Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Little Kristina asks for more money, date July 9/19 (Old Style), 1636

Source:


The collections of the Turku Museum Center include a money request from a 9 year old Kristina to the national tax master in July 1636. The letter is written by a professional scribe but confirmed by Kristina with her/his/their own seal and signed by her/his/their own hand. In it, the young queen/king announces that she/he/they received 40 riksdalers four months earlier and is now requesting the same amount for her/his/their daily expenses. However, no pocket money was a concern, as many servants, not to mention the maids, had to settle for a lower annual salary. For example, a whole new set of riding armour came with 8 riksdalers, an amount that very few could afford. Nonetheless, Kristina's request for money could hardly be answered in the negative — at this stage.


The letter:

Efter som H. K. Mt. Drotning Christina för fÿra Månader sedan fick fÿrtijo Rxdall til daglige handpenningar af Rijkzvärtimästaren; altså ähr H. K. Mtz. nådige begäran, at H. K. Mt ännu til nödtorftige utgifter fÿrtijo Rxdall motte bekomma. Datum Stokholm Slott den 9 Julij A. 1636.
Christina.


Above: Kristina.

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