This was the turning-point in his life, for the peasantry now flocked around him from every side; and before another year had passed, many of the strongest posts of the enemy had fallen into his hands, and he wits able to enter upon the siege of Stock holm, which terminated in 1523, when Christian H. was compelled by his enraged subjects to resign the crown, and retire from Denmark. His forcible abdication brought the Scandinavian union to a sudden close, after it lied existed for a period of 120 years; for when Frederick I., the successor of Christian, demanded his recognition in Sweden, conformably to the union of Calmar, the Swedes declared at the diet of Strengnaes that they would have no other king but Gustavus Ericsson. But although Gustavus was at once recognized as king, he was not crowned till two years later. in consequence of his unwillingness to receive the crown from the hands of the Romish bishops. The king early showed his determination to favor the Lutheran doctrines, and to cripple the power of the Roinish clergy, on Within he laid a large proportion of the heavy imposts raised to meet the expenses of the war; and although his opinions were for a long time not favorably received by the people, he finally succeeded ia establishing the reformation in Sweden.
The disaffection of the peasantry, who threatened to destroy the nobility, and the imprudence of ihe Lutheran clergy, who tried to force the people to adopt the reformed doctrines, combined to thwart many of Gustavus's schemes for the improvement of the country, while his latter years were disturbed and embittered by the jealousy and dis sensions of his sons, Eric and John. Yet. notwithstanding these sources of disquietude, Gustavus effected more than any other Swedish monarch has ever done for the welfare of the people. He had found Sweden a wilderness, devoid of all cultivation, and N prey to the turbulence of the people and the rapacity of the nobles; and after forty years' rule, he left, it a peaceful and civilized realm, with a full exchequer, and a well organized army of 15,000 men, and a good fleet, which were both his creations. Ile
promoted trade at home and abroad. Every profession and trade received his attention and fostering care, and schools and colleges owed their revival, after the decay of the older Roman Catholic institutions, to him. He made commercial treaties with fo'reign nations, and established fairs for foreign traders. In his reign, roads and bridges were made in every part of the country, and canals begun, one of which has only recently been brought to completion. In his relations with his subjects, Gustavus was firm, and sometimes severe, but seldom unjust, except in his dealings towards the Burnish clergy, whom he despoiled with something like rapacity of all their lands and funds. He did much, however, to promote the cause of Lutheranism, although he took care that the reformed clergy should be dependent on the crown, and enjoy only very moderate emolu ments. To him the various tribes of Lapps were indebted for the diffusion of Chris tianity among them by Lutheran missionaries; while the Finns owed to him the first works of instruction, Bibles, and hymn-books printed in their own language. Gustavus was methodical, just, moral, and abstemious in his mode of life; an able administrator; and, with the exception of a tendency to avarice, possessed few qualities that are unworthy of esteem. He was three times married, and had ten children. The name of Vasa, which has been supposed to be an ancient patronymic in his family, but erroneously, since surnames were not in use among the Swedish nobility until a later date, was adopted by him subsequently to his accession, and is conjectured by the his torian Gejer (q. v.) and others to have been probably derived from his arms, which bore originally a black fascine used in storming, and afterwards drawn like a vase, but changed by Gustavus to yellow, from whence it came to be mistaken for a sheaf.- By an act of the diet of 1544, at Westeraas, the crown was declared hereditary in the male descendants of Gustavus; in conformity with which, his eldest son Eric (q. v.) suc ceeded to the throne on his death in 1500.