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THROUGH SWEDEN. a7
Sweden fell under the fway of the renowned Semiramis of the
North, Margaret of Norway.* 6. Ladugradflandet, or the land
of Farms, which was formerly, but is no longer, an ifland.
-7. Konungaholmen, or: King’s Ifland. 8. Longholmen, or Long
Ifland. — on
There is a great variety of ftations in this infulated and penin-
* In 1365, Magnus, king of Sweden, had formed the defign of abolifhing the
fenate, and humbling the pretenfions of the Swedifh nobles and prelates, who
were in faé&t fo many petty fovereigns. But fo bold a fcheme it was not in the
power of Magnus to accomplifh, though fupported by an alliance with Denmark.
The Swedifh arms, in the caufe of liberty, have always been invincible. Magnus,
with his hated adherents, after a feries of bloody battles, was driven out of the king-
dom, and his nephew, Albert of Mecklenburg, was proclaimed king of Sweden in
his ftead. Albert, inftead of profiting by the difafters of his predeceffor, followed his
example, and fhared his fate. He began his reign with taking poffeffion of all the
caftles and ftrong holds of the principal nobility, and re-united to the royal do-
mains more than a third of the fiefs that had for a long time been in the hands
of the gentlemen, or inferior nobility, and the clergy. In order farther to profe-
cute his plans, he introduced into all parts of the kingdom military corps of
foreigners; and for their maintenance levied heavy contributions, and feized,
without fcruple or ceremony, the property of rich individuals, whether of laymen
or of the clergy. The Swedith nobles, fred with indignation and refentment,
declared to the king, that they no longer owned him for their fovereign, and
offered the crown and fceptre to Margaret, queen of Norway. ‘The ambitious
Margaret did not hefitate to embrace fo inviting an opportunity for annexing
Sweden to her dominions. She raifed an army, and at its head marched againft
Albert. This prince fancying that he had nothing to fear from a woman, amufed
Thentete with various railleries at the expence of the queen. Among other jokes
he fent her a large ftone, which he defired her to ufe for the purpofe of {harpen-
ing her fcifflars and needles. Similar defiances, embittered by coarfe farcafms,
we find common to all rude nations. The defeat of Albert in 1388 put an end
to his jefts.. He was taken captive, carried before the queen, and by her thrown
into prifon ; from which he was not liberated until he had renounced all claims
and -pretenfions to the Crown of Sweden.
fulated
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