Storeys of Old.

Upsala in Sweden, and inviting thither learned men. He was succeeded by his nephew, Svante Nilsson Sture, who died in 1512. He also fought bravely against the Danes; the third Regent of the family was Sten Sture the Younger, who died in 1520 mortally wounded in battle with the Danes. [See Chamber's Ency., Vol. IX., p. 773.]

In 1434, the peasants of Dalecarlia, the most patriotic and liberty-loving people in the country, rose in revolt under a clever mine-owner, Englebrechtsson. They were quietened by the appointment of Karl Knudson, a Swedish noble, as Viceroy of Sweden, to govern in co-operation with Englebrechsson. On the death of King Erik's successor (Christopher) in 1448, Knudson was crowned King under the title of Charles the Eighth. After reigning nine years he was driven out of the country by Charles the First of Denmark, assisted by Archbishop Bengtsson (another form of Beensen), but he returned in 1467, and reigned until his death in 1470. During the next thirty-three years Sweden was ruled in an able and enlightened manner by Knudson's nephew, Sten Sture (q.v.). He was succeeded by his nephew, Svante Sture (1503), and Svante by his son, Sten Sture the Younger (1512-20). This ruler, as patriotic and able as his predecessors, was mortally wounded in battle with Christian II. of Denmark. [See Union of Calmar and Dalecarlia, Chamber's Ency., Vol. X., p. 8.] (Eastern Peninsula of Scandinavia.) Sten Sture the Younger was only 22 years of age when he was the head of the civil power. As Sten was the highest civilian at such an early age, so Trolle was the highest ecclesiastic when only 27. Sten Sture vanquished Christian II. of Denmark at Vedh, rased Stäke to the ground, and shut up Archbishop Trolle in a monastery at Vesteräs. On Midsummer Day, 1518, Christian II. appeared before Stockholm with his fleet, and was beaten by Sten at Bränkyra. In 1520 Christian again invaded Sweden; the armies clashed near Börgerund on Lake Aarunden. Sture, hit by a bullet, fled. Though mortally wounded, he took to his sledge and posted towards Stockholm. He died on the ice on Lake Malär two days after in his 24th year. [See Ency. Britannica, Vol. XXV., p. 1051.]

Count H. Wrangel, of 73, Portland Street, London, W., the Swedish Ambassador in reply to a letter asking for further information relating to the Sture family, advised his inquirer to write to Count Lewenkaupt, of Riksheraldikern, Riksarhivel, Stockholm. This nobleman was communicated with. This is his reply:-

"The first known ancestor of the Stures (three leaves in arms) was living here in Sweden about 1270. This family became extinct in 1503 with the Administrator of Sweden-Sten Sture.

"Another Sture family (cleared escutcheon) gained the dignity of Count in 1561, and was extinct 1616.

"The name, Sture, was assumed by a kinsman of the latter family, baronised 1720, extinct 1887.

"I do not know if any member of those families has migrated over to England or Scotland.

"A Sture family has been living in Denmark, but they have never counted kin with the Swedish Sture families.

"Yours truly,

"COUNT LEWENKAUPT."