Source:
A journal of the Swedish ambassy, in the years M.DCC.LIII. and M.DCC.LIV., volume 1, pages 303 to 305, Bulstrode Whitelocke, 1772
The anecdote:
... Seeing the high esteem and pleasure which her majesty had of balles, dauncing, and musicke, which recreations being modestly and moderately used, [Whitelocke] held indifferent things, and not unlawfull in themselves; and that it was fitt for him, being invited by the queen, to be present att them, att fitt times, lest he should be judged too severe and morose, and too much to censure those who used and delighted in them, desired his company att them: and he having bin before invited to a ball, and refusing to come, bicause it was on the Lord's day, being now agayne solemnly invited from the queen herselfe, to a ball this night att court, he thought, if he should agayne refuse to come to it, the queen might be distasted, and thinke her favour slighted; he therefore resolved to go to the ball this night; and after nine a'clocke, the master of the ceremonies (in a speciall complement) brought two of the queen's coaches to attend [Whitelocke] to the castle. When he came into the roome where the queen was, she bid him wellcome, with more then ordinary respect, and ledd him into a large roome, where she usually heares sermons, and, att other times, it is for musick and dauncing.
There was present a great number of ladyes and gallants; her chayre of state was uppon a foot carpett: a little distance from it, on the right hand, were five or six stooles, where Whitelocke sate next to the queen, and after him, prince Adolphe, and other grandees; on the left hand sate about twenty ladyes, very gallant, after the french mode. The queen's musick was in a place behind the chayre of state, seven or eight violins, with base violes, flutes, and citterns, perfecte masters.
The queen, with her ladyes and courtiers, first daunced the brawles, then french daunces, in which the lady Jane Ruthen tooke forth captain Whitelocke; and he and severall others of Whitelocke's gentlemen were taken forth by the swedish ladyes, to daunce english countrey daunces; wherin the english gentlemen were expert, and taught them some new ones.
The queen took delight in those english daunces, and herselfe daunced with more life and spirit then the rest of the ladyes, or then any he had seen: she was pleased severall times to doe Whitelocke the honor to come to him, and discourse with him, whilst the rest were dauncing. She asked him, how he liked their sports? he told her, he liked them very well, and thought himselfe in England: she asked, why so? he answeared, bicause he saw the sports and daunces of his own countrey so lively acted heer. After he had fully commended the dauncing, musick, and company, and her majesty, who was above all, about twelve a'clocke att night the meeting brake up, and Whitelocke was brought home agayne with the queen's coaches.
Above: Kristina.
Above: Bulstrode Whitelocke.
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