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202 V. THE REFORMATION (A.D. 15201592).
of the Metropolitical Church of Upsala, were edited by his
learned brother, Olaus, who also became titular Arch
bishop of Upsala. Both John and Brask were good
patriots, and may have been restrained by love of their
country from attempting serious breaches of the peace.
Brask was, however, much more practical than John in his
attempts to serve his people. He was the first, as I have
said, to conceive a plan for connecting Lakes Venern and
Vettern by a canal, and he tried to establish a printing
press at Soderkoping.
As regards the official translation of the Bible, which the
king requested the clergy to execute, Brask was at first
critical of the undertaking; but, after a time, he seems to
have become interested in it, and in 1526 the Chapter of
Linkoping was ready with its contribution the Gospel
according to St. Mark, and the two Epistles to the
Corinthians.10
But, though Brask was consistent in his
principles, he had not the stuff of which to make a martyr,
nor was Gustaf anxious to make martyrs. Xo one was
put to death for his religion, either now or at any time in
the following years.
In the autumn of 1527 the king prepared for his corona
tion, which was to take place in the following year. For
this purpose it was necessary to have duly consecrated
bishops. He, therefore, wrote in November to Magnus
Sommar, elect of Strengnas, to the effect that
"
the com
monalty (allmogen) would hardly be content if
they did
not have anointed bishops ; and, although that anointing
was of little importance in itself, it w:as necessary for him,
if he wished to proceed with his election, to have himself
consecrated and anointed during the winter, only it must
be before Epiphany. If he does not agree to this the
king wr
ill not force him ;
but he will have to leave his
bishop s seat, and the king will look out for someone else
"
10
Anjou (I.e., pp. 135-7) attributes the work to the precentor,
Eric ; but Holmquist inclines to think that it was Brask s own
work : see K. H. Arsskrift, v. 247. Holmquist speaks of the
work as still existing in MS,
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