the svea court of appeal in the early modern period 62 After peace with the Poles and Danes, the young king could immediately turn his attention to the Russian front and the war in Ingria (Ingermanland). After initial success against the Russians, the fortunes of war turned against the Swedes in 1613 as the Russians recaptured some territories. The war was unpopular among the troops, and mutinies were unavoidable. “By the spring of 1614 the condition of the Swedish troops in Russia was so bad that military initiative was largely abandoned to the Russians.” Only the arrival of the King in Narva with 2,000 soldiers in June 1614 turned the scales for the Swedes.146 As the King’s presence was required in the defence and aid of the Realm both in peace and war, he had to be where he was needed the most as the ordinance establishing the Court of Appeal in early 1614 explained.147 Indeed, the needs of war are very important in understanding the urgency of establishing a new court. King Gustav II Adolf took part in the war against Russia personally, staying in the Baltic Region and Russia for very long periods between autumn 1613 and autumn 1614. The long absences of the king from the capital on various campaigns, and in general, from Sweden proper ever since the start of his reign required that the royal administration was organized so that it could function effectively despite his absences. Some temporary arrangements had been made in 1612 during the war against Denmark, but after that, preparations had to be made for more formal and precise authorizations of using delegated royal power.148 The Diet of Örebro was convened from 13 January to 9 February 1614 partly so that the Estates could raise more funds for war against Russia, but at the same time, the royal jurisdictional powers were reorganized because of the King’s approaching departure through the so-called “1614 Ordinance of Judicial Procedure” (Rättegångs-Ordinantie). The ordinance confirmed the existing the court hierarchy and called upon its enforcement, lamenting that the people were not observing it but rather taking 146 Roberts, Michael 1953 pp. 80-84, 123. 147 Rättegångs-Ordinantie(1614), inKongl. stadgar, ed. Schmedeman, p. 137: “Til thet Tijonde […] Dock althenstund wij för andre Rijksens hödnödige ärender så och margfallige Beswär skuld icke altijdh siefwe Personligen alle Rättegångs Saker kunne bijwista effter somwij och för Rijksens walfärd[!] skuld icke altijdh kunne blifwa på itt ställe vthan måste effter frijdh som feigde tijder kräfia oss ther han förfoge ther wij förnimme wår närwaru til Rijkens wärn och bijstånd mäst wele behöfwes.” 148 Edén, Nils 1902 pp. 98-101.
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