Finally, a word of thanks is due to the libraries and archives from which I have derived most aid. Of these the chief are the British Museum, the University Library at Upsala, and above all, the Royal Library and the Royal Archives at Stockholm. To the last two institutions I owe more than I can express. They are the storehouses of Swedish history, and their doors were thrown open to me with a generosity and freedom beyond all that I could hope. I wish here to thank my many friends, the custodians of these treasures, for the personal encouragement and assistance they have lent me in the prosecution of this work. _August 15, 1889._ CONTENTS. 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 Stäket.--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 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 Köping.--Capture of Vesterås; 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 Strengnäs.--Fall of Stockholm.--Retrospect of the War. 90 CHAPTER V. BEGINNINGS OF THE REFORMATION. 1523-1524.