Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - VII. Reign of Gustavus Vasa, 1523–1560 - B. The Dacke Insurrection
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The Dacke Insurrection 119
God delivered the Children of Israel, so had Gustavus
"with the signal power and dispensation of God" de-
livered his people from the "terrible bloodhound and
tyrant, old King Christian."
Gustavus now felt secure in his. position and thought
he could govern his kingdom according to his own good
will. He dismissed his councilors, Olavus Petri and
Laurentius Andrese, who had assisted him in the intro-
duction of the Reformation. They were too independ-
ent to submit to the king in all matters. But it was not
possible for the king to find any one in the kingdom
of sufficient training, experience, and knowledge of
world affairs to serve as his secretary. So he chose
Germans as his councilors. They submitted plans to
him that might suit a German emperor, but were
wholly unsuitable for conditions in Sweden. Gustavus
began to rule arbitrarily and by force. He seized from
the churches the greater part of their silver vessels
and other valuables. There was a veritable church pil-
lage. It was painful for the people to see the conse-
crated chalices, crosses, and jewels, which they had
learned to reverence and hold dear, carried off as
plunder. This had not been granted the king by the
Riksdag of Vesteras. There soon arose a general de-
mand for the retention of what was "old and time-
honored," and the demand passed into threats, and in-
surrection in one province.
Grievances of the Sm&l&nders. In the remote parts
of Smaland, as in Dalecarlia, there lived a stubborn
and warlike race, accustomed to secure subsistence
from the forests with arrow and spear. Time and
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