337.
Theodore.
Theodore, Archbishop of Lunden, is thus characterized by Vertot:
"L'Archevêque de Lunden avoit beaucoup de part dans sa confiance. C'étoit un homme de basse naissance, sans érudition, et même sans habileté; mais savant dans l'art d'inventer de nouveaux plaisirs, et qui en connoissoit également tous les sécrèts et les assaisonnemens. Il étoit redevable de sa faveur et de son élevation à Sigebritte (the well-known mistress of Christiern): elle l'avoit d'abord introduit à la cour pour lui servir d'espion: il passa ensuite tout d'un coup (here we must suspect some exaggeration), par le crédit de cette femme, de la fonction de Barbier du Prince à la dignité d'Archevêque, et il se maintint dans sa faveur en presentant à Christierne des plaisirs qu'il savoit accommoder à son goût." P. 108, 109, Amst. ed.
Christiern, having first employed Theodore in an official commission, appointed him Administrator of Sweden in his absence. On the news of the Swedish rebellion, that prelate, fearful of losing the ample opportunities he now possessed of indulging his voluptuousness and rapacity, sent an immediate express to his master, who ordered him to assemble his army, and attack the insurgents. In conformity to these orders, he occupied an advantageous post on the banks of the river Brunebec: Gustavus was on the opposite side, and he intended to dispute the passage with him. But, through natural cowardice, or a sudden fit of alarm, he quitted his station, like Hector; and flying for safety from one fortress to another, was at last obliged, like Trolle, to take refuge in Denmark.
371.
The factious souls, &c.
While Christiern was exercising his cruelty towards the Swedes, the Danish nobility, offended at his usurping absolute power, combined against him under the auspices of Prince Frederic, and finally succeeded in expelling him from Denmark. The rebellion began in Jutland.
429.
Their strong and persevering bands explore, &c.