The Swedish Revolution Under Gustavus VasaWatson, Paul Barron
History
The Swedish Revolution Under Gustavus Vasa
Watson, Paul Barron
Gustav I Vasa, King of Sweden, 1496-1560; Sweden -- History -- Gustav I Vasa, 1523-1560
spread lies and deceit about the country, the royal stewards are to see
that they do not remain away from their monasteries more than five
weeks every summer and five weeks every winter. Every monk must get a
license from the steward or burgomaster before he goes out, and return
it when he comes back. (14) Monks who receive rents shall not go out to
beg at all. (15) When a priest dies, the bishop is not to defraud the
priest's heirs of their inheritance. Priests shall be bound, in regard
to their wills, by the same law as other people. (16) If a man has
sexual intercourse with a woman to whom he is engaged, he shall not be
punished, since they are already married in the eye of God. (17) No
person who is infirm shall be compelled by priests to make a will. (18)
The sacrament shall not be withheld from any one for debt or other
reason. The church or priest has a remedy in court. (19) Fines for
adultery and fornication belong to the king, not to the bishop. (20) The
Gospel shall hereafter be taught in every school. (21) Bishops shall
consecrate no priest who is incompetent to preach the Word of God. (22)
No one shall be made a prelate, canon, or prebend unless he has been
recommended by the king, or his name submitted to the king.[166]
These ordinances were practically a signal for the death of popery. They
not only transferred to the king the rich emoluments on which for
centuries the bishops had grown fat; they transferred also to him a
right to superintend the actions of ecclesiastical authorities in
matters appertaining to the Church. It is hardly credible that so vast
an object should have been attained without more friction, and that it
was attained is a lasting testimony to the shrewdness of the king. We
may sneer at the childish indignation with which Gustavus strode forth
from the diet, but the fact remains that this pretended indignation
gained its end. Above all else, Gustavus knew the character of his
people. They were particularly prone to sentiment. A few sham tears or
an exuberant display of wrath had more effect upon them than the most
sagacious argument that the monarch could employ. His policy, therefore,
was to stir their feelings, and then withdraw to watch their feelings
effervesce. It is not too much to say that no monarch has ever in so
short a time effected greater change in sentiment than Gustavus effected
among the members of this diet.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account