Sources:
https://books.google.com/books?id=XrYFAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=johan+arckenholtz+christine&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjo5Mal5ebiAhXY7Z4KHS5HBQ8QuwUILzAA#v=onepage&q=johan%20arckenholtz%20christine&f=false
Drotning Christinas Arbeten och Märkwärdigheter, volume 1, page 108, translated by Carl Christoffer Gjörwell, 1760
https://archive.org/details/christinaqueenof00bain/page/42
The letter:
Serenissime & Illustrissime Princeps, Affinis Charissime,
Dilect. Vestr. literæ duæ heri mihi allatæ sunt, de quibus si quid responsi darem, putabam operæ pretium me facturam. Intelligo ex literis ordinariis Comitem Palatinum debere suscipere exercitum Weimariensem: (quandoquidem esset optandum:) Dominus Thesaurarius mihi heri scripsit misitque relationes in quibus inter alia hæc continebantur: ex quibus hæc tantum paucissimus verbis referre existimamus, Neo-Brisacum habet multos amatores adeoque ex ejus amore insaniunt Reges & Principes: Angliæ Rex non sibi sed nepotibus suis defuncti Friderici liberis in sequestrum tradit, eumque in finem multas pecunias Wimmariensis Militiæ Tribunis obtulit. Galliæ Rex similiter his aureos pollicetur Montes, modo Brisacensem Civitatem sibi cedere velint, quæ sponsæ instar, omnes in suæ amorem illexit, ita ut dubium sit, quisquam procorum tot corrivalis ejusdem thalamo foret gavisurus. Hæc non potui intermittere, quin Tibi referrem, ut videre possit Dilect. Vest. quantum omnes vereantur illam urbem.
Precor ut Deus velit conservare Dilect. Vest. diuturna valetudine, quod ex animo voveo.
Dab. Vlfsundæ d. 12 Oct. A. 1639.
Dilect. Vest. Addictissima Christina R. S.
With modernised spelling:
Serenissime et Illustrissime Princeps,
Affinis carissime,
Dilectionis Vestræ litteræ duæ heri mihi allatæ sunt, de quibus si quid responsi darem, putabam operæ pretium me facturam. Intelligo ex litteris ordinariis comitem palatinum debere suscipere exercitum weimariensem (quandoquidem esset optandum).
Dominus thesaurarius mihi heri scripsit misitque relationes in quibus inter alia hæc continebantur; ex quibus hæc tantum paucissimus verbis referre existimamus, Neo Brisacum habet multos amatores adeoque ex ejus amore insaniunt reges et principes. Angliæ rex non sibi sed nepotibus suis defuncti Friderici liberis in sequestrum tradit, eumque in finem multas pecunias weimariensis militiæ tribunis obtulit.
Galliæ rex similiter his aureos pollicetur montes, modo Brisacensem civitatem sibi cedere velint, quæ sponsæ instar, omnes in suæ amorem illexit, ita ut dubium sit, quisquam procorum tot corrivalis ejusdem thalamo foret gavisurus. Hæc non potui intermittere, quin tibi referrem, ut videre possit Dilectio Vestra quantum omnes vereantur illam urbem.
Precor ut Deus velit conservare Dilectionem Vestram diuturna valetudine, quod ex animo voveo. Dabantur Ulvsundæ, die 12 octobris anno 1639.
Dilectionis Vestræ
addictissima
Christina, regina Sueciæ.
English translation (from source 2; very last sentence my own translation):
Most Serene and Illustrious Prince, and dear Cousin,
I received from your lovingness two letters yesterday, to which I think it worth while to send an answer. I understand from ordinary letters that the Count Palatine is to take Weimar's army (an excellent plan). Mr. Treasurer wrote to me yesterday, and told me amongst other things this — in a word, that Brisach has many lovers. Kings and princes are quite mad for love of her; the King of England wants her to be set aside not for himself, but his nephews the late Frederic's sons, and to that end has handed over large sums to the officers of Weimar's army. The French king is promising them likewise mountains of gold, provided they give him Brisach, who like a bride has lured them all on to love her, so that it is doubtful which of all these rival princes will enjoy the nuptial couch. I couldn't refrain from letting your lovingness know this, to let you see how fond they all are of that city.
I pray God to keep your lovingness in good health for a very long time; I wish this with all my heart.
Written from Ulvsunda, October 12, 1639.
Your lovingness's most devoted Kristina, Queen of Sweden
Above: Kristina, year 1638.
Above: Johan Kasimir.
Swedish translation (by Gjörwell):
Durchlautigaste Förste, Kärälskelige Frände.
I går inhändigade jag twänne Eders Kärlighets bref, hwilka jag härmedelst will beswara. Med den wanliga Posten ser jag, at Pfaltzgrefwen skal antaga befälet öfwer Weimarska Krigshären, hwilket wore en önskelig sak. Herr Skattmästaren skref mig til i går och skickade mig åtskilliga berättelser, utur hwilka jag korteligen wil meddela Eders Kärlighet följande nyheter. Ny-Brisach har många friare, så at både Konungar och Förstar äro häftigt kära i densamma. Konungen i Ängland wil ej hafwa den för sig, men låta taga orten i besitning för sina Systersöner, den afledna Kurförste Fredrics barn, och har til den ändan budit Generalerne wid Weimarske Armeen stora penningesummor. Konungen i Frankrike lofwar dem likaledes gyllene berg, om de i hans händer lämna Staden Brisach, hwilken som en brud gjort dem alla så kära i sig, at det är twifwelagtigt, hwilken af så många friare änteligen blifwer ägare af densamma. Jag har ej kunnat underlåta, at berätta Eders Kärlighet detta, på det Eders Kärlighet derutaf kan intaga, huru angelägen och wigtig denna orten synes dem alla. Jag beder Gud och önskar af alt mit hjerta, at Han må bewara Eders Kärlighet wid en beständig hälsa; och är jag altid
Eders Kärlighets
tilgifnaste
CHRISTINA R. S.
Ulfsunda, d. 12 Oct. 1639.
French translation (by Arckenholtz):
Sérénissime & Illustrissime Prince, mon très-cher Cousin. On me rendit hier deux lettres de Votre Dilection, auxquelles je crois qu'il me convient de faire quelque réponse. J'apprens par les lettres ordinaires que le Comte Palatin doit prendre le commandement de l'Armée de Weimar: (ce qui seroit à souhaiter:) Monsieur le Thrésorier m'écrivit hier & m'envoïa des relations qui portoient, entre autres choses ceci, dont nous jugeons devoir vous faire part en peu de mots: que le Neuf-Brisach a beaucoup d'amans. Les Rois mêmes & les Princes l'aiment à la folie. Le Roi d'Angleterre veut qu'on le mette en sequestre, non pour lui, mais pour ses Neveux les fils de feu Frédéric Comte Palatin, & il a offert pour cela de grandes sommes d'argent aux principaux Officiers de l'Armée de Weimar. Le Roi de France leur promet pareillement des monts d'or, pourvû qu'ils lui veuillent céder la ville de Brisach, qui comme une Epouse les a tous rendus amoureux d'elle, de sorte qu'on ne sait, lequel de tant de rivaux, jouira de sa couche nuptiale. C'est ce que je n'ai pu me dispenser de vous marquer, afin que Votre Dilection puisse voir combien les uns & les autres considérent cette ville. Je prie Dieu qu'il veuille conserver longtems Votre Dilection en bonne santé, ce que je souhaite de tout mon cœur, à Vlfsund. ...
de Votre Dilection
la très-dévouée
CHRISTINE Reine de Suède.
English translation (from source 2; very last sentence my own translation):
Most Serene and Illustrious Prince, and dear Cousin,
I received from your lovingness two letters yesterday, to which I think it worth while to send an answer. I understand from ordinary letters that the Count Palatine is to take Weimar's army (an excellent plan). Mr. Treasurer wrote to me yesterday, and told me amongst other things this — in a word, that Brisach has many lovers. Kings and princes are quite mad for love of her; the King of England wants her to be set aside not for himself, but his nephews the late Frederic's sons, and to that end has handed over large sums to the officers of Weimar's army. The French king is promising them likewise mountains of gold, provided they give him Brisach, who like a bride has lured them all on to love her, so that it is doubtful which of all these rival princes will enjoy the nuptial couch. I couldn't refrain from letting your lovingness know this, to let you see how fond they all are of that city.
I pray God to keep your lovingness in good health for a very long time; I wish this with all my heart.
Written from Ulvsunda, October 12, 1639.
Your lovingness's most devoted Kristina, Queen of Sweden
English translation (my own):
Most Serene and Illustrious Prince, my beloved Cousin,
Two letters from Your Lovingness were returned to me yesterday, to which I believe it is appropriate for me to reply. I learn from the ordinary letters that the Count Palatine is to take command of the army of Weimar (which is to be hoped). Monsieur the Treasurer wrote to me yesterday and sent me reports which bore, among other things this, of which we deem it necessary to tell you in a few words that New Breisach has many lovers. Even kings and princes love her madly. The King of England wants her to be set aside, not for himself, but for his nephews, the sons of the late Count Palatine Friedrich, and he has offered large sums of money for this to the principal officers of the Army of Weimar. The King of France similarly promises them mountains of gold, provided they cede to him the town of Breisach, which, like a wife, has made them all in love with her, so that we do not know which of so many rivals will enjoy her nuptial bed. This is what I could not avoid telling you, so that Your Lovingness can see how much each and everyone considers this city. I pray to God that He will keep Your Lovingness in good health for a long time, which I wish with all my heart.
Your Lovingness's
most devoted
Kristina, Queen of Sweden.
Given at Ulvsunda, October 12, 1639.
French translation (my own):
Sérénissime et Illustrissime Prince,
mon cher Oncle,
On m'a apporté hier deux lettres de Votre Dilection. J'ai pensé qu'en y répondant, je rendrais la tâche plus utile. J'ai compris, d'après les lettres ordinaires, que le comte palatin devrait recevoir l'armée de Weimar (comme il se doit).
Le sieur trésorier m'a écrit hier et m'a envoyé des rapports contenant, entre autres, les points suivants, dont nous jugeons opportun de ne relater que ceux-ci, et en quelques mots: Neu-Brisach a de nombreux amants, et les rois et les princes en sont fous d'amour. Le roi d'Angleterre l'a mise sous séquestre, non pas pour lui-même, mais pour ses neveux, les enfants de feu Frédéric; et il l'a finalement offerte aux commandants de la milice de Weimar contre une forte somme d'argent.
Le roi de France leur promet également des montagnes d'or, à condition qu'ils acceptent de lui céder la ville de Brisach, qui, telle une fiancée, a séduit tout le monde, de sorte qu'il est douteux que l'un des prétendants puisse jouir de la même chambre, alors qu'elle est remplie de tant de rivaux. Je n'ai pu m'empêcher de vous dire ces choses, afin que Votre Dilection puisse constater combien chacun craint cette ville.
Je prie Dieu de préserver Votre Dilection dans une longue santé, ce que je souhaite de tout mon âme. Donné à Ulvsunda, le 12 octobre 1639.
de Votre Dilection
très dévouée
Christine, reine de Suède.
Swedish translation (my own):
Durchlauchtigaste furste,
Käraste Frände,
Två brev från Ers Kärlighet kom till mig igår, på vilka jag tänkte att om jag gav något svar, så skulle jag göra arbetet värt besväret. Jag förstår av de vanliga breven att pfalzgreven borde ta emot Weimars armé (som det vore önskvärt).
Herr skattmästaren skrev till mig igår och sände mig rapporter, som bland annat innehöll följande, om vilka vi finner det lämpligt att berätta endast dessa och med mycket få ord: Neu Breisach har många älskare, och konungar och furstar är så galna av kärlek till det. Konungen av England har givit upp det för sekvestration, inte för sig själv, utan för sina syskonbarn, den salige Friedrichs barn; och till sist har han erbjudit det till befälhavarna för Weimars milis med en stor summa pengar.
Frankrikes konung lovar dem likaledes berg av guld, förutsatt att de är villiga att till honom avstå staden Breisach, som likt en brud har lockat alla till sin kärlek, så att det är tveksamt om någon av friarna skulle njuta av samma kammare medan den är full av så många medrivaler. Jag har inte kunnat avstå från att berätta dessa saker för Er, så att Ers Kärlighet kan se hur mycket alla fruktar den staden.
Jag ber att Gud skall bevara Ers Kärlighet i långvarig hälsa, vilket jag önskar från min själ. Givet vid Ulvsunda, den 12 oktober 1639.
Ers Kärlighets
hängivnaste
Kristina, Sveriges drottning.
English translation (my own; from the original Latin):
Most Serene and Most Illustrious Prince,
Dearest Uncle,
Two letters from Your Lovingness were brought to me yesterday, to which I thought that if I gave any answer, I would be making the work worthwhile. I understand from the ordinary letters that the Count Palatine should receive Weimar's army (as it would be desirable).
The Lord Treasurer wrote to me yesterday and sent me reports which contained, among other things, the following, of which we find it appropriate to relate only these and in very few words: Neu Breisach has many lovers, and kings and princes are so insane with love for it. The King of England has given it up for sequestration, not for himself, but for his nephews, the children of the deceased Friedrich; and in the end he has offered it to the commanders of Weimar's militia with a large sum of money.
The King of France similarly promises them mountains of gold, provided they are willing to cede to him the city of Breisach, which, like a bride, has lured everyone into her love, so that it is doubtful whether any of the suitors would enjoy the same chamber while it is full of so many co-rivals. I have not been able to refrain from telling you these things, so that Your Lovingness may see how much everyone fears that city.
I pray that God will preserve Your Lovingness in long-lasting health, which I wish from my soul. Given at Ulvsunda, October 12, 1639.
Your Lovingness's
most devoted
Kristina, Queen of Sweden.
Above: Kristina, year 1638.
Above: Johan Kasimir.
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