first heat over-passe or that his main and much of businesse for such an inch of time at his first interviews diverted him That King understanding within few daies that some of the Enemies Forces intended an On-slaught into his Quarters or bound upon some other private if not the like designe gave order for two thousand Horse to be in a readinesse the next morning a sure signe that himself would command that party which was done accordingly and himself already in Coach the Lord Ambassadour then present who had discoursed with him of other Affaires being about to take leave moved the release of our Lievtenant Colonel but the King suddainly passionate gave him an answer so lofty and trenching upon his Master as might have been better spared and shall therfore be here omitted Nor was his Lordship wanting to reply in such a manner as became his Courage and like a person of honour representing his Prince As the great Gustavus was subject to flashes of passion which were the onely Clouds in his Hemisphere and therby would not seldome give offence so had he those speedy recollections the best badge of a good disposition as permitted him not to retain them but that present acknowledgment and satisfaction ensued as indeed it did here and so fully as was not little from a Prince succesfull and great in Armes and Renown which usually elate even most equally tempered Spirits But as the expressions that were distastfull so likewise the acknowledgment shall be here forborne there being the same reason for the one as the other Only this may be said that before he left the City he commanded our Duglass to be in larged The King being gone whither the Emergencies of his Affaires called him and no expectation of his return his Lordship who had as may be conceived improved his time for the delivery of what he had in charge resolved neither to follow nor expect him back but to repaire for England as he did soon after accompanied by the Lievtenant Colonel who for some time whilest at Englands Court was by his honourable Patron made known and recommended not only to the great Ones but to the King likewise The King of Suethen returning back to Noremberg and after severall accidents incident to War by the accession of a gallant Army consisting of six and twenty thousand fresh men conducted by the Reicks Chansellor Oxienstierne the two Brothers of Saxon Weymar the Landtgrave Will of Hessen and General Banier having re-inforced his own before Coopt up in a manner by the numerous powers of the Imperiallists did now range more at large and the Forces of both sides came so neer each other as they could not part without a Battell which was soon after fought neer unto a Town called Lutzen where the Imperiall Army commanded by the most Imperious Wallesteyn Duke of Friedland had the advantage of the ground w ch the Sueths were constrained to gain from them at push of Pike and had the better The Sun befriended neither party being all the morning as unwilling to behold that daies effusion of blood obscured by a Mist when 〈…〉 omenie another of the Austrian Generals brought to the imperialists relief two thousand fresh Horse the Riders all clad in hard Iron which the Royall Sueth perceiving taking with him a strong party he called to the Duke of Saxon Lawenburg saying Cosin let us charge those black men home for those are they will otherwise ruine us which himself did in person so vigorously by leading on his owne Troopes to the hottest dispute of that whole day as he brought Victory to his own side but purchased at a sad and dear rate even the life of that great Heroe On the Imperiall side beside many others was Felt Marshall Pappenheim Slaine one of the most esteemed Commanders amongst the Imperiall Generals and of the most honourable deportment toward those whom the chance of War did cast into his hands who is also said to have been fore-told that the King of Suethen and himself should fall both in one day Thus died the Renowed Gustavus of Suethen in the bed of Honour if he may be said to die whose Fame cannot His loss was for the present prudently concealed by the Cheiftains who were neerest to his fall amongst whom was Duke Bernard of Saxon Weymar who that day gave a fair encrease to the glorious repute he afterwards constantly maintained and the Kings death by the great courage and gallant conduct of himself and the other Commanders who were then next unto the King was so well revenged as that the Suethes remained not only Masters of the Feild and of the dead bodies but likewise so dissipated the Forces of the Enemy as they could not in a long time recollect such another Army This Prince being thus taken away in his flower and strength of years it was a good space of time ere the neighbour Nations would beleive he was not still in the number of the living as if so great a person could not have moved hence but that like an universall Earth-quake he must have borne a whole World before him Reports were various according to the affections and disaffections of men to his Person and Greatnesse and it is truly affirmed that at the Court of England Wagers were layed of his being alive sundry months after the first news of his death But ere long it was confirmed that his great Soul having quitted the inclosure of his body had changed his Militancy here below for a Mansion more peaceable and Glorious above and had verified that saying of the Divine Spirit by the Kingly Prophet who having recorded that the great Ones of the World are Gods hath neverthelesse pronounced that they shall dye like men and that Princes shall fall as others The King of Bohemia did not long overlive the loss of this second Alexander but deceased soon after at Mentz His eldest Son Charles Lodowicke Prince Elector Palatine being then in Minority his Uncle the Duke of Simmern was by consent constituted Administrator of his right in the Palatinate The death of King Gustavus who whilest living had been the Head and Director General of the Protestant League in Germany and so entitled notwithstanding that his losse was alleuiated by Victory caused a great alteration in the affaires of that confedracy and in the Councells of the Princes thereof so that it behoved them to call a Dyet or Generall Assembly as they did soone after at Heylbrun in the Dukedome of Wertenberg consisting of foure Principall Circles of the Empire viz. the Franconian Suevian with the upper and lower Circles of the Rhyne there were personally present the Duke and the Administrator of Wirtenberg the Marquesse of Baden the Count of Hanaw with most of the seventeen Earles of the Wetteraw Lodowich Phillip Duke of Simmern Administrator of the Palatinate for his Nephew the Prince Elector Palatine then of under years had there foure
then Duke of Sudermannia c. by them Parliamentarily Constituted Governour of Suethland is demonstrated The heads of the severall Letters which passed between that King and his said Uncle in that conjuncture and even when the Armies of both sides were in the Feild and in sight of each other are touched The Kings bad successe the accord ensuing between them with his Retreat into Poland contrary thereunto set forth Contents of their subsequent as well as preceding Acts of Parliament inserted Their renouncing of Fidelity and Subjection to him and his Heirs for ever with their exaltation of the forenamed Duke Charles unto his Nephews Throne manifested The Warrs thereupon between them with advantage to the Suethes and upon other intervenient occasions a Truce mediated and concluded for six years An. 1629. hinted That Truce neer expiring a second Treaty being set on foot An. 1634. for a finall Peace or longer Truce and the latter for six and twenty years assented unto by both Parties the year following the daily passages thereof are faithfully couched Lastly A breife Commemoration of the Ambassador who from England did Mediate that Truce A touch likewise of sundry as aforesayd Emergencies in Germany relating to Englands and the Protestant Interest there in those times not unnecessary for the better understanding of Passages referring as well to the sayd Treaty as to the Ambassadors Person and Death wherein sundry occurrences not usuall may be observed with a cursory mention of the now Raigning Princes of Suethland and Poland and the present posture of affiares in those Nations conclude the Triple Narrative SUETHLAND AND POLANDS TROVBLES Preceding Causing and Ensuing the Expulsion of King SIGISMUND the Third from the Crown of SUETHLAND The Rise of the WARS between Suethland and Poland THE Crown of Poland as also that of Suethland untill of latter Ages hath ever been and still is Elective and albeit not neer so ancient as the other in the Title of a King 〈…〉 yet at present not of consideration inferiour to most in Christendom the same being the only Bulwark in those parts against the incroaching power of the insulting Turk and his Blood-hound the numerous over-running Tartar Unto the time of Boleslaus sur-named Chrobrus that Country was governed somtimes by Dukes otherwhiles by Palatines But Otho the Third the Germane Emperour who in the year 997. first instituted the Colledge of Electors for the choice of future Successors to the Imperiall Crown after an expedition by him made into Italy undertaking a Journey into Poland to visite the Tomb of S. Adelbert and being there Magnificently received and entertained by the said Boleslaus in requitall therof and to tye him in the more strickt Bonds of Amity towards himself and the Roman Empire Of Duke stiled and Crowned him King of Poland about the year of Grace 1000. After whom the said Title continued by the space of 82. years unto the time of Vladislaus the first who abandoned the same using only that of Prince or Duke in which frame the Government remained for the term of 213. years at the end wherof Lescus Niger deceasing and the State distracted into divers Factions being for some time without a Prince the supream Rule was at last electively setled upon Primislaus surnam'd Posthumus who resumed the Title of King An. 1295. That Royall Title hath been ever since retained by his Successors yet not fully established untill the Raign of Casimir the second stiled the Great after whose death his Nephew Lewis King of Hungaria son to Charles King therof by Elizabeth Sister of the said Casimir succeeding electively to the Regall Chair of Poland deceased without Heirs Males and Mary eldest Daughter of the said Lewis being chosen Queen of Hungaria Heduigis the younger was elected to the Crown of Poland and married unto Jagello great Duke of Lithuania who in contemplation of the said Match and the Crown of Poland wherunto he was therby advanced became a Christian in the year 138â— by the name of Vladislaus the fifth and wrought so with his Subjects the Lithuanians as that they also embraced the Christian Profession and likewise united his said Dutchy of Lithuania with Samogitia and that part of Roxoâ—ania which was under his obedience unto the Crown of Poland for ever To which three conditions he was obliged by the Articles of his Marriage The first was forth with the second soon after effected albeit not without reluctancy as may be conceived where a People is rooted and therby become obstinate in Idolatrie The third point the Union was yet more hard to compasse and took more time of deliberation neither was it fully accomplished untill of latter years For the Princes of the Race of Jagello who after him succeeded to the Crown of Poland being unwilling to deprive their Posterity of their Hereditary Estates and to submit the same to the election of the Polanders least being pre-termitted therin they might remain deprived of their ancient Patrimonicall Rights and Dignities deferred the fulfilling therof from one time to another alleadging that the States and people of Lithuania would not consent therto as apprehending future prejudice by that Conjunction But at last seeing that of the one side their Princes Males began to fail as they did in the time of Sigismundus Augustus and on the other part apprehending the power of the Russians and the renewing of former pretensions the Lithuanians condescended to the Union in the Raign of the said Sigismundus who procured that the Lithuanian Bishops the Palatines and a certain number of Castellans should have Session and Vote in the Parliaments of Poland at the election of their Kins and all other Priviledges which the Native Polonians have wherby the Rights of the Lithuanian Princes to their Patrimoniall Estates might seem secured It may be generally observed that in those Elective Kingdoms regard is had to the next in right line unless known to be unfit and unworthy of so great a Power as is apparent in Hungaria Bohemia and Suethland before the same became Hereditary in Denmark also and in Russia most usually and at present is and hath been practised in Germany since the time of Charles the fifth By virtue of this regard to the Progeny of well deserving Princes the Jagellonian Posterity hath continued successively elected to the Crown of Poland ever since his death about 137. years under the Raign of six Kings Viz. Vladislans the sixth his Son Casimir Son to the said Vladislans John Albert second Son of Casimir the elder being pre-termitted by reason of his embracing the Crowns of Hungaria and Bohemia Alexander the third Brother and these two dying without Issue Sigismund fourth Son of the said Casimir succeeded and to him his Son Sigismundus the second sur-named Augustus the last Prince of the Issue Male of Jagello who deceased about the year 1573. After him was chosen Henry of Valois Duke of Anjow second Son to Henry the second King of
it's neighbouring bounds which kept firme therunto and would not admit of a Newtrality with the Suethes albeit they had been once if report err not upon a Treatie For which their fidelity they have since obtained no small priviledges from that Crown prejudiciall not onely to the Neighbour Cities as that of Elbing where formerly the English Merchants of the Eastland Company had a flourishing residence but also to those Merchants and their Nation in the point of trade by their Stample upon all wollen cloaths imported to be dispersed through Poland which Monopoly hath been and is no small greivance unto that Society Neither hath that yoake been taken off notwithstanding Englands merits towards that Crown and the intervention and earnest Solicitation of Englands Ambassadors and other Ministers as will hereafter further appear But returne we now to what is yet remaining that so we may proceed unto the promised Treatie The Polanders as hath been said being wholly on the losing hand and having other ancient constant enemies as the Turk and Tartar and the Russian no assured friend to cope withall besides the Sueths a Peace or if that could not be a truce was mediated Neither was King Gustavus reluctant thereunto as having then a designe upon the main body of the Roman Empire as well to revenge the Injuries he pretended to have received from the Austrian Family for aiding the Polander against him as to assist and succour the all-most totally oppressed Protestant Princes of Germany sundry of whom were his Allaies and who had secretly re clamed his power for their Protection GVSTAVVS ADOLPHVS D. G. SVECORVM GOTHORVM ET VANDALORVM REX MAGNVS PRINCEPS FINLANDIAE etc. The Most Illustrious Puisant and Victorious Prince GVSTAVVS ADOLPHVS by the grace of GOD. King of the Swethens Goths and Vandals great Prince of Finland Duke of Esthonia Carelia Lord of Ingria c sould by P Stent Tho Cecill sculp The King of France deputed the Baron of Charnace The Elector of Brandenburg also had his Ambassadors there and by the Mediation of those publike Ministers interposing the Authority of their Potent Principalls a Truce was upon the sixteenth of September 1629. concluded between those jarring Crownes upon the tearmes that the Curious may see in the Articles themselves long since exposed to publike view and not necessary to be here inserted Before the expiration of this Truce King Sigismundus paying the Debt that all men owe to Nature left the Polanders free to a new Election and three Sons the Princes Vladislaus and Casimir the name of the third Brother I remember not to the hopes thereof Also one Daughter Which three besides their mutuall relations of Brothers and Sister by the same Father might also be said to have been Cousin Germanes to each other by their respective Mothers who both were Sisters to the then Germane Emperour King Sigismundus after the decease of the elder whom he had first married Espousing also the younger by Papall dispensation The more Superstitious and Jesuited Faction which there is very powerfull in prejudice of the accustomed way of Elective Succession to that Crown would have baulked Vladislaus the elder howbeit not for want of merit but as by them conceived to be more favourable towards Protestanisme then they desired and would have chosen Casimirus the younger at present their King by his Brothers decease whom they thought as having amongst them received his Education would prove more inclining toward them but were vigorously opposed by the Illustrious Prince Christopher Radzivill Duke of Bierze and Dubinskie Palatine of Vilnen and great Generall of Lithuania who is said to have brought five thousand Horse to that Parliament a prevaling Argument by whose meanes the elder Prince obtained his Elective Right and was Crowned by the name of Vladislaus the fourth He was a Prince of great Courage and Vigour both of mind and body and inherited not only his Fathers pretensions unto his Hereditary Crown of Suethland but the fame desires for its recovery and hatred against the Detainer thereof Nor is it likely but that upon the terminating of the truce currant he would willingly have entred into a War for the re-gaining of the Right devolved unto him from his Paternall Ancestors had not the States of Poland shewed themselves more willing to a Treatie as having been but late before engaged against the Russian from whom he had gained the Citie and Dukedom of Smolensko with other Territories as also against the Turke and Tartar whom by the losse of two set Battels he had forced unto tearmes of accommodation by means wherof the Crowne of Poland had sustained a vast Charge with other Inconveniencies incident and might therfore require a time of breathing Yet not withstanding they also raised a powerfull Army to countenance the Cause and not without resolution for a vigorous Engagement in case the means used for obtaining a Peace or longer Truce should have proved uneffectuall It is certainly much to be lamented that the Spirit of Discord hath so much power over the minds of Christian Princes as that their Emulations and Dissentions which are the steps whereby the Othoman Empire hath mounted unto its present formidable height should be rendred perpetuall to the prejudice of Christendome the reproach of the Christian Profession and the advantage of insulting Infidells as then it did for the Polish Army at that time had the Turkish Forces at such a bay as that the great Generall of Poland Kaenigspolskie in the hearing of this Relator afterwards told the Ambassadour of Great Brittaine that but for the difference like to ensue between the two Crownes of Poland and Suethland by reason of the then neer expiring Truce hee would have convoyed those Miscreants unto the Gates of Constantinople but leaving this digression As the Crown of Poland might be not unwilling for the reasons pre-alledged to admit of Peace so likewise may the Suethes be conceived not to have been averse thereunto as having lost their Coesar in that famous Feild of Lutzen and being still engaged in the Germane War their Forces were then in decadence constrained to retire toward Pomerania and to keep a long the Sea Coast So as both parties being apparently willing a second Treaty was consented unto and those Princes who had assisted at the former as also the States of Holland were by the interessed Crownes invited to resume the Mediatoriall Office whereunto none of them being backward no more then to contribute their endeavours for a Worke so pious and beseeming Christians Sir George Duglass Knight Ambassadour from the late King of Great Brittaine Claudius de Mesme Baron D'Avaux from the King of France the Prince Sigismundus of Brandenborg Uncle to that Elector from his said Nephew with others of the Electorall Counsell as also Ambassadours from the States Generall of the united Provinces did accordingly howbeit at severall times as opportunity by reason of distance of places would permit meet in Prussia the
Commissioners of whom Colonell Peblitz being chiefe sate above all the Princes at the upper end of the Table all the Propositions were directed to him and he in right of the Elector Palatine had the opening of all Letters which was an absolute concession of the Electorall Title and Dignity and as great an Exauthorization of the Bavarian and his pretences as that Assembly could give For the effecting hereof the prudent intervention of Sir Robert Anstruther Lord Ambassador Extraordinarie from great Brittaine to that Dyet who had with good approbation discharged the like high trust under King James and the late King to severall Princes of Germany to the King of Denmarke as also to the Emperor Intervallatim by the space of thirteen yeares was not meanly prevalent There were present besides the Ambassadors of other Princes and the Deputies of the Imperiall Cities in the forenamed foure Circles as Noremberg Strasburg Francefort Auspurg and others the Lord Chancellour Oxenstierne also whose Title in this Dyet was Councellor Chancellor and Extraordinary Ambassador for the most Illustrious and High borne the Hereditarie Heyre and Princesse of the Crown of Suethen The restitution of the Palatinate ad integrum was decreed in this Dyet and for the regaining of some places as yet possessed by the Enemy the Chancellor engaged his word as General of all the Forces which charge he having modestly refused at the first offer accepted at the second Whereupon the direction of the whole War and affaires of State was committed unto him in the name of the Imperiall States and the Crown of Suethen Neither did this Union receive small luster by the conjunction of the French King represented by the Marshall de Feuquier's there present As also by the Declaration o◠the Duke Elector of Brandenburg which followed soone after in favour of what there transacted Account of the whole passages of that Assembly but especially of that restitutionary decree was by his Lordship upon his returne to Francfort sent into England by Mr. Richard Hurst One and the First of his Secretaries His Lordships Negotiation with the Landtgrave of Darmestadt to whom he soone after repaired for the gaining of his concurrence with that Assembly was uneffectuall albeit he left no stone unmoved But interest and ambition are maine obstacles to the attaining of just desires That Landtgrave had been much entrusted by the house of Austria and in recompence of his affection was by the same invested with the spoiles of his Neighbours Two Mannours or Lordships belonging to the House Palatine had been committed into his of his Fathers hands by the late King of Bohemia they being then good friends but disputes arising afterwards between them grew to a quarrell whereupon Count Mansfeldt invading the Landtgraves Countrey took him prisoner and so detained him certaine dayes but his liberty being regained and the Emperors affaires prospering he procured as a recompence for his sufferings a grant from the Emperor not onely of those two Mannours but of severall other Lands likewise belonging to the Counts of Solmes Isenberg Lewensteyne and others followers and domesticks of the Prince Elector Palatine The Elector Duke of Saxony one of whose Daughters the foresaid Land-Grave had Married was next Solicited by great Britaines Ambassador yet neither would he joyn in the Transactions of Heylbrun or in the attribution of the Electoral Title Dignity or Possessions to the yong Prince Palatine nor afford the Title of Administrator to his Uncle the Duke of Simmern Albeit as he professed to his Lordship he did not ommit the same out of any want of respect to the King his Master or of affection to the House Palatine but as not having then consulted the States of his Countrey which he said it was necessary for him to do before he could performe so publike an Act and that he hoped to obtaine the same by Treatie Whereby the Troubles of Germany as he conceived would sooner be ended Hereupon Replyes were reiterated but nothing save words gained The King of Suethens death seemed to have much altered that Elector from his former professed intentions But it was indeed conceived that he the rather declined those rights to the house Palatine to worke a concession from the young Prince unto his said Son in Law of the two forementioned Manno 〈…〉 s Next that himselfe might enjoy the Cheife direction of Affaires amongst the Protestant Princes of Germany which of right belonged to the house Palatine As also to thwart what the Circles had done in the Assembly at Heylbrun with the particular account of the Electorall and Land-gravian Treaties the Relator was by his Lordship sent for England from Dresden that Electors Chiefe and Residentiall City In the mean time the Confederate Princes and Cities having constituted amongst themselves a Directorium or settled Counsell for the better carrying on of the Work gave the Presidency thereof as aforesayd to the Great Chancellour of Suethen Axelius Oxenstierne as well in contemplation of the merits of that late Great Monarch as of the necessity they stil had to retaine the assistance of the Suethes untill the interest of the Princes and Cities of that Union and of the House Palatine together with that of the whole body of the Germane Protestants might be settled either by Treaty or otherwise and not the least in regard of the great Sagacity and deep insight in the managing of Affaires acquired by a long experimented practice and grounded upon the Rock of a most sound and well fortified judgment wherwith that great Personage was endowed The various successe of the Armies and their continuance drawing upon the associated Princes Circles and Cities a vast expence of Treasure wherby those Countries became exhausted and the Palatinate being upon its restitution assessed at a monthly Contribution which howbeit lesse in proportion then the other Contributary Countries were rated at that devasted Principality was not able to furnish the late King was solicited in deficiency of his Nephews Estate yet no way therto obliged by any Stipulation or other Act publike or private so cautiously had his fore-named Minister managed his Masters Interest Hereupon by the Privy Counsell of England it was thought meet that some one should be sent over to scrutinize into the condition of the Palatinate as also into the Deportments of the Suethes concerning whom I may say upon certain knowledge that during the Assembly at Heylbrun as also before and after the Chancellour made great expressions of respect to his Majesty and his Relations in Germany the reality wherof was not meanly testified by the free restitution of the Palatinate after their King had recovered the same from the Spaniard and by his promise that the Forces then before Frankendale if I mistake not and Heidelberg should not be withdrawn but re-inforced untill those two strong Peices were likewise regained which he performed at his return to Francfort by sending the Prince Birkenfeldt with six
same therin expressing that albeit most willing as by duty obliged to procure his dear Countries good yet the same seemed a work of no small difficulty the King having prescribed no direct form of Government especially in those disturbed times wherin the publike Treasure was much exhausted the Kingdom obvious to the inconveniencies of a Russian War and uncertain of obtaining a wished Peace the Crown Revenues so diminished during his Majesties being there as they appeared not a little deficient That nevertheless he would not be wanting to afford his utmost of counsell and assistance for the redress of things amiss wherunto his Propinquity of blood and maturity of years invited him conditionally that they would joyn with him for the Weal of his Majesty and the Kingdom wherof he desired their speedy resolution and compliance to those things that for the said ends should be decreed and that they would not separate untill conclusions were taken concerning the frame of future Government to which effect he would upon their intimation speedily repair to Stocholme These were dated from Nicopia In pursuance hereof they again instance unto him that his presence was both their hope and expectation renewing their requests that he would assume the Government Promising that they would not be wanting to their power in Counsell Assistance security and Obedience for the good of the Kingdom the glory of God and the Emolument of the Natives This was dated the ninth of August 1594. and signed by Nicolaus Gyldenstierne Gustavus Baner Turo Bielke Hogenschildus Bielke Claudins Bielke and Gustavus Gabrielis Duke Charles thus invited repaired to Stocholme where no sooner arrived but he cleared the Arconsian Temple the City and the Queens Island of the Romish Priests and likewise deprived their great Patron Count Ericke of his Command of the Regall Castle for he being a strong Promover of the Papall Creed was formidable to those of the contrary Profession by reason of his power and great Alliances within the Kingdom His Sister being Wife to Ericke Sparre the Chancellour his Aunt married to Claudtus Flemingius Governour of Finland and his Uncles Ericke Gustavus Aruidus Gustavus and Carolus Gustavus were Rulers and Governours of the Westro-gothes the Ostro-gothes and Smaland with others of no mean power To the former Criminations against their King they add that contrary to his Regall Oath and promise under his hand and Seal to protect from injury the Poor as well as the Rich he permitted without punishment or inquisition made the Nightly Watches to be abused and beaten The Polanders of his Train to be day and night in Armes by whom with others of the Natives who delighted in such mischiefs sundry of the said Night-watches being frequently murthered were so found lying in the Streets others miserably wounded yea even their houses were unsecure from violence and notwithstanding complaints were many times preferred yet no redress was granted nor Justice executed upon the Murtherers Sundry other things to the same purpose they repeat as the Concession formerly mentioned of Leisland to the Crown of Poland as also the diminishing of the Navy and Ordenance to the great damage of the Common-wealth And that unwitting to the Duke or States of the Kingdom in prejudice also of the Gustavian Testament and the Constitutions of Calmar An. 1587. he had transacted with the Neighbour Princes touching certain most weighty Affairs of Suethland the peculiar Badge or Cognisance wherof he had alienated requiring by Ericke Sparre his Ambassadour a dilation or prolonging of the compromissoriall transaction about the said Badge viz. The three Crowns which in the year 1591. at the Treaty with the Dane by the River Flakesiobecke had been at their earnest and most instant request suspended untill An. 1597 And that Sigismundus by that Embassie sought to attain by entreaty from the Dane that which he had formerly not without much difficulty and suit obtained from the States of Suethland therby alienating the right of the Suethes to those three Crowns the proper and peculiar Badge and one of the chief Regalities of the Kingdom which he ought not to have done And this he did say they by the perswasions of his said Counsellour Ericke Sparre the better to compass his hostile intensions towards his Uncle the Duke to the notorious breach of the foresaid Testament the express words wherof are viz. Our dear Sons not only he who with his posterity shall succeed us in the Regall Chair but the rest likewise of our dear Sons shall neither by themselves apart or with their familiar Counsellours Servants or Subjects attempt treat or decide any Affairs wherin the welfare and honour of the Kingdom are concerned by concluding of War Peace Leagues or other Concernments of the Common-wealth of weight and moment except by the counsell and consent of them all with approbation of the Prime States of the Kingdom joyntly They further objurgate his causing of Arrest to be made at Lubecke and other Maratine Cities of their Ships and Goods and spoyling them of their said Goods and Merchandizes And that some years past Suethland being afflicted with a great dearth of Corn wherby many thousands perished and the residue much exhausted in their Substance he by the counsell of Steno Baner Olaus Suercherus and Lindormias Bond severely prohibited those of Dantzig and other Sea Ports of the Polish Dominion from administring relief to those of Suethen and at the same time enjoyed those of Rivell albeit incorporated into Swethland not to furnish them with any provision and sollicited the like with other Marine Places belonging to the Romish Empire By all these things they shew that his second departure produced no better fruite then his first both being without the privity of the States and that as his first discession to receive an Extraneous Crowne accasioned a conceding of Leifeland to the Polander So his second left them in a confusednesse without any prefect forme of Government contrary to his promise which Comedie say they was commenced by those Counsellours who were unwilling to be longer ruled by the Gustavian Line but that themselves might prevent each other in the domination of the parts whereby would have ensued the ruine of the whole King Sigismundus say they precipitating his departure had sent to his Uncle then at Nycopia by Ericke Gustavus and Claudius Slatte a certain Plenipotentiarie importing that induced by his urgent Affairs and by his promise he now intended to repair into Poland and that to the end his Native Country might not be destitute of good Government and Administration of Justice untill God should grant him a return he committed the same unto him his said Uncle as being a Prince Hereditary and chief among the other Orders of the Kingdom together with others the faithfull Senators therof to whom with him this Plenipotentiary was joyntly given to be governed and administred accordingly Provided that in the first and chief place he and they should honour and
acknowledge him and his Heirs Males if any should be for lawful Heirs and Kings of Suethland and next to them his Brother John Prince of Finland that they should endeavour and by all means procure his and the Kingdoms good preventing all prejudice and loss by Mature Counsell and Administer the other affairs of the Kingdom with the joynt Senatorial consent and concordall unanimity conform to the Laws of Suethland that no damage or detriment might thence redound But that they should not celebrate or call any publike Assembly or Parliament nor upon any occasion make or enact Laws without his speciall and express consent as being agreeable to and demonstrative from the Reversoriall Letters given unto him by the Duke and Senators In order wherunto he commanded all and every the Subjects of Suethland and inhabitants therof of what eminency degree or condition soever to render and perform to his said dear Uncle as to the chief in Government and to the Senators according to the state and dignity of each all due obedience honour and assistance in all things which they should enjoyn for the good and emolument of the King and Kingdom given in the Port of Elsnaben the eighteenth of July 1594. But this Plenipotentiary was by Duke Charles rejected as imperfect and a draught more ample by Letters from Nycopia of the twenty third ejusdem sent to the King for the Regall Assent and Signature with a Schedule annexed wherin his Majesty was desired in case that Peace intended with the Russian should not take effect to consider of some way wherby the Nerves of War might be supplied Provisions made of Victuall Ammunition and other Necessaries equally incident which with other particulars mentioned in either are referred to inspection into the Originall by such as are curious But the King was gone before this answer could be tendred unto him leaving Suethland in much disorder which the Duke considering and that only a lame form of power and government was left and that others were ordained with equal yea greater power both in Suethland and Finland albeit the same appeared not untill his Exit So as almost in every Province some or other did rise up boasting himself Governour in the Royal absence from which Fountain many misfortunes mischiefs and miseries might have flowed Tumults and dissentions would have sprung up on each side to the ruine of the publike Weal unless timely obviated for the better effecting wherof the Duke by the Senatoriall Consent indicted a Parliament at Sudercopia against the moneth of October 1595. To which generall Convention the whole Senate and Orders of the Kingdoms Counts Barons Bishops Knights Gentry Clergy Commanders of Forts and Forces Burgesses and common people did emulously flock to consult upon the Urgencies of the Kingdom wherin they assert many things were treated and transacted tending greatly to the good of King Sigismundus and the whole Nation if due execution had not been obstructed In these Parliamentary constitutions after thanks rendred to the Divine goodness for having by tollerable conditions freed them from apprehension of a long and bloody Russian War so as being then in Concord with all their Neighbours they might more freely endeavour a setling of the like at home which was their aime in that assembly they unanimously by virtue of their respective Provinciall Plenipotentiary and each for himself particularly did bind themselves to observe their Oath and promise made to King Sigismundus in the points of Fidelity and obedience to him and his Heirs And that wheras his Majesty at his Coronation had promised the entire liberty of their Religion with exclusion of all other which was not yet effected and that certain of the Romanists had already begun to use threatnings in confidence of their encrease They therfore enacted and concluded that all Conventions publike or private used by the Papalists or any other Sects by what notion soever frequented should be taken away their Priests and Preachers banished and to depart the Kingdom within six weeks after the rising of that present Parliament That none of the Commonalty of that or any other Sect seperate from the Profession there generally received should be admitted to any Office within the Kingdom but all Pensions toward such to be revoked yet that they living peaceably might still remain and enjoy the Laws Liberties and Priviledges of Suethen but if doing otherwise either in publike or private to be punished and exiled as the others were That in reference to the Vastenan Monastery wheras the Regall Assecuration did bear that no Scholastick Exercise or Function Ecclesiasticall contrary to the Augustane Confession and the Vbsalian Synod celebrated An. 1593. should be obtruded upon the Kingdom or be suffered to impede the received Religion but that therin the proceedings should be according to the last year of King Gustavus fore-mentioned and the first of King John Therfore all abuses in the foresaid Monastery and the present Incumbents were to be thence excluded That furthermore wheras the most Illustrious Duke Charles had then before all the Orders of the Kingdom signified that by reason of several notable defects represented somtimes Orally and also in the written Paper then exhibited unto them he desired to be freed from the Government unless those were removed They therfore in regard his Highness was a Prince hereditary of the Kingdom whom it meerly concerned that the Affairs therof should be rightly and orderly administred humbly desired that his Highness would embrace the same for the good and emolument of the King and his Successors as also of the younger Brethren and in a word of the whole Regall and Ducall Heirs according to the Acts of hereditary Succession wherby the Subjects and Inhabitants of the Kingdom might in like manner freely enjoy the Nations Laws with their legally acquired Liberties and Priviledges And that wheras his Highness had consented to undergo the Administration of the Government with the Senators of the Kingdom joyntly They therfore the respective Orders therof Ecclesiasticall and Politicall Nobility and Commonalty high and low did promise that to their utmost they would acknowledge and observe his Highness as their Prince and Governour in his Majesties absence and untill his return into the Kingdom and accordingly render unto his Highness all lawfull obedience fidelity and duty saluting and intitling him the Governour of the Kingdom yet no way to any prejudice of the Regall Jurisdiction or Dignity conform to the litterary transaction approved of between his Highness and the Kingdoms Senators Wherfore that what Affairs soever of weight and moment relating to that Kingdom his Majesty should desire to be there expediated were first and before all others to be signified unto his Highness and the Senatoriall Colledge But if otherwise and whosoever he were who should obtain any Commission he should have no power of appointing or acting ought in reference therunto before his Highness and the whole Senatoriall Order were consulted therin
who undoubtedly would therupon conclude and ordain so as might be most conducing to the honour and advantage of his Majesty and the Kingdom according to the Oathes and Assecurations alternatively given It was concluded also that no trouble or molestation should accrue to the King by seeking or desiring any determination or resolution in Poland concerning the Affairs of Suethland in regard his Majesty had not there those persons neer him to whom he might commit the expediting of the Suethish Affairs for which cause they concluded that all Juridicall Process Grievances and Controversies should be examined defined within the Kingdom conform to the Laws of Suethland and the Decree relating therunto published at Vbsall An. 1593. which the King himself had confirmed And that they should not be transmitted into Poland nor that any sentence or resolution touching them should be expected thence but that if any one thought himself injured therby he might appeal unto the Kings return whether that any Regall Sentence given without the Kingdom should obtain execution within the same Otherwise no man to be prohibited to repair or seek unto the King about his private Affairs or other things lawfull and rationall not tending to the prejudice of any especially of those who sate at the Helme Provided that as aforesaid the Kings Mandates and Writs should be first directed and addressed unto his Highness and the Senatoriall Order the execution of them not to be immediatly committed unto any other Concerning the Offices of the Kingdom it was decreed that his Highness and the Senatoriall Colledge with the counsell and consent of the chief other Orders whom the matter might concern should as occasion required in his Majesties absence consider of meet persons so that such men and Servants might be preferred to Offices and Charges in the Kingdom respectively as did rightly belong and were tied by Oath to the King and to the Common-wealth and that speciall and serious regard were had to ancient and well deserving persons As also that none of the Prime Offices of the Nation should be entirely committed to any one before the Provinciall Inhabitants where such an Officer was requisite and any others therin concerned might have free Sufferages or Votes by whom three Candidati or persons elective were to be named as the Laws of Suethland to the observation wherof his Majesty had sworn concerning the chief Offices do in some sort mention which three persons elected were to be signified unto his Majesty out of which number he might appoint one whom he best approved of and if it should so happen that the King had no rationally lawfull objections against them and did nevertheless defer the approbation of some one of them perhaps not without detriment to the Kingdom and the Government therof his Highness had power to place one of the three so elected in the said Office yet that no Officials formerly perferred by his Majesty should be dismissed unless lawfull causes were found wherby upon due inspection and examination they might appear worthy of deprivation neither that any one should be advanced to a greater Plurality of Offices then he could commodiously and with utility to the Kingdom undergo These things being by them enacted the Duke on the other part did stipulate in these words We Charles by the Grace of God hereditary Prince and Governour of the Kingdom of Suethland Duke of Sudermannia Nericia and Wermelandia do promise that we will diligently assisted by the Senatoriall Order as well of Spirituall as Secular Persons endeavour to the utmost of our abilities so to manage the Kingdoms Affairs as we shall know or conceive to be most advantageous to his Majesty commodious to this our most dear Countrey beneficiall to the Orders and faithfull Subjects therof and Emolumentall to all persons wherby every one may be maintained and protected in the pure Evangelical Religion according to the Augustane Confession and the Profession of faith instituted at Ubsall and agreeable to the Laws of Suethen and those Priviledges and Prerogatives which each man conform to his condition enjoyeth and hath obtained from precedent Kings and Governours As also that we will govern the Kingdom of Suethen and the Affairs therof wholly according to the Oath which his Majesty at his Coronation at Ubsall did swear to his Subjects and did secure unto them by writing and as We with Our best and cleerest judgment shall find or can imagine may be profitable to his Majesty and Emolumentary to the Orders and Subjects of the Kingdom as well of the Clergy as the Laiety even as we desire God assisting to answer for the same before God his Majesty and the respective Orders of the Kingdom Whatsoever likewise shall by Vs with the free advice of the Senators which without any prejudice they may safely communicate be approved and concluded as We will not decree ought in weighty Affairs relating to the Kingdom without the Senatoriall Sufferage We will unanimously maintain and defend that the same may be preserved firm and irrevocable to the present and future times And that We will accordingly All as One and One as All profess and protect the same if in process of time it shall be needfull and requisite Lastly in testimony that We do willingly constitute and approve of this Transaction in manner as aforesaid for the good of his Majesty our most gratious King the prosperity of the Kingdom and the Inhabitants therof and do ordain the same to be unviolably observed word for word according to the cleer literall sense therof without prejudice or violation to the Regall Eminency and Jurisdiction and our Oath as the Laws of Suethen require We Charles by the grace of God Hereditary Prince and Governour of the Kingdom of Suethland Duke of Sudermannia Nericia and Wermelandia And We the Orders of the said Kingdom fore-mentioned have hereunto affixed our Seals and subscribed the same with our hands And if We or others present or absent who have not assisted at this Convention which We are not willing to impute as proceeding from pertinaciousness or disobedience shall refuse to approve with Vs of what before recited concluded for the Common good of his Majesty and our Countrey wherof the Parliament being ended intimation shal be given to all the Provinces and that by previous information and admonition they shall not offer or produce any lawfull reasons in contradiction hereunto which they have free liberty to do We certainly will send Messengers unto them and will hold them for non-conforming and disturbing Ministers of the Kingdom and whosoever shall not adjoyn themselves hereto if constituted in any of the Eminent Offices of the Kingdom We will endeavour to diminish their publike Authority and Power as We shall judge consentaneous to equity and reason least the Kingdom of Suethland should from thence receive detriment and seeds of dissention In like manner they who shall detract or apostatize from this our generall free and unanimous Transaction Whether
miseries of his people but by Letters from Warsaw of the twenty eight of Aprill preceding had incited the Finlandians with their Governour thereunto so as the Duke was necessitated to make an expedition into Finland where assisted by Divine providence he freed that suffering Province from oppression the 〈…〉 osers neither daring to try it in the Field nor to defend 〈◊〉 Forts they were possest of whereby the Tumults in Finland were so appeased in the year 1597. as they needed not any more to apprehend the like Notwithstanding all these things with others fore-mentioned perpetrated as the Suethes alledge by King Sigismundus and his evill Counsellours The Duke with the Senators of the Kingdome by Letters he of the fourteenth they of the twentieth of February 1598. dated from Vbsall seriously invited his Majesties returne in quiet and peaceable manner to settle the Affaires of his Native Kingdome But contrary hereunto say they he repaired thither with an Army of eight thousand horse and foot and a hundred Sail of Ships to which extraneous forces no smal number of Suethish Souldiers with sundry of the Nobility and Military Commanders hoping thereby to gaine great Stipends joyned themselves through the crafty allurings and seducements of those unfaithfull Counsellours as themselves found when too late for things not succeeding to the Kings desire he deserted them without refuge or comfort King Sigismundus landing at Calmar with his Army Duke Charles likewise raised forces and approached toward Stegeburg and desired by severall Letters and Messengers to be certified of the cause inducing his Majesty to returne into his Native Country with such a numerous armed attendance and withall that he might be admitted to a conference with his Majesty but the King also marching toward Stegeburg soone gave notice say they of the ends he came for by a sudden on-set wherein some hundreds were slaine on either side Which hostile Act the Duke would not revenge albeit power was not wanting but shewed himself willing to embrace a friendly composure and pacification with the King and those unfaithfull Counsellours There were at the same time present with the King severall Ambassadors from the Prince Elector of Brandenburg the Marquesse of Ansbach and Duke Vlricke of Mecklenburg with whom those Counsellours were earnest at least in pretence to endeavour a pacifying of the differences between the King and Duke Charles which they did to their utmost but seeing their labours fruitlesse they departed and were by his Highnesse Order honourably conveyed unto the borders of Denmarke The Duke also made offer of answering before equitable and competent Arbitrators to whatsoever could be objected against him and desired that the King would make choice of six persons of the Nobility and so many of the Military Officers to meet with an equall number to be elected by himself for a friendly compos 〈…〉 of all differences but the King as they forthwith permitted the Marquesse of Baden and Wejerus to discharge his Ordinance against the Dukes Forces and gave order to the Generall of his Army Georgius Farensbecius to charge into the Dukes Camp in the silence of night with his whole Forces and to slaughter all he should meet with and albeit the Duke and those of his side attempted nothing that was not lawfull and consentaneous to their Oath yet they reape no other reward then open enmity secret hatred and treacherous machinations for by deferring all amicable transactions they onely waited the approach of Auxiliary Forces from Finland for the more commodious execution of their tyranous intentions At last King Sigismundus perceiving that assistance from Finland was in vaine expected and that a gallant Navy of the Dukes approached his Army was therewith so terrified as that not daring to make longer stay he with his whole power withdrew secretly under night from Stegeburg toward Lincopia abandoning his Ships and Ordinance with other things of great moment yet for the better understanding of the History let us view the heads of the whole passage before he left Stegeburg beginning at the time of the rendition of Calmar And first we will premise the instructions given by Duke Charles unto Prince Gustavus Duke of Saxony and Westphalia with George Claudius and Olaus Hard for the Government of Calmar the same dated the tenth of June 1597. in the severall Articles whereof is contained 1. THat they preserve the sayd Fort for his Majesty and the good of the Common-weale and that they admit not of any Person of what degree soever to enter the Castle without Letters from his Highnesse to that effect nor suffer any dissipation to be made of the Ammunition or other necessaries to the Castle appertaining 2. That they containe the Inhabitants in due obedience to his Majesty and his Heirs and to his Highnesse during his Majesties absence 3. That they maintaine the Subjects there in their former Liberties and Priviledges without violence injustice or extortion by bribery 4. That they endeavour the preservation of the Crowne rights from diminution and that all things imbezelled may be restored 5. That his Majesty coming to Calmer in peaceable manner like a gracious King conforme to his Coronation Oath and the Lawes of Suethland the Gates of the Castle be open to receive him with all due reverence and honour But that if his Majesty should approach with armed Bands in a way of violence to devast and destroy his native Soile contrary to his sayd Oath the Laws of Suethland and of Nature they should not then permit his Majesty or any in his Name to enter the sayd City or Castle but should defend the same with all their might untill upon advertisement they received answer from his Highnesse that the King and he were reconciled And that in the meane time they admonish his Majesty to desist from violence and if any extraneous force should attempt the place they were to oppose the same to the utmost of their power 6. That they repaire the Walls and Towers c. according to their abilities and the necessities emerging not permitting the Baths or Stoves to perish 7. That as need should require they order the Souldiers commanded by Abraham Nicolas John Gustavus and Nicolas Finno to keepe the City watch carefully that no sudden irruption or other violence happen therein 8. That by the helpe of the Citizens and Souldiers the Fabricks begun should be continued and finished and that the Money by his Highnesse thereunto ordained be imployed about the same 9. That they behave themselves friendlike and peaceably toward the neighbour Nations Viz. the Dane according to the agreements between those flourishing Kingdomes 10 That they pacifie all quarrels and contentions and that they speedily certifie his Highnesse of those difficulties which of themselves they could not reconcile and that they extend not punishment of death unto any without first acquainting him therewith THat they should adhere to their former Instructions to wit that if the King should
King Sigismundus returned Answer the day following that he had received his M 〈…〉 tory Letters touching assecuration That he wondred why his Dilection would so long time varnish over his unjust cause before the promiscuous ignorant multitude seeing he could not prove but that fit assecuration had been offered but not accepted and that whilest one demand was granted others were made far different as the last Articles might testifie That he followed him with a strong Army having seised the Castle of Stegeburg his Ships and severall other things which notwithstanding his promised preservation of them would have been more safe in his own custody That in Answer to his Letter he desired that his Dilection would rest satisfied with that assecuration which as consentaneous to reason and his dignity he had already offered But if not that he might proceed to do what it seemed he would not leave undone yet with what fame he left to the Judgement of all honest and unbyassed minds That himself committed the decision of the whole matter to the Justice of God Lincopia 23. September 1598. DUke Charles replyed That there being no remedy but that all Admonitions proved vain through the prevalency of perverse and wicked Counsellours he also committed the matter to God before whom he protested that he was not the cause of these troubles nor of the effusion of blood like to ensue wherefore he desired to know whether his Majesty would absolve him of his Oath of fidelity which done he would endevour to repell unjustice and violence by fit wayes and means But that if possible he besought his Majesty by the love of God to weigh the matter more seriously and not permit this mischief to spread further to his own and the Kingdomes prejudice and that nothing might be by him be omitted he had sent a draught of the assecuration desired by him and his followers wherein he hoped nothing unjust would be found Campe 24. September 1598. TWo dayes after Duke Charles writes againe to the King that seeing the conditions tendred were not admitted and that he could not conveniently propound any other as also that he hoped his Majesty would so resolve as might be honourable for both sides He therfore desired that his Majesty would transmit a draught of the assecurations he would give and receive whereupon he would so declare himself as might be satisfactory to his Majesty these were dated the 26. of the said Moneth THe day following King Sigismundus sent Letters of safe Conduct for such of the Nobility with their Servants as the Duke shâ—â—ld send to treat with him importing Security in coming â—elivering what they had in Commission and saâ—e return Duke Charles also did the like for his Nephew Prince Edward Marquesse of Baden with other Lords to be sent to him from the King BY all that hath been said it may be easily discerned say the Suethes whether Duke Charles received from King Sigismundus answers condigne to his Letters wherein he desired nothing but the good of the King and Kingdome and that if he would have listned to the Dukes faithfull advice and counsel he needed not to have fled when none pursued Or that if he had loved Justice he might judicially have prevented those evils by a decision by equall Arbitrators before whom the Duke and Orders of Suethland were willing to answer to whatsoever could rightly be objected against them They say further that they had oftentimes just occasion given them of renouncing all fidelity and obedience towards him in regard he came not unto them as a good and peaceable King but as an Enemy and Persecuter offering violence and injustice to those that would not submit to his wicked intentions nor admit of his perverse Religion and that he had absolved them from their Oath of fidelity in the former Letters whereby they had just cause to have tried the utmost which yet they did not his Highnesse and they having desired that twelve of the Nobility of each side men qualified prudent judicious and lovers of peace should meet examine and decide the whole controversie and restore and settle peace concord and brotherly love whereunto King Sigismundus did likewise consent but that the same was by him observed as other things had formerly been and according to the ancient manner of keeping faith in promises by Jesuites and Romish Priests For the night following the Royall Army conducted by Wejerus made an on-set upon the Ducall Camp dispersed the night guards killing some and seising others Prisoners as was done not onely at Lincopia but at Stegeburg also but seeing their attempt prove unsuccesfull both Polanders and Suethes who fought under the Kings Ensignes began to cry and ingeminate Peace Peace which the King say they with his followers might have enjoyed if the Officers thereof had been timely embraced but that it was then over-late to treat when many thousands of men lay slaine on both sides each intending on his Enemy the revenge of his fellow Souldier Duke Charles and the Suethes as themselves assert had then both cause and advantage sufficient to have utterly ruined their Advarsaries yet they suffered themselves to be entreated to shew more mercy and mildnesse then they had deserved by abstaining from that revenge was then in their power to have taken upon King Sigismundus with his whole Army to the great detriment and misfortune I use their owne words of themselves and the Kingdome of Suethland as hoping for better things in the future from King Sigismundus from whom they found worse by an ensuing cruell War with the Polanders and Lithuanians touching a finall end wherof no certaine conjecture could be made But that if they had as then they affirme they might destroyed him and his Forces those tumults had happily sooner ceased and many gallant men who afterwards perished in those Wars had survived Nor had his Highnesse and themselves been defamed by so many unjust aspersory Libells as were spread in all parts which neverthelesse they hoped to confute All which things hapned by suffering King Sigismundus then say they to escape to the further prosecution of his Country contrary to the practise of all Magnanimous Potentates who expose their lives to defend theirs from Spoile and Rapine The cruell fight being over King Sigismundus entred into agreement with the Duke for the restoring and confirming of mutuall friendship brotherly confidence with administration of right and justice between his Majesty and his Highnesse whereof I give here the heads onely referring as in all Narations of Acts the more curious to the Instrument it self dated at Lincopia the twenty eighth of September 1598. And first THat whereas the Duke his most deare Uncle and all those of his party had religiously promised unto him and his Heires due obedience fidelity and brotherly affection according to their respective Oaths and the obligations of blood proximity and their tyes of duty and subjection He likewise did by
his Kingly faith and dignity Sanctimoniously promise and ensure that neither in the present or future time he would require or take revenue of ought done or hapned during the late dissention nor prosecute his Highnesse or his followers with hatred or inclemency nor any of the Ducall Ministers for obeying his Commands nor that he would animadvert into the Anthors of what had past or punish any person for the same but would beare and extend unto the Duke and those aforesaid all Royall benignity and favour and would neither by force or fraud by himselfe or others openly or secretly within or without the Kingdome act move or give way to any deceitfull practises which might procure hurt or damage either in bodies or Estates unto the said Prince his Wife Children Ministers Subjects or pertakers nor to any of the Regall Subjects who had sided with his Highnesse of whatsoever dignity degree or condition they were He likewise professed and promised to governe the Kingdome according to the Lawes of Suethland his Regall Oath and Manuall security given at his Inauguration and to remit the deciding and composing of all differences untill the ensuing Parliament the same to be celebrated within foure moneths before neutrall Arbitrators such as Imperiall Regall Electorall and Ducall Ambassadors who were to be invited by Letters Those differences especially to be then determined as could not otherwise be wel ended between the Native Suethes But that no decision Legall or other should be instituted nor was needfull between himselfe and the Duke all controversies between them being buried by a perpetuall Amnestia That whatsoever had been generally concluded transacted and agreed upon should not be separately answered for by any particular person but the generality be admitted to render a reason thereof That whatsoever in future Parliaments should be established was to be allowed and accepted of and each one permitted to use and enjoy the same without prejudice or molestation That all Prisoners and others of either party should be obliged to appeare and answer in Parliament when called thereunto Forraigne Forces whether in Feild or Fort should be forth with dismissed the Regall Court and personall Guard excepted which should not exceed the number formerly used in the Kingdome All the Natives Horse and Foot waged by the King should be paid and disbanded each to return home the Duke to do the like to those of his side He also promised and consented that all Castles or other places committed by his said Uncle unto any one in his absence should so remain untill the said Parliament As also that those five Senatoriall persons demanded by his Uncle should remaine in his power untill the decision of the whole Affaire yet so as to enjoy all necessary provisions without hurt offered to their bodies or Estates He further gratiously promised that publication of this agreement and declarations for the clearing of his Uncle from all Crimes whereof he had been aspersed with serious Injunctions for all men to lay downe their Armes and to embrace Peace and Concord should be made in all Provinces and parts of the Kingdome It was also granted that the Dukes Ministers and Subjects might securely passe and repasse through all the parts thereof about their Masters or their owne lawfull Affaires they behaving themselves peaceably not raising sedition the like liberty and security was to be enjoyed by the Regall Subjects and Ministers within the Ducall Territories That all things pre-mentioned being thus effected his Uncle did in like manner confirme to restore unto him upon his repaire to Stocholme whither he speedily intended and to remit into his possession his Forts Navy Ordinance with all other things belonging unto him and the Crowne of Suethland which had been committed unto his Dilection and were until then in his possession the same to be no way abused to the ruine of his Dilection or the Country All which the Premisses he confirmed under his hand and Seal concluding that if ought contrary thereunto should be acted or any recesse therefrom made either by himselfe or his Uncle the Orders of the Kingdome had thereby power and right to oppose and resist the party violating Given as aforesaid at Lincopia the eighteenth of September 1598. These Covenants thus ratified Duke Charles gave order to the Admirall and Commanders of the Fleet to deliver up the Ships and Ordinance to the King no man doubting of the unviolable observation of this Treaty that so he might be transported from Stegeburg according to the Regall Honour and Dignity But what say they hapned When the Orders of Suethland expected that the King had been upon his course towards Stocholme to administer Justice to every one in conformity to this Lincopian Transaction and there to summon the Parliament they understood that he had steered first towards Calmar and thence into Poland with the Ships and Guns and contrary to his Oath had furnished Calmar with a Garrison of Aliens this being his third dicession from the Kingdome King Sigismundus say they having thus transgressed against the Lincopian Treaty as he had also broken all his former Oathes and promises the Orders of Suethland did thereby conceive themselves to be absolved from their Oath of Fidelity as being bound by the said Treaty to prosecute the Violater of that agreement and the rather because the Strangers garrisoned in Calmar demeaned themselves in hostile manner as also for that King Sigismundus designed those Ships and Ordinance upon a Naval expedition from Dantzig toward Elsenburg for the subduction of that place from the Crowne of Suethland and the more commodious annoyance thereof from thence with cruell War if his intention had succeeded thereby to obtrude his perverse Religion upon them and to remit that Fort into the hands of strangers as he had done by Calmar and that the Finlanders then quiet were againe by him stirred up so as the Suethes were necessitated to resume their Armes whereby floods of blood ensued in which many of the Natives perished And albeit King Sigismundus had many times promised those Finlanders aide from Poland yet he onely deceived and brought them to ruine But ere we proceed let us returne to see what entercourses did passe between King Sigismundus and Duke Charles after the fore-specified Lincopian Treaty KIng Sigismundus by a most friendly Letter of the thirtieth of September made request unto Duke Charles in behalf of the Captive Counsellors that their condition might be rendred more tollerable and that neither themselves nor their Ladies might be subject to scornes or reproaches the rather because some of those Ladies were neer in blood both to himselfe and the Duke putting the Duke in minde of his promise to that effect at their discourse together and desired that those Senators giving security for their appearance their owne houses might be their Prison or at least that they might remaine together not separated nor hurryed from one place to another In a Schedue annexed he prayed
expected from his Majesty by himselfe and the Orders of the Kingdome Dated at Nycopia as before expressed DUke Charles about two daies after received a Letter from King Sigismundus dated from Calmar the seventeenth of the said month intimating that by a violent Storme he had been put from his course intended for Stocholme and driven to that Port after two nights of tempestuous tossing on the Sea That the Ship which transported his Sister the Princesse Anna with sundry other Vessels were missing That neverthelesse he intended to repaire to Stocholme by land with the first opportunity That to his Dilections demands concerning the nomination of Princes whose intervention by their Ambassadors he did purpose to entreat against the ensuing Parliament they were the Emperour the Kings of Denmark and Scotland the Dukes of Brandenburg and Mecklenburg with the Marquesse of Ansbach and desired to be in like manner informed of the names of those Princes whom his Dilection had concluded to invite against the said time He likewise renewed his requests in behalfe of the fore-specified imprisoned Counsellours that they might remaine safely under the Royall Protection untill they should appeare in judgment and triall But say the Suether King Sigismundus observed these promises no otherwise then those formerly by him given for instead of repairing to Stocholme from Calmar whither as pretended he had been driven by tempest after he had garrisoned the said Castle with strangers he turned his Prow directly toward Dantzig So as no remedy being left but the celebration of a Parliament in place convenient therein to consult of the urgent Affaires and Necessities of the Kingdome the same was by his Highnesse with approbation of the Orders of the Kingdome convened at Jenecopia in February 1599. wherein was treated of the concernments of the Nation The particulars lesse necessary to be here inserted I shall omit and only touch some heads more pertinent to the present matter referring the further curious to the Act it selfe They therein declare that they will supplicate the King by Letters to commiserate and administer help to the Kingdomes afflicted condition and that he suffer not the same to fall to utter ruine That they hope his Majesty will make a favourable construction of this their counsell and so resolve as the necessity of the cause requires That if contrary to expectation their admonition shall take no effect whether by Suggestions of those of the Romish Creed or Apostates of their owne they professe their innocency before God and all Christian Potentates and that they are constrained to renounce the obedience they had untill then borne toward his Majesty c. This is in the fourth Section or Pause of that Act In the seventh they expresse that whereas in the late Lincopian Treaty it was promised that Imperiall Regall Electorall and Ducall Ambassadors should be of both sides invited to examine and decide all differences which was not yet done that therefore unlesse his Majesty should make good his promise within foure moneths they did consent and conclude to meete at Stocholme the 24th of May ensuing in full Parliament and conforme to the Gustauian Testament and the written Lawes of Suethland the other Orders of the Kingdome being thither called and appearing would examine the whole matter in reference to those perverse turbulent persons who had been Authors of the Nations troubles whereby the guilty might receive condign punishment c. These things with protestations of fidelity to his Highnesse as their governour and the resisting and diverting with their lives and fortunes all prejudice that might be intended against his person his Consort and Children were concluded at Jenecopia as aforesaid DUke Charles having received two letters from the King of one and the same date from Warsonia after a prolix repetition of the heads of each he answered the severall objections they contained and retorted back with a recapitulation of things past taxing likewise his departure which he affirmed his Majesty had not been forced unto by tempest as had been pretended And that in the Port of Baresund Order was given to all those that attended his Majesty to steere toward Calmar and not to Stocholme He desired to be certified the time prefixed at Lincopia for the celebrating of the promised Parliament being almost elapsed whether his Majesty were still of the same mind and that a certain time and place might be appointed He taxed the King of stirring up tumults in Finland Of protesting by his Ministers in Denmark and elsewhere that he was not obliged to stand to the agreement made between them Of designes against himselfe and the Kingdome of Suethland as was evident by the Letters of Sparre and Bechus sent to his Majesty but intercepted and brought to him And by the secret Plottings of the Princesse Anna with Count Axell by her Servant Ericke George shewing that his Majesty no way intended that these unfaithfull Counsellours should be brought to tryall but to procure their safety some other way That in the meane time those Counsellours with others of their faction should be kept in convenient custody but that if his Majesty did use further protraction he should be compelled to proceed against them according to the Lawes of Suethland These were dated from Jenecopia the first of February 1599. THis letter was accompanied by one of the same date from the Orders of the Kingdome of Suethland wherein after a rememoration of all things that had past since the Coronation they desired his Majesty to suppresse his tumults sprung up in Finland and Leifland to commit the Offices of the Kingdome to Natives not to Strangers to bring the Authors of those troubles to punishment To governe the Kingdome according to his Regall Oath the Lawes of Suethland the Sudercopian decrees and other laudable transactions and that in all cases the written Lawes might be observed To secure them that neither for the present nor the future he would attempt any Mutation of Religion as had been formerly done contrary to their opinion of his Majesty That he would returne to them as beseemed a meeke and gratious Prince not attended by forraigne Forces That his aboad amongst them would be an assured argument of his yeelding to these their just requests And that the speedy effecting thereof was their most earnest desire But that if his Majesties condition were such as he could not be resident with them and that frequent returnes into the Kingdome would be more troublesome then the State thereof could beare they humbly besought him that in regard his most deare Son was according to the hereditary union from which they were resolved not to vary the next Heire to the Crown he would be pleased to send the said Prince his Son to receive his Education within that Kingdome in the true Christian Religion and other Princely vertues under the tuition of his neerest of bloud and other faithfull persons whereby he might in time become
capable of the government and so manage the same as might tend chiefly to the honour of God and the good and welfare of their most deare Countrey Promising that if he would so do they would continue even to the death his Majesties most faithfull and obedient Subjects And as their dutie did in like manner oblige to the young Prince as to their hereditary King And that as they hoped his Majesty would grant this their just and sincere Petition so they with equall humility and observancie entreated that his Majesty would release and send back certain innocent persons viz. George Claudius Olaus Hard Andreas Sweno and others who contrary to his Regall Oath right and Justice had been imprisoned and conveighed out of the Countrey But that if his Majesty contrary to their expectation should refuse to grant these desires which contained nothing but what was consentaneous to Christianity to the Lawes to Concord and the Regal Oath they w th all the Orders of the Kingdom would then protest before God claer their innocency towards all Christian Monarchs and the whole world that they were compelled to renounce their former obedience to his Majesty as seeing evidently that their longer continuance under his Soveraignty tended to the rejecting of the Divine word To the persecution of Subjects the abolition of legally acquired priviledges and prerogatives and the bringing of them under the yoake and Servitude of strange Lords Thus farr omitting the Criminations at the beginning out of the letter it selfe Hereunto King Sigismundus returned no answer but more then ever say they by open force and secret practices stirred up discord and dissention within the Kingdome For w ch cause with unanimous consent a Parliament was appointed to be held at Stocholme the moneth of July next following to consult upon these and other important affaires of State In that assembly the Senators and Orders of the Kingdome of Suethland the Earles Barons Bishops Gentrie Clergie Burgesses and Corporations there convened declared that forasmuch as their Ancestors the Orders of Suethland had at Arosia An. 1544. Framed certain constitutions for that Common Weales future government which were afterwards confirmed by each particular condition of the inhabitants importing that whereas in former times many discords mischeifes and inconveniences had sprung up in the Land partly because stranger Princes had been preferred to the Crowne of Suethland who exercised much violence and tyranny toward the Suethes partly also because concord could seldome flourish among the Kingdomes native Colonies whilst the choice and election of Kings rested in the Swethish Patriall Families according to the customary Lawes of the Kingdom and that the Royall Diadem did not discend to any certaine race wherefore it had been thought necessary to pitch upon the linage of some certaine Family whereon the Regall Dignity might be setled for ever so long as it should please God that any one of the Male issue thereof should remaine whereby the entrance into such dissensions in Suethland might be for ever closed and that they had not found any more worthy of that Regall eminency nor who had better deserved the Diadem both for himself and his Successors then their then present King Gustavus Erikson as who through Divine assistance had with exceeding diligence toyle and care and many hazards of his Person freed their Countrey from the servitude it groaned under of forraine Kings and had restored all the Orders of the Kingdome from the highest to the lowest to their ancient condition and liberty and not that alone but had likewise delivered the same from the unsupportable yoak of Romish Superstition and in stead of that false worship had restored the true Evangelicall Doctrine conforme to the Divine Word whereunto he had also commanded his Successors to adhere as they would avoyd the eternall losse of their Soules The present Parliament did confesse themselves obliged to observe the same as they had hitherto done by the Crowning of Ericke his eldest Son after his decease and he for most cruell tyranny and unworthy Government being with his Successors worthily deprived of the Scepter the same had been conferred upon Duke John the second Son of King Gustavus with his Male issue and he deceasing upon the present King Sigismundus notwithstanding the just objections they had for his imbracing the Romish Superstition contrary to the Godly admonitions left by his Grand-father as also for his accepting a forraine Crowne without the knowledge and consent of the Orders of Suethland with conditions so prejudicall to his native Conntrey as the same would never have admitted and his departure therfrom without their privity But not to insist here upon all their criminations consisting mostly of things formerly mentioned that Parliament further declared that for the sayd reasons and for that King Sigismundus had not daigned to returne any answer to their desires signified unto him from Jenecopia the preceding Winter they had unanimously and with one consent concluded not to acknowledge him any longer for their King or to be thenceforward obedient or subject to his government but renounced him and resumed and dissolved their Oath of fidelity and obedience wherein they had been hitherto bound by Law and the Acts of Hereditary union That albeit they had just cause to remove in like manner his Heirs Males from the Crown yet would not they impute the faults of the Father to the Son but had and did thereby decree to accept and receive Prince Vladislaus his Majesties Son for their Lord and King conditionally that within the space of one half year his Majesty would declare whether or not he would send his said Son into the Kingdome and commit him to the tutory of Duke Charles as his nearest in blood with other honest faithfull Men to the end he might be educated in the true Evangelicall Profession whereunto they in that Kingdome had bound themselves as also in the language and custome of the Countrey and would accordingly transmit him thither within six months next ensuing the half year fore-specified That this being thus done they would admit of and receive the said Prince before all others for their lawfull Lord and King when he should have attained those years wherein according to Law the ancient Jurisdiction and laudable custome of the Kingdome he might secure and govern them and it and that in the mean time they would acknowledge Duke Charles for their Hereditary Governour untill the Prince should attain to lawfull age But that if his Majesty should not do what before expressed within the prefixed times they would then also reject him so as neither he nor his Heirs should ever be admitted to sway the Scepter of Suethland but as the Father so the Son to be forever deprived thereof themselves being the causers of their prescription from the Royall Throne and their own dispoylers of all Authority and Dignity in Suethland wherof the said Orders were innocent before God and the World as not
having administred the least occasion therunto That thereafter they would choose such a King and Lord as should maintain and govern them according to the pure word of God and the Suethish Lawes Thus much out of the Act it selfe concluded the twenty fourth of July 1599. whereunto the further curious are referred I shall onely adding as a preparatory to the next ensuing Parliament that in this it was degreed that when his Highnesse the Duke should return from Finland whether the troubles there did call him they would again convene in place convenient for the triall of those Counsellours and others then Prisoners and on the guilty inflict deserved punishment and that the Duke and they had resolved for the cleering of themselves before all Christian Monarchs and the whole World that they proceeded not otherwise in that Affaire then right and justice required to entreat certain Electors and Princes of Germany to send some men of probity and integrity into Suethland not as Judges of controversies but as Auditors onely But if those Ambassadors did defer their coming that themselves would then proceed This Parliament ended they without delay by Letters of the thirtieth of the said month advertised King Sigismundus of what had been therein concluded and humbly desired his Majesty to declare himselfe within the time limited But to these Letters say they he returned no answer Whereupon another Parliament was indicted at Lincopia against the month of March in the yeare 1600. In this Convention the whole Orders of Suethland as in the former they had done did expresly and absolutely renounce King Sigismundus and his Government as also his Son for himselfe and Posterity in case of his not being sent into Suethland within the time specified in the former They thereupon do likewise cleer his Highnesse from affecting the Soveraignty or its Title notwithstanding the tender thereof unto him and confirmed him for their Governour during the absence as also the minority of the Prince if he should come within the time five months whereof were yet unexpired And albeit as they in the nineth Section or Pause of that Act do acknowledge Duke John the Brother of King Sigismundus was the next in right unto the Crowne according to the severall times fore-mentioned hereditary Unions yet did they decline him fearing least when he had attained the Regall Chaire he might moved thereunto by naturall affection to his Brother or his Heirs enter into such Covenants and make such transactions as might be destructive to themselves and to the Country by joyning with them to revenge upon Duke Charles or his Successors those things which in those turbulent times had been acted in reference to King Sigismundus and his Family and so the latter evill might be worse then the former And therefore they unanimously decreed that the said Prince John should have the Dukedome of Ostrogothia formerly designed for his Uncle Duke Magnus conferred upon him with certain reservations and equall compensations for the same therein expressed The said Prince to rest therewith contented without pretending to any other part in the Kingdome Hereditary Goods expected which by paternall or maternall Inheritance might be devolved unto him yet with certaine restrictions therein contained And as in the eight Section or Pause of the said Act they repeat the Motives of their defection from King Sigismundus as his deserting the Evangelicall and embracing the Papall erroneous Profession his endeavouring to obtrude the same upon that Kingdome his departure from thence severall times without their privity after he had brought a numerous forraign Army into the bowells of the Country against all right naturall affection and the Lawes of that Nation and had by severall other waies acted contrary to his Oath and assecutoriall Letters as also had not daigned to answer one sylable to their humble desires and assurance of committing the Soveraign rule of Suethland unto his Son if transmitted for due Education within the prefixed time For which causes they likewise renounced his Son and all other his Heires and Successors depriving them of all Jurisdiction otherwise by the Hereditary Union rightly belonging unto them so as neither his Majesty nor any of his Progeny should thereafter obtaine any right unto the Suethish Diadem withdrawing themselves from all Obligations wherein they were tyed to his Majesty and his Heires as also renouncing all fidelity security and assistance formerly exhibited to his Majesty So in the twelfth Pause or Section of the same they approve of and confirme Duke Charles for their future King promising unto him therby unanimously and with one assent obedience fidelity security and their utmost assistance as to their naturall and beloved Lord and King yea that albeit he should refuse to accept the Crown and whether the Coronation Ceremonies should be performed or not they would neverthelesse acknowledge and observe him as their lawfull Lord and King They likewise bound themselves in that Act that after the death of Duke Charles they would render and perform the like obedience unto his Son the Prince Gustavus Adolphus and to his Heirs Males so long as any of them should survive But they sailing the Royall Scepter to come to Duke John afore-named Provided that he and his Successors were obliged not to enter into any Union or confederacy with King Sigismundus or his Heirs especially relating to any share or government in that Kingdome and that he nor they should in no sort adhere unto the Romish erroneous Doctrine Concerning their establishment of Church-service as also their Treaties to be had with the Russian and those of Lubecke the curious are referred to the Act wherein also provision was made for dispatch of Juridicall Suites Scrutenies into the publike Revenues of the Crown Setling of certain numbers of Horse and Foot in each Province to be ready upon emergent occasions their constant Salaries and Sustentation whilest remaining at home to be out of the Crown Revenues onely but when the whole Forces of each Province or any part therof should move in Military expedition against the Kingdomes Enemies each Province to furnish their proper Souldiers with Provision or Maintenance during the expedition that so each might be assessed for their own Militia and not burthened with that of any other And that forasmuch as each Province had not equall number of Souldiers no more then equall frequency of subsidiary Inhabitants it was ordained that the Assesments for the maintenance of the Army should be equall in each Province wherby the Inhabitant of one Province might not be liable to a larger Military contribution then one of another Province and if the Military number in one Province were greater then its proper contribution could maintain during the expedition the defect was to be supplied out of the Crown Revenues of that Province wherby the Souldier might out of the same Province be provided of necessaries during the expedition This Decree to be perpetually observed whether the
Military bands should remain at home or march under the Ensignes against the Enemy Care was likewise taken for the regulating of Decimations or Tithes in field provisions whereof the Minister was to have a third for his peculiar use and the residue to be carried into the Granary of the Church the Minister to make Oath of what by him received and upon prevarication found either by the Minister or by the Husbendman to the Minister or to the Granary of the Church the party offending to be cited into Judgment and fined During this Session the Captivated Senators and such as upon their account had been sent for from Finland were brought to tryal concerning whom it was concluded that forasmuch as those Counsellors who in this present Parliament had appeared in Judgment and were by Duke Charles personally in presence of the Lords Clement Gadderdorf and Gerhard Stedding Ambassadors from the Prince John Adolph Duke of Holstein accused and convicted that they were not only the first who causelesly deserted the Acts enacted and decreed by themselves as well as others at Sudercopia and elsewhere and like Malefactors fled out of the Kingdome therby deserving the punishment which the said Acts and other laudable transactions of the Kingdome enjoyned to perjured persons and violaters such as these were of their own Snbscriptions but also derogating from their Oath and all naturall Patriall affection had perswaded King Sigismundus themselves accompanying him to bring an Alien Army to devast and destroy his Native Soile and not as became a gratious King to visite and defend his Subjects according to equity and the Lawes Of all which Crimes they were convicted by their own Letters besides many other wicked conspiracies by them formerly and of late malignantly practised against his Highnesse and their Country for which they had been by most equall Judges condemned in losse of life and Goods as by the Sentence it self the tenour wherof followeth doth appear in these words BY the particular Letters and Writings of these Trayterous and unfaithfull men Gustavus Baner Ericke Sparre Steno Baner and Thuro Bielke of the Senatoriall Order it is manifest that they have not adhered to their written Obligatory Engagements sent at severall times to his Highnesse but have shamefully digressed from their own Acts under their hands and Seales and from the laudable Decree ratified by them at Sudercopia We therfore who by the universall Orders of the Kingdome are deputed for the pronouncing of this Sentence cannot acquit nor free them from that punishment wherunto persons perjured and transgressors of their own Acts are subject according to the Lawes in regard the Sentence following inserted by themselves in the Sudercopian Decree doth condemn them in these words All persons who shall swarve from this our Vniversall Vnion for favour of great Ones peculiar profit or other causes under what name or notion soever or shall lend assistance that violence be used by any person openly or privately against this Decree or those things whereof his Majesty hath secured the Kingdome of Suethland whereupon this our Constitution is founded We shall repute those men for such as are unfaithfull to his Majesty to the Kingdome turbulent treacherous persons and to the Country Traytors whom We will endeavour by all meanes to suppresse Moreover they have most wickedly slandered his Highnesse unto his Majesty wherby many Calumnies have been divulged in Print and otherwise themselves having in their Letters spread very many things much tending to blemish the Honour good Name and Princely repute of his Highnesse which neither themselves nor any other can prove Wherfore in as much as by their Writings they have so ignominiously depraved his Highnesse the Uncle to the King and Hereditary Prince and Governour of the Kingdome to which Dignity he was by themselves elected they are to undergo the punishment assigned them by the Lawes of Suethen in the ninth Chapter of the Title De Regallibus which is Whosoever shall speak ought derogatory to the honour and fame of the Royall Majesty or of one or more of his Counsellours and cannot rationally and legally prove the same let him lose his head Furthermore forasmuch as they have sowed hatred and discord between King Sigismundus and his Highnesse instigating his Majesty to wage War against his Highnesse contrary to the Lawes of the Land and all regard of naturall affection therby bringing desolation and devastation to the Country Therfore we cannot judge otherwise but that they are obnoxious to the punishment which the eighth Chapter in the Title of the most high Capitall Crimes according to the Laws of Suethen ordains to be inflicted on them in this form of words Whosoever shall raise an Army against the King or the Governour of the Kingdome to surprize them at unawares or to slay them or shall attempt any violence or unjustice by Letters Writings Counsell Endeavours or Assistance if taken in the Fact shall undergo the losse of life and goods Wherunto is added in the same place a Chapter of the Tenor ensuing If any one shall bring a forraigne Army into his Native Soile and wage unlawfull War against his lawfull Lord by devasting the Country unlesse in company of him who is legally promoted to the Government of the Kingdome he with all his partakers are to be deprived of life and their Estates to be for ever consiscated But wheras they and others of the same faction will happily imagine that the said recited Chapter of the Suethish Law may be a help and excuse unto them because it saith unless they shall accompany the King lawfully advanced to the Throne of the Kingdom It is therfore to be considered on the otherside that themselves were the causers of all the troubles and effusions of blood which to our grief hath for some time overflowed the Country it is to be feared that the same wound of dissention may again fester unless by the divine goodness it be in mercy salved For in the first place if his Majesty would attempt ought against his Oath his Covenants and the Lawes they were not bound to adhere unto him in that point as the fifth Chapter in the Title De Regalibus concerning the duty of Senators doth express in these words We shall yeild unto the King lawfull obedience and shall performe his commands in all things which he shall enjoyn us rationally and legally and so as We may before God and man justly maintain and answer for as well our obedience as the things which he commands Therfore according to their Oath of Office they were bound to perswade the King to such things as they knew to be advantageous to his Majesty and the Natives and ought to have exhorted him to preserve not violate the Regall Rule that so he might not have transgressed the Oath made to the universall orders of the Kingdom and should have put in execution the things which they had promised to the King and Kingdom but they have gone
not only clearly directly Contrary therunto and to the Sudercopian Decree in like manner but have also induced his Majesty to the breach of his Oath as they had broken theirs and to oppresse his Country by cruel War contrary to Law and Justice wherby they have caused many thousands of men to lose their lives procured much hurt and detriment to the country depriving the King of his Kingdom and people and by their plots precipitated themselves into the present misfortune It is hereby manifest that the pre-alledged Chapter of the Lawes of Suethen doth no way cover or defend their Crime but that we by vigour of the same text have legally pronounced them to be deprived of their lives their lands their goods and good names And we accordingly profess that we all jointly and severally willingly and legally by vertue of those obligatorial letters which the most illustrious Duke Charles and we have given to each other interchangably without hatred envy feare or respect of any person nor offering further then deserved violence have pronounced this Judgement and capitall Sentence and that we will constantly adhere thereunto both for the present and the future and will acknowledge and maintaine the same before God and the Christian World For the more assurance hereof we have ratified and confirmed this present Judgement with our hands and Seales At Lincopia the sevententh of March 1600 In this manner was the Sentence pronounced on those aforenamed but as for Claudius Bielke Christierne the Son of Claudius Ericke the Son of Abraham George Posse the Son of Knute they having publikely acknowledged their offences his Highnesse at the request of the Forrain Ambassadors and the Orders of the Kingdome had pardoned them upon their humble suit for remission of the facts whereby they had offended partly against those Orders partly against the Countrey yet so as to remaine prisoners untill his Highnesse had taken further deliberation and the bettering of their condition to be at his Highnesse pleasure Hogenscheild Bielke affirming hee could rationally refute the imputation of his siding with the other unfaithfull Counsellors by assistance and advice in perswading King Sigismundus to bring a forrain Army into his native Soyle he was to clear himselfe at the next insuing Parliament or otherwise to be lyable to the crime objected Concerning Carolus Gustavus and the Homicide charged upon him but no absolute conclusion made of the time he was ordered to acquit himselfe thereof in the next Parliament in which also the particulars his Highnesse had against the foresayd Persons were to be examined In reference to Finland the Parliament decreed that Arvidus Gustavus and Axelius Kurck who for effusion of blood and other abominable and wicked actions in that Province perpetrated by them had been there legally sentenced which was here confirmed should undergo the deserved punishment That others of the Nobility and of the Military Order not equally guilty as having been seduced by those trayterous Counsellours their Leaders should have their lives spared but that a third of their Immovables whether by Inheritance or Donation from Kings of Suethland should accrue unto the Crown for ever with all their Fee-Farmes whether for term of life or years It was further decreed that the Clergy and all others in that Province who by their Sons their Kindred or others of the Military Bands had contributed or maintained Horses or that had by Letters and Plots endeavoured against his Highnesse and the Kingdome in generall but cheifly for deserting the Sudercopian Constitutions they had formerly approved of and opposing themselves to their laudable transactions should be punished the Clergy to be for ever deprived of their Parishes and Ministeriall dignities Others who had furnished Horses or assistance to the Enemies were to be fined in a third part of their Goods and such as were any way accountable to be called to a strict account the residue of the Clergy who had onely dissented by not assisting the Orders and the Kingdome in prosecution of the Regall Oath and Assecuration with other most ancient jurisdictions should be fined in five Dollars for every ten Boores or Ploughmen within their Parishes and so to retain their functions and livings so long as they should behave themselves as became faithfull Subjects These are partly the heads of the Parliamentary transactions at Lincopia the ninteenth of March 1600. For more full satisfaction reference is had to the Acts. The same things were confirmed in the Comitiall Convention at Stocholme An. 1602 with sundry others enacted more relating to that countrey in particular then to the matter we have in hand and therefore here omitted Therein the Duke was again desired to accept of the Crowne which he neverthelesse refused untill he had once more by letters sounded the mind of his Nephew King of Sigismundus whether he would yet send his Son upon the conditions before expressed to receive his education in Suethen and the Crowne thereof when he should attaine unto full yeares In this Parliament also the succession was confirmed Duke Charles deceasing upon his Son Gustavus Adolphus and his heires males and those not surviving upon his second Son the Prince Carolus Philippus and his Male Issue which likewise failing the forenamed Prince John with his posterity masculine should succeed and did associate each with other for the opposing of any whether Native or stranger who should contradict these Statutes by endeavouring to obtrude any other upon the Regall Throne This Parliamentary Act consisting of eighteen heads sealed with their respective hands and Seales was concluded at Stocholme the seventeenth of July 1602. DUKE Charles upon the twentieth of the said Month sent letters to King Sigismundus commemorating those severall times formerly sent as well by the Orders of the Kingdome of Suethland as himselfe for the transmission of his Son to be educated in the Evangelicall Christian profession and the customes there used and so to be received and admitted for their Liege Lord and King when he should attain to yeares fit to manage the affaires of Suethen and to grant them due assecuration Withall taxing him that hitherto he had not only not answered but slighted and contemned their faithfull admonition but had calumniated him and was intentive toward his ruine and that of the Kingdomes respective Orders as appeared by his Majesties Letters divulged in Suethland partly before partly after the late cruell War and particularly in those by him sent to Revell from Vilna of the sixteenth of May stuft with contumelies unnaturall as being published against an Uncle who had alwayes studyed his Majesties and his Fathers good and had endeavoured to place the Crowne upon the head of his sayd Father by the deprivation of Ericke who ruled amisse as also safe-guarded his Majesty then an Infant in requitall whereof he was now by him aspersed with infamous titles and further shewed that Copies of certaine Letters were dilated unto him written by his
Bartholomew-tide For the better satisfaction in all which particulars the curious are referred to the Acts as also the Proceedings made in order to Hogenschield and Claudius Bielke with the other Prisoners and Fugitives their Children and Posterity In like manner their Ordinance for the leavy and maintenance of nine thousand Foot and Horse for three yeares against the Polander the Military Salary to be monthly paid besides the other Souldiers to be maintained by his Highnesse out of the Crown Revenues are therein more fully to be seen the present intention being only to mention the Parliamentary conclusious relating to the former differences between the King his Nephew and the Kingdome In Order hereunto they shew that Duke Charles for sundry considerations by him alleadged was willing to decline the Soveraign Rule and had made unto them these two ensuing Propositions That either they would be reconciled to King Sigismundus or otherwise accept of his Brother Prince John for their King Wherunto they had answered that they utterly rejected the first as being willing to run any hazard rather then to return under his obedience And as for Duke John albeit he was neerest in blood according to the Hereditary Union yet forasmuch as he was of under age and had likewise upon the sixth of that present month in presence of sundry of the States of the Kingdome renounced his right therunto resolving to adhere to the Lincopian Constitutions and had entreated Duke Charles to accept of the Scepter and had likewise sealed this Norcopian Decree religiously promising never to act in prejudice therof under the penalty of losse of his successive right unto the Crown of Suethland as also of his Dukedome and those Hereditary Goods which he possessed in Suethland In like manner that he would never make any Transactions with King Sigismundus his Sons or Successors but to resist them vigorously protecting preserving and defending Duke Charles his Consort Children and Successors in the Jurisdiction at that present designed unto them And therfore for those and other lawfull causes some of which were mentioned in the Lincopian Decrees they could not admit of Prince John unto the Kingdomes rule for which cause they had most humbly and earnestly reiterated their desires to his Highnesse not to reject the Soveraignty which his Highnesse at last moved with their assiduall and unanimous Suit had assented unto And that forasmuch as in consideration of the causes fore-specified in the renunciation and others elsewhere mentioned the Male Line of King John was wholly deprived of the Suethish Diadem and the same designed and conferred upon Duke Charles and his lawfull Heirs they had therfore now renewed their ancient Hereditary Union and had framed and fitted the same unto the condition of the time present They further decreed that if any person at any time therafter should secretly or openly act contrary to the Union and constitution then made by endeavouring to translate the Crown unto any other Family so long as any of the Progeny of their designed King or of Duke John should survive or to render it as formerly Elective by which State many mischiefs as their Annals made mention had sprung up Or finally excluding the Gustavian Race should himself surprise the Regall Chaire they would with joynt Forces endeavour that he or they should incur the punishment of Traytors to their Country and their Goods to be confiscated And if their Children were of years to be knowing and conscious of those Treasons and did not discover them they were to undergo like punishment But upon discovery of their Parents Nefarious practises they should undesputably enjoy their Parents Estate the Parent punished as aforesaid But if they had not attained the years of discretion so as not to be guilty of those treacherous Devices they should not by their Fathers act or suffering losse of life and goods be defamed yet should enjoy only the goods of their Maternall not their Paternall Inheritance If the Mothers were in like manner conscious of the Conspiracy and Treason with their Husbands the Inheritance of the Wife as well as of the Husband should be confiscated and accrue to the Crown without any regard had to the Children This was the substance of the Norcopian Parliament confirmed by the hands and Seales of Prince John Duke of Ostrogothia and Hereditary Prince of Suethland together with the severall Orders therof respectively the twenty second of March 1604. The same likewise Coroborated with the Seales of the Towns and Provinces from whence any of them had been delegated The Reformed hereditary union forementioned was of the same date equally subscribed and Sealed by the Senators and Orders of Suethland Earles Barons Prelates Gentrie Clergie Commanders Burgesses and others who were present at the Norcopian Convention as well in the names of their respective Provinces as in their own and imported that from the time of the Arosian Convention An. 1544. the Kingdome of Suethland formerly Elective had been under Gustavus Erickson of excellent memory rendred hereditary to him his heires Males and their line Masculine so long as any one of them should survive in consideration of the desolations intestine Seditions Sanguinolent profusions multiferous destructive detriments sustained by that Kingdome whilest Elective without regard to a lawfull regall succession One Person or Party preferring one Prince the other Party another to the Royall throne from whence multiplicious discords and pernicious dissensions had overflowed the inhabitants to the almost ruine of the whole Kingdome That the motives inducing thereunto had been his vindicating them from the immanity of Christierne the second of Denmarke That before his migration hence he had composed a certain last Will and Testament for the regulating of his children toward each other and toward their Subjects Upon which Testament the Orders of the Kingdome had grounded their hereditary union and as a marke had made it their aime not obscurely insinuating that unlesse the Gustavian succession made that their rule they could not therby pretend any advantage nor any right unto the Crowne more then that Testament conveyed unto them The close whereof contained that his Children and Successors should cherish and maintaine divine worship and the precious word of God without any superstition or traditions of men according as himselfe had endeavoured to promote and publish the same Next that they should embrace each other with continued mutuall affection governing and protecting their Subjects rightly and justly and according to their legally acquired priviledges That according to the hereditary Union grounded as aforesaid they had crowned Ericke the Eldest of that line But in regard his rule was not corresponding to the Paternall Testament and Laws of Suethland they had deprived him and his heires of the Crowne of Suethland and substituted in his Stead the late King John of laudable memory as the neerest in Order to that Covenant of hereditary Union That he albeit retarded by the impulsions of perverse persons who suggested
unto him the pernicious change of religion which was mostly intended during his raigne had been vigilant toward those things that were consentaneous to Christianity and right and intended a just Government so long as his thred of life remained To which change of Religion as also sundry other things were to be imputed to the suggestions of evill Counsellors as the primary causers of that want of brotherly confidence which of right ought to have been between him and his Brother Duke Charles They also affirme that contrary to his Fathers sayd Testament and his owne Oath for true observation thereof Sigismundus his Son afterwards King of Poland had been by him permitted to be educated in the Pontificiall Religion and that by the fore-specified impulsions and perswasions of perverse Counsellours he had sent his sayd Son out of the Kingdome to receive the Crowne of Poland from whence as from an overflowing stream all those innundations of evills which had covered their Country proceeded It would be over long here to repeat their formerly so often reiterated Criminations against King Sigismundus nor the fore-mentioned Resignation by Duke John of his Hereditary right to the Kingdome They therfore proceed to pronounce Duke Charles by them formerly designed for their present absolute and lawfull Soveraigne with whom and for whose safety they would live and dye and that after him they would receive his eldest Son the Prince Gustavus Adolphus for their immediate and confirmed King Upon the younger Prince Carolus Philippus they thereby setled the Paternall Dukedomes of Sudermannia Nericia and Wermelandia Vosbogia and the Valensian Territory with the other Jurisdictions then possessed by his Father But that Duke John should enjoy the Dukedome formerly granted unto Duke Magnus with other large emoluments conceded unto him by the present Parliament as the Letters of Donation did testifie That if their designed King the present Prince Gustavus Adolphus should leave behind him any lawfull Regall or Ducall Heirs Males the eldest should succeed and he deceasing sonlesse the one after the other from Line to Line should sway the Scepter and so his Highnesse Sons that should be borne unto him should be by them and their Successors designed and accepted for lawfull and Hereditary Kings of Suethland But if the Prince Gustavus Adolphus should depart this life not leaving any lawfull Heirs Males the second Son Prince Carolus Philippus should obtaine the Crowne as their designed elected and confirmed King of Suethland and after him his lawfull Heirs Males in like manner should succeed as hath been expressed toward the Line of Prince Gustavus Lastly That if Prince Carolus Philippus should change this mortall State without any lawfull Male Issue to rule the rains of the Kingdome the Royall dignity should then devolve unto the illustrious Duke John in the same manner word for word as it had been decreed and confirmed unto the forenamed Princes Gustavus Adolphus and Carolus Philippus He also dying his eldest lawfull Son should obtaine the Regall Wreath and so each from Line to Line as had been designed and concluded unto the Heirs of the two Princes before named in the foregoing Articles And that forasmuch as Histories give ample testimony of tumults dissentions and multiferous detriments which over-fruitfully flock into a Common-wealth when the Line of a lawfull Family is not regarded the Kingdome and the Government thereof being in jeopardy by a perillous election of Governours this Inhabitant voting for one Candidate or pretender that man for another And that on the other side it may be collected out of Histories that much Concord and Tranquility hath ever flourished in a Common-wealth when according to Divine providence the States or Orders of a Kingdome have not swarved from the right and lawfull Line of a Regall Family If therefore which they besought God gracionsly to divert the like inconvenient should befall the Kingdome of Suethland that the whole Masculine Gustavian Progeny should be taken away and none remaining of that Regall and Ducall Family but Female Heirs they did bind themselves by promise and voluntarily and by mature Counsell did thereby unanimously and concordially universally and singularly for themselves in generall and particular and for all their Successors ingage and sweare that they would accept that Princesse and Regall Daughter if such should be living or of the Ducall Line for Queen of Suethland and that they would not obtrude any Husband upon her without her will and consent and especially that they would not permit or procure her a Husband of any People enemy to the Suethish Nation or that had any way sought after their ruine or hurt nor yet any of a perverse Religion or adhering to a Doctrine differing from their Christian profession That withall the Queen should be and thereby was prohibited from any manner of Matrimoniall contract with any person of such a Nation or Religion under the penalty of deprivation of Rule and Dignity but that she should rather wed some one of the Suethish Nation whom she could affect and who might be usefull to the Kingdome or some Prince of the Ducall Families in Germany descended from the illustrious Gustavian Progeny of Suethland and of the same Religion with them except such marriage were forbidden by propinquity of blood That the other Regall and Ducall Daughters of that Family then remaining should be provided of Dowries and other necessaries befitting their condition and dignity according to the Gustavian Testament and the conclusions of the present Parliament Yet with these conditions and cautions that not any of the Regal or Ducal Daughters should contract Matrimonie with any person without the free consent and approbation of the Orders of the Kingdome But not intentending hereby that the daughters of the King Sigismundus if any were or his Sister should be comprehended they being rejected from ever obtaining any jurisdiction in Suethland And forasmuch as all the tumult warr and dissention which of late times had molested them had their maine Originall from the difference of religion between his Majesty of Poland and the Orders of Suethland he having contrary to his Grand-fathers last Wil and Testament deserted their Christian profession and embraced the Papall erroneous doctrine they therefore unanimously constituted and decreed that they would never prefer any person unto the Royall Chaire who should not be of the same Religion with them And that if any of their Hereditary Princes should decline the pure word of God comprehended in the Propheticall and Apostolicall Books and depart from the Augustane Confession presented to the Emperour Charles An. 1530. grounded upon the Word of God as also from other former transactions and laudable Constitutions partly framed in the time of King Gustavus partly since tending chiefly and above all things to the advancement of Christs Church and the propagation of Religion and to the preservation of the best policy both in Spiritualls and Temporalls or whosoever should not do
and promove whatsoever he shall know may tend to the honour of God or should not attend to those things which might concern the profit and emolument of the Countrey he should be 〈…〉 terly deprived of that Hereditary Jurisdiction which by the Act of union was due unto him In like manner under the penalty of like deprivation their Hereditary Princes were prohibited Marriage with any Wife of an erroneous Religion contrary to that above specified for avoyding those dissentions might thereby grow between the Subjects and their Lords as had befallen with King Sigismundus neither should contract Matrimony without acquainting and thereupon advising with the Orders of the Kingdom whether such Marriage would be commodious for themselves and the Realme All Inhabitants therein at present or after times who should seduce advise or perswade any of their Hereditary Princes to imbrace or be brought up in any false Religion or in other then that above mentioned should be accounted as Traytors to the Kingdome and undergoe punishment accordingly of what soever condition they were high or low Senators or others They likewise concluded and decreed that not any of their Hereditary Princes should be raised to the Royal Throne who did accept of another Kingdome and that no Hereditary King had power to accept of any other Realms or Territories unlesse he would constantly remaine in the native Soyle they having by sad experience found by the transactions of former times and moderne tumults what inconveniencies had been derived unto them by their Kings acceptance of Forraigne Crownes That in order to what before expressed they who were or had been present did promise and sweare according to the tenour of this Hereditary Regall Inauguration and designation of the forenamed severall Princes and their respective Heirs from Line to Line all fidelity obedience and assistance to their utmost power and the hazard and expence of their estates and lives in confirmation whereof they engaged their Christian faith honesty conscience lives and possessions as they desired God to be propitious unto them and each for himselfe and his Successors after their manuall Subscription sealed the same with their Capitall Civicall and Territoriall Seals upon reciprocall engagement for their Government according to the pure Word of Cod the Laws and justly acquired Priviledges of Suethland Norcopia the two and twentieth of March 1604. By the fore-specified Parliamentary Decree and Hereditary Union it may appear they utterly renounced the Soveraignty of King Sigismundus who had not once only but severall times first abondoned them therby say they adhering neverthelesse to the right Family according to the Tenor of the Lawes of Suethland and the Acts of Hereditation and concurring with those of Poland who had written to their King then absent for whose return they had prefixed a peremptory day that they could not long subsist without their King by reason of many incident dangers not to be obviated but by the Regall presence and that if he did not return unto them by the time prescribed he should not think strange if they did subrogate another in his place it being impossible for them to live without a King and head to defend them by his Regall power and authority Which reasons say they the Suethes had often suggested and tendred to King Sigismundus notwithstanding that his severall returnes had not been unaccompanied with various inconveniencies apparent in the preceding discourse That all those things being by them passed over they had frequently written to advise and intreat him to return into his Hereditary Kingdome it being no less incommodious for them to live without a King and certaine form of Rule then for the Polanders to which Letters he had not daigned any answer and that they therfore had been deservedly moved to exclaime with those of Poland shall Suethland be longer without a King in no wise A King we must have c. They further affirm that as then Princes meet to be premoted to the Regall Chair were not wanting unto them they having the election of two without swarving from the Regall Family to wit Duke Charles by them now elected and Prince John who albeit they did ingeniously acknowledge him for the neerest as being the younger Son of King John of famous memory and unto whom in that regard they had not once but often presented the Crown yea even at the Solemnity of the Coronation of their present King yet for so much as he was not then of so ripe years as to undertake so troublesome a Government of the Kingdome in such a season and that at Norcopia before the renovation and confirmation of the fore-specified hereditary Union he had upon the sixth of the same month of March in presence as hath been already said of sundry Senators and other Members of that Parliament tendred his just excuses in form as followeth MOST High and Mighty Prince Beloved Lord and Uncle When I silently revolve in my mind the benefits conferred upon me by your Dilection ever since that by reason of the decease of my Parents I came unto your Court I certainly find your affection to have been so great as I cannot sufficiently extoll much lesse deserve or recompence the same I will not at present speak of the Paternall care exhibited toward me by your Dilection in my Instruction and Education in all Christian and Ducall Vertues But desire chiefly to be mindfull of the care exercised by your Dilection least I should have fallen into the hands of Jesuites and have been seduced unto their most pernicious Religion Wherfore seeing I can never be sufficiently able to merit or requite that Fatherly care diligence and trouble I will first and above all things with all earnestnesse crave of the most high God that he will please abundantly to returne the same upon your Dilection your most loved Consort and your Illustrious Children both in this life and that which is to come In the mean time I will diligently endeavour by all manner of obedience and humility to the utmost of my power to make at least some measure of requitall of that faithfulnesse which your Dilection frequently hath and daily doth declare unto me But whereas your Dilection did some daies past propound unto my deliberation certain Articles and hath gratiously required me to declare my resolution upon them as the Orders of the Kingdome have since done in like manner I have therefore thought good to answer your desires humbly entreating your Dilection favourably to accept of and interpret this my serious Resolve wherunto I have decreed to adhere constantly The Universal Orders of the Kingdome most mighty Prince beloved Lord and Uncle in divers Parliamentary Conventions as also in this present Assembly have Unanimously and Concordially acknowledged and received your Dilection for their Lord and Governour unto whom henceforward as to their natural and most beloved King they have promised all obedience due fidelity security and utmost assistance In regard your Dilection
solely under God hath been their Protector who to the extream hazard of your life trouble and charge have diligently endeavoured to free them from the Papall darknesse and that external Yoake and Servitude which was impending over our heads And that you have neither spared your Possessions nor life it selfe in watching for the Wel-fare and Emolument of us all as well in spiritual as in temporal Affairs And that you have preserved and protected all and singular Clergy and Laiety high and low each according to his state and condition in the Christian Religion And have governed them wholly according to the Lawes of Suethland and each ones rightly acquired Priviledges The Orders therefore of this Kingdome have I say for these and other weighty considerations as also by the Authority and Jurisdiction devolving unto them from their Ancestors designed and made choice of your Dilection for our King Which Election certainly I neither by my selfe nor others openly or secretly either now or when I shall have attained the full age of twenty foure yeares nor at any time afterward will never endeavour to annihilate or overthrow but will alwaies rest contented with those things which have been at once and by all the Orders of the Kingdome unanimously constituted and decreed and do willingly consent that the Renovation of the Hereditary Union have that successe which your Dilection hath required from these Orders In reference whereunto if your Dilection shall change his mortall life which God be pleased to prolong for many yeares I will endeavour with all my might that no injury be done in any sort unto your most beloved Consort or to your most Illustrious Children and moreover to my power wil procure that the most Illustrious Prince Gustavus Adolphus my most beloved Brother may enjoy the Crown of Suethland And if he shall decease without legitimate Heires Males I will in like manner endeavour that my most deare Brother the Prince Charolus Philippus be preferred to the vacant Government of the Kingdome towards each of whom I will so demean my selfe as becometh a most loving Brother Wherefore I most humbly beseeeh your Dilection to consent at length to the desires of the Orders of the Kingdome and compassionating the sad condition of our Country speedily accept of the Crown of Suethland by meanes whereof your Dilection may easily free the Suethish Common-wealth from Tumults Discords and intestine Dissentions which otherwise may encrease unlesse our Requests be seasonably granted Your Dilection may likewise attend the Government more securely and henceforward as heretofore procure the Kingdomes good Your Dilection so doing I shall hope that your Dilection together with the Orders of the Kingdome will permit that I enjoy the Dukedome assigned unto me at Lincopia with those Hereditary Goods which may rightly accrue unto me when I shall attaine unto full yeares In the mean time I neither will nor can prescribe to your Dilection how they are to be ordered I only humbly entreat that as heretofore so for the future your Dilection will so patronize and dispose of what is mine as to your Dilection shall seeme good and unto me commodious herewith from the most inward of my heart I wish unto your Dilection the happy successe of your intentions a long and prosperous life with a most happy and peaceable Raigne And in confirmation of all things aforesaid I here in presence of the Orders of the Kingdome do give you my hand For these say they and other fore-mentioned reasons as also in regard of the transaction at Orobrogia An. 1606. between their new King and Duke John that he would rest contented with the Dukedome of Ostrogothia and not pretend unto or seek either for himselfe or his Heires any further Jurisdiction before those Revolutions should happen which were couched in the Norcopian renewed Hereditary Union as also that he had now attained the age of nineteen yeares and therefore could rightly discerne of those things that concerned his good they did hope that his Highnesse had no cause to impute any Injury unto them the rather for that they had chiefly and seriously considered what the condition of those times in that Nation required to wit That the afflicted State thereof did speedily require a Governour who could prudently steer the Kingdomes Helme and that otherwise a totall ruine would have over-flowed the Realme That they were likewise compelled by those dangerous and subite Machinations whereby the Country was continually incompassed to choose him for their King their Lord and Governor who was adorned with Prudence Experience and ripeness of years Charles the 9 th Crowned Ao. 1607. King of Suethes Gothes and Vandalls Great Prince of Finland c. c. Lastly Albeit formerly touched in their History they cannot say they but here also rememorate his most inhumane designe of murthering his Uncle at the time of his Coronation in which by instigation of the Papall Legate and other depraved Counsellours he decreed violently to deprive his Uncle of life on the first day of the Solemnity by the ministry of certain treacherous Villains as was evident out of the History of James Tipotius and by the confession of Jeronimo Strozzi and that to the same end he caused Christopher Clabon one of his Musitians to compose a Song ending with and repeating Non curo non curo c. During the singing whereof the watch-word being privily given the Murtherers should have rushed forth and most wickedly murther his Highnesse and his Train but that God by his singular providence prevented the mischief intended For these causes and reasons do the Suethes ubmitting the same to the judgement of all sincere and candid Arbitrators justifie their abdication for ever of King Sigismundus and his Heirs from the Crown of the Suethes Gothes and Vandals and their election to the same of the often forenamed Charles Duke of Sudermannia Nericia and Wermelandia whom as aforesaid they Crowned in the year 1607. by the name of Charles the ninth For conclusion to the whole wherewith we also conclude this Epitomized Narrative they earnestly entreat all Christian Monarchs Emperours Kings Princes and Electors to make a candid and sincere construction a benigne and favourall acceptation of this their legitimate defence and to vindicate them and their most equall cause against all calumny During the Raign of this King Charles which continued sundry years there were almost continued Wars between the Polanders who with the Lithuanians imbraced the quarrel of their Prince and the Suethes who resolutely maintained their owne Acts in favour of their new election Neither were they intermitted by his death for his Son Gustavus Adolphus Succeeding to the Crown of Suethland An. 1617. did so vigorously prosecute the same as the Polanders lost not onely the greater part of their interest in Leifland but likewise the best as well Maritime as inland Townes with most of the territorie of that part of Prussia belonging to the Crown of Poland Dantzig excepted with
Province designed for the Treaty with the Commissioners from the fore-mentioned Crownes where each unfolded his utmost abilities for the composure of all differences by most powerfull and rationall arguments and as formerly interposed the Authority of their respective Princes and Principalls to bring the gauled minds of the parties whom a long continued Enmity had rendred in a manner implacable to a condescention for a finall peace or at least a Truce for so long a term as might indeed give some considerable ease to those Countries already so much exhausted by former Wars which is the Treaty formerly promised then which none at least in those parts did ever produce difficulties more numerous knotty or frequently tending to absolute rupture The Succinct and true relation whereof is next to be proceeded unto The Pourtraicture of the most renowmed Vladislaus Sigismundus King of Poland Great Duke of Lithuaniae etc etc sould by P. Stent R E scul THE TREATY OF PACIFICATION Upon the fore-related TROVBLES Concluded in the yeare 1635. BETWEEN The Most Illustrious and Puisant PRINCES ULADISLAUS the fourth KING OF POLAND Great Duke of LITHUANIA c. c. AND CHRISTINA AVGVSTA QUEEN OF SUETHES GOTHES and VANDALS Great Princesse of FINALND c. c. Faithfully related by J. F. an Eye-Witnesse of the daily Passages LONDON Printed for Hen Twyford and Tho Dring 1656. Christina Queene of Swethland Goths Vandalls sould by P Stent R Gaumond fecit A BRIEF RELATION Of the Passages at the Treaty OF PACIFICATION Between the CROWNES of POLAND AND SUETHEN Concluded at Stumbsdorff in Pruissia in the Month of September 1635. The Sueo-Polonian Treaty of Pacification HAVING already shewed the Alliance and ensuing Controversie between the jarring Crownes and Kingdomes of Poland and Suethland and hinted at the mischiefs following the same as also at the sixe yeares Truce concluded An. 1629. and expiring in July 1635 for the preventing whereof a second Treaty for a finall Peace or longer Truce was set on foot the particular passages thereof as formerly promised we now enter upon The mediating Princes and States were the late King of Great Brittaine the King of France the Elector of Brandenburg with the States Generall of the united Provinces by their respective Ambassadors But here before we enter upon the main difference it will not be amiss to mention those things which to Some may seem of lesser moment as the Procuratoriall Letters of the Commissioners from the interessed Crownes the reciprocall Instruments of security Acts usuall in Treaties of that nature which neverthelesse took not up lesse of time but caused even more trouble to the Mediators then the businesse it self in reconciling the differences about Titles mutuall suspitions of advantage or prejudice between the interessed parties afterwards the main businesse in order according to the severall meetings and conferences shall be faithfully and briefly related The first of the more remote Mediating Ministers the Electorals being but neer Neighbours comparatively who arrived at Dantzig was Sir George Duglas Knight Ambassador from the late King of England his repaire thither after a long and tedious Winter Journey from Franckfort on the Main accompanied w th all the inconveniencies of waies weather incident to that Season besides the almost daily passing through one or other part of those opposite Armies which then miserably infested Germany was about the ninth of January 1634. His Lordship understanding that the Commissioners for the Crown of Poland had their residence at a little Town called Morung in Prussia forthwith dispatched Letters to the Lord Chancellour Zadzicke chief in the Commission to certifie his arrivall as he also did to the Commissioners for Suethen at Elbing and to crave their opinion whether it would be more necessary first to go and salute the King of Poland then at Warsaw or to hasten towards the place nominated for the Treaty being a Town in that Province named Holland The Chancellours answer was congratulatory as well in regard of his wished safe arrivall as in consideration that his Master the King of Great Brittaine out of his sincere affection to their King and State had delegated him to this Treaty which he wished might prove auspicious for the diversion of the Tempest then likely to fall between them and the Crown of Suethland He likewise wished that his Lordship had arrived during the King of Polands late being at Dantzig where he might without further trouble to his person have acquitted himself of what his Master had committed unto him and accordingly have received a Princely answer but that forasmuch as the trouble and distance of the waies had hindred his sooner coming into those parts he believed there was no necessity of undergoing the like molestation by a new journey to his Majesty to whom it would be most gratefull if his Lordship should first repaire to the place appointed for the Treaty there by his Masters authority and his own endeavours to effect those things that might be conducing to the matter in hand and to their Princes dignity Lastly He wished that his Lordship having refreshed himself some time might come in safety to the place of meeting concluding with offers of Service and Curtesies in such cases accustomed By way of Postcript he added that at the instant of signing those Letters he was certified by their Subdelegates that the adverse party had altered some things formerly agreed upon complaining that almost daily from the 12th of that present month whereon they began to handle the Preparatories the other side had done nothing but protracted time by propounding new conditions which course if they should longer persist in themselves should be constrained having first solemnly protested before the Mediators to depart thence and commit their King and Countries cause to the Divine Justice I have given this Letter at length to shew in what state the businesse was and how far advanced when his Lordship arrived in those parts but shall not in the course of this relation insist so particularly on each of the severall Letters that passed between his Lordship and the respective parties My intention being to use as much brevity as the necessary circumstances of the Treatie will permit And here by the way is to be noted that the answer from the Commissionners of Suethland to his Lordships Letters was not lesse courteous nor lesse stuffed with complaints then the other The treatie had already taken commencement from the Alternal Security as the Basis and ground work of the maine affaire to which end the Commissionners of Poland and Suethen had sent their Subdelegates those Christopher Lode and Daniell Nawarousky Secretaries these John Necodemie of Ahausen Commissarie for Prussia to Holland a small Town nominated to be the Mansion of the Mediators and the place of meeting for the parties to settle and draw up a particular instrument of the security aforesaid between whom after much debate and many mutations on
should separate what belonged to Poland and to Suethen and should include one Castle now not inhabited named Marien haus 5. That all Rights and Priviledges appertaining to Cities Colledges or private persons should remain entire 6. That the Titles of either party should be couched in all Instruments Vladislaus 4. Rex Polinae Magnus Dux Lith c. c. and Christina Regina Sueciae Magna Princeps Finlandiae c. 7. The Customes and commerce in Prussia should return to the same state they were in before the War 8. A generall Amestia 9. The Ship lately detained in the road of Dantzig should be restored 10. Exercise of Religion to remain in the state it was before 11. That during the Truce and within two or three years at the furthest a perpetual Peace should in the Parliament of either side be treated of the Truce remaining still unviolate 12. That a time and manner should be settled for deduction of the Armies 13. That the Tolls in Leifland should be moderated and reduced to what they formerly had been 14. That the administration of Justice in the Confines of Lithuania and Leifland and of those parts of Leifland belonging to Poland to be as before 15. That Security should be given as well by the King as by the States of Poland and great Dutchy of Lithuania as also by the Elector of Brandenburg with the Cities of Dantzig and Conigsberg that during the Truce they should not permit any Ships to issue out of those Ports to prejudice or endamage the Kingdome of Suethen neither should they either by themselves or others attempt ought in prejudice of the present Treaty Almost to this effect were the Conditions propounded by the Halianders with addition that for the better settling of firm friendship and confidence between the two Kingdomes and for a sure ground-work to a perpetuall Peace an equall and honourable Marriage should be thought of sor the King of Poland which in their opinion could not be in a more Illustrious and Royall Family then if contracted with the eldest Daughter of the late Prince Frederick King of Bohemia Elector Palatine of Rhyne that Family being so Illustrated by Antiquity Dignity Nobility and Princelyalliances within and without the Romane Empire as none other could be preferred before it From which and the Marriage of Queen Christina with some Prince of the same Family Children might proceed by whose future Conjunctions the two Kingdomes might be joyned in assured friendship as before and the said Marriage might likewise produce other great advantages by reason of the affinity and alliance with other Kings and Princes by whom the differences and difficulties occurring from either or both the Kingdomes internally or externally might be in time remedied With the conditions aforesaid which were admitted by the King of Poland the Mediators made their repaire to Marienburg his Lordship reparing withall to Elbing whence after severall conferences upon the sayd heads with Generall De la Garde and the Commissioners they all determined to returne to Marienburg where the Mediators and the sayd Commissioners being assembled the fifteen conditions forementioned whereby the King of Poland might probably be perswaded to a truce were produced whereupon they being many the Suethes desired respite for consultation untill the day following which was granted the houre being come and all parties convened the Suethes exceptions to those Articles were 1. That touching the terme of Truce they could not accept thereof for lesse then thirty five years and that by their Instructions they were precisely tyed to forty that neverthelesse they retracted five by the approbation and permission of the Generall whose authority chiefly in Military affaires was of great consideration in the Kingdome of Suethland 2. That the title of the Queen of Suethen should be expressed in manner following Suecorum Gothorum Vandalorumque Regina Princeps haereditaria Magna Princeps Finlandiae forasmuch as they could by no means give way that the Hereditary right of their Queen most justly acquired should be obscured or overslipt much lesse be taken away 3. That a considerable sum of money was to be given for the deduction of their Forces That these three points being consented unto the others might be treated on and happily concluded withall that if the prorogation of the Truce which the Mediators desired were to be continued for eight dayes longer these three Articles by them expressed were first to be agreed unto by the Polanders The Mediators upon this answer take journey for Crowdentz a Towne of Prussia where the King with his Army had as then pitched his Tents The next morning early at the Chancellours lodging the Commissioners being present with severall Palatines and Senators consultation was held concerning the particulars propounded from the Suethes in the afternoon all the Mediators had audience together in the Castle of Crowdentz the chiefe of the Nobility being present the dispute continued from three untill ten at night The terme of years after long controverting was specified to be twenty five but the Title of Hereditary Princesse and the money demanded for deduction of the Army were absolutely denyed the first as prejudiciall to the King the other as dishonourable to them These things being afterwards delivered to the Commissioners of Suethen they crave liberty of deliberation untill the next day and promise a timely answer which to hasten the more the Mediators repaire to them into Marienburg Castle where they declare that they could not admit of lesse then thirty years and that they would not abate a day that in due regard to the advice of the Mediators they were contented that the title of Hereditary Princess should be included under an c. That concerning the Money demanded they sought it not directly from the King but to them it was alike whether it came from the Tolls or otherwise With this resolution indeed more mild then was expected the Mediators returned toward Croudentz where the King being busied about wighty affaires their Audience was deferred untill the next day and appointed to be in the Camp the King having resolved to take a generall view of his Army and was not unwilling that the Mediators should have a sight therof The Army Horse and Foot being drawn into order the first that presented was the Infantry the greater part wherof was Natives commonly called Heyduckes a people inured to hardship strong and able bodies but not much accustomed to Discipline some companies of strangers various but not many The Horse consisted for the most part of Lanciers known there by the appellation of Hussars braver men for personage better Horsed nor more superbly Armed can hardly be seen elsewhere consisting wholly of their Gentry yet their Vassals not more to them then they to their Captains obedient howbeit elsewhere they account themselves their equals Their Armour rich and glistering with Gold and Silver the better sort wearing over it loose Mantles
prejudice of those whose Lands they should passe through perhaps even to their ruine through the insolencie of Souldiers in their March notwithstanding any Order or command to the contrary the promise of strickt observation of Military discipline by Commissioners deputed thereunto they conceived to be a fair colour but not a safeguard sufficient to prevent losse or injury much lesse any assurance thereby of competent satisfaction Secondly that by this meanes they might offend other Princes but mostly the Emperour to whose prejudice it would turne The Suethes on the other side shewed that they had not halfe the Shipps that would be needfull to transport by Sea so great an Army as theirs which they computed to consist of with their Garrisons two and twenty thousand Effectivè but that if they were supplyed of Shipping either by the Dantzigers or others they would willingly take that way After this dispute whereby nothing was gained of either side the Polanders at the Mediators request sent other Messengers to hasten the Kings declaration which yet they could not expect that day and therefore the cessation now neere expiring it was thought good to continue the same one day longer onely so sparing of time were those of Poland by reason of the great charge they sustained in retaining the Army whereupon each Party retired and the meeting was deferred untill the second day following The fifteenth Congresse was now come and with it the Kings resolution which was delivered to the Mediators by the Commissioners of Poland in this manner Touching the Prussian Land-seale there should be inserted in the seventh Article which made mention of conserving the rights priviledges and Customes of Elbing that he would maintaine the same as in former times it had been both as to the Seale and Session but with this clause after they had tendred the due Oath of Fidelity to his Majesty Concerning the restitution of places in Leifland if any had been taken during the present Treatie That one Article should be drawn up for each Partie to possesse Leifland as they had done during the last Truce For the removing of the Army it was consented that the forces of each side except those Garisons to be retained untill the Parliamentary ratification were procured should be deducted out of the Province by such a time as between the Generals should be agreed and that the Suethes were to returne by Sea unlesse that in the time to be set for their departure sufficient Shipping could not be found especially for the Horse in which case a free but speedy undisturbed passage by land into the Territories subject unto them without damage of the Inhabitants mediatly or immediatly Subjects of the Kingdome of Poland should be permitted the like to be observed if any of the Suethish foot should be disbanded conditionally that present justice should be administred by the Officers for losse or injury any way sustained which was nothing else but a conniving at that Armies passage wherin the Polonians carried themselves circumspectly not to suffer the same to march with Colours flying but rolled up Not by whole Regiments but by Troops or Companies so to remove suspition or envy from themselves To this the Suethes yet with some reluctancy consented as also to certain other Articles touching the Polish interest as the transport of Merchandizes down the River Dyna without molestation the ancient customes and payments observed as also the restoring when required the Subjects of the great Dutchy of Littaw and of the Dukedome of Courland with those of Poland that should be found in Leifland and thus at last not without the indefatigable labour of the Mediators the things of greatest concernment were agreed upon between the parties there only remained that in the next daies meeting the Articles should be reviewed compared and signed Upon the sixteenth resort all the morning was imployed in reviewing and transcribing the Articles which being done the Commissioners on both sides being accompanied by the Mediating Ministers were brought into the Mediatoriall Tent and there with the Mediators took their Stations without prerâ—gative of place on each side of a Table that had been purposely prepared where the Articles and Conditions of the Treaty were read over from the beginning to the end Those of Poland urged the inserting of that ceremonial Article that the Emperor the Duke of Bavaria c. might be included in the Treaty as had been done in the last six years Truce the Suethes affirmed the same to be altogether needlesse yet at last consented to insert That if any Christian Potentate or Prince of either part should desire to be comprehended within the present Treaty they might have admittance provided that they did declare themselves within five months accounting from the signing of those presents His Lordship objected against the 14. Article concerning the restoring of the ancient commerce as being over particular and regarding the free commerce and traffick between those two Crownes and Kingdomes only without any consideration of the publike concernment of other Nations which neverthelesse had no small interest therein and insisted that in the Latine the same might be corrected by interposing the conjunction Et which also had been promised by the Sueths but his Lordship finding their Copy likewise defective in that particular did not spare even in that publike convention to tel one of their Commissioners that he had deceived his expectation and trust To his Lordships instance the Commissioners of Poland replied that the present Treaty was between them and the Suethes only and not with other Nations who if they had ought to negotiate might elsewhere discusse the same and that it was not to be confusedly intermixt with those Treaties His Lordship made return that the point in question was not a confused intermixion in the Treaty but a main dependent therupon in regard that the disturbance of Traffick with other Nations had proceeded from the dissention between those two Crownes and ought therfore of right to be restored to its ancient freedome by this League of Peace yet this or what else he could alledge availed not For the Parties were now bent to agree and the Conditions in a manner concluded neither would they by insisting upon things extraneous to themselves run into the hazard of a breach and the rather because the Dantzigers who were Potent on the Polish side and saw how much this concerned their Stample did mainly oppose it On the other side the Suethes deserted the same albeit that formerly in their care of the Towne of Elbing they had recommended it to be insisted on by the Mediators as an Article Sine qua Non Neither had the French Ambassador any interest in this Article or the Brandenburgers likewise nor the Hollanders not much in comparison of us So that his Lordship not able to carry it alone was constrained to desist It is here observable that his Lordship discoursing with the Polanders in
thousand Foot and Horse to their recruit wherby those places being surrendred by the Enemy were by him as the rest had been delivered into the hands of the Electorall Administrator But to return from whence I have not unnecessarily digressed the Suethes and the Confederate Princes fell not long after into a decadence of fortune for the Cardinall Infanta with an Army of old tryed Souldiers though bent for Flanders taking Germany in his way and joyning with the Imperiallists neer the City of Norglingen the Associates by this Conjunction received a great defeat wherin most of their Ensigns were seised their Commanders either slain or taken of which latter Calamity their brave Generall Gustavus Horne was partaker The scattered relicks found no sure retreat untill they recovered the formerly wasted Palatinate under Duke Bernard of Weymar where deprived of Colours and Commanders they continued in a manner without Discipline so as that Country was in a most sad condition and England thereupon solicited as aforesaid the Counsell wherof judging it expedient to send an Agent thither the fore-named Lievtenant Colonel Duglass was made choice of as one who in his reports would not be over partiall and he being first dignified with the Honour of Knight-hood accordingly received Credentials and Instructions The fore-mentioned Ambassador Sir Robert Anstruther who after his departure from Saxony had been with the Elector of Brandenburg at Berlin and from thence with the Queen of Suethen at Wolgast to condole the death of the King her Husband whose body was then to be transported into Suethland and had likewise been with the Duke of Holstein and the Dutchesse Dowager his Mother as also with the King of Denmark Treating with sundry of that Kings Counsell who were thereunto appointed he intimated unto them omitting particulars not so necessary to be here inserted that their Masters Conjunction with the Protestant Princes of Germany would much conduce to the generall tranquility as without which the Emperour and his adherents would hardly be moved to a constant and universall Peace in the Empire but rather hope that the Divisions and Separations of those Princes and States would be apt to produce unto him new advantages They after much reasoning acknowledged it was most necessary but prayed him to consider the hazards their King their Country and themselves had in the last Wars been exposed unto so as had they not made a peace with the Emperour they might by that time have gone a begging with their Wives and Children And that having thus made their Peace they ought not in equity to be the breakers of it the rather for that their Master was now acting the Mediators part They wished that Saxony were really as Brandenburg was united in the Alliance of Heylbrun the better to Ballance the Affaires there whereby a good Peace which their Master was still ambitious to be an Instrument of might more probably be expected His Lordship urged no lesse to their King himself upon occasion of some discourse soon after of the then present state of Germany and the King expressing how much he longed to see a good Peace established He replied that his Majesties Authority and Power if interposed with the Duke of Saxony might be very usefull for obtaining of the wished end in that Conjuncture and that if the three Protestant Electors and their Houses were firmly linked together by a perfect friendship and sence of common Interest they would soon grow so Considerable as that other Princes would be glad of their Association And then Caesar himself would in all likelyhood the better hearken to reasonable Conditions of Peace besides many other good effects which he inferred might ensue so happy a Conjunction The King professed to concur with his Lordship in opinion yet not without objecting some impediments But I shall wave further insisting hereupon This as not material to the Subject mainly here intended being onely to shew how far England did then interess it self in the Protestant cause of Germany and the concernments of its Allies there His Lordship returning to Hamburg to expect further Orders was soon after re-manded back to Francfort on the Mayne to interpose his Masters Authority as cause should be offered Return We now to Sir George Duglass who there met with his Lordship and during his Agency in the Palatinate had given an account so satisfactory as well in order to that Electorall Principality and its condition with the whole state of Affaires relative to that concernment as of the Associated Princes and Cities and likewise of the Suethes as was well rellished at home and therby gained to himself the opinion of one capable of a greater and more weighty Negotiation And as if all things should conduce to his advancement it so fell out that the expiration of a six years Truce concluded as hath been said by the intervention of Sir Thomas Roe Ambassador from the late King An. 1629. between the Crownes and Kings of Poland and Suethen was then drawing neer and the late King was by the Polander again solicited to the same effect with intimation of a desire of neerer conjunction by Allyance This motion was plausible and the more credulous of Englands Court were thereby wrought to cry up that Kings Cause albeit the same his Turne once served proved but a Fucus and like an Apparition vanished into Aire For this employment of no mean moment Sir George Duglass then Agent in Germany as aforesaid was thought a fit Minister and the rather because haying formerly served the late King of Suethland in those parts he was not unacquainted with their interests in Prussia and Leifland and might accordingly make use of arguments to induce them to a moderate and equitable compliance it being conjectured that they would not easily be won to restore either much lesse both of those rich and fertile Provinces but as to any resignation of the Crown of Suethland which the Polander claimed as his Hereditary Right it was fore-seen that however the same might be brought upon the Carpet it could not be with any hope of condeseension Credentials and Instructions were then drawn up and sent enclosed within a dispatch to the fore-named Ambassadour Sir Robert Anstruther to beby him delivered as was forthwith done unto Sir George Duglass whereby the Title of Lord Ambassadour Extraordinary from the King of Great Brittaine to the Kings and Crownes of Poland and Suethland became due unto him In this new Condition his first work was to furnish himself with Necessaries and Attendants suitable to that high Employment into the number wherof he was pleased to desire the Relator from Sir Robert Anstruther of whose Secretaries he then was and in the same capacity entertained him for that Embassy which is only mentioned to shew the ground he had for the present and precedent Narrative Whilest some weeks of time were spent in such like preparations Letters of safe conduct and Convoyes were desired
facility of blasting the wisest and best consentred counsels of the Sons of men and overturning the Rock-like appearances of their strongest cemented Constitutions by that Omnipotent and ever-Adorable Power through whose Divine permission things conducing to the un-erring ends by him preordained in the Decrees of his Eternall Providence are brought to passe here below for the pulling down and setting up of Princes Sundry examples wherof are set before our eyes even of late years and particularly in this royal Gustavian Line To John and his Heirs the States of Suethland by a most solemn Act in the year 1590. confirm the Succession but hath this ought more of stability Sigismundus his eldest Son albeit Crowned in Suethland An. 1593. enjoyes it not but with his Seed is for ever expelled from that Kingdomes Regall Chaire by Parliamentary Act in the year 1600. and that expulsion confirmed An. 1504. by a like Act and a renewed reformed Hereditary Union whereby his Seat and Dignity is conferred upon the Person and Heires of Charles Duke of Sudermannia Nericia and Wermelandia who was Crowned An. 1607. being the youngest Son of Gustavus Erickson and younger Brother to John fore-named But here it may be demanded albeit Sigismundus had forfeited the Crown of Suethland both for himselfe and his Posterity yet what offence had the Prince his Brother John the younger Son of King John aforesaid committed to be pretermitted in that Elective Hereditary Succession seeing themselves acknowledge him to be the neerest as he was by how much a Son is neerer then a Brother or a Brother then an Uncle and to be induced to rest so contented with the Dukedome of Ostrogothia as to resigne for ever his whole right unto that Crown unlesse the same should chance to drop upon the head of some one of his Posterity by the decease of the totall lawfull Male Issue of the new King Charles according to the fore-cited Entail 1604. whose second Daughter the Princesse Mary Elizabeth he married An. 1612. Howbeit of him or of any Issue by them we read not Hereunto for answer is offered what themselves alledge and which hath been already touched in their Parliamentary Acts An. 1600. and 1604. Viz. His Minority by some years and that Kingdomes necessity of a Prince of ripe and experienced Judgment with their apprehension of his entring through prevalency of naturall affection into such Covenants with his Brother King Sigismundus or his Heirs as might be destructive to their present King his Uncle Charles and his Family as also his owne voluntary resignation of his Interest in the Suethish Crowne unto his said Uncle as fore-cited An. 1604. which againe confirmed and fully concluded at Orobrogia An. 1606. We may lastly add what themselves do there likewise assert That forasmuch as the most Illustrious Prince Duke John had at the time of the Regall Coronation of his Uncle attained unto the nineteenth year of his age and so might well discern of those things which concerned his Interest they were therfore confident that his Highnesse could not deservedly impute ought unto them and the rather if he should with them duly animadvert into such examples as might in like case be derived from other Kingdomes and Kingly Families which do abundantly testifie that sundry have been ejected from their Hereditary Jurisdiction and others of the same Family surrogated in their stead for causes lesse weighty then those wherby they had been therunto moved That they had seriously considered what that conjuncture of time chiefly in that most afflicted state of their Countrey required Viz. Such a Governour as could with prudence steer the Kingdomes Helme which unlesse speedily provided for utter ruine would have thence overflowed the whole Kingdome Moreover that they had been compelled by those dangerous and subite Plots or Machinations which on every side threatned their Countrey to choose him for their Lord their King and Governour who was endowed with Prudence Experience and maturity of years meet for so weighty a charge King Charles after ten yeares of a laudable Raigne paying the debt that all men owe to nature whereunto by the Eternall decree of the Almighty the most Potent Princes as well as the poorest Peasants are equally subject his Son Gustavus Adolphus succeeded and was Crowned King of the Suethes Gothes and Vandals c. An. 1617. He was as aforesaid cut off in the strength of his years being about the eight and thirtieth of his age An. 1632. at that fatall field of Lutzen yet a day so glorious ro his Fame as all Military men may in like case desire The yeare ensuing his translation from the toiles of this to the Joyes of a better world a Parliament convened at Stockholme the heads wherof as by them couched in seven Articles I shall heere touch at and referr the further curious unto the Act it selfe In that Assembly the Senators Peeres Earles Lords Bishops Gentrie Clergie Military Officers Citizens and Commonalty After a sad Commemoration of their unrecoverable losse by the death of their late Soveraigne whom they rearme their head their King their Father and Pater Patriae under whose most excellent Raigne they above other Nations had lived in safety and tranquility And that to the aggravation of their misery they were destitute of Heirs-Male proceeding from his loynes to possesse his Fathers Seat whereby their and the Kingdomes care and danger was the greater upon due consultation of the best conducement to the Kingdomes good They declare that by the help of their Almighty and in the Name of the blessed Trinity they had decreed confirmed and established IMprimis That his late Majesty having left no Heire Male nor any Children of any Hereditary Prince which might succeed according to the Laws and Constitution of the Realme They did approve of and confirme the Act formerly concluded at Norcopia An. 1604. concerning the Daughters of their Kings and Heir-Princes at the renovation of their Hereditary Union In reference whereunto as also to the Act concluded at Stocholme the fourth of December An. 1627. in case his Majesty should happen to decease They did thereby unanimouly establish and confirme as also advisedly freely and without constraint declare and pronounce The High and Mighty Princesse Christina Daughter of his renouned Majesty Gustavus Adolphus the Second and Great King Queen of the Suethes Goths and Vandalls lawfully chosen as also Hereditary Princesse Great Dutchesse of Finland Dutchesse of Esthonia and Carelia their most deer and gracious Queen And did by these presents oblige themselves c. with all the Inhabitants of the Kingdome and Subjects thereof to render to her Majesty all true and due Service and Obedience and did Inaugurate and establish her sayd Majesty in whatsoever in righteousnesse they might be answerable for before God and Man so that she had full power and authority to command them in all things They likewise confirmed and ratified the Lawes of the Realm for her Majesty And further obliged themselves to
the premises at Stockholme the fourteenth of March 1633. Thus was the young Princesse Christiana then aged about seven yeares designed Queene of Suethes Goths and Vandalls c. as before fully expressed conforme to what had been decreed in her Fathers time at the forespecified Stockholmian Parliament An. 1627. Her Person and Kingdome was governed by the Tutors untill the yeare 1650. in which she was Crowned and hath since in a continued single condition swayed that Scepter more absolutely the Surname of Augusta may be not unduely attributed unto her for certainely that Princesse happy in a wise Councell and valiant Commanders hath done great things and for many yeares since her Fathers death hath held up the Bucklers against the Imperiall and Austrian Forces even in the heart of the Empire and left it unconstrained with honourable conditions both for her selfe and her Allyes Casimirus King of Poland Great Duke of Lithuaniae c c. Ao. 1649 But this Princesse borne bred and habituated to raigne hath in one late action outstript all her former by resigning uncompelled that the World hath heard of that Crown and Kingdome unto her Kinsman the present King A concession to be admired and which after Ages will perhaps account rather fictitious than true Examples of such great voluntary renounciations seldome hapning amongst men nor doe we reade of more than two Dioclesian a Heathen divested himselfe of the Imperiall Wreath Charles the fifth likewise after a forty years Regall and thirty six years Imperiall Domination in the fifty and sixth of his age surrendred his Kingdomes to his Son Phillip and the Empire to his Brother Ferdinand But from the weaker Sex which by how much it is so is the more avidously tenacious of Power by what meanes soever acquired as Histories Divine and humane doe testifie none to be excepted nor any equall President to be produced Neither had this Lady those motives which may be conceived to have induced that great Emperor last named to quit his severall Soveraigneties thereby to live eternally in the memories of men As the neernesse of Relations mentioned his advance into years under the burthen of such occasions as could not but render him sensible of having received as he had caused unto others infinite toiles and troubles having undergone nine Voyages into Germany six into Spaine seven into Italy foure into France ten into the Low Countreys two into England two into Affrica besides eleven times traversing the maine Ocean Certainely He having been mostly Successful in continued Wars might be apprehensive of a Reverse of fortune and therfore not unwilling to prevent it as he did by a Monasticall Retirement But this Princesse never exposed to personall hazards hath denuded her selfe of a Royalty and therwith invested her neerest Kinsman yet more remote then either a Son or a Brother What Women do we read of that ever refused ought of Glorious Much lesse doth History record any Princesse who in the prime of her years hath freely relinquished a long continued hereditary devolved Possession of a Diadem this Lady excepted who by this Conquest over her self hath atchieved a greater then by all her Commanders she ever could which happily may incite some accurate Pen to afford the World an Elogium befitting the Magnanimity of that Act in one of the fairer Sex then which former Ages have not preduced a more lofty Subject wheron to ground the Gallantry of a Discourse That Queen hath all along demonstrated a good inclination to preserve a faire correspondency with England even in the heat and height of its late troubles In An. 1644. Shee sent Mr Hugh Mowet her Agent to the Parliament then sitting in which publike Ministry he was employed about two yeares Neither did he make in all that time the least addresse or application elsewhere Severall subsequent entercourses have since continued the Amity between this and that Nation Neither have her respects as well to our present Government as to the Person of his Highnesse the LORD PROTECTOR been obscurely testified by her solemne Reception and honourable Entertainment of the Right Honourable the Lord Whitlock late Ambassadour Extraordinary in Suethland and by her faire compliance with what desired for the good of both Nations which having concluded and as witnessing to the World that She would Dignifie that Act by rendring it the last of her Raigne she soon after resigned her Kingdome Crown and Scepter unto CAROLVS GVSTAVVS the present King of Suethes Gothes and Vandals Great Prince of Finland Duke of Esthonia and Carelia Lord of Ingria who hath ratified the same and setled a future good understanding between the Realmes of England and Suethland by a most Solemne and Magnificent Embassie He was borne in Ostrogothia about the year 1620. if information erre not Son to the most Illustrious Prince John Casimir Duke of Zwey Bruchie descended from the Electorall House Palatine and of the most Illustrious Princesse Catherina eldest Daughter to the often fore-named Charles the ninth King of Suethland and half Sister to the Great Gustavus Adolphus He was in England An. 1640. since which time he hath been Generalissimo of all the Suethish Forces in Germany and there gave beginning to those great expectations of himselfe which have rendred him the desire of the Suethes who have Crowned him their King in An. 1654 He was as I have been informed entitled to that Kingdome by Act of that Nations Parliament in the year 1650. if the then Queen Christina should decease without lawfull Male Issue His early great Commencements as well before as since his Exaltation to that Crown do promise an equall progresse and the addition of Semper to his sur-name of Gustavus which literis transpositis is Augustus for a perpetuating of the Glory of that Gustavian Line unto whose name and Scepter he hath so happily succeeded as his late Armed Entry into Poland and Successe hitherto may seem to witnesse The Motives that induced him therunto the Curious may read in his Letter to the present Emperour Ferdinand the third dated from Wolgast in the month of July of the year currant 1655. But leaving this Digression In the Treaty of Pacification continued Vicissitudes may be seen somtimes hopes of accommodation other whiles nothing but present rupture to be expected about empty Airey Titles or not much more And when things seeme most desperate and without mediate meanes of reconcilement the stiffer Partie comes fairely to hand by a gentle complyance We may observe the Mediators turne Parties for precedencie and formalities which in a just valuation what amount they unto thereby necessitating in a manner the Parties to become Mediators and so make compensation for Offices received In its Signature how little trustis to be imputed to the assurances of great ones doe they not measure observation of promises by the rule of Interest or selfe pleasing In the Ambassadors life we may see one nobly descended sprung from a race of Ancestors honoured by
Not consented unto The Regall Declaration Unsatisfactory to the Duke Regall assecuration Propositions made by Duke Chalres King Sigismund retires to Lincopia Letter of Duke Charles Answer Reply Another Letter from the Duke Safe conduct interchangable granted Assertions of the Suethes Further assertions Vide Exegis Historiaca Sueciae page 233 234. Treaty of Pacification at Lincopia between the King and Duke Shipping restored The King steers to Calmar in stead of Stocholme Friendly Letter from King Sigismundus to Duke Charles The Dukes answer Second Letter Ducall reply King Sigismundus requires more Ships for the transporting of his Army and sundry things to be restored The Prince was born in England An. 1565 whose Mother the Lady Cecily Daughter to King Gustavus Erickson and Sister to Erick Iohn and Charles all Kings of Suethland Wife to Christ Marquesse of Baden came then into England to visite Queen Elizabeth and by the Queen his God-mother named Edvardus Fortunatus The Duke complains of the Kings going to Calmar King Sigism excuseth his going to Calmar Promiseth a repair to Stocholme Promise not kept the King returned to Dantzig Parliament at Ienecopis The Dukes Letter and Objections to King Sigismund Letter to King Sigismundus from the Parliament of Suethland The Prince his Son invited to be there educated and to receive the Crown No answer returned Parliament at Stocholme Rejection of King Sigism His Son Uladislaus accepted of conditionally Parliamentary Letters to King Sigismundus not answered Parliament at Lincopia Dnke John declined Dukedome of Ostrogothes conferred on Duke John King Sigism with his Heirs rejected Duke Charles designed King of Suethland Gustavus Adolphus to succeed After him Duke Iohn conditionally Triall of Captivated Senators Sentence of execution Others pardoned Some but repreived Sentence in Finland against Arvidus Gustavus and Axell Kurck confirmed by Parliament Other offendors for smaller Offences gradually punished by losse of goods or Fine Second Parliament at Stocholme Duke Charles again solicites King Sigism to send his Son into Suethen No answer returned but new broiles raised Further Objections The same continued Parliament at Norcopia Heads of what therein transacted Duke John renounceth his pretence to the Crown of Suethland Duke Charles contented to accept of the Crown Hereditary union renewed reformed Duke Charles pronounced King and his eldest to succed The younger to enjoy his Fathers Dukedomes Male issue of the eldest failing the second to succeed That also failing in him Duke Iohn to inherite the Crowne The Female Regall and Ducall issue adopted into the succession This hath reference to the fore-cited Parliamentary conclusions at Stocholme the seventh of March 1590. but is here imperfect in the Original as wanting the words Eldest unmarried as is there expressed Provision for younger Regall and Ducall daughters conditionall The daughters and sister of King Sigismund rejected No Prince of a contrary religion to inherit Such or Apostates to be deprived Hereditary Princes prohibited marriage with an wife of contrary religigion All seduceâ—s of Princeâ— to a contrary religion to be punished as 〈…〉 s. No hereditary Prince to accept of another Kingdome unlesse to live in the Patriall Soile Oration of Duke John in Resignation of his right Warrs between King Sigismundus and King Charles Continued by his Son Gustavus Adolphus Death of Sigismundus Uladislaus his Eldest Elected and Crowned A second treatie instituted Preface to the treaty The Mediators Englands Ambassador arrives at Dantzig Writes to the Commissioners of the Crownes interessed Answer of the Polanders The Suethes complained of The Suethes answer with reciprocall complaints The Treaties commencement Elector of Brandenburgs Ambassadors Commissioners of Poland Commissioners of Suethland Meet at Holland town in Prussia Interchangably exhibite their respective Plenipotentiaries and agree upon a second meeting His Lordship came to Holland Desects in the Suethish Procuratories The like in those of Poland Rupture appearing the parties depart The Mediators repair to the Suethes at Elbing Condescention of the Suethes conditionall Commissioners of Poland return to Warsaw His Lordships receives invitation to come to Warsaw There was but one and that for his Lordship He contracts sickness Difficulties about the place of treaty Mariemburg appointed to be the Mediators residence The Mediators meet and consult Repaire to the Suethes The conclusion certified to the Polanders The Subdelegates meet Difficulties about the place for the generall meeting The Mediators return to the Suethes Their propositions Not admitted Objections His Lordship repaires to the Polanders Their conditional conclusions Englands Agent sent to the Suethes Their finall resolution Intimated to the Polanders who promise complyance Instrument oâ— Security renewed The Ambassadors of France and Holland come to Mariemburg The Mediators intervisite and joyntly repaire to Stumbsdorff the place of Treatie The parties arrive Meane used for avoyding competitions Proposition Not consented unto Demand made by the Suethes Answer and demand of the Polanders Result of the Mediators Accepted by all That dayes conclusion The Mediators meete His Lordships proposition in Order to the whole matter The other Mediators deliver theirs The result The new Procuratories interchangably communicated new difficulty about the Title Reconciled Scope of the Procuratories Polish Protest The Suethes Protest Procuratoriall difficulties removed Former result communicated to the parties Suethes answer Negatively The like given by the Polanders Offer made by the Suethes The Poles desire respite The same granted The Suethes therwith offended The former offer waved by the Poles as insufficient Five other mediate means propounded Taken by the Poles into deliberation Rejected by the Suethes Reply of the Poles in point of resignation The Suethes refuse to meete His Lordship goes to the Suethes They consent to meete Certaine greivances complained of by his Lordship and the Hollanders to the Suethes Their answer The Polanders persist as before The Parties willed to propound The Suethes enter into passion Those of Poland add ten other Articles for a supplement to the former Things tending to a breach the Mediators desire respite Finall declarations demanded by the Mediators from the Parties The Suethes decline to declare further The Polanders likewise and give their reasons The Suethes againe incensed At end the finall resolution at their quarters A meeting with the Mediators desired by the Poles Prolongation of the Truce desired Result of the Polanders conditionall Prorogation of the Truce assented unto Purport of the Prorogation Continuation of Sequestrations insisted on by the Poles but refused by the Suethes The Prorogation signed The Mediators vepair to the King Their overtures uneffectuall The Poles desire a meeting with the Mediators Declaration ur 〈…〉 Ultimate result of the Polanders Treaty for finall Peace in termes desperate Complaints of the Poles D. Radzivils departure for Littaw A longer Truce insisted on The Suethes Declaration in point of longer Truce The Poles re 〈…〉 to the King Argument â—â—â—d by his Lordship Misconstrued The Suethes again in heat Yet ca 〈…〉 ed and contented to meet The Kings conde scention