Here Gustavus began his preparations for his great undertaking. With unwearying zeal ho went from house to house, and from hut to hut, filling the hearts of the rough mountaineers with hatred against the tyranny of Christian. His eloquence was so powerful, that he soon found himself surrounded with a number of resolute combatants. With this force he marched towards Stockholm; his strength increased. with each step, for every one participated in the disgust and hatred produced by the cruelties of the blood-thirsty Dane. In May 1521 Erickson was at the head of 15,000 men; and after a bloody battle, took the town and fortress of Westeras. Victory crowned the arms of the Dalecarlians, to whom the inhabitants of the plains of Sweden quickly united themselves. Christian exhausted himself in powerless threats, while one town after another fell into the hands of Gustavus. At length, after various vicissitudes, and after besieging it three times, Stockholm fell into the hands of Gustavus, and Christian was forced to withdraw to Denmark. The nation which he had freed, in their grateful enthusiasm, offered Gustavus the crown of Sweden, but he declined to accept the sovereignty over his countrymen. Under the
title of Stadtholder however he conducted the government of Sweden. But the adherents of the Roman Cathelle party and the expelled king of Denmark etill continued to disturb the country by their intrigues, and the Swedes became convinced that it was only by the fixed authority of a monarchical form of government, and by putting the power In the hands of Gustavus, that their country could obtain peace and security. Accordingly they again solicited Gustavus to ascend the throne ; and in June 1527 he was solemnly crowned king of Sweden, and thus became the founder of a new dynasty.
Gustavus Vasa reigned in Sweden upwards of thirty-three years. During this long period he displayed such virtues and talents for government, that he acquired fresh and imperishable claims upon the gratitude of his country ; and his memory is still cherished by every Swede. He died in 1559, and was succeeded by his son Erick XIV.
(Comte Sally, La Vie de Gustave Erickson, 1807; Geachichte von Dalekartien, aus dem Schwedischen, 1813.)