In 1768, towards the end of the period of Swedish history known as Frihetstiden, the Age of Liberty, King Adolf Frederick threatened to abdicate unless an extraordinary session of the Riksdag, the Swedish parliament, was immediately convened. The immediate issue concerned a new financial plan, but the king hoped that the parliamentary session would also lead to constitutional changes to strengthen his power.

The 16-member strong Council of the Realm, over which the king presided, was given three days to summon the Riksdag. Meanwhile, the king would not partake in any decision-making. In other words, he went on strike.

As I show in my new book, Monarchy in the Age of Liberty: Royal power and public life in eighteenth-century Sweden, this moment in Swedish political history poses an interesting question: does a monarchy need a monarch? The country at the time was a kingdom, yet it effectively had a republican form of government. In the events that followed the king’s ultimatum, his councillors even attempted to replace him with a signature stamp. It is one of the many paradoxes of this era that such a measure be taken not in opposition to the monarchy but in order to preserve its very essence.

A political revolution

Sweden’s Age of Liberty was ushered in by the death of King Charles XII during the siege of Fredrikshald, in Norway, in 1718. From 1680, Sweden had been ruled as an absolute monarchy. Now, fatigued by 18 years of continuous warfare, the four estates of the Swedish Riksdag decided to curtail the king’s executive powers. As formulated in the Instruments of Government, the Accession Charters and the Royal Elections Acts of 1719 and 1720, the Council of the Realm was now to oversee the monarch’s decision-making, and, in turn, answer to the Riksdag.

In Protestant Sweden, social theory was grounded in equal measure in ancient political thinking and Lutheran ideas. Central to this was Martin Luther’s so-called doctrine of the three estates, which held that society was composed of the teaching estate (the clergy), the defending estate (the nobility) and the nourishing estate (the commoners) and that all three were needed for societal balance and harmony to be achieved.

The monarch stood above all laws — it was the essence of his majesty. As such, he was the only figure considered to be free from self-interest and therefore able to maintain this social balance. Thus, despite his practical duties having been made redundant, his symbolic importance was incontrovertible.

Upon the death of Charles XII in 1718, his sister, Ulrika Eleonora, briefly succeeded to the throne before abdicating after just over a year in favour of her husband, Frederick I, who ruled until 1751.

As king, Frederick I soon lost interest in his rather insignificant duties and, drawing inspiration from absolutist France, had a name stamp made. This was ostensibly to save himself the trouble of signing a large number of circulars. But the stamp also came to serve as a political instrument.

In certain circumstances, the council could even issue government decrees without the king’s signature. But the councillors considered this inappropriate as it revealed to the outside world when they were in disagreement with the king. On such occasions, the signature stamp became a practical alternative.

The signature stamp also meant the councillors could no longer delay decisions by citing the king’s refusal to sign a document. Unlike the king, the council had to answer to the Riksdag for its actions and be held to parliamentary accountability.

In the Swedish public’s imagination, this replacement of the king’s personal signature with a stamp is the ultimate symbol of the monarch’s powerlessness. But how it was actually used demonstrates that the king’s signature was considered indispensable for lending dignity and authority to government decisions.

Constitutional crisis

The crown’s symbolic importance was most clearly demonstrated by Frederick I’s successor, Adolf Frederick, when he went on strike in 1768. This constitutional crisis was partly a conflict between the two opposing parties, the Caps and the Hats, concerning issues in which the king played only a peripheral role. The parties’ views differed on foreign alliances, economic policy and, increasingly, civil and political rights, but they agreed on the king’s constitutionally restricted position. However, none of them hesitated to use the king as a tool when it suited their own purposes.

The council was controlled by the Caps. In response to the king’s threat, the councillors attempted to govern by means of the signature stamp.

In return, the central government agencies, which were dominated by Hat sympathisers, refused to comply with any decisions bearing only the king’s duplicated signature. They insisted that the form of government rested on the majesty of the king, the authority of the council and the liberty of the people, that is, their civil and political rights. If any of these elements were missing, the balance was disrupted and the impartiality of government decisions could be called into question.

The civil servants’ refusal to comply with decisions bearing a stamped signature brought the state apparatus to a standstill. The Riksdag was convened, just as the king had demanded.

The outcome was decided by the strong position of the Hats in the government agencies. However, once the extraordinary session of the Riksdag was convened, the king gained no support whatsoever for his constitutional proposals. Even though the signature stamp was taken out of use and the king’s symbolic authority reaffirmed, his actual political influence diminished even further.

In my research I show that this episode highlights a typical pattern of the Age of Liberty. The court was supported by the opposition party for only as long as it remained in opposition. As an ally against the government, the monarch was important in shaping opinion and providing influence. For the government, conversely, he was an unpredictable asset.

This observation can also be generalised. In early modern times, power was based on authority from above. By tradition, the monarchy represented a divine order that demanded unconditional submission.

As countries such as Sweden and the United Kingdom began to shift away from absolutism and towards a more representative form of government, the monarch continued to symbolise governmental impartiality in spite of sharp partisan divisions. The notion that the people, with their passions and their self-interest, were too unpredictable to rule a state, endured. During this transitional phase, a monarch was needed who symbolically stood above all special interests and treated all his subjects with the same paternal care.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder

Johnsons of Old Hurst has shared a statement after a 3 year old boy was ‘seriously injured’ on the afternoon of June 18.

Officers were called to the zoo at 1.24pm on June 18 to reports of an incident involving a three-year-old boy, during which he ended up in the crocodile enclosure.

The boy has been taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with serious injuries and is critical but stable. Specially trained officers are at the hospital supporting the boy’s family.

A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Johnsons has now confirmed that the Tropical House part of the site will be closed until further notice.

It has added that the team’s “thoughts and prayers” are with the boy and his family. Johnsons shared: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family following the incident that occurred today.

“Out of respect to the family, our Tropical House will remain closed until further notice. If you have any questions about the incident, please direct enquiries to Cambridgeshire Police Constabulary. The rest of the site will remain open as normal.”

This reflects the continued work of Jobcentre teams to “support people into employment and help employers access local talent”.

This month’s employment statistics show “encouraging progress” across North Lanarkshire, with the overall claimant count down two per cent over the year.

This reflects the continued work of Jobcentre teams to “support people into employment and help employers access local talent”.

The latest figures also show positive progress in a number of communities across North Lanarkshire.

In Coatbridge and Bellshill, the overall claimant count is down eight per cent year-on-year, including a seven per cent reduction among young people aged 18 to 24.

In Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke, the overall claimant count is down one per cent, while the number of claimants aged 50 and over has fallen by three per cent.

Alongside this progress, Jobcentre Plus continues to focus on providing tailored support for young people, older jobseekers, and people with disabilities and health conditions, helping them build confidence, develop skills and move closer to work.

A key part of that support in North Lanarkshire is the continued focus on work experience and volunteering opportunities, helping jobseekers gain practical skills, build confidence and strengthen their CVs.

Over the summer, customers are being encouraged to take part in a range of local opportunities, including Barista Taster Sessions in June, construction work experience placements, and retail-based roles and placements with organisations including Barnardo’s, Salvation Army, and the British Heart Foundation.

These opportunities are designed to help people gain meaningful workplace experience and take positive steps towards employment.

Shaun Cowie, Jobcentre Plus external relations leader for North Lanarkshire, said: “We know that when young jobseekers receive personalised support, they build the confidence to develop their skills, take their first steps into work, and start progressing in their careers.

“That’s why work coaches are working hard to ensure young people know about the wide range of opportunities and support available to them.

“Specialist support also continues to be available for those aged 50-plus and people with disabilities and health conditions, ensuring everyone can stay connected to opportunities.

“During the busy summer season, jobcentres are focused on helping young people take advantage of seasonal roles by working closely with employers to boost the supply of new workers.

“This includes opportunities linked to local festivals, tourism, hospitality and retail, alongside job fairs, Sector-based Work Academy Programmes and other initiatives designed to match young people with the right roles at the right time.”

Shaun added: “There is also a continued focus in North Lanarkshire on work experience and volunteering, giving people the chance to build their confidence, gain practical skills and develop experience that can help them move into lasting employment.

“From barista tasters to construction placements and retail-based opportunities with well-known local organisations, these activities are helping people prepare for the workplace and see what is possible.

“Jobseekers are also encouraged to check out the range of vacancies available on Find a Job. With over 180 live vacancies currently advertised across North Lanarkshire, there are opportunities available in sectors including retail, hospitality, construction, logistics, engineering and manufacturing.”

*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.

NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson held up the golden NBA championship trophy for a forest of outstretched hands to touch as fans celebrated the New York Knicks’ first title in 53 years with a booming parade through Manhattan’s skyscraper-flanked “Canyon of Heroes.”

“Damn, New York, we really did it,” Brunson, the finals MVP, said at a celebration at City Hall. “Somehow, someway I knew we were going to find a way to get this done.”

Moments later, Mayor Zohran Mamdani presented keys to the city to the Knicks’ players, coaches, owners and staff. Wearing a team jersey under his suit jacket, Mamdani said he and other fans “waited because we knew deep down in our sick, suffering hearts” the Knicks would someday win.

Confetti in Knicks blue and orange swirled through the air during the parade. Massive cheers of “Let’s go, Knicks!” and “Knicks in five!” kept erupting.

And OG Anunoby, who scored the go-ahead basket in Game 4 of the finals on a tip-in with 1.2 seconds left, left his parade float to interact with fans, holding the NBA Cup in-season championship trophy in one hand and a bottle of Patron tequila in the other.

Film director Spike Lee, perhaps the team’s most iconic fan, was on a float with Brunson, savoring the moment. “I’ve never been to a parade — ever — and I’m glad it’s this one,” Lee said.

The MVP’s mom, Sandra Brunson, wore a shirt with photos of Jalen and husband Rick, who played for the Knicks. She echoed her son’s words, saying: “It was all worth it.”

Karl-Anthony Towns hoisted the Eastern Conference championship trophy and a cigar on top of a parade bus while Mamdani danced. On a nearby float with other alumni, Carmelo Anthony had a victory cigar of his own.

“The whole city won,” Anthony said. “New Yorkers are, as they say, ‘lit’ right now.”

People streamed into lower Manhattan on crammed subways. Even several blocks from the parade route, fans stood shoulder to shoulder — sometimes on each other’s shoulders — or climbed traffic lights and sanitation trucks. Far away on the Brooklyn Bridge, people gathered just to hear the loudspeakers.

“I had to be here today,” said Shareefa Wallace, 34, who got up at 3 a.m. to make her way from suburban Long Island. She grew up in the city going to Knicks games, and she sported the souvenir jersey of one of the legends from that era, Patrick Ewing.

Owner James Dolan thanked fans for waiting more than a half-century.

“Let’s keep this energy going, baby,” coach Mike Brown said, “because this championship is about you guys.”

‘The New York vibe’

Nearby bars and delis filled with fans, some wishing they’d arrived at dawn. But many seemed at peace with the fact that they would only experience the parade from a distance.

Alicia Keys, the singer who collaborated with Jay-Z on the New York-loving 2009 hit “Empire State of Mind,” performed a montage with that song, mixing it with the classic “New York, New York.”

A parade decades in the making

The mere fact that the parade is happening is historic in itself. Although the Knicks won the championship twice in the 1970s, the city didn’t host a parade for them either time. Then-Mayor John Lindsay had cut down on ticker-tape extravaganzas for financial and other reasons, and he instead honored the Knicks at a 1970 reception at the mayoral mansion and a jam-packed 1973 ceremony outside City Hall.

This time, the city went all out. A police officer could be seen holding a sign reading, “This is really happening.”

And a massive security operation

Police plan to deploy 10,000 officers to secure the event, which follows ebullient but sometimes chaotic street celebrations and some violence during the Knicks’ title run, including a five-game final against San Antonio.

The Fire Department said at least nine people were taken to hospitals but didn’t immediately respond to a request for more details.

At one point before the parade, a small group of people were crushed against a barrier near Fulton Street, a key subway hub, pinned between a swelling crowd and a group of police officers shoving the barrier.

Some 650 sanitation workers were assigned to clean up what could be tens of thousands of pounds (kilograms) of debris, if recent history is any guide.

Why does New York throw ticker-tape parades?

Ticker-tape parades derive their name from the narrow strips of paper used by telegraph-era “stock ticker” machines. New York brokerage firm workers tossed the paper from office windows during parades in the late 19th century, adding a swirling spectacle.

Over the years, especially up to the mid-1960s, the city rolled out ticker-tape parades for visiting foreign leaders, historic anniversaries and feats in aviation, war, sports, music, space travel and more.

The Knicks’ parade is the 210th, coming after a ticker-tape bash for the WNBA’s New York Liberty in 2024.

___

Associated Press writers Jennifer Peltz and Julie Walker in New York and AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney in Southampton, New York, contributed.

In The Mixer’s World Cup special

Everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day.

Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments

Cross words

The ‘point of origin of an earthquake’ is not its ‘epicentre’ as your crossword had it (Metro, Mon). That is the point on the surface vertically above the quake’s subterranean origin. Epicentre is probably the most incorrectly used word in the English language, along with ‘massive’ –which does not mean ‘big’, it means ‘heavy’. How heavy is a hole? Martin, South Gloucestershire

‘”You are loved and wanted in London” doesn’t apply if you’re homeless’

Transport for London has been putting up another set of signs with the message, ‘You are loved and wanted in London’.

Of course, that doesn’t apply if you’re homeless, in which case the government will criminalise your very existence, harass you wherever you go and turn your life into a dystopian nightmare by telling everyone to ignore you.

When I first saw one of those signs, it was right next to a rough sleeper who was being ordered to move by the British Transport Police, for the sole reason that he was a homeless person sitting in a Tube station. It made the sign’s message feel rather hollow. Ryan Cooper, London

Russia invading a sovreign state should mean UK increases millitary spending

Bernard (MetroTalk, Tue) questions whether it really is necessary to increase military spending to the degree demanded by defence secretary John Healey before he resigned over not getting it.

I’d have thought that Vladimir Putin’s Russia invading an independent sovereign state, something Russia hadn’t done for years beforehand, was reason enough. John Daniels, Redhill

John Healey’s reasons for resigning are ‘fundamentally wrong’

I think of John Healey (whom I have met) as a decent and sincere man. However, I believe his reasons for resigning to be fundamentally wrong.

We all understand that the current international climate is hostile, particularly with Putin at the helm in Russia and Donald Trump in the US.

I can also understand John feeling a bit peeved at being told the defence budget would increase by less than one per cent.

However, we need to look at this from a wider perspective rather than listen to the warnings of former generals.

We are members of Nato. Any Nato member can rely on other members to support them if they are attacked. Russia is well outgunned by Nato.

This means that it is highly unlikely Russia will attack us or any Nato country. Why should they? Putin may harbour imperialist intentions but he is not stupid.

We need to make sure that we meet the Nato requirements of spending at least two per cent of our GDP on defence.

Spending more seems unnecessary when we have other pressing domestic issues, such as the NHS.

We are a small island off the coast of Europe, whose Empire disappeared more than 60 years ago. It about time we stopped perpetrating the myth we are somehow up there with the big hitters

I also cannot see the point of nuclear weapons, where the sole use is to blow the world to pieces. We could save tens of billions by not upgrading our existing nuclear arsenal. Neville Jones, Widnes

Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments

MORE: Emma launches sleep deal with up to £374 worth of freebies for summer

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“The situation might have been different had Mr Polanski owed arrears of council tax at the time of participating in those decisions. However, as I have previously advised the GLA, Mr Polanski was not subject to the exclusion from voting on council tax matters because he did not owe any arrears of council tax at the time of casting his votes.

Police were called to Johnsons of Old Hurst at 1.24pm to reports of an incident involving a three-year-old boy, during which he ended up in the enclosure. 

The boy has been taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with serious injuries and is critical but stable.

Specially trained officers are at the hospital supporting the boy’s family.

Follow our live blog for more

Cambridgeshire Police have confirmed a 30-year-old man, from Norfolk, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. 

Detectives from the Major Crime Unit are investigating.

Det Insp Verity McCann said: “At this stage we are speaking to people who were at the zoo at the time of this distressing incident to understand more about the circumstances.

“We do not believe the man arrested and the child are known to each other.

“Officers are supporting the boy’s family at hospital, and our thoughts remain with them.”

Have you got a story you want to share? Get in touch at oliver.murphy@newsquest.co.uk

‘You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself’, a judge told Christopher Nolan

A man launched an ‘ugly’ attack on a passenger on a Manchester-bound flight amid a row over a seat. Christopher Nolan, 44, was sitting in front of the man on the Jet2 flight from Tenerife on May 25 last year.

During the flight Nolan repeatedly banged his seat, hitting the man’s legs. He complained a number of times, asking Nolan to stop, before the thug turned around and punched him twice in the face.

The man was left with a ‘hole in his cheek’ following the attack, Manchester Crown Court heard. Nolan previously admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent.

On Thursday (June 18), he was today handed a suspended sentence as a judge told him: “It is only because of your daughters and the impact on them that has persuaded me to not send you to custody.”

Click here to hear the latest from Manchester’s courts in our newsletter

Simon Barrett, prosecuting, said the victim and Nolan were sat in window seats, with Nolan sitting in front.

“The victim became aware the defendant was banging his seat causing his seat to hit his legs,” Mr Barrett said. “This happened continuously. On at least two occasions he asked him to stop doing it – on the second occasion the defendant became abusive and threatened him.”

“At that point the defendant turned around and punched him with a right hand to the left cheek. The defendant continued to be aggressive as others tried to intervene. He then struck the victim with a left hand to the face, striking him to the lower side of the jaw.”

Nolan was moved to a different area on the plane. Staff reported seeing blood on his knuckles, Mr Barrett said. Nolan was arrested when the plane landed at Manchester Airport.

The victim sustained a laceration to the side of his face, which went ‘straight through his left cheek’ leaving a 2cm hole. In a statement, he said the scarring remains and that he has suffered emotionally and psychologically. He said he has lost confidence using public transport.

Defending Nolan, John Williams said his client was aware of receiving a ‘deterrent’ sentence due to the circumstances of the attack, adding that it was ‘fortunate’ the plane was not diverted.

Judge Paul Lawton said he was prepared to suspend a sentence due to the impact his imprisonment would have on his children.

“It wasn’t wider disorder. It was an argument between him and the victim,” he added. “It was contained very quickly and is to be commended by the professionals.”

The barrister replied: “Both daughter’s describe him as being a good dad. He had the good sense to plead guilty.”

Sentencing Nolan, who runs a scaffolding business in Rhyl, Judge Lawton said: “What you did was wrong. This took place at 36,000 feet, and was an ugly episode of violence witnessed by others, including children. You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself.”

Nolan, of Lon Bedw, Rhyl, was handed a 21-month sentence, suspended for two years; order to undertake 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and complete 100 hours unpaid work. He must also pay £100 in compensation.

England enjoyed a rousing 4-2 victory over Croatia in their opening game at the World Cup, but not every member of Thomas Tuchel’s side has received praise for their performance in Dallas

Thomas Tuchel has been told that ‘chaotic’ Jordan Pickford will cost England a chance of winning the World Cup.

That’s the scathing verdict of former Premier League striker Troy Deeney, who believes that Pickford ‘doesn’t give you any confidence’. The Everton goalkeeper continued his run of starting every competitive game under Tuchel on Wednesday, but he was unable to keep a clean sheet as the Three Lions beat Croatia 4-2 to kick off their World Cup campaign in Dallas.

Pickford, 32, has been England’s undisputed No.1 for nearly a decade, rarely letting his country down in the previous four major tournaments. But the goalkeeper’s performance against Croatia was criticised in some quarters, and he was spotted having a first-half row with Tuchel.

Deeney has now warned the England boss that according to him, Pickford can’t be trusted. On CBS Sports, the ex-Watford captain was asked if he felt that Pickford was too chaotic.

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“To say the least, yeah,” Deeney replied. “I don’t really know the stats and all of that. I’m just saying what my eyes told me.

“I still think he should have saved the first one [Croatia goal], that’s my opinion. I think when you get a hand to it, it’s got to be a solid hand and keep it out.

“There’s just that feeling when I watch Jordan…there’s a shot from 50 yards and it trickles to him and he’s screaming at everyone, ‘Do your job! Don’t let any shots come in’!”

“Every time he parries one, fouls someone, does whatever, he’s like, ‘Don’t look at me’. We’re trying to win a World Cup. That’s why we’re here.

“In my opinion, and respectfully Jordan, because you know I like you. We can’t win it with that guy in goal. He doesn’t give you any confidence.”

Should Thomas Tuchel drop Jordan Pickford? Have your say in the comments section.

In contrast to Deeney’s opinion, Manchester United defender Harry Maguire – who’s played alongside Pickford at three tournaments – hailed his long-time team-mate for being ‘really, really calm under pressure’. Appearing on The Rest is Football, Maguire gave an insight into Tuchel’s tactical approach.

“I think we’ve got four lads in the back four who all want to build up,” Maguire explained. “I think Picks [Pickford] today was really calm. Really, really calm under pressure.

“I think the two in central midfield want to take the ball. I think the wide wingers, he’s big on pressure and counter-press. So I think we’re going to build up but I think the flip side is we’re going to press high and press in their half and I think we saw that today.”

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