The History of Sweden, translated from the original [by A. von Schoultz] edited by Mary Howitt

Front matter

THE HISTORY OF SWEDEN. TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL OF ANDERS FRYXELL. EDITED BY MARY HOWITT. VOL. I. LONDON: RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET. in ©rtfrmrrj to Icr JBtajesttj. 1844. lond on: Printed by Schulze and Co., 13, Poland Street. TO THE MEMORY OF MY MOST BELOVED MOTHER, THESE TWO VOLUMES OF SWEDISH HISTORY, THE FIRST COMPLETED UNDER HER INSPECTION, ARE BY HER DAUGHTER DEDICATED, IN REMEMBRANCE OF THAT LOVE WHICH CAN NEVER RETURN, AND IN HOPE OF THAT BRIGHT MEETING WHICH SHALL KNOW NO PARTING FOR EVERMORE. AMEN. THE AUTHOR'S

Preface

TO THIS TRANSLATION. The Author of this History of Sweden considers it necessary to impart the following account of the WTork, which by means of this Translation is to be made known to the English public. The aim ever present to his mind, was to collect, and by an artistical treatment of the subject to present, as vividly as his powers permitted, the more remarkable features in the History of Sweden ; by which means he hoped to interest a more numerous circle of readers, and to make the history of his fatherland better known than it has hitherto been. The three first volumes including the time from Odin to Erik XIV (deposed in 1569*) were the Author's first essay, in the compilation of which he considered the taste of the general readers alone, and therefore consulted only the ordinary printed authorities; but in the latter volumes he has more and more availed himself of the hitherto untouched treasures of the Archives ; and thus, as well as by means of greater detail, sought on the onert and to diffuse a clearer light over certain events hitherto but partially known, and on the other to offer a comprehensive view of the des tinies of his native land. * The portion here included in two volumes. VI

PREFACE.

. This has been the case more especially with the lat ter volumes, which embrace the period from 1632 to 1660. The undertaking has met with uncommon success in Sweden. The first volume has already gone through six Editions, and the successive volumes have suc ceeded in a similar proportion. Translations have also been published in the German and French languages. Anders Fryxell. Stockholm, 20th April, 1844. TRANSLATOR'S

PREFACE.

. The translation of this portion of Swedish History has been to me, I may say, a labour of love — partly from an ardent interest in the subject, partly in memory of a country where I passed eight years of my life, in which I have experienced kindness from many friends that I shall never forget. I am now far away from Sweden, perhaps never may set foot on Swedish ground again ; still it ever recurs to my mind under two forms, like some bright being once seen amidst all the pomp and brilliancy of life on its sunniest side, once again in the mourning weeds of solitude and sorrow — forming two pictures distinctly different and never to be forgotten. Sweden has no railroads, no densely populous mercantile towns, no thickly-sown villages and smiling cottages on almost every acre of land. Sweden is yet very young; her Spring and WTinter seem to have in them an intensitv of youthful vigour unknowTn to more temperate climes, and he who has seen, nay heard the amber-coloured vegetation bursting into life and glory on the grey branches of the Swedish oak, late in May ; who has stood under the green canopy of her tender-leaved beeches ; floated on the surface of her inland seas ; or wandered midst her wild flowers of every varied hue, scattered as thickly amidst the grass as leaves upon the boughs ; watched the evening Heavens above all this fading into night, and yet not night; he who has fully entered into the spirit and enjoyed these things in their translator's preface.

VIII untold charm, knows what Sweden is in her holiday dress. But when the dark leaden sky descends to one still darker line bounding the horizon of the sea, showing where it yet lies open beyond wide-stretching plains and wildernesses of ice and snow that bear the solitary track of wolves as they leave their forests to seek the water's edge to drink — he who has whirled through those dark sounding woods of tall fir and pine, the home of the fox, the wolf and the bear, where every tree is as a lyre vibrating to each breath of wind with a solemn melody, where the clotted snow lies in balls on every broken trunk, or clothes in wide-spreading fleecy foliage every slender twig — knows what Sweden is in the days of her mourning, her long dark winter. Yet Winter has charms, has beauties, how great I never knew, till I lived amongst rocks and forests, and water falls, and wild uncultivated nature in Sweden ; — and warm hearts, and warm rooms are there, and kindness and cordiality are there, and much that beautifies and adorns domestic life.

Of her history I will not say much. It may in part be rude, but it accords with the nature of her climate and her soil. The Swedish Bonde, when he is what he ought to be, is the Prince among the peasantry of Europe, and we can understand, as we read, the great part he has played in the destinies of his native land, and that which he stdl bears in her legislation. Few countries can present so grand a line of Sovereigns of one dynasty as that of the house of Wrasa; none such a character as that of Gustavus Adolphus. Women do not figure much on these pages, but those who do are Shakspearean women. Foremost amonothem all behold that strangely distinct apparition from half fabulous times, Kraka, the wife of the renowned Rag nar Lodbrok, who was seen but once to weep, and translator's preface. IX then wept tears of blood ; and in later days, Christina Gyllenstjerna and Anna Bjelke who, had they belonged to a nation whose language was more generally known, would long ago have held a place among the most distinguished of their sex for heroism and virtue.

But I forget it is not a panegyric, but a preface I am writing, and need not thus run on. Before I con clude, I would return my thanks to my kind friend, Mrs. Howitt, who takes charge of my book when I am faraway. And should this translation ever fall into the hands of the generous Crown Prince of Sweden, now King Oscar I., may it bear to him the grateful thanks of a heart that has long sought to acknowledge her obligation, who when one word would have crushed, forbore to pronounce that word. Anne von Schoultz. London, 16th May, 1844. THE SWEDISH HISTORY IS DIVIDED INTO THREE PERIODS, VIZ.: r. THE HEATHEN EPOCH TO THE DEATH OF EMUND THE OLD, A.D. 1061. TWO DYNASTIES REIGNED DURING THIS PERIOD, VIZ. THE YNGLINGA AND THE IWARSKA. II. THE CATHOLIC EPOCH, FROM A.D. 1061 TO A.D. 1521, DURING WHICH THE STENKIL, SWERKA, ERIK AND FOLKUNGAR DYNASTIES, AND SOME FOREIGN SOVEREIGNS REIGNED.

Ill THE LUTHERAN EPOCH FROM A.D. 1521 TO THE PRESENT TIME, DURING WHICH THE WASA DYNASTY HAS OCCUPIED THE THRONE. *3art 5. HEATHEN EPOCH FROM 100 BEFORE CHRIST TO A.D. 1061.

Introduction

. ANCIENT SWEDISH MYTHOLOGY.

Chapter I. Of The Creation

All nations have sought, by means of a Mythology, to explain the origin and government of the world, the destiny of man in this life, and his state after death. The belief and ideas entertained by the early Scandinavians on these points may be found detailed in an ancient work entitled the Edda. According to that work there was in the beginning of time, neither earth, ocean, nor sky, but one huge gulf, called Ginnungagap. On the one side of this gulf lay Niflhem, a region of frost and cold; on the other Muspelshem, where Surtur reigns, the region of VOL. I. B fire and light. W7hen the vapours from Niflhem met the rays from Muspelshem, they obtained life and became a great giant, called Ymer. This giant was evil, as were all his descendants who were called Rimtussar. But the three Gods, Odin, Vile, and Ve, killed Ymer, in whose blood all the Rimtussar were drowned, save Bergelmer, who with his wife saved himself in a boat and continued the race of the Rimtussar.

Ymer's body was carried by the Gods into Ginnungagap, and of it they made the earth. The blood was turned into sea and lakes ; the bones became mountains ; the hair grew into forests ; the beard into grass, and the teeth became stones. The skull was raised above the earth, and became the firmament. A dwarf was placed under each corner, called East, West, South and North. The Gods then took sparks from Muspelshem, and placed them as stars in the sky. In the centre of the earth they raised a strong castle made of Ymer's eyebrows. This castle was called Midgard, and there the Gods resided ; but the giants were per mitted to dwell without on the sea-coasts. The Gods once found on the shore the trunks of two dead trees. Of these, they formed the first human beings, Ask and Embla, from whom the human race have since descended, and they dwelt with the Gods in Midgard.

Chapter II Of The Gods

Odin is the chief and oldest, and as it were, a father of the other Gods. He is very wise, and has given one of his eyes for permission to draw wisdom out of Mimer's W7ell. On his shoulders sit two crows, Hugin and Munin (Prescience and Memory) who fly round the world, and return to relate to Odin all they have heard and seen. He wields in his hand his good lance Gugner, and rides on his horse Sleipner which has eight feet. AU worship him, and Gods and men swear by his name. Wednesday (Wodinsday) is named after him, and his hall is called Walhalla. The souls of most of those who fall in battle come to this place, and are then called Einheriar. They go out every day on the ramparts and fight with each other; but return towards evening to Walhalla. The wounds which they have received heal of themselves, and many fair maidens, called Walkyrior, entertain them with mead and roasted pork.

The pork is cut from a hog called Schrimner, which though daily roasted and eaten yet grows again, and becomes entire every morning. Thus the Einheriar are to live on till Ragnarok.* Asa Tor, or Ake Thor, is the strongest of Gods or men. Whien he buckles on his belt, Megingjard, he receives double strength. His hammer, Mjolner, crushes all that it strikes, and then returns again to his hand. But if Thor would wield Mjolner, he must wear his iron gauntlets, otherwise he would be unable to lift it. His greatest pleasure lies in pursuing all giants and enchanters whom he destroys with his hammer. At these times he appears seated in his chariot drawn by two he-goats, which in its rapid course produces a ter rible sound, while sparks issue from the mountains. This is the thunder, which has hence received its Swedish name, Thordon.

Thursday is named after Thor. When he is not fighting against the giants, he rests in his castle, Trudwang, and thus says the Edda will Thor continue to live on till Ragnarok. * The end of Time. b Frey was the God of the Seasons, and Friday has been named after him. Brage was the God of heroic song. His wife Idun kept in a box the apples of Immortality of which the Gods ate that they might never grow old. These apples were once stolen away, at which time the Gods received much injury, for they grew old and grey-haired. Balder was the name of the God of Innocence, and so beloved that everything on earth gave an oath to his mother Frigg not to injure Balder. So long as he lived, the Gods were invincible. Heimdal sat with his Gjallarhorn and kept watch to hinder the giants from crossing the bridge which led from Heaven to earth.

This bridge was then called Bifrost, but is now called the Rainbow. Frigg was Odin's wife, and held the chief rank amongst the Goddesses; the destinies of men were known be forehand to her. Freya was the Goddess of Love, and had been married to Oder ; but when he left her, she mourned exceedingly, and her tears which fell continually were turned into the purest gold. An Ash, called Ygdrasd, is the largest of all trees. Its branches shade the whole earth, and its top reaches up to Heaven. It has three roots, of which one reaches to Ginnungagap where is Mimer's Well in which all wisdom is preserved. The second extends to Niflhem where it is constantly gnawed by the dragon Nidhogg. The third reaches to Midgard. At this root is the holy Urdar Brunn or Well, where the Nornor or Fates dwell. Their names are Urd (the Past) ; Wer dandi (the Present) ; and Skuld (the Future). They determine all that takes place upon earth, and even the Gods themselves must submit to the law of the Fates.

Chapter III. Of Loke

Loke was a descendant of the Rimtussar and was evil in mind and purpose as they were; but by his cunning, and his crafty tongue, had contrived to insi nuate himself among the Asar (the Gods). He had three children, by a giantess, who were all evil ; viz. the Midgards Snake, Fenris Wrolf, and Hel. Odin threw the Midgards Snake into the sea, where he grew to such a size that he encircled the earth, and bit his own tail. Fenris Wrolf was bound to a rock ; but Hel was cast down to Niflhem, there to rule over all those who died of old age and sickness. Hel has been named after her. Thus shall these three remain till Ragnarok. It was a favourite amusement of the Gods to shoot at Balder, and laugh to see how arrows, lances, stones, and whatever missive was aimed at him glanced aside without wounding him ; and all thought that this was greatly to his honour.

This made Loke envious. He discovered that Frigg had neglected to take the oath of a little plant called the Misletoe. He therefore went, and plucking it made of it a lance which he gave to Hoder the Blind, one of the Gods, begging him to throw it at Balder, and thus conduce to Balder's honour. Hoder replied that he could not throw the lance, because he could not see. Then Loke aimed the lance for Hoder, who cast it so that Balder was pierced, and fell dead to the ground. This was the greatest misfortune by which Gods and men could be overtaken. One of the Gods rode to Hel's dwelling to redeem Balder; but Hel answered that she was to keep him unless the whole world would weep his death. Then the Gods sent out messengers, and desired that every thing in the world should weep the death of Balder.

This was also done, and every thing which has life, both Gods and men, plants and animals, stones and earth, wept the death of Balder ; but on his way home, the messenger met a giant woman named Tock, who refused to weep for Balder. Hel therefore re tained him in her power. The Gods were afterwards told that it was Loke in Tock's shape, who had caused them this second sorrow. They therefore sought for him, bound him on three rocks, and hung a snake over him, in such a manner, that the poison dropped on Loke's face. The Edda further relates that his wife, Sigyn, sits by him and receives the poison in a dish. When it is full and she goes to empty it, the poison then drops on Loke's face, and then with his agonized struggles the whole world shakes. And thus shall Loke lie till Ragnarok.

Chapter IV. Ragnarok

The last days of the world are called Ragnarok, or the Twilight of the Gods. Then shall there be constant war and bloodshed. Brothers shall murder brothers, children will not spare their parents, and numberless will be the crimes committed. This shall be followed by a dreadfully severe winter which shall last three years without any summer. The serpent of Midgard shall writhe up from the bottom of the sea, and come on shore ; upon which the whole ocean shall, roaring, over leap its boundaries. The earth will begin to quake, and everything to be rent in pieces, and Loke and the Fenris Wrolf shall be set at liberty. Then shall Surtur come from Muspelshem and ride up to Bifrost which will break in pieces under his feet. Then he with Loke, the serpent of Midgard, the Fenris Wolf, and all the Rimtussar will take the field on a wide plain called Wigrid.

When Heimdal sees this, he will arise and blow aloud his Gjallarhorn, so that the whole earth shall re-echo to the sound. Then will Odin ride to Mimer's Well, seeking counsel, but finding none. Ygdrasil shall shake, and all in Heaven and earth shad tremble. The Asar shall array themselves to battle, and ride forth with the Einheriar to the Plain Wigrid. First shall ride Odin with his noble lance Gugner. The Fenris Wolf shall advance upon him gaping so wide, that while the lower portion of the jaw razes the ground, the other shad reach up to Heaven ; and were there more room, he would stretch it yet wider open. The Fenris Wolf shall thus swallow Odin ; but be himself finally cut to pieces by Widar the Chaste, the son of Odin. Thor will encounter with the snake of Midgard and slay him ; but nine steps further on, himself shall fall suffo cated by the Serpent's poison.

Loke and Heimdal shall mutually slay each other. Then shall the sun and moon become black, and the stars shall fall from Heaven. Surtur shad scatter fire around which shall set the whole earth in a blaze, and it shall finally sink to the bottom of the sea. After this shad come a new and perfect world ; and evil is now passed. From the bosom of the ocean shall arise an ever-blooming earth, with falling streams and self sown fields. The sun has borne a daughter as fair, who now shall wander in her mother's* path through * The sun in Swedish as in German is feminine. — Tr. the sky. Balder the Good shall return, and with him all the just and righteous, and a new race shall inhabit the earth. The Almighty, whose name may not be uttered, shall now come to judge and govern all. The virtuous shall dwell in the glorious castle Gimle which is brighter than the sun, and covered with gold.

But far away lies the hold called Narstraud, with its gates turned towards the north. The walls of its courts are of woven serpents, whose heads hang downwards and vomit forth venom, so that streams of poison flow upon the floors. And here shall the perjured, and murderers, and other evil men, dwell to all Eternity.

Chapter I. Of Sweden In The Remotest Times

Our earliest traditions shed but little light upon the state of Sweden before the Christian era. The country was covered with vast forests, the inhabitants of which led a wandering life supporting themselves chiefly by fishing and hunting. Their weapons were clubs, stone knives, and bows and arrows. Their clothes were the skins of wild beasts ; their dwellings, small huts half buried beneath the ground. Nothing is known of any regular government, or the name of any King at this period. Odin and Thor were worshipped as Gods. The Greeks called the land Thule, and the Romans Scandinavia, describing it as a cold and desert country.

Chapter II. Odin's Arrival In Sweden

About a century before the birth of Christ, in a region to the north-east of the Black Sea, lived a people called the Asar, the name of whose chief was Sigge Fridulfson. The Romans, at that time had subdued all the neighbouring nations, leaving the Asar no peace, when Sigge resolved to emigrate with his people to a new country further north. The Asar at this time were more ingenious, and further advanced in all the arts b than the rest of the northern nations. Sigge, in parti cular, was remarkable for wisdom and prudence. He knew that Odin was worshipped by all the northern lands; he therefore commenced his wanderings with much solemnity, declaring himself to be Odin, and his chiefs the other Gods. Thus he past through many countries, as Russia, Saxony and Westphalia, placing his sons everywhere as Kings.

He stopped some time in Denmark, on the Island of Fyen, and founded there the town called Odinsee, bearing his name ; but learn ing that there were large fruitful tracts to the north in Sweden, he left Denmark to his son Skold, who built a town called Leire in Seland, where his descendants reigned long under the name of Sktildungar. Odin himself sailed up to Sweden, in which, at that time, reigned a King called Gylfe, the first whom history mentions. He received Odin with sacred honours, and opened his kingdom to him. Odin proceeded to found a town on Lake Malar, which he called after his own name Sigtuna, or Sigge's Home. He made his own residence, and founded a temple there ; but divided the neighbouring country among his chiefs whom he appointed to preside at the sacrifices, and to assist him in the administration of justice ; these chiefs were termed Diar, and looked upon as Gods ; but Odin was considered as chief of all.

He was possessed of a handsome and majestic mien ; and when he sat at a feast with his friends, his presence gladdened all; but to his enemies he was cruel and terrific. His eloquence was such, that whatever he said was alone thought to be true. He introduced the art of poetry into the north, and was the first who there used the art of writing. His letters were called Runor, and were carved in wood ; the people believed he could work charms with them. It is said that he understood another species of sorcery, called Seid, so that with a few syllables he could extinguish fire, quiet the sea, and change the wind. He could even let his body lie as dead, while his soul in the shape of a bird, a fish or some other animal, carried his messages all round the earth. He had a ship called Skidbladner which could be folded together like a sheet of paper, and had fair wind in whatever direction he pleased, which probably signifies that he was the first in the North who used sails, and understood tacking in con trary wind.

His men rushed forward in combat with great strength and impetuosity, using no defensive armour, whence they were called Berserks, or Mail-less, and such an attack was called Berserkagang.

Chapter III

odin's laws. Odin imposed a tax for every nose, or person in the country : this was called the nose-tax. He also ordered that every dead person with his possessions should be burnt on a pyre, and the higher the flame arose, the greater was the glory of the dead in Walhalla. The ashes were to be buried, and cairns raised above the graves of men of high descent ; but Bauta stones were to be set up to the memory of those who had done great actions. He also taught that those who had fallen in combat, or otherwise met with a violent death, would come to him in Walhalla, and there enjoy great happiness. He therefore chose not to die a straw-death (in his bed on straw), but when he understood that his end was approaching, he caused himself to be pricked or marked with the point of a lance (Gejrsodd) and thus died, saying he was going before to Walhalla to prepare great joy for his followers.

The people now believed that he had gone to Asgard, or the dwelling of the old Gods ; and they imagined that he often revealed himself to them in sleep when great wars were at hand, awarding victory to some, and inviting others to come to him in Walhalla, and both lots were considered good alike. From this belief, the people derived great valour in battle, and courage in despising death. Those who lived to grow old caused themselves to be marked with the Gejrsodd, or threw themselves down steep rocks, (of wdiich many are shewn in Sweden to this day, under the name of Attestupor), rather than die a despised, natural death.

Chapter IV. The Successors Of Odin

Njord became Droth in Sigtuna after Odin. In his time seasons were favourable and harvests plentiful, so that after his death he was worshipped as the God of winds and weather. He was succeeded by his son Yngwe Frey; these two had entered the kingdom together with Odin, and were considered as Gods. Yngwe removed the court from Sigtuna to Upsala, where he built a large temple. He appointed certain estates all over the kingdom for the maintenance of the King, and the supply of the sacrifice in the temple. Tlrese were called Upsala-ode or estates, but are now called Kongs-gardar, or royal-estates. In Yngwe Frey's time, it is said there was peace over all the earth, and it is supposed that the Birth of Christ happened at this period. Yngwe Frey was interred at Upsala, where the cairns of many of the old Kings yet remain.

His statue, together with those of Odin and Thor, was set up in the Upsala temple. The people were collected there three times a year for sacrifice and counsel ; the greatest meeting was at Midwinter, and was called Allsharjarting, (the Meeting of the whole Host), or Ting allra Swia, (all Sweden's Ting or Assize), when the King standing upon one of the cairns or funereal heights, took counsel with all the people collected, heard their complaints, and laid his plans be fore them, with which they expressed content or dis satisfaction by loud cries, striking their shields, and clashing of arms. The descendants of this Yngwe Frey were called Ynglingar, after him, and were long presidents over the sacrifices in Upsala, as well as the possessors of su preme power in Sweden.

Chapter V. Agne Skeppsbo

The Ynglingar who reigned in Upsala were for merly called Drotts ; but Dyggve, the tenth in succes sion, first assumed the title of King. His grandson was called Agne. He was a great hero in war, and had many ships with which he made continual predatory expeditions or Wikingatag, for which reason he received the surname of Skjafrboandi or Skeppsbo (the Dweller in Ships). One summer he set forth with ad his troops to make a descent on Finland, where they com mitted great ravages. Froste, the leader of the Finns, collected a force and advanced against Agne. A severe conflict ensued, in which Froste fell with a considerable number of his people. Agne then marched round the country, subdued it, and on returning home carried with him Froste's daughter Skjalf, and his son Loge as prisoners. On his return to Sweden, he an chored his fleet at Stocksund, as the straits were then called, through which the Lake Malar empties itself into the sea, and where Stockholm is now situated.

At that time, this place was covered with thick dark forests. King Agne here celebrated his nuptials with Skjalf, and at her request, caused a funeral feast for her father to be held at the same time. King Agne wore round his neck a precious gold chain, which had been promised by one of Agne's ancestors as a dower to his bride ; but he afterwards rejected her, and refused the promised portion ; on which a witch decreed, as a punishment, that this chain should bring death to the chiefs of the Ynglingar. Agne had drunk much at Froste's funeral feast, and when he laid himself down to slumber in his tent, Skjalf bade him take care of his chain, whereon he fastened it tight round his neck. When he had fallen asleep, Skjalf bound a strong rope to the chain, and drew it up over the branches of a tree which stood above the tent.

With the assist ance of her men, she then hauled Agne up in the air, where he hung till he died. Herself, with Loge and the other Finns, stole on board their ships and returned to Finland. This is said to have happened at the place where Stockholm now stands, and the spot was long called Agnes-fit or Agnes-Strand in memory of the King. Agne's two sons, Alrik and Erik, took the kingdom after him, and the Swedish sceptre began now to be borne by two brothers, whereas till this time it had never had but one King.

Chapter I. Of King Ane The Old

The sixteenth King of the Ynglingar race was called Ane. He feared war, and therefore remained quietly at home in his own kingdom, being much addicted to sacrifice. He was conquered and driven out by two foreign Kings, but survived them both, and returned to the throne in Upsala. The last time he was one hun dred years old. It is said that he then every tenth year sacrificed one of his sons to Odin that he might live long, and that he received ten years' life for each son. Thus he sacrificed nine sons, and lived to one hundred and ninety ; but was so weak that he was obliged to lie in bed, and to suck nourishment from a horn like an infant. He notwithstanding desired a still longer life, and therefore ordered that his tenth son should be sacrificed ; but this the Swedes would not permit, and thus Ane died of old age, without sickness or pain ; whence such a death has been called after him Anesot, and was considered little commendable by our forefathers. Ane himself obtained the surname of Old.