Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnny1A.2
Who did the banning? Who did the monarchs have to answer in those days?
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The
Swedish Privy Council (Marshal, Admiral, Treasurer, Chancellor and Chief Justice). This was before the advent of absolute monarchy. Charles IX had died from a stroke soon after the exchange of notes, so the Swedish throne was occupied by Gustav II Adolf (age 19; and there hadn't been a formal coronation ceremony yet; that had to wait until 1617). The Swedish king was fairly powerful - Charles IX had beheaded most of the top nobles in order to take control of the country - but Christian IV's ability to do what he wanted was sharply restricted by constitutional means. IIRC, the war wasn't officially between the King of Denmark and Sweden, but actually between the Count of Holstein-Gottorp and Sweden, and Christian IV had to pay for everything himself. Peter or Hans may know more. Absolute monarchs didn't become a thing until the second half of the 17th century.
The Swedish king was dependent on the
Riksdag of the Estates for foreign policy, be able to conscript soldiers and take out extra taxes for wars.
Edit edit: Having consulted with the history professor who gave the lesson I heard on this, he says that while the Privy Council couldn't absolutely
ban the kings from attending, they could tell them in very strong terms that it would be unwise and beneath the kings to attend. And you can probably find stories like these about most 15th-16th-17th century monarchies - it's just that I happen to love history and read voraciously. And Sweden is relatively unaffected by patriotism, so we don't hide embarassing events like these. For instance, did you know that England had a king who believed he was made of glass?