142 BISHOPS IN OLDEN TIMES. 



In those days, the riches and power of the Swedish 

 bishops, and the splendid style in which they lived, almost 

 exceeded credence. The greater portion of them belonged 

 to the noblest and wealthiest families of the land, and prior 

 to their induction were therefore possessed of both influence 

 and wealth. When to these advantages were added the 

 consideration and reverence attached to their high rank in 

 the Church, and the incomes of their sees, which were 

 always very large, and often princely, their position was far 

 above that of any other class in the community. In the 

 council-chamber, the seat of the Archbishop was placed above 

 that of the Regent ; and even a Bishop took precedence of 

 every one else. They had their Borgar, or fortified palaces, 

 and held splendid courts, where the sons of poor noblemen 

 officiated as pages, or played the part of courtiers. They had 

 also vast numbers of retainers, servants, horses, &c., and fared 

 most sumptuously every day. When journeying through 

 the country, their cortege used at one time to be so incon- 

 veniently large, that a law was enacted restricting them to 

 thirty horses. Many of the bishops, not content with 

 wearing the mitre, wielded the sword ; and not a few greatly 

 distinguished themselves in the field. Speaking generally, 

 they forgot their sacred calling, and not only neglected the 

 spiritual welfare of their flocks, but under the mask of 

 holiness, led voluptuous and scandalous lives. With habits 

 such as these, it is little to be wondered at that they were 

 so often found in opposition to the governing powers, and 

 mixed up in the feuds and insurrections that at that period 

 so distracted the country. 



Great, however, as was the state and magnificence which 

 the bishops of those days kept up, they were very far 



