Swedish Instrument of Government

Lord High Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna composed the Instrument of Government (regeringsform) in 1634 during Queen Christina's minority. The Riksdag of the Estates adopted it on July 29, 1634, in Stockholm. The document described Sweden's governmental structure and administration, establishing a county system (län) to replace traditional provinces, formalizing roles of the five Great Officers of the Realm, and clarifying division of responsibilities among royal officials. Though lacking royal signature, it functioned as Sweden's governmental framework until the Riksdag repudiated it in 1680.