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 was written by a professional scribe but confirmed by Kristina with her own seal and signed by her own hand. In it, the young queen/king announces that she received 40 riksdalers four months earlier and is now requesting the same amount for her 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 fÿretijo Rxdall til daglige Handpenningar af Rijkzräntemästaren; altså ähr H. K. Mtz. nådige begäran, at H. K. Mt ännu til nödtorftige vtgifter fÿretijo Rxdall motte bekomma. Datum Stokholms Slott den 9 Julij A. 1636.
Christina.
With modernised spelling:
Eftersom Hennes Kungliga Majestät drottning Kristina för fyra månader sedan fick fyrtio riksdaler till dagliga handpenningar av Riksräntmästaren, alltså är Hennes Kungliga Majestäts nådiga begäran att Hennes Kungliga Majestät ännu till nödtorftiga utgifter fyrtio riksdaler måtte bekomma. Datum Stockholms slott, den 9 juli anno 1636.
Kristina.
French translation (my own):
Parce que Sa Majesté la reine Christine a reçu, il y a quatre mois, quarante riksdalers d'argent de poche quotidien du grand intendant, Sa Majesté prie donc qu'elle puisse encore recevoir quarante riksdalers pour ses dépenses nécessaires. Donnée au château de Stockholm, le 9 juillet 1636.
Christine.
English translation (my own):
Whereas Her Royal Majesty Queen Kristina, four months ago, received forty riksdalers as daily pocket money from the grand intendant, it is therefore Her Royal Majesty's gracious request that she may still receive forty riksdalers for necessary expenses. Given at Stockholm Castle, July 9, 1636.
Kristina.
Above: Kristina.
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