Sweden: A Short Survey of the Kingdom of Sweden (London, 1632.)

The short passage written in 1632 pertains to the geographical, cultural, and political aspects of Sweden and it’s surroundings. Throughout the passage, the author describes the Provinces and Territories of Sweden as the source of power for the King as well as the country of Sweden. By describing the surrounding countries, the author is creating a comparison with Norway and Finland to Sweden. First, the author focuses on the geographical aspects for the reader to understand the area. The areas are described very thoroughly with latitude and longitude for the reader to understand the locations of the area. This could be due to the fact that this was written in the 1600’s and precise locations would be a way to locate the exact place rather than the country or city because boundaries change but their location doesn’t. The author then moves onto the people of various cities in Sweden. The author expresses that the King of Sweden rules the most when compared to the Duke of Russia or the Danish King, who had control of Norway in 1632.

Toward the end of the passage, the author switches over to mention the responsibilities of the Chancellor of the Kingdome. It states that the chancellor must consult with the natural inhabitants of the Kingdome and not with strangers (82). This illustrates the chances of various Kings who have let strangers within the realm showing that strangers that are lead into the Kingdome could overthrow the entire State. Leading to the end, the author simply concludes with the Kings of Sweden and their various deeds, which make Sweden fruitful. The author simply describes nobility and its standing with its neighbors.

The author’s constant mention of the “fruitfulness of Sweden”(30) illustrates that the author’s accounts are from his personal experience while traveling through Sweden. But it is not necessary that the author has also been to Norway and Finland. The evidence the author portrays for these Norway and Finland is through the author’s personal opinions on the countries, and not though this travels.

(NM 2006)