Source:
A journal of the Swedish ambassy, volume 2, pages 269 to 270, by Bulstrode Whitelocke, published in 1772
The diary entry excerpt:
... The isle of Oeland is neer the continent, extending itselfe in length by the shore eighteen swedish miles, butt hath not in breadth, in any place, above two swedish miles. This is the place where the prince of Sweden, now king, used to make his residence, in a fayre castle, built of stone of this island, not inferior to marble: these stones are in great request for pavements, pillars, and other uses and ornaments in building. The pillars of the king's chappell att Stockholme, great and high, well polished, and of divers colours, were brought from this island, and they have many of these stones in the buildings of the great lords.
This island is a place of the most field pleasure of any in this countrey, being open, and stored with red and fallow deer, with hares, and conies, and with partridges, which are scarce in other parts; butt heer the game is preserved for the prince's pleasure.
The isle of Gotland is about fourteen swedish miles in length, and five in breadth. It antiently belonged to the Swedes, till the Danes tooke it from them, and kept the possession of it, till the late warres between those two crownes, when the Swedes recovered it from the Dane; and, by the peace after that warre, the treaty left it to the Swede, and allowed for it the isle of Burnholme to the Dane, being neerer his dominions.
They report, that heertofore Gotland (belonging to the Gothes, from whom it hath the name) was famous for the traffique of all these quarters, and had in it a large towne called Wisby, where formerly certaine lawes were instituted touching the sea, which are observed to this day. Butt Lubec, and other towns on that side, having gott the trade from hence, and the sea, by inundations, having much diminished this isle, both it and the towne are become butt of smalle consideration. ...
With modernised spelling:
... The isle of Öland is near the continent, extending itself in length by the shore eighteen swedish miles, but hath not in breadth, in any place, above two Swedish miles. This is the place where the Prince of Sweden, now King, used to make his residence, in a fair castle built of stone of this island, not inferior to marble; these stones are in great request for pavements, pillars and other uses and ornaments in building. The pillars of the King's chapel at Stockholm, great and high, well polished, and of diverse colours, were brought from this island, and they have many of these stones in the buildings of the great lords.
This island is a place of the most field pleasure of any in this country, being open and stored with red and fallow deer, with hares and conies, and with partridges, which are scarce in other parts; but here the game is preserved for the Prince's pleasure.
The isle of Gotland is about fourteen Swedish miles in length, and five in breadth. It anciently belonged to the Swedes till the Danes took it from them and kept the possession of it till the late wars between those two Crowns, when the Swedes recovered it from the Dane; and, by the peace after that war, the treaty left it to the Swede and allowed for it the isle of Burnholm to the Dane, being nearer his dominions.
They report, that heretofore Gotland (belonging to the Goths, from whom it hath the name) was famous for the traffic of all these quarters and had in it a large town called Visby, where formerly certain laws were instituted touching the sea, which are observed to this day. But Lübeck and other towns on that side, having got the trade from hence, and the sea, by inundations, having much diminished this isle, both it and the town are become but of small consideration. ...
Note: Burnholm = Bornholm.
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