r all his labors insurrection had sprung up on every
hand, till now, the Dalesmen having once again rebelled, he was
determined that he would no longer be their king. They charged him now
with imposing heavy taxes, with keeping up the price of food, with
billeting his soldiers in the towns and monasteries, with robbing
churches and confiscating religious property, with favoring new creeds
and sanctioning new customs. All these charges were untrue. He had
commanded that nothing should be preached except the Word of God; but
his orders had not been obeyed, for the people preferred to cling to
their ancient customs, whether right or wrong. As it was impossible,
under the present system, to avoid continual rebellion, he wished to
retire from the government. If they desired him to remain, some method
must be found to increase the royal income. He was at present wholly
unable to pay the expenses of his army, for war had grown to be a much
more costly matter than it was in former days. Other expenses, too, were
very heavy. The cost of embassies to foreign powers was a serious drain
upon his revenue. Moreover, the royal castles had all sunk into decay
and must be rebuilt; and if he married the daughter of some foreign
prince, a vast outlay would be required. The nobility also were
impoverished through constant warfare, and were calling on the crown for
aid. His present income was twenty-four thousand marks per annum, while
his expenses in round numbers amounted to sixty thousand marks.[156]

At the close of this address Gustavus called upon the knights and
bishops to reply. Although the monarch's speech had not in terms
denounced the bishops, it was clear to all men that his purpose was to
humble them. The duty of making answer, therefore, naturally fell to
Brask. That venerable prelate rose, and with his usual complaisance
declared that, having sworn allegiance to his gracious lord the king, he
felt in duty bound to honor his commands. He had, however, by his oath
of office promised to do nothing contrary to the will of Rome; and since
the pope had ordered him and the other prelates to defend all property,
whether real or personal, of the holy Church, they must not consent to
sacrifice their rights. But he would promise that any deacons, priests,
or monks who might devise tricks or superstitious practices not
prescribed by their superiors, should be ordered to desist and should be
punished.[157]

At this, Gustavus demanded of