the Defeat and ABDICATION of his Father King Magnus the States of Norwey intrusted her with the Regency of the Kingdom and the Guardianship of her Son Olaus And during her Administration of the Government she made so good Use of her Time and manag'd her designs with so much Dexterity and Success that when the young Prince dyed the Norwegians found they were not at liberty to proceed to a new Choice She was Mistress of the Army and of the Forts or places of Strength so that the Principal Lords of the Kingdom who were not gain'd to her party durst not seem dissatisfi'd nor so much as indifferent at a Time when they cou'd not without Danger discover their true Sentiments Thus Margaret was elected by the Estates and exchang'd the Quality of a Regent for that of a Sovereign Queen having already born the same Title as the Wife of King Haquin King Valdemar her Father dying the same Year without leaving any Prince of his Blood whom the Danes might chuse for his Successor she sent Deputies to the States General of the Kingdom to Solicite her Election to that Crown Henry of Mackelburgh the Elder brother of Albert King of Sweden and Husband of her Elder Sister the Princess Ingelburge employ'd his interest to obtain the same Dignity and flattering himself with the advantage he had of being a Son-in-Law to the deceas'd King thought he might easily contend with a Female Competitor But the Queen's Agents drew such convincing Arguments from the Merit and perhaps also from the Money of their Mistress that she was unanimously elected by the whole Assembly and proclam'd Queen of Denmark in the Meeting of the Estates As soon as she receiv'd the News of her Advancement she left Norwey and went immediately to Copenhagen where she fixt the Seat of her Empire This Princess who by some is call'd the Semiramis of the North besides the usual Ambition of her Sex was Mistress of a Dexterity in the Management of Affairs and of a Capacity to form a long Series of coherent Projects that are rarely observ'd in a Woman Her Inclinations to Love were sutable to her Character and Dignity that is she was not really in love with any thing but Glory or sensible of any Passion but her Ambition to extend the limits of her Empire and advance her Authority She rejoyc'd in secret at the Dissatisfaction of the Swedes and endeavour'd to gain some of the Leading Men of that Nation She bestow'd Pensions and an honourable Entertainment on those that were ill treated by King Albert and openly blam'd his injustice in violating the Liberty and Privileges of his Subjects That Prince was daily laying new Impositions upon his People without the consent either of the Estates or Senat and had already Squeez'd considerable Sums out of the Clergy by way of Loans But nothing render'd him more odious both to the Bishops and Nobility than his Reuniting to the Crown the third part of those Fees or Estates to which the Clergy and Gentry claim'd a right by vertue of so long a Possession This was the fatal signal of an universal Revolt the Swedes conspir'd unanimously against him resolving to drive him out of the Kingdom and to offer the Crown to Queen Margaret They imagin'd that she had already so much business in Denmark that she wou'd content her self with almost the bare Title of Queen of Sweden And tho' she shou'd endeavour to stretch the Prerogative too far they concluded that the Danes and Norwegians wou'd unite all their Forces to keep their common Soveraign in a dependence on the Estates and Senate of each Kingdom In pursuance of this Design they secretly deputed some of the most considerable Lords of the Kingdom to offer her the Crown and she receiv'd the Proposal with joy as the most probable means to secure the Peace of Denmark For the violent Animosity that reign'd betwixt the Subjects of both Nations was of as ancient a date as the Foundation of the two Kingdoms and that Antipathy which is usually observ'd betwixt Neighbouring States had all along been a perpetual source of War which had oftentimes prov'd fatal to Denmark And besides this prudent Princess concluded that her new Advancement might one day furnish her with an opportunity to unite Sweden to Denmark These considerations made her resolve to give a favourable answer to the Proposals of the Male contents She agreed with their Deputies that the Nobility shou'd rise up in Arms that they shou'd acquaint King Albert with his Deposition that the Army and Estates shou'd publickly acknowledge her to be their Soveraign and that after her Election she shou'd be oblig'd to send a considerable Body of Troops to support and defend ' em The Treaty being sign'd the Swedes immediately took up arms against the King and sent a Herald to intimate and declare that they renounc'd the Allegiance they had sworn to him At the same time they proclaim'd Margaret de Valdemar Queen of Sweden and assoon as they had receiv'd the Reinforcement which they expected from that Princess the united Armies march'd towards West-Gothland where King Albert was drawing his Forces together to oppose ' em That Prince had taken all possible care to put himself in a posture of defence he had rais'd a considerable Body of Troops obtain'd the Assistance of several German Princes who were either his Relations or Allies and engag'd the Isle of Gothland for the payment of twenty Thousand Rose-Nobles of the Coin of England which he borrow'd of the Knights of the Teutonick Order to maintain the Charge of the War But all these preparations could not divert his impending Fate The two Armies met near Falcopinc and Albert was not only defeated but had the Misfortune to fall into the Hands of his Enemies with his Son Prince Eric and the principal Lords of his Party The Princes of the House of Meckelburgh and Gerard Count of Holstein endeavour'd to revive the drooping Hopes of this unfortunate Prince They levy'd new Troops and obtain'd considerable Succours from the Hans-Towns who were jealous of the Queen's Power and dreaded the successful progress of her Arms. Thus Sweden was made a prey to several different and Jarring Nations who seem'd only to agree in a Design to ruin that Kingdom and amid'st so many Disasters the poor Inhabitants cou'd not distinguish their Friends from their Enemies The War lasted almost seven Years with extraordinary Fury and a vast expence of Blood And the Peace that succeeded was rather an effect of the Weariness of the two contending Parties than of any Abatement of the Rage that animated ' em Albert was at last constrain'd to exchange his Crown for his Liberty and retir'd to his Native Country after which Queen Margaret's Title to the Crowns of the Three Kingdoms of the North was universally own'd and acknowledg'd The Swedes seeing themselves subject to a Princess that had no Children and fearing that after her Death King Albert or the Prince
Voices Sweden receiv'd no benefit by the Change of her Master He follow'd the Maxims of his Predecessors Denmark was his Favorite Kingdom and he left no means unattempted to bring Sweden under the Dominion of that Crown But Death prevented the Execution of his designs He was succeeded by Christiern I. Count of Oldenburg from whom the present King of Denmark is descended The Danes advanc'd him to the Throne without asking or expecting the Approbation of the Swedes and Norwegians Yet in imitation of his Predecessor he pretended that by vertue of his Election in Denmark he had a just Title to the Crowns of Sweden and Norwey â— but his Pretensions to the former were thwarted by the Great Mareschal Canutson who oppos'd his pretended right with Great Courage and Resolution That Lord had observ'd ever since Engelbrecth's Revolt that the Swedes were weary of being under the Dominion of a Foreign Power And from that very time he began secretly to aspire to the Crown and to draw a Scheme of his future Advancement His Office made him Master of the Forces and Militia of the Kingdom he govern'd a large province and was the richest Lord in Sweden The Estates being assembled at Stockholm the Great Mareschal came thither at the Head of so numerous a Company of Finlandish Lords and Gentlemen that 't was generally concluded he wou'd be Master of the Election He represented to the Assembly that the Treaty of Calmar was extreamly prejudicial to the whole Kingdom that Queen Margaret and the Kings her Successors had always made use of that pernicious Law as a Means and pretext to bring Sweden under Subjection to the Crown of Denmark that the Danes treated 'em rather like Slaves than Allies assuming a Power to impose a Sovereign upon 'em without calling 'em to his Election and that they cou'd only blame themselves for so unworthy a Treatment if they did not abrogate and disannul a Treaty that was so dishonourable to the Nation This Discourse rais'd the languid Courage of the Swedes and awaken'd their ancient Aversion against the Danish Government It put 'em in Mind of the Tyranny of King Eric and every Man began to accuse himself of Weakness and stupidity for submitting to the Prince of Bavaria The Election of the Count of Oldenburgh was rejected with a great deal of Vehemency and the Royal Dignity was conferr'd upon the Great Mareschal as a Recompence for the Zeal he had always profess'd for the Interest of his Country At the same time he manag'd the Estates of Norway so dexterously and had so great an Influence over 'em that he was chosen Sovereign of that Kingdom whither he went and was Crown'd at Drunthlin and intrusted the Government of the State to two of the Principal Lords of the Country The Swedish Bishops had been devoted to the Crown of Denmark ever since Queen Margaret preferr'd them before the Nobility in the Government of the Kingdom They only gave their Consent to the Election of the Great Mareschal because they cou'd not oppose it and were vex'd to behold the Increase of his power and Authority He was not ignorant of their Spie and Aversion against him and that they were only dissatisfied because he did not allow 'em a share in the Government If he had consider'd their temporal Authority he would have soon perceiv'd that it was his true Interest to gain 'em But he thought himself so well settl'd upon the Throne that 't was beyond the power of his most potent Adversaries to disturb the Quiet of his Reign He resolv'd to humble those lofty Prelates and concluded that the most effectual Way to make 'em harmless and submissive to the Government was to deprive 'em of part of those vast Riches which serv'd only to make 'em terrible to their Sovereign He obtain'd an Order of the Senate to make an Exact Inquiry into all the Rights of the Crown and the public Revenues which the Clergy had usurp'd and ordain'd that no person for the future shou'd erect any new Foundations under pretext that the Superstition of the People wou'd give the Clergy an Opportunity by Degrees to make themselves Masters of all the Lands in the Kingdom The Bishops and other Ecclesiasticks were extreamly incens'd at this Declaration They affirm'd publickly that the King was a Heretick and endeavour'd to perswade the people that this Invasion of their temporal Estates was only made use of as a Cloak to cover more pernicious Designs and that the Blow was aim'd at Religion it self To prevent the pretended Consequences of a Regulation that touch'd 'em in the most sensible part they resolv'd to take up Arms against the King and engag'd their Relations Vassals and Creatures in the Conspiracy To favour their design'd Revolt John de Salstat Arch-bishop of Upsal of the Illustrious Family of Bielke dispatch'd a Gentleman with secret Instructions to Christiern I. King of Denmark to invite him to Sweden in order to the Re-establishment of the Treaty of Calmar And least that Prince shou'd be discourag'd by the seeming difficulty of the Attempt he assur'd him that all the Bishops of the Kingdom wou'd second his Pretentions and that they were ready to receive him as their Sovereign into all their Cities and Forts Christiern was then in Norwey whither he went upon a like Invitation from a Party that revolted against King Canuton But notwithstanding the War in which he was engag'd in that Kingdom he sent a powerful Army to support the Intended Rebellion of the Swedish Clergy Assoon as Archbishop Salstat receiv'd advice of the Danes appearing on the Frontiers he call'd a General Assembly of the Clergy to be held at Upsal where he excommunicated the King in a solemn Mass which he said on that occasion After the Office was ended he laid his Ecclesiastical Ornaments and Habits upon the Altar swearing that he wou'd never put 'em on again till he had driven that Prince out of the Kingdom Then he took a Cuirass and Sword and went out of the Church in that warlike Equipage at the head of his Vassals to fight against his Soveraign The rest of the Bishops follow'd his Example and took up Arms for the preservation of their Privileges They joyn'd openly with the Danes and long'd to see their Country under the Dominion of Foreign Princes who during their necessary absence left the Clergy in possession of all the marks of Sovereignty and even of a large share of the Royal Authority They scrupl'd not to fight against the King at the Head of the Danes and the whole Kingdom was distracted with a dreadful Complication of Civil and Foreign Wars Yet that Prince might have easily disperst the Clouds that seem'd to threaten him with inevitable Ruin and might have triumph'd over the joint Forces of his Foreign and Domestic Enemies if he cou'd have contented himself with the Regal Dignity and the Revenues that were annex'd to the Crown But he began too soon to domineer over his new Subjects
he tells him that he was assur'd of the Castles of Stockholm and Nicoping ibid. he gives private orders to his Admiral to affront upon some pretence the first Swedish Vessels that he should meet 57 Pope Leo X. publishes a Bull of Excommunication against the Kingdom of Sweden and intrusts Christiern King rf Denmark with the execution of it 69 that Prince having receiv'd the Bull from the Pope enters Sweden at the head of his Army and immediately destroyed the Country with Fire and Sword 70 to give a colour of Justice and a shew of Religion to these Cruelties he caus'd the Popes Bull to be posted up in all places where he committed these outrages ibid. he besiegeth Stockholm ibid. Christiern is obstinately resolved to continue the Siege contrary to the advice of his Generals 71 he raiseth the Siege for fear of being hemm'd in between the Town and the Swedish Army ib. his Rear Guard is beat and routed ibid. the whole Baggage of his Army is taken ibid. and three hundred of his Men are made Prisoners ibid. the wind prov'd so contrary that he staid three Months without being able to set Sail out of the Road of Stockholm ibid. the miserable condition which his Fleâ—t was reduc'd to for want of Water and Provision ibid. Christiern sends to propose a Truce for some days to the Administrator ibid. it was accepted and for what reason 73 he forms a design to make himself Master of the Administrators Person by treachery ibid. after what manner ibid. Christiern being disappointed of his design against the Administrator he endeavours that it may succeed better with respect to Gustavus and six other Lords in the Swedish Army 74 he proposes an interview in the City of Stockholm ib. and offers to appear there in Person provided Gustavus were given as a Hostage with six other noble men to be chosen at his pleasure ibid. Gustavus and the other Lords being come to salute the King Christiern caused them to be arrested and disarmed contrary to the publick Faith and the Law of Nations 75 he strives to bring over Gustavus to his party but to no purpose 76 he privately commands him to be dispatched ibid. upon the remonstrance of a Danish Offâ—er he contents himself with a confining him to the Castle of Copenhagen ibid. Christiern tâ—kes a resolution to make so great efforts the next Campaign as to be able entirely to oppress the Administrator 78 he gives orders to his Officers to seize on the Treasure of the Legare Arcemboldi and for what reason ibid. he caused the Legate himself to be arrested with all his effects 78 79 he makes new Levies 79 he raiseth extraâ—rdinary Taxes in his Kingdom without the knowledg or advice of the States ibid. he obtains four thousand Foot of Francis I. King of France 80 he makes Otho Crumpein General of his Forces not daring to leave Copenhagen ibid. this General gives him notice of the success of his Arms 87 Christiern appears much concern'd at the news and why ibid. he fears lest Otho should make himself Master in his name of the King Kingdom of Sweden ibid. or least he should suffer himself to be prevail'd upon by the enemies to take their part ib. he writes Letters full of gratitude to Otho ib. he sends him word to keep him in awe that he intended to march in Person to Sweden in the Spring at the head of a numerous Army ib. he sends several Vessels laden with Salt which was scarce and very dear in Sweden and appoints it to be distributed gratis to the principal inhabitants of every Village ib. Christiern being inform'd of the flight of Gustavus dispatcheth orders to General Otho to cause him to be apprehended 90 he enters Sweden in the Spring 95 he is receiv'd and entertain'd by the Archbishop and the other Prelates with extraordinary marks of joy ib. he solemnly ratifieth the Treaty of Upsal ib. he summons the Administrators Relict who had shut up her self in Stockholm and the Governour of Calmar to surrender these two places ib. he buys the last of these places ibid. he gives the Government of it to Severinus de Norby ib. he carrieth on the siege of Stockholm with all imaginable vigour 96 he caus'd the Aâ—ministrator's widow to be summon'd a second time 97 she is forc'd to capitulate 98 he is receiv'd into the City at the head of four thousand men whom he leaves in Garrison ibid. he calls a Meeting of the Estates of Sweden on the fourth of November and appoints on the same day the Ceremony of his Coronation 98 he leaves the command of his Forces to Severinus de Norby 99 he intrusts the Archbishop of Upsal with the Government of the State ibid. he sends General Otho to Denmark whom he suspected by reason of his victories he returns to Denmark upon the advice he had received that his presence was necessary at Copenhagen ibid. the Senate and principal Lords of the Kingdom murmur against the augmentation of Christiern's authority ibid. he takes a Resolution for the security of his conquest to destroy the whole Senate of Sweden and the principal Noble-men of the Realm 102 he resolves for this purpose to make use of the pretences of excommunication and to revive the affair of the Archbishop of Upsal 103 he disbands the French Forces which he had in his Service ibid. the bad usage he shew 'em he makes preparations to repass into Sweden in order to be present at the Assembly of the States which he had call'd together â—o assist at the ceremony of his Coronation ibid. he causeth himself to be attended with two Ecclesiastical Senators 104 for what reason ibid. he imbarks for Sweden accompanied with the Queen his Wife ibid. the Ambassador of the Emperor Charles V. brings him the Order of the Golden Fleece and congratulates him upon the happy success of all his enterprizes 105 he defers the receiving of the Golden Fleece to the day of his Coronation ibid. he takes measures in secret with the Archbishop of Upsal to put to death their common enemies 106 he is acknowledg'd in the Assembly as the Lawful Soveraign Prince of Sweden ibid. he invites the Senators and Swedish Nobility to a magnificent Feast to express joy for his accession to the Crown ibid he affects a very courteous familiar deportment ibid. Trollius Archbishop of Upsal demands justice of of him against the Senators that had depos'd him 107 Christiern seemingly declines to take any cognizance of the matter and referrs it to Theodore Archbishop of Lunden and the Bishop of Oldensee ibid. he causes the Administrator's Widow and all the other Lords who had been invited to the Feast which he made in the Castle of Stockholm to be arrested 108 he sends executioners to them to warn 'em to prepare for death 109 On the eight day of Nov. 1520. he puts to death by the hand of the common Hang-man a great number of Senators as well Ecclesiastical as Secular the
Jaylor who after some time allow'd him the liberty of walking abroad and suffer'd him to take the diversion of Hunting New Recreations were propos'd to him every day and it seem'd to be the main Business of the Family to please him But all the Pleasures he enjoy'd in so obliging a Society cou'd neither make him forget that he was a Prisoner nor give him the least satisfaction while his Confinement depriv'd him of a share in the Hazard and Glory of the War His eager desire to serve the Administrator in the Defence of his Countrey and at the same time to execute his just Vengeance on the perfidious Author of his Captivity made him so uneasie that the most study'd Delights serv'd only to encrease his Melancholy On the other Hand King Christiern's Thoughts were so deeply six'd on the Conquest of Sweden and his Mind was so agitated with the tumultuous Motions of a disappointed Ambition that his Spite against the Administrator was exasperated by the ill success of the Siege of Steckholm He cou'd not forgive that Prince for obliging him to make so disorderly and ignominious a Retreat and cutting off part of his Army He was both vex'd and asham'd that he had publickly violated his Faith and the Law of Nations to no purpose by detaining Gustavus and the rest of the Hostages but nothing afflicted him more sensibly than the daily decrease of his Party in Sweden His Mind became a dismal Scene of Spite Rage and Shame and in the heat of his Fury he resolv'd to make a last effort the next Campaign to repair all his Losses by the ruine of his Enemy hoping that the success of his Arms wou'd in some measure justifie him for proceeding against the Swedes as rebellious Subjects and excommunicated Wretches without allowing 'em the Treatment which is usually granted to common Enemies He stood equally in need of Men and Money to carry on his Designs and to supply the last of these Deficiencies he gave Orders to his Officers to seize the Legate Archemboldi's Treasures under pretext that he had laid out the Money he had rais'd by the Sale of Indulgences on contraband Goods But his Guilt really consisted in a Million of Florins which he was going to carry out of the Northern Kingdoms and in holding Intelligence with the Administrator The King had heard of the ill Offices he did to the Arch-Bishop and was not ignorant that he had oblig'd all his Friends to make use of their Interest with the Pope to obtain the Arch-Bishoprick of Upsal And from thence he concluded that the Dignity to which he aspir'd with the Administrator's consent was the reward of his betraying the Secret with which he had entrusted him to that Prince and that his Infidelity had ruin'd the Danish Faction in Sweden The Prospect of so profitable a Revenge was in his Opinion a sufficient Ground to excuse an open violation of the Law of Nations He caus'd the Legate to be secur'd with all his Effects and that he might not be oblig'd to restore the Treasure he had seiz'd or submit to an Examination of the Privileges to which the Function and Character of that Prelate entitl'd him he gave secret Orders to suffer him to steal out of the Kingdom after he had been kept for some time in perpetual Fear of Death that he might take hold of the first Opportunity to make his Escape By this usage of the Legate it appear'd that the seeming Zeal of that Prince in executing the Orders of the Holy See was only a Politick Contrivance to carry on his Ambitious Designs which he endeavour'd always to cover with a pretext of Religion He imploy'd the Legate's Money in making new Levies and impos'd heavy and unusual Taxes upon his Subjects without the Advice or Consent of the Estates The Clergy and Nobility oppos'd these Innovations and positively refus'd to contribute towards the raising of the Supplies under pretext that neither the Taxes nor the Declaration of the War were authoriz'd or approv'd either by the Senate or Estates But their real design was to put a stop to his Ambition and curb the Impetuosity of his Temper for they were extreamly jealous of his Designs and perhaps were not less afraid than the Swedes of the Success of his Arms. In the mean time he squeez'd considerable sums out of the common People who are usually the first who feel the burthen of Taxes and are seldom or never assisted by the Nobility and other Estates who content themselves with securing themselves He levy'd foreign Troops with the Money he had rais'd by these Impositions he invited all the Soldiers of Fortune and straggling Adventurers that would enter into his Service and even preferr'd 'em before the Danes in the Distribution of Offices and Places that his Arms might be lodg'd in the hands of those who depended intirely upon him At the same time he prevailed with Francis I. King of France to assist him with 4000 Foot under the Command of Gaston de Brezé the Prince of Foucarmont and the Baron of Gondrin Thus in a little time he had the Pleasure to see himself at the head of a numerous Army which made him equally terrible to his Subjects and Enemies He conferr'd the Title and Authority of General on Otho Crumpein who was esteem'd one of the greatest Captains in the North and entrusted him with the management of his Designs and the command of his Forces not daring to leave Copenhagen at a time when there were so many visible Signs of a general Dissatisfaction among the Senators and the principal Lords of the Kingdom Otho led his Army to Westgethland where he made a terrible havock to draw the Enemy to an Engagement Febr. In the mean time the Administrator march'd at the head of his Army follow'd by Ten Thousand Peasants of that Province who came voluntarily to his Assistance He encamp'd at the entry of the Forest of Tyvede having order'd a great number of Trees to be cut down to fortifie his Camp and Trenches Otho pretended to be somewhat daunted at the sight of the Swedish Forces and retreated with a seeming Precipitation to the Lake Veler which was at that time cover'd with Ice upon which he encamp'd with his whole Army Steno was so transported at the sight of a Flying Enemy that he was not master of so much presence of Mind as to restrain the impetuous Ardor of his Courage He left his Infantry and the Peasants in the Wood where they lay entrench'd and march'd with his Cavalry after the Danes whom he attack'd near Bogesund His Valor and Example inspir'd all the Soldiers in his Army with a Resolution to conquer or die He charg'd at the Head of a Squadron compos'd of the principal Noblemen of the Kingdom he drove back all that durst venture to stand the Shock of his Attack and broke thro' their thickest Ranks with so brave a Fury that he was just ready to taste the pleasure of so glorious
Arguments to excuse and even to justify Injury and Oppression The devout King Eric was Barbarously Assassinated by his seditious Subjects and the King of Gothland was suspected of encouraging and corresponding with the Rebels Charles VII The Swedes advanc'd this Prince to the Throne that the two Gothlands might be reunited to the Crown He took all possible care to keep his Subjects from suspecting that he had a Hand in the death of his Predecessor In pursuance of that design he began the Exercise of his Regal Authority by ordaining that all the Laws of St. Eric shou'd be punctually observ'd He recall'd Canut that Prince's Son who after his Fathers Death had made his escape into Norway And to remove all the pretexts that might be us'd for embroiling the Kingdom in a civil War he made a Law that Canut shou'd inherit the Crown after his Death and that for ever afterwards the King shou'd be chosen by turns out of the two Royal Families Afterwards he erected several Monasteries to gain the Esteem and Affection of the People who are always extreamly fond of such external Marks of Piety and Devotion He sent an Embassy to Rome to obtain from Pope Alexander III. the Title of Arch-Bishop and the Pallium for the Bishop of Vpsal who was Primate of the Kingdom The Pope was easily prevail'd with to grant or rather to sell him the favour he desir'd according to the usual Maxims of the Court of Rome and that Prelate was invested with the Archiepiscopal Dignity on condition that the Estates of all those who died without Children in the Kingdom shou'd be intail'd upon the Holy-See but the Swedes soon grew weary of that Religious Bâ—â—dage and freed themselves from so 〈…〉 Canut Tho' King Charles had made a solemn Law to settle the Succession upon this Prince his Ambition cou'd not be satisfied with the prospect of a Crown in reversion He levy'd Forces in Norway and resolving at once to recover the Throne and revenge the Death of his Father he invaded Sweden routed King Charles kill'd him in the Battle and by that Victory made himself Master of the Kingdom He lest no means unattempted to extirpate the whole Race of his Predecessor but since 't was never in the power of a Tyrant to secure his Ursupation by the Death of his Successor all the cruel Diligence with which he persecuted the Family of the late King cou'd not hinder the Swedes from Electing Suercher the Son of that Prince according to the Law by which 't was ordain'd that the two Families shou'd enjoy the Crown by turns Suercher III. This Prince imitating the Barbarous policy of his Predecessor order'd an exact search to be made for all the Relations and Posterity of St. Eric But one of those Princes escap'd his fury and rais'd an Army to make head against his Persecutor Eric X. He defeated King Suercher in a Battle and after that Prince's Death obtain'd the Crown which at that time was always the Reward of the Conqueror As soon as he was fix'd upon the Throne he endeavour'd to make a friendly Agreement with the Family of his Predecessor in order to which he offer'd to re-establish the Law that was made by King Charles for regulating the Succession and to convince the posterity of that Prince that he really design'd to put the Treaty in Execution he appointed John the Son of Suercher to succeed him excluding his own Son Prince Eric who was oblig'd to content himself with a distant prospect of inheriting the Crown after the Death of Prince John Iohn I. He conquer'd some places in Livonia and endeavour'd by Force of Arms to make the Esthonians renounce the Idolatry that prevail'd among 'em But the People of that Country looking upon their forc'd Conversion as a sort of Slavery took up Arms and drove the Swedes out of their Province In the mean time King John Died in the Isle of Wiensingso after he had reign'd three years Eric XI call'd the Stammerer He was the Son of Eric X and obtain'd the Possession of the Crown without the least Effusion of Blood It may be reckon'd a very rare Instance of moderation that a Royal Family shou'd so tamely divest themselves of the Sovereign Authority and suffer a Prince of another House to mount the Throne without Opposition This Monarch had occasion during his Reign to perform a very important piece of service to the Regency of Lubeck The Danes Besieg'd that City with a numerous Army and shut up the Port with an Iron Chain which was defended by a potent Fleet. But when the City was reduc'd to the utmost extremity the King of Sweden sent a considerable number of Ships mann'd with Soldiers under the Convoy of several Men of War who beat the Danes open'd a passage thro' their Squadrons broke the Chain with which the Mouth of the River Trave was block'd up reliev'd the City with Men Provisions and Ammunition and by that seasonable and important supply deliver'd the Republick from the Danish Yoak The Regency as a Testimony of the publick gratitude for so signal a Deliverance ordain'd that the Swedish Merchant Ships shou'd from that time be exempted from the payment of Customs and Duties Waldemar The Family of King Suercher shou'd have had their turn in the Election by vertue of the Treaty concluded with the House of Eric But it seems the Swedes had either forgotten or neglected that Agreement for tho' Eric the Stammerer left no Issue they Elected Waldemar the Son of that Prince's Sister and of Ierl or Count Birger who was General of the Swedish Forces during the preceeding Reign It may perhaps appear strange that the Son tho' an Infant was preferr'd before his Father but 't is plain from the Swedish History that tho' the Kingdom was always Elective 't was the perpetual custom of the People to chuse a Prince of the Royal Family preferrably to all the other Lords of the Kingdom In the mean time the Count or Ierl Birger was intrusted with the care of the Government during the Minority of King Waldemar And that Wise Lord who was his own Son's Minister made it his principal Care to raise the Honor and Authority of the Crown He concluded a Peace with the Neighbouring Princes and then apply'd himself wholly to the contriving and pursuing of those Maxims that might make him absolute in the Kingdom He built and fortify'd the City of Stockholm instituted good and useful Laws and exacted a punctual observance of ' em Upon advice that some Lords began to grow Jealous of his Authority and to complain that he made an ill use of it he suppress'd those brooding Commotions by ordering the principal Fomenters of 'em to be beheaded Afterwards he marri'd the King his Son to Sophi the Daughter of Eric King of Demark that the Authority of his Family might be secur'd by so powerful an Alliance As soon as the young Prince was of Age he advanc'd his Father from the Dignity
Banner 〈…〉 to him ibid he resolves to procure his Liberty by any means whatsoever ibid. he disguises himself in the habit of a Peasant ibid. he heirs himself to a Merchant of lower Saxony to drive his Oxen 89 Banner being inform'd of his escape pursues and overtakes him at Lubeck ibid. Gustavus gives him satisfaction 90 he desires succours of the Government of Lubeck ibid. the Regency is afraid to declare against the King of Denmark who had a powerful Fleet 91 Nicolas Gems principal Consul of Lubeck assures Gustavus at his depaarture from Stockoolm that if he could form a party capable of keeping the Field the Government of that City would declare in his favour ibid. Gusta-vus Lands near Calmar and enters into the Town he ibid. discovers himself to the Governour and to the principal Officers of the Garrison consisting for the most part of Germans 92 Those Foreigners seeing him destituteâ— of Troops end Attendants threaten either to kill him or to deliver him up to Christiern if he would not retire ibid. the Danes send out several parties to apprehend him ibid. he assumes the habit of a Peasant and passes in a Cart laden with Straw thro' all the quarters of the Army ibid His Kindred and Friends are unwilling to hold any correspondence with him the Peasants refuse to follow him ibid. Being abandoned of all he takes a Resolution to attempt even at the hazard of his Life to get alone into Stockholm 94 the Danes endeavour to surprize him and in their search came but an hour too late to seize him ibid. he resolves to lie hid in the Convent of the Carthasians of Griphysholm which was scunded by his Ancestors ibid. These Monke refuse to admit him ibid. he retires to the House of a Peasant of the Province of Sudermania an antient Domestick Servant of his Family and absconds there for some months ibid. He is certifi'd by the same Domestick of the death of his Father and all the Senators as also of the Massacre of Stockholm 116 Christiern sets a price upon the head of Gustavus 114 Gustavus retires to the Mountains of Dalecarlia in the habit of a Peasant accompanied with a Country sollow who serv'd him for a Guide 117 his Guide robs him of all his money which he had provided for his subsistance 118 he loses his way in the Mountains ibid to get a Livelihood he is forc'd to hire himself as a Labourer to work in the Copper-mines ibid. he is discover'd by the Lord of the Mainour who entertains him in his House ibid. c. this Lordboasts to him of the strongth and number of his Vassals 119 Gustavus upon this report resolves to raise a general Insurrection in that Province 120 he declares his mind to the Lord who excuseth himself upon the account of certain politick considerations 121 and advises him to deserr his enterprize for some time ibid. After manydays wandring up and down in the Woods he arrives at the sent of another Gentleman vain'd Peterson 122 Thâ—â— Gentleman receives him with all possible demonstrations of affection and kindness and nevertheless goes about to betray him 123 Peterson's Wife gives notice to Gustavus of her Husband's Treachery ibid. she lets him out of her House in the night and causes him to be safely conducted by a faithful Servant to a Curate of her acquaintance 124 he is entertain'd very kindly by the Curate ib. who advises him not to have any recourse to nor any longer to trust the Nobility of Dalecarlia 125 he represents to him that it would be most expedint to address himself direstly to the Peasants ibid. the means which they agree upon to dispose the People to revolt ibid. Gustavus appears at Mora 126 he makes a speech in an Assembly 127 'T is resolv'd to submit no longer to the Danish yoke 128 they take up Arms and intreat Gustavus to command ' em ib. An observation which finally ingag'd these Country people to follow Gustavus with an intire confidence 129 he forms a Body of four hundred Men and leads them directly against the Governuor of the Province ibid. The Castle is storm'd by Scaladeo and the whole Garrison put to the Sword except the Governour who is taken Prisoner 130 The fame and good succes of this Expedition caus'd almost the whole Province to declare in his favour 131 many Swedish Gentlemen out-law'd by Christiern betake themselves to his Army ibid. he procures a general defection in Helsingland Medelpadia Angermania Gestricia and Bothnia ibid. he increases his Army in his march by the Concourse of Peasants that flock'd to him from all parts ibid. he abolishes the Impositions and Taxes which Christiern had laid upon them ibid. he sends Emissartes throughout the whole Kingdom of Sweden to dispose theâ— Nobility and common People to take up Arms as soon as he should enter into their Provinces he gains by secret Negotiations the greatest part of the Swedish Officers who serv'd on board Admiral Norby's Fleet or in the Vice-Roys Troops 132 the Vice-Roy musters up in a little time an Army of above fifteen thousand Men 137 he appears on the banks of the River Brunebec at the head of his Horse with a Resolution to force his passage over it ibid. Gustavus causes a Bridge to be laid over the same River and transports all his Troops 138 the Stratagem he us'd to make himself Master of Westeras 139 he routs the Danes 196 c. he takes the City of Westeras 141 An unlucky circumstance which had like to have ruin'd his Army ibid. by what means he prevented it 141. 142 Gustavus gives Order to draw lines of Circumvallation round the Castle of Westeras 142 he takes the field A great number of Lords and Gentlemen at the head of their Vassals joyn his Troops 143 Seventy Swedish Officers at once desert from the Vice-Roys party and pass over into his Army ib. Arwide Laurentius Petri and Olâ—vs Bonde Lords of great note come to aspire him that the Nobility and People of their Province waited only for his 〈…〉 appear in Arms ib. he takes the City of Upsal by storm 144 he carefully preserves the Archbishop's Palace and Goods ibid. he sends an account to the Government of Lubeck of the success of his Arms and demands supplys of them ibid. his Agent concludes a Treaty at Lubeck with Stephen de Sassi a German Colonel by which that Officer was oblig'd to land in Sweden in three months at the head of twelve hundred Men. 145 The Dalecarlians desire leave to be dismiss'd in order to take care of their Harvest 146 he writes a very respectful Letter to the Archbishop of Upsal to endeavour to bring him off from the Danish party 147 he causes it to be deliver'd to him by two Canons of Upsal who imagin'd that they had a great interest with the Archbishop ib. The Prelate rejects the Letter and demands Troops of the Vice-Roy to seize upon Gustavus's Person in Upsal 148 he was very near surprizing
and to execute their Decrees The Public Authority was almost entirely lodg'd in the Senate which was usually compos'd of Twelve Lords who for the most part were Governors of Provinces or Principal Officers of State These Lords attended the King at Stockholm the Capital City of the Kingdom when any Important Affairs were to be transacted The Archbishop of Upsal Primate of Sweden Lincepinc Seregnez Vesteras Seara Abeo and Vexio was a Senator by his Office and the six Bishops of the Kingdom bore a great Sway in the Meeting of the Estates tho' they had no right to sit in the Senate unless they were nominated by the King or chosen by the Estates during an Interregnum The Dignity of a Senator was not Hereditary for the Nomination of those Officers was a Branch of the Royal Prerogative and some of the Bishops or principal Lords of the Kingdom were chosen by the King to supply the vacant Places who by this means had a fair Opportunity to introduce his Friends and Creatures into the Senate But he was frequently disappointed in his Choice and for the most part lost a Friend when he made him a Senator For the nearer a Favorite was advanc'd to his Master's Power and Authority he was the farther remov'd from his Interest And besides the Love of Liberty and Affection to their Country were in those days the predominant Passions of the Swedes nor could any Engagement or Obligation weaken the Biass of so powerful an Inclination The Senate which at first was only instituted as a Council to advise the King had by degrees assum'd an Authority over his Actions The eldest Senator pretended a Right to admonish and check the Prince when he transgress'd the Limits of his Prerogative The People look'd upon the Senators as the Protectors of the Liberty and Privileges of the Nation The Sovereign Power and Majesty of the State was properly lodg'd in that Body There Justice was administer'd Independently and without Appeal and both War and Peace depended on their Deliberations 'T is true they acted joyntly with the King but he was oftentimes oblig'd to content himself with the Honour of executing their Resolutions The Clergy were postest of greater Riches than the King and all the other Estates of the Kingdom The Archbishop of Upsal and his six Suffragans maintain'd their Dignity with all the Splendor that a vast Treasure cou'd enable 'em to display They were for the most part the Temporal Lords of their Episcopal Sees And besides the Possessions that were annex'd to their Bishopricks which consisted in several considerable Signiories or Lordships they had made themselves Heirs to all the Ecclesiasticks that died Intestate in their respective Diocesses which by degrees had extreamly augmented their Revenues They enjoy'd the Prosits of Fines and Forfeitures which formerly belong'd to the Crown and by several Foundations and Pious Legacies had made themselves Masters of a considerable number of the King's Mannors and Fees The Patrimony of the Church was daily augmented by Donations but cou'd never be diminish'd by Sale or Alienation for such Practises were forbidden by express Laws which were as prejudicial to the Laity as advantageous to the Clergy and serv'd only to establish the Grandeur of the latter upon the Ruins of the former The Bishops made so good Use of the Influence they had over the People at Elections and of the Need a Pretender had of their Votes and Interest that they obtain'd on such Occasions several Privileges which did very considerably diminish both the Revenue and Authority of the Prince They exacted what Conditions they pleas'd of the King before they wou'd own him to be their Sovereign And before they wou'd perform the Ceremony of his Coronation they oblig'd him to Swear That he wou'd inviolably preserve 'em in the Possession 〈◊〉 their Rights and Privileges That he wou'd never attempt to put a Garrison into any of their Castles or Forts That the Lands and Mannors which they enjoy'd by what Means soever they had come to the Possession of 'em shou'd not be re-united to the Crown and at the same time they made him Sign a Paper declaring that he consented to his own Deposition if ever he shou'd violate his Oath by incroaching upon their Privileges These Prelates grew so proud of their Riches and of the number of their Vassals that they began by degrees to act like so many little Sovereigns They fortify'd their Castles and kept Garrisons in 'em They never appear'd without a numerous Attendance of Gentlemen and Soldiers and were still at the Head of all Factions and Intrigues They frequently took up Arms against their Neighbours for Differences relating to their Vassals or about the Limits of their Estates and even sometimes scrupl'd not to march at the Head of an Army against their Sovereign especially when they suspected him of a Design to recover the Duties and Lands that belong'd to the Crown The Lords and Gentlemen fortify'd their Castles and made 'em the Seats of their petty Empires They treated their Vassals like menial Servants tho' they allow'd 'em no Wages they made 'em Till their Lands and oftentimes put 'em in Arms to make Incursions into the Territories of their Neighbours The Swedish Nobility was not then distinguish'd by the Titles of Baron Count or Marquess or by Hereditary Names of Families They were only known by the respective Arms of their Houses and by their Fathers Name Gustavus Ericson i. e. Gustavus the Son of Eric which they bore joyntly with their own and were noted only for their Valour and for the numerous Train of Vassals that follow'd 'em to the War They defended their Rights and reveng'd the Injuries they receiv'd by Force of Arms and neither sought nor expected Redress from the publick Justice because there was no Power in the Government to put the Laws in Execution Force was the Standard of Law and Justice and the Supream Decider of all sorts of Controversies The Burghers of Stockholm and the Inhabitants of other Maritime Towns who subsisted merely by Trading were more submissive to the King and better affected to the Government The Merchants especially were so dishearten'd by that Lawless Liberty which expos'd 'em to the Insolency of every Potent Oppressor that they wou'd have willingly consented to invest the Prince with a sufficient Authority to restore the Publick Quiet and establish the Trade of the Nation in a flourishing Condition But there were so few Cities in the Kingdom that their Deputies had no great Interest and were not much regarded in the Diets The Peasants on the contrary who in this Kingdom have the peculiar Privilege to send Deputies of their own Body to the Estates out of a blind Obedience to their Lords were obstinate Assertors of the Liberties and Privileges of their Provinces Those who liv'd in fertile Countries apply'd themselves to Husbandry but in Helfingland Cuestricland Angermeland and other Northern Provinces they spent their time in Hunting Fallow Deer
Person He pretended to be overcome by that Princes Generosity and acknowledg'd himself extreamly oblig'd to him for the seasonable Relief he had sent him Some time after he propos'd an interview on Board the Fleet whither he invited the Administrator in order to treat about a Peace and for the security of his Person he sent several of the most considerable Persons in his Army to the Court at Stockholm The Prince who was naturally of a very free and candid temper was easily perswaded to give him that satisfaction but the Senate oppos'd his Resolution either because they suspected that there was some treacherous Design hidden under so plausible a pretext or were resolv'd to maintain the Honour of the State in the Person of the Administrator In compliance with their desire Steno sent back the Hostages with fresh supplies of Provisions and a Message to the King of Denmark by which he acquainted him that he wou'd have willingly consented to the interview on Board the Fleet but that the Senate thought it more convenient that the Treaty shou'd be manag'd by Commissioners from both sides in some place on the Frontiers that shou'd be mutually agreed upon Christiern perceiving that the Administrator had escap'd the Snare that was laid for him resolv'd upon another project to facilitate the Execution of his Designs He dreaded the valour of Gustavus and the authority of his Family in the Kingdom and besides he had a particular spite against him for his Affection and Fidelity to the Administrator He projected a Contrivance to make himself Master of his Person and of five or six other Lords in the Swedish Army imagining that by threatning to put these Officers to death he might oblige the Administrator to consent to the Re-establishment of the Treaty of Calmar or at least hoping to create a difference betwixt the Prince and the most considerable Families in the Kingdom if he shou'd refuse upon any Terms to save the Lives of Gustavus and his Companions In pursuance of this design he propos'd an interview in the City of Stockholm offering to repair thither with some of his Council provided Gustavus and six other Lords whom he shou'd name shou'd be deliver'd as Hostages for the security of his Person And to make both the Prince and Senate sensible that 't was their Interest to comply with this expedient he represented to the Administrator that they might come to a more speedy agreement by conferring together than by imploying Plenipotentiaries who usually consume a great deal of time in debating about the Preliminaries of a Treaty Thus the Senate was oblig'd to consent to a Proposal Lawrence Sigonis Olaus Ryning Bennet Nicolai George Siggones Hening Gadde which they cou'd not reject with any shadow of Reason As soon as Gustavus and the other Hostages appear'd on the Shore the Danish Admiral follow'd by a considerable number of Officers advanc'd to salute 'em and at the same time they were surrounded by several Soldiers disguis'd like Mariners who had come ashore during the Truce under pretext of buying Strong-Waters and other Provisions Then the Admiral desir'd 'em to go in his Boat to salute the King who was coming to see the Administrator Gustavus wou'd have willingly declin'd the Complement and waited till the King was landed but he saw so many Danes about him that he chose rather to comply with a seeming Chearfulness than to make an useless Resistance Thus he and his Companions went on Board and were immediately carry'd before the King who commanded 'em to be arrested and disarm'd contrary to his own Promise and to the Law of Nations Afterwards he sent word to the Administrator that he wou'd order 'em to be Beheaded as bels and Excommunicated Persons if he would not immediately consent to restore the Arch-Bishop and Reestablish the Treaty of Calmar Steno was so incens'd at so base a piece of Treachery that he mann'd immediately all the Boats and Ships in the Harbour David Chytraus lio 7. p. 200. Loccen l. 5. p. 196. Edit Vpsasalieu Joann Magnus l. 23. p. 780. Olaus Magnus lib. 16. p. 289. Edit Lugdun The Noblemen who were then in the City and especially the Friends and Relations of the Prisoners leap'd into the first Boats they cou'd meet with The Prince himself went on Board a Frigat which he found ready fitted and set Sail with his little Fleet resolving with these Boats to attack the Danish Men of War and either to release the Hostages or perish in the Attempt But he cou'd not find his Enemies who had taken the advantage of a favourable Gale that began to blow some hours before and set Sail for Denmark King Christiern left no means unattempted to corrupt the Fidelity of Gustavus and his Companions but they resisted with equal steddiness and courage all his Promises and Threats and cou'd neither be scar'd nor flatter'd into a Compliance with his desires Their Resolution and Constancy had almost cost 'em their Lives for the King finding that he cou'd not gain 'em and dreading the Courage and Indignation of Gustavus if he shou'd be oblig'd to release him gave secret orders to put 'em to Death But the Danish Officer whom he entrusted with that Commission abhorring so barbarous an Action and fearing perhaps the law of Retaliation if by the chance of War he shou'd fall into the Hands of the Swedes took the Liberty to tell his Master that the Death of these Lords wou'd be prejudicial to his Interest whereas by detaining 'em Prisoners he might keep their Relations in awe These Considerations made so great an Impression upon the King that he contented himself with imprisoning 'em in the Castle of Copenhagen where they were so cruelly treated by his Order that some of 'em ended their Days in that miserable Condition Eric Banner a Danish Lord pitying the hard fate of Gustavus who was his Kinsman begg'd him of the King upon his parole of Honour and that he might the more easily obtain a Suit of that Nature from that jealous and diffident Prince he assur'd him that the only reason that made him wish to have that young Lord in his House was that he might have an opportunity to gain so considerable a Friend to his Majesty That Consideration prevail'd with Christiern to grant his Request but on Condition that he shou'd carry his Prisoner to the Castle of Calo in Jutland of which he was Governour and shou'd pay 6000 Crowns of Gold for his Ransom if he shou'd suffer him to escape or cou'd not produce him upon Demand The Generous Banner thought no Conditions too hard to save the Life of his Kinsman which he believ'd was not secure in the Castle of Copenhagen He carry'd him to Calo October and endeavour'd by a kind and civil Entertainment to make him forget the Misery he had suffer'd at Copenhagen The good Mien Majestick Air and graceful behaviour of that Prince produc'd their usual effect upon the Mind of his friendly
a Victory when one of his Legs was shot off by a Cannon-builet The Swedes were so dishearten'd at the sight of their General 's Misfortune that they began to shrink and give ground The Danish General was too well acquainted with the Art of War to neglect so fair an opportunity of snatching the Victory out of the Hands of a staggering and dismaid Enemy And therefore as soon as he perceiv'd their Disorder he order'd his Cannon to be charg'd with Cartouches and pointed at the Swedish Cavalry and at the same time he brought up his Infantry who made a continual Fire The Swedish Cavalry having lost the Spirit that animated 'em mantain'd a running Fight for some time but at last fearing to be surrounded they fled with the utmost Precipitation and Confusion During the general Disorder the Administrator was carry'd off upon a Sledge by his Servants and dy'd of his Wound near Stregnez as they were bringing him to Stockholm He was extreamly valiant but his undaunted Courage was not accompany'd with an equal Dexterity in the Management of Affairs In a word he was a better Soldier than a Statesman and fitter to command a Party than to govern a Kingdom Otho who knew as well how to improve as how to obtain a Victory gave Orders to his Troops to march immediately against the Swedish Infantry and the Peasants who guarded the Pass of Tyvede He imagin'd that he cou'd easily force their Trenches and commanded the Danish Foot to attack 'em but the Swedes made so brave a Resistance that their Enemies were oblig'd to retire with a considerable Loss The General enrag'd at the Cowardice of his Men order'd the French Infantry to renew the Attack and at the same time went round the Trenches to see whether he cou'd discover an easier Passage or a Place that was not so strongly guarded In the mean time the Prince of Foucarmont advanc'd at the Head of the French and was the first Man who mounted the Rampart with his Sword in his hand but immediately after he receiv'd so dangerous a Wound with an Arrow that he fell into the Ditch The French as if the Fall of their Commander had been design'd for a Signal attack'd the Swedes with so obstinate a Fury that they made themselves Masters of the Trenches notwithstanding an incredible Resistance and while they kept the Enemy in play Otho open'd a Passage in another Place Tho' the Swedes were extreamly weaken'd and fatigu'd by the Length of the Engagement and surrounded on all Sides they continu'd to make a very brave Desence the Peasants animated with Despair and Rage râ—n into the thickest Battalions neither expecling nor desiring to live and even willing to die prâ—vided they cou'd revenge their Death by that 〈◊〉 an Enemy They were all cut to pieces except some who made their Escape in the Night and fled to the Woods from whence they return'd by Degrees to their respective Habitations The Danish General perceiving that there were no Forces left to oppose him pass'd thro' the Forest of Tyvede and penetrated into the Heart of the Kingdom There were no regulated Troops nor Militia on Foot to make Head against the Enemy the People generally fled to the remotest Provinces the greatest Part of the Senators shut themselves up in their Castles the Administrator's Widow retir'd to the Cittadel of Stockholm with the two young Princes her Children and the Peasants dreading the Fate of their Countrymen took shelter in the Woods There was no possibility of putting a Stop to the Carrier of the Publick Mistortunes and retrieving the Honour of the Kingdom but by proceeâ—ing to the Election of a new Administrator who might have encourag'd and commanded the Nobility to make another and more vigorous Effort rasly'd the Militia and scatter'd Troops and oppos'd Christiern's Pretensions to the Crown of Sweden The Clergy imploy'd all their Interest to prevent an Election which they foresaw wou'd be extreamly prejudicial to the Interest of that Prince As soon as the Archbishop receiv'd Advice of the Administrator's Death he left the Monartery whither he had retir'd and resuming the Authority which he had solemnly resign'd in the Senate he march'd straight to Vpsal and made that City declare for the King of Denmark The Bishops of Lincoping and Stregnez were always secret Abettors of the Danish Faction but had declin'd siding openly with either Party while the Event of the War seem'd to be uncertain took this occasion to discover their real Inclinations They publickly own'd the Justice and Reasonableness of the King of Denmark's Claim and visited all the Places in their respective Dioceses to hinder the Nobility from taking up Arms flattering some with Hope of Reward and terrifying others with the Fear of Punishment They endeavour'd to perswade all sorts of Persons that Sweden was not in a Condition to resist the Danes that the late Administrator by disobeying the Head of the Church had provok'd the Indignation of Heav'n and receiv'd the Just Reward of his Contumacy that a new Election wou'd only serve to encrease the Guilt of the Nation and expose it to utter Ruin whereas 't was in their Power to restore Plenty and Tranquillity by submitting to the Orders of the holy See and concluding a solid Peace with Denmark By such subtle Insinuations they gain'd three Senators and several Lords First Trelle Eric Abrahami Benedict Caâ—â—ut whose Lands were most expos'd to the Fury of the Enemy And under pretext of securing the Quiet and Safety of their Country they perswaded these Lords to send Deputies to General Crumpein to desire a Truce in the Name of the whole Nation and to assure him that in the mean time they wou'd take such Resolutions as might be equally profitable to both Kingdoms and agreeable to the King his Master The cunning General wou'd not absolutely deny their Request but he took care they shou'd not have time to reflect upon their Condition and upon their true Interest He granted only a Truce for Eleven Days and during that Time he requir'd that a Meeting of the Estates shou'd be held at Vpsal where he wou'd appear to acquaint 'em with his Master's pretensions The Archbishop who by his Office was the first Senator call'd the Meeting and the Clergy us'd all their Interest and Rhetoric to perswade the Nobility and Commons either to come in Person or send Deputies to the Assembly but the greatest Part of 'em refus'd positively to meet in a Place that had declar'd for the Enemy So that the whole Assembly consisted only of the Bishops the three Senators whom they had gain'd and some Lords of West Gothland who were scar'd into a Compliance by the Troops and Menaces of the Danish General However the Archbishop open'd the Convention which being intirely compos'd of his Friends and Creatures was absolutely govern'd by him In the mean time Otho repair'd to Vpsal accompanied with the principal Officers of his Army and requir'd the Estates to abolish the
Dignity and Office of an Administrator and to re-establish the Union of Calmar in Favour of the King his Master There was no need of using Arguments to perswade an Assembly that consisted of such Persons as were already engag'd in the Danish Faction either by Fear or Inclination They prevented the General 's Demands abolish'd the Dignity of an Administrator and condemn'd the Memory of those Princes who had born that Title as Rebels against their lawful Sovereigns And they were even so zealous to out-do each other in hastening the intire Ruin of their Country that Otho was oblig'd to moderate their Ardor least it shou'd be suspected that the Treaty which he concluded with the Estates was only sign'd by Traytors or at least by Persons whose Consent was extorted by violent Methods He promis'd in the Name of the King his Master May. that the Laws and Privileges of the Kingdom shou'd be preserv'd and maintain'd that all the Articles of the Treaty of Calmar should be punctually observ'd that the Prisoners and particularly Gustavus Ericson shou'd be deliver'd without Ransom and that no Person shou'd be molested for engaging in any Party during the War since the Death of the Administrator Suanto Then the Archbishop conferr'd the Title of King of Sweden upon Christiern in the name of the whole Assembly as if his Sovereignty had been acknowledg'd by all the Estates of the Kingdom He sent also Circular Letters into all the Provinces intimating the Conditions of the Treaty he had concluded and requiring all the People to submit to the Resolution of the Estates upon Pain of being Prosecuted with the utmost Rigour for their Disobedience Afterwards Otho march'd with his Army into the remote Provinces of the Kingdom to make the People acknowledg the Authority of his Master He routed several Bodies of the Peasants who cou'd not bear the sight of their Enemies without putting themselves in a Posture of Defence Their Natural Courage was animated by all the Motions of Fury and Revenge but they were equally destitute of Leaders and Fortune After the Danish General had dispers'd the Rabble who fought with more Impetuosity than Order he detach'd several Party's who burnt the Villages pursu'd the Peasants to the Woods and destroy'd a prodigious Number of ' em The Archbishop to terrify the rest with the Fear of a Punishment which the Superstitious Peasants dreaded more than Death it self prohibited the Clergy to grant Christian Burial to those who dy'd in Rebellion against the Prince that was Authoriz'd by the Holy See The Danish General destroy'd the Lands and Castles of those Lords who refus'd to acknowledg his Master and at the same time entertain'd those who declar'd in his Favour with all the Demonstrations of Kindness and Civility The Lords and Gentlemen weaken'd by their mutual Divisions were at last constrain'd to yield their Necks to the Danish Yoke and the whole Kingdom was forc'd to submit to it's new Master The People ran to meet the Conqueror and endeavour'd to make their Peace on the easiest Terms The greatest part of the City sent Deputy's to promise Obedience only Stockholm and Calmar persisted in their Fidelity to the Administrator's Widow Otho invested the first of these Cities and canton'd his Troops about it in such a manner that 't was impossible to relieve the Town by Land Then he wrote to the King his Master to acquaint him with the Success of the Campaign and the Treaty that was concluded at Vpsal The News of the Reduction of Sweden were Novemb. extreamly agreeable to the Court of Denmark but while every one strove to express his Joy for so glorious and important a Success the King who was most concern'd in it cou'd not forbear discovering the Trouble and Uneasiness of his Mind That Jealous and Apprehensive Prince was afraid that Otho wou'd make use of his Name and of an Army that was wholly compos'd of Foreigners to make himself Master of the Kingdom And even his Fears suggested to him that the Swedes who were naturally possess'd with an implacable Aversion against the Danes wou'd endeavour to bribe that General 's Fidelity by offering to acknowledg him as Administrator However he dissembl'd his Suspicions and sent him Letters full of Expressions of Gratitude for the important Services he had receiv'd from him but at the same Time to keep him in awe he acquainted him that he was resolv'd to march to Sweden next Spring at the Head of a numerous Army and that he wou'd command the Siege of Stockholm in Person Some time after he sent several Ships laden with Salt which was very scarce and dear in Sweden and order'd the General to cause it to be distributed Gratis among the principal Persons of every Village that the Peasants might esteem themselves happy in being subject to so kind a Master Gustavus was soon after alarm'd with the dismal News of the Ruin of his Country He was extremely afflicted at the Administrator's Death and concluded that the King of Denmark wou'd take advantage of the general Consternation to make himself Master of the whole Kingdom His Restraint became insupportable to him tho' he was still entertain'd by Banner with all the obliging Tenderness he cou'd expect or desire from a kind Relation The Tranquillity of his Thoughts was perpetually disturb'd with the most violent Transports of Revenge for the Death of Steno and of a most passionate Love to his Country and perhaps he had already began to form some ambitious Designs which encreas'd the Agitation of his Mind He was too well acquainted with the King of Denmark's Character to entertain the least Hope of procuring his Liberty from that Prince before the End of the War tho' to gain the Nobility that was made an express Article of the Treaty of Vpsal and the natural Generosity of his Temper wou'd not suffer him to make any proposal to Banner that might seem inconsistent with his Duty to his Sovereign And therefore he resolv'd to make his Escape privately concluding that 't wou'd be no injury to his Kinsman if the Ransom appointed by the King were paid In order to the Execution of that Design December he went out of the Castle one Morning under pretext of hunting in the Woods according to his usual Custom Assoon as he came to a convenient Place he disguis'd himself in a Peasant's Habit and in that Equipage travell'd on Foot thro' By-ways and in two Days arriv'd at Flensburg Since no Man was suffer'd to go out of that City without a Passport Gustavus durst not appear at the Gate or go before the Governor for fear of being discover'd but as if Fortune had design'd to favor his Escape this happen'd to be the time of the Year when the Merchants of lower Saxony come to Jutland to buy Oxen with which they drive a considerable Trade Gustavus offer'd his Service to one of these German Merchants who hir'd him to drive his Oxen by the help of which
At his Arrival in Sweden he receiv'd an Ambassador from the Emperor who came to invest him with the Order of the Golden Fleece and to congratulate his Victories and the happy Success of all his Designs The Concern which the Emperor express'd for promoting the Interest of his Brother-in-Law was too warm and zealous to be reckon'd meerly an Effect of their Affinity which seldom or never produces so strong an Affection among Sovereigns 'T is thought that aspiring Prince bestow'd his Sister upon the King of Denmark on Condition that he shou'd declare him to be his Successor in the three Kingdoms of the North in Case he shou'd die without Issue Those who are acquainted with the Character of Charles V. will never suppose him guilty of neglecting to take the most promising Measures to secure so important Branch of the Vniversal Monarchy This was his beloved Project the Object of all his Hope and Desires and the Aiery Mistress whom he courted or rather ador'd with so eager and lasting a Passion And the same Fondness for that imaginary Scheme seems to have been entail'd upon his Family and Successors till the Terror and Rapidity of the Swedish Conquests and the fortunate Valor of their Royal Leader rous'd the Emperor Ferdinand II. out of his Golden Dream Gustavus Adolphus 1631. and instead of a vain Ambition to extend his Empire over of all Europe oblig'd him to content himself with defending the Hereditary Dominions of the House of Austria Christiern put off the Ceremony of receiving the Order of the Golden Fleece till the day of his Coronation that the Solemnity might be more splendid and magnificent And in the mean time he took secret Measures with the Archbishop of Vpsal to execute their Revenge upon their common Enemies The Result of their Consultations was that the Archbishop shou'd appear in the Convention and present an Address to the King demanding Justice against those who depriv'd him of his Dignity and Estate Matters being thus concerted the King open'd the Meeting of the Estates where he was solemnly acknowledg'd as the lawful Sovereign of Sweden The next Day the Archbishop persorm'd the Ceremony of his Coronation November 4. and the King swore upon the Gospels and the Reliques of the Saints that he wou'd inviolably preserve and maintain the Laws Privileges and Customs of the Nation The Senate Clergy Nobility and the Deputies of the Provinces took the usual Oath of Fidelity to him and the Emperor's Ambassador appearing in the Midst of the Assembly presented him with the Order of the Golden Fleece and in his Master's Name wish'd him a prosperous and successful Reign Afterwards the new King invited all the Lords to a magnificent Feast which he had order'd to be prepar'd in the Castle as a public Mark of his Joy upon the Occasion of his Accession to the Crown The Senate in a Body and all the principal Noblemen who were then at Stockholm attended His Majesty in Obedience to his Desire The two first Days were spent in Entertainments and all manner of solemn and diverting Recreations the King receiv'd his Guests with all the Marks of an obliging Kindness and Familiarity and the mutual Aversion which had been so long fomented betwixt the Two opposite Factions seem'd to be intirely forgotten and extinguish'd The Swedes endeavour'd to lose the Memory of their Ancient Fears and Jealousies and flatter'd themselves with the Prospect of a lasting and undisturb'd Happiness but on the third Day they were awaken'd out of their excessive Security in a most terrible and surprizing Manner The Archbishop of Vupsal accompanied with his Relations and Creatures appear'd before the King in a full Meeting of the Estates and publickly demanded Justice against the deceas'd Administrator and all the Senators and Lords of the Kingdom who forc'd him to resign his Dignity and demolish'd the Fort of Steque which belong'd to the Patrimony of the Church The King deâ—lin'd medling with an Affair of which he pretended that the Pope's Commissioners were the only proper Judges and desir'd the Archbishop to propose his Grievances to the Two Daâ—ish Prelates to whom the Bull publish'd by Leo X. was directed protesting that he wou'd only make â—â—se of his Authority to execute their Sentence according to the Bull and the Intentions of the Holy Father Immediately the Two Danish Prelates who were the secret Ministers of the Passions of that Monarch requir'd and demanded that the Administrator's Widow shou'd be brought before 'em to give an Account of her Husband's Actions tho' it was both inconsistent with Reason and the usual Methods of proceeding in such Cases that a Woman shou'd be made accountable for the Behaviour of her Husband in the Management of Affairs of State concerning which Persons of that Sex are very rarely consulted However the King without considering the Justice of their Demand oblig'd the Princess to come to the Assembly She appear'd before him with a modest Assurance and at first refus'd to plead before the Pope's Commissioners She put the King in mind of the Treaties of Vpsal and Stockholm by which he soletnnly oblig'd himself to bury all that was past in Obliâ—vion conjuring him to let her Husband rest quietly in his Grave and to pity the Fate of a Princess who had nothing left but her Fears and Sorrow But that inexorable Prince with a seeming Calmness referr'd the Hearing of heâ— Defence to the Pope's Commissioners under pretext that the Arch-Bishop's Complaint had no Relation to the Differences that were formerly betwixt him and the Administrator The Princess perceiving that the King was inflexible and that she must resolve to defend the Actions of the Prince her Husband answer'd at last with a great deal of Courage that the Administrator besieg'd the Arch-Bishop and demolish'd his Castle by virtue of express Order from the Estates and Senate of the Kingdom that the Arch-Bishop was arraign'd and convicted of Treason against his Country according to the usual Forms of proceeding in such Cases that were prescrib'd by the Laws of the Nation and that his Sentence was still extant in the Public Registers sign'd by all the Senators both Secular and Ecclesiastical Tho' the King was acquainted with all the Circumstances of that Affair he sent for the Registers and order'd the Arch-Bishop's Sentence to be read publickly before the Assembly with the Names of all those who subscrib'd it after which he went out as if he had only withdrawn that the Commissioners might not be under the least Appearance of a Constraint But immediately after the whole Assembly was alarm'd with the sight of a Troop of his Guards who came by his Order to arrest the Administrator's Widow the Senators Bishops and all the Swedish Lords and Gentlemen that were in the Castle The Danish Bishops by virtue of the Pope's Commission began to proceed against 'em as Hereâ—cks as if the Inquisition had been establish'd in that Country But the King of Denmark being unâ—illing to loose time
Enemy's Service and the whole Garrison follow'd his Example So powerfully was he charm'd with that Prince's Valor and Generosity and allur'd with the Pensions and Preferment which he bestow'd upon him After the Reduction of Stereburgh Gustavus made himself Master of the Castles and Forts of Nicopinc and Tynelso from whence he march'd to Westmania and took the Castle of Vesteras which by a long Elockade was reduc'd to scarcity of Provisions and cou'd not expect Relief However be granted honourable Terms to the Covernor besides and advantageous Composition in private For 't was one of his Maxims That a Conqueror can never pay too dear a price for the time he saves and tho' he was full of Courage and undaunted Bravery 't was his usual custom to court his Enemies before he attack'd 'em and only to force those who wou'd not be gain'd He had the Art of preparing his Designs for execution by private Negotiations and was admirably well acquainted with all the mysterious Secrets of the most refin'd Politicks Assoon as he had made himself Mâ—ster of the Castle of Westeras he march'd towards Stockholm at the Head of his Army resolving to Command in Person at the Sieve and to compleat the Conquest of the Kingdom by the Reduction of the Capital City But about two days Journey from the Town he met with the unwelcome News of the Defeat of his two Officers that lay before it and of the raising of the Siege Christiern had made a desperate Essort to prevent the Loss of Sweden he had set out a potent Fleet mann'd with a considerable number of Land Forces and Admiral Norbi who express'd a great deal of Zeal and Forwardness on this Occasion was intrusted with the Conduct of the Expedition That Lord could not forgive Gustavus for getting the start of him and baulking the secret Designs he had form'd against Sweden and Christiern imagin'd that his extream Aversion and Spight against that Prince which he did not endeavour to dissemble proceeded merely from his Loyalty and Zeal for the Interest of his Sovereign He had us'd a great deal of Diligence and ev'n spent a great deal of Mony in sitting out the Fleet His Friends accompanied him in the Expedition the Troops that he commanded were absolutely devoted to him and he still entertain'd some flattering Hopes that if he cou'd beat Gustavus 't wou'd not be impossible to obtain the Dignity of Administrator and afterwards to mount the Throne by improving the violent Hatred with which the Swedes were possess'd against the Tyranny of his Master Gustavus had no Fleet at Sea to dispute the passage of the Danes their Admiral enter'd without any opposition into the Port of Stockholm April and as soon as his Troops were landed made a Sally with all his Forces to surprize the Besiegers There was a lucky Combination of several Circumstances that seem'd to favour the execution of his Designs for besides the Weakness of his Enemies at Sea there was a fatal mis-understanding betwixt the two Officers that commanded the Siege The German Colonel who was an old and Weather beaten Soldier claim'd the supream Command as an Honour due to his Skill and Experience But the Swedish Officer was too proud and consident of his own Courage and too jealous of the Honor of his Nation to submit to a Man whom he did not think braver than himself After this unhappy Difference they lodg'd their Troops in separate Quarters without the least Communication between one another They acted on all Occasions like declar'd Enemies and were more suspicious of each other than of the Danish Garrison whom they despis'd both for their Weakness and the smallness of their Numbers Norbi taking the advantage of so favourable an Opportunity made a Sally upon Fredage's Quarters and the Swedes were so ill prepar'd to receive him that they abandon'd their Lines and endeavour'd to save themselves by a shameful Flight The German Colonel was so far from assisting 'em that he remain'd an unconcern'd Spectator of the Action and ev'n rejoyc'd at their Misfortune But he was soon made sensible of his Imprudence for his Camp was attack'd so vigorously by the Danish Admiral that his Soldiers were not able to endure so surions a Shock and fled after a slight Resistance Thus Norbi had the good Fortune to succeed in his first Attempt and that he might not lose the Fruit of so important a Victory he order'd the Soldiers of the Garrison to fill up the Lines and demolish all the Enemies Works while the rest of the Troops were in pursuit of the routed Besiegers Yet the Shame and Confusion of this Desent was greater than the Loss they sustain'd for the greatest part of the Swedish Troops rally'd again under their respective Officers The two Commanders endeavour'd reciprocally to cast the â—â—ame of this Disaster upon one another Their common Misfortune exasperated the Fury of their Aversion and widen'd the Breach that was between 'em But Gustavus was too deeply concern'd in the fatal Consequences of that unhappy Division to suffer it to make a further Progress He march'd with all possible haste to the Army and by his Presence depriv'd 'em both of that Power and Superiority which was the main Cause of their Hatred and Jealousy Immediately after he gave Orders to his Troops to repair to their former Posts and renew'd the Siege notwithstanding the great sharpness of the Winter that the News of his Arrival might prevent or at least lessen the Noise of the Defeat of his Army Norbi was not much alarm'd at this second Attempt which was rather a Blockade than a Siege He lose a great Garrison in the Town and being Master of the Sea set sail for Finland where he put to Flight Arwide's Brother whom Gustavus had sent to reduce that Province The Administrator perceiving that he cou'd not hope to succeed in his Designs nor to make himself Master of Stockholm without a Fleet to block up the Port dispatch'd his Secretary Siguard de Holten to hasten the Succors which that Republic had promis'd him and to obtain a sufficient Number both of Man and Ships to carry on the War This Envoy was more favourably receiv'd than his Predecessor for the Magistrates of that City had heard of the Action at Stockholm and believ'd the Accounts that were industriously spread abroad by the Danes who gave out that the Administrator's Army was totally defeated And therefore since 't was their Interest to prevent the utter Ruin of that Prince as well as to curb the Progress of his Victories they were soon perswaded to grant the Succors which he demanded thinking by that means to perpetrute the War betwixt the Northern Crowns They oblig'd themselve to send forthwich Eighteen Men of War with Four thousand Soldiers furnish'd with one Year's Pay But at the same time they resolv'd to make the Administrator pay dear for the Assistance they gave him They propos'd That he shou'd enter into an Obligation in the
a zealous Calvinist who imagin'd that if he cou'd negotiate that Match for his Pupil he might one Day establish Calvinism in Sweden Queen Elizabeth receiv'd with all the external Marks of kindness and respect the Proposals he made to her in the Name of his Master relating to Trade and the Alliance or League betwixt the two Nations and gave him a favourable Answer with respect to Prince Eric but only in general Terms The Embassador fancying that all her obliging Expressions concerning that Prince were real Promises made haste home to Stockholm as if he had consummated his Negotiation At his return he assur'd the King that nothing but the Prince's Presence was wanting to bring it to perfection and that he was consident his good Mien and personal Merit wou'd fix the Queen's Affections Prince Eric flatter'd with so tempting a Prospect was very earnest with the King his Father and press'd him hard to consent that he might take a Journey to England But Custavus jealous of the Glory of his Family wou'd not expose the presumptive Heir of the Crown to a Refusal nor give his consent that he shou'd go out of the Kingdom before some Articles were sign'd 'T is possible a more important but more secret Reason induc'd the King to reject that Voyage Eric was a Prince indow'd with many excellent natural Qualities He had a majestick Presence an Air of Authority which drew Respect from all Men a fiery Briskness in his Behavior and a certain Ardor that was usually taken for Courage or Valor But the lustre of all these external Advantages was obscur'd by some inward Defects that were not unknown to the King his Father which he was willing to hide from the English This Prince inherited a sort of Extravagancy or Distraction from the Queen his Mother which now and then seiz'd upon his Brain and prompted him to outragious Acts There was a certain peevish Sulleness that appear'd in his Behaviour and Actions which by an odd kind of Contagion seem'd to infect all those who approach'd him And in his most lucid Intervals he discover'd so much hardness and wildness of Temper that People were afraid of his Government even before he was own'd and declar'd to be the next Successor to the King his Father These Considerations made such an impression upon Gustavus that he was sometimes resolv'd to leave the Crown to his second Son a generous and good-natur'd Prince who by his Caresses and obliging Behavior had won the Hearts of all those who were to be his Brother's Subjects But the King fearing lest this Preference wou'd stir up a Civil War both in his Family and Kingdom resolv'd at last to regulate the Succession according to the order of Birth-right In the mean time to satisfy Prince Eric whom his Tutor had inspir'd with a violent Passion for Queen Elizabeth he consented at last that Prince John his second Son shou'd go to the Court of England under pretence of Travelling and indeavour to draw at least a verbal Promise from the Queen This young Prince being arriv'd at London was receiv'd by Queen Elizabeth with great Demonstrations of Joy He had a share in all her Divertisements and she frequently invited him to Hunting In short that wise Princess who made those several Proposals of Marriage subservient to her Interest and politick Ends omitted nothing that might amuse the young Prince by insinuating that both his Presence and Proposals were agreeable to her But she declin'd ingaging further in that Affair pretending that she cou'd not in the present Juncture conclude that Marriage so soon as she cou'd have wish'd This was the usual Pretext with which she amus'd all the Princes that courted her whom she was willing to admit as Lovers but cou'd not resolve to accept 'em for Husbands Upon the return of this Prince into Sweden the King presently concluded that his eldest Son Prince Eric wou'd have no better success in the Pursuit of this Match Philip II. than the K. of Spain the D. of Alenson the Arch-duke of Austria E. of Leicester my Lord Courtney and so many others whom this Princess had flatter'd with the same Hopes one after another and often at the same time But Prince Eric was so deluded by his Tutor's Suggestions that he imagin'd his Presence wou'd surmount all Obstacles and pretended that his Brother had thwarted his Inclination either out of Jealousy or Self-interest He solicited the Senators and the King's Ministers both by Intreaties and Threats to procure the King's Consent for him to go to the English Court. Gustavus considering his fierce and unruly Temper and fearing that he wou'd either go without his Consent or raise some Disturbance in the State was at last persuaded to grant his Desire and nam'd the Persons that were to attend him Then he made his last Will and divided his Dominions among the Princes his Children He left his Crown to Prince Eric the Dukedom of Finland to Prince John East-Gothland to Magnus and Sudermania to Charles The younger Princes being to injoy their Provinces by the Title of Principalities but on condition of paying Homage and Fealty to the Crown of Sweden Prince Eric was so highly displeas'd at this Distribution that he was ready to take up Arms to demand the Revocation of the Will but the fear of his Father who was King of his Children as well as of his Subjects kept him in awe He conceal'd his Anger with a Resolution to do himself Justice when the supreme Power shou'd fall into his Hands and was just ready to set Sail for England when he was detain'd at the Port of Elsburg by the News he receiv'd of his Father's Decease That great Prince was seiz'd at Stockholm with an inward Fever that wasted him by degrees yet he continu'd still to manage Affairs with his usual application and resolv'd to Reign to the last moment of his Life Some hours before his Death he sent for Eric Steno the Secretary of State to whom he dictated Memoris concerning the most secret Affairs of the Kingdom Then he sent for the young Princes and charg'd 'em to love one another and submit peaceably to Prince Eric who was now ready to mount the Throne He gave each of 'em his Blessing and made 'em presently withdraw lest his Mind shou'd be disturb'd by the Tears of his Family He dismist even his Physicians who in that Extremity continu'd still to flatter him with hopes of Life that he might spend the last moments of his Life in fixing his Thoughts wholly upon God Thus he died peaceably in the Arms of his Servants in the 70th Year of his Age. His Body was carried to Vpsal Sept. 29. where his Funeral was solemniz'd with publick Orations and Panegyricks with the Tears of all his Subjects and the immortal Memory of his glorious Actions He ow'd his Crown meerly to his own Valor and Reign'd with as absolute a Power as if the Crown had been his Birth-right He made
what Alterations he pleas'd in Religion the Laws and the Property of his Subjects and yet dy'd ador'd by the People and admir'd by the Nobility He left his Kingdom in Peace with all his Neighbors secur'd by a League with France and enrich'd by a fiourishing Trade with all the Nations of Europe the Revenues of the Crown were much augmented his Treasury full his Arsenals well furnish'd there was a considerable Fleet in the Ports the Frontier-places were fortify'd and in a word Sweden was in a condition to strike her Enemies with Terror and inspire her Allies with Respect A CHRONOLOGICAL ABRIDGMENT OF THE History of Sweden ALL Nations have had Historians that have spoken of the Antiquity of their Original with so much Partiality and Exaggeration that a considering Person will hardly venture to depend upon the Authority of the Authors of ancient Chronicles and the Accounts of those remote times The least Affinity of Names is reckon'd a sufficient Ground by most of those ancient or modern Writers to chuse at pleasure among the ancient Hero's and even among the first Inhabitants of the World such a Founder as they thought fit to name for their Country Among those Historians that are so fond of Antiquity and zealous for the Honour of their Country those who have publish'd an intire Body of the History of Sweden have in my Opinion out-done all the Writers of other Nations They scruple not to affirm that Sweden is the ancientest Monarchy not only of the North but even of all Europe According to those creditious or too partial Authors Magog Noah's Grandson came from Scythia to Finland from whence coasting the Gulf of Bothnia to Gothland he settl'd his Son Gethar or Gog in that Country who is said to have been the first Prince of the Goths and the Stock of the Royal Line I will not undertake in this place to decide that famous Question whether Sweden be the original Habitation or only a Colony of the ancient Goths Both these Opinions are asserted by several Authors But I am fully satisfy'd that 't wou'd be a very difficult Task to give a clear and distinct Account of the first Inhabitants of Sweden from whence they came and when they settl'd in that Country Nor wou'd it be less difficult to prove what those ancient Chroniclers seem to suppose that Sweden had Kings almost as soon as Inhabitants for 't is probable that the Heads of Families were the first Princes of the Earth and that Men did not voluntarily submit to a Monarchical Government till they were convinc'd by a long Experience of the Inconveniencies of a tumultuous Liberty But supposing some ancient Manuscript had faithfully preserv'd the Names of the several Lords that have Rul'd in Sweden Who can tell whether they were Kings or only Princes of some particular Country or perhaps Judges and Captains in their respective Jurisdictions And 't is even not improbable that those Heads whose Names are preserv'd were Cotemporary and at the same time Governors of several Provinces and that the reason why Historians rank'd 'em successively in their Writings was that they might have a longer series of Kings to fill up their Chronology In the mean time 't is certain that there is no fixt Aera to be found in the History of Sweden till about the middle of the Twelfth Age before which time the Relations of that Country are full of Darkness and Confusion History intermixt with Fables and embellish'd with fictitious Wonders extracted from old Legends or ancient Songs in heroick Verse which were the only Annals of those Times In those remote Ages all the Princes and Hero's are either Giants or famous Magicians who signalize their Strength and pretended Power by robbing one another and by committing barbarous and unheard of Cruelties against their Enemies Justice and Honesty were unknown in those Ages and even had not so much as a Name among these barbarous Nations All Controversies were decided by force the most violent Men were most respected and 't was reckon'd a dishonor for a Prince not to ravish a Princess before he married her A wild Beast kill'd in the sight of the People or an Enemy surpriz'd and assassinated in his House was enough to make the bold Murderer a Hero while he liv'd and sometimes a God after his death I shall however give the Reader a Catalogue of those ancient Kings as I have collected 'em from Swedish Authors beginning with Eric I. who reign'd as they relate 2000 Years before our Saviour's Birth The Chronology you will find in the Margin according to the computation of those Writers but I shall assert nothing till I come down to nearer Ages where the Truth begins to appear with more certainty and clearness THE Fabulous History OF SWEDEN Eric I. Years of the World THIS Prince's Birth is altogether unknown to us nor are we better inform'd of the means he us'd to become Master of his Country or of what pass'd under his Government Some Authors relate that he sent considerable Colonies into the Islands of the Cimbric Chersonese which at present are part of the Kingdom of Denmark but the Danish Historians will not acknowledge the Truth of a Story that seems to have been invented by some Swedish Writer to raise his Nation to the Honour of Antiquity and at the same time to a kind of Superiority over the neighbouring Nations Vddo Alo Othen Charles I. Biorn Gethar Gylto We have no account of the Reigns of these Princes and the very Fable is here at a stand only their Names are preserv'd By some Authors they are call'd Judges Nor is it known whether they govern'd at the same time or successively in several Provinces of the Kingdom An Interval of 400 Years during which the Fabulous History is altogether silent Othin A famous Magician commanded the Winds as he pleas'd assum'd the form of any wild Beast and had Intelligence of what pass'd in the remotest Places by the means of two Domestick Demons The Report of his wonderful Skil kept his Enemies in â—awe and inspir'd his Subjects with so profound a â—veneration and respect for him that after his Decease they enroll'd him among the Gods The Stories of Magicians and Witches found an easy admittance into the belief and admiration of those credulous and ignorant Ages Humblus If we may rely upon the Testimony of the Swedish Historians this Prince settl'd his eldest Son Dan in the Cimbric Chersonese who lest his Name to the Country Norus his second Son went by his Orders into the most Northern Provinces where he sounded the Kingdom of Norway One may easily perceive that the Affinity of the Names Dan with Danemark and Norus with Norway has given birth to this Story Sigtrug History is altogether silent concerning the Forâ—une and Adventures of the Posterity of Humblus Only 't is observ'd by the Swedish Authors that Sigtrug Usurp'd the supream Power 'T is plain that at that time there was no settl'd Form of
and Title of a Ierl to that of a Duke as a Recompence for his paternal Care and by his Father's Advice he created his Brother Magnus Prince of Sadermania Eric Prince of Smaland and Benedict Prince of Finland Birger having sâ—ttl'd his Family and establish'd his Son upon the Throne died not long after and the Peace and Happiness of Sweden ended with the Life of that Great Man King Waldemar repenting his Kindness to the Princes his Brothers endeavour'd to deprive 'em of the Estates he had bestow'd on 'em by way of Appennâ—ge especially Duke Magnus whom he accus'd of aspiring to the Crown These Animosities occasion'd a furious intestine War which was fomented by the Danes and ended in the Defeat and Abdication of King Waldemar who was taken Prisoner and after he had resign'd the Crown retir'd with his Danish Auxiliaries to Malmogen in the Province of Schonen Magnus Ladisias The Merit of this Prince entitl'd him to the Possession of the Crown which his Brother was neither able to preserve nor worthy to enjoy In the Beginning of his Reign he made it his Business to encrease his Revenues and diminiâ—h his Charge as the surest way to establish his Authority He made so strong an Interest in the Convention of the Estates that the Sovereignty of all the Mines in the Kingdom and of the Four great Lakes Meler Wener Weter and Hielmer and all the Duties or Rents of the difforested 〈◊〉 were solemnly vested in the Crown This wise Prince made use of so considerable an Augmentation of his Revenues to secure his Authority against the natural Inconstancy of a Nation that could neither live without a King nor submit to the Dominion of a potent and resolute Prince He invited several German Lords to his Court and advanc'd 'em to the principal Offices in the Kingdom The Promotion of these Strangers and the Interest which the King had in Foreign Countries made the Swedish Lords extreamly uneasie and at last irritated 'em to such a degree that they assassinated all the Germans The King was highly incens'd at so bold an Action but had the Prudence to conceal his Indignation In the mean time he made secret Levies and as soon as he saw himself in a condition to execute his Revenge he surpriz'd the Male-contents and caus'd their principal Ring-leaders to be beheaded The Spirit of Rebellion seem'd to be quite extinguish'd by the Severity of so terrible a Blow and that wise and daring Prince wou'd have certainly establish'd his Authority upon such sure Foundations and advanc'd it to so great a height that he might have bequeath'd an absolute Power to his Children if the Accomplishment of his Designs had not been prevented by his Death He left three Sons Birger Eric and Waldemar the eldest of whom was not 11 years old Birger II. During the Minority of this Prince the Care of the Government was intrusted to Torckel Enutson who made himself Master of Carelia took Hexholm from the Russes and fortified Wiburg to cover the neighbouring Places from the Incursions of that People After the King was of Age to undertake the Management of Affairs he marri'd Meretta the Daughter of Eric King of Denmark Prince Waldemar his Brother toook to Wise the Daughter of the Regent Enutson and Prince Eric marri'd Ingeburgh the Daughter of Haquin King of Norway This Prince was so far from being deterr'd by the Faâ—â— of his Unkle King Waldemar that he seem'd re 〈…〉 follow the same Methods which occasion'd all the Disorders that discurb'd the Reign of that Prince He seiâ—d on the Tythes and imprison'd some Bishops who took the liberty to complain of his Incroaching upon their Privileges Nor did the Princes his Brothers meet with a better Treatment for instead of suffering 'em to live unmolested in their respective Governments he endeavour'd to make 'em depend absolutely on the Court and to reduce 'em to an entire subjection to his arbitrary Commands The injur'd Princes perceiving the general Dissatisfaction of the People took up Arms and were follow'd by all those who were offended at the publick Violation of their Liberty and Privileges In the mean time the King levy'd Forces to oppose the Designs of his Brothers and was assisted by his Brother-in-law the King of Denmark But finding himself unable to resist the prevailing Faction he resolv'd to execute his Designs by Treachery since he cou'd not depend upon the Success of his Arms. In pursuance of that unmanly Resolution he invited his Brothers to Court under the pretext of a sincere Reconciliation and as soon as he had made himself Master of their Persons by that infamous Stratagem he order'd 'em to be cast into a Dungeon where they were starv'd to death The Swedes abhorring the Baseness and Inhumanity of their Treacherous Sovereign took up Arms immediately advanc'd Magnus the Son of Duke Eric to the Throne and march'd in pursuit of King Birger who had the Misfortune to see his Army defeated and his Son taken Prisoner by his Enemies That unhappy Prince was made a Sacrifice to the Fury of the incens'd Multitude who cut off his Head to deliver Magnus from so dangerous a Competitor and his miserable Father dreading the same Fate fled to Denmark where he died in an obscure and ignominious Retreat The Reader will find at the beginning of this Work the Names of the succeeding Princes with a short account of their Actions 1330 Magnus Smeck the Son of Duke Eric 1372 Albert of Mecklenburg 1395 Margaret the Daughter of Waldemar K. of Denmark and Q. of the three Northern Nations 1424 Eric XIII Duke of Pomerania Sovereign of the three Kingdoms of the North. 1441 Christopher of Bavaria K. of the three Northern Nations 1445 Charles Canutson a Swedish Lord elected K of Sweden Norway 1457 Christiern of Oldenburg Ancestor of the present King of Denmark King of the three Northern Nations 1470. Steno I. King Canuâ—son's Nephew Administrater of the Kingdom of Sweden 1504 Suanto Sturius Administrater of Sweden 1512 Stero II. the Son of Suanto Administrator 1520 Christiern II. Sovereign of the â— Kingdoms of the North. 1523 Gustavus Vasa a Swedish Lord Administrator and afterwards King of Sweden procures the Crown to be entail'd A Table of the Principal Matters A. ANderson Chancellor of Sweden his good and bad Qualities 42. his Employments 43. he embraces the Dectrins of Luther 44. he confirms Gustavus in his design to humble the Clergy ibid. he advises him to make use of Luther's Reformation in order to suppress the Temporal power and riches of the Clergy ibid. he presides in the King's behalf in a Lutheran Council held at Orebro 92. Arwide Besieges Stegeburg 2. B. The Bishops of Sweden Gustavus King of Sweden impatiently suffers the Power and Riches of the Clergy 41. his designs to humble them 43. he infringeth their Privileges 49 and 100. he prohibits by Declaration the Bishops to appropriate to themselves the Goods and Succession of Ecclesiastical Persons in