Source:
A journal of the Swedish ambassy, in the years M.DCC.LIII. and M.DCC.LIV., volume 1, pages 433 to 435, Bulstrode Whitelocke, 1772
The discussion:
Intimation having bin given to Whitelocke, that the compte de Montecuculi, and another italian compte with him, had a great desire to see the fashions of England in the english ambassador's house, Whitelocke intertained them, with Piementelle, who brought them to dinner with him; and they seemed not a little pleased with his musick, and the treatment that Whitelocke gave them, which they termed high and noble: and were very respectfull to Whitelocke, both before, and especially after it.
This Montecuculi was generall of the horse to the emperor, and one of the gentlemen of his bed-chamber; he came hither from the emperor's court to visit the queen; others said he came to sollicite a marryage between the queen and his master's son, the king of the Romans: the queen used him with great civility and testimonies of favour, wherof he is deserving, being a gentleman of much honor, and very ingenious in his discourse, and of a gallant carryage.
They had discourse of all the present transactions and great affayres of Europe; and, amongst the rest, they said, that all the world talked of the queen's designe to abdicate herselfe, to quit the crown and governement, and retire to a private life; and Piementelle said, he believed that the mind of the queen was much sett that way. Whitelocke asked if they had heard of any discontent between her and her people, or great men; or what should cause her to take such a resolution, so destructive to her good and power.
They answeared, that no prince in the world had the people, great men, and officers in more intire obedience and affection then the queen had all her subjects of every degree (wherof Whitelocke was also an eye-witness), and that it was only her desire of retirement which brought her unto this resolution.
Lagerfeldt came to Whitelocke, and was full of the same discourse, and said, if the queen should doe it, it would be a cause of great sadness to all her people; that the queen, about two years since, had proposed this to the senate, of whom some disswaded her against it, affirming that she could not resigne the crown without the consent of those that intrusted her, and for whose sake she had undertaken the governement, and said, that they never would consent to her abdication: that notwithstanding this, yett now againe she proposed the same thing to the senate, who were att present in consultation about this high point, and it was much debated.
Whitelocke tooke no notice to any, that he had ever heard of it butt by these discourses, nor discovered to any what had passed between the queen and him about it.
Above: Kristina.
Above: Bulstrode Whitelocke.
Above: Raimondo Montecuccoli.
Above: Antonio Pimentel.
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