Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Sidor ...
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
inability of the Swedish ruler to provide the necessary
means, and thirdly—if we mistake not—a growing dislike
on the part of King James to allow these levies to go
on, directed as they were against a near relation of his.
But be this as it may, the failure of procuring levies just
at that time was very acutely felt. Jacob de la Gardie,
the Swedish General, had not been fortunate in his war
against Poland; in the Battle of Clusina the Russians
deserted him, and the foreign legionaries—long
discontented on account of their being without wages for many
months—went over to the enemy.
Moreover, war with Denmark had broken out again
(1611). But King Charles IX., in a long and restless
career, had seen enough of the welfare of this life. He
died at Nyköping on the 30th of October 1611, and left
the Government to his greater son, Gustavus Adolphus. II.
II.
The Period of Gustavus II. (Adolphus).
When Gustavus Adolphus ascended the Swedish throne
in 1611, he was barely seventeen years old; but he
enjoyed the advice of his wise Chancellor, Axel Oxenstierna.
His first efforts were directed towards the restoration of
peace with Denmark. But in spite of his declaring
himself willing to surrender the title of King of the
Lapps, which had proved so obnoxious to the Danish
king that it had become one of the principal causes of
the Calmar War, the peaceful offer was refused, no
mediation was allowed, and the war was continued with great
vigour. On the part of Sweden, however, a great want
of troops made itself felt. Whilst the Danish army
contained more than 18,000 mercenaries, Gustavus Adolphus
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
