Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Kristina's letter to Count Palatine Johan Kasimir, dated June 21/July 1 (Old Style), 1640

Source:

Mémoires concernant Christine, reine de Suède, volume 4, page 206, compiled and edited by Johan Arckenholtz, 1760


The letter:

Stockholm 21. Junii 1640. titulo consueto.
Ew. Liebd. schreiben hab ich empfangen, woraus ich vernommen dass E. L. Sohn H. C. G. (Hertzog Carl Gustave) zu Hamburg gewesen sey. Hoffe derntwegen dass er wird bald hierkommen. Derenthalben bitte ich, dass E. L. wollen sich bald hieher verfügen und nicht allein darum, sondern auch dieweil [Gott beserts] ich sehr verdrüsliche zeitungen habe bekommen, nemlich dass F. M. weg gereist ist, man weis nicht wohin, und hat keinen mehr mit sich genommen, als die Bylow, Dückert und Pogrell, worüber ich, sammt die Regierung, seynd sehr perplex geworden, dass man nicht weiss was man thun soll. Dies E. L. zu notificiren hab ich nicht unterlassen können: E. L. hiemit den Allmächtigen empfohlen, und mich in dero gute affection. Ich verbleibe
Ew. Liebd.
Getreue bis im todt
Christina.

English translation (my own):

Stockholm, June 21, 1640, titulo consueto.
I have received Your Lovingness's letter, from which I heard that Your Lovingness's son Duke Karl Gustav was in Hamburg, so I hope he will come here soon. On the other hand, I ask that Your Lovingness wish to come here soon, and not just because of that, but also because I have received very displeasing tidings, namely that my Lady Mother has traveled away, it is not known where to, and she did not take anyone with her except Bülow, Dückert and Pogrell, about which I, together with the Government, have become so perplexed that one does not know what to do. I could not fail to notify Your Lovingness of this. I hereby recommend Your Lovingness the Almighty, and me in your good affection.
I remain
Your Lovingness'
faithful until death
Kristina.


Above: Kristina.


Above: Count Palatine Johan Kasimir.

Notes: H. C. G. = Herzog Carl Gustaf

F. M. = Frau Mutter

Kristina's mother, Maria Eleonora, had recently escaped from her exile at Gripsholm Castle and traveled to Denmark, which was Sweden's enemy at the time. Her escape shocked and angered Kristina's regency council.

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