silver dollors in kind or else tenne ounces of silver for the which they receiue in present pay the worth in other small copper coine of Swedish money currant within the kingdome And for every hundreth dollars worth of wares so transported out of the kingdome the merchant is tyed to bring into the kingdome againe the worth of 90. dollors of such wares as are usefull for the kingdome and for these 90. dollors worth of wares they are to pay into the custome-house tenne dollors or tea ounces of silver of else the worth thereof in other money And whosoever shall faile in any of the premisses for the first fault hee shall pay 20 Swedish markes and the next time all his wares shall be confiscate As for the revenue and custome of rich skins and furs it is sometimes more and sometimes lesse according to the intensenesse and remisnesse of the cold and the abundance of snow For the greater is the snow the greater number of these wild beasts are taken Out of the country of Lapland the Northermost of all his Provinces the king receives a great number of these skins or rich furs And to the end he be not couzned he sendeth thither euery yeare an officer being a clerke who so narrowly inquireth into the number of these beasts so killed that very hardly can he be deceived These rich furs the king disposeth of among his kindred and friends and sometimes also hee exchangeth them with merchants for other wares wherewith they furnish his Court. The third sort of revenue consisteth in voluntary or arbitrary contributions answerable to our subsidies and fifteenes in this kingdome For whensoever the king is to undertake a warre offensive or defensive he calls a Parliament wherin he acquainteth the subiect with his purpose and what charges it is like to arise vnto and then the States of the kingdome agree vpon a certaine summe answerable to the busines to be undertaken But the Nobles and chiefe Gentrie and their tenants are for the most part freed from these impositions unlesse upon very urgent and important occasions But if there be an extreame necessitie and there be not otherwise sufficient supply then their vassals and tenants are tyed to pay halfe of the taxe or subsidie as well as those who are immediately subiect to the king himselfe Besides all this the subiect is tyed to contribute to the marriage of the kings daughters whose do wrie hath been hitherto 100000. dollors neare upon 40000. pound sterling money besides plate and other mooveables unto the which neverthelesse the king may adde at his pleasure as he seeth occasion And whensoever the king permits any of his Court deserving subiects to any preferment he commonly assignes him a certaine number of country people who are esteemed as his vassalls and subiects and are to doe him homage and pay him tribute and certaine duties CHAP. VII Of the Kings of this countrey of Sweden with some of their chiefe and memorable Acts. MOst of the Northerne nations have time out of mind had their Kings by election as the Dane Swedish Polonian and Bohemian The kings of Sweden have beene untill of late yeeres electiue And although it was a matter of no small difficulty among barbarous nations where Mars was more honoured then Minerva and good literature the meanes to eternize heroicall worth scarce heard of in these remote regions to finde out any thing concerning their kings worth the writing yet have we the names of divers kings of that nation recorded of old how be it a constant and continued succession without any interruption wee cannot reade of 1 In the first place then they tell us that Magog sonne to Iaphet Neahs son the founder of the Scythian nation in Europe having passed over the Venedicke gulfe into Gothland by the Latines afterward called by the name of Scythia reigned over those people called Gete Others and that of the more learned ascribe rather the originall of the Goths to Gomer Iaphets eldest sonne and make those two nations Goths and Gete different and distinct nations 2 Vnto Magog as they write succeeded Swennus from whom the nation tooke the name 3 Getbar 4 Vbbo who as they write builded Vpsalia before Abraham was borne And from that time untill our Lord and Saviour they reckon up 35. kings and distinguish them all by their severall names and many of those for their sanctitie of life and conspicuous and eminent vertues were by the rude rimes of those dayes highly commended And besides these divers other kings are yet recorded to have reigned ouer those who under the command of one Berico for feare of intestine warre fled their owne countrey and among those mention is made of one king of the Getes in order 22 Colison by name to whom Augustus Cesar betroathed his daughter Iulia about the which time also Antonius demaunded his daughter in marriage as may cleerely appeare by Suetonius in the life of Augustus Moreover about the time of our Savior reigned Ericus the third surnamed Disertus who for his worth and merit attained to this government To this Ericus succeded to the government of the Swedish nation 41 Godrichus his sonne and next to him 42 Haldanus during the reigne of this king lived that monster of strength for the same cause called Starcherus who is said at singular combats to have killed that great champion Ham which afterwards gave denomination to that famous City Hamburg After those is a long catalogue of their kings recorded but nothing concerning their acts worth the reading recorded that nation then standing more upon the point of valour and honour then upon penning of them for posteritie But farre more fortunate have they beene in their forreine expeditions and transmigrations when as
after at Stockeholme confirmed Being now setled in the throne royall he proffers agreement to Magnus who refusing the same and being all for warre was at length taken prisoner and so kept close for the space of whole seven yeeres untill he was by his sonne Haguinus released After this being returned from a Parliament held at Wismare he began to contemne despise his subiects of whom in requitall he was as little regarded whom now they could not endure He was shortly after intangled in warre against Queene Margaret to whose side some did encline wherein he was taken prisoner and deteined captive whole seven yeares and at length forced to release his subiects of their oath of fidelitie 236 Margaret the Dane and wife to Haguin king of Norway was now in the yeare 1395 Queene of three kingdomes a woman indeede of a high and magnanimous spirit if shee had bent her will the right way vertuous designe had beene the utmost end she aymed at But she making no more account of any oath shee had sworne whereunto notwithstanding shee was very forward then of childrens sport with insatiable covetoussnesse spoyling all and delivering up the Castles and strong holds of the kingdome into the hands of strangers being extreamly hated of the Swedish fled into Denmarke after she had by terrors and threatnings obtained the kingdome for one Ericus her own sisters sonne a young man about twenty foure yeares of age When she was admonished that shee should not commit the custody of the sorts and castles of the kingdome into strangers hands it was her answer keepe you well your evidences and I will have a care to keepe your castles She dyed and was buried at Flensburg An. 1412. 137 Ericus Duke of Pomerania did too much rellish of the perfidious practises of his aunt keeping no covenant vexing the Nobility with with warre spoyling and impoverishing his subiects at home and marring all commerce abroad was therefore opposed by Engelbertus of a Noble and Princely family and he by Danish treachery being supplanted Carolus Canuti took upon him the government of the Realme Having fled into Denmarke and at length odious also to the Dane sometimes attempting and sometimes againe despairing of his returne in his kingdome which notwithstanding upon keeping of convenant was still ready to receive him at length in his returne hee tooke in Gothland whereby he might the more easily robbe all the ships sailing towards the North. But being at length by Carolus Canuti besieged and now not daring trust the Danes bee fled into his owne countrey of Pomerania and there spent the rest of his dayes in peace and quietnesse Anno 1437. 138 Christopherus Prince Palatine of Rhene and Duke of Bavaria and sisters sonne to Ericus against whom by the Danes meanes he was inticed to come and yet not without great doubting and deliberation and the Danes great commendation would the Peeres give their assent to his election The faire sunne-shine of the beginning of this Princes reigne were eftsoone by the Swedish supplanting one another overclo uded Hee had once a conflict with the English wherein he had the better and afterwards labouring to take in Lubecke and being disappointed of his purpose he suffered shipwracke on the Swedish shore after which hee lost all hope of taking in these townes of the Vandals For his lust and other wickednesse the land was punished with pestilence and famine and afterwards having by sea lost his great treasures he had with him carryed out of the country at length in Denmarke hee dyed childlesse 1448. 139 Carolus Canuti after this nation had been some yeeres without a king was by the Peeres of the land now loathing a forreine yoake crowned king 1458. After he was come to the crowne he subdued Norway and being afterwards invaded and assaulted by the Dane hee damnifies him exceedingly By reason of the insolency and misdemeanour of his governours and officers and by the instigation of the Archbishop of Vpsalia especially the people of the land rebelled and rose up in armes against him and in the meane time that he went to Dantzick for succour from the king of Poland they bring in and crowne Christiernus king of Denmarke But in the meane time Catillus Bishop of Lincopia and nephew to the Archbishop of a Prelate now becomes a man of warre and gathering together what forces he was able expells out of the kingdome both Christierne who kept no covenant nor yet performed any promise and all his favourers and adherents and at length in a memorable battle fought upon the ice overthrowes Christierne and puts his whole army to rout After this the Bishop calls the king home out of Prussia who being now returned and having againe recovered the peoples love and good will and growne now wiser to his cost he places over them such officers as might give them better content At length graced and adorned with as many worthy vertues as dayes and yeares in reigning dyes in 1470. After this Charles some reckon Christierne for 140. Iohn his sonne 141. and Christierne Iohns son 142. although others are of opinion they were titular kings onely and rather intruders then true kings and therefore the next shall be 140 Steno Sture sisters sonne to the aforesaid Charles not onely repelled Christierne and his army now approached neere unto the walls of Stockeholme but put both himselfe his whole army to flight and kept him from invading the countrey any more He subdued also afterward the fame kings sonne Iohn by meanes of some disagreement betwixt him and Swanto by the helpe of the Russians and some factious people brought in and crowned At length bringing backe the captive Queene to her husband Iohn being then in Smalandia having sickned at a feast dyed the 30. yeare of his reigne A great magnanimous and vertuous Prince but yet in this as it were exceeding himselfe in that hee refused the diademe royall being offered 141 Suanto Prince of the Ostrogoths and a counseller of the kingdome was elected king of the Suetians Having made a confederacy with those of Lubecke he made warre against Christerne the second sonne to Iohn whom many for the hatred they bare to the sonne did earnestly desire against whom while at hee is making great preparation hee dyes 1512 and of his raigne the 8. He was a vertuous Prince liberall mild intermingled with a gratefull severitie 142 Steno Sture younger sonne of Suanto succeeded in the government This Prince by his prudence escaped the lying in wait of Christerne king of Denmarke having sent to the private conference whereunto he was solicited Gaddus and Gustavus Ericson Afterwards stoutly and valiantly opposing Christerne now come into the field with a very great army and himselfe valiantly fighting was at length shot thorow with a gunne He being now dead and the Swedish dispersed and scattered Christerne by the Nobles of the Danish faction was crowned king having at a banquet the
very day of his coronation killed all the Nobility by him suspected to bee of the contrary faction But by reason of his extraordinary cruelty the same moneth he came was againe expelled the kingdome Now before we proceed to the orderly succession of the ensuing kings something may bee said concerning the king of Denmarke and the originall of the claime he layes to the crowne of Sweden Christierne the 1. of that name of whom something hath been said already the whole royal race of Denmark being now quite extinguished of an Earle of Oldenburg by the consent of the Peeres of the kingdome was elected king and installed in the throne Royall and that chiefly by the commendation of Adolphus of Holsasia his mothers brother and afterwards there arising some broyles and tumults in the kingdome of Sweden the factious of the kingdome of whom was chiefe Iohannes Benedictus Archbishop of Vpsalia having before reiected their naturall king Carolus Canutus and is the pretended right the Dane claimes to the kingdome of Sweden After his decease Iohn his sonne for the space of thirty two years continued king of Denmark He was in like manner by the factious Goths elected king of Sweden after they had reiected Steno the elder who had succeeded his mothers brother Charles but was in a short space after by Swanto being the meanes of Henningus Gaddus Bishop of Lincopia by the consent of the States of the land elected in the roome of Steno againe driven out and in many conflicts being still put to the worse at length fled into Denmarke This Suanto shortly after dying the Peeres of the kingdome after great altercation the Danish faction willing to set against him Ericus Trollus the memory of paternall worth and vertue prevailing made choice of Steno Sture the younger sonne of the aforesaid Suanto Two yeares after the death of Suanto Christierne the second succeeded in the kingdome of Denmarke the greatest scourge that ever befell the kingdome of Sweden who presently resolves to prosecute the pretended right his father and grandfather had to this crowne Steno their new elected king seeing himselfe now as he thought setled in the peaceable possession of the kingdome giving too much eare to flatterers often too frequent in Princes Courts and by their evill counsel seduced committed many grosse and fowle faults in his government by which meanes there following an alienation of the minds of the Nobility he lost likewise at length the love of many of the commons also The Dane who left no wind unsailed to bring his purpose to passe thinking it now good fishing in a muddy water took eftsoone hold of this opportunity and gathering together a great army he begirt Stockeholme round about but Steno likewise with a great army opposing him raised the siege The wind in the meane time being contrary for his returne into Denmarke for the space of three moneths he was put to an extreame great strait for want of provision for his army Steno who used all possible meanes to winne his love and favour with all meanes of necessary provision for his countrey into Denmarke supplyed his present necessitie granting him free leave to returne without any trouble or molestation But this so great a curtesie and kindnesse was but ill requited For foure yeares after having about some matters of great importance as he pretended desired private conference with Steno hee had almost yeelded to goe aboard the enemies ship Being then thus prevented he wished Steno to send him some men of note as Ambassadors to conferre with him and having sent Gaddus and Gustavus sonne to Ericus and after king against his oath and promise carries them both captive into Denmarke This was but the beginning of the next yeres Tragedie Having then the next yeare gathered together a farre greater army then the former he invaded the country of the Vestrogoths and the battell being fought upon the ice Steno being shot thorow the thigh with a gunne dyes shortly after of this wound upon which followed the dissipation and dispersing of the Swedish army Immediately sfter was Christierne by the Danish faction in the principall city Stockeholme elected and crowned king having also after a solemne manner sworne the confirmation of all their priviledges and promised immunitie and pardon for whatsoever was past But the same day fearing lest afterwards in his absence the sonnes of Steno might by the contrary faction be elected having first commanded the gates of the City to be shut up and invited to a feast the chiefe of all the Nobility of the contrary faction in the fight of all the people now trembling and quaking for feare slew 94. of them leaving their dead bodies in the great Court before the towne hall for the space of three dayes for a terrour to the people The dead body of Steno was by the tyrants command taken out of the grave and as some write after he had like a dogge torne it with his teeth commanded to burne is to ashes with the others lately killed The inhabitants were also by the rude souldiers withour any regard off sexe or age cruelly killed and murdered and young children being hung up their heads were cut off from their shoulders The City was rifled and spoiled by the souldiers and no manner of outrage and insolency omitted After his departure from thence as some write he went into a monasterie where he was entertained after the best manner the Monkes were able but after service being Candlemasse day he commanded to take the Abbot and all his Monkes tying them hand and foot and threw them into a deepe river running by the Abbot having by some meanes untyed himselfe was swimming 'a shore which being by him perceived he caused to follow him with a boat and kill him Having thus committed many ontrages and insolencies the people of the land being much therewith distasted tooke courage and about some 30000. in armes pursued him now fleeing and marching more by night then by day untill at length he came inro Denmarke Bâ—ing now so embrued in bloud he could not refraine from crueltie even against his owne kindred he was at length assanlted by Frederick Prince of Holstein ane those of Lubecke and his conscience now affrighting him with his wife Isabella the Emperours sister and his children flees into Zeland which was the third yeare after the massacre of Stockeholme 1523 CHAP. IX 124 GVstavus 1. called Erickson or sonne of Ericus after long imprisonment escaping out of Prison fled speedily out of Denmark and was at length by the generall consent of the States now surviuing accepted for king of the Realme being thereunto well furthered by those of the City of Lubecke which supplyed him with store of money This noble and praise-worthy Prince liued and reigned very peaceably with the love and good liking of his subiects the whole space of 38. yeares and dyed in 1560. The most memorable of his acts and was it not memorable
agreed that the bishop of Vpsalia should performe such rites as belonged to the coronation which was accordingly performed Ericus Sparce also Chancellour of the kingdome administred unto the king his solemne oath he reciprocally answering him and promising first that he would maintaine iusticc and truth within his kingdome and that he would punish and suppresse all iniustice and lying that he would doe iustice to all the Swedish nation as well rich as poore and that according to the lawes and statutes of the kingdome he should governe the same and that by the counsell and consent of his brother Prince Charles and the senate or counsell of the kingdome that he shall consult with the natural inhabitants of the kingdome and not with strangers that hee shall bring no strangers within the realme that hee shall commit the castles and forts of the kingdome and the deserts of Vpsalia to none but the natiues of the countrey that he shall impose no new tribute or taxe upon the subiect unlesse in case of great necessitie for the defence of the kingdome in feare of any intestine commotion or sedition when the kings sonne or daughter is to be marryed when the king is to make any solemne perambulation thorow his whole kingdome or something for the reparation of the desarts of Vpsalia shall be required Moreover that he should confirme all priviledges and immunities heretofore granted to the Peeres of the land the whole people and the clergie thereof and that by all meanes possible he should procure peace and tranquillitie to all his subiects adding lastly this clause to the oath So God be good to my soule and body as I from my heart sweare to observe all the premisses After this was a solemn assembly of the whole States of the kingdome or a Parliament called at Stockeholme wherein was consulted of the government of the kingdome during the kings absence and divers good and wholesome lawes enacted In the moneth of Iuly next after the king departed againe into Poland But some few yeares after hee was by the same States againe abdicated and quite reiected from ever having any right or interest in the government of the kingdome of S weden and was in a Parliament holden at Stockeholme 1590. confirmed And againe in another Parliament holden at Lincopia 1600. as well he himselfe as all his issue and off-spring are for ever excluded from the succession to the kingdome of Sweden The reasons were diuers but especially for sending an army of strangers into the countrey quite contrary to his oath and promise the which if their plot had taken effect might have overthrowne the whole State besides the ruine of religion There were divers other causes published in print as the story mentions the which I have not as yet seene But withall in the abdication of this king this condition was inserted that if within sixe moneths after the finishing of that no hereditary Prince and heire apparant to the crowne of Sweden shall hencefoorth accept of any forreine kingdome unlesse he resolve neverthelesse to live and continue in the same kingdome of Sweden This noble king after he came to the Crown waged warre with the king of Denmarke and at one and the same time with the Russian also For Iuan Wasilicuitz Suski with many of the Peeres being in his chiefe City Mosco very straitly besieged by the Polonians hee sent for aide and succour to this Charles king of Sweden there being then great danger not of the losse of the king and his Nobles onely but even of the utter overthrow and ruine of his whole dominion This Prince therefore sent with great expedition under the command of Iairus de la Garde Earle of Leccho and Arch-marshall of the kingdome of Sweden a great army wherewith he raised the siege overthrew the enemies forces and set at libertie this distressed Prince and all his Peeres The aforenamed Suski making shew of a gratefull acknowledgement of so great a kindnesse received not onely promised but also sealed some deeds whereby hee freely gave unto this king Charles and to his heires and successours kings of Sweden for ever certaine territories and lordships together with the townes castles and forts thereunto belonging But the mance was not answerable to promise for this unthankfull perfidious Prince sent secretly to the captaine of one of his castles wishing him with some forces to intercept those deeds together with the money agreed upon for the souldiers pay King Charles by such an iniury irritated and blame him not raises againe new forces invades the countrey the Polonian having now likewise seized upon Mosco the chiefe City he takes in Rexholme and possesses himselfe of a great part of the countrey round about But while he is now in the middest of his good successe behold cruell Atropos suddenly cuts the thread of his life and so by this meanes together with his hereditarie dominions leaves likewise this warre to be finished by his sonne Gustavus Adolphus at this time king of Sweden whereof more hereafter He dyed of a great sicknesse in a warre against Denmarke An. 1611. Octob. 30. His first wife was Mary daughter to Lewes Elector and Count Palatine of Rhene whom he married An. 1579 and had by her 1 Margaret Elizabeth and died at the age of 5. yeares 2 Elizabeth Sabina who dyed also young 3 Lewes who died instantly after his birth 4 Katharine borne in 1584. and in 1614. marryed to the illustrous Prince Iohn Casimir Prince Palatine of Rhene and Duke of Bavaria 5. Gustavus who dyed a child 6. Mary who dyed also young This vertuous Queene dyed of her selfe in the yeere 1580. His second wife was Christina daughter to Adolphus Duke also of Holsatis who bare to him 1 Christina who lived not long 2 Gustavus Adolphus the illustrious and victorious king of Sweden and born in anno 1594 Decemb. 9. 3. Mary Elizabeth 1596. who in the yeare 1612. was marryed to Iohn an hereditary Prince of the kingdome and Duke of Ostrogothia 4. Charles Philippe a hereditary Prince and Duke of Sundermania Nericia and Vermelandia 1601. He dyed in Livonia unmarried CHAP. X. Of the Noble Illustrious and invincible Prince great Gustavus Adolphus the 2. King of Sweden Goths and Vandals c. and some of his Acts before his entring into Germany 148 Gvstavus Adolphus borne the ninth of Decemb 1594. as said is being but of a tender age for the swaying of the scepter royall his father dying in 1611. he being then but 17. yeares of age was crowned in 1617 Considering then his young yeares and laying them in one scale and the waight of affaires lying on his shoulders in the other we may most iustly wonder and admire at Gods might and power in making him a fit instrument to effect such matters as I doubt not but after-ages shall admire the same In the yeare 1620. he marryed Mary Elinor sister to the illustrious Prince George William Marquis of
purpose together with many other things whereon for brevity I may not now insist But that he might leave a perpetuall memoriall to the Christian world that he was as well a favourer of Minerva as of Mars hee hath left thereof a sufficient proofe to all after ages During the reigne of Ericus Balbus the then Archbishop of Vpsalia Iezlerus instituted and founded in the same City a colledge of 4 professors and afterwards the number of professours being increased together with an addition of far greater meanes it was in the yeare 1476. by Pope Sixtus the 4. erected into the forme of an Vniversitie and adorned with the like priviledges as that of Bononia This Vniversitie by iniurie of time and devouring warres being much endammaged and having lost much of it's ancient splendour and beauty was again by the late deceased Charles the 9. is it were out of her ashes not onely restored to former dignity and splendor but a good encrease also added to her former beauty And this same invincible king now living to testifie to posterity the love he beareth to learning hath so encreased both the number of learned professors and their maintenance that now it may well be compared with many of the best Vniversities of Europe and lest it should at any time hereafter by reason of the want or uncertainty of meanes come to ruine or decay did in the yeare 1624. out of his owne revenues settle upon the same very great and large means and confirmed the same in most large and ample manner and made the possession of these lands and rents as sure and firme as the best Noblemans of the kingdome This Prince after he had lived a few yeares in peace was againe intangled in a new warre with his Vncle Sigismund king of Polonia in the which he tooke from him many strong townes and forts of no small importance without any losse to himselfe for he made warre in his enemies countrey both in the kingdome of Poland it selfe in the Duchie of Lithuania and in the rich countrey of Prussia so that if this king had continued as he began and affaires of a higher nature and straine had not invited him another way not with standing the ayde the Emperor his brother in law sent him he had perhaps ere now beene deprived of a great part if not of all his great dominion The which by him wisely and in time foreseene he earnestly sued both to our gracious kings maiestie now living and to the king of France to mediate a faire agreement betwixt him and his nephew the which was accordingly performed the 29. of Septemb. 1629. a truce and cessation of armes beeing for sixe yeares after ensuing there agreed upon by vertue of which agreement the king of Sweden restored againe to his Vncle many places by him taken in the kingdome of Poland and Duchie of Lithuania howbeit he reteineth still many good townes and castles in the countrey of Prussia The particular articles of their agreement for avoiding tediousnesse of set purpose I here passe by and who so is desicous to see the same may have recourse to the histories The entring of the inuincible king of Sweden great Gustavus Adolphus into Germanie with a great Armie Anno 1630. with a touch of some principall exploits by him since that time atchieved and brought to passe RAdolphus Earle of Halsburg being in the yeare 1274. crowned Emperour at Aquisgranum or Aix layed the first foundation of the greatnes of the Austrian house This Prince then besides that with many great lordships partly by force and violence and partly by purchase he much increased his hereditary dominions the country of Austria also by want of a lawfull successour fell into this Emperors hands to dispose of which he eftsoone conferred upon his sonne Albertus Into this Austria then were incorporated all these other dominions Radolphus being dead Adolphus Earle of Nassau was elected Emperor and afterwards by the aforesaid Albertus killed who got himselfe afterward chosen Emperour This Prince likewise spared no paines but improoved his utmost power and means for the increasing of this already grounded greatnes And this made him so eager an enemy to the Helvetian liberty labouring by all meanes direct or indirect to hooke in whatsoever he could compasse to make his sons great and to advance the now rising Austrain house yea so eager was he in prosecuting his purpose that he spared not the very monasteries and religious houses but either bought out light what might thus bee purchased or else procured himselfe and his sons to be made patrons and protectors of such ecclesiasticall places a faire way for future possession But the uniust murder of his predecessor being by his own brothers sonne revenged who killed this ambitious Albert and all his covetousnesse and ambition now layed in the dust the Princes of this Austrain house as they had now then their turnes in his supreame authority so were they not wanting to themselves and successors but as time and opportunity were offered went on in their predecessors footsteps At length after the death of Sigismund the Emperour in the yeare 1438. another Albert of this Austrian house and sonne in law to the asoresaid Sigismund was elected Emperour the which his successors having now yet once againe gotten the ball before them have kept close unto themselves almost for the space of 200 yeares even until this very day having also afterwards added to their former greatnesse the kingdome of Hungaria Bohemia with the appurtenances thereof Silesia Moravia the one and other Lusatis and become also at several times Lords and masters of Stiria Carinthin and Sirolie and by marriage afterwards gotten in the 17. Prouinees At length Charles the fifth as though this house had not yet bin great enough brought for his share the kingdomes of Spaine and Portugall together with all the kingdoms and dominions thereupon depending as namely the kingdome of Naples Sicilie and Duchie of Milan besides the West-Indies and all the riches of that Westerne world with some thing in the East-Indies also All this notwithstanding this great Monarch according to his plus ultra not contented with all these dominions aimed yet further at the subversion and overthrow both of true religion and the liberty of Germany and began to act such a tragedy in high Germany as his sonne Philip afterwards attempted in the low countries for the which cause to have Pope Leo the 10. for his friend as he had before anathematized Luther so this Emperor to act his part proscribes him This plot for a while succeeded according to his wishes insomuch that Iohn Fredericke Prince elector and the Landgrave of Hessen Protectors and maintainers of the true reformed religion preached by Luther and the Germane liberty were in open field overthrown their forces dispersed and they themselves taken prisoners But at length Maurice Duke of Saxonie the Emperours Generall and newly possessed not onely of his kinsmans
lands and possessions but of his electorate dignity also contrary to the Emperours expectation turning his power against himselfe forces him not onely to a restitution of the captives but likewise to a setled peace and liberty of religion within the whole Germane countryes and so it did here plainely appeare how God brought light out of darknes The Iesuites the incendiaries of the Christian world envying the peace and prosperitie of the same as in other parts so in this countrey of Germany have they laboured to overthrow and subvert both the State of the true reformed Church and common-wealth And although they have been a long time proiecting such a plot yet could it not so conveniently be brought about untill such time as Fredericke primus Palatine Elector having accepted of the Bohemian Crowne being freely and lawfully thereunto elected this viperous generation being of a martiall breed failed not to lay hold on such an offered opportunitie and therefore cease not to incense and stirre up the Emperor Ferdinand the 2. of himselfe sensible enough of any thing that might but in shew derogate from the dignity of the Austrian house to prosecute that which before had been proiected And thus was this Noble Prince deprived not onely of his kingdome of Bohemia but of all his hereditary dominions and electorate dignitie And whereas many ignorant of the Iesuites farre fetched secret stratagems did verily beleeve that now they were attained to the utmost end they aimed at it appeared farre otherwise For now the fire that so long lay covered under the ashes breakes foorth and sets upon a sudden all these flourishing provinces of Germany on fire and the visard now remooved their purpose was made manifest to the blindest eye-sight to wit the totall ruine and overthrow of the true religion in many yea in most places of Germany professed the reducing of them againe to the Romish superstition and utter overthrow of the liberties of the Romane Empire whose designes whosoever in defence of Gods cause and liberties of their owne countrey did any way oppose have been in most barbarous manner prosecuted and persecuted with fire and sword and many forced to forsake their ancient inheritances to save their lives and keepe a good conscience in still professing that religion wherein they had heretofore beene brought up Others againe more pusillanimous and loath to loose all for Christ yet besides a shameful and perfidious abiuration of that truth which before they had professed were yet notwithstanding forced to yeeld to such slavish and servile conditions as the insolency of a victorious enemy was pleased to impose upon them When this tyranny had now at least for the space of tenne yeares beene after a rigid manner prosecuted it pleased Almighty God of his infinite goodnesse all other meanes now failing in pitty and compassion to his poore afflicted Church now destitute of the least appearance of any humane helpe to raise up meanes of deliverance where I am sure it was least expected euen that illustrious and victorious king of Sweden Captaine of the Lords host Gustavus Adolphus King of the Swethens Goths and Vandals arriued in Pomer in February An. 1630. and landed neere unto the Isles of Rugen and Vsdome at a little village called Pennemund with no more at the first then 6000 souldiers Himself comming on shoare falls downe and powres out this vnto God O Lord thou that rulest ouer the Heauens the earth and the vast sea I cannot sufficiently giue thee thanks that thou hast preserued me so graciously in this perillous iourney O Lord I render thanks vnto thee and giue praise vnto thee from the very bottome of my heart beseeching thee seeing thou knowest that this voyage my purpose and intent tends not to my owne but onely to they glory and honour and for the comfort and helpe of thy afflicted Church that if now the time and appointed houre become Assist me further with thy grace and blessing grant are a prosperous wind and good weather that I may behold the rest of my Army with a ioyfull eye which I haue left behind me picked vp out of diuers nations to the end that with them I may aduance forward thy holy worke-Amen The Kings Officers and Councell stepping on land after him and hearing such a zealous prayer comming from him in this manner could not forbeare weeping which the King perceiuing said vnto them Weepe not my friends but pray feruently from the bottome of your hearts the more yee pray the more victory God will giue you for earnest prayer is more then the gaining of halfe a battle It seemes since that time that the Kings prayer hath auailed much with God and how mightily the Lord hath been with him in taking in many countries cities and townes in ouerthrowing the Emperours inuincible Army and that of the Catholike League and the mighty increasing of his Armie since his first landing Other particulars may giue satisfaction to the Reader to God the onely author and giuer of them be giuen immortall praise Amen FINIS Division of the Northern world Antiqnity of the kingdome of Sweden Sueonia Suevia Division of the Kingdome of Sweden Sueovia and the parts thereof Vplandia Conmedities of this countrey Mines in this countrey Division of Vplandia Stockholme Vpsalia Vestmania Rich Mines Dalecharlia A profitable water Nericia Sndermannia Nycopia Strengosia Tolga Torsilia Trosa Northland Gestricia Gerralia Helsingia sometimes a kingdome Helsingian an ancient people Affectionate to learning Helsingia properly so called Hudinswaldia Medelpadia Angermannia Fertility of the soyle Bothnia Lappionia or Lappiâ— Their manner of life Their innocencie Their apparell Strange thred Their tents Their tents The meetings Nature of the people Good soldiers Diamonds Topazes and Amethists among them Diuision of this countrey Gothia Division of this country Vestrgothia Citties Townes Dalia Vermelandia Carolostadium Ostrogothia Fertility of the soyle Smalandia Good pastures Mines of copper and steele Division of this country Olandia Occasion of warres betwixt the two neighbouring Princes Finlandia VVhy so called Nature of this people Singularities in their languagess When and by whom first subdued Division of the country Cities towns and castles Caiania Townes Savolaxia Lake I-adoga Sea Calse Nystat Tavasâ—ia Nystat or New-castle Yron made of water Nylandi Townes VViburg Rexholmia Greatest lake of all Europe A peculiar fish Rubies Ingria Alce Elgh or Elent Notteburg Capurio Iamarod Esthonia How it came first under the Swedish Crowne Provinces of this countrey Five severall languages in Livonia Nature of the inhabitants Not so vicious as many other Nations Apparell of this people Their buildings Woodshere very frequent Bread of the barke of trees Adultery there vnknowne Manner of their marriage and betrothing Manner of succeeding in inheritances If the heire be absent Dana arf If the heire be 〈◊〉 owne Their hospitality Robberies seldome heard of among this people Gothish letters abolished The Swedish much addicted to the high Dutch speech Italian language The Spanish French Gothe louers of learning Sixe rankes oâ— degrees of the Swedish nation Princes of the bloods The Nobility Their titles were not hereditary When made hereditary The clergie or persons ecclesiasticall Bishops lived like Princes in Sweden The military forces The trained â—ands whereof consist the foot forcet The horse forces and how raised Merchants Certain lawes and constitutions have been appointed for traffick and commerce Husbandmen Free-holders Werkers in the Mynes Farmers They have a voice in Parliament Antiquities of the Vestrogothian lawes The whole government of this Kingdome comprehended in certaine societies or colledges a Colledges or societie of Iustice 2 Colledge or societie is that of warre or court Marshall 3 Colledge the court of the Chancery The Lord Chancellours office Colledge me Admirall court 5 Colledge is the Exchequer The Lord Marshals office Particular division of the Provinces into smaller parts Severall Iudges The supreame Iudge Legifer Iudicium praetoriale The Ral or Court Royal. Iustice heire of Scotland Sea forces Number of Ships 〈…〉 Mariness and Sailers His land forces The horse not bigge in bulke This king hireth commonly his horsemen Customes threefold Customes arising from his mynes Great number of brasse Ordnance Customes revenues arifing from the fruits of the earth Customes of all manner of merchandise Customes of furres and rich skins The third fort of custome or revenue arbitrary or voluntary contributions 1 King Magog 2 Swennus 3 Getbar 4 Vbbo 40 Ericus the 3. 41 Goodrichus 42 Haldanus 100 Biorno 124 Ericus Sanctus 4. 125 Charlesâ— 126 Canutus 127 Stercherus 128 Ericus 3. 129 Iohn 1. 130 Ericus Balbus 131 Valdemarus 132 Magnus Ladolos 1. 133 Birgerus 134. Magnus Smech 135. Albert of Meckleburge 136 Margaret the Dane 137 Ericus Duke of Pomerania 7. 138 Christopherus Prince Palatine of Rhene and Duke of Bavaria 139. Carolus Canuti 140. Steno Sture 141 Suanto 142 Steno Sture 2 Something concerning the title the kings of Denmarke pretend to the crowne and kingdome of Sweden Christierne the 2 invades the countrey of Sweden A great ingratitude Extreame barbarous crueltie More then â—nhumane crueltie 143 Gustavus Erickson 1. Reformation of religion in the kingdome of Swedea An. 6560 141 Ericus 8. 145 Iohn 2. 146 Sigismundus The oath of Sigismund Abdication of king Sigismund An act against the accepting of a forreine kingdome unlesse he refine himselfe in Sweden His warres against Denmarke and Russia 148 Gustavus Adolphus 2. His war with the king of Denmarke His war with the Russian Prince The countrey of Carelia corruptly called Reaholme taken in The invincible force of Notteburg The strange manner of taking in the Castle of Noneburg The taking in of the strong fort Iuanogorod Confirmation of the ancient lawes concerning trafficke and commerce betwixt the sea townes The Vniversitie of Vpsalia is by him much enriched and adorned Albert killed Another Albert Emperour Wonderfull greatnes of the house of Austria Charlet the attempted the overthrow of true religion together with the Germans liberty
the Kings of that countrey both ancient and of latter times with some of their chiefe acts and the latter Kings alliances In the last place is something more particularly said concerning this great Gustavus Adolphus now raigning and his chiefe acts both before and since his expedition into Germany briefly handled The King of Sweden or Swethland call it as you list although untill now of late yeeres not so much taken notice of in these parts of the world as many other Princes and Potentates yet may it well appeare that hee is on meane Prince nor of small power His chiefe countrey and from which he takes his chiefe denomination is called by some Sueonia and the people from thence Sueones as also and with us most frequently Suevia and the people Swevi now there is in high Germany another countrey sounding somewhat like it called Suevia the people Suevi and in high Dutch Swaben bordering on Bavaria being a colonie in former times come out of this countrey of Sweden of whom my purpose is not here to speake This potent King then hath under his dominion not onely this country of Sweden properly so called but also Gothland Flintland and a great part of Lapland besides some Territories in the dominion of the great Duke or Knez of Russia or Muscovia as hereafter shall appeare This countrey is a very fruitfull soyle a land flowing with milke and honey and yeelding come in great abundance besides the great abundance of mettalls digged out of the bowells of the earth and the excellency of the pastures of this land may from hence appeare that some countrey people of Holland removing their habitation into Sweden affimed that they made as much butter of 60. measures of milke there as they did in Holland of a hundred the like measures This pleasant countrey is replenished with innumerable lakes furnished with most daint y fishes out of these same lakes do run and Issue out many pleasant and profitable rivers This country is in the South parts more plain even but towards the North and VVst more mountainous not without great store of woods very usefull for the fining of those mettals in so great abundance digg'd out of many of those mountaines The maritane pares not of Swethland onley but of Finland also are for the most part environed with high and steepe rocky hils Ilands many of them being scarce covered with greene grasse and this is the cause why it is so hard and difficult a matter for strangers without some skilfull Pilot of the naturall inhabitans to saile neere their shore and strangers at their first approaching wonder that such a country should afford the inhabitants meanes to sustaine life until such time as they are better acquainted with the inner parts of the countrey and this land hath likewise commerce with the I le of Brittaine Denmarke Norway Poland Russia and such other Notherne Regions beyond the 50 or 51 degrees of Northerly latitude that it bringeth forth none of that noble liquor of the grape which is notwithstanding in great abundance brought from other countries and besides they are well furnished with good ale and beere for their ordinary drinke 2. The kingdome of Sweden is divided into Sweden Gothland Finland Ingria and Esthionia Sweden or Swethland called Suecia or Sucovia into Sueovia properly so called and the Northlands Nordlandias Of Sueovia properly so called are these parts or Provinces following Vplandia Vestmania Dalecharlia Nevira and Suedermania This country Vplandia hath most cōmmonly bin graced with the pre-eminence above the rest and where the King hath most commonly kept his Court. This country is very well furnished with plenty of very good corne the which is liberally imparted to these daily diggers of mettalls upon the mountaines It is not destitute of good mines of yron and leed especially and in some places of silver also although not very much It is againe divided into three folk-lands as they call them that is shires or Provinces of three people and these againe sub-divided into smaller parts much answerable to our division of hundred and which name they also attribute unto them Of all the cities and townes uot only of this but of all the other Provinces of the Swedish dominions Stackholme is the chiefe and where the King most cōmonly makes his abode and residence seated in an Iland among the waters as Venice for the which cause it had this name imposed By meanes of the lake Melexus it hath brought from the inland al maner of grain butter cheese and such other commodies usefull for the life of man as also cooper yron and other mettals and again by the same way sends them back such cōmodities as are brought from remote regions and by the sea it is supplied with wine oile salt c. lt is much of the same degree of northerly latitude with the city Aberden in the of Scotland it being seated in the South part of Sweden to wit betwixt the 58. and 59. degree Next unto it is Vpsalia somtime the royal seat of the adjacent northerne parts for there was kept the Kings Court the supreme court of justice and there was also the Archbishops sea with a faire cathedrall Church the which onely of all the rest continueth yet untill this day There there is also a famous Vniversity of the which more hereafter This City is seated as it were in the very center of this rich Province on the banke of the River Sala Besides these there are yet in his Province some others of good note howbeit inferiour to the former to wit Enecopia Sigrundia Oregrundia The next Province of Sueonia is Vestmania in fertility nothing inferiour to Vplandia but in mettalls farre exceeding the same for in it is a very rich silver mine called Salbergh as for good yron and steele there is there also great abundance where mines of copper lead and brimstone are not also wanting The chiefe Citty thereof is called Grosia and commonly Westeras adorned with a Bishops sea and a cathedrall Church where is also a faire stately castle to be seene and heere may one see great store of copper and lead brought from the hils of that countrey There are yet besides this the Townes Arbogia and Koping abounding with the same mettalls but yron especially The Province of Dalecharlia although it be not inferiour to the former in the abundance of mettalls and mineralls yet in the abundance of good copper digged out of these deepe vaults and cavernes to the no small amazement of such as are not acquainted with such sights it doth farre exceede any other and besides copper the same myne yeeldeth yet great store of brimstone alum and copperas And the water which is drawne from thence changeth yron into good copper with the losse of the fourth part if the waight of the yron be in small pieces and the third part only if the pieces be
meanes many disorders are by little and little crept into their trafficke and commerce And therefore this illustrious and victorious king Gustavus Adolphus now reigning to testifie and make knowne his love and fatherly affection to his countrey in restoring and repairing the ruines and breaches of the common-wealth among many other things did againe as it were revive and put life into those now almost dead lawes and enlarge the same the which if afterwards they shall be duely observed no doubt but these cities will soone againe returne â—o their former splendor and dignitie The last ranke and degree among this people is that of husbandman the which although lowest in degree yet not of lâ—ast vse and necessitie a being the very ground and foundation of all the rest and who furnish all the others both with food and rayment And of these there are yet two sorts the first are free-holders having their lands and possessions hereditary and out of the which they use to pay something yeerely to the king the which payment is seldome raysed to any higher rate and withall this priviledge hath beene granted them of old that if they be able to furnish themselves with a good horse and compleat armour being able to serve the king in his warres so long as they or yet any of their sonnes serve in this kind their Manours or Farmes are freed from any manner of payments to the king and this is the reason why many from their very cradle as it were apply themselves to military affaires by which means also the number of the kings horsemen is wonderfully encreased Among these are also to be ranked such as worke in mynes in the mountainous and hilly places of the kingdome who thereby purchase to themselves no small gaine and are for the most part very rich The rest of these countrey people are Farmers who although besides the set rents they pay their landlords they performe likewise diuers services yet by reason of the great benefit and commodity they make by fishing fowling and of wood of the forrests they reape no small commodity whereby they are enabled to live in very good fashion recording to their owne ranke and degree For this is to be undestood that this whole kingdome aboundeth with lakes and rivers full of very wholesome fishes besides the abundance of woods which partly in regard of their number and partly by reason of the remotenesse yeeld oftentimes but small benefit to the owners and for the same reason no where are fish and fowle as also hares cheaper then in this kingdome It is likewise to be observed that in all Parliaments the countrey people this last and sixt ranke I meane have a voyce as well as any of the others And thus it commeth to passe that the meanest or lowest degree is not neglected nor no well deserving subiect hindered to climbe to as high a pitch of honour as his vertues can attaine unto CHAP. IIII. Of the Politicke and civill government of the Kingdome of Sweden IN ancient times each Province of this kingdome had it's severall lawes and constitutions whereof as it is supposed there were divers authours whose names by reason of the long tract of time are now for the most part buried in oblivion And the Vestrogothian lawes are so ancient that it is apparant they were made at such times as the Goths departed out of this kingdome or at least shortly after for there is mention made of the Goths inhabiting Greece and Thracia to wit that none of them should enioy or possesse any of their ancient possessions in their owne countrey unlesse they would returne and dwell there And it is apparent that they dwelt there before the times of Alexander the great who as he affirmed were to be shunned and taken heede of Besides even before the incarnation of our Lord and Saviour they were such a terror to the Romans that they were by them much hindered from inlarging their dominion beyond the Danubius Now these lawes doe for the most part agree with the lawes of the Visigoths set down by Ifidorus although they be farre shorter for the which cause it is not unlike that these same lawes of Isidrus were at the first collected out of the constitutions of the Vestrogoths and after as the titles testifie enlarged by the kings of the Visigoths of Spaine Out of all these Provincial lawes and other constitutions of this kingdome did the Bishops and Senatours thereof above 270 yeares agoe compile this generall law very agreeable to the law of nature and not much differing from the civill law but that by this controverted cases are far speedilier ended But before we speake any thing concerning their lawes we will premit some generalities In this kingdome therefore there are severall principall colledges or societics which comprehend the whole government of the same The first of these is called the Colledge of Iustice in the which ore three degrees or rankes the supreame the middle most and lowest of all In this supreame or highest ranke or order are the noble Senators of the kingdome in the next are such as they call Lagman and in Latin Nomophy laces as if we should say Recorders or Registers In the third ranke or order are the Iudges of particular cities or townes being men of good esteeme and of honest life and conversation and not unskilfull in the lawes of the land In this supreame court are iudged causes of the whole kingdome as well criminall as ciuill and to this supreame court the subiect may from any inferiour Court of the kingdome appeale whereas they determine and iudge whether the inferiour court hath iudged right or no and from this court there is no appeale unlesse it be to the king himselfe in whosepower it is either to qualifie the punishment or to remit the offence Vnder this suprame court are immediatly subiected and subordinate two others that of criminall causes and that of the court or chamber The next to this colledge is the colledge of war wherein are handled all Martiall or Military affaires and is called the Court marshall or martiall To this court belongs the Councell of War wherein are all military matters deliberated and discussed and over this court presides the great Marshal1 of the kingdome His office is when the king cannot be present in his owne person as generall to command over the whole army This great officer hath with him ioyned diuers other associates and collegues amongst whom is chiefly he whom they call Riick-seirs Siigmeister as much to say as master of the Ordnance Besides there is also a field marshall and under him many other commanders both of the horse and foot forces The third colledge or court it that of the Chancerie in which are handled all manner of causes both civill and ecclesiasticall In this Court presides the Lord Chancellour of the kingdom who hath the chiefe charge of the broad seale
like a great deluge and inundation they overflowed a great part of the world under the names of Ostrogoths and Westrogoths and under the commandement of Theodoricus Attlalariake Totila Ataulphus c. whose martial and heroicall exploits the Romans highly advancing and lest they should conceale their owne worth have published to all posteritie Vnder Biorno their 100 home-bred king Lewes sonne to Charles the great swaying the scepter of the Westerne Empirethis nation of Sweden first received the Christian faith Sanctus Augerius a monke of Gorbey much furthering then this so worthy a worke Author est Ludolphus de Bchenburg in libro de zelo religionis Christianae CHAP. VIII 124 ERicus Sanctus or the holy after whom the posteritie of Suercherus and Ericus by turnes with much contention as the one or the other grew strongest usurped the gouernment This pious Prince notwithstanding his great agnitie and pietie and paines taken in an expedition to convert the Finlanders to the faith had but a slender reward being bulled by a conspiracy of some of his Nobility Henry King of Denmarke and Magnus his sonne being the ring-leaders of this faction An. 1160. 125 Charles sonne to Stercherus having raigned two yeeres during the raigne of Ericus over the Ostrogoths who in the election of a king dissenting from the Swedish had chosen one of their owne and afterwards for the space of 8. yeares very religiously and vertuously ouer both kingdomes but being now hated by reason of his friendship with the Dane was at length by Canutus sonne to S. Ericus being by some perswaded that this Charles with the helpe of the Dane had contriued his fathers death killed in in the Iland of Visnuga 11â—8 126 Canutus sonne to S. Ericus having done penance for killing king Charles and being by the discreet counsell of the Bishop of Lunden diverted from assailing the Dane dyes 1192. 127 Stercherus sonne to Charles a martiall man wise and eloquent itching for revenge on the posterity of Canutus having altered his former nature gathered great forces out of Denmarke was at length with his whole army utterly overthrowne and againe in another bloudy battle himselfe killed 1210. 128 Ericus sonne to Canutus having escaped Stercherus his hands raigned very prosperously for the space of 7. yeares the which 7 yeares histories mention to have been exceeding fruitfull but in the eight yere with the death of their king this fruitfulnes was also finished 1216. 129 Iohn sonne to Stercherus a very pious young man of exceeding great hopes dyed notwithstanding within three yeares after 1222. 130 Ericus Balbus sonne to the nephew of S. Ericus Against him conspires his kinsman Folchingus expelling him out of his kingdome but within a short space the tyde turning he being killed he left Ericus the peaceable possession of the kingdome after this he converts his forces against the Tavastians sending against them the Prince of the Ostrogoths a man of very eminent virtues whom after hee had subdued and converted he dyes 1150. 131 Valdemarus by meanes of a valiant souldier Iuanus Blaa during his fathers absence was elected king The father being returned from this expedition against the Tavastians alledged that the crowne was rather due to himselfe then to his sonne but being terrified by the stout answer of this brave souldier who affirmed that the could shake a king of Sweden out of his ierkin if as Birgerus alledged there should want one to succeed he was contented to be his sonnes governour wherein he discharged himselfe very worthily But by the fathers death this young king being now left to himselfe by the perswasion of his wife being a Dane hee deales very harshly with his owne brothers untill at length he was taken prisoner by his brother Magnus being therein borne out by the Swedish themselves and was also shortly after by the Peeres of the kingdome deprived of the kingdome of Gothland which his brothers kindnesse had hitherto suffered him to enioy 132 Magnus Ladolos in the yeare 1276 succeeded his brother Valdemarus by the Danes meanes notwithstanding not ceasing still to molest him yet after a once or twice dissembled reconciliation at length by the captivitie of Valdemarus the controversie was composed Hee much wronged himselfe in setting strangers the Danes especially over the affaires of the kingdome for at a friendly feast as he supposed the Danes not regarding sacred hospitality tooke him prisoner And besides he drew upon himselfe the implacable hatred of the whole Swedish nation but principally of the family of Folchingus against whom he bare a great grudge and therefore having cunningly under the color of friendship invited them to a feast he murdered those of chiefe note and almost extinguished the whole race of Folchingus But towards the latter end of his life he much reformed his former carriage giving himselfe wholly to Gods worship and service dyed in the I le of Visingia having left his sonne to succeed him and Turgillus Canuti to be his governour and guide 133 Birgerus sonne to Magnus a dishonour both to himselfe and the whole Swedish nation the ruine and overthrow of his owne brethren a prodigious and unnaturall part the beginning of his raigne having promised better proceedings after the reiecting of Turgillus his cruell nature began to discover it selfe For having at first accused his brethren of treason hee afterwards by force of armes assaulted them by whom being first taken prisoner after a counterfeit reconciliation having invited them to a feast he layes violent hands on them thrusts them into a dungeon there to dye of famine and lest there should be any hope of succor throwes the key into a deepe river running hard by The which barbarous and inhumane crueltie being odious both to the Swedish and Gothish nation they tooke armes and expelled him out of the kingdome who together with his wife died miserably in Denmarke 134 Magnus Smech sonne to Ericus slaine by his brother Birgerus in the yeere 1319. succeeded in the government who no whit terrified by his Vncles example trod still in the same footsteps in so much that for his contempt of religion prodigious lust and barbarous cruelty he was called a robber or spoyler Predo which was the elogie he purchased to himselfe making a shew that he would admit of his sonne Ericus for a consort in his government secretly subornes one to kill him which being prevented yet his owne mother Blanca a French woman poysons him Being taken prisoner by Haguinus the second king of Norway but presently againe let goe he flyes into Denmarke and causing intercept his sonnes spouse Dutches of Holstein by force obtrudes upon him Margaret the Danes daughter and in the meane time while he is a providing great forces against his subiects hee thunders out proscription against them 135 But in the meane time Albert of Meckelburg nephew to Magnus by his sister is by the proscribed Nobles elected king and shortly
Brandenburg one of the Princes Electors of the sacred Empire who although she bare him some children yet lived they not long In the yeare 1624. she bare him a daughter 1. Christina but dyed the same yeare The next yeare after she bare him againe another daughter called also 2. Christina yet living and in the yeare 1627 she was in a Parliament then holden at Stockeholme declared here apparent to the crowne of Sweden It hath been a little before related how his father Charles the ninth of that name died during his warre with Denmarke and withall hath beene shewed how at the same time the same Prince had hot warre with the Prince of Russia by which may easily appeare into what a labyrinth of troubles was this young king at his first comming to the crowne involved In both these warres he carryed his affaires so well that thorow the helpe of Almighty God he hath procured himselfe ever since a firme and inviolable peace with that great Prince He had with the Dane divers conflicts yet alwayes demeaned himselfe so worthily that he came off with great honour and credit so that at length that great king seeing hee had to meddle with his match was willing to accoodate his Martiall thoughts to entertaine at treatie of peace and so these two great Princes of mortall enemies became loving and kind friends and have since confirmed a strait league of amity and friendship As for the Russian Prince he had with him yet some greater difficulty to undergoe there resting some strong and almost impregnable places to be taken and the evidences concerning such territories as the Russian had for good consideration assigned his father to bee recovered Amd although my purpose bee not particularly to enlarge my selfe upon all the severall occurrances of this warre yet are there in the same some things to be obseraed not unworthy the readers consideration whereof I will give but a touch After his fathers decease then having setled the affaires of his kingdome at home although he had to deale with so potent an enemie as the king of Denmarke as hath beene said already yet did he not neglect this warre against the Russian and for this purpose prepared a great army to prosecute that which his father had left unfinished Now it is to bee understood that these forts and places hee tooke in from the Russian Prince are the strongest holds and as it were the very keyes of all the Russian dominion That countrey is corruptly called Rexholme from a strong City and Castle seated in two little Ilands in the mouth of the river Woxen in the one of which the Castle and in the other the City is seated although the right name of this countrey among Historians be knowne by the name Carelia But among all these strong holds castles none is to be compared with the strong fort Notteburg which hath therefore hitherto ever beene holden invincible untill now of late experience hath taught us the contrary It is built in a little Iland in the mouth of the swift river Nerva and by reason of the breadth of the river could not be battered with ordnance This strong cattle therefore being of so great importance was never unfurnished But the great God of heaven who according to his good will and pleasure disposes of all these sublunary things and infatuates the wisedome of the wise delivered this inuincible fort into the hands of an invincible Prince a presage no doubt of his future great and glorious victories But the manner is yet more admirable for within the souldiers were not unfurnished of sufficient foode and the enemies force as said is they needed not much to feare but within their mouthes and throats there grew so many great warts that although they had food sufficient yet could they not feed on the same nor yet swallow down any sustenance for the which cause they were forced to surrender this strong fort into his maiesties hands And so he that made the walls of Iericho at the found of a rammes horne to fall downe to make a way for his owne people of Israel to enter this City found out this way to take in this invincible fort And whosoever sees not the same providence accompanying prospering him in this so great a warre now undertaken against the whole power of the Austrian house and the Catholick league I thinke is more then pur-blind There is in that same countrey another strong Castle Iuanogorod seated on the top of a high rocke in an Isthmus or narrow plaine a great part thereof being environed with this swift river And although on the west side as it looketh towards the river it might be batered yet both that way as likewise both the south and north parts were well defended by this river and on the east there was a low valley digged by natures owne industry where the people had their habitation the countrey about being plain and levell and so high that the ordnance could touch onely the tops of the turrets and goe no lower Neither yet was there any undermining by reason or that soile which was altogether rockie This fort notwithstanding together with the former 2. and many more were by this same king taken in the yeare 1617 in so much that this great Prince was then put in no small feare of loosing all or the greater part of his dominion whereof there was then no small danger Wherefore the great Knezor or Duke Michael Feodorouitz sonne to the former perfidious Iuani Vasilienitz Suski earnestly suing for peace it was at length by the mediation of king Iames of famous memory effected and in the yeare 1618. fully finished and agreed upon And thus were those aforementioned townes and forts and divers others belonging to this Carelia Ruthenica or countrey of Rexholme together with all the deeds and evidences thereunto pertaining resigned over and delivered into to the hands of this king and for ever annexed unto the Crowne of Sweden and all other places during this warre taken from the Russian againe to him restored as in the articles of agreement in 18. more at length is to be seene Neither was this king then part 21. yeares of age when he had brought to a happy end two so great and important warres Now after this happy and peaceable conclusion having established peace in al his Prouinces he gave not himself over to his lustfull pleasures as is often too customary with young Princes nor to drowne himselfe with sinnefull delights but gane himselfe wholly to beautifie and adorne this peaceable kingdome whereof shee was now fully possessed which could no better be effected then by confirming the ancient good and wholesome lawes and constitutions of the kingdome adding some others as occasion required And therefore as was already touched he not onely reinforced the former lawes and constitutions concerning trafficke and commerce betwixt the sea townes but added also divers others tending to that same