NUMBERS ARE DOOMED. 163 



The Tyrant was highly gratified at getting possession of 

 this document, considering that it would be legal evidence 

 against those whose signatures were attached, all of whom in 

 consequence were at once put on their defence. 



Bishop Brask was the first ; but when he exhibited to his 

 judges the slip of paper hidden under the wax seal, on which 

 was written : " To this I am necessitated and compelled," 

 he was acquitted. 



The Bishop Otto, who was next put upon his trial, from 

 some cause or other also escaped condemnation. 



Then came the Bishops Mattias and Vincentius; and 

 after them the members of the Privy Council, amongst 

 the rest the father of Gustavus, and his brother-in-law, 

 Joakim Brahe, all of whom were doomed. Many noble- 

 men and gentlemen followed, numbers of whom were also 

 sentenced. Nor did several individuals who had traitorously 

 gone over to Christian, and afterwards rendered him essential 

 service, fare better than the rest ; for independently of being 

 amongst the most influential men in Sweden, the greater 

 part had formerly been adherents of the Stures : an un- 

 pardonable crime in the eyes of Christian. 



Before the close of the proceedings the King left the hall 

 of judgment ; but his minions went on with the trials until 

 so late an hour in the evening, that lights were obliged to 

 be brought into the apartment. 



At length several of Christian's high officers, preceded and 

 followed by soldiers bearing swords and torches, entered the 

 hall, and selected from amongst the multitude the doomed 

 individuals. The Bishops were somewhat better cared for 

 than the rest; but the other prisoners, consisting of Privy 

 Councillors, noblemen and gentlemen, clergymen, the three 



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