Sources:
Histoire des intrigues galantes de la reine Christine de Suede: et de sa cour, pendant son sejour à Rome, pages 8 to 13, 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.
Above: Kristina condemns Monaldeschi to die, painted by Johan Fredrik Höckert.
The description:
Le Pape Alexandre VII. qui se promettoit de grandes choses d'une Reine nouvellement convertie à la R. R. donna ordre de la recevoir, & de la traiter royalement dans tout l'état Ecclesiastique. Il luy fit même faire une entrée à Rome, qui approchoit fort de la magnificence des triomphes des anciens Romains: cependant soit qu'elle ne trouvât pas à Rome ce qu'elle y étoit venuë chercher, ou que son inconstance ne lui permit pas d'y sejourner longtems, elle en partit en 1657. pour aller en France, d'où elle se flattoit trop aisement de passer en Angleterre. Mais Cromwel crût qu'il étoit de sa politique, & de l'interest de ses affaires encore chancelantes, de ne pas recevoir dans ses nouveaux états, un esprit remuant, & inquiet, comme l'étoit la Reine de Suede. Elle eût trouvé en france de quoi se de dommager du refus honteux qu'on luy faisoit en Angleterre, si elle avoit sçû s'y menager: En effet tout occupé qu'étoit le Roy, à terminer une guerre civile qui avoit failli à ruiner ses états, par une cruelle division, ce Prince n'omettoit rien cependant de ce qui pouvoit rendre le sejour de la France agreable à la Reine. Tous les Princes, à son exemple, s'empressoient de visiter une Princesse qui étoit dans une si grande reputation chez toutes les Nations. Les Gens de lettres lui faisoient la Cour aussi bien que les personnes de qualité, les uns & les autres sortoient toujours contens de ses conversations galantes, & sçavantes. Déja on parloit de ses intrigues avec quelques Princes à qui elle avoit inspiré de l'amour. Cependant toutes ces amours ne furent que des galanteries passageres, il n'y eut que le Duc de Guise qui prit des engagemens de plus longue durée avec elle. Le Prince qui étoit aussi sçavant en galanterie qu'habile dans les armes, avoit été choisi du Roy pour aller recevoir la Reine sur les frontieres de [la] France; il fit voir dans ce voyage qu'il n'avoit rien perdu de sa gentillesse pendant les Revolutions de Naples, & que ses passions ne s'étoient point rallenties en sa prison de Segovie; il sceut si bien mettre toutes choses à proffit, qu'il entra fort avant dans les bonnes graces de la Reine. Elle étoit trop sçavante elle même en galanterie, pour ne pas entrevoir la passion du Duc au travers de tous ses soins empressez, & des grands honneurs qu'il lui fit rendre par tout où elle passa. Les distinctions qu'elle faisoit de ce Prince, confirmerent qu'on n'avoit pas dit dit [sic] sans apparence, que l'intrigue s'étoit formée dés le voyage. D'Un autre côté le refroidissement que la Reine temoignoit pour son grand Ecuier qu'elle avoit aimé, augmenterent les soupçons & la medisance, & firent croire à ses Domestiques, que le Duc avoit banni insensiblement du cœur de la Reine, la tendresse qu'elle avoit euë pour le Marquis Monaldeschi, mais on se trompoit dans ces conjectures, ce qui arrive ordinairement à ceux qui veulent juger de tout, sans jamais sçavoir rien à fond. Ce n'étoit point le nouvel engagement de la Reine qui lui faisoit negliger l'autre, c'étoit la conduite indiscrette de Monaldeschi. Ce Gentilhomme Italien oublia, ce semble, en cette occasion la politique qui fait la caractere particulier de sa Nation. Quelques unes des lettres que la Reine lui avoit écrites tomberent entre les mains de ses ennemis, qui les envoyerent à la Reine en France. On en accusa un Cardinal, & ce soupçon n'étoit peut être pas mal fondé, mais quoy qu'il en soit, la Reine immola cet amand à son honneur outragé, sans avoir aucun egard à la complaisance qu'elle avoit euë pour sa personne, ni aux Loix du Royaume où elle étoit. Cette Princesse altiere crut qu'étant Reine, elle pouvoit par soy même se faire justice d'une personne qui avoit decauvert ses foiblesses, & son ressentiment fut si grand & si vif, qu'il lui fit passer toutes les Loix, en erigeant un[e] espece de Tribunal Souverain, où fut condamné celuy qui n'étoit coupable d'autre crime que d'avoir repondu aux avances que lui avoit fait cette Princesse, & de l'avoir declaré à quelqu'un. Cet assassinat commis dans la galerie des Cerfs de la maison Royale de Fontainebleau, sonna si mal dans le Monde, que la Cour ne pût s'empécher de desapprouver une action si inhumaine. Cette cruelle amante étant revenuë un peu à elle même, mais apres avoir trempé les mains dans le sang d'un homme qu'elle avoit souvent caressé, vit alors qu'elle s'étoit perduë de reputation dans la plus Belle cour du Monde, ainsi elle fut contrainte de sortir de la France, qui étoit selon elle la partie de l'Europe la plus belle, & la plus agreable, ajôutant que Paris étoit le sejour des plaisirs, & le centre des beaux esprits; que la Cour de France étoit la plus galante de toutes les Cours de l'Europe, & qu'il y avoit plus de politesse que dans aucun autre endroit du Monde. Cependant ce temps là n'étoit pas tout-à-fait celui de la galanterie; à peine la capitale étoit elle libre & tranquille, tout étoit encore en confusion sur les frontieres, & la noblesse étoit plus occupée à suivre Mars au milieu des perils de la guerre, qu'à prendre les plaisirs de Venus dans les ruelles des Dames de Paris. Elle en sortit neantmoins, mais avec peine, heureuse encore si elle eût pû par son eloignement, etouffer les reproches que luy attiroit justement la mort Violente du Marquis Monaldeschi. Mais elle n'a pû avec tout cela, empêcher les Historiens de transmettre à la posterité, un fait qui devroit faire revenir les jeunes gens de leurs passions, en leur faisant connoître qu'il n'y a qu'un pas de l'amour a la haine, & que l'amour offensé met tout en œuvre pour se vanger, ainsi les amours finissent souvent par quelque catastrophe funeste. ...
With modernised spelling:
Le pape Alexandre VII, qui se promettait de grandes choses d'une reine nouvellement convertie à la religion romaine, donna ordre de la recevoir et de la traiter royalement dans tout l'État Ecclésiastique. Il lui fit même faire une entrée à Rome, qui approchait fort de la magnificence des triomphes des anciens Romains; cependant, soit qu'elle ne trouvât pas à Rome ce qu'elle y était venue chercher, ou que son inconstance ne lui permit pas d'y séjourner longtemps, elle en partit en 1657 pour aller en France, d'où elle se flattait trop aisément de passer en Angleterre. Mais Cromwell crut qu'il était de sa politique, et de l'intérêt de ses affaires encore chancelantes, de ne pas recevoir dans ses nouveaux états un esprit remuant et inquiet, comme l'était la reine de Suède.
Elle eut trouvé en France de quoi se de dommager du refus honteux qu'on lui faisait en Angleterre, si elle avait su s'y menager. En effet, tout occupé qu'était le roi, à terminer une guerre civile qui avait failli à ruiner ses états par une cruelle division, ce prince n'omettait rien cependant de ce qui pouvait rendre le séjour de la France agréable à la reine. Tous les princes, à son exemple, s'empressaient de visiter une princesse qui était dans une si grande réputation chez toutes les nations. Les gens de lettres lui faisaient la cour aussi bien que les personnes de qualité, les uns et les autres sortaient toujours contents de ses conversations galantes et savantes.
Déjà on parlait de ses intrigues avec quelques princes à qui elle avait inspiré de l'amour. Cependant, toutes ces amours ne furent que des galanteries passagères; il n'y eut que le duc de Guise qui prit des engagements de plus longue durée avec elle. Le prince, qui était aussi savant en galanterie qu'habile dans les armes, avait été choisi du roi pour aller recevoir la reine sur les frontières de [la] France; il fit voir dans ce voyage qu'il n'avait rien perdu de sa gentillesse pendant les révolutions de Naples, et que ses passions ne s'étaient point rallenties en sa prison de Ségovie. Il sut si bien mettre toutes choses à profit qu'il entra fort avant dans les bonnes grâces de la reine. Elle était trop savante elle-même en galanterie pour ne pas entrevoir la passion du duc au travers de tous ses soins empressés et des grands honneurs qu'il lui fit rendre partout où elle passa.
Les distinctions qu'elle faisait de ce prince confirmèrent qu'on n'avait pas dit sans apparence que l'intrigue s'était formée dés le voyage. D'un autre côté, le refroidissement que la reine témoignait pour son grand écuyer, qu'elle avait aimé, augmentèrent les soupçons et la médisance et firent croire à ses domestiques que le duc avait banni insensiblement du cœur de la reine la tendresse qu'elle avait eue pour le marquis Monaldeschi. Mais on se trompait dans ces conjectures, ce qui arrive ordinairement à ceux qui veulent juger de tout, sans jamais savoir rien à fond.
Ce n'était point le nouvel engagement de la reine qui lui faisait négliger l'autre, c'était la conduite indiscrète de Monaldeschi. Ce gentilhomme italien oublia, ce semble, en cette occasion la politique qui fait la caractère particulier de sa nation. Quelques-unes des lettres que la reine lui avait écrites tombèrent entre les mains de ses ennemis, qui les envoyèrent à la reine en France. On en accusa un cardinal, et ce soupçon n'était peut-être pas mal fondé; mais quoi qu'il en soit, la reine immola cet amant à son honneur outragé, sans avoir aucun égard à la complaisance qu'elle avait eue pour sa personne, ni aux lois du royaume où elle était. Cette princesse altière crut qu'étant reine, elle pouvait par soi-même se faire justice d'une personne qui avait decouvert ses faiblesses; et son ressentiment fut si grand et si vif qu'il lui fit passer toutes les lois en érigeant une espèce de tribunal souverain, où fut condamné celui qui n'était coupable d'autre crime que d'avoir repondu aux avances que lui avait fait cette princesse, et de l'avoir déclaré à quelqu'un.
Cet assassinat commis dans la Galerie des Cerfs de la maison royale de Fontainebleau sonna si mal dans le monde que la cour ne put s'empêcher de desapprouver une action si inhumaine.
Cette cruelle amante étant revenue un peu à elle-même, mais après avoir trempé les mains dans le sang d'un homme qu'elle avait souvent caressé, vit alors qu'elle s'était perdue de réputation dans la plus belle cour du monde, ainsi elle fut contrainte de sortir de la France, qui était selon elle la partie de l'Europe la plus belle et la plus agréable, ajoutant que Paris était le séjour des plaisirs et le centre des beaux esprits, que la cour de France était la plus galante de toutes les cours de l'Europe, et qu'il y avait plus de politesse que dans aucun autre endroit du monde. Cependant ce temps-là n'était pas tout à fait celui de la galanterie; à peine la capitale était elle libre et tranquille, tout était encore en confusion sur les frontières, et la noblesse était plus occupée à suivre Mars au milieu des périls de la guerre qu'à prendre les plaisirs de Vénus dans les ruelles des dames de Paris.
Elle en sortit néanmoins, mais avec peine, heureuse encore si elle eut pu par son éloignement étouffer les reproches que lui attirait justement la mort violente du marquis Monaldeschi. Mais elle n'a pu avec tout cela empêcher les historiens de transmettre à la postérité un fait qui devrait faire revenir les jeunes gens de leurs passions, en leur faisant connaître qu'il n'y a qu'un pas de l'amour à la haine, et que l'amour offensé met tout en œuvre pour se vanger, ainsi les amours finissent souvent par quelque catastrophe funeste. ...
Swedish translation (my own):
Påven Alexander VII, som lovade sig själv stora saker från en drottning som nyligen konverterats till den romerska religionen, gav order om att ta emot henne och behandla henne kungligt i hela den Kyrkliga Staten. Han lät henne till och med göra ett intåg i Rom, som närmade sig storheten av de gamla romarnas triumfer; vare sig hon emellertid icke i Rom fann, vad hon där kommit att söka, eller om hennes obeveklighet icke tillät henne att stanna där länge, reste hon 1657 för att bege sig till Frankrike, varifrån hon smickrade sig alltför lätt för att bege sig till England. Men Cromwell ansåg att det låg i hans politik och i hans alltjämt vacklande angelägenheters intresse att inte i sina nya stater ta emot en rastlös och orolig ande som Sveriges drottnings ande.
I Frankrike skulle hon ha funnit resurser att beklaga den skamliga vägran som hon gjordes av henne i England om hon hade vetat hur hon skulle hantera sig själv där. I själva verket, ockuperad som konungen var i att avsluta ett inbördeskrig som hade misslyckats med att förstöra hans stater genom en grym division, utelämnade denne furste ingenting, men som kunde göra vistelsen i Frankrike angenäm för drottningen. Alla furstarna, efter hans exempel, skyndade sig att besöka en prinsessa som hade ett så stort rykte bland alla nationer. Män av lettres dömde henne, liksom människor av hög kvalitet. Båda lämnade alltid nöjda med sina galanta och lärda samtal.
Man pratade redan om hennes intriger med några furstar som hon hade inspirerat med kärlek. Men alla dessa kärlekar var bara förbigående galanterier; endast hertigen de Guise ingick längre förbindelser med henne. Fursten, som var lika lärd i tapperhet som han var skicklig i vapen, hade blivit utvald av konungen att gå och ta emot drottningen vid Frankrikes gränser; han visade på denna resa att han inte hade förlorat något av sin vänlighet under revolutionerna i Neapel, och att hans passioner inte hade försvagats under hans fängelse i Segovia. Han visste så väl att använda allting så att han kom in i drottningens goda nåder mycket längre. Hon var själv alltför kunnig i tapperhet för att inte få en glimt av hertigens passion genom all hans flitiga uppmärksamhet och de stora äror han tilldelade henne vart hon än gick.
De distinktioner hon gjorde på denne furste bekräftade att det inte utan framträdande hade sagts att intrigen hade bildats under resan. Å andra sidan ökade den kylighet som drottningen visade för sin överstallmästare, som hon hade älskat, misstänksamhet och förtal, och fick hennes tjänare att tro att hertigen på ett omärkbart sätt hade förvisat från drottningens hjärta den ömhet hon hade för markisen Monaldeschi. Men man hade fel i dessa gissningar, vilket vanligtvis händer dem som vill bedöma allt utan att någonsin veta något på djupet.
Det var inte drottningens nya engagemang som fick henne att försumma den andra, det var Monaldeschis indiskreta beteende. Denne italienske herre tycks glömma vid detta tillfälle den politik som gör hans nations speciella karaktär. Några av breven som drottningen hade skrivit till honom föll i händerna på hans fiender, som skickade dem till drottningen i Frankrike. En kardinal anklagades för det, och denna misstanke var kanske inte ogrundad; men hur som helst, drottningen brände denna älskare till sin upprörda ära, utan att ta hänsyn till det belåtenhet hon hade haft för hans person eller för lagarna i det rike hon befann sig i. Denna högmodiga prinsessa trodde att eftersom hon var drottning, hon kunde göra sig själv rättvisa mot en person som hade upptäckt hennes svagheter; och hennes förbittring var så stor och så livlig att hon lät sig gå över alla lagar genom att upprätta en sorts suverän domstol, där han dömdes som inte gjorde sig skyldig till något annat brott än att ha svarat på de avanserna som denna prinsessa hade gjort till honom och att ha förklarat det för någon.
Detta mord, som begicks i Hjortgalleriet i kungahuset Fontainebleau, lät så illa ute i världen att hovet inte kunde låta bli att ogilla en så omänsklig handling.
Denna grymma älskarinna kom tillbaka till sig själv lite, men efter att ha doppat sina händer i blodet på en man som hon ofta hade smekt, såg att hon hade förlorat sitt rykte vid den vackraste domstolen i världen, så hon tvingades lämna Frankrike, som enligt henne var den vackraste och trevligaste delen av Europa, och tillade att Paris var njutningsbostaden och centrum för vackra sinnen, att Frankrikes hov var den galantaste av alla Europas domstolar, och att det fanns mer artighet där än på någon annan plats i världen. Men den tiden var inte riktigt tapperhetens; huvudstaden var knappast fri och tyst, allt var ännu i förvirring vid gränserna, och adeln var mer sysselsatt med att följa Mars mitt i krigsfaror än att ta Venus nöjen i damers gränder i Paris.
Hon kom likväl därifrån, men med nöd och näppe, ändå glad om hon med sitt avstånd hade kunnat kväva de förebråelser som markisen Monaldeschis våldsamma död med rätta kommit över henne. Men hon kunde inte med allt detta hindra historiker från att förmedla till eftervärlden ett faktum som borde få unga människor att återvända från sina passioner, genom att få dem att veta att det bara finns ett steg från kärlek till hat, och att den kränkta kärleken gör allt för att hämnas själv, sålunda slutar kärlekar ofta i någon ödesdiger katastrof. ...
English translation (by Hollingworth):
Pope Alexander the VIIth, who promised himself great Matters from a Queen who was become a new Convert, gave order to receive and treat her Royally through all the Teritories of the Ecclesiastical State, and himself gave order for her entry into Rome; which came very near to the magnificence of the Triumphs of the Ancient Romans; but whether it were that she could not find what she sought at Rome, or whether her Inconstancy would not suffer her to stay there for any long time, she departed for France in the Year 1657. From whence she hoped to find an easie passage for England. But Cromwell believing it to be done out of Policy, and his Affairs being in a Staggering condition, refused to receive into his new Estates, so unquiet and turbulent a Spirit as was that of the Queen of Sweden. However she had found in France wherewith to satisfie her self for the shameful refusal she had met with in England, if she had known how to manage it; for the King, as busie as he was, to make an end of a Civil War, which had almost ruin'd his Kingdom, omitted nothing that might render France agreeable to the Queen.
And all the Princes after his Example, crowded to Visit a Princess who had obtain'd so great a Reputation among among [sic] all Nations. The Men of Letters also made their Court, as well as the Persons of Quality, and both the one and the other always departed well Satisfied in the Witty and Learned Conversations they had with her. There was presently some Talk of her Intrigues with certain Princes, whom she had inspired with Love; but these Amours were only flying Gallantries, and there was none but the Duke of Guise that had any Engagements with her for any considerable length of time.
This Prince who was as knowing and dextrous in Courtly Qualifications, as skilful in Arms, was chose by the King to go and receive her upon the Frontiers of France. He shewed in his Voyage that he had lost nothing of his good Mein in the Revolution of Naples, and that the Edge of his Passions were not quite taken off by the Prison of Segovia; for he knew so well how to turn all things to his own Advantage, that he quickly entred into the Queen's good Graces. She was her self too well skill'd in Gallantry, not to see the Duke's Passion through all his Cares, and the great Honours he caused to be paid her in all places where she pass'd.
The particular Distinction which she made of this Prince, did confirm that it was not reported without a probable appearance, that an Intrigue was form'd in this Voyage. On the other hand, the coldness which the Queen shew'd to her grand Usher, whom she had formerly Lov'd, augmented the Suspicion, and made her Domesticks believe that the Duke had insensibly banish'd the Love of the Marquess Monaldeschi out of the Queen's Heart. They were deceiv'd in these Conjectures, as it often happens to those who judge of every thing, without knowing any thing to the Bottom: For it was no new Engagement the Queen had, which made her neglect him, but the indiscreet Conduct of Monaldeschi. This Italian Gentleman had forgot, it seems, that Policy which makes a particular Character of the People of his Cou[n]try. Some Letters which the Queen had writ to him, fell into his Enemies hands, who sent them into France to the Queen.
The Cardinal was accused of it, and the Suspicion perhaps was not ill founded. But however it were, the Queen Sacrificed this once admired Love, to the Outrage done to her Honour, without any regard either to the delight she had taken in his Person, or the Laws of the Realm where she then was. This lofty Princess believ'd, that because she was a Queen, she by her own Power, might do her self Justice upon a Person who had discover'd her Weakness; and her Resentment was so great, and so much to the Quick, that she pass'd over all Laws, in erecting a kind of Sovereign Tribunal, where he was Condemned, as himself declared to some, without being guilty of any other Crime, than answering to the first Advances that this Princess made to him. This Assassination committed in the Gallery of Harts, so called, in the Royal Palace of Fountain Bleau, sounded so ill in the World, that the Court could not but disapprove so Inhumane an Action.
Our cruel Lover being come to her self, after she had dipp'd her Hands in the Blood of a Man whom she was often accustom'd to Caress, saw that she now had lost her self in the Esteem of one of the most Splendid Courts of the World, and was also constrained to leave France, which was, as she confess'd, the finest and most agreeable part of Europe, adding, that Paris was the Seat of Pleasures, and the Center of fine Wits. That the Court of France was the most Magnificent in all Europe; and that there was more Politeness there, than in any other place of the World. However, the Season then, was not at all proper for Intrigues of Love; for although the Capital City was Free and at Ease, all was yet in Confusion upon the Frontiers, and the Nobles were more employ'd to follow Mars amidst the dangers of War, than to prosecute the Pleasures of Venus in the Streets of the Ladies of Paris. Well, she went away at last, though with much difficulty, which was very happy for her, had she been able by distance, to extinguish the Reproaches she had justly drawn upon her self, by the violent Death of the Marquiss Monaldeschi. And after all, she has not been able to hinder Historians from transmitting to Posterity a Fact which should teach Youth to bridle their Passions, by shewing them, that this was only Love changed into Hatred; That offended Love sets every thing at Work to Revenge it self, And that such Amours do often end in a fatal Catastrophe. ...
With modernised spelling and punctuation for easier reading:
Pope Alexander the VIIth, who promised himself great matters from a queen who was become a new convert, gave order to receive and treat her royally through all the territories of the Ecclesiastical State, and himself gave order for her entry into Rome, which came very near to the magnificence of the triumphs of the ancient Romans; but whether it were that she could not find what she sought at Rome, or whether her inconstancy would not suffer her to stay there for any long time, she departed for France in the year 1657, from whence she hoped to find an easy passage for England. But Cromwell, believing it to be done out of policy, and his affairs being in a staggering condition, refused to receive into his new estates so unquiet and turbulent a spirit as was that of the Queen of Sweden. However, she had found in France wherewith to satisfy herself for the shameful refusal she had met with in England, if she had known how to manage it; for the King, as busy as he was to make an end of a civil war which had almost ruined his kingdom, omitted nothing that might render France agreeable to the Queen.
And all the princes, after his example, crowded to visit a princess who had obtained so great a reputation among all nations. The men of letters also made their court, as well as the persons of quality, and both the one and the other always departed well-satisfied in the witty and learned conversations they had with her. There was presently some talk of her intrigues with certain princes, whom she had inspired with love; but these amours were only flying gallantries, and there was none but the Duke of Guise that had any engagements with her for any considerable length of time.
This prince, who was as knowing and dextrous in courtly qualifications as skillful in arms, was chose by the King to go and receive her upon the frontiers of France. He shewed in his voyage that he had lost nothing of his good mien in the revolution of Naples, and that the edge of his passions were not quite taken off by the prison of Segovia; for he knew so well how to turn all things to his own advantage that he quickly entered into the Queen's good graces. She was herself too well skilled in gallantry not to see the Duke's passion through all his cares and the great honours he caused to be paid her in all places where she passed.
The particular distinction which she made of this prince did confirm that it was not reported without a probable appearance that an intrigue was formed in this voyage. On the other hand, the coldness which the Queen shewed to her grand usher, whom she had formerly loved, augmented the suspicion and made her domestics believe that the Duke had insensibly banished the love of the marquis Monaldeschi out of the Queen's heart. They were deceived in these conjectures, as it often happens to those who judge of everything without knowing anything to the bottom, for it was no new engagement the Queen had which made her neglect him, but the indiscreet conduct of Monaldeschi.
This Italian gentleman had forgot, it seems, that policy which makes a particular character of the people of his country. Some letters which the Queen had writ to him fell into his enemies' hands, who sent them into France to the Queen.
The Cardinal was accused of it, and the suspicion perhaps was not ill-founded. But however it were, the Queen sacrificed this once admired love to the outrage done to her honour, without any regard either to the delight she had taken in his person or the laws of the realm where she then was. This lofty princess believed that because she was a queen, she, by her own power, might do herself justice upon a person who had discovered her weakness; and her resentment was so great and so much to the quick that she passed over all laws in erecting a kind of sovereign tribunal, where he was condemned, as himself declared to some, without being guilty of any other crime than answering to the first advances that this princess made to him.
This assassination, committed in the Gallery of Harts, so called, in the Royal Palace of Fontainebleau, sounded so ill in the world that the court could not but disapprove so inhumane an action.
Our cruel lover being come to herself after she had dipped her hands in the blood of a man whom she was often accustomed to caress, saw that she now had lost herself in the esteem of one of the most splendid courts of the world, and was also constrained to leave France, which was, as she confessed, the finest and most agreeable part of Europe, adding that Paris was the seat of pleasures and the center of fine wits. That the court of France was the most magnificent in all Europe and that there was more politeness there than in any other place of the world. However, the season then was not at all proper for intrigues of love; for, although the capital city was free and at ease, all was yet in confusion upon the frontiers, and the nobles were more employed to follow Mars amidst the dangers of war than to prosecute the pleasures of Venus in the streets of the ladies of Paris.
Well, she went away at last, though with much difficulty, which was very happy for her, had she been able, by distance, to extinguish the reproaches she had justly drawn upon herself by the violent death of the marquis Monaldeschi. And after all, she has not been able to hinder historians from transmitting to posterity a fact which should teach youth to bridle their passions, by shewing them that this was only love changed into hatred, that offended love sets everything at work to revenge itself, and that such amours do often end in a fatal catastrophe. ...
English translation (my own; this is more accurate):
Pope Alexander VII, who promised himself great things from a queen newly converted to the Roman religion, gave orders to receive her and treat her royally throughout the Ecclesiastical State. He even had her make an entry into Rome, which approached very nearly to the magnificence of the triumphs of the ancient Romans; however, whether she did not find in Rome what she had come to seek there, or if her inconstancy did not allow her to stay there long, she left in 1657 to go to France, from where she flattered herself too easily to go to England. But Cromwell believed that it was in his policy, and in the interest of his still tottering affairs, not to receive in his new estates a restless and inquiet spirit like that of the Queen of Sweden.
She would have found in France the wherewithal to be sorry for the shameful refusal made of her in England if she had known how to handle herself there. Indeed, occupied as the King was in terminating a civil war which had failed to ruin his states by a cruel division, this prince omitted nothing, however, that could make the stay in France agreeable to the Queen. All the princes, following his example, hastened to visit a princess who was in such great reputation among all nations. Men of letters paid court to her, as did people of quality. Both always left content with her gallant and learned conversations.
Already people were talking of her intrigues with some princes whom she had inspired with love. However, all these loves were only passing gallantries; only the Duke de Guise entered into longer engagements with her. The prince, who was as learned in gallantry as he was skillful in arms, had been chosen by the King to go and receive the Queen on the frontiers of France; he showed in this journey that he had lost none of his kindness during the revolutions of Naples, and that his passions had not been weakened during his imprisonment at Segovia. He knew so well how to put everything to good use that he entered the Queen's good graces much further. She was too knowledgeable herself in gallantry not to catch a glimpse of the Duke's passion through all his attentive attentions and the great honours he bestowed upon her wherever she passed.
The distinctions she made of this prince confirmed that it had not been said without appearance that the intrigue had been formed during the journey. On the other hand, the coolness which the Queen showed for her grand equerry, whom she had loved, increased suspicion and slander, and made her domestics believe that the Duke had insensibly banished from the Queen's heart the tenderness which she had had for the Marquis Monaldeschi. But one was mistaken in these conjectures, which usually happens to those who want to judge everything without ever knowing anything in depth.
It was not the Queen's new engagement that made her neglect the other, it was the indiscreet conduct of Monaldeschi. This Italian gentleman forgot, it seems, on this occasion the policy which makes the particular character of his nation. Some of the letters the Queen had written to him fell into the hands of his enemies, who sent them to the Queen in France. A cardinal was accused of it, and this suspicion was perhaps not ill-founded; but be that as it may, the Queen immolated this lover to her outraged honour, without having any regard for the complaisance she had had for his person, nor for the laws of the kingdom she was in. This haughty princess believed that, being queen, she could do herself justice to a person who had discovered her weaknesses; and her resentment was so great and so lively that she made herself pass over all the laws by erecting a kind of sovereign tribunal, where he was condemned who was guilty of no other crime than to have responded to the advances that this princess had made to him and to have declared it to someone.
This assassination, which was committed in the Galerie des Cerfs in the royal house of Fontainebleau, sounded so badly in the world that the court could not help but disapprove of such an inhuman action.
This cruel lover having come back to herself a little, but after dipping her hands in the blood of a man she had often caressed, saw that she had lost her reputation at the most beautiful court in the world, so she was forced to leave France, which was, according to her, the most beautiful and pleasant part of Europe, adding that Paris was the abode of pleasures and the center of beautiful minds, that the court of France was the most gallant of all the courts of Europe, and that there was more politeness there than in any other place in the world. However, that time was not quite that of gallantry; the capital was hardly free and quiet, everything was still in confusion on the frontiers, and the nobility was more occupied in following Mars in the midst of the perils of war than in taking the pleasures of Venus in the alleys of the ladies of Paris.
She came away from there nevertheless, but with difficulty, still happy if she had been able by her distance to stifle the reproaches which the violent death of the Marquis Monaldeschi had justly brought upon her. But she could not with all this prevent historians from transmitting to posterity a fact which should make young people return from their passions, by making them know that there is only one step from love to hatred, and that the offended love does everything possible to avenge itself, thus loves often end in some fatal catastrophe. ...
Notes: Kristina's first visit and stay in France was in 1656. She stayed again in 1657 to 1658.
Contrary to many rumours at the time, Kristina did not have Monaldeschi killed after falling out of love with him, but because she/he/they had discovered that he had betrayed her/him/them and revealed to the Pope her/his/their secret plan to become Queen of Naples.
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