Abstract
The late lfith century is still one of the least known periods in Swedish economic history. This is especially true of the governmental financial conditions which were to give rise to the policy of expansion. In this connection the figures contained in the so-called “state ledgers” of 1573 and 1582 have often been quoted; and these two financial statements, the only ones from the 16th century, have usually been regarded as balance sheets of the whole income and expenditure of the state during the years in question. By reason of the method of accounting employed, however, it has not been possible to determine with certainty what they really include and on what basis the data were assembled.