CHAPTER I.✦

CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH OF GUSTAVUS VASA. 1496-1513. PAGE Birth of Gustavus.--His Ancestors.--Anarchy in Sweden.--Its Causes: Former Independence of the People; Growth of Christianity; Growth of the Aristocracy; the Cabinet; Enslavement of Sweden; Revolt of the People against Denmark.--Christiern I.--Sten Sture.--Hans.--Svante Sture.--Sten Sture the Younger.--Childhood of Gustavus.--His Education at Upsala 1

CHAPTER II.✦

FIRST MILITARY ADVENTURES OF GUSTAVUS; A PRISONER IN DENMARK. 1514-1519.

Description of Stockholm.--Christina Gyllenstjerna.--Hemming Gad.--Christiern II.--Gustaf Trolle.--Dissension between Sten Sture and Gustaf Trolle.--Siege of Staeket.--First Expedition of Christiern II. against Sweden.--Trial of the Archbishop.--Arcimboldo.--Second Expedition of Christiern II. against Sweden.--Capture of Gustavus Vasa.--Resignation of the Archbishop.--Hostilities of Christiern II.--Farewell of Arcimboldo. 28

CHAPTER III.✦

FLIGHT OF GUSTAVUS; UPRISING OF THE DALESMEN. 1519-1521.

Escape of Gustavus from Denmark.--Lubeck.--Return of Gustavus to Sweden.--Excommunication of Sture.--Invasion of Sweden.--Death of Sture.--Dissolution of the Swedish Army.--Heroism of Christina.--Battle of Upsala.--Gustavus at Kalmar.--Fall of Stockholm.--Coronation of Christiern II.--Slaughter of the Swedes.--Flight of Gustavus to Dalarne.--Efforts to rouse the Dalesmen.--Gustavus chosen Leader. 59