Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - XVI. Reign of Gustavus III, 1771–1792 - F. The Russian War—First Part - G. The Riksdag of 1789. New Revolution
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296 A History of Sweden
whole country. It was a demonstration such as had
not been seen since the days of Magnus Stenbock. This
was the people’s answer to the treason of the officers.
Gustavus also received valuable aid from the Eng-
lish and Prussian ambassadors, who on behalf of their
governments threatened Denmark with war unless she
let Sweden alone. This action of the two powers in
favor of Sweden was owing to their fear lest Russia
might become too powerful. Denmark withdrew her
forces from Sweden.
G. THE RIKSDAG OF 1789. A NEW REVOLUTION
Now Gustavus did not fear to meet the Estates. The
Anjala conspirators had meant to accuse Gustavus be-
fore the Estates. But now it was the king who meant
with the aid of the lower orders to chastise the rebel-
lious nobles and secure increased powers so that in
the future he might be able to hold the turbulent mem-
bers in check.
The nobles on their part prepared to defy the king
and at first they did so. But the king called all the
Estates together in the hall of state and in a thunder-
ing address administered a reprimand to the nobles.
When murmurs of opposition were heard from this
Estate, the king ordered the nobles to leave the hall.
There was a moment of hesitation. The nine hundred
nobles all kept their seats, and some caught the hilts
of their swords. It was a moment when the crown of
Gustavus seemed suspended by a hair. But finally the
nobles obeyed and left the hall.
The king then addressed the other Estates in gra-
cious words, and proposed an amendment to the consti-
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