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III.
CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION.
The government of Sweden has from times immemorial, as far
back as written history reaches, been monarchical, and the head of
the State has always had the title of King. Since the union with
Norway (1814) the official title of the King is: King of Sweden, Norway,
Gothia, and Yenden. The name of Gothia in this connection denotes
Götaland or Southern Sweden in contrast to Svealand or Central (and
Northern) Sweden, which latter of old was designated in the royal title
by the name of Sweden. Owing to the last mentioned circumstance,
Svealand is often in foreign handbooks called Sweden proper, which,
however, in our days is utterly erroneous. — As to the title »King of
Venden», it refers to those days when Sweden had possessions beyond
the Baltic.
The Swedish Royal Arms consist of a quartered escutcheon, overlaid
with a cross of gold, and an escutcheon of pretence carrying the coat
of the Royal Bernadotte family. In the first and fourth quarters are
seen three golden crowns on a blue ground (called the arms of
Svealand); and in the second and third quarters, golden lions rampant over
three bands (called the arms of Götaland); the upper part of the
escutcheon carries a royal crown. As supporters stand two golden lions
rampant regardant. The mantle is a purple one lined with ermine.
In the armorial bearings representing the Swedish-Norwegian Union,
the dexter side of the shield (above described as first and third
quarters) is occupied by the Swedish coat of arms, whereas the sinister
side shows the Norwegian coat of arms (a golden lion rampant with a
battleaxe in its paws) — the whole on a scarlet ground.
The Swedish flag is blue with a yellow cross. In the left upper
corner is seen the so-called union, in which the Swedish colours are
combined with those of Norway (red, white, and blue). The Swedish
naval flag is split in three points; the civil government office one, in
two; but the trading flag is rectangular.
The Swedish orders of Knighthood are five in number, viz., the orders of
the Seraphim, of the Sword, and of the Northern Star, since 1748; that of Vasa,
since 1772, and of Charles XIII (for freemasons), since 1811.
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