Source:
A journal of the Swedish ambassy, in the years M.DCC.LIII. and M.DCC.LIV., volume 1, pages 315 to 318, Bulstrode Whitelocke, 1772
The audience:
... Whitelocke went to court, and was, without delay, admitted to the queen's presence, who told him, that she had a short journey to goe into the countrey, and that she desired to speake with him before her going, that he might not thinke she had any intention of delaying his buisnes; that she would resume to Ubsale within eight days, and, in the time of her absence, she had appointed the chancellor to conferre with Whitelocke about the proposalls he had given in to her; and she said, that, bicause Whitelocke was a stranger to her chancellor, she herselfe would tell him the chancellor's condition, and how he should treat with him.
She then told Whitelocke, that her chancellor was an old man of great experience in buisnes, and perhaps, in conference with him, might propound or insist uppon some things, which Whitelocke would not have expected, and that this might be with some earnestnes; that yett Whitelocke should doe well to debate freely and courteously with him; and if theruppon the chancellor would be satisfyed, all would be well; butt in case he could not satisfy the chancellor, that then it must come to the queen, and that she would strike the stroake between them in any difference of opinion.
Whitelocke received this intimation with much thankfullnes, and looked uppon the kindness and freedome of it from her majesty, as a very great testimony of her respect to the common-wealth of England and to their servant, and no finalle argument of her good inclinations to the buisnes propounded; which he indeavoured to improve to the best advantage therof.
He told the queen, that his buisnes was with her, and she only was to be the judge in all matters which he had propounded, or should propound; that he found her sufficiently capable to give her own resolutions uppon the most difficult points; that she having bin pleased, as was necessary for her own ease, to referre the debate of these points to her chancellor, that he would attend, and indeavour to give him satisfaction, if reason and interest would doe it (as he hoped they would); if not, he was sure they would prevayle with her majesty, by whom he was glad he should receive the determination of his buisnes, to whom only it appertained, and whom he rather should waite uppon in this, or any other buisnes, then any person alive.
Then the queen fell into discourse concerning the opinions of religion in England; then touching consubstantiation, the power of God, the immortality of the soul, and the like; wherin she argued with much witt and knowledge, having had discourse uppon the same matters with those learned men about her, whom she had gotten from all parts.
She was pleased to tell Whitelocke, that she received much satisfaction from him; she called for stooles, and sate herselfe, and caused Whitelocke to sitt downe; which favour she doth not afforde to other ambassadors; butt told Whitelocke, she heard that he was lame, and therfore she would sitt herselfe, that so he might sitt likewise, and not be putt to the pennance of standing so long time togither as their discourse lasted: she desired Whitelocke not to acquaint any person whatsoever with some of the passages between them, which Whitelocke promised, and observed.
He then told her majesty, he was fearfull, lest, by his long stay (having bin above two howers with her), he might hinder her greater affayres, or be tedious; and he desired not to give her majesty offence, either in going or in staying: butt he heard that the danish ambassador was without, attending to speake with her majesty, to which she answeared to Whitelocke, that his company was very pleasing to her, and that he need not to goe away bicause of the danish ambassador, who, she sayd, might waite still. In all the time of her discourse with Whitelocke, she used much freenes, and great respect to him; and, what he informed her touching the affayres of England, she tooke for graunted.
Above: Kristina.
Above: Bulstrode Whitelocke.
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