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Sigismund 137
had secured the power. To this double-dealing the
Jesuits had given their sanction and advice. They had
assured him that promises to heretics were not bind-
ing. As a perjurer Sigismund returned to Poland.
Government during Sigismund
9
s Absence. Sigis-
mund had left the government in the hands of the duke
and the council. Hitherto these had stood together.
But the unanimity did not last long. The duke was a
man for the commons, and would not "pull even" with
the great lords.
The Power of the Lords. The Swedish lords had lost
their leaders in the Stockholm Massacre and by the Ves-
teras Succession Act. But during the times of Eric and
John they had increased in power again. At his coro-
nation, which he celebrated with unexampled splendor,
Eric increased the pomp by elevating the chief nobles
to the dignity of counts and barons. By this means he
would for the future shed luster on his court. The
lords were still more favored by John. Among other
favors he bestowed on the counts and barons large
feudal estates, known as counties and baronies, which
were made hereditary in the male line of descent. The
nobility had thus secured powerful leaders in these
"kings, each in his domain," as Duke Charles called
these great lords. And they were the very ones who
sat in the council
Duke and Estates versus King and Council. Soon
the council began to oppose the duke, but in turn he
received support from the Estates, especially from
the burghers and the peasants. Most of the councilmen
then fled to Sigismund in Poland, hoping that he would
with military force crush the proud duke and the ar-
A History of Sweden. 10.
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