Sources:
Histoire des intrigues galantes de la reine Christine de Suede: et de sa cour, pendant son sejour à Rome, pages 5 to 8, by Christian Gottfried Franckenstein, 1697
The history of the intrigues & gallantries of Christina, Queen of Sweden, and of her court whilst she was at Rome faithfully render'd into English from the French original, translated by Philip Hollingworth, 1697
Above: Kristina.
The description:
La grandeur d'ame de cette Princesse parut dans la demission genereuse qu'elle fit da sa couronne & de ses états, en faveur de son Cousin Charles Gustave Prince Palatin du Rhin. Tout le monde en fut surpris, mais personne n'en pût penetrer les causes, ni les raisons: Cette Reine habile dans l'art de feindre, en allegua plusieurs qui étoient toutes specieuses, ce qui la fit encore estimer d'avantage: étant sçavante dans l'histoire comme dans les langues, elle avoit lû que des Princes tous couverts de gloire, mais las du bruit des armes, & de l'embarras de la Royauté, s'étoient retirez sur la fin de leurs jours, dans des lieux separez du commerce des mortels, pour y mener une vie plus tranquille, & plus douce; mais cet exemple n'étoit pas pour elle un motif de retraîte; elle étoit à la fleur de son âge, & à peine avoit elle goûté le plaisir qu'il y a de régner. C'étoit encore moins le peu de succés dans ses entreprises qui toutes lui avoient reussi, ce qui a été souvent la cause de la retraite precipitée de certains Princes qui par un pressentiment bien fondé, craignoient de flétrir la gloire de leurs premieres actions, par la honté que leur attiroient les dernieres. La Fortune avoit été riante à nôtre Reine jusqu'alors; ses peuples étoient victorieux de leurs ennemis, elle étoit recherchée des Princes de l'Europe, enfin tout conspiroit à la faire craindre des uns, & estimer des autres. Cependant elle prend la resolution de quitter la Suede, & d'elever sur le trône le Prince Palatin du Rhin, ses sujets s'y opposent, & lui representent les suites facheuses de cette demarche, en lui redoublant les sentimens d'estime, & de respect qu'ils avoient pour sa Majesté. On a publié dans le monde quelle étoit degoutée de la R. Lutherienne, & quelle avoit dessein de faire prof. de la R. C. R. Ce qui ne sacordant pas aux loix de la Suede; elle aima mieux suivre les mouvemens de sa conscience, que de conserver la Couronne. Je croirois comme les autres que ce fut là le veritable motif de son abdication, si ayant fait tant de grandes choses pour Dieu[.] Dans les commencemens, elle ne se fût point dementie dans la suite: mais instruit à fonds de ses intrigues secrétes, je crois que l'amour qui monte souvent sur le trône avec les Princes en fit descendre la Reine Christine. Elle aimoit si éperdument le Comte Magnus de la Gardie qui n'osoit respondre à sa passion, qu'elle essaya d'en faire un Roy en l'epousant, au lieu que ce font les Roys ailleurs, qui font les Reines en se mariant: mais les états de Suede n'ayant jamais voulu y consentir, elle en conçût un si grand dépit, qu'elle resolut de vivre avec chagrin dans le celibat. Cependant elle n'étoit pas d'un temperament ni d'inclination à passer le reste de ses jours dans la retraite, persuadée, disoit elle, que la vertu ne consiste pas à étre farouche, ni à se retirer de la societé humaine, pour chercher Dieu dans l'horreur de la Solitude, & que c'étoit plustot s'attacher à soy même que de s'unir à Dieu: ajôutant que puisqu'il y avoit des commerces innocens dans la vie civile, & des plaisirs permis dans le monde, on pouvoit sans les refuser, trouver Dieu parmi les hommes. Ainsi agissant sur ce beau principe, elle prit la resolution bizarre de quitter les embaras de la couronne, pour donner plus d'occupation à son cœur. Mais songeant aussi à cultiver son esprit en eclairant sa raison, elle se determina à voyager par toute l'Europe, pour maximes perfectionner ses mœurs sur les diferentes maximes des peuples qui lui reviendroient de plus. Tout cela joint à une envie secréte de parler d'elle, lui fit appeller le Prince Charles Gustave pour régner en sa place, en se reservant toutesfois le revenu de la Pommeranie, & des autres états de la Couronne de Suede en Allemagne. Ainsi elle renonça à la Couronne à l'age de 27 ans en 1654. elle quitta peu apres la Suede, vint en Allemagne qu'elle traversa presque toute, & étant à Inspruck elle y abjura sa Religion, ensuite elle passa en Italie en 1655. ...
With modernised spelling:
La grandeur d'âme de cette princesse parut dans la démission généreuse qu'elle fit da sa couronne et de ses états en faveur de son cousin Charles Gustave, Prince Palatin du Rhin. Tout le monde en fut surpris, mais personne n'en put pénétrer les causes, ni les raisons.
Cette reine habile dans l'art de feindre en allégua plusieurs qui étaient toutes spécieuses, ce qui la fit encore estimer d'avantage. Étant savante dans l'histoire comme dans les langues, elle avait lu que des princes tous couverts de gloire, mais las du bruit des armes et de l'embarras de la royauté, s'étaient retirés sur la fin de leurs jours dans des lieux séparés du commerce des mortels, pour y mener une vie plus tranquille et plus douce.
Mais cet exemple n'était pas pour elle un motif de retraite. Elle était à la fleur de son âge, et à peine avait-elle goûté le plaisir qu'il y a de régner. C'était encore moins le peu de succès dans ses entreprises qui toutes lui avaient réussi, ce qui a été souvent la cause de la retraite, précipitée de certains princes qui, par un pressentiment bien fondé, craignaient de flétrir la gloire de leurs premières actions par la honté que leur attiraient les dernieres.
La fortune avait été riante à notre reine jusqu'alors. Ses peuples étaient victorieux de leurs ennemis. Elle était recherchée des princes de l'Europe, enfin tout conspirait à la faire craindre des uns et estimer des autres. Cependant elle prend la résolution de quitter la Suède et d'élever sur le trône le Prince Palatin du Rhin, ses sujets s'y opposent et lui représentent les suites fâcheuses de cette démarche en lui redoublant les sentiments d'estime et de respect qu'ils avaient pour Sa Majesté. On a publié dans le monde qu'elle était dégoûtée de la religion luthérienne et qu'elle avait dessein de faire profession de la religion catholique-romaine, ce qui ne s'accordant pas aux lois de la Suède elle aima mieux suivre les mouvements de sa conscience que de conserver la Couronne.
Je croirais, comme les autres, que ce fut là le véritable motif de son abdication, si ayant fait tant de grandes choses pour Dieu. Dans les commencements, elle ne se fut point démentie dans la suite, mais instruite à fonds de ses intrigues secrètes. Je crois que l'amour, qui monte souvent sur le trône avec les princes, en fit descendre la reine Christine. Elle aimait si éperdument le comte Magnus de la Gardie, qui n'osait répondre à sa passion, qu'elle essaya d'en faire un roi en l'épousant, au lieu que ce font les rois ailleurs, qui font les reines en se mariant. Mais les États de Suede n'ayant jamais voulu y consentir, elle en conçut un si grand dépit qu'elle résolut de vivre avec chagrin dans le célibat.
Cependant elle n'était pas d'un tempérament ni d'inclination à passer le reste de ses jours dans la retraite, persuadée, disait-elle, que la vertu ne consiste pas à étre farouche, ni à se retirer de la societé humaine, pour chercher Dieu dans l'horreur de la solitude, et que c'était plutôt s'attacher à soi-même que de s'unir à Dieu; ajoutant que puisqu'il y avait des commerces innocents dans la vie civile et des plaisirs permis dans le monde, on pouvait, sans les refuser, trouver Dieu parmi les hommes.
Ainsi agissant sur ce beau principe, elle prit la résolution bizarre de quitter les embarras de la Couronne, pour donner plus d'occupation à son cœur. Mais songeant aussi à cultiver son esprit en éclairant sa raison, elle se détermina à voyager par toute l'Europe, pour maximes perfectionner ses mœurs sur les différentes maximes des peuples qui lui reviendraient de plus. Tout cela joint à une envie secrète de parler d'elle, lui fit appeller le prince Charles Gustave pour régner en sa place, en se reservant toutefois le revenu de la Poméranie et des autres états de la Couronne de Suède en Allemagne.
Ainsi elle renonça à la Couronne à l'age de 27 ans en 1654. Elle quitta peu après la Suède, vint en Allemagne, qu'elle traversa presque toute, et étant à Innsbruck, elle y abjura sa religion, ensuite elle passa en Italie en 1655. ...
Swedish translation (my own):
Storheten i denna prinsessans själ visade sig i den generösa resignation hon gjorde av sin krona och sina gods till förmån för sin kusin Karl Gustav, pfalzgreven av Rhen. Alla blev förvånade, men ingen kunde förstå orsakerna eller orsakerna.
Denna drottning, skicklig i konsten att låtsas, påstod flera skäl, som alla var otäcka, vilket gjorde henne ännu mer uppskattad. Eftersom hon var lika lärd i historia som i språk, hade hon läst att furstar, alla täckta av ära men trötta på ljudet av vapen och kungligheternas förlägenhet, hade dragit sig tillbaka i slutet av sina dagar till platser skilda från de dödligas handel, för att leva där ett lugnare och sötare liv.
Men detta exempel var inte för henne en anledning till retirering. Hon var i sin ålders blomma och hade knappt smakat nöjet att regera. Ännu mindre var det bristen på framgång i hennes företag, som alla hade lyckats, vilket ofta var orsaken till att vissa furstar skyndade sig att retirera sig, som genom en välgrundad aning fruktade att fördärva glansen av sina första handlingar med skammen som deras sista förde över dem.
Fortunen hade välsignat vår drottning fram till dess. Hennes folk segrade över sina fiender. Hon var eftertraktad av Europas furstar; kort sagt, allt konspirerade för att göra henne fruktad av vissa och uppskattad av andra. Hon tog dock beslutet att lämna Sverige och att höja den pfalzgreven av Rhen till tronen. Hennes undersåtar motsatte sig det och representerade för henne de olyckliga konsekvenserna av detta steg och fördubblade för henne de känslor av aktning och respekt de hade för Hennes Majestät. Det har publicerats i världen att hon var äcklad av den lutherska religionen och att hon hade för avsikt att göra bekännelse av den romersk-katolska religionen. Eftersom det inte var i enlighet med Sveriges lagar, föredrog hon att följa sitt samvetes rörelser än att behålla kronan.
Jag skulle tro, precis som de andra, att detta var den verkliga anledningen till hans abdikation, eftersom hon hade gjort så många stora saker för Gud. I början var hon inte i förnekelse efteråt, utan var hon grundligt informerat om sina hemliga intriger. Jag tror att kärleken, som ofta bestiger tronen med furstar, fick drottning Kristina att stiga ner från den. Hon älskade så desperat greve Magnus de la Gardie, som inte vågade svara på hennes passion, att hon försökte göra honom till sin konung genom att gifta sig med honom, istället för att göra som konungar gör på andra håll, som gör drottningar genom att gifta sig med dem. Men eftersom Sveriges Ständer aldrig ville ge deras samtycke därtill, kände hon en sådan förtret att hon beslöt att leva med sorg i celibat.
Ändå var hon inte av temperament eller benägenhet att fördriva resten av sina dagar i pension. Hon var övertalad, sade hon, att dygd inte består i att vara blyg eller att dra sig tillbaka från det mänskliga samhället, för att söka Gud i ensamhetens fasa, och att det snarare var att hålla fast vid sig själv än att förena sig med Gud; och tilläggande att eftersom det fanns oskyldiga affärer i det civila livet och tillåtna nöjen i världen, kunde man, utan att vägra dem, finna Gud bland människorna.
På så sätt agerade hon enligt denna fina princip och tog den bisarra beslutet att sluta med kronans pinsamheter för att ge sitt hjärta mer sysselsättning. Men även med tanke på att odla sitt sinne genom att upplysa sitt förnuft, bestämde hon sig för att resa över hela Europa, för att fullända sin moral på de olika maximerna för de folk som skulle komma tillbaka till henne mer. Allt detta, jämte en hemlig önskan att tala om henne, föranledde henne att kalla prins Karl Gustav att regera i hennes ställe, samtidigt som hon förbehöll sig dock inkomsterna från Pommern och de andra staterna av Sveriges Krona i Tyskland.
Sålunda avsade hon sig kronan vid en ålder av 27 år 1654. Hon lämnade Sverige kort därefter, kom till Tyskland, som hon nästan helt korsade, och när hon var i Innsbruck avvärjde hon sin religion där; sedan reste hon till Italien 1655.
English translation (by Hollingworth):
The Greatness of this Princess's Soul manifested it self in the generous laying down of her Crown, and quitting her Kingdoms to Carolus Gustavus, Prince Palatine of the Rhine. Every Body was Surpriz'd at it, but no one could tell the Causes and Reasons which induc'd her to it: But the Queen, excellently skill'd in the Art of Dissimulation, alledged many, which being very specious, made her the more esteemed. For she having Knowledge in History as well as Languages, had read, that some Princes who had been Crown'd with Glory, but tired with the noise of Arms, and the trouble of Royalty, chose to retreat towards the end of their Lives, into places separate from the Commerce of Mankind, to live a more easie and quiet Life. But this Example was not the motive of her Retirement; for she was then in the flower of her Age, and had scarce tasted the Pleasure of Reigning: Nor was it want of Success, which has often been the cause of the precipitate Retreat of Princes, fearing to tarnish the glory of their former Actions, by the shame of the latter. For Fortune had smiled upon our Queen even till that present time. Her People were Victorious over their Enemies. She was the Refuge of the Princes of Europe, and indeed every thing conspir'd to make her Fear'd of the one, and Esteem'd by the other. Notwithstanding all this, she took the Resolution of quitting Sweden, and advancing the Prince Palatine of the Rhine, who was next Heir to the Throne. Her Subjects oppos'd themselves, and represented the miserable Effects of it; and redoubled the Esteem and Respect which they always had for her Majesty.
It was noised in the World, That she being disgusted with the Lutheran Religion, had a design to make Profession of the Roman Catholick, which was not agreeable to the Laws of the Sweden, and that she had rather follow the motives of her Conscience, than preserve her Crown. For my part, I should believe with others, that this was the true motive of her Abdication, if she had not afterwards given the Lie to those great things she at first had done for God's sake. But being throughly inform'd in all her Secret Intrigues, I believe that Love, which very often ascends the Throne with Princes, was the cause which made Queen Christina Descend. She loved Count Magnus of Guardia so desperately, who durst not answer her Passion, that whereas Kings elsewhere make Queens by marriage, she endeavour'd to make a King on the same manner. But not being able to bring the Estates of Sweden to Consent to this, she took so great a despite of it, that she resolv'd to live for the future in a Melancholy Single State[.] However, she had neither inclination nor disposition to pass the rest of her days in Retirement, being perswaded, as she said, that Vertue did not consist in being Severe or Rough; nor in retiring from Humane Society, to seek God in the Horrour of Solitude; And that it was the way to draw and collect a Man to himself, rather than to Unite him to God. Adding, That since there was innocent Diversion to be had in Society, and that Pleasures were permitted to the World, one might find God among Men without refusing them. So that acting upon this fine Principle, she took a resolution to quit the troublesome business of a Crown, that she might give her self up the more entirely to her own Fancies, But withal thinking to improve her Wit by enlightning her Reason, she intended to Travel all over Europe, for Rules to perfect her Manners, to be built upon the different Maxims of those People among whom she came. All this (joyn'd with the Secret of making her self universally talk'd of) was the reason of calling in Prince Carolus Gustavus to Reign in her place.
However, she reserved to her self the Revenue of Pomerania, and other Estates of the Crown of Sweden, in Germany. Thus she renounc'd her Royal Dignity, at 27 Years of Age, Anno Dom. 1654. and a little after left Sweden, going into Germany, which she travers'd almost throughout, and when she came to Instruck, abjur'd her Religion: After which, she went into Italy, in the Year 1655. ...
With modernised spelling and punctuation for easier reading:
The greatness of this princess's soul manifested it self in the generous laying down of her crown and quitting her kingdoms to Carolus Gustavus, Prince Palatine of the Rhine. Everybody was surprised at it, but no one could tell the causes and reasons which induced her to it; but the Queen, excellently skilled in the art of dissimulation, alleged many, which, being very specious, made her the more esteemed. For she, having knowledge in history as well as languages, had read that some princes who had been crowned with glory, but tired with the noise of arms and the trouble of royalty, chose to retreat towards the end of their lives into places separate from the commerce of mankind to live a more easie and quiet life. But this example was not the motive of her retirement, for she was then in the flower of her age and had scarce tasted the pleasure of reigning; nor was it want of success, which has often been the cause of the precipitate retreat of princes, fearing to tarnish the glory of their former actions by the shame of the latter.
For fortune had smiled upon our Queen even till that present time. Her people were victorious over their enemies. She was the refuge of the princes of Europe, and, indeed, everything conspired to make her feared of the one and esteemed by the other. Notwithstanding all this, she took the resolution of quitting Sweden and advancing the Prince Palatine of the Rhine, who was next heir to the throne. Her subjects opposed themselves and represented the miserable effects of it and redoubled the esteem and respect which they always had for Her Majesty.
It was noised in the world that she, being disgusted with the Lutheran religion, had a design to make profession of the Roman Catholic, which was not agreeable to the laws of the Sweden, and that she had rather follow the motives of her conscience than preserve her crown. For my part, I should believe, with others, that this was the true motive of her abdication, if she had not afterwards given the lie to those great things she at first had done for God's sake.
But, being thoroughly informed in all her Secret Intrigues, I believe that love, which very often ascends the throne with princes, was the cause which made Queen Kristina descend. She loved Count Magnus of Guardia so desperately, who durst not answer her passion, that whereas kings elsewhere make queens by marriage, she endeavoured to make a king on the same manner. But not being able to bring the Estates of Sweden to consent to this, she took so great a despite of it that she resolved to live for the future in a melancholy single state.
However, she had neither inclination nor disposition to pass the rest of her days in retirement, being persuaded, as she said, that virtue did not consist in being severe or rough, nor in retiring from humane society, to seek God in the horror of solitude, and that it was the way to draw and collect a man to himself, rather than to unite him to God; adding that since there was innocent diversion to be had in society, and that pleasures were permitted to the world, one might find God among men without refusing them. So that acting upon this fine principle, she took a resolution to quit the troublesome business of a crown, that she might give herself up the more entirely to her own fancies, But withal thinking to improve her wit by enlightening her reason, she intended to travel all over Europe, for rules to perfect her manners, to be built upon the different maxims of those people among whom she came.
All this (joined with the secret of making herself universally talked of) was the reason of calling in Prince Carolus Gustavus to reign in her place. However, she reserved to herself the revenue of Pomerania, and other estates of the Crown of Sweden in Germany. Thus she renounced her royal dignity at 27 years of age, Anno Domini 1654, and a little after left Sweden, going into Germany, which she traversed almost throughout; and when she came to Innsbruck, abjured her religion; after which she went into Italy, in the year 1655. ...
English translation (my own; this is more accurate):
The greatness of this princess's soul appeared in the generous resignation she made of her Crown and her estates in favour of her cousin Karl Gustav, Prince Palatine of the Rhine. Everyone was surprised, but no one could fathom the causes or the reasons.
This Queen, skilled in the art of feigning, alleged several reasons, all of which were specious, which made her even more esteemed. Being as learned in history as in languages, she had read that princes, all covered with glory but tired of the sound of arms and the embarrassment of royalty, had retired at the end of their days to places separated from the commerce of mortals, to lead there a quieter and sweeter life.
But this example was not for her a reason for retirement. She was in the flower of her age and had barely tasted the pleasure of reigning. It was still less the lack of success in her enterprises, which had all succeeded, which was often the cause of the hasty retirement of certain princes who, by a well-founded presentiment, feared to tarnish the glory of their first actions by the shame which their last ones brought upon them.
Fortune had been smiling on our Queen until then. Her people were victorious over their enemies. She was sought after by the princes of Europe; in short, everything conspired to make her feared by some and esteemed by others. However, she took the resolution to leave Sweden and to raise the Palatine Prince of the Rhine to the throne. Her subjects opposed it and represented to her the unfortunate consequences of this step and redoubled to her the feelings of esteem and respect they had for Her Majesty. It has been published in the world that she was disgusted with the Lutheran religion and that she intended to make profession of the Roman Catholic religion. This not being in accordance with the laws of Sweden, she preferred to follow the movements of her conscience than to retain the Crown.
I would believe, like the others, that this was the real reason for his abdication, as she had done so many great things for God. In the beginning, she had not in denial afterwards, but thoroughly informed of her secret intrigues. I believe that love, which often ascends the throne with princes, caused Queen Kristina to descend from it. She so desperately loved Count Magnus de la Gardie, who dared not respond to her passion, that she tried to make him her king by marrying him, instead of doing what kings do elsewhere, who make queens by marrying them. But as the Estates of Sweden never wanted to consent to it, she felt such vexation that she resolved to live with grief in celibacy.
Yet she was not of a temperament or inclination to pass the rest of her days in retirement, being persuaded, she said, that virtue does not consist of being shy, nor of withdrawing from human society, to seek God in the horror of solitude, and that it was rather to cling to oneself than to unite with God; adding that since there were innocent trades in civil life and permitted pleasures in the world, one could, without refusing them, find God among men.
Thus acting on this fine principle, she took the bizarre resolution of quitting the embarrassments of the Crown, in order to give more occupation to her heart. But also thinking of cultivating her mind by enlightening her reason, she determined to travel all over Europe, to perfect her morals on the different maxims of the peoples who would come back to her more. All this, together with a secret desire to talk about her, caused her to summon Prince Karl Gustav to reign in her place, while reserving for herself, however, the income from Pomerania and the other states of the Crown of Sweden in Germany.
Thus she renounced the Crown at the age of 27 in 1654. She left Sweden shortly afterwards, came to Germany, which she crossed almost entirely, and, when she was in Innsbruck, she abjured her religion there; then she went to Italy in 1655. ...
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