Thursday, April 29, 2021

Kristina's letter to Azzolino, dated October 17/27 (New Style), 1666

Sources:






Kristina wrote this letter to Cardinal Decio Azzolino on October 27, 1666.

The letter (with Kristina's spelling):

trente deuxiesme
lestre de Ambur 27. O.bre 1666 —
Vostre dix neuxuiesme lestre du 2 docttob. est remplie de termes si obligentes de Vostre amitie que iy reconois enCore la mesme affection qui faisoit autrefois ma satisfaction, et qui par le Changement que le temps y a apporte fait presantement ma douleur. Je Vous remercie des efforts que Vous Vous estes fait pour me Consoler et Vous prie de Croire que Vos inCommodites mont fort afflige, et que ie suis impaciente dapprendre que Vous soyes delivre heureusement de celle qui Vous restes prennent plus dinterest en Vostre sante quen la mienne propre et resentent Vos douleurs iusques icy ausi Vivement Comme si Je les suffrois moy mesme, Vous prient de ne Vous inquietter pas de ma sante qui a present est ny bonne ny mauvaise mais telle que Dieu Veut quelle soit dans Ce destable Climat

pour mes affaires ie ne Vous en puis parler que fort inCertainement. Jattens des lestre dAdamy et les reponses de mes ordres de Suede et de pomeranie. la flegme ordinaire de ses pays ne permets pas que les Choses se facent avec la promtitude que Je souhaitte. outre Cela les post retardent fort Car Chemains en Ces pays sont desia impracticables. Cepandant ie Vous prie de ne Vous scandaliser pas de la negligence de mon Governeur Genl. et de nexiger pas de luy quil aye a rester a Stocholme puisqve la Coustume du pays est presentement en Suede que la regence et le senat se licencie quattere fois lanne generalement de touts les affaires et que cet vn Crime que doser y penser ou en parler durant deux mois que dure leur promenades a la Campange. Cela se fait a quattre diverse reprise et a Jaque reprise on prendt deux mois pour se reposer. Voyla Comme on gouverne Ce miserable royaume et Jauray tort de pretendre quon eust plus dasiduite pour mes affaires qve lon a pour Ceux du roy et du royaume. a present Jl ny a plus de promenade iusques a Noel, et duran ce temps la Jl faut tachere de se depecher Car autrement pour deux austre moys Jl ny aura rien a faire.

Jay par escrit tout ce qve Vous souhaittes signe de toutte la regence au nom du Roy present et iay beauCoup plus que Vous ne pouvez immaginer, et sil arrive iamais des occasions dans les quels Jl faudra prouver mon droit, Jl Jl Jl y aura de quoy. mes mon party est si fort en Svede quon nosera me le disputer si Jamais loccasion arrive, et Je Vous prie de Croyre quil ny pas un homme en Suede ny despee ny de suttane qui ne se declare pour moy et que mes plus grans ennemys, dont le nombre est petit mais presentement fort puisants seront alors les plus empresses pour me rendre des servises, quoy que ie sois persvade qua present il nesparngeront ny fer ny poyson pour moster du monde sil pouvoit. Voila en peu de parole lestat des Choses. Je Vous prie Cepandant destre persuade que la Crainte de la mort ne mempechera iamais daller en Suede et que Jasarderay tout si ie Croyois quil fust necessaire, mais si iay differe Jusques icy cest que les ConJontures sont telles que ie mes interest demandent plus tost ma presence en ce lieux quen Suede et si ie Vous parle iamais Je Vous le feray Conoistre Clairement et Vous me donneres raison

les affaires de Breme se disposent Comme ie Vous ay escrit par ma presedente a vne paix Alexandrine pour la Suede, ou a vne gere Alexandrine qui leur fera perdre leur Conquestes dAlemange. dans peu de iours nous en saurons ce qui arrivera, et ie ne manqueray de Vous en faire part dans la primiere lestre que ie Vous escriray

Saches que Vos oraisons mont sauve la vie Car par vn miracle Je suis este preserve destre brule Come la Ville de Londre. daustres Vous en diront les particularittes.

Jl ny a rien austre de nouveau si non qve le ministre de d'ollande part de Svede, otrage du mauvais traittement quil y a receu. on traitte de nouveau avec la france et Vous saurez tout ce qui se fera car iusques icy Jl ny a rien de fait, et soyez en asseure quoi que lon Vous puisse dire. Connismarque Abassadeur de Suede part ausi de france peu satisfait et lon traittera en Suede Je sauray tout et Vous le sauray ausi. —

Je vous envoye les Copies des lestres que lionne ma escrites et ma reponse. ie souhaitte quelle Vous satisface. Sil y a quelque Chose qui Vous deplaise pardonnes a mon ignorance —

P. S.
Je vous escris vne lestre a part sur laffaire du Carosse du Duc Conti ou Vous Verrez mes sentiments Comme il sont sen Compliment.

Je vous envoy ausi une Copie de la lestre de lempereur au roy de Svede. ie Vous pourois Communiquer beaucoup des Chosse for segrettes sur se suiet et sur des semblables mais Comme tout cela est en allement Je noseray pas le fier a daustres pour le traduire, et Je nay pas loisir de le faire moy mesme et la fatigue seroit trop grande pour moy tout ce qui me Viendra entre les mains de langage intelligible ie Vous en feray part, sil me sera possible Car qvelquefois lon ne me laisse pas le loisir de le Copier. lon a declare lElecteur de Bandebur genl. du Cercle de la basse Saxe Contre la Svede.

English translation (my own):

32nd letter from Hamburg, October 27, 1666 —
Your nineteenth letter, of October 2, is filled with such obliging terms of your friendship that I still recognise in it the same affection which once made me happy and which, by the change that time has brought, currently gives me pain. I thank you for the efforts you have made to console me, and ask you to believe that your inconveniences have greatly distressed me, and that I am impatient to learn that you are delivered happily from the one that you have left, taking more interest in your health as in my own and feeling your pains so far as keenly as if I suffered them myself, begging you not to worry about my health, which at present is neither good nor bad, but as God wills it to be in this detestable climate.

As for my affairs, I can only speak to you about them with great doubt. I await letters from Adami and responses to my orders from Sweden and Pomerania. The ordinary phlegm of these countries does not allow things to be done with the promptitude that I wish. Besides that, the messengers are lagging behind, because the roads in these countries are already impracticable. However, please do not be scandalised by the negligence of my Governor General, and do not require him to stay in Stockholm, since the current custom in Sweden is that the regency and the Senate are dismissed four times a year, generally in all cases, and that it is a crime to dare to think about it or talk about it for two months during their outing in the countryside. This is done on four different occasions, and each time it takes two months to rest. This is how this miserable kingdom is governed, and I would be wrong to claim that there was more diligence for my affairs than we have for those of the King and the kingdom. Now there are no more outings until Christmas, and during this time one must try to hurry, because otherwise for two more months there will be nothing to do.

I have in writing everything you wish, signed by all the regency in the name of the present King, and I have much more than you can imagine, and if there ever occur occasions in which it will be necessary to prove my right, there will be enough. But support for me is so strong in Sweden that no one will dare to dispute it, if the opportunity ever arrives, and I beg you to believe that there is not a man in Sweden, neither of sword nor of cassock, which does not declare himself in support of me, and that my greatest enemies, of which the number is small but presently very powerful, will then be the most eager to render me services, although I am persuaded that now they will spare neither iron nor poison to take me from the world, if they could. Here in a few words is the state of things. I beg you, however, to be persuaded that the fear of death will never prevent me from going to Sweden and that I would risk everything if I thought it necessary; but if I have differed so far, it is because the conjunctures are such that I believe that my interests require rather my presence in here than in Sweden, and if I never speak to you, I will make it known to you clearly, and you will prove me right.

The affairs of Bremen are preparing, as I wrote to you in my previous letter, for either an Alexandrine peace for Sweden or for an Alexandrine war which will cause them to lose their conquests from Germany. In a few days we will know what will happen, and I will not fail to let you know in the first letter I write to you.

Know that your prayers saved my life, because by a miracle I was saved from being burned like the city of London. Others will tell you the details.*

There is nothing new, except that the minister of Holland is leaving Sweden, outraged by the ill treatment he has received there. We are dealing with France again, and you will know everything that will be done, because so far there is nothing done, and rest assured whatever you may be told. Königsmark, ambassador of Sweden, also leaves France dissatisfied at how he's been treated in Sweden. I will know everything and you will know it too.

I am sending you copies of the letters that de Lionne wrote to me and my response. I hope it satisfies you. If there is anything that displeases you, forgive my ignorance.

P. S. — I am writing a separate letter to you on the case of the Duke of Conti's coach, where you will see my feelings as they are, without compliment.*

I also send you a copy of the Emperor's letter to the King of Sweden. I could communicate to you many very secret things on this subject and on similar ones, but as all this is in German I would not dare to trust others to translate it, and I do not have the leisure to do it myself, and the fatigue would be too much for me. Anything that comes to me in the hands of an intelligible language I will share with you, if it will be possible for me, because sometimes I am not allowed to copy it.

The Elector of Brandenburg has been declared general of the Circle of Lower Saxony against Sweden.


Above: Kristina.


Above: Cardinal Decio Azzolino.

Notes: On the night of October 21, 1666, a fire broke out in Kristina's house. She/he/they was the first to raise the alarm. The fire burned for two hours, but does not appear to have caused great damage.

Kristina left it to Azzolino to decide whether the Duke of Poli (Conti) should continue, while he was away, to enjoy a horse-drawn carriage from her/his/their stables. The Cardinal declared himself in support of maintaining this favour.
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Kristina's letter to Azzolino, dated October 10/20 (New Style), 1666

Sources:








Kristina wrote this letter to Cardinal Decio Azzolino on October 20, 1666.

The letter, with Kristina's spellings:

lestre trentevniesme lestre de Ambur le 20. Ottre. 1666 —
Vostre dix huitiesme lestre du 25 du passe moblige infiniment par le soin que Vous tesmoinges pour ma sante, que ie reCois avec lestime et la reconoissance que vous merites de moy

Je panse que mes presedentes geriront Vostre esprit de la Crainte que Vous avez de [chiffres effacés] en Vous faisant Connoistre que ce danger est enCore fort esloingee. Cest pour quoy Je ne mamuseray pas a Vous repondre sur le raisonnement que vous faittes sur le payement de Thexeira si ce nest de vous asseure que ie nay Jamais este si sote que de vouloir que largent de son payement passat par daustres mains que les siennes propres, et cela est Conserte ainsi depuis long temps.

Adamy qui est en Suede aura desia entame la negotiation des affermes et y donnera la derniere main et ie Vous fairay part de tout Ce qui se passe ausitost que ie le sauray. Cest luy qui fera tout. Cepandant ie Vous prie duser dvne grande preCaution en luy escrivant, Car Jl y a des forte raysons qui moblige a Vous prier de Cela qui Vous seront Coneu vn Jour mais presentement ie ne puis Vous le faire savoir Car on ne peut pas escrire Comme on parle.

pezza se trouve vn peu indispose et Jen suis en paine quoy que iespere que ce ne sera rien.

Je Vous envoy la Copie de la lestre que iay escrit au Cardl. Sforza et suis fort estonne de ce quon ne Vous la pas fait Voir Car Je ne puis avoir rien de segret pour vous Jl est Vray que la lestre ne merite pas destre veu mais enfin ie suis en Colere Contre D. Matteo qui ne Vous la pas envoies a Chet Volant et quon ne Vous la pas monstree ce qui se dit de vous est que le Cardl. Sforza disoit dans la sienne quil se scandalisoit de Vous voiant que mon interest ne Vous empechoit pas de souhaitter la [chiffre effacés] durant mon absence et iay Voulu lasseurer que nous somme daccordt si ie retrouve la lestre dv Cardl. Sforza ie Vous envoieray la Copie afin que vous puissiez attendre le Iargon de la mienne et je Vous lauray envoye Jl y a lon temps mais ie supposay que Vous leussiez veue Car faittes moy la Justice de Croire que ie nauray iamais de segrets pour vous.

les deux flottes son retires san Combat. Celle de france a perdu deux uaissaux de la leure qui sont tombe entre les mains de Anglois. lon fait dans les deux parties des preparatifs immances pour la Campange a venir et Cett gver se passera en negotiation de paix de tout Costes. la flotte des Jndes orientales des Ollandois est arrive heureuse ment en Ollande a vn Vaissaux prest que la tempeste a fait eschouer a lentre de flye et vn austre quelle a iette en ce port ou Jl atten le Vent pour passer en Ollande.

les deputes des princes du Cercle de Vestfalie son aupres de Vrangel pour tacher de renouer la negotiation la Vile bremen. Cepandant lon a envoye par vn trompette les lestre avoCatorialles a Vrangel de la part de lempire et de lempereur luy defendent de passer ovtre et ordonnant de cesser de lhostilite Contre la ditte Vile. on ne sait Comment Cela sera prix du Coste de Suede ny quelle effect cela produira. la vile bloque abbonde de tout Ce quil faut pour se Conserver et est plus fiere que iamais Ce quon appelle le Camp de Suede manque de tout ce quil faut pour subsister et pour les attaquer. tout les passages sont gardes et tout le monde iusques au roy Dannemarque se sont enhardies iusques a oser empecher les secours aux Suedois. Je plaines la Couronne et le Conestable, Car Cette malheureuse et sotte entreprise Va Couster a lun et a laustre leur Gloire et leur reputation Car la Suede ne se peut plus sauver que par vn traitte Alexandrin. Je Vous ay dit que Je Croiois quon feroit vne diette en Suede ie ne say si cela arrivera cet yver, mais si cela Ce fait, Jl faudra que la Suede se saue par miracle dune revolution Car tout sy dispose dune maniere que ie tiens quelle est Jnfalible. et si Cela arive ie seray fort empeche de ma personne, mais ie Vous feray savoir mes resolutions Car ie suis encore fort irresolue. Cepandt Je vous puis asseurer quil ny a poin de lieu plus propre au monde pour attendre les gravs euenements qui se prepare de toutte parts, que cette ville. la timidite de Thexeira ne Vous doit pas estonner elle excede san doutte les messures mais neamoins Jl est bon de se preCautionner Car lenvie de regner fait faire des estranges Choses et en Suede Comme alieurs on sayt emploier le poingart et le poyson, et a vous dire le Vray ie Crois quon me prepare et lun et laustre pour sortir daffaire avec moy, Car ma presence les Chagrine et les inquiette plus que Vous ne panses, et lamour de la nation pour moy quelque grandt quil soit ne suffit pas povr men garantir, Car si iestois moins ayme et desiree iauray moins a Craindre. neamoins Croies que ce nest pas la Crainte qui retarde mon Voyage de Svede cest lestat des Choses qui moblige dattendre ycy a pie ferme les evenements, Car Je Juge ce lieux iusques icy plus propre que la Suede pour mes intentions. Car ma demeure icy produit damirables effects et desia la Suede est presuade quil ne tien pas a moy que ie ne sois en Suede, et sait que ie suis empeche par la Cruaute de Ceux qui sy oppose et Cela augmente lamour envers moy, et laversion et la haine enver les auteurs et fait quen Conservant ma liberte, ie fais pour moy vn Coup destat admirable, et suis prest a touts evenements, en estat de pouvoir prendre party sur le Cham, ce que ie feray quant il sera temps le plus a propos quil me sera possible et Vous seres averty de tout

Jattens auec Jmpacience dapprendre des novvelles de Uostre Conferance auec le duc de Chaune, et Je ne manqueray pas de faire savoir a de Lionne ce qve Uous souhaittes et de bonne maniere et le feray san y manquer a la primiere occasion qve iauray a luy escrire.

Vous pouvez disposer a faver du Duc de Nortumbrie et de qui Vous plaira des mes Chevax et de mes Carosse et de touts ce que iay. pour la pension ie souhaitte quil laye et le luy tesmoingeray moy mesme, et Vous pouuez len asseurer de ma part

Je suis bien fache dapprendre que Monsigor Azzolino se porte encore mal. Je uous prie donne men des nouvelles Car Comme sest vne personne qui Vous est Chere Jl me lest ausi et le doit estre puis quil est Vostre frere pour le reste nos amis donne men ausi des nouvelles et Conserve moy dans leur souvenir et leur faisant de ma part mes amities. adieu

Je ne repons pas a Vostre Chiffre Car Je ne puis ny Changer des sentiments ny Vous les faire Conoistre sen Vous offencer. adieu

Ryter nest pas et ie Vous ay manty deux foix sur la foix de Thexeira sur son suiet.

English translation (my own):

31st letter from Hamburg, October 20, 1666 —
Your eighteenth letter, dated the 25th of last month, obliges me immeasurably by the concern you show for my health, which I receive with the esteem and recognition that you deserve from me.

I think my previous letters will heal your mind of your fear of [numbers erased] by letting you know that this danger is still far away. This is why I will not amuse myself answering you on the reasoning that you make on Texeira's payment, except to assure you that I have never been so foolish as to want that money from his payment passed through other hands than his own, and this has been agreed upon for a long time.

Adami, who is in Sweden, will have already started the negotiation of the estates and will give the final touches, and I will tell you everything that happens as soon as I know it. He will do everything. However, I ask you to use great caution in writing to him, because there are strong reasons which oblige me to beseech you about this, which will be known to you one day, but, at present, I cannot make them known for you, because one cannot write as one speaks.

Pezza is a bit indisposed, and I am in pain, although I hope it will be nothing.

I am sending you the copy of the letter I wrote to Cardinal Sforza, and am very surprised that you have not been shown it, for I cannot have anything secret from you. It is true that the letter does not deserve to be seen, but still I am angry with Don Matteo, who did not send it to you by post, and that it was not shown to you. What is said about you is that Cardinal Sforza said in his letter that he was scandalised at you, seeing that my interest did not prevent you from wishing for the [numbers erased] during my absence, and I wanted to assure him that we agree. If I find Cardinal Sforza's letter, I will send you the copy, so that you can hear the jargon of mine, and I would have sent it to you a long time ago, but I assumed that you would have seen it, because do me the justice to believe that I will never keep secrets from you.

The two fleets withdrew without a fight. That of France lost two vessels of theirs which fell into the hands of the English. On both sides, immense preparations are being made for the coming campaign, and this war will take place in peace negotiations on all coasts. The fleet of the Dutch East Indies arrived happily in Holland, to a close vessel, which the storm made run aground at the entry of Flye, and another which it threw in this port where it awaits the wind to pass in Holland.

The deputies of the princes of the circle of Westphalia are with Wrangel to try to resume negotiations with the city of Bremen. However, the lawyer's letters to Wrangel on behalf of the Empire and the Emperor were sent by a rumour-monger, forbidding him to overrule and ordering to cease hostility against the said city. We do not know how it will be taken on the Swedish side, or what effect it will produce. The stranded city abounds with everything it takes to conserve itself and is more proud than ever. What is called "the Swedish camp" lacks everything needed to survive and to attack them. All the passages are guarded, and everyone, up to the King of Denmark, has emboldened himself to the point of daring to prevent aid to the Swedes. I feel sorry for the Crown and the Constable, because this unfortunate and foolish enterprise will cost both of them their glory and their reputation, because Sweden can only be saved by an Alexandrian treaty.

I told you I thought that the Riksdag would be convened in Sweden. I do not know if it will happen this winter, but if it does it will be necessary that Sweden is saved by miracle of a revolution, because everything is available there in a way that I wish that it is infallible. And if that happens, I will be very much prevented from [going there] in person; but I will let you know my resolutions, for I am still very undecided. However, I can assure you that there is no place cleaner in the world, to await the serious events which are being prepared on all sides, than this city.

Texeira's timidity should not surprise you. It is probably beyond measure, but nevertheless it is good to be cautious, because the desire to reign makes one do strange things, and, in Sweden as elsewhere, one knows how to use the dagger and the poison and, to tell you the truth, I believe that both are preparing me for getting out of business with me; because my presence grieves and worries them more than you think, and the nation's love for me, however great it may be, is not enough to guarantee me, because if I was less loved and desired, I would have less to fear. Nevertheless, believe that it is not fear that delays my trip from Sweden: it is the state of things that forces me to wait firmly here for events, because I judge this place, so far, cleaner than Sweden for my intentions. My residence here produces admirable effects, and already Sweden is convinced that it is not up to me that I am not in Sweden and knows that I am prevented by the cruelty of those who oppose it; and it increases the love towards me and the aversion and hatred towards the authors, and makes that by preserving my freedom, I am making for myself an admirable coup d'état, and am ready for all events, in a state of power to take sides on the spot, which I will do when it is most timely, and you will be notified of everything.

I look forward to hearing from your conference with the Duke de Chaulnes, and I will be sure to let de Lionne know what you want, and in a good way, and will do it without fail at the first opportunity that I will have to write to him.

You can get rid, for the Duke of Northumberland and whomever you please, of my horses and my coaches and all that I have. As for the pension, I wish he had it, and I will testify to him myself, and you can assure me of it.

I am very sorry to hear that Monsignor Azzolino is still in bad shape. Please give me news, because as he is a person dear to you, he is dear to me too and should be since he is your brother. As for the rest of our friends, also give me news and keep me in their memory, and continue for them, on my behalf, my friendships. Farewell.

I'm not answering your cipher, because I can neither change my feelings nor make them known to you without offending you. Farewell.

Ruyter is not wounded, and I lied to you twice, on Texeira's faith, on that subject.


Above: Kristina.



Above: Cardinal Decio Azzolino.
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Friday, April 23, 2021

Report in "Gazette de France" on Carl Gustaf Wrangel's visit to Kristina, dated November 7, 1667

Source:

https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6296293c/f4.image.r=Reyne%20Christine%20de%20S%C3%BC%C3%A9de?rk=64378;0

The report:

De Hambourg, le 7 Novembre 1667.
... Le Connétable Wrangel estoit ici venu prendre Congé de la Reyne Christine de Süéde: mais il s'en est retourné à Staden, cette Princesse ayant remis son voyage d'Italie, au Printemps.

With modernised spelling:

De Hambourg, le 7 novembre 1667.
... Le connétable Wrangel était ici venu prendre congé de la Reine Christine de Suède, mais il s'en est retourné à Stade, cette princesse ayant remis son voyage d'Italie, au printemps.

English translation (my own):

From Hamburg, November 7, 1667.
... Constable Wrangel had come here to take leave of Queen Kristina of Sweden, but he returned to Stade, this princess having postponed her trip to Italy in the spring.


Above: Kristina.


Above: Carl Gustaf Wrangel.
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Thursday, April 22, 2021

Report in "Gazette de France" on Kristina's illness and Pope Innocent XI's visit to her/him/them, dated March 1, 1689

Source:


De Rome, le 1r Mars 1689.
... La Reyne Christine de Süéde est beaucoup plus mal depuis la nuit du 25. Le Pape l'envoye visiter tous les jours: s'estant excusé d'y aller en personne, à cause de ses indispositions. Hier, il envoya la visiter par le Cardinal Ottoboni. Cette Princesse a demandé la grace de plusieurs personnes condamnées par contumace, qui sont retirées dans son quartier. Sa Sainteté la luy a accordée: & luy a envoyée vn Bref sur ce sujet, par le sieur Albani. Tous les Cardinaux l'ont visitée.

With modernised spelling:

De Rome, le 1 mars 1689.
... La Reine Christine de Suède est beaucoup plus mal depuis la nuit du 25. Le Pape l'envoie visiter tous les jours, s'étant excusé d'y aller en personne, à cause de ses indispositions. Hier, il envoya la visiter par le Cardinal Ottoboni. Cette princesse a demandé la grâce de plusieurs personnes condamnées par contumace, qui sont retirées dans son quartier. Sa Sainteté la lui a accordée, et lui a envoyée un bref sur ce sujet, par le sieur Albani. Tous les Cardinaux l'ont visitée.

English translation (my own):

From Rome, March 1, 1689.
... Queen Kristina of Sweden is much worse since the night of the 25th. The Pope sends her visitors every day, apologising for [not] going there in person, because of his indispositions. Yesterday he sent to visit her through Cardinal Ottoboni. This princess has asked for the pardon of several people convicted in absentia, who are withdrawn in her neighbourhood. His Holiness granted it to her, and sent her a brief on this subject, by Sir Albani. All the Cardinals have visited her.


Above: Kristina.


Above: Pope Innocent XI.
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Kristina's letter to Camillo Rospigliosi, dated September 14, 1667

Source:

Mémoires concernant Christine, reine de Suède, volume 3, page 289, compiled and edited by Johan Arckenholtz, 1759


The letter:

Au Bailli D. Camillo Rospigliosi, le 14. Septembre 1667.
Mon Cousin, vous devez sans-doute être persuadé de la joye, avec laquelle j'ai reçu la nouvelle que vous me mandez dans la vôtre du 10 du passé, de votre heureuse arrivée à Rome; puisque vous n'ignorez pas que l'obligation & la vénération que j'ai pour Sa Sainteté, m'engage à regarder avec une amitié & tendresse particuliére toute sa Maison, & vous en particulier, dont le mérite & la réputation me sont déjà connus. M'intéressant donc comme je fais par tant de raisons à votre prospérité, je vous en félicite de tout mon cœur, & vous souhaite une longue jouissance de votre fortune, vous priant de me considérer comme la personne du monde la plus intéressée à vos prospérités, quoiqu'il soit vrai que le destin de toute la Chrétienté soit attaché à la gloire & à la félicité du vôtre. J'accepte aussi l'offre que vous me faites de votre amitié, & j'en fais déjà présentement mon capital, vous donnant la mienne sans réserve, & souhaitant les occasions de vous la témoigner. Cependant je prie Dieu qu'il vous dienne, Mon Cousin, en sa sainte & digne garde.

English translation (my own):

To the Bailey Don Camillo Rospigliosi, September 14, 1667.
My cousin, you must doubtless be convinced of the joy with which I received the news you gave me in your letter of the 10th of last month of your happy arrival in Rome, since you are not unaware that the obligation and the veneration I have for His Holiness commits me to regard with a particular friendship and tenderness all [members of] his House, and you in particular, whose merit and reputation are already known to me. Being interested in your prosperity, therefore, as I do for so many reasons, I congratulate you with all my heart and wish you a long enjoyment of your fortune, begging you to consider me as the person most interested in the world in your prosperity, although it is true that the fate of all Christendom is attached to the glory and the bliss of yours. I also accept the offer you make to me of your friendship, and I am already making it my capital, giving you mine unreservedly, and wishing for opportunities to testify it to you. In the meantime, I pray to God that He will keep you, my cousin, in His holy and worthy protection.


Above: Kristina.


Above: Camillo Rospigliosi.

Note: In accordance with the nobility's ideals in the early modern era, kings and queens considered themselves siblings; when talking to someone of a lower rank than their own, they would refer to that person as "my cousin", regardless of whether or not they were related.
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Kristina's letter to Cardinal Giacomo Rospigliosi, year 1667

Source:

Mémoires concernant Christine, reine de Suède, volume 3, page 289, compiled and edited by Johan Arckenholtz, 1759


The letter:

A l'Abbé Rospigliosi,
Mon Cousin, j'avois déjà appris, par les Nouvelles publiques, l'exaltation au Pontificat du Seigneur Cardinal Rospigliosi, & j'attendois d'apprendre par un Courier de la part du Cardinal Azzolino une nouvelle aussi importante & agréable pour moi que celle-là, lorsque votre Lettre m'a confirmé dans ma joye, en me donnant la plus agréable nouvelle du monde. Et quoique j'aye été assez heureuse pour être peut-être la premiére à vous donner cette même nouvelle, vous m'avez récompensé sur le champ, en m'assurant que ce que j'ai tant desiré étoit déjà arrivé. Je vous en rends mille graces, aussi bien que des obligeantes expressions dont vous vous servez à mon égard; & puisque vous connoissez en partie ce que vous devez aux services du Seigneur Cardinal Azzolino, j'ose vous demander pour lui toute la reconnoissance qu'il a méritée par le service si signalé qu'il vient de vous rendre, dont sans vanité je puis dire que peu de personnes en savent plus de particularités que moi, qui suis témoin qu'il y a plus de deux ans qu'il a travaillé à cela avec toute l'habileté & la fidélité que le tems & les conjonctures pouvoient permettre de faire à un aussi honnête & habile homme qu'il est. Je suis ravie que vous le savez, & je m'assure que vous rendrez justice à son mérite; pour moi je vous proteste que je vous serai obligée & redevable de tout ce que vous ferez pour lui & pour ses amis qui l'ont si généreusement secondé, comme vous le savez. Après cela il ne me reste plus rien à faire, que des vœux pour la longue conservation de Sa Sainteté & pour la gloire & la félicité de son régne, auquel je donnerois volontiers une partie de mon sang, s'il pouvoit y contribuer utilement. Je prie Dieu cependant qu'il vous tienne, Mon Cousin, en sa sainte & digne garde &c.

English translation (my own):

To the Abbot Rospigliosi,
My cousin, I had already learned, through the public news, of the exaltation at the Pontificate of Lord Cardinal Rospigliosi, and I was waiting to learn by courier from Cardinal Azzolino such important and pleasant news for me as that there, when your letter confirmed me in my joy, giving me the most pleasant news in the world. And although I was happy enough to perhaps be the first to give you this same news, you rewarded me on the spot, making sure that what I so longed for had already happened. I thank you a thousand thanks, as well as the obliging expressions which you use towards me; and since you know in part what you owe to the services of Cardinal Azzolino, I dare to ask you for him all the gratitude he deserved by the service so signaled which he has just rendered you, of which, without vanity, I can say that few people know more about it than I, who has witnessed that more than two years ago that he worked on this with all the skill and fidelity that time and circumstances could allow to do to such an honest and skillful man as he is. I am glad that you know it, and I make sure you do justice to its merit; as for me, I protest to you that I will be obliged and indebted to you for all that you will do for him and for his friends who have so generously supported him, as you know. After that there is nothing left for me to make but wishes for the long preservation of His Holiness and for the glory and happiness of his reign, to which I would gladly give part of my blood, if it could usefully contribute. I pray to God, in the meantime, that He will keep you, my cousin, in His holy and worthy protection, etc.


Above: Kristina.


Above: Giacomo Rospigliosi.

Notes: In accordance with the nobility's ideals in the early modern era, kings and queens considered themselves siblings; when talking to someone of a lower rank than their own, they would refer to that person as "my cousin", regardless of whether or not they were related.

This letter is addressed to an Abbot Rospigliosi; I have assumed this is Giacomo Rospigliosi, although he did not have the title of Abbot until 1671, but I do not know of any member of the family who had that title in 1667. If anyone knows about this better than I do, please comment below.
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Kristina's letter to Simon Arnauld de Pomponne, the French ambassador to Sweden, dated July 8, 1667

Sources:

Mémoires de marquis de Pomponne, ministre et secrétaire d'État au département des affaires étrangères, volume 2, pages 579 to 580 (annexe F), published by J. Mavidal, 1861


Mémoires concernant Christine, reine de Suède, volume 3, page 288, compiled and edited by Johan Arckenholtz, 1759


The letter:

Hambourg, le 8. Juillet, 1667.
Monsieur de Pompone, rien au monde n'est plus faux que ce qu'on vous a dit de moi; car je vous proteste qu'une personne ne peut être plus satisfaite d'une autre que je la suis de vous, & j'ai toujours remarqué tant de zéle & d'affection pour moi dans le Sr. de Bidal, que je serois la plus injuste personne du monde de l'accuser. Si vous me connoissiez, vous resteriez persuadé de ces vérités, & vous ne me refuseriez pas la continuation de votre amitié & de vos offices que je vous demande de tout mon cœur, vous priant de connoître la malice de ceux qui tâchent de me brouiller avec mes meilleurs amis par ces sortes d'inventions, qui me font assez de pitié, pour m'empêcher d'en avoir de la colére. On n'a pas manqué de m'en conter aussi; mais comme je connois nos gens, je m'en suis divertie. Je vous le dis seulement pour vous préparer à voir forger d'autres pareilles impostures aux mêmes auteurs, dont je ne comprens pas la politique. Je veux croire qu'elle me passe; mais j'espére aussi qu'elle ne vous empêchera pas de me rendre justice, comme je suis disposée à vous donner en toutes les occasions les témoignages d'une très-grande estime, que je ne puis refuser à un aussi honnête homme que vous, qui s'est acquis par ses bons offices ma reconnoissance. Je prie Dieu &c.

English translation (my own):

Hamburg, July 8, 1667.
Monsieur de Pomponne, nothing in the world is more false than what you have been told about me, because I protest to you that a person cannot be more satisfied with another than I am with you, and I have always noticed so much zeal and affection for me in Monsieur de Bidal that I would be the most unjust person in the world to accuse him. If you knew me, you would remain convinced of these truths, and you would not refuse me the continuation of your friendship and your offices which I ask of you with all my heart, begging you to know the malice of those who try to mix me with my best friends by these kinds of inventions, which pity me enough to keep me from getting angry. One has not failed to tell me about it too; but since I know our people, I enjoyed it. I am telling you this only to prepare you to see other similar impostures forged by the same authors, whose policies I do not understand. I want to believe they pass me, but I also hope that it will not prevent you from doing me justice, as I am disposed to give you on all occasions the testimonies of a very high esteem, which I cannot refuse to such an honest man as you, who has acquired my gratitude by his good offices. I pray to God, etc.


Above: Kristina.


Above: Simon Arnauld de Pomponne.
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Kristina's letter to the College of Cardinals after the death of Pope Alexander VII, year 1667

Source:

Mémoires concernant Christine, reine de Suède, volume 3, page 285, compiled and edited by Johan Arckenholtz, 1759


The letter:

Em:mi e Rev:mi S. S:ri. Hò sentita veramente con dolore la morte della felice memoria di N. S:r Papa Alessandro Settimo, ma hò ricevuta con gradimento la parte che hanno voluto darmene L. E. E. V. V. con la loro lettera de' 23. del passato, e come in questa occasione mi hanno dato un particolare testimonio della loro propensione verso di me; cosi io hò voluto col mezzo della presente pregarle a credere, ch' è stato ricevuto da me con quella stima, che è dovuta all' E. E. V. V. Confesso poi che in questo funesto accidente io ricevo ancora della consolazione, mentre rifletto al merito loro scorgendoli tutti si degni, ch'io non dubiti che Dio non sia per far loro la grazia di ben sceglier quello che deve occupare questo gran Posto, e promettendomi tutto del Zelo dell' E. E. V. V. tengo per sicuro nelle lor mani l'interesse della S. Sede e del Christianesimo, e mi preparo di già a veder L. E. E. V. V. operar nel presente Conclave con la medema Virtù heroica, che hà resi quelli del passato si gloriosi, sperando che L. E. E. V. V. siano per esser unite per il servizio di Dio, e della S. Sede, e non havendo io per me stessa altro interesse, che questo medemo nell' Elettione; L'attendo però senz' inquietitudine, protestando con ogni sincerità d'esser pronta a rendere i miei doveri a chi dell' E. E. V. V. la Providenza Divina destinerà a portar questo grande, e glorioso peso, e mentre io contribuerò i miei voti per impetrargli dal Cielo la forza e la felicità di sostenerlo degnamente; Auguro all' E. E. V. V. ogni più vera prosperità. Dell' E. E. V. V.
Affettuossima.


Above: Kristina.


Above: Pope Alexander VII.
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Kristina's letter to the Cardinal Francesco Albizzi, year 1667

Source:

Mémoires concernant Christine, reine de Suède, volume 3, page 287, compiled and edited by Johan Arckenholtz, 1759


The letter:

Dalla Lettera che V. E. si è compiacciuta di scrivermi in occasione della morte del Papa, e del suo ingresso nel Conclave, scorgo quanto particolarmente ella mi dimostra la sua affettuosa propensione, della quale io la ringrazio a misura della molta stima ch'io ne faccio. Io spero pure con V. E. che Dio farà loro la grazia di elleggere un Pontefice che riesca veramente intento al servizio suo, e della sua Chiesa, & a quel fine io non manco di contribuir le mie preghiere come V. E. desidera.


Above: Kristina.


Above: Cardinal Francesco Albizzi.
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Kristina's letter to the Prior Sigismondo Chigi after the death of his uncle Pope Alexander VII, dated possibly June 29, 1667

Source:

Mémoires concernant Christine, reine de Suède, volume 3, page 287, compiled and edited by Johan Arckenholtz, 1759


The letter:

Au Prieur Chigi.
J'ai reçu la nouvelle que vous m'avez donné de la mort de notre Saint Pére le Pape Alexandre VII. avec un sensible regret, ce que vous pouvez croire par l'amitié que j'ai pour toute votre Maison, vous assurant de sa continuation, puisque vous m'y obligez par les expressions dont vous avez accompagné cet office; & cependant je prie Dieu qu'il vous donne les consolations que je vous souhaite, & qu'il vous tienne en sa sainte garde.

English translation (my own):

To the Prior Chigi.
I received the news that you gave me of the death of our Holy Father, Pope Alexander VII, with great regret, which you can believe by the friendship I have for your whole House, assuring you of its continuation, since you oblige me to do so by the expressions with which you have accompanied this office; and in the meantime I pray to God that He may give you the consolations that I wish you, and that He may keep you in His holy protection.


Above: Kristina.


Above: Sigismondo Chigi.


Above: Pope Alexander VII.
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Kristina's letter to Berenice Chigi after the death of Pope Alexander VII, dated June 29, 1667

Source:

Mémoires concernant Christine, reine de Suède, volume 3, page 287, compiled and edited by Johan Arckenholtz, 1759


The letter:

A la Princesse Chigi, le 29 Juin, 1667.
Madame la Princesse Chigi, c'est avec raison que la perte d'heureuse Mémoire de notre Saint Pére le Pape Alexandre VII. me doit être sensible, comme vous me le montrez par la Lettre que vous m'avez écrite pour me la communiquer; & certes, le regret qui m'en demeure est aussi grand que je ne saurois vous donner d'autre consolation, que de vous assurer de la part que j'y prends, & de l'estime avec laquelle j'ai reçu en cette occasion les témoignages de votre amitié. Je tâcherai d'y répondre par la continuation de ma bonne volonté envers vous, priant Dieu qu'il vous console, & qu'il vous conserve.

English translation (my own):

To the Princess Chigi, June 29, 1667.
Madame Princess Chigi, it is with good reason that the loss of our Holy Father Pope Alexander VII (of blessed memory) must be sensitive to me, as you show me by the letter you wrote to communicate it to me; and certainly, the regret which remains for me is so great that I could not give you any other consolation than to assure you of the part which I take in it, and of the esteem with which I received on this occasion the testimonies of your friendship. I will try to answer them by continuing my good will towards you, praying to God that He may console you and that He may preserve you.


Above: Kristina.


Above: Berenice Chigi.


Above: Pope Alexander VII.

Note: In accordance with the nobility's ideals in the early modern era, kings and queens considered themselves siblings; when talking to someone of a lower rank than their own, they would refer to that person as "my cousin", regardless of whether or not they were related.
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Kristina's letter to Mario Chigi after the death of Pope Alexander VII, year 1667

Source:

Mémoires concernant Christine, reine de Suède, volume 3, page 286, compiled and edited by Johan Arckenholtz, 1759


The letter:

A Mon Cousin, D. Mario Chigi.
Mon Cousin, je reçois avec douleur la part que vous me donnez de la mort d'heureuse Mémoire de notre Saint Pére, le Pape Alexandre VII. puisque je m'intéresse avec vous à cette perte. Mais je tire aussi de la consolation de vos expressions en cette occasion, vous assurant que je les ai reçues avec estime, & qu'en toutes rencontres je vous témoignerai la continuation de mon amitié, & l'état que je ferai toujours de la vôtre, & cependant je prie Dieu &c.

English translation (my own):

To my cousin, Don Mario Chigi.
My cousin, I receive with sorrow the part you give me of the death of our Holy Father, Pope Alexander VII (of blessed memory), since I am interested with you in this loss. But I also draw consolation from your expressions on this occasion, assuring you that I have received them with esteem, and that in all meetings I will testify to you the continuation of my friendship and the state that I will always make of yours, and meanwhile I pray to God, etc.


Above: Kristina.


Above: Mario Chigi.


Above: Pope Alexander VII.

Note: In accordance with the nobility's ideals in the early modern era, kings and queens considered themselves siblings; when talking to someone of a lower rank than their own, they would refer to that person as "my cousin", regardless of whether or not they were related.
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Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Kristina's letter for Count Arvid Wittenberg, dated May 7, 1653

Source:



In this letter signed on May 7, 1653, Kristina acknowledges that the Crown owes Count Arvid Wittenberg the sum of 30,000 riksdalers and states that the debt will be repaid over the next three years, at 10,000 riksdalers capital each year plus interest at 10%.

The letter:

Wij Christina medh Gudz nåde Sweriges Göthes och Wändes Drottningh, Storfurstinna till Finlandh, Hertiginna vthi Estland, Carelen, Brehmen, Verden, Stettin-Pommern, Caßuben och Wänden, Furstinna till Rügen, Frw öfwer Jngermannelandh och Wißmar, Giöre witterligit att såsom hoos Oß och Cronan, Wår och Sweriges Rijkes troo Man Rådh, Rikz Tÿgemestare och Krigz Rådh, Wälborne Herr Arfwedh Wittenbergh [illegible] Deber, Grefwe till Nÿborgh, Frijherre till Poimijock, Herre till ÿllis och ÿllstadh, hafwer efter slutne och liquiderede Räkninger: Wårt Kongl. Rikz Cammar Collegio, een Summa ..., vthi Capital och interesse, nembl. Trettijo Tusendh Rikzdaler in specie vnderdåhnigheet att fordra Dedanföre på det af Oß och Sweriges Crono /: vndan denne tidz lägenheet icke medgifwer, Wälbem:te Grefwe Wittenbergh förb:te 3000 Rikz daler in specie att afläggia och betala :/ han och deß arfwingar, måge och bem:te sine för [illegible] penningars restitution och nöijachtige betalningh wara för wiß- och certificerede, hafwe Wij welat honom och dem nådigst försäkra efter som Wij och i detta Wårt öpna brefz kraft, mehr Wälbem:te Grefwe Arfwedh Wittenbergh, och hans Arfwingar, fullkommeligen nådigst låfwe och försäkre, det förbem:te: 30000 Rikdrs in specie Capital på näst efterföliande trenne åhr 1654, 1655 och 1656, een tridig part, nembl. 10000 Rikz daler in Specie hwarie åhr, medh det der oppå belöpande interesse, räknandes Tijo pro cento, skole af Wåra och Cronones medel werkeligen och till fullo nöije, blifwa igen erlagdt och betalte. Till wißo, hafwe Wij detta medh Wår egen Handh vnderskrifwit och Kongl. Secret bekräfta låtit. Datum stockholm den 7 Maij Ao 1653.
Christina

...


Above: Kristina.


Above: Count Arvid Wittenberg.
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Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Kristina's letter to Agostino Chigi, Prince Farnese and Maria Virginia Borghese after the death of Pope Alexander VII, dated June 21, 1667

Source:

Mémoires concernant Christine, reine de Suède, volume 3, page 285, compiled and edited by Johan Arckenholtz, 1759


The letter:

Hambourg, le 21. Juin 1667. Au Prince & à la Princesse Farnése.
Je suis si sensible à l'affliction qui vous est arrivée par la mort d'heureuse mémoire de notre Saint Pére le Pape Alexandre VII. dont vous m'avez fait part, que je n'ai point d'autre consolation à vous donner que celle d'en partager vivement la douleur, & de vous assurer de l'estime avec laquelle j'ai reçu en cette occasion les marques de votre amitié. Je tâcherai de vous témoigner la continuation de la mienne dans les rencontres qui se présenteront, & cependant je prie Dieu &c.

Je vous remercie du soin que vous avez eu de me témoigner votre affection en me faisant part de la mort du Saint Pére le Pape Alexandre VII; & comme je suis même intéressée en cette perte, vous devez être persuadée du ressentiment qui m'en demeure. C'est vous assurer que si vous avez de l'affection pour moi, je n'en ai pas moins pour vous, dont je vous donnerai aussi des preuves par des effets dans les occasions, & je prie Dieu qu'il vous console & qu'il vous conserve.

English translation (my own):

Hamburg, June 21, 1667. To the Prince and Princess Farnese.
I am so sensitive to the affliction which has befallen you by the death of our Holy Father Pope Alexander VII (of blessed memory) of which you have informed me that I have no other consolation to give you than to share the pain warmly, and to assure you of the esteem with which I have received on this occasion the marks of your friendship. I will try to testify to you the continuation of mine in the meetings that will arise, and in the meantime I pray to God, etc.

I thank you for the care you have taken to show me your affection by informing me of the death of the Holy Father Pope Alexander VII, and as I am interested the same in this loss, you must be convinced of the feeling that remains with me. It is to assure you that if you have affection for me, I have none the less for you, of which I will also give you proof by effects on the occasions, and I pray God that He may console you and that He may keep you.


Above: Kristina.


Above: Pope Alexander VII.


Above: Agostino Chigi, Prince Farnese.


Above: Maria Virginia Borghese.
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