CHAP. VII.

TENDERS HIS ABDICATION.

151

over our head; and for all our labour on your behalf, the only recompence we have to look for is, that we should with your good will lay down our head upon the scaffold, though not one of you would bell the cat as we have done. Who upon such conditions would be your king? Not the most wretched in hell, much less any human being. Therefore choose another king; and if you can find one to please you in all things and at all times, we shall rejoice. Only you must remember to dismiss us from the kingdom with honesty, and repay us all that we have expended for it out of our own funds, and from our paternal and maternal inheritance. Let that be done, and then we promise you to leave the country and return no more."

The King here burst into tears, and left the hall.

When he was gone a deep silence reigned throughout the assembly. At last the Chancellor came forward, and invited them, in the great difficulty in which they were placed, to offer up their united prayers to God for his guidance. He said, "We have only this alternative, to choose either to follow the King, as he has proposed, and entreat him to carry on the government, or to pay him what he has expended for the State, and choose another king." They were, however, too much confounded at the scene they had witnessed to determine anything that day. Turé Johnson alone put on an appearance of courage, and, as he marched to his lodging to the sound of the drum, exclaimed, "I defy any one to make me

But when

Lutheran, heretic, or heathen this year." the next day the meeting would decide nothing, some of the peasants grew impatient, and said, if all things were well considered, Gustavus had done them no injury, and that, unless the nobles soon settled something, they should take the matter into their own hands. The merchants and shopkeepers supported the peasants, and the burghers of Stockholm declared that at any rate they should hold that city for the King's behoof. Magnus Sommar, Bishop of Strengness, declared finally that the ministers of the Church wished not to be so protected as thereby to leave the kingdom a prey to their most inveterate enemies. Many thanked him for his speech, and said they would have no king but Gustavus, and prayed that they might hear the disputed points of the two religions discussed in their presence, so that even laymen might have some light upon the subject. Olaus Petri and Peter Gallé accordingly argued together until late in the day; the latter in Latin, until the threats of the peasants-who, if they liked Latin prayers, did not like Latin speeches-compelled him to speak Swedish.

In the mean time the King held his court at the Castle, surrounded by his military staff, and, as if careless of the issue, passed his time in various di

versions.

On the third day the burghers and peasants said

The King rewarded their zcal by a confirmation of their privileges on the 28th June.-Scond. Illust., tom. v. p. 39.

CHAP. VII. CONSENTS TO RETAIN THE CROWN.

153

to the nobles that, if they chose to be the occasion of their and the kingdom's ruin, they would try, with the King's help, to punish and ruin them, and that they had already sent a message to the King, acquainting him with their resolution. Upon this the nobles of Westgothland, and especially Magnus Brynteson (Liliehök), entreated Turé Johnson not to oppose the King so rigidly, "for much ill might come of it;" to which Johnson replied, "that he was willing this time to give in to the King, provided he did not lead him into any heresy."

Lars Anderson and Olaus Petri were now sent off

to entreat Gustavus still to hold the reins of government. They were met with a short and sharp refusal, and on their return prayed that, if any further communication were to be made to the King, it might be by other messengers.

Knut Anderson and the Bishop of Strengness then undertook the task, but came back unsuccessful. After this the anxiety became intense. Deputation after deputation was sent to the castle, entreating, with tears, that the King would at least honour them with his presence. For a long while he still held out, and, when he at length relented, he sent a message, saying that he could not meet the States that day, but would do so on the day following. At the appointed time he appeared in the hall of assembly, accompanied by the State Council and a splendid life-guard. The joy was now proportionate to the previous anxiety; the common people were ready to

kiss his feet, and the three estates of nobles, burghers, and peasants, with one voice sanctioned all his demands.1

The account of this important meeting I have taken chiefly from Tegel, 1527. Vide etiam Scond. Illust., tom. v. p. 38; Geijer, vol. ii. p. 68.

CHAP. VIII.

DECREES OF VESTERÅS.

155

Decrees of Vesterås

CHAPTER VIII.

Uncontrolled power over Church property given

Privileges of the clergy curtailed

- Public decla

to Gustavus ration of the States Opposition and death of the Bishop of Linköping Surrender of tithes Complaint to Gustavus of nonfulfilment by him of part of the Ordinances - Evacuation and destruction of monasteries Downfall of the monastic system, and its consequences Nicolaus Amundi, a monk of Vadstena Diary of Vadstena convent.

GUSTAVUS had played a game in which he had staked his throne against the wealth and power of the clergy, but the odds had been well calculated, and he had won the cast. The decrees of the memorable meeting at Vesterås, dated Midsummer-day, 1527, placed the property of the Church, and all its offices, completely in the King's power. The first of these decrees, which was called Vesterås Recess,' provided that the revenues of the Church should thenceforward be made available to increase the revenues of the Crown; that the Bishops should "ride with only so many attendants"-in other words, should have only such income-as the King should prescribe; that they should agree with him as to the proportion of their revenues to be paid him, and should give up the castles and fortresses which they then held; that a similar composition should be made with the Deans