Protestantism in Sweden and Denmark - James Aitken Wylie

enemies, the bishops namely, who retired to their
dioceses, fortified themselves in their castles, and
made light of the authority of the newly-elected
sovereign. Christopher, Count of Oldenburg, also
raised the standard of revolt in behalf of Christian
II. The wealth of the religious houses, the gold and
silver ornaments of the cathedrals, and even the
bells of the churches, coined into money, were
freely expended in carrying on the war against the
king. Much labor and treasure, and not a little
blood, did it cost to reduce the warlike count and
the rebellious prelates.[8] But at last the task was
accomplished, though it was not till a whole year
after his election that Christian was able to enter on
the peaceable possession of his kingdom. His first
step, the country being quieted, was to summon
(1536) a meeting of the Estates at Copenhagen.
The king addressed the assembly in a speech in
which he set forth the calamities which the bishops
had brought upon the nation, by their opposition to
the laws, their hatred of the Reformed doctrine, and
their ceaseless plottings against the peace and order
of the commonwealth, and he laid before the Diet
the heads of a decree which he submitted for its
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