y determined to check their power, resolved to hesitate no
longer. They therefore despatched a messenger to Hans, inviting him to a
congress of the three realms to be held at midsummer of the following
year, when, as they gave him reason to expect, the Kalmar Recess should
be put into effect. This news being brought to Sture in Finland, he set
forth post-haste for Sweden, and called a meeting of the Cabinet. The
members failed to appear on the day appointed, and when at last they
came, they were accompanied by a large body of armed retainers. At a
session held in Stockholm on the 7th of March, the Cabinet declared
Sture deposed, assigning as reasons, first, that he had mismanaged the
war with Russia, and, secondly, that he had maltreated certain of the
Swedish magnates. The regent waited two days before making a reply, and
then informed the Cabinet that, as he had been appointed to the regency
by joint action of the Cabinet and people, he felt bound to hold it till
requested by the same powers to lay it down. The Cabinet had nothing for
it but to acquiesce, and letters were issued summoning a general diet.
That diet, however, was never held. On the very day when the Cabinet
made its armistice with Sture, Hans put forth a declaration of war, and
at once proceeded with his fleet to Kalmar. The enemies of Sture now
openly embraced the Danish cause; and the regent was forced to go to
Dalarne, to get together a force with which to defend the kingdom. Here
he was received with enthusiasm by the people, who saw in him the
defender of their rights. At the head of a detachment of Dalesmen,
reinforced by his army now recalled from Finland, he marched to Upsala,
and laid siege to the archbishop's palace. By the middle of July it
fell; and Sture advanced to Staeket, a strongly fortified castle of the
archbishop, about thirty miles south of Upsala. While beleaguering this
place, he learned that a portion of the Danish forces were advancing on
the capital. He therefore relinquished the siege of Staeket, and
proceeded to Stockholm, where he held himself in readiness to repel the
enemy. On the 29th of September, being led by a ruse outside the city,
he was surrounded by the Danes, and was able to recover the castle only
after heavy loss. This battle sealed his fate. Finding himself far
outnumbered, he deemed it wise to yield; and on the 6th of October,
1497, Hans was recognized by him as king.

The reign of Hans lasted about four years.