Kristina's occupations in Rome, her/his/their association with Count Santarini, and her/his/their antics toward Cardinal Girolamo Farnese, from an early posthumous biography, year 1697

Sources:

Histoire des intrigues galantes de la reine Christine de Suede: et de sa cour, pendant son sejour à Rome, pages 22 to 25, by Christian Gottfried Franckenstein, 1697

https://books.google.com/books?id=jGutbU5XSQEC&newbks=0&dq=christian+gottfried+franckenstein&source=gbs_navlinks_s

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

https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A43928.0001.001/1:4?rgn=div1;view=fulltext

Above: Kristina.

The account:

La Galanterie n'étoit pas la seule occupation de la Reine, comme elle a toûjours voulu passer pour bel esprit, & qu'elle pretendoit tout sçavoir, quoy qu'on ait dit qu'à peine avoit elle effleuré la superficie des sciences, elle tenoit des Academies de belles lettres, où les plus sçavans de Rome se trouvoient pour y faire voir leurs ouvrages, & elle ecoutoit avec plaisir les loüanges demesurées qu'on lui donnoit. La Chymie n'étoit pas aussi un de ses moindres divertissemens, car quoy qu'elle fût descendue du trône, elle ne s'étoit pas entiérement dépouillée de l'amour des richesses, & elle a cru toute sa vie pouvoir trouver des tresors immenses par le moyen de cette science trompeuse. Le comte Santarini un de ses principaux Officiers l'entretenoit dans ces visions, & lui faisoit convertir un fumée une bonne partie de ses revenus. Mais s'il la satisfaisoit dans sa folle passion pour l'a Chymie, il lui donnoit bien du chagrin par ses violences, car sous la protection de sa Majesté il commettoit une infinité de desordres. Il n'étoit pas le seul, car il sembloit que les Loix nobligeassent pas les Officiers de la Reine, & qu'il leur fût permis de faire toutes sortes de maux, & de scandaliser tout le Monde. Ils devenoient les Protecteurs des Assassins, & des Voleurs; l'honneur des femmes & des filles succomboit le plus souvent sous leur tyrannie, quand ils les approchoient. Les Fermiers ne pouvoient plus payer les sommes portées par leurs Baux, parce que les marchans faisoient entrer toutes sortes de Marchandises par le moyen des livrées, & des Carrosses de la Reine, ce qui les empéchoit d'être visitéz. Le Cardinal Farnese qui faisoit la fonction de Gouverneur de Rome, qui avoit le cœur droit, & qui rendoit bonne justice sans avoir égard à personne, châtia plusieurs Domestiques de la Reine qui avoient commis plusieurs crimes à l'abri de son autorité. Elle qui vouloit faire la souveraine dans les pays des autres le trouva fort mauvais, mais elle n'en pût avoir satisfaction du Pape, dêja rebuté de plusieurs autres desordres qu'ils commettoient tous les jours, ce qui fit qu'il ne vit plus depuis la Reine de bon œil; il avoit même resolu de retrancher la pluspart des immunitez, exemptions, & privileges dont il l'avoit gratifiée, puisque ses Domestiques en abusoient de la maniere, sans que sa Majesté se mît en peine de les reprimer. Quoi que la Reine eût des obligations au Cardinal Farnese, qui comme Major-dome du Pape n'avoit rien oublié pour la bien recevoir la premiere fois qu'elle vint à Rome, elle fit pourtant ce qu'elle pût pour lui donner du chagrin. Le Cardinal Farnese comme parent du Duc de Parme, avoit l'usage d'une maison de plaisance de ce Prince, qui est à la porte St. Pancrace au dessus du Palais des Riarli à la Longara, que la Reine avoit acheté à vie. Comme le Cardinal Farnese y venoit souvent prendre l'air, il prenoit plaisir d'embellir le jardin, & parce qu'il manquoit d'eau, il traita avec les fonteniers de la Chambre Apostolique qui lui fournirent deux pouces d'eau des fontanons de Paul V. qui font une si belle vuë au dessus de St. Pierre Montorio, mais ils la diminuérent en même tems de celle qu'ils fournissoient à la Reine, ne croyans pas qu'elle s'en dût appercevoir à cause de l'abondance qui lui en venoit. Les Jardiniers se plaignirent neantmoins à sa Majesté qu'on avoit affoibli l'eau qui servoit à arrouser les herbes, & autres plantes. La Reine ne n'osant s'en plaindre à la Chambre rejetta sa colere sur le Cardinal, & pour lui faire depit, fit abbatre les appuys des palissades qui soutenoient le terrain de la Vigne Farnese, qui autrement se seroit eboulé dans le jardin de la Reine qui étoit plus bas. Cette Eminence vouloit faire elever un mur qu'il ne put achever à cause de ce differend, il eut beau dire qu'il étoit le maître d'acheter de l'eau de la Chambre Apostolique, & que si la Reine en vouloit aussi qu'elle s'adressât aux Ministres de la dispensation des eaux, parce qu'aussi bien il y en avoit de reste, & qu'il s'en perdoit tant par la Montagne, qu'étant ramassées elles auroient pu faire moudre plusieurs moulins, ce qui étoit vrai, aussi y en a-t'on bati trois depuis. Tous ces petits chagrins joints à l'inconstance naturelle de la Reine, firent qu'elle resolut de retourner encore une fois en Allemagne...

With modernised spelling:

La galanterie n'était pas la seule occupation de la reine, comme elle a toujours voulu passer pour bel esprit et qu'elle prétendait tout savoir. Quoi qu'on ait dit qu'à peine avait elle effleuré la superficie des sciences, elle tenait des académies de belles lettres, où les plus savants de Rome se trouvaient pour y faire voir leurs ouvrages, et elle écoutait avec plaisir les louanges démesurées qu'on lui donnait.

La chimie n'était pas aussi un de ses moindres divertissements, car quoi qu'elle fût descendue du trône, elle ne s'était pas entièrement dépouillée de l'amour des richesses, et elle a cru toute sa vie pouvoir trouver des trésors immenses par le moyen de cette science trompeuse. Le comte Santarini, un de ses principaux officiers, l'entretenait dans ces visions et lui faisait convertir un fumée une bonne partie de ses revenus. Mais s'il la satisfaisait dans sa folle passion pour la chimie, il lui donnait bien du chagrin par ses violences, car, sous la protection de Sa Majesté, il commettait une infinité de desordres.

Il n'était pas le seul, car il semblait que les lois n'obligeassent pas les officiers de la reine et qu'il leur fût permis de faire toutes sortes de maux et de scandaliser tout le monde. Ils devenaient les protecteurs des assassins et des voleurs; l'honneur des femmes et des filles succombait le plus souvent sous leur tyrannie quand ils les approchaient. Les fermiers ne pouvaient plus payer les sommes portées par leurs baux, parce que les marchants faisaient entrer toutes sortes de marchandises par le moyen des livrées et des carrosses de la reine, ce qui les empêchait d'être visités.

Le cardinal Farnèse, qui faisait la fonction de gouverneur de Rome, qui avait le cœur droit, et qui rendait bonne justice sans avoir égard à personne, châtia plusieurs domestiques de la reine qui avaient commis plusieurs crimes à l'abri de son autorité. Elle, qui voulait faire la souveraine dans les pays des autres, le trouva fort mauvais, mais elle n'en put avoir satisfaction du pape, déjà rebuté de plusieurs autres desordres qu'ils commettaient tous les jours, ce qui fit qu'il ne vit plus depuis la reine de bon œil. Il avait même résolu de retrancher la plupart des immunités, exemptions et privilèges dont il l'avait gratifiée, puisque ses domestiques en abusaient de la manière, sans que Sa Majesté se mît en peine de les reprimer.

Quoique la reine eût des obligations au Cardinal Farnèse, qui, comme majordome du pape, n'avait rien oublié pour la bien recevoir la premiere fois qu'elle vint à Rome, elle fit pourtant ce qu'elle pût pour lui donner du chagrin. Le cardinal Farnèse, comme parent du duc de Parme, avait l'usage d'une maison de plaisance de ce prince, qui est à la porte Saint-Pancrace au dessus du palais de Riario à la Lungara, que la reine avait acheté à vie. Comme le Cardinal Farnèse y venait souvent prendre l'air, il prenait plaisir d'embellir le jardin, et parce qu'il manquait d'eau, il traita avec les fontainiers de la Chambre Apostolique qui lui fournirent deux pouces d'eau des fontainons de Paul V, qui font une si belle vue au-dessus de Saint-Pierre Montorio, mais ils la diminuèrent en même temps de celle qu'ils fournissaient à la reine, ne croyant pas qu'elle s'en dût appercevoir à cause de l'abondance qui lui en venait.

Les jardiniers se plaignirent néanmoins à Sa Majesté qu'on avait affaibli l'eau qui servait à arrouser les herbes et autres plantes. La reine, n'osant s'en plaindre à la Chambre, rejetta sa colère sur le cardinal et, pour lui faire dépit, fit abattre les appuis des palissades qui soutenaient le terrain de la vigne Farnèse, qui autrement se serait éboulé dans le jardin de la reine, qui était plus bas.

Cette Éminence voulait faire élever un mur, qu'il ne put achever à cause de ce différend. Il eut beau dire qu'il était le maître d'acheter de l'eau de la Chambre Apostolique, et que, si la reine en voulait, aussi qu'elle s'adressât aux ministres de la dispensation des eaux, parce qu'aussi bien il y en avait de reste, et qu'il s'en perdait tant par la montagne, qu'étant ramassées, elles auraient pu faire moudre plusieurs moulins, ce qui était vrai, aussi y en a-t-on bâti trois depuis.

Tous ces petits chagrins, joints à l'inconstance naturelle de la reine, firent qu'elle résolut de retourner encore une fois en Allemagne...

Swedish translation (my own):

Gallanteri var inte drottningens enda sysselsättning, ty hon alltid ville gärna bli en bel esprit och påstod sig veta allt. Även om det har sagts att hon knappt hade rört vetenskapernas yta, höll hon akademier för les belles lettres, där de mest lärda i Rom skulle presentera sina verk, och hon lyssnade med nöje på de överdrivna lovord som gavs henne.

Kemi var inte heller en av hennes minsta avledningar, ty fastän hon kom ned från tronen hade hon inte helt berövat sig kärleken till rikedom, och hon trodde hela sitt liv att hon kunde finna ofantliga skatter med hjälp av denna vilseledande vetenskap. Greve Santarini, en av hennes främsta officerare, underhöll henne i dessa visioner och fick henne att omvandla en stor del av sin inkomst till rök. Men om han tillfredsställde henne i hennes galna passion för kemi, gav han henne stor sorg genom sitt våld, ty under Hennes Majestäts beskydd begick han en oändlighet av störningar.

Han var inte den ende, för det verkade som om lagarna inte gällde drottningens officerare och att de fick göra allt möjligt ont och skandalisera alla. De blev beskyddare av mördare och tjuvar; kvinnors och flickors ära föll oftast under för deras tyranni när de närmade sig dem. Bönderna kunde inte längre betala de summor som deras arrenden medförde, emedan köpmännen förde in alla slags varor med hjälp av drottningens livmän och vagnar, vilket hindrade dem från att få besök.

Kardinal Farnese, som utförde funktionen som guvernör i Rom, som hade ett uppriktigt hjärta och som utövade god rättvisa utan hänsyn till någon, straffade flera av drottningens tjänare som hade begått flera brott i skydd av hennes auktoritet. Hon, som ville vara suverän i andras länder, fann det mycket dåligt, men hon kunde inte ha påvens tillfredsställelse, som redan var avskräckt av flera andra störningar som de begick varje dag, vilket gjorde att han inte såg drottningen med ett gynnsamt öga längre. Han hade till och med bestämt sig för att avbryta de flesta av de immuniteter, befrielser och privilegier som han tilldelats henne, eftersom hennes tjänare misshandlade dem på detta sätt, utan att Hennes Majestät tog sig besväret att förtrycka dem.

Även om drottningen hade skyldigheter gentemot kardinal Farnese, som, eftersom han var påvens majordomo, inte hade glömt något att ta emot henne väl första gången hon kom till Rom, gjorde hon ändå vad hon kunde för att ge honom sorg. Kardinal Farnese, som en släkting till hertigen av Parma, hade användning av ett nöjeshus som tillhörde denna furste, som ligger vid Helige Pankratius port ovanför palazzo Riario della Lungara, som drottningen hade köpt för livet. Eftersom kardinal Farnese ofta kom dit för att inandas luften, njöt han av att försköna trädgården, och eftersom den saknade vatten tog han hand om fontänvakterna i apostoliska kammaren, som försåg honom med två tum vatten från Paulus V:s fontäner, som gör en sådan vacker utsikt över San Pietro in Montorio; men de minskade det samtidigt från det som de gav till drottningen, utan att tro att hon skulle märka det på grund av det överflöd som kom till henne.

Trädgårdsmästarna klagade ändå till Hennes Majestät att vattnet som användes för att vattna örter och andra växter hade försvagats. Drottningen, som inte vågade klaga på det till kammaren, kastade sin vrede över kardinalen och trots honom lät hon riva palissadernas stöd som stödde Farnese-vingårdens land, som annars skulle ha kollapsat i  drottningens trädgård, som låg lägre ner.

Denna Eminens ville resa en mur, som han inte kunde färdigställa på grund av denna tvist. Han sade förgäves att han var fri att köpa vatten från apostoliska kammaren, och att, om drottningen ville ha något, skulle hon också ansöka till ministrarna för vattenfördelningen, eftersom det fanns en del över, och att så många gick vilse i bergen att när de plockades upp kunde de ha malt flera kvarnar, vilket var sant, så tre har byggts där sedan dess. ...

Alla dessa små sorger, som lades till drottningens naturliga inkonstans, gjorde att hon bestämde sig för att återvända till Tyskland...

English translation (by Hollingworth):

Gallantry was not the only Business of the Queen; for as she always affected to pass for a great Wit, and pretended to an Understanding of all things, (though some have reported that she had but a superficial knowledge of the Sciences) she kept an Academy of good Literature in her Palace; where the most learned Men in Rome came to submit their Works to her Judgment: And she would listen with Pleasure to the immoderate Praises which were given her. Neither was Chymistry one of her least divertisements: For though she were descended from a Throne, she had not utterly cast aside the Love of Riches; and she believed all her Life, that she should obtain immense Treasures by means of this deceitful Art. Count Santarini entertained her with these Visions, and caused her to convert a good part of her Revenue into Smoak. But if he satisfied her in the foolish Passion which she had for Chymistry, he gave her also a great deal of Vexation, by the Violences he was guilty of; for he committed an infinite number of Disorders in Rome, under the Protection of her Majesty. Nor was he the only irregular Person of her Court, for it seemed as if the Queen's Officers thought they were no way obliged to observe the Laws, and that they had a permission to do all manner of Ill, and Affront all the World.

They became the Protectors of Assassines and Thieves; and the Honour both of Wives and Daughters submitted to their Tyranny. The Farmers of the Customs complain'd that they could not pay their Rent, because the Merchants caused all sorts of Goods to enter the City by the Queen's Coaches and Liverymen, which hindred them from being Visited. Cardinal Farnese, the Governour of Rome, a Person of Integrity, that render'd Justice to all, without respect of Persons, Chastised some of the Queen's Domesticks, for committing Crimes in contempt of his Authority. But she who would play the Sovereign in the Dominions of others, took it heinously, yet could have no redress herein from the Pope, who was already tir'd with the complaints of their perpetual Disorders. So that now he did not look upon her with the same Eye as before, and resolv'd to retrench the greatest part of the Immunities, Exemptions, and Priviledges he had given her, seeing her Domesticks did abuse them in so gross a manner. And tho' the Queen was obliged to Cardinal Farnese, who as Major Domo to the Pope, had omitted nothing for the Queen's good Reception, the first time she entred Rome: she notwithstanding did what she could to give him Trouble and Vexation.

For this Cardinal being of the Family of the Duke of Parma, had the use of a House of Pleasure belonging to the said Prince, which was scituate near the Gate of St. Pancras, a little above the Palace de Riarli, at Langara, which the Queen had bought for her Life. The Cardinal coming often thither for benefit of the Air, took a Pleasure in Beautifying the Garden; and because he wanted Water, agreed with the Fountain-keepers of the Apostolick Chamber, to furnish him with two Cocks of Water from the Fountain of Pope Paul V. which appears so Nobly above St. Peter di Montozio. But at the same time, it seems he diminished the Queen's, which he believed her Servants would not perceive, because the Queen had abundance of Water. The Gardiners nevertheless complain'd to her Majesty, how they had lessened the Current which served to water their Herbs and other Plants.

Now, the Queen durst not complain [of] the Chamber it self, and therefore threw all her Choler at the Cardinal; and because she would spight him, caus'd some Palisadoes she had in her Garden, and held up the Earth of the curious Terrane which they call La vigna Farnese, to [be] pull'd up; so that it was ready to tumble into the Queen's Garden, that lay beneath it. His Eminence would willingly have built a Wall, but could not effect it, by reason of this Difference: however, he said pleasantly, That he had bought the Water of the Apostolick Chamber, and that if the Queen had a mind to have more, and would make her Application to the Officers that Rented out those Waters, she might have enough to serve many Mills. ...

All these Vexations joyn'd to the Queen's natural Inconstancy, made her resolve to return once more into Germany. ...

With modernised spelling and punctuation for easier reading:

Gallantry was not the only business of the Queen, for, as she always affected to pass for a great wit and pretended to an understanding of all things (though some have reported that she had but a superficial knowledge of the sciences), she kept an academy of good literature in her palazzo, where the most learned men in Rome came to submit their works to her judgment, and she would listen with pleasure to the immoderate praises which were given her.

Neither was chemistry one of her least divertisements, for, though she were descended from a throne, she had not utterly cast aside the love of riches, and she believed all her life that she should obtain immense treasures by means of this deceitful art. Count Santarini entertained her with these visions and caused her to convert a good part of her revenue into smoke. But if he satisfied her in the foolish passion which she had for chemistry, he gave her also a great deal of vexation by the violences he was guilty of, for he committed an infinite number of disorders in Rome under the protection of Her Majesty.

Nor was he the only irregular person of her court, for it seemed as if the Queen's officers thought they were no way obliged to observe the laws and that they had a permission to do all manner of ill and affront all the world. They became the protectors of assassins and thieves; and the honour both of wives and daughters submitted to their tyranny. The farmers of the customs complained that they could not pay their rent because the merchants caused all sorts of goods to enter the city by the Queen's coaches and liverymen, which hindered them from being visited.

Cardinal Farnese, the governor of Rome, a person of integrity that rendered justice to all without respect of persons, chastised some of the Queen's domestics for committing crimes in contempt of his authority. But she, who would play the sovereign in the dominions of others, took it heinously, yet could have no redress herein from the Pope, who was already tired with the complaints of their perpetual disorders, so that now he did not look upon her with the same eye as before, and resolved to retrench the greatest part of the immunities, exemptions and privileges he had given her, seeing her domestics did abuse them in so gross a manner.

And though the Queen was obliged to Cardinal Farnese, who, as majordomo to the Pope, had omitted nothing for the Queen's good reception the first time she entered Rome, she notwithstanding did what she could to give him trouble and vexation. For this Cardinal, being of the family of the Duke of Parma, had the use of a house of pleasure belonging to the said prince, which was situate near the Gate of St. Pancras, a little above the Palace de Riarli [sic] at Lungara, which the Queen had bought for her life. The Cardinal, coming often thither for benefit of the air, took a pleasure in beautifying the garden; and, because he wanted water, agreed with the fountainkeepers of the Apostolic Chamber to furnish him with two cocks of water from the fountain of Pope Paul V, which appears so nobly above Saint Peter di Montorio. But at the same time, it seems he diminished the Queen's, which he believed her servants would not perceive, because the Queen had abundance of water.

The gardeners nevertheless complained to Her Majesty how they had lessened the current which served to water their herbs and other plants. Now, the Queen durst not complain [of] the Chamber itself, and therefore threw all her choler at the Cardinal; and because she would spite him, caused some palisados she had in her garden, and held up the earth of the curious terrain which they call la vigna Farnese, to [be] pulled up so that it was ready to tumble into the Queen's garden, that lay beneath it.
His Eminence would willingly have built a wall, but could not effect it, by reason of this difference; however, he said pleasantly that he had bought the water of the Apostolic Chamber, and that if the Queen had a mind to have more, and would make her application to the officers that rented out those waters, she might have enough to serve many mills. ...

All these vexations, joined to the Queen's natural inconstancy, made her resolve to return once more into Germany. ...

English translation (my own; this is more accurate):

Gallantry was not the Queen's only occupation, as she always wanted to pass for a bel esprit and claimed to know everything. Although it has been said that she had scarcely touched the surface of the sciences, she held academies of les belles lettres, where the most learned of Rome were to present their works, and she listened with pleasure to the excessive praises which were given to her.

Chemistry was also not one of her least diversions, for, although she descended from the throne, she had not entirely stripped herself of the love of wealth, and she believed all her life that she could find immense treasures by means of this deceptive science. Count Santarini, one of her principal officers, entertained her in these visions and made her convert a good part of her income into smoke. But if he satisfied her in her mad passion for chemistry, he gave her great grief by his violence, for, under Her Majesty's protection, he committed an infinity of disorders.

He was not the only one, for it seemed that the laws did not apply to the Queen's officers and that they were allowed to do all kinds of evil and scandalise everyone. They became the protectors of murderers and thieves; the honour of women and girls most often succumbed to their tyranny when they approached them. The farmers could no longer pay the sums carried by their leases, because the merchants brought in all kinds of goods by means of the Queen's liverymen and coaches, which prevented them from being visited.

Cardinal Farnese, who performed the function of governor of Rome, who had an upright heart, and who administered good justice without regard to anyone, punished several of the Queen's servants who had committed several crimes under the shelter of her authority. She, who wanted to be sovereign in other people's lands, found it very bad, but she could not have the satisfaction of the Pope, who was already put off by several other disorders they committed every day, which meant that he did not see the Queen with a favourable eye any longer. He had even resolved to cut off most of the immunities, exemptions and privileges which he had bestowed on her, as her servants abused them in this manner, without Her Majesty taking the trouble to repress them.

Although the Queen had obligations to Cardinal Farnese, who, as the Pope's majordomo, had forgotten nothing to receive her well the first time she came to Rome, she nevertheless did what she could to give him grief. Cardinal Farnese, as a relative of the Duke of Parma, had the use of a pleasure house belonging to this prince, which is at the gate of Saint Pancras gate above the Palazzo Riario della Lungara, which the Queen had bought for life. As Cardinal Farnese often came there to take the air, he took pleasure in embellishing the garden, and because it lacked water, he dealt with the fountainkeepers of the Apostolic Chamber, who provided him with two inches of water from the fountains of Paul V, which make such a beautiful view above San Pietro in Montorio; but they reduced it at the same time from that which they provided to the Queen, not believing that she should notice it because of the abundance that came to her.

The gardeners nevertheless complained to Her Majesty that the water used to water the herbs and other plants had been weakened. The Queen, not daring to complain about it to the Chamber, threw her anger on the Cardinal, and, to spite him, she had the supports of the palisades which supported the land of the Farnese vineyard demolished, which otherwise would have collapsed in the Queen's garden, which was lower down.

This Eminence wanted to erect a wall, which he could not complete because of this dispute. In vain did he say that he was free to buy water from the Apostolic Chamber, and that, if the Queen wanted some, she should also apply to the ministers of the dispensation of the waters, because there were some left over, and that so many were lost in the mountains that when they were picked up, they could have ground several mills, which was true, so three have been built there since then. ...

All these small sorrows, added to the Queen's natural inconstancy, made her resolve to return once more to Germany...