The Fastening Plates were established in 1686 by King Charles XI of Sweden. They were designed to address the financial and administrative burdens placed on the nobility by the previous system of feudalism. The Fastening Plates aimed to create a more centralized and efficient government by reducing the autonomy of the nobility and increasing the power of the crown.
The Fastening Plates consisted of several key provisions. One of the most significant was the abolition of the feudal system of land tenure, which had previously allowed nobles to hold land in exchange for military service. Instead, the Fastening Plates introduced a system of fixed rents, where nobles were required to pay a set amount of money to the crown in exchange for the right to hold their land.
Another important provision of the Fastening Plates was the establishment of a new system of taxation. The Fastening Plates introduced a new tax, known as the "fastningsskatt," which was based on the value of the land held by the nobility. This tax was designed to generate revenue for the crown and to reduce the financial burden on the nobility.
The Fastening Plates also included provisions related to the administration of justice. The Fastening Plates established a new system of courts, which were designed to be more efficient and less corrupt than the previous system of feudal courts. The Fastening Plates also introduced a new system of legal codes, which were designed to provide a more consistent and fair system of justice.
The Fastening Plates had a significant impact on the political and social development of Sweden. The Fastening Plates helped to create a more centralized and efficient government, which was better able to respond to the challenges of the 17th and 18th centuries. The Fastening Plates also helped to reduce the power of the nobility, which had previously been a significant force in Swedish politics. The Fastening Plates helped to create a more equal and just society, which was better able to respond to the challenges of the modern world.