The next day brought a bloody conflict, in which Spits’ sword was not idle until the evening and the conclusion of the battle, when the king asked for him.
“Here I am,” answered Spits, bowing before him.
“Let me see your sword,” said the king, “and know what services you have done this day.”
“Here it is,” said Spits, at the same time reaching for the weapon covered with blood.
“Good!” said the king. “I’ll gild this sword for you.” Whereupon he knighted him and commanded that he should be called “The Spits of Gyllenspits.” [[143]]
[1] The ennobled Gyllenspits was born at Speserund, in the parish of Millisvik, in Vermland, some time in the year 1609. During the Polish and German wars he made his way up from the ranks to lieutenant-colonel, and was made a noble in 1660. He was afterward colonel, and finally major-general of infantry. He died in 1679, and is buried in Sunne Church, in Vermland. [↑]
Lady Rangela of Edsholm.
A few miles west of Karlstad, on a little island near Slottsbrosund, was located, in former days, an old fortress called Asa, or Edsholm Castle, otherwise notorious as the residence of the cruel stewards of Vestersysslet.