tion was
addressed to them. He would have still preferred, he said, to delay his
coronation till the summer of 1528; but fearing that at that time he
should be too busy, he had resolved to have the rite performed soon
after Christmas, and the day he fixed at January 6. Invitations were
then sent out to all the noblemen of the realm, who were instructed also
to appear with all their retinues, and to bring their wives and
daughters with them. Each town was asked to send two delegates to the
coronation, and a certain number of persons were to represent the
different parishes throughout the land. Sheep, geese, and hens were
ordered in enormous quantities to be collected by the royal stewards for
the festival. These the thrifty monarch arranged should be provided by
the parishes themselves. Lest the Dalesmen, already somewhat irritated,
should have new cause for discontent, Gustavus wrote them that they need
not take part in the contribution, nor even send their representatives
if they did not feel inclined.[173]

Although the Swedish Church was practically severed from the Church of
Rome, a doubt still lingered in the monarch's mind as to the propriety
of a coronation by prelates whose authority had not been sanctioned by
the pope. Therefore, to remove all chance of contest, he directed that
those bishops who had not received their confirmation should be
sanctified through laying on of hands by those who had. As a matter of
fact the only bishops whose authority had been derived from Rome were
the bishops of Vexioe and Vesteras. The former was too old to undertake
the active duties of his office. The bishop of Vesteras was selected,
therefore, to consecrate the bishops of Skara, Strengnaes, and Abo. This
was effected on the 5th of January,--just before the coronation festival
began.[174]

The gorgeous ceremony was performed, according to ancient practice, in
the Cathedral of Upsala. Representatives from every portion of the realm
were present, and the huge edifice was filled from choir to nave with
all the wealth and beauty that the land could boast. It was the final
tribute of gratitude to one whose ceaseless energy had saved the nation
from long years of tyranny. Never had the Swedish people been more
deeply bounden to revere their ruler. If in the annals of all history a
king deserved to wear a crown, Gustavus Vasa was that king. The honor,
however, was not all his own. The ceremony of coronation over, Gustavus
selected