Älvsborg Ransom (1613)

Yet, since the return of Älvsborg was uppermost in the mind of the government, the ransom and the tax to pay for it has in history been named after this castle.

[5] The payment was financed by a severe extra tax paid during six years by almost all persons above the age of 15, including the royalty and the nobility.

[7] The extra tax financing the Älvsborg ransom was collected through a specially created organization outside the normal revenue system, but in cooperation with it.

A special government agency under four Lords of the Realm was created, and provincial tax commissioners appointed.

This extensive apparatus managed to include most taxable individuals, although unmarried men of military age did the utmost to not be entered, to escape future drafts.