CHAPTER IV.✦

WAR OF INDEPENDENCE; ELECTION OF GUSTAVUS TO THE THRONE. 1521-1523.

Causes of the War.--Character of the Dalesmen.--Growth of the Patriot Army.--Didrik Slagheck.--Battle of Koeping.--Capture of Vesteras; of Upsala.--Skirmish with Trolle.--Skirmishes near Stockholm.--Siege of Stegeborg.--Norby.--Rensel.--Brask.--Progress of the War.--Coinage of Gustavus.--Christiern's Troubles in Denmark.--Siege of Stockholm.--Fall of Kalmar.--Diet of Strengnaes.--Fall of Stockholm.--Retrospect of the War. 90

CHAPTER V.✦

BEGINNINGS OF THE REFORMATION. 1523-1524.

Nature of the Reformation in Europe.--Cause of the Reformation in Sweden.--The Debt to Lubeck.--Riches of the Church.--Relations of Gustavus to the Pope.--Johannes Magni.--New Taxation.--Dissension among the People.--Opposition of Gustavus to the Pope.--Trial of Peder Sunnanvaeder.--Expedition against Gotland.--Repudiation of the "Klippings."--Berent von Mehlen.--Negotiations between Fredrik and Norby.--Congress of Malmoe.--Efforts to appease the People.--Lutheranism.--Olaus Petri.--Laurentius Andreae.--Brask's Efforts to repress Heresy.--Religious Tendencies of Gustavus.--Character of Brask. 118

CHAPTER VI.✦

RELIGIOUS DISCORD AND CIVIL WAR. 1524-1525.

Riot of the Anabaptists.--Contest between Olaus Petri and Peder Galle.--Marriage of Petri.--Conspiracy of Norby; of Christina Gyllenstjerna; of Mehlen; of Sunnanvaeder.--Attitude of Fredrik to Gustavus.--Proposition of Gustavus to resign the Crown.--Norby's Incursion into Bleking.--Surrender of Visby.--Flight of Mehlen.--Fall of Kalmar. 165