Historian Joakim Scherp believes that the Swedish state got an open channel to its citizens with Gustav Vasa. It is one of the reasons why the king became so important to Sweden as a strong and independent state.
– There were no longer any nobles who stood between the royal power and the subjects, but it was the king’s bailiffs who managed the direct contact. This created great legitimacy for the royal power, who knew what people thought and thought out in the villages, and they also tried to influence that.
In addition to the celebrations during National Day, Gustav Vasa’s 500th anniversary will be celebrated at Gripsholm Castle in August. Conference will be Fredrik Lindström.
What do you think Gustav Vasa would have thought had appeared during the celebration?
– I think he would have been surprised at how badly dressed people are and that you don’t have balloon pants, silk stockings and gold embroidery anymore, says Fredrik Lindström and continues:
– He would also have difficulty understanding Swedish, with which a lot has happened in 500 years.