he had reaped
a splendid harvest; and had now been carrying on his business about two
years in Denmark. On every church he had affixed a chest with notice
that all who would contribute to the sacred cause should receive full
absolution from their sins. It certainly was a tempting offer, and one
which the unwary believers in the papal authority were not slow to
seize. They poured in their contributions with a lavish hand, and the
legate soon amassed a princely fortune. At last, however, his goods
began to be a drug upon the market, and he prepared to transfer his
headquarters to another land. It was about this time, early in the
winter of 1518, that Christiern made up his mind to suggest a truce with
Sweden, and the grand idea occurred to him of enlisting the papal legate
in his service. He summoned the pardon-monger without delay, and
suggested that he should mediate with Sture. To this suggestion
Arcimboldo, by no means averse to turning an honest penny, gave his
assent. He sat down at once and wrote a letter to the regent,
instructing him that the pope desired to see peace made between the
kingdoms. He therefore, as ambassador from his Holiness, suggested that
Sture should observe a truce by land with Denmark till the 23d of April
next, and in the mean time should send delegates to the town of Lund
with full power to make a lasting peace between the kingdoms. To this
proposal the legate added that Christiern had given his consent. This
document was handed to the regent about the middle of February. He sent
back a despatch at once, thanking the legate for his efforts in behalf
of peace, and expressing a wish to accede in general to the proposition.
It would not be possible, however, to send delegates to a congress on so
short a notice. Before doing so it would be necessary to hold a general
diet, so that the people of Sweden might vote upon the matter; and as
some of the members would have to come from Finland, the diet could not
be held unless the truce was extended so as to embrace the sea. But he
should be pleased if Arcimboldo would effect a lasting treaty between
the kingdoms, or even a truce by sea and land to continue for the life
of Christiern. He, on his part, would summon a general diet as soon as
possible, with a view to bring about a lasting peace. Thus the peace
negotiations came to naught. Christiern had no intention of consenting
to a lasting peace, and Sture was not to be inveigled into a truce which
ha