ABSTRACT
On 26 August 1617, Gustavus welcomed the Diet which had assembled in Stockholm for his coronation. His speech was for the most part devoted to celebrating the victory over the Russians, and to pointing out the advantages, strategic and economic, which the Peace of Stolbova had secured; but it contained also other matter of significance. The Peace, he told them,
affords us the opportunity once more to establish that good order, and those good laws, which this country formerly enjoyed, but which of late have been much in abeyance, and through these long-continued wars as it were forgotten. The laws and statutes that we have are indeed good; but by long misrule have fallen quite out of use. Courts are indeed held, in every province and county, but it is but little justice that the commonalty gets from them; whence it comes that lawlessness prevails over law and right. Have I not set my face against such things? Indeed, as God is my witness, I have done what I could. By proclamations and beneficent ordinances I have as it were raised the law from the dead. What, then, has made them ineffective, and thwarted my intent to provide justice? What but the war, which has put obstacles in the way, and strengthened the forces of disorder?
