was in command of a daring and
ambitious youth of nineteen, known to history as Sten Sture the Younger.
He was Svante's son, and in the preceding year had married Christina
Gyllenstjerna, a great-granddaughter of King Karl Knutsson. Immediately
on hearing of his father's death, he hastened to Vesteras, took
possession of the castle, and despatched a messenger to convey the news
to Stockholm. On the 8th of January the steward of Stockholm Castle
declared his readiness to yield the command to Sture, and within a day
or two the castles of Stegeborg and Kalmar were also given up. The
energy with which this chivalrous youth seized the helm is all the more
astounding when we reflect that he stood almost alone against the
Cabinet. He could not even ask the advice of Gad, his father's trusty
friend, for that doughty patriot was at the moment outside the realm.
But his zeal won him numerous friends among the younger magnates, and
the peasantry throughout the country were on his side. All winter long
the battle raged between the two factions, but meantime Sture
continually grew in favor. No general diet of the kingdom was summoned,
but it was understood on every hand that the matter would be submitted
to the people when they came together on St. Erik's day at Upsala. On
that day, May 18, the archbishop and his followers addressed the people
in the Grand Square at Upsala, and announced that the Cabinet had
resolved to raise Erik Trolle to the regency. But they were met by
shouts from the crowd, who declared that they would have no Danes.
Meantime Sture had been holding a mass-meeting on the so-called Royal
Meadow outside the town, and had been enthusiastically applauded by the
people. Even yet, however, the conflict did not cease. The Cabinet still
clamored for Erik Trolle, and it was not till the 23d of July, when
every hope was gone, that they finally gave way and recognized Sture as
regent. Sture now set forth on a journey through Sweden and Finland,
receiving everywhere the allegiance of the people. All at last seemed in
his favor, when suddenly, on the 20th of February, 1513, the face of
things was changed by the unexpected death of Hans.

Before considering the effect of this catastrophe, let us return to the
little boy whom we last saw on his father's estate at Rydboholm. Even he
was not wholly outside the conflict. His father, Erik, whom we find in
1488 subscribing his name as a knight,[5] took an active part in the
commo