English translation of Hugues de Lionne's letter to Antoine de Bordeaux on preparations for Kristina's arrival in Rome, dated October 6/16 (New Style), 1655

Source:

A Collection of the State Papers of John Thurloe, Esq;, volume 4, page 69, published by Thomas Birch, 1742; original at Indiana University

https://books.google.com/books?id=70EqAQAAMAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=state+papers+of+john+thurloe+1656&source=gbs_navlinks_s

https://www.british-history.ac.uk/thurloe-papers/vol4/pp64-78#h3-0013

The 300th post on this blog!

The letter:

Rome, October 16, 1655. [N. S.]

MY LORD,

THE occupation of this court is only in the great preparations, which they make here to receive with pomp the queen of Sweden, who is said to be come already as far as Augsbourg. The pope doth make an expence of more than threescore thousand escus for a coach, a litter, a sedan, and furniture. He hath named four nuntios to receive her upon the borders of the church-territories, who are mess. Bentivoglio, Terreggiani, Cesarini, and Carracevoli; and he hath cast his eyes upon the cardinalls Medici and Hesse to meet her two miles from Rome, and to conduct her hither.

Here also comedies, music, and other divertisements are appointed for her. All this is upon presupposition, that she will make public confession of the catholic faith at Inspruck; that is to say, before she enters into Italy; as his holiness hath declared to desire it of her.

With modernised spelling:

Rome, October 16, 1655. [N. S.]

My Lord,

The occupation of this court is only in the great preparations which they make here to receive with pomp the Queen of Sweden, who is said to be come already as far as Augsburg. The Pope doth make an expense of more than three-score thousand écus for a coach, a litter, a sedan and furniture. He hath named four nuncios to receive her upon the borders of the Church territories, who are Messieurs Bentivoglio, Terreggiani, Cesarini and Carracevoli; and he hath cast his eyes upon the Cardinals Medici and Hesse to meet her two miles from Rome and to conduct her hither.

Here also comedies, music and other divertisements are appointed for her. All this is upon presupposition that she will make public confession of the Catholic faith at Innsbruck — that is to say, before she enters into Italy, as His Holiness hath declared to desire it of her.

Reconstruction of the French original (my own translation):

Rome, le 16 octobre 1655. [Nouveau style.]

Monsieur,

L'occupation de cette cour se limite aux grands préparatifs qu'elle fait ici pour recevoir en grande pompe la reine de Suède, qui, dit-on, est déjà arrivée jusqu'à Augsbourg. Le pape dépense plus de soixante mille écus pour un carrosse, une litière, une palanquin et le mobilier. Il a nommé quatre nonces pour la recevoir aux frontières des territoires de l'Église, à savoir les Messieurs Bentivoglio, Terreggiani, Cesarini et Carracevoli; et il a jeté son dévolu sur les cardinaux Médicis et Hesse pour la rejoindre à deux milles de Rome et la conduire ici.

Ici aussi, des comédies, de la musique et d'autres divertissements lui sont réservés. Tout cela suppose qu'elle confessera publiquement sa foi catholique à Innsbruck, c'est-à-dire avant d'entrer en Italie, comme Sa Sainteté l'a déclaré désirer.

Swedish translation (my own):

Rom, den 16 oktober 1655. [Nya stilen.]

Monsieur,

Sysselsättningen vid detta hov består endast i de stora förberedelser som de gör här för att med pompa och ståt ta emot Sveriges drottning, som sägs redan ha kommit så långt som Augsburg. Påven gör en utgift på mer än trettio tusen écus för en kaross, en bärstol, en portschäs och möbler. Han har utsett fyra nuntier att ta emot henne vid gränserna till Kyrkans territorier, nämligen messieurs Bentivoglio, Terreggiani, Cesarini och Carracevoli; och han har riktat sina ögon mot kardinalerna Medici och Hessen för att möta henne två mil från Rom och föra henne hit.

Här är även komedier, musik och andra underhållningar planerade för henne. Allt detta under förutsättning att hon offentligt bekänner den katolska tron i Innsbruck — det vill säga innan hon reser in i Italien, vilket Hans Helighet har förklarat önska av henne.

Above: Kristina.