general background – mia korpiola 35 the Law of the Realm promulgated by King Christopher (III) of Bavaria (r. 1441 – 1448) decreed: “[the king] may use in his realm the highest judicial power, given to him by God, over all secular judges and hear the complaints of the common people […].”66 At times, Swedish medieval kings were also asked to intervene and resolve prolonged disputes between bishops and the laity in their dioceses. Their authority helped to achieve a resolution that would be observed by both parties.67 The oath taken by the king listed his duties, as defined in the 1442 law, and emphasized the king’s duty as guarantor of justice for his people. The second article of the oath imposed upon the king an obligation to “strengthen, love and observe all justice and truth, and by virtue of the law and his royal power suppress all unfairness, falsehood and injustice.”68 The third article supplemented the second, but gave the king a positive duty to defend his people. “He has to protect the common people and be faithful to it so that he will not harm anyone’s life or limb unless lawfully found guilty and sentenced according to the written law of Sweden, and may he not in any way take or have taken anyone’s lands or chattels unless by virtue of the law or lawful sentence.”69 Finally, the seventh article ordered the king to “uphold, strengthen and protect” the law of Sweden, accepted freely by the common people. No false law was to supplant a rightful law, no foreign law was to be brought to the realm “to burden the common people” and no new law was to be given to the people without its consent and approbation. The protection of the peace-loving and law-abiding people from all unruly and wrongful people – both domestic and foreign –and to strengthen the peace of the church, the assizes, women and home were also included among the duties of the king. “All kinds of peace grow and disorder disappears depending on how righteous the king is.”70 Thus, the duty of acting as the supreme secular judge in the realm and providing justice featured prominently among the King’s duties in the coronation oath. 66 KrL, R 4:9, p. 30. 67 E.g., 2 Jan. 1345, no. 3877, Diplomatarium Suecanum V, ed. Hildebrand, p. 393. 68 KrL, Kuninkaankaari (hereafter Kg, Chapter on the King) 4:2, p. 28. 69 KrL, Kg 4:3, p. 28. 70 KrL, Kg 4:7, p. 29. See also KrL, R 9, p. 110: “Because the king has sworn to guarantee justice and truth and suppress all wrong and to protect his people from domestic and foreign wrongful men […].”
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