Letter of intelligence from Anthony Ayllmour, dated September 25/October 5 (New Style), 1656

Source:

A Collection of the State Papers of John Thurloe, Esq;, volume 5, page 475, published by Fletcher Gyles, 1742

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

https://www.british-history.ac.uk/thurloe-papers/vol5/pp469-487#h3-0015

The letter:

Turine, the 5th of October, 1656. [N. S.]

SIR,

Senc my last, which was of the 6th currant, only the reception of the queen of Sweds by the duq of Savoy is only worthy of notice. Twelf in red livery were sent with a chaise to the Mont Darblet, and on the other seyd a great nomber of gentry, and the gardes of their heighness conducted her to Rivol, where shee was met by all the court in great pompe and ceremonie, and in the way was received by all the burgery, and soe led to the towne by the leight of torches and two triumphal arks, with several feyre works, that the towne, by the help of what leights each windowe afforded, seemed to be all in a feyre. The clergy in pontificalibus receaved her at the gats. I was forced by the could I receaved in passinge the montaine, to retyre myselfe for a few dayes, of which I am not as yet parfaitly recovered, but doe hope by the next to give a more ample and satisfactory accompt. Som days shee will stay here, and of all her conferences will advise soe soone as able, and will knowe her designe to the full, of which you shall have tymely notice. I desire you to let mee know your pleasure, if yow will have mee continue in lookinge to her actions in all her visits to these princes, or to repaire to Rome. Shee was already privat for two houres with the duches, and more then an houre with the duke. ...

Your very humble

and most faithfull servant

ANTONY AYLLMOUR. ...

With modernised spelling:

Turin, the 5th of October, 1656. [N. S.]

Sir,

Since my last, which was of the 6th current, only the reception of the Queen of Swedes by the Duke of Savoy is only worthy of notice. Twelve in red livery were sent with a chaise to the Mont Darblet, and on the other side a great number of gentry, and the guards of Their Highness[es] conducted her to Rivol, where she was met by all the court in great pomp and ceremony, and in the way was received by all the burghery, and so led to the town by the light of torches and two triumphal arcs, with several fireworks that the town, by the help of what lights each window afforded, seemed to be all in a fire. The clergy in pontificalibus received her at the gates.

I was forced by the cold I received in passing the mountain to retire myself for a few days, of which I am not as yet perfectly recovered, but do hope by the next to give a more ample and satisfactory account.

Some days she will stay here, and of all her conferences will advise so soon as able and will know her design to the full, of which you shall have timely notice. I desire you to let me know your pleasure, if you will have me continue in looking to her actions in all her visits to these princes, or to repair to Rome. She was already private for two hours with the Duchess, and more than an hour with the Duke. ...

Your very humble and most faithful servant

Anthony Ayllmour. ...

French translation (my own):

Turin, le 5 octobre 1656. [Nouveau style.]

Monsieur,

Depuis mon dernier, qui était du 6 courant, seule la réception de la reine des Suédois par le duc de Savoie est seule digne de mention. Douze hommes en livrée rouge furent envoyés avec une chaise au Mont Darblet, et de l'autre côté un grand nombre de nobles, et les gardes de Leurs Altesses la conduisirent à Rivol, où elle fut accueillie par toute la cour en grande pompe et cérémonie, et en chemin fut reçu par toute la bourgeoisie, et ainsi conduite à la ville à la lumière de torches et de deux arcs de triomphe, avec plusieurs feux d'artifice que la ville, à l'aide des lumières qu'offrait chaque fenêtre, semblait être toute dans un feu. Le clergé in pontificalibus la reçut aux portes.

La rhume que j'ai reçu en passant la montagne m'a forcé à me retirer pendant quelques jours, dont je ne suis pas encore parfaitement guéri, mais j'espère pouvoir donner d'ici les prochains un compte plus ample et plus satisfaisant.

Elle restera ici quelques jours, et de toutes ses conférences, je vous conseillerai dès que possible et connaîtrai pleinement son dessein, dont vous serez informé en temps opportun. Je désire que vous me fassiez part de votre plaisir, si vous voulez que je continue à surveiller ses actions dans toutes ses visites à ces princes, ou à me rendre à Rome. Elle fut déjà deux heures en privé avec la duchesse et plus d'une heure avec le duc. ...

Votre très humble et très fidèle serviteur

Antoine Ayllmour. ...

Swedish translation (my own):

Turin, den 5 oktober 1656. [Nya stilen.]

Min herre,

Sedan mitt förra brev, som var av den 6 av denna månad, är endast mottagandet av svenskarnas drottningen av hertigen av Savojen endast värt att uppmärksammas. Tolv män i rött liv skickades med schäslong till Mont Darblet och på andra sidan ett stort antal herrar, och Deras Högheters vakter förde henne till Rivol, där hon möttes av hela hovet under stor pompa och prakt, och på vägen mottogs av hela borgerskapet, och så leddes till staden av ljuset av facklor och två triumfbågar, med flera fyrverkerier som staden, med hjälp av vilka ljus varje fönster gav, tycktes vara allt i en eld. Prästerskapet in pontificalibus tog emot henne vid portarna.

Jag tvingades av den förkylning jag fick när jag passerade berget att dra mig tillbaka för några dagar, av vilken jag ännu inte är helt återställd, men jag hoppas att till nästa kunna ge en mer omfattande och tillfredsställande redogörelse.

Några dagar kommer hon att stanna här, och om alla hennes konferenser kommer jag att ge råd så snart som möjligt och kommer att känna till hennes utformning till fullo, vilket Ni skall få besked i god tid. Jag önskar att Ni låter mig veta att Ni är nöjd, om Ni vill att jag skall fortsätta att se till hennes handlingar i alla hennes besök hos dessa furstar, eller att reparera till Rom. Hon var redan privat i två timmar med hertiginnan och mer än en timme med hertigen. ...

Er mycket ödmjuke och trognaste tjänare

Anthony Ayllmour. ...

Above: Kristina.

Above: Charles Emmanuel II, Duke of Savoy.

Above: His mother, Christine of France, Duchess of Savoy.