GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS, _King of Sweden_, who was designated "_the lion of the north_," succeeded to the throne in 1611, and he soon began to take an important part in the affairs of Europe. Having heard of the valour of the Scots, he procured, in 1613, a number of companies from Scotland and from the Netherlands,[13] and formed two Scots regiments. He also hired fifteen ships from the Scots nation, which took the town and district of Drontheim, and sailed afterwards to the southernmost shores of Sweden.[14] [Sidenote: 1615] [Sidenote: 1616] A peace was soon afterwards concluded between Sweden and Denmark; but Gustavus retained his Scots veterans in his service; and in 1615 he commenced a war with Russia. He soon rendered himself master of the province of Ingria,--took by storm the strong fort of _Kexholm_, and besieged _Plesko_; but he was induced to desist from further enterprises by the pacific interposition of King James I. of England, and a cessation of hostilities took place. [Sidenote: 1617] [Sidenote: 1619] The Scots in the service of Gustavus were, however, allowed but a short period of repose before they were again called upon to take the field. In 1617 Gustavus invaded Poland; and his troops were engaged in various actions until 1619, when a truce was agreed upon by the contending powers. [Sidenote: 1620] [Sidenote: 1621] In 1620 the King of Sweden renewed the war; and the Scots, under Colonels Ruthven and Seaton, distinguished themselves at the siege and capture of _Riga_, the capital city of Livonia. The towns of _Dunamond_ and _Mittau_ were also captured soon afterwards; and these successes were followed by another truce. Meanwhile events had transpired which gave rise to the formation of another body of Scots, with whose services the ROYAL Regiment is also connected. The Protestants of Bohemia having revolted from the dominion of Austria, elected to the throne the Count Palatine, who was assisted by an English regiment under Sir Horace Hore; and had also in his service a regiment of English and Scots, under Colonel GRAY; and one of the Scots companies was commanded by JOHN HEPBURN, who was the first Colonel of the ROYAL Regiment. GRAY'S regiment was employed in 1620 to guard the King of Bohemia's person; but after the loss of the battle of _Prague_ in 1621, His Majesty fled to Holland. GRAY'S regiment formed part of the force rallied by the Earl of Mansfield; after many enterprises, it retreated to the Palatinate, and was employed in Alsace and Germany. [Sidenote: 1622] [Sidenote: 1625]