a Christian nobleman,
provided you will allow me so to do; and I have never purposed
otherwise." Still, however, the Chapter prevaricated, and gave no
answer; till finally the regent sent them his ultimatum, closed, like
all his letters, with the modest signature, "Sten Sture, soldier."[24]

On New Year's day, 1517, the Cabinet met at Arboga, where a general diet
of the kingdom was gathering to discuss the state of affairs concerning
Denmark. At this meeting, as at the one preceding, none of the
archbishop's followers were present. So soon as the Cabinet had
separated, the regent, in compliance with their suggestion, sent envoys
once more to Trolle, urging him to renounce his allegiance to the Danish
king and to surrender Staeket. To this the stubborn archbishop answered
that he would not yield Staeket so long as his heart beat within him. He
then turned his guns upon the regent's envoys, and fired on them as they
withdrew. A few days later the regent learned from one of Trolle's
officers whom he had taken prisoner that the archbishop had received a
letter from King Christiern promising all who gave their aid in
establishing him on the throne a double recompense for any loss incurred
in the attempt. No time was, therefore, to be lost. Collecting a force
with all haste from different parts of Sweden, the regent advanced on
Staeket to besiege the castle. Immediately on their arrival, Trolle sent
out word that he desired a parley. This was granted, and the archbishop
came outside the walls to a spot before the Swedish camp. In the course
of the discussion, Trolle, perhaps with a view to intimidate the regent,
declared that he had within the castle a letter from King Christiern
announcing that he would come to the relief before the 1st of May. But
the young regent was not so easily to be intimidated. His terms were
that Trolle and his men might withdraw unharmed from Staeket, and that
the archbishop might continue in possession of the Cathedral of Upsala
and all the privileges of his office; but that the Castle of Staeket,
long a prolific source of discord, should remain in the hands of Sture
till a tribunal composed of clergy as well as laity could determine
whether it should belong to Church or State, or be demolished as a
source of discord. These terms were not accepted, and the siege
continued. All through the winter and spring the Swedish army bivouacked
outside the walls; and Trolle, ever looking for aid from Denmark,