Sources:
Histoire des intrigues galantes de la reine Christine de Suede: et de sa cour, pendant son sejour à Rome, pages 25 to 34, 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, pages 30 to 37, translated by Philip Hollingworth, 1697 (1927 edition in second link)
Above: Kristina.
CONTENT WARNING: MENTION OF ATTEMPTED R*PE AND VIOLENCE.
The account:
Elle partit de Rome en 1666. ayant congedié une partie de sa maison, & pour fournir aux frais de son voyage, elle emprunta cinq mille écus du Cardinal Antoine Barberin. En arrivant à Trente le Marquis Delmonte qui étoit banni de l'Etat Ecclesiastique pour ses crimes, vint se jetter à ses pieds & lui demanda sa protection. La Reine le retint à son service, non pour le merite de sa personne, mais parce qu'étant un peu fanfaronne, elle étoit bien aise d'avoir en sa compagnie un si brave Champion. Ce qui l'engagea d'avantage à le proteger fut pour faire depit aux Chigi, belle reconnoissance des honneurs que le Pape Alexandre VII. de la même famille lui avoit fait rendre la premiere fois qu'elle vint à Rome.
Horace de Bourbon Marquis Delmonte étoit d'une famille si noble, qu'il portoit le nom, & les armes de celle qui regne en France depuis plusieurs siécles avec tant de gloire. ... Le Marquis Horace étoit un grand homme, de belle taille, le visage large, les yeux enfoncez, le nez aquilin, la bouche grande, le menton fourchu, son teint étoit blanc, ses cheveux cendrez ou chatains clairs, il étoit nerveux, de forte complexion, velu par le corps, les jambes en dehors, les pieds en dedans, une demarche precipitée, qui ne manquoit rien de grand; Il n'étoit ni gras ni maigre, grand rêveur, la voix feminine, bon par politique, méchant par interest, homme de jugement, mais plus enclin au mal qu'au bien, addonné aux femmes avec excez, passionné pour le jeu, dont il sçavoit toutes les tromperies, artificieux, & malin avec esprit, vindicatif, & cruel. En peu de tems il prit un tel ascendant sur l'esprit de la Reine, qu'elle adheroit à tout ce qu'il vouloit, jusques là qu'il la faisoit taire. Il parloit avec une telle fermeté qu'il étonnoit ceux qui l'ecoutoient. Pour de la Religion, ses mœurs faisoient connoître qu'il n'en avoit gueres, neantmoins il se confessoit, & communioit comme les autres, il sçavoit parler & se taire à propos, il étoit gay aupres des Dames, faisoit de la dépense pour elles, mais quelques fois aux dépens des Marchands, & des Artisans; tout lui étoit propre aussi bien le sacré que le profane, il disoit qu'il falloit se vanger sans menacer, depeur d'être prevenu. Il se nourrissoit bien, mais sans excez, si quelqu'un avoit quelque secret pour l'exciter à la luxure, il le paioit au poids de l'or. Les truffes, champignons, cellery, culs d'Artichaux & tout ce qui echauffe étoit à son goût, il ne buvoit que des vins delicats, mais à la fin du repas, il buvoit un verre de vin grec, ou autres tres semblables, & mangeoit trois noix confites pour aider à la digestion.
La Reine traversa l'Allemagne avec lui, & ne s'arréta qu'à Hambourg, où elle sejourna quelque temps, allant quelquefois faire de petits Voyages à Staden, Verden, Bremen, & autres Villes du Voisinage qui étoient du Domaine de la Suede. Enfin il lui prit envie de tentrer dans ce Royaume; dés quelle fut arrivée à Nicoping, le Conseil d'êtat qui avoit l'administration des affaires pendant la minorité du Roy Charles XI. fils de Charles X. auquel elle avoit resigné la couronne, la pria de ne pas aller plus avant, pour ne pas donner lieu aux esprits remuants de croire qu'elle avoit envie de remonter sur le trône: mais la Veritable raison du Senat, étoit qu'il apprehendoit son humeur volage, & broüillonne, outre qu'on croyoit qu'elle avoit un parti dans le Royaume, & qu'à l'exemple de Charles V. elle se repentoit de son abdication. Son changement de Religion, & l'insolence de ses gens, étoit une autre cause pour lui refuser l'entrée de la capitale du Royaume, sur tout, aprés l'accident arrivé à un de ses Aumoniers appellé l'Abbé Santoni Prêtre Toscan, qu'elle avoit mené contre le Conseil du Cardinal Azolin, qui lui avoit donné deux Prêtres de l'Oratoire de l'Eglise neuve pour diriger sa conscience, & pour lui dire la Messe. Mais autant que ces bons Peres étoient sages, & recueillis, autant l'Abbé Santony étoit déreglé, & tout a-fait indigne de son caractere. Il le donna bien à connoître un jour qu'il voulut des honnorer un Demoiselle de Nicoping qui étoit venue en cette Ville d'un Chateau du Voisinage, pour saluer la Reine Christine, comme son ancienne souveraine. Durant le sejour qu'elle fit en cette Ville là Santoni fit connoissance avec elle, & parce qu'elle lui temoigna quelque honnêteté avec cette franchise qui est si naturelle aux peuples du Nord, il crût qu'elle lui faisoit des avances dont il devoit profiter. Dans cette pensée, un jour qu'il la trouva à sa bienseance, il entreprit de forcer sa modestie, & il lui auroit fait outrage si elle n'eut crié au secours, ce qui fit venir bien des gens qui la tirérent des mains de cet ïnfame. Cette action fut d'un grand scandale pour la Religion Catholique, le peuple étant ordinairement assez injuste pour conclure du particulier au General, comme si les fautes n'étoient pas personnelles, & comme s'il n'y avoit pas des bons, & des méchans dans toutes les societez. Il n'en fut pas quitte pour la honte, car les parens de la demoiselle indignez d'un si sanglant affront. L'attendirent sur le chemin avec intention de laver dans son sang, l'injure qu'il avoit faire à leur parente, de quoy la Reine étant avertie, elle fut obligée de le faire entrer dans son propre Carrosse, pour le mettre à couvert des insultes qu'on lui auroit sans doute fait, sans cette precaution.
Le même Santoni avoit déja pensé perir à Hambourg pour une autre galanterie: il y avoit dans cette Ville là un marchand François protestant de la Rochelle qui y étoit établi, & y avoit pris femme. Santoni ayant fait connoissance avec le François, avoit l'entrée libre chez lui, & même rendoit visite à sa femme en son absence, comme cela se pratique parmi les honnêtes gens sans tirer à consequence. Nôtre Italien né dans un pais où la jalousie ne regne pas sans cause, & qui n'étoit pas accoutumé à une telle familiarité, esperoit que la Dame ne lui feroit pas cruelle quand il lui en voudroit conter; ainsi pour captiver sa bien veillance, il avoit beaucoup de complaisance pour elle, mais il lui prit un caprice un jour qui pensa lui causer bien des affronts. Cette femme l'ayant prié de lui dire comment elle pourroit saluer son mari en Italien, quand il reviendroit au logis, il lui enseigna des paroles qu'une honnête femme n'a garde d'avoir dans la bouche, quand elle sçait ce qu'elles signifient; mais comme elle n'entendoit pas l'Italien, elle recitoit innocemment les mêmes mots qu'il lui apprenoit, il lui fit si souvent cette belle leçon qu'elle la retint par cœur. Il s'imaginoit que le marchand ne sçauroit pas l'Italien, mais il se trompoit, car il avoit voyagé en Italie en sa jeunesse, & il fut si etonné de se voir salué de sa femme par de si vilains mots qu'il lui appliqua rudement un soufflet. La pauvre femme fort surprise de ces nouvelles caresses se mit à pleurer, cependant le marchand n'en demeura pas là, il voulut sçavoir qui lui apprenoit des paroles si libres, il sçeut enfin, mais à force de menaces, que c'étoit l'Abbé Santoni, & cette femme fit si bien connoitre sa sincerité, & son innocence, que le mari n'en pût douter, ainsi il tourna toute sa fureur contre cet indigne prêtre, & l'alla chercher chez la Reine pour le tuer, mais le trouble qui le transportoit ayant allarmé ceux qu'il rencontra, ils donnérent avis à Santoni d'eviter sa rencontre, & l'on eut bien de la peine dans la suite à les remettre en paix, neantmoins Santoni n'osa plus depuis aller chez le marchand.
La Reine Christine s'en retourna par terre de Nicoping à Calmar, où elle s'embarqua pour Lubeck, & delà elle vint dans le Duché de Breme, & dans la Principauté de Verden; & comme ces Etats dependent de la couronne de Suede, on lui fit par tout de grands honneurs; elle étoit receüe par les Magistrats qui lui présentoient les clefs, on mettoit sous les armes non seulement la Bourgeoisie & la milice, mais encore les troupes réglées tant Infanterie que Cavallerie. La Reine en justaucorps de Velours noir, le chapeau sur la tête orné de belles plumes blanches, montée comme un Cavalier sur un Excellent Cheval, couroit à travers les rangs, où elle reconnoissoit plusieurs Vieux Officiers qui avoient servi pendant son regne, & quelques uns même, sous le regne du Grand Gustave Adolphe son Pere. Elle reconnut entr'autres le General Vrangel auquel elle fit mille caresses, & voulut en sa presence voir faire l'exercice aux troupes. Elle s'ingera même de donner les ordres pour les evolutions de l'Infanterie, & pour faire caracoller la Cavalerie, mais comme elle étoit plus propre pour conduire une intrigue que pour commander une armée, elle donnoit les ordres à rebours, ce qui faisoit rire Vrangel qui fut obligé d'aider à la lettre, & d'interpreter ses ordres pour ne pas deconcerter l'art militaire; mais il ne pût s'empêcher ensuite d'en faire de sanglantes railleries avec ses amis, & de traiter la Reine de folle, & d'étourdie. Elle étoit neantmoins si entêtée de son propre merite, qu'elle croyoit être parfaite en toutes choses; elle fut invitée à Staden à un Wirschaff qui est une espece de Bal, où elle parut habillée en Frascatane, & dansa une mascarade où elle se demena d'une étrange maniere.
With modernised spelling:
Elle partit de Rome en 1666, ayant congédié une partie de sa maison; et, pour fournir aux frais de son voyage, elle emprunta cinq mille écus du cardinal Antoine Barberin. En arrivant à Trente, le marquis del Monte, qui était banni de l'État Ecclésiastique pour ses crimes, vint se jetter à ses pieds et lui demanda sa protection. La reine le retint à son service, non pour le mérite de sa personne, mais parce qu'étant un peu fanfaronne, elle était bien aise d'avoir en sa compagnie un si brave champion. Ce qui l'engagea d'avantage à le protéger fut pour faire dépit aux Chigi, belle reconnaissance des honneurs que le pape Alexandre VII de la même famille lui avait fait rendre la première fois qu'elle vint à Rome.
Horace de Bourbon, marquis del Monte, était d'une famille si noble qu'il portait le nom et les armes de celle qui régne en France depuis plusieurs siècles avec tant de gloire. ... Le marquis Horace était un grand homme, de belle taille, le visage large, les yeux enfoncés, le nez aquilin, la bouche grande, le menton fourchu. Son teint était blanc, ses cheveux cendrés ou chatains clairs. Il était nerveux, de forte complexion, velu par le corps, les jambes en dehors, les pieds en dedans, une demarche précipitée qui ne manquait rien de grand. Il n'était ni gras ni maigre, grand rêveur, la voix feminine, bon par politique, méchant par intérêt, homme de jugement, mais plus enclin au mal qu'au bien, adonné aux femmes avec excès, passionné pour le jeu, dont il savait toutes les tromperies, artificieux, et malin avec esprit, vindicatif, et cruel.
En peu de temps, il prit un tel ascendant sur l'esprit de la reine qu'elle adhérait à tout ce qu'il voulait, jusque-là qu'il la faisait taire. Il parlait avec une telle fermeté qu'il étonnait ceux qui l'écoutaient. Pour de la religion, ses mœurs faisaient connaître qu'il n'en avait guère; néanmoins il se confessait et communiait comme les autres. Il savait parler et se taire à propos, il était gai auprès des dames, faisait de la dépense pour elles, mais quelques fois aux dépens des marchands et des artisans. Tout lui était propre, aussi bien le sacré que le profane. Il disait qu'il fallait se venger sans menacer, de peur d'être prévenu.
Il se nourrissait bien, mais sans excès, si quelqu'un avait quelque secret pour l'exciter à la luxure, il le payait au poids de l'or. Les truffes, champignons, céleri, culs d'artichaux et tout ce qui échauffe était à son goût. Il ne buvait que des vins delicats, mais à la fin du repas, il buvait un verre de vin grec, ou autres très semblables, et mangeait trois noix confites pour aider à la digestion.
La reine traversa l'Allemagne avec lui et ne s'arrêta qu'à Hambourg, où elle séjourna quelque temps, allant quelquefois faire de petits voyages à Stade, Verden, Brême, et autres villes du voisinage qui étaient du domaine de la Suède. Enfin il lui prit envie de tentrer dans ce royaume; dès qu'elle fut arrivée à Nyköping, le Conseil d'État, qui avait l'administration des affaires pendant la minorité du roi Charles XI, fils de Charles X, auquel elle avait résigné la couronne, la pria de ne pas aller plus avant, pour ne pas donner lieu aux esprits remuants de croire qu'elle avait envie de remonter sur le trône. Mais la véritable raison du Sénat était qu'il appréhendait son humeur volage et brouillonne, outre qu'on croyait qu'elle avait un parti dans le royaume et, qu'à l'exemple de Charles V, elle se repentait de son abdication.
Son changement de religion, et l'insolence de ses gens, était une autre cause pour lui refuser l'entrée de la capitale du royaume, surtout après l'accident arrivé à un de ses aumôniers, appellé l'abbé Santoni, prêtre toscan, qu'elle avait mené contre le conseil du cardinal Azolin, qui lui avait donné deux prêtres de l'oratoire de l'Église Neuve pour diriger sa conscience et pour lui dire la messe. Mais autant que ces bons pères étaient sages et recueillis, autant l'abbé Santoni était déréglé et tout-à-fait indigne de son caractère.
Il le donna bien à connaître un jour qu'il voulut déshonorer un demoiselle de Nyköping, qui était venue en cette ville d'un château du voisinage, pour saluer la reine Christine comme son ancienne souveraine. Durant le séjour qu'elle fit en cette ville-là, Santoni fit connaissance avec elle, et parce qu'elle lui témoigna quelque honnêteté avec cette franchise qui est si naturelle aux peuples du Nord, il crut qu'elle lui faisait des avances dont il devait profiter. Dans cette pensée, un jour qu'il la trouva à sa bienséance, il entreprit de forcer sa modestie, et il lui aurait fait outrage si elle n'eut crié au secours, ce qui fit venir bien des gens qui la tirèrent des mains de cet infâme.
Cette action fut d'un grand scandale pour la religion catholique, le peuple étant ordinairement assez injuste pour conclure du particulier au général, comme si les fautes n'étaient pas personnelles et comme s'il n'y avait pas des bons et des méchants dans toutes les sociétés. Il n'en fut pas quitté pour la honte, car les parents de la demoiselle, indignés d'un si sanglant affront, l'attendirent sur le chemin avec intention de laver dans son sang l'injure qu'il avait faire à leur parente; de quoi la reine étant avertie, elle fut obligée de le faire entrer dans son propre carrosse pour le mettre à couvert des insultes qu'on lui aurait sans doute fait sans cette précaution.
Le même Santoni avait déjà pensé périr à Hambourg pour une autre galanterie. Il y avait dans cette ville-là un marchand français protestant de la Rochelle, qui y était établi et y avait pris femme. Santoni, ayant fait connaissance avec le Français, avait l'entrée libre chez lui et même rendait visite à sa femme en son absence, comme cela se pratique parmi les honnêtes gens sans tirer à conséquence. Notre Italien, né dans un pays où la jalousie ne regne pas sans cause, et qui n'était pas accoûtumé à une telle familiarité, espérait que la dame ne lui ferait pas cruelle quand il lui en voudrait conter; ainsi, pour captiver sa bienveillance, il avait beaucoup de complaisance pour elle, mais il lui prit un caprice un jour qui pensa lui causer bien des affronts.
Cette femme l'ayant prié de lui dire comment elle pourrait saluer son mari en italien quand il reviendrait au logis, il lui enseigna des paroles qu'une honnête femme n'a garde d'avoir dans la bouche quand elle sait ce qu'elles signifient; mais, comme elle n'entendait pas l'italien, elle recitait innocemment les mêmes mots qu'il lui apprenait; il lui fit si souvent cette belle leçon qu'elle la retint par cœur. Il s'imaginait que le marchand ne saurait pas l'italien, mais il se trompait, car il avait voyagé en Italie en sa jeunesse, et il fut si étonné de se voir salué de sa femme par de si vilains mots qu'il lui appliqua rudement un soufflet.
La pauvre femme, fort surprise de ces nouvelles caresses, se mit à pleurer; cependant, le marchand n'en demeura pas là. Il voulut savoir qui lui apprenait des paroles si libres. Il sut enfin, mais à force de menaces, que c'était l'abbé Santoni, et cette femme fit si bien connaître sa sincerité et son innocence que le mari n'en put douter, ainsi il tourna toute sa fureur contre cet indigne prêtre et l'alla chercher chez la reine pour le tuer. Mais le trouble qui le transportait ayant alarmé ceux qu'il rencontra, ils donnèrent avis à Santoni d'éviter sa rencontre, et l'on eut bien de la peine dans la suite à les remettre en paix. Néanmoins Santoni n'osa plus depuis aller chez le marchand.
La reine Christine s'en retourna par terre de Nyköping à Calmar, où elle s'embarqua pour Lübeck, et delà elle vint dans le duché de Brême et dans la principauté de Verden; et, comme ces états dependent de la Couronne de Suède, on lui fit par tout de grands honneurs. Elle était reçue par les magistrats qui lui présentaient les clefs. On mettait sous les armes non seulement la bourgeoisie et la milice, mais encore les troupes réglées, tant infanterie que cavalerie. La reine en justaucorps de velours noir, le chapeau sur la tête orné de belles plumes blanches, montée comme un cavalier sur un excellent cheval, courait à travers les rangs, où elle reconnaissait plusieurs vieux officiers qui avaient servi pendant son règne, et quelques-uns même sous le règne du grand Gustave-Adolphe, son père.
Elle reconnut entre autres le général Wrangel, auquel elle fit mille caresses, et voulut en sa présence voir faire l'exercice aux troupes. Elle s'ingéra même de donner les ordres pour les évolutions de l'infanterie et pour faire caracoler la cavalerie; mais comme elle était plus propre pour conduire une intrigue que pour commander une armée, elle donnait les ordres à rebours, ce qui faisait rire Wrangel, qui fut obligé d'aider à la lettre et d'interpréter ses ordres pour ne pas déconcerter l'art militaire. Mais il ne put s'empêcher ensuite d'en faire de sanglantes railleries avec ses amis et de traiter la reine de folle et d'étourdie. Elle était néanmoins si entêtée de son propre mérite qu'elle croyait être parfaite en toutes choses.
Elle fut invitée à Stade à un Wirtschaft, qui est une espèce de bal, où elle parut habillée en frascatane et dansa une mascarade, où elle se démena d'une étrange manière.
Swedish translation (my own):
Hon lämnade Rom 1666, efter att ha avskedat en del av sitt hushåll; och för att stå för kostnaderna för sin resa lånade hon fem tusen écus av kardinal Antonio Barberini. Framme i Trento kom markisen del Monte, som förvisades från den Kyrkliga Staten för sina brott, och kastade sig för hennes fötter och bad om hennes skydd. Drottningen behöll honom i sin tjänst, inte för hans persons förtjänst, utan för att hon, som var lite skrytsam, var mycket glad över att ha en så modig mästare i sitt sällskap. Det som fick henne att skydda honom desto mer var att trotsa Chigi, ett fint erkännande av de hedersbetygelser som påven Alexander VII, som var av samma familj, hade skänkt henne första gången hon kom till Rom.
Orazio de Bourbon, Marquis del Monte, var av en så ädel släkt att han bar namn och vapen av det som regerade i Frankrike i flera sekler med så mycket ära. ... Markisen Orazio var en lång man, av god kroppsbyggnad, med ett brett ansikte, insjunkna ögon, kroknäsa, bred mun och en hakgrop. Hans hy var vit, håret askblont eller ljusbrunt. Han var nervös av sig, starkt byggnad, luden över hela kroppen, benen ute, fötterna in. Han gick med en hastig gång som inte saknade något storartat. Han var varken tjock eller tunn, en stor dagdrömmare, han hade en kvinnlig röst, var bra på politik, elak för intresse. Han var en förståndig man, men mer benägen till dåliga än goda, beroende av kvinnor till överdrift, passionerad för spel, som han kände till alla bedrägerier om. Han var listig och slug, kvick, hämndlysten och grym.
På kort tid fick han ett sådant övertag över drottningens sinne att hon höll sig till vad han ville, tills han tystade henne. Han talade med sådan fasthet att han förvånade dem som lyssnade på honom. När det gäller religionen gjorde hans moral det känt att han knappt hade någon; icke desto mindre biktade han sig och tog nattvarden som de andra. Han kunde tala och tiga när det behövdes, han var glad mot damerna, använde pengar för deras räkning, men ibland på köpmäns och hantverkares bekostnad. Allt var hans eget, både det heliga och det profana. Han sade att han var tvungen att hämnas utan att hota, av rädsla för att bli prevenerad.
Han åt gott, men utan överskott; om någon hade någon hemlighet att väcka honom till lust, betalade han för det med guldets vikt. Tryffel, svamp, selleri, kronärtskocksbottnar och allt som värmde honom var i hans smak. Han drack bara ömtåliga viner, men i slutet av måltiden drack han ett glas grekiskt vin, eller andra mycket liknande, och åt tre kanderade nötter för att underlätta matsmältningen.
Drottningen genomkorsade Tyskland med honom och stannade endast i Hamburg, där hon vistades en tid, ibland på kortare resor till Stade, Verden, Bremen och andra städer i närheten, som låg i Sveriges domän. Slutligen hade hon lyst att försöka komma in i detta rike; så snart hon anlände till Nyköping, bad Riksens Råd, som hade förvaltningen av ärendena under konung Karl XI, son till Karl X, till vilken hon avstått kronan, henne att inte gå längre, så för att inte ge upphov till rastlösa sinnen att tro att hon ville återuppta tronen. Men Senatens verkliga anledning var att de fruktade hennes vankelmodiga och röriga humör, och trodde också att hon hade en fest i konungariket och att hon, precis som Karl V, ångrade sin abdikation.
Hennes religionsbyte och hennes folks fräckhet var en annan orsak till att hon vägrade inträde i rikets huvudstad, särskilt efter olyckan som drabbade en av hennes allmosegivare, kallad abbot Santoni, en toskansk präst som hon hade lett mot kardinal Azzolinos råd, som hade givit henne två präster i Chiesa Nuovas oratorium för att leda hennes samvete och att hålla mässa för henne. Men lika mycket som dessa goda fäder var visa och stillfärdiga, var abbot Santoni störd och fullständigt ovärdig sin karaktär.
Han meddelade en dag att han ville vanära en ungmö från Nyköping, som kommit till den staden från ett grannslott för att hälsa på drottning Kristina som hennes fordom suverän. Under hennes vistelse i den staden blev Santoni bekant med henne, och eftersom hon visade honom en viss ärlighet med den uppriktighet som är så naturlig för folken i Norden, trodde han att hon gjorde avanser för honom, som han var förpliktad att utnyttja. I denna tanke, en dag när han fann henne i hennes anständighet, åtog han sig att forcera hennes modesti, och han skulle ha tillfogat henne våldtäkt om hon inte hade ropat på hjälp, vilket förde många människor som räddade henne ur händerna på denne ökände man.
Denna handling var en stor skandal för den katolska religionen, folket var vanligtvis orättvist nog att dra slutsatser från det enskilda till det allmänna, som om felen inte var personliga och som om det inte fanns goda och dåliga människor i alla samhällen. Han lämnades inte för skammen, eftersom den unga ungmöns föräldrar, indignerade över en sådan blodig förolämpning, väntade på honom på vägen i avsikt att i hans blod tvätta bort den förolämpning han hade gjort mot deras dotter; drottningen varnades för detta och var tvungen att låta honom gå in i sin egen vagn för att skydda honom från de förolämpningar som utan denna försiktighetsåtgärd utan tvivel skulle ha gjorts mot honom.
Samme Santoni troddes redan ha omkommit i Hamburg för ytterligare ett galanteri. Det fanns i den staden en fransk protestantisk köpman från La Rochelle, som hade bosatt sig där och tagit en hustru dit. Santoni, efter att ha gjort bekantskap med fransmannen, hade fritt inträde till sitt hem och besökte till och med sin fru i hans frånvaro, vilket är praktiken bland ärliga människor utan att dra några konsekvenser. Vår italienare, född i ett land där svartsjukan inte råder utan anledning, och som inte var van vid en sådan förtrogenhet, hoppades att damen inte skulle vara grym mot honom när han ville berätta det för henne; sålunda, för att fängsla hennes välvilja, hade han ett stort mått av belåtenhet för henne, men han tog en dag ett infall, som ansågs orsaka henne många förolämpningar.
Efter att ha bett honom berätta för henne hur hon kunde hälsa på sin man på italienska när han kom hem, lärde han henne ord som en ärlig kvinna är försiktig med att inte ha i munnen när hon vet vad de menar; men eftersom hon inte förstod italienska, reciterade hon oskyldigt samma ord som han lärde henne; han lärde henne denna vackra läxa så ofta att hon kom ihåg den utantill. Han föreställde sig att köpmannen inte skulle kunna italienska, men han hade fel, ty han hade rest i Italien i sin ungdom, och han blev så förvånad att se sig hälsad av sin hustru med så fula ord att han slog henne en oförskämd örfil.
Den stackars kvinnan, mycket förvånad över dessa nya smekningar, började gråta; köpmannen stannade dock inte där. Han ville veta vem som hade lärt henne så fria ord. Han visste till slut, men genom hot, att det var fader Santoni, och denna kvinna gjorde sin uppriktighet och sin oskuld så välkänd att mannen inte kunde tvivla på det, så han vände hela sitt raseri mot denna ovärdige präst och gick för att leta för honom hos drottningen för att döda honom. Men besväret som förde honom efter att ha skrämt dem som han träffade, rådde de Santoni att undvika att träffa honom, och det var mycket svårt efteråt att återställa dem till fred. Ändå har Santoni inte vågat gå till köpmannen sedan dess.
Drottning Kristina återvände landvägen från Nyköping till Kalmar, där hon gick ombord till Lübeck, och därifrån kom hon in i hertigdömet Bremen och furstendömet Verden; och eftersom dessa stater var beroende av Sveriges Krona, tilldelades henne överallt stor heder. Hon togs emot av magistraterna, som presenterade nycklarna till henne. Inte bara bourgeoisin och milisen sattes under vapen, utan även de reguljära trupperna, både infanteri och kavalleri. Drottningen, klädd i en svart sammetsjustaucorps, hatten på huvudet prydd med vackra vita fjädrar, och bestigen som en kavaljer på en utmärkt häst, sprang genom leden, där hon kände igen flera gamla officerare som hade tjänstgjort under hennes regeringstid, och några även under den store Gustav Adolfs, hennes fars, regeringstid.
Hon kände igen bland andra fältmarskalken Wrangel, till vilken hon gav tusen smicker, och ville se trupperna göra exercitier i hans närvaro. Hon blandade sig till och med i att ge order om infanteriets evolutioner och att få kavalleriet att karakollera; men då hon var bättre lämpad att leda en intrig än att befalla en armé, gav hon order baklänges, vilket fick Wrangel att skratta, som var skyldig att hjälpa till till punkt och pricka och tolka sina order för att inte förvirra den militära konsten. Men då kunde han inte låta bli att dra blodiga skämt om det med sina vänner och kalla drottningen knäpp och snurrig. Hon var ändå så envis i sina egna förtjänster att hon trodde sig vara fullkomlig i allt.
Hon bjöds in i Stade till en Wirtschaft, som är ett slags bal, där hon dök upp klädd en frascatane och dansade en maskerad, där hon betedde sig på ett konstigt sätt.
English translation (by Hollingworth):
She ... departed from Rome Anno 1666, dismissing Part of her Family, and to defray the Charge of her Voyage, borrow'd Five thousand Crowns of Cardinal Antonio Barberini.
When she Arrived at Trent, the Marquiss del Monte who had been Banished out of the Ecclesiastical State, for certain Crimes, came to throw himself at her Feet, and desire her Protection. The Queen admitted him into her Service, not for any Merit of his Person, but being a great Boaster, she was glad to have so brave a Champion in her Train. But that which more engaged her to Protect him, was to do a despight to Cardinal Chigi, which was but an ill return for the great Honours and Respects Pope Alexander VII. of the same Family had done her when she came first to Rome.
Horatio de Bourbon, Marquiss del Monte, was of so Noble a Family, that he had the Name and Arms which the Royal Family of France, for many Ages, had born with so great Glory. ... This Marquiss Horatio, was a proper Man of a handsom Shape, had a large Face, hollow Eyes, a hook Nose, a large Mouth and a forked Chin; his Complexion was pale, and his Hair of an Ash Colour; he was Nervous, and of a strong Constitution, having his Body Hairy, his Knees turning outward, and his Feet inward; he had a precipitate Gate, and nothing great or Majestick in him; he was neither very Fat, nor very Lean, a great Opinionator, and had a Womanish Voice: He had the appearance of a good Man, but was wholly steered by his own Interests; a Person very Sensible, but more inclin'd to Ill than Good, excessively addicted to Women; Passionate in Play, and knew all the Tricks and Cheats thereof, was a great Dissembler, of a Vicious Mind, Revengeful, and very Cruel.
In a little time he got such an Ascendant over the Queen, that she adher'd to every thing he said: And he spake with so much Assurance, and was so Positive, that all that heard him were Astonish'd. As for his Religion, his Manners shew'd that he had very little, however he confess'd and communicated as others do. He knew when to Speak, and when to be Silent; was very brisk among the Ladies, and spent much Money upon them, but 'twas oftentimes at the Expence of Merchants and Trades-men. Every thing that he could lay hands on, was his own, whether Sacred or Profane; and he us'd to say, That he would revenge himself without Threatning, for fear of being prevented. He eat well, but without Excess, and if any one had a Secret to excite Luxury, he would have it, though he dearly bought it with his Money. Troufles, Mushrooms, Sellery, Artichoak bottoms, and all things which stir up and provoke, were for his Palate: He drank none but the choicest Wines, and after a Feast, would drink a glass of Greek, or other such sort of Wine, and eat two or three Comfits to help Digestion.
The Queen Travelled over Germany along with him, but made no stay till she came to Hamburgh, where she Resided a long time, taking sometimes little Journeys to Staden, Verden, Bremen, and other Cities of the Neighbourhood under the Dominion of the Suedes. At last she took a Fancy to re-enter the Kingdom; and upon her Arrival at Nicoping, the Council of State, who had the Administration of all Affairs, during the Minority of this Present King, Charles the XI, Son of Charles the X. to whom she had resign'd the Crown, sent to intreat her to come no further, for fear of giving occasion to some People of mutinous and unsettl'd Spirits, to believe she had a mind to re-mount the Throne. But the true reason of the Senate's Message was, that they apprehended some danger from her unquiet and embroyling Humour; besides, they believed, that she might possibly have some Party in the Kingdom, and that she repented her Abdication, as Charles the V. had done. The change of her Religion, and the Insolence of her People, was another reason why they refus'd to permit her Entrance into their Capital City; and especially after the Accident which happen'd to one of her Almoners, called the Abbot Santoni, a Priest of Tuscany, whom she had carried along with her, contrary to the Counsel of Cardinal Azzolini, who gave her two Priests of the Oratory of the new Church, to direct her Conscience, and to celebrate Mass. These good Fathers were as Prudent and Regular, as the Abbot Santoni was Irregular and unworthy of his Character.
One day he was like to have Deflowred a Damsel of Nicoping, who came into that City from a Neighbouring Castle, to pay her Duty to Queen Christina as her ancient Sovereign. But during her stay in the City, Santoni got an Acquaintance with her; and because she expressed her Respects with a certain Freedom, which is natural to those Northern People, he thought she used some Compliance, of which he might make his Advantage. In this Imagination, he one day finding an Opportunity, endeavoured to force her Modesty, and had committed an Outrage upon her, if she had not cried out for help. This brought in a great many People, who laid hands on this infamous Person. Which Action of his, gave a great Scandal to the Catholick Religion, the People being usually unjust enough to conclude Generals from Particulars, as if Faults were not Personal, and as if there were not Good and Bad in all Societies. But though the Queen did not turn him away for this shameful thing, the Parents of the Damosel conceiving great Indignation at so impudent a Villainy, Way-laid him, with an intent to bath their Hands in his Blood, for the Injury he had done their Daughter; which the Queen understanding, was obliged to take him into her own Coach, to shelter him from their Insults; which without doubt he would have received, had it not been for this Precaution.
The same Santoni had like to have been Kill'd at Hamburgh for another Frolick. There was a French Protestant, a Merchant of Rochel, who had settled himself, and Married a Wife in that City, with whom Santoni having got an Acquaintance, had the freedom of his House, and Visited his Wife in his Absence, as is usual among Civil People, without any ill Consequence. Now our Italian being born in a Country where Jealousie reigns, and not without cause, and he not being accustomed to such Familiarity, hop'd that the Lady would not be Cruel, when any handsom opportunity offered, and therefore to captivate her good Will, was verily Complacent to her upon all occasions; but one day he had a certain Caprice which like to have cost him very Dear. For the Wife having desired him to tell her how she might Complement her Husband and in Italian when he came home he taught her such Words as an honest Woman ought not to have in her Mouth, if she knew what they signified: But as she understood no Italian, she innocently repeated the words she had learn'd, for he had taught her this sweet Lesson so often, that she had got it by Heart. He did this thinking the Merchant had not understood Italian, but was mistaken, for he had Travelled in his Youth into Italy, and was so Astonished to hear himself saluted with such vilainous Words, that in Passion, he gave her a sound Box on the Ear. The poor Woman very much surprized at these new Caresses, fell a Weeping: But the Merchant did not stop there, he would know who taught her these Words. He understood at last, though by Force and Threatnings, that 'twas the Abbot Santoni; and she made him so throughly sensible of her Sincerity and Innocence, that the good man could no longer doubt; so that he turned all his Fury upon this unworthy Priest, and went to seek him at the Queen's Lodgings, with an intent to Kill him; but the Rage which transported him, having alarmed those which he met with, they gave advice to Santoni to avoid the Rencounter. However Santoni durst come no more afterwards to the Merchants.
Q. Christina returned by Land from Nicoping to Colmar, where she Embark'd for Lubeck, and from thence came into the Dutchy of Bremen and Principality of Verden; and as these Estates depended on the Crown of Sweden, they expressed themselves to her with very great Respects; she was well receiv'd by the Magistrates, and they presented her their Keys. The Burgers with all the Militia, not only put themselves in Arms, but also drew out the Regular Troops, as well Infantry as Cavalry, to give her all the Honour they could. The Queen was equipped in a Black Velvet Justacore, having an Hat upon her Head, adorn'd with a Plume of White Feathers, and being Mounted like a Cavalier upon an Excellent Horse, we rid through their Ranks, where she met with many old Officers who had serv'd her in the Army during her Reign, and some that had even served under the Great Gustavus Adolphus her Father. Among others, she knew General Vrangel, to whom she made a thousand Compliments, and would needs exercise the Troops in his Presence. She would undertake to give Directions for the Marches and Counter-Marches of the Infantry, and the like for the Wheelings of the Horse; but it seem'd the Management of an Intregue of Love, was more suitable to her, than the ordering of an Army, for she gave very improper Words of Command, which made Vrangel Laugh; and he was forc'd to assist her by fit Terms, and to explain her Orders, that he might not introduce new Phrases into the Art Military, but this could hinder him afterwards from making pleasant Jests of her among his Friends, and making Reflections on the Queen, as guilty of Folly and Self-conceitedness. And yet for all this, she had so good an Opinion of her own Merit, that she believed her self perfectly Skill'd and Knowing in all things: And when once invited at Stade to a Wirschaff, which is a kind of merry Ball, she appear'd in an Antique Habit, dancing in Masquerade, Cloathed like a Nymph of the Woods, and behaved her self in a most Ridiculous manner.
With modernised spelling and punctuation for easier reading:
She ... departed from Rome anno 1666, dismissing part of her family; and, to defray the charge of her voyage, borrowed five thousand crowns of Cardinal Antonio Barberini.
When she arrived at Trent, the Marquis del Monte, who had been banished out of the Ecclesiastical State for certain crimes, came to throw himself at her feet and desire her protection. The Queen admitted him into her service, not for any merit of his person, but, being a great boaster, she was glad to have so brave a champion in her train. But that which more engaged her to protect him was to do a despite to Cardinal Chigi, which was but an ill return for the great honours and respects Pope Alexander VII, of the same family, had done her when she came first to Rome.
Orazio de Bourbon, Marquis del Monte, was of so noble a family that he had the name and arms which the royal family of France, for many ages, had borne with so great glory. ... This Marquis Orazio was a proper man of a handsome shape, had a large face, hollow eyes, a hook nose, a large mouth and a forked chin; his complexion was pale, and his hair of an ash colour. He was nervous and of a strong constitution, having his body hairy, his knees turning outward and his feet inward; he had a precipitate gait and nothing great or majestic in him. He was neither very fat nor very lean, a great opinionator, and had a womanish voice. He had the appearance of a good man, but was wholly steered by his own interests; a person very sensible, but more inclined to ill than good, excessively addicted to women; passionate in play, and knew all the tricks and cheats thereof, was a great dissembler, of a vicious mind, revengeful, and very cruel.
In a little time he got such an ascendant over the Queen that she adhered to everything he said, and he spake with so much assurance and was so positive that all that heard him were astonished. As for his religion, his manners shewed that he had very little; however, he confessed and communicated as others do. He knew when to speak and when to be silent, was very brisk among the ladies, and spent much money upon them, but 'twas oftentimes at the expence of merchants and tradesmen. Everything that he could lay hands on was his own, whether sacred or profane; and he used to say that he would revenge himself without threatening, for fear of being prevented.
He eat well, but without excess, and if anyone had a secret to excite luxury, he would have it, though he dearly bought it with his money. Truffles, mushrooms, celery, artichoke bottoms, and all things which stir up and provoke were for his palate. He drank none but the choicest wines, and, after a feast, would drink a glass of Greek, or other such sort of wine, and eat two or three comfits to help digestion.
The Queen travelled over Germany along with him, but made no stay till she came to Hamburg, where she resided a long time, taking sometimes little journeys to Stade, Verden, Bremen, and other cities of the neighbourhood under the dominion of the Swedes. At last she took a fancy to reenter the kingdom; and upon her arrival at Nyköping, the Council of State, who had the administration of all affairs during the minority of this present king, Charles the XI, son of Charles the X, to whom she had resigned the crown, sent to intreat her to come no further, for fear of giving occasion to some people of mutinous and unsettled spirits to believe she had a mind to remount the throne. But the true reason of the Senate's message was that they apprehended some danger from her unquiet and embroiling humour; besides, they believed that she might possibly have some party in the kingdom and that she repented her abdication, as Charles the V had done.
The change of her religion, and the Insolence of her people, was another reason why they refused to permit her entrance into their capital city; and especially after the accident which happened to one of her almoners, called the Abbot Santoni, a priest of Tuscany, whom she had carried along with her, contrary to the counsel of Cardinal Azzolini, who gave her two priests of the oratory of the New Church to direct her conscience and to celebrate Mass. These good fathers were as prudent and regular as the Abbot Santoni was irregular and unworthy of his character.
One day he was like to have deflowered a damsel of Nyköping, who came into that city from a neighbouring castle to pay her duty to Queen Kristina as her ancient sovereign. But during her stay in the city, Santoni got an acquaintance with her; and because she expressed her respects with a certain freedom, which is natural to those northern people, he thought she used some compliance, of which he might make his advantage. In this imagination, he one day, finding an opportunity, endeavoured to force her modesty, and had committed an outrage upon her if she had not cried out for help. This brought in a great many people who laid hands on this infamous person.
Which action of his gave a great scandal to the Catholic religion, the people being usually unjust enough to conclude generals from particulars, as if faults were not personal and as if there were not good and bad in all societies.
But though the Queen did not turn him away for this shameful thing, the parents of the damsel conceiving great indignation at so impudent a villainy, waylaid him with an intent to bathe their hands in his blood for the injury he had done their daughter; which the Queen understanding, was obliged to take him into her own coach to shelter him from their insults, which without doubt he would have received had it not been for this precaution.
The same Santoni had like to have been killed at Hamburg for another frolic. There was a French Protestant, a merchant of Rochelle, who had settled himself and married a wife in that city, with whom Santoni having got an acquaintance, had the freedom of his house, and visited his wife in his absence, as is usual among civil people, without any ill consequence. Now, our Italian being born in a country where jealousy reigns, and not without cause, and he, not being accustomed to such familiarity, hoped that the lady would not be cruel when any handsome opportunity offered, and therefore, to captivate her good will, was verily complacent to her upon all occasions; but one day he had a certain caprice which like to have cost him very dear. For the wife having desired him to tell her how she might compliment her husband and in Italian when he came home, he taught her such words as an honest woman ought not to have in her mouth if she knew what they signified; but as she understood no Italian, she innocently repeated the words she had learned, for he had taught her this sweet lesson so often that she had got it by heart. He did this thinking the merchant had not understood Italian, but was mistaken, for he had travelled in his youth into Italy, and was so astonished to hear himself saluted with such villainous words that, in passion, he gave her a sound box on the ear.
The poor woman, very much surprised at these new caresses, fell a-weeping; but the merchant did not stop there. He would know who taught her these words. He understood at last, though by force and threatenings, that 'twas the Abbot Santoni; and she made him so throughly sensible of her sincerity and innocence that the good man could no longer doubt, so that he turned all his fury upon this unworthy priest and went to seek him at the Queen's lodgings, with an intent to kill him. But the rage which transported him having alarmed those which he met with, they gave advice to Santoni to avoid the rencounter.
However, Santoni durst come no more afterwards to the merchants.
Queen Kristina returned by land from Nyköping to Kalmar, where she embarked for Lübeck, and from thence came into the duchy of Bremen and principality of Verden; and as these estates depended on the Crown of Sweden, they expressed themselves to her with very great respects. She was well received by the magistrates, and they presented her their keys. The burghers, with all the militia, not only put themselves in arms, but also drew out the regular troops, as well infantry as cavalry, to give her all the honour they could. The Queen was equipped in a black velvet justaucorps, having an hat upon her head, adorned with a plume of white feathers, and being mounted like a cavalier upon an excellent horse, rid through their ranks, where she met with many old officers who had served her in the army during her reign, and some that had even served under the great Gustavus Adolphus, her father.
Among others, she knew General Wrangel, to whom she made a thousand compliments and would needs exercise the troops in his presence. She would undertake to give directions for the marches and countermarches of the infantry, and the like for the wheelings of the horse; but it seemed the management of an intrigue of love was more suitable to her than the ordering of an army, for she gave very improper words of command, which made Wrangel laugh; and he was forced to assist her by fit terms and to explain her orders, that he might not introduce new phrases into the art military. But this could hinder him afterwards from making pleasant jests of her among his friends and making reflections on the Queen as guilty of folly and self-conceitedness. And yet for all this, she had so good an opinion of her own merit that she believed herself perfectly skilled and knowing in all things.
And when once invited at Stade to a Wirtschaft, which is a kind of merry ball, she appeared in an antique habit, dancing in masquerade, clothed like a nymph of the woods, and behaved herself in a most ridiculous manner.
English translation (my own; this is more accurate):
She left Rome in 1666, having dismissed part of her household; and, to defray the cost of her journey, she borrowed five thousand écus from Cardinal Antonio Barberini. Arriving in Trento, the Marquis del Monte, who was banished from the Ecclesiastical State for his crimes, came and threw himself at her feet and asked for her protection. The Queen retained him in her service, not for the merit of his person, but because, being a little boastful, she was very glad to have such a brave champion in her company. What made her protect him the more was to spite Chigi, a fine recognition of the honours that Pope Alexander VII, who was of the same family, had bestowed on her the first time she came to Rome.
Orazio de Bourbon, Marquis del Monte, was of such a noble family that he bore the name and arms of that which reigned in France for several centuries with so much glory. ... The Marquis Orazio was a tall man, of good stature, with a broad face, sunken eyes, aquiline nose, wide mouth, and a dimpled chin. His complexion was white, his hair ashen or light brown. He was nervous, of strong build, hairy all over his body, the legs out, the feet in. He walked with a hasty gait that lacked nothing grand. He was neither fat nor thin, a great daydreamer, he had a feminine voice, was good at politics, wicked for interest. He was a man of judgement, but more inclined to bad than to good, addicted to women to excess, passionate about gambling, of which he knew all the deceptions. He was artful and clever, witty, vindictive, and cruel.
In a short time, he gained such an ascendancy over the Queen's mind that she adhered to whatever he wanted, until he silenced her. He spoke with such firmness that he astonished those who listened to him. As for religion, his morals made it known that he had hardly any; nevertheless, he confessed and took communion like the others. He knew how to talk and keep silent when needed, he was cheerful with the ladies, spent money on their behalf, but sometimes at the expense of merchants and craftsmen. Everything was his own, both the sacred and the profane. He said that he had to take revenge without threatening, for fear of being prevented.
He ate well, but without excess; if someone had some secret to excite him to lust, he paid for it with the weight of gold. Truffles, mushrooms, celery, artichoke bottoms and anything that heated him up was to his liking. He drank only delicate wines, but at the end of the meal he drank a glass of Greek wine, or other very similar ones, and ate three candied nuts to aid his digestion.
The Queen traversed Germany with him and only stopped at Hamburg, where she stayed for some time, sometimes going on short trips to Stade, Verden, Bremen, and other towns in the vicinity which were in the domain of Sweden. Finally the fancy took her to try to enter this kingdom; as soon as she arrived at Nyköping, the Council of State, which had the administration of affairs during the minority of King Karl XI, the son of Karl X, to whom she had resigned the crown, begged her not to go any further, so as not to give rise to restless minds to believe that she wished to remount the throne. But the Senate's real reason was that they feared her fickle and muddled humour, believing also that she had a party in the kingdom and that, like Charles V, she repented of her abdication.
Her change of religion, and the insolence of her people, was another cause for refusing her entry to the capital of the kingdom, especially after the accident which befell one of her almoners, called Abbot Santoni, a Tuscan priest whom she had led against the advice of Cardinal Azzolino, who had given her two priests of the oratory of the Chiesa Nuova to direct her conscience and to say Mass for her. But as much as these good fathers were wise and placid, the Abbot Santoni was disturbed and completely unworthy of his character.
He let it be known one day that he wished to dishonour a young lady of Nyköping, who had come to that town from a neighboring castle to greet Queen Kristina as her former sovereign. During her stay in that town, Santoni became acquainted with her, and because she showed him some honesty with that frankness which is so natural to the peoples of the North, he believed that she was making advances to him, of which he had to take advantage. In this thought, one day when he found her in her propriety, he undertook to force her modesty, and he would have done her an outrage if she had not cried out for help, which brought many people who rescued her from the hands of this infamous man.
This action was a great scandal for the Catholic religion, the people usually being unjust enough to conclude from the particular to the general, as if the faults were not personal and as if there were not good and bad people in all societies. He was not left for the shame, because the parents of the young lady, indignant at such a bloody affront, waited for him on the way with the intention of washing away in his blood the insult he had done to their daughter; the Queen, being warned of this, was obliged to let him enter her own carriage to protect him from the insults which would doubtless have been made to him without this precaution.
The same Santoni was already thought to have perished in Hamburg for another gallantry. There was in that town a French Protestant merchant from La Rochelle, who had settled there and had taken a wife there. Santoni, having made the acquaintance of the Frenchman, had free entry to his home and even visited his wife in his absence, as is the practice among honest people without drawing any consequences. Our Italian, born in a country where jealousy does not reign without a reason, and who was not accustomed to such familiarity, hoped that the lady would not be cruel to him when he wanted to tell her about it; thus, so as to captivate her benevolence, he had a great deal of complaisance for her, but he took a whim one day which was thought to cause her many affronts.
This woman having asked him to tell her how she could greet her husband in Italian when he returned home, he taught her words that an honest woman is careful not to have in her mouth when she knows what they mean; but, as she did not understand Italian, she innocently recited the same words which he taught her; he taught her this beautiful lesson so often that she remembered it by heart. He imagined that the merchant would not know Italian, but he was mistaken, for he had traveled in Italy in his youth, and he was so surprised to see himself greeted by his wife with such ugly words that he slapped her rudely.
The poor woman, much surprised at these new caresses, began to weep; however, the merchant did not stop there. He wanted to know who had taught her such free words. He finally knew, but by dint of threats, that it was Father Santoni, and this woman made her sincerity and her innocence known so well that the husband could not doubt it, so he turned all his fury against this unworthy priest and went to search for him by the Queen so as to kill him. But the trouble which transported him having alarmed those whom he met, they advised Santoni to avoid meeting him, and it was very difficult afterwards to restore them to peace. Nevertheless, Santoni did not dare to go to the merchant since then.
Queen Kristina returned by land from Nyköping to Kalmar, where she embarked for Lübeck, and thence she came into the duchy of Bremen and the principality of Verden; and, as these states depend on the Crown of Sweden, great honours were done to her everywhere. She was received by the magistrates, who presented her with the keys. Not only the bourgeoisie and the militia were put under arms, but also the regular troops, both infantry and cavalry. The Queen, dressed in a black velvet justaucorps, the hat on her head adorned with beautiful white feathers, and mounted like a rider on an excellent horse, ran through the ranks, where she recognised several old officers who had served during her reign, and some even during the reign of the great Gustav Adolf, her father.
She recognised General Wrangel among others, to whom she gave a thousand flatteries, and wished to see the troops do exercises in his presence. She even interfered in giving orders for the evolution of the infantry and to make the cavalry caracole; but as she was better suited to lead an intrigue than to command an army, she gave the orders backwards, which made Wrangel laugh, who was obliged to help to the letter and to interpret her orders so as not to disconcert the military art. But then he could not help making bloody jokes about it with his friends and calling the Queen mad and giddy. She was nevertheless so stubborn on her own merit that she believed herself to be perfect in all things.
She was invited in Stade to a Wirtschaft, which is a kind of ball, where she appeared dressed en frascatane and danced a masquerade, where she behaved in a strange way.
Note: I am sure that Santoni is a misspelling and misremembering of Santini. The abbot Matteo Santini served as Kristina's secretary as well as translator from and to Italian in the 1660s, 1670s and 1680s, and the story about his scandals are mere rumours. Baron Carl Bildt described him as follows:
«Celui-ci est un rude travailleur, un homme d'ordre, dévoué corps et âme à Christine et à Azzolino. Il a le défaut d'aimer un peu trop le vin, mais il a une écriture superbe, connaît avec l'Italien, le latin, l'espagnol et le français, et au besoin, en voyage, il confesse et dit le messe. Cet homme précieux restera auprès de Christine jusqu'à sa mort.»
"This man was a hard worker, a man of order, devoted body and soul to Kristina and to Azzolino. He had the fault of loving wine a little too much, but he had superb handwriting, knew Italian, Latin, Spanish and French, and when necessary, when traveling, he confessed and said Mass. This precious man remained with Kristina until her death."
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