New Epoch in Scandinavian History-The Throne of Sweden made Hereditary in the Family of Wasa-Death of Gustavus, and Accession of Erik XIV.-Fickle Character of this Prince-His Courtships-His Quarrels with the Russians and Poles-Perse- cution of the Sture Family-Rupture with Denmark-Expedition of Frederick II. against the Dithmarschen-Their brave Resist- ance and final Subjugation-Seven Years' War with Sweden- Naval Battles in the Baltic-Erik XIV. deposed-Peace of Stettin-Death and Character of Frederick 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 be- tween Denmark and Sweden-Peace of Knærod-Military Ex- ploits of Gustavus Adolphus-Auspicious Commencement of his Reign-Hostilities with Poland-Peace concluded. We are now approaching that epoch in Northern his- tory when the Scandinavian states, hitherto engrossed with their own internal affairs, and almost insulated from the great system of European policy, first came kingdoms, their wars, foreign and domestic,—are so interwoven and blended together, 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 embodied 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 Wasa 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 Frederick 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.* 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 mind to the arts of peace, and the encouragement of science and commerce. Men of genius in every profession were patronized; the cities were adorned with elegant and useful edifices; the army and marine were organized on a better plan; naval architecture was improved, and the merchants of every country invited to the ports of his kingdom. With a view to strengthen the power and influence of his family, he proposed a matrimonial alliance between Prince Erik and Queen Elizabeth of England, Ambassadors were sent to London to promote the match; but the negotiation made no progress, and after a short residence they returned without effecting the object of their mission. * 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 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. Meanwhile the king was attacked at Stockholm with a slow fever, which carried him off on the 7th of September 1560, in the seventieth year of his age. Before his death he had taken the precaution to make a final arrangement regarding the succession, by assigning portions to his younger sons, and strongly recommending them to cultivate unanimity and render allegiance to their elder brother, if they wished to avoid the fatal consequences of civil commotion. His body was interred at Upsala, and his funeral obsequies celebrated amidst the tears and praises of his subjects. No monarch was ever more universally esteemed, or more sincerely regretted. His character was indeed extraordinary, considering the circumstances of the times in which he flourished. In an age of ignorance he became learned; in a country the most barbarous he organized a system of perfect civilisation; among a nation of slaves he restored public liberty, and set the consciences of men |