EUROPEAN. 231 



6. We shall commence the History of Northern Europe with 

 that of Norway and Sweden; concluding it with that of Poland and 

 Russia. Sweden had its kings of Upsal, as early as the fifth century ; 

 and they claimed descent from Odin, (or Woden) ; who appears to 

 have flourished before the Christian era. Sweden is said to have 

 been united with Denmark, under Gormo I., in 714, and until the 

 death of Ragner Lodbrog ; but no longer. A more settled govern- 

 ment was established in 994, by Olaf, (Olof or Olaus), its first 

 Christian monarch. In 1250, Eric XL, first of the house of Fol- 

 kung, subdued the interior of Finland. In 1363, the Swedes rebelled 

 against Magnus III., (Smek), and gave the crown to Albert of 

 Mecklenburg: but he fell in the battle of Falkoping, in 1388 ; and 

 Sweden became subject to Queen Margaret of Denmark. In 1448, 

 the Swedes and Norwegians seceded, and elected Charles VIII., 

 (Karl Knutsen), to be their king. Christian II. of Denmark, again 

 united the three countries, in 1520; but his tyranny produced the 

 Swedish Revolution, in 1523, which placed Gustavus Vasa (Wasa) 

 on the throne of Sweden, thenceforward a prominent state. 



Gustavus Jldolphus engaged in the Thirty years' war, in support 

 of Protestantism ; but fell in the battle of Liitzen, in 1632, in the 

 midst of his success against the Imperialists. His daughter, Christi- 

 na, resigned the crown, in 1654, to Charles X., (Gustavus), of Deux 

 Ponts. Charles XII., the rash and brave, being called to defend his 

 territories, humbled Denmark in 1700, and Poland in 1703 ; but he 

 was at length defeated by Peter the Great of Russia, at Pultowa, in 

 1709; which event decided the result of the Northern War, so 

 called. Jldolphm Frederick, of Holstein, succeeded the house of 

 Vasa, in 1751 ; and took a slight part in the Seven years' war. In 

 1810, Charles XIII. accepted the nomination of the French marshal, 

 John Bernadotte, (Prince of Ponte Corvo), to be crown prince ; and 

 this officer succeeded, in 1818, to the Swedish throne, under the 

 title of Charles XIV. ; with the consent of the allied powers, whom 

 Sweden had ultimately aided against Bonaparte. 



Norway, appears to have been united with Sweden, till its con- 

 quest was begun by Sweyn, and completed by Canute of Denmark, 

 in 1028. It became independent again, soon after; and had its 

 separate line of kings, till Hacon, (Hakon, Haquin, or Hager), king 

 of Norway, married Margaret, daughter of Waldemar III. of Den- 

 mark, in 1363. Hacon died in 1380 ; when Margaret became queen 

 of Norway, and on the death of her son, Olaf 'IV., (Olave or Olaus), 

 in 1387, she became also queen of Denmark; as in the following 

 year, of Sweden. Norway, with Sweden, seceded from Denmark, 

 in 1448 : but these countries were again united, in 1520, under 

 Christian II. of Denmark ; and from this time Norway continued in 

 union with Denmark, till 1814, when by the peace of Kiel, it was 

 again united to Sweden. 



Poland, became a duchy, A. D. 842, under Piast ; and was con- 

 verted to Christianity about 964, under Duke Mieczyslas, of the 

 Piast family. Its first king was Boleslas I., (Chrobry), called the 

 Terrible; who crowned himself, in 1024, the last year of his reign. 

 Boleslas III., in 1138, divided the kingdom among his sons; and 



