END OF CHRISTIAN. 197 



Almost immediately after the " Blod-bad," the Tyrant 

 returned to Denmark ; nor did he again visit Sweden 

 during the war of independence, which lasted for about 

 two years. During this time, as well as at an after-period, 

 his cruel and atrocious proceedings made him so detested 

 in Denmark, that at length the nobility of Jutland took 

 counsel together, and withdrawing their allegiance from 

 him, conferred the crown on his uncle, Duke Frederick, of 

 Holstein. He was therefore obliged to fly the country, and 

 to take refuge in Holland, where, and in Germany, he 

 remained for several years, endeavouring the while to induce 

 the Emperor, Charles V., and others, to assist him in re- 

 covering his lost sceptre. And he at length so far succeeded, 

 that they provided him with an army of from ten to twelve 

 thousand men, with which he made a descent on Norway. 

 At first fortune favoured him ; but at length, after several 

 reverses, he was taken prisoner by the Danes, who carried 

 him to Copenhagen. Soon after his arrival, he was conveyed 

 to the Castle of Sonderburg, situated on the island of Femern, 

 and together with a dwarf, his especial favourite, was thrust 

 into a dark and confined cell, unprovided with any kind of 

 convenience. The door of the prison was then walled up, 

 and the only light that found its way into it entered by means 

 of an aperture in the wall, through which indeed the food 

 of the captives, scanty as it was, was conveyed to them. 

 In this deplorable place, and without any very great amelio- 

 ration of his lot, the Tyrant remained for twelve long years ; 

 but at the expiration of that time namely, in 1544 

 the door of his dungeon was again opened, so that he 

 obtained a supply of fresh air ; and several little indulgences 

 were also granted to him, though under the same strict 

 surveillance as before. In the year 1549, however, being 



