Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - XII. Reign of Charles XI, 1660–1697 - B. Personal Rule of Charles XI, 1672–1697
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Reign of Charles XI 205
cation. Throughout the land cries and lamentations
were heard against these severe measures. Not only
men, but helpless widows, left destitute, came to Stock-
holm to implore the king for mercy. But he pursued
his course unmoved, holding fast to his principle that
the public weal is paramount to that of the individual.
The king had been stirred to deep indignation at the
evils brought on by laxity, hence, his unyielding stern-
ness. He had seen his kingdom paralyzed and dishon-
ored through the lack of means. It was not to happen
again, rather let the individual suffer. Every mite he
collected went to the upbuilding of the state, not a
penny to amusements, pomp, or display, nor to his
own personal use.
The chief significance of the Inquiry and the Re-
sumption was that the power of the great nobles was
forever broken, De la Gardie was permitted to hold
only one small estate, where he spent his last years in
poverty and complaint. It was the end of petty princes,
boasting of their "courts" and "subjects/’ The free-
dom of the people was secured.
Absolutism. We have seen that during the war the
king took matters in his own hands and did not consult
his council. But this increase in the royal power did
not accord with the law of the land. The king must
therefore have the law changed by the Estates. He had
need of this power continually, for powerful forces
were working to undo the Resumption. He therefore
inquired of the Riksdag, in 1680, whether he had to
consult the council when he took measures regarding
the government of the realm. The Estates gave a writ-
ten reply to the effect that the councilors were simply
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