Scandinavia, Ancient and Modern

New Epoch in Scandinavian History.-The Throne of Sweden made Hereditary in the Family of Vasa.-Death of Gustavus, and Accession of Erik XIV.-Fickle Character of this Prince. -His Courtships.-His Quarrels with the Russians and Poles. -Persecution of the Sture Family.-Rupture with Denmark. -Expedition of Frederic II. against the Dithmarschen.-Their brave Resistance and final Subjugation.-Seven Years' War with Sweden.-Naval Battles in the Baltic.-Erik XIV. deposed.-Peace of Stettin.-Death and Character of Frederic II.-Attempts to restore the Catholic Religion in Sweden.Hostilities with Russia.-King of Poland succeeds to the Swedish Crown.-Abdication of Sigismund, and Accession of Charles IX.-War of Calmar between Denmark and Sweden.-Peace of Knærod.-Military Exploits of Gustavus Adolphus.-Auspicious Commencement of his Reign.-Hostilities with Poland.-Peace concluded.

We are now approaching that epoch in Northern history when the Scandinavian states, hitherto engrossed with their own internal affairs, and almost insulated from the great system of European policy, first came into close contact with the southern nations of Christendom. The transactions connected with these three kingdoms-their wars, foreign and domestic-are so interwoven and blended to gether, that, although the Union of Calmar no longer existed, a community of interests and an identity of public events still remained, which it would be prejudicial to treat in separate detail. To avoid unnecessary repetition, therefore, the several branches of our historical analysis shall henceforth be imbodied in one continuous narrative.

The monarchs who successively filled the thrones of

these dominions, from the era of the Reformation to the present time, are exhibited under one view in the following table:

The elevation of Gustavus Vasa to the throne as king of all Sweden and the two Gothlands; his establishment of the Lutheran doctrines as the religion of the kingdom; and the signal triumph he achieved for his country, by liberating. it from the Danish yoke, have been related in the preceding chapters of this work. By his valour and moderation he defeated all the intrigues of Frederic I. and Christian III., who endeavoured to recover the Swedish crown by exciting his subjects to rebellion. In 1527, a peasant named Hans was induced to personate Nils Sture, son to the late administrator, and to stir up a revolt in Dalecarlia, with a view to obtain the sovereignty; but the impostor was detected, and the insurgents compelled to lay down their arms. A conspiracy against the king's life, formed by the burghers of Stockholm, was also discovered and defeated; and in 1542 the throne was rendered hereditary in the family of Gustavus by a decree of the states assembled at Westeraas.*

*Loccen., lib. vi. Vertot, Revolut. de Suède, tom. ii. One of the most dangerous conspiracies in his whole reign was that of Thure Johansen (1529), a discontented chief, who induced the inhabitants of Dalecarlia, Smaland, and East Gothland to

By this act, not only was his power confirmed and his patriotic services rewarded, but all future claims of Denmark on the crown were most effectually excluded. His son, Prince Erik, then eleven years of age, was chosen his successor, the right of inheritance being extended to his male descendants successively; with this restriction, however, that whenever the male line became extinct, the election of a new king should devolve on the states and the senate. By this deed, called the Act of Hereditary Union, the treaty of Calmar was absolutely cancelled, and all prospect of its revival finally cut off.

Having restored tranquillity, and fixed the independence of Sweden on a solid foundation, Gustavus applied his

abjure their allegiance to Gustavus. But tranquillity was restored by the king's prudence and moderation.-Forsell, Statist., p. 65. Vertot, tom. ii., p. 60, et seq,

VOL. II.-B

« Anterior Continuar »

Libros

Scandinavia, Ancient and Modern: Being a History of Denmark ..., Volumen2