and from a prisoner who was taken, Sture
learned definitely that the object of the expedition was to go to the
relief of Staeket. On this news Sture sent some members of the Cabinet to
Staeket to inform the archbishop that the Danish force was now off
Stockholm, and to urge him in behalf of the town of Stockholm to send
word to the Danish force that it could count on no aid from him, as he
was resolved to remain true to his native land. But this final appeal to
the archbishop's honor met with no response. The fleet meantime had
approached the capital, and was riding at anchor about two miles down
the stream. There the whole force landed, intending to march direct to
Staeket. But the young regent was again ahead of them. Scarce had they
set foot on shore when he fell upon them with his army. The conflict was
sharp and bitter, but at last the regent came off victorious. The Danes
were driven headlong to their ships, leaving many of their number dead
upon the shore, while others fell captives into the hand of Sture. This
was a red-letter day in the calendar of the regent, and is specially
memorable as being the first occasion on which the young Gustavus drew
sword in behalf of his native land.[27]

Elated by his victory, the regent now opened communications once more
with Trolle. With a view to frighten him into submission, he sent some
of the Danish captives to Staeket, that the archbishop might hear from
his own allies the story of their disaster. Even at this the proud
spirit of the archbishop was not humbled. He still persisted in his
determination not to yield, and it was only when his own officers began
to leave him that he signified his willingness to withdraw from Staeket
and retire to the duties of his cathedral. But now it was Sture's turn
to dictate. He answered curtly that a murderer could no longer be
archbishop, and proceeded at once to summon a general diet of the
kingdom. This diet met at Stockholm in the last days of November. It was
a notable gathering. Among those present were four of the six
bishops,--all except the bishops of Vexioe and Skara,--of laymen, Hemming
Gad and the father of young Gustavus, besides some ten other knights and
armigers, the burgomaster and Council of Stockholm, and a large number
of delegates from the peasantry. Before this assembly the archbishop
appeared, under safe-conduct from the regent, to plead his cause. Among
the witnesses produced in favor of the crown was a Danish of