Sources:
Histoire des intrigues galantes de la reine Christine de Suede: et de sa cour, pendant son sejour à Rome, pages 39 to 44, 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 41 to 44, translated by Philip Hollingworth, 1697 (1927 edition in second link)
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Above: Kristina.
CONTENT WARNING: VIOLENCE.
The account:
Nôtre Barbon ne fut pas plus galant homme dans ses amours que dans ses autres intrigues: Un François Capitaine d'Infanterie au service de la Suede dans le Duché de Breme, se trouvant à Hambourg pour quelques affaires, avoit chez lui une belle Maîtresse qui se disoit sa femme, dont il étoit fort jaloux, & qu'il tenoit fort reserrée contre le genie de la nation. Comme elle étoit fort jolie le Marquis Delmonte en eut envie; il trouva moien à force d'argent de lui faire parler, & même de lui envoyer quelque petit présent: mais elle le refusa avec dedain, & rabroua fort l'Ambassadeur. Cleuter pour servir le Marquis dans ses amours, alla comme un Brutal trouver le Capitaine, & aprés un compliment fort brusque, il lui dit, «Monsieur vous avez une jolie Maîtresse, vous ne la voulez pas toute pour vous seul apparemment?» Le Capitain qui étoit un homme haut à la main, fut surpris d'un tel compliment, il lui répondit avec fiérté, qu'il s'étonnoit de ce qu'un homme de sa sorte osât parler à un homme de guerre, qui portoit à son côté de quoy se faire raison des insultes qu'on lui vouloit faire, que la considération de la Reine l'empêchoit de le maltraiter, mais qu'il sçauroit bien le faire repentir en tems & lieu de sa temerité. C'étoit une grande moderation pour un homme de cœur qui de plus avoit l'appuy des principaux Officiers d'un corps d'armée que le Roy de Suede entretenoit dans les pays de Bremen, Verden, & Staden qui lui avoient été cedez par la Paix de Munster, & il y avoit beaucoup de François parmi ces trouppes. Ceux qui se trouvérent à Hambourg voyant ce Capitaine François de mauvaise humeur en voulurent sçavoir le sujet, & l'ayant appris, ils vouloient exterminer Cleuter sans tant de façon, mais le François qui vouloit se vanger en homme de courage, s'en plaignit d'abord à la Reine qui n'en fit que rire, étant prevenuë par le Marquis Delmonte qui étoit la premiere cause de ce diferend: cela deconcerta le François qui fit appeller Cleuter à se battre en duel contre lui à l'épée, & au pistolet. Cleuter l'accepta avec peine, ne pouvant le refuser sans passer pour un lâche, & se perdre de reputation, mais il demanda huit jours pour se preparer. La generosité Françoise qui ne refuse rien, fut cause que le François y consentit sans peine, & pendant ce tems le Marquis Delmonte les voulut mettre d'accord inutilement. Cependant le Capitaine François eprouva ses armes, & ses pistolets ne manquérent jamais. Le jour du combat arrivé, tout le monde sortoit de Hambourg pour l'aller voir, car les Magistrats qui avoient défendu les duels dans la ville, ne pouvoient pas empêcher les habitans d'en sortir, & de s'aller battre sur les terres de Dannemarck, à une lieuë delà, en un endroit qu'on appelle Altena, & il n'y avoit point de semaine qu'il n'y eut plusieurs Duels, la mode en étant si generale, que jusqu'aux Artisans chacun pretendoit être endroit de se vanger soy même, des injures qu'on lui avoit faites. Nos deux Champions étant en presence l'un de l'autre, allérent sur une petite Eminence aubord d'un pré, ils étoient tous deux à cheval; aprés avoir caracollé, ils lâchérent leurs pistolets en même tems, celui du François manqua, mais celui de Cleuter fit feu, & la balle donna dans le bras de son aversaire, qui se sentant blessé en fut plus animé, & tout blessé qu'il étoit, il prit l'autre pistolet qui lui manqua comme le premier. Le François mettant promptement pied à terre tira l'épée, & s'en vint fondre sur Cleuter qui voyant tant de bravoure, au lieu de lui offrir bon quartier, lui lâcha son pistolet dans le ventre, & le mit hors de combat. Les spectateurs les separérent, mais le pauvre François perdant tout son sang, il fallut le porter à Hambourg sur une Civiere[.] Voila comme se passa le combat, les François en furent extremement mortifiez, & on voulut dire que Cleuter avoit un charme qui avoit empêché les pistolets de son ennemi de prendre feu. Pour moy je croy de bonne foy que ce fut son malheur, car les armes manquent souvent en pareille rencontre, & ce n'en est pas le premier exemple; au moins Cleuter n'en agit pas en gentil Cavalier, au jugement de la Reine, car quand il vit son homme hors de combat, il devoit, dit elle, lui donner bon quartier, mais il ne temoigna pas le moindre compassion de son malheur, il ne sortit pas même de sa bouche une parole honnête, mais toûjours brutalisant, il disoit cent choses au mépris de la nation Françoise. Clairet valet de Chambre de la Reine, ami du Capitaine François en fut pênetré de douleur, il eut la generosité d'assister sa veuve, & la Reine lui fit aussi donner quelque chose par compassion. Quant à Cleuter il aquit par ce duel la reputation de brave parmi ceux de sa cabale, ce qui le rendit plus insolent que jamais. Un Colonel ecossois qui faisoit la Cour à la Reine dans l'Espérance d'obtenir quelque employ considérable par son credit, je ne sçay par quelle raison, en sortant de chez sa Majesté eut quelque diferend avec Cleuter, qui sans se répandre en paroles lui donna un coup d'épée dans le côté, l'ecossois n'ayant pas eu le tems de se mettre engarde: Cleuter assisté de sept à huit mortes payes qui faisoient la garde à la porte d'hôtel de la Reine, mirent aussi l'épée à la main, & poursuiverent l'ecossois qui fut obligé de se retirer de crainte de pis. La Reine ayant augmenté sa garde aprés l'accident qui lui arriva à Hambourg dont nous parlerons bientôt, elle en fit Cleuter Capitaine, & l'amena depuis à Rome où elle le presenta au Pape Clement qui lui donna un Regiment qu'il envoyoit en Candie. Cleuter y moissonna des lauriers plus glorieusement qu'il n'avoit fait en Allemagne, & depuis son retour il a toûjours eu une Compagnie aux gardes du Pape, jusqu'à son extreme Vieillesse.
With modernised spelling:
Notre Barbon ne fut pas plus galant homme dans ses amours que dans ses autres intrigues. Un français capitaine d'infanterie au service de la Suède dans le duché de Brême, se trouvant à Hambourg pour quelques affaires, avait chez lui une belle maîtresse qui se disait sa femme, dont il était fort jaloux et qu'il tenait fort resserrée contre le génie de la nation. Comme elle était fort jolie, le marquis del Monte en eut envie, il trouva moyen à force d'argent de lui faire parler et même de lui envoyer quelque petit présent; mais elle le refusa avec dedain et rabroua fort l'ambassadeur.
Cleuter, pour servir le marquis dans ses amours, alla comme un brutal trouver le capitaine, et après un compliment fort brusque, il lui dit: «Monsieur, vous avez une jolie maîtresse; vous ne la voulez pas toute pour vous seul apparemment?»
Le capitain, qui était un homme haut à la main, fut surpris d'un tel compliment. Il lui répondit avec fierté qu'il s'étonnait de ce qu'un homme de sa sorte osât parler à un homme de guerre qui portait à son côté de quoi se faire raison des insultes qu'on lui voulait faire que la considération de la reine l'empêchait de le maltraiter, mais qu'il saurait bien le faire repentir en temps et lieu de sa témérité. C'était une grande moderation pour un homme de cœur qui de plus avait l'appui des principaux officiers d'un corps d'armée que le roi de Suède entretenait dans les pays de Brême, Verden et Stade, qui lui avaient été cédés par la paix de Münster; et il y avait beaucoup de Français parmi ces troupes.
Ceux qui se trouvèrent à Hambourg voyant ce capitaine français de mauvaise humeur en voulurent savoir le sujet, et, l'ayant appris, ils voulaient exterminer Cleuter sans tant de façon; mais le Français, qui voulait se venger en homme de courage, s'en plaignit d'abord à la reine, qui n'en fit que rire, étant prévenue par le marquis del Monte, qui était la première cause de ce différend. Cela deconcerta le Français, qui fit appeler Cleuter à se battre en duel contre lui à l'épée et au pistolet. Cleuter l'accepta avec peine, ne pouvant le refuser sans passer pour un lâche et se perdre de réputation, mais il demanda huit jours pour se preparer. La générosité française, qui ne refuse rien, fut cause que le Français y consentit sans peine, et pendant ce temps, le marquis del Monte les voulut mettre d'accord inutilement. Cependant, le capitaine français éprouva ses armes, et ses pistolets ne manquèrent jamais.
Le jour du combat arrivé. Tout le monde sortait de Hambourg pour l'aller voir, car les magistrats, qui avaient défendu les duels dans la ville, ne pouvaient pas empêcher les habitants d'en sortir et de s'aller battre sur les terres de Danemark, à une lieue delà, en un endroit qu'on appelle Altona, et il n'y avait point de semaine qu'il n'y eut plusieurs duels, la mode en étant si générale que jusqu'aux artisans chacun pretendait être endroit de se venger soi-même des injures qu'on lui avait faites.
Nos deux champions, étant en présence l'un de l'autre, allèrent sur une petite éminence au bord d'un pré; ils étaient tous deux à cheval. Après avoir caracolé, ils lâchèrent leurs pistolets en même temps; celui du Français manqua, mais celui de Cleuter fit feu, et la balle donna dans le bras de son aversaire, qui, se sentant blessé, en fut plus animé; et, tout blessé qu'il était, il prit l'autre pistolet, qui lui manqua comme le premier. Le Français, mettant promptement pied à terre, tira l'épée et s'en vint fondre sur Cleuter, qui, voyant tant de bravoure, au lieu de lui offrir bon quartier, lui lâcha son pistolet dans le ventre et le mit hors de combat.
Les spectateurs les separèrent, mais le pauvre Français, perdant tout son sang, il falut le porter à Hambourg sur une civière. Voilà comme se passa le combat.
Les Français en furent extrêmement mortifiés, et on voulut dire que Cleuter avait un charme qui avait empêché les pistolets de son ennemi de prendre feu. Pour moi, je crois de bonne foi que ce fut son malheur, car les armes manquent souvent en pareille rencontre, et ce n'en est pas le premier exemple; au moins, Cleuter n'en agit pas en gentil cavalier, au jugement de la reine, car quand il vit son homme hors de combat, il devait, dit-elle, lui donner bon quartier, mais il ne témoigna pas le moindre compassion de son malheur. Il ne sortit pas même de sa bouche une parole honnête, mais, toujours brutalisant, il disait cent choses au mépris de la nation française.
Clairet, valet de chambre de la reine, ami du capitaine français, en fut pénétré de douleur. Il eut la générosité d'assister sa veuve, et la reine lui fit aussi donner quelque chose par compassion. Quant à Cleuter il acquit par ce duel la réputation de brave parmi ceux de sa cabale, ce qui le rendit plus insolent que jamais.
Un colonel écossais, qui faisait la cour à la reine dans l'espérance d'obtenir quelque emploi considérable par son crédit, je ne sais par quelle raison, en sortant de chez Sa Majesté eut quelque différend avec Cleuter, qui, sans se répandre en paroles, lui donna un coup d'épée dans le côté. L'écossais n'ayant pas eu le temps de se mettre en garde, Cleuter assisté de sept à huit mortes payés qui faisaient la garde à la porte d'hôtel de la reine, mirent aussi l'épée à la main et poursuivèrent l'écossais, qui fut obligé de se retirer de crainte de pis.
La reine ayant augmenté sa garde après l'accident qui lui arriva à Hambourg, dont nous parlerons bientôt, elle en fit Cleuter capitaine et l'amena depuis à Rome, où elle le présenta au pape Clément, qui lui donna un régiment qu'il envoyait en Candie. Cleuter y moissonna des lauriers plus glorieusement qu'il n'avait fait en Allemagne, et depuis son retour, il a toujours eu une compagnie aux gardes du pape jusqu'à son extrême vieillesse.
Swedish translation (my own):
Vår Barbon var inte mer en tapper man i sina kärleksaffärer än i sina andra intriger. En fransk infanterikapten i Sveriges tjänst i hertigdömet Bremen, som var i Hamburg i något ärende, hade hemma en vacker älskarinna, som kallade sig sin hustru, för vilken han var mycket jalu och som han höll mycket hårt fast vid, mot nationens geni. Eftersom hon var väldigt vacker kände markisen del Monte en åtrå till henne. Han fann medel för att med pengar få henne att prata och till och med skicka henne en liten present; men hon vägrade det med förakt och tillrättavisade ambassadören starkt.
Cleuter, för att tjäna markisen i hans kärleksaffärer, gick som en rå för att hitta kaptenen, och efter en mycket abrupt komplimang sa han till honom: »Monsieur, Ni har en vacker älskarinna; vill Ni tydligen inte ha henne helt för Er själv?«
Kaptenen, som var en man à la main, blev förvånad över en sådan komplimang. Han svarade med stolthet att han var förvånad över att en man av hans slag vågade tala med en soldat som bar vid hans sida tillräckligt för att kompensera för de förolämpningar som man ville göra honom än hänsyn till drottningen hindrade honom från att misshandla honom, men att han skulle veta hur han skulle få honom att omvända sig i tid och plats av hans modighet. Det var en stor måttfullhet för en hjärtans man, som dessutom hade understöd av huvudofficerarna i en armékår, som Sveriges konung upprätthöll i länderna Bremen, Verden och Stade, som hade blivit honom avlåten genom freden av Münster; och det fanns många fransmän bland dessa trupper.
De som var i Hamburg då de såg denne franske kaptenen med dåligt humör ville veta anledningen, och sedan de lärt sig den, ville de utrota Cleuter utan så mycket ceremoni; men fransmannen, som ville hämnas som en modig man, klagade först hos drottningen, som bara skrattade åt det, underrättad av markisen del Monte, som var den första orsaken till denna oenighet. Detta förvirrade fransmannen, som lät Cleuter uppmanade att duellera honom med svärd och pistol. Cleuter accepterade det med svårighet och kunde inte vägra det utan att framstå som en feg och förlora sitt rykte, men han bad om åtta dagar att förbereda sig. Den Fransk generositet, som inte vägrar något, fick fransmannen att utan svårighet samtycka till det, och under denna tid försökte markisen del Monte förgäves få dem överens. Emellertid prövade den franske kaptenen sina armar, och hans pistoler missade aldrig.
Dagen för slagsmålet anlände. Alla lämnade Hamburg för att gå och träffa honom, ty magistraterna, som hade förbjudit dueller i staden, inte kunde hindra invånarna från att lämna den och gå i strid på Danmarks land, en liga bort, på en plats som hette Altona, och där det var inte en vecka som det inte var flera dueller, modet var så allmänt att till och med hantverkarna påstod sig hämnas på de förolämpningar som hade gjorts mot honom.
Våra två championer, som var i varandras närvaro, gick till en liten höjd vid kanten av en äng; de var båda till häst. Efter att ha karakollerat släppte de samtidigt sina pistoler; fransmannens missade, men Cleuters sköt, och kulan föll i armen på hans motståndare, som kände sig sårad, var mer livlig; och sårad som han var, tog han den andra pistolen, som missade honom som den första. Fransmannen steg hastigt av, drog sitt svärd och kom att slå ner på Cleuter, som, då han såg så mycket tapperhet, i stället för att erbjuda honom god kvarter, tappade sin pistol i hans mage och satte honom ur spel.
Åskådarna skilde dem åt, men den stackars fransmannen, som förlorade allt sitt blod, måste bäras till Hamburg på bår. Såhär gick slagsmålet.
Fransmännen var ytterst upprörda, och det sades att Cleuter hade en charm som hade hindrat hans fiendes pistoler från att skjuta. För min del tror jag i god tro att det var hans olycka, ty vapen saknas ofta vid ett sådant möte, och detta är inte det första exemplet; åtminstone uppträdde Cleuter inte som en god kavaljer, enligt drottningens bedömning, ty när han såg sin man ur spel, borde han, sade hon, ha givit honom god kvarter, men han visade inte den minsta medkänsla för sin olycka. Inte ens ett enda ärligt ord kom ut ur hans mun, men alltid brutaliserande sade han hundra saker i förakt för den franska nationen.
Clairet, drottningens valet de chambre och en vän till den franske kaptenen, genomträngdes av sorg. Han hade generositeten att hjälpa sin änka, och drottningen fick honom också att ge något av medkänsla. När det gäller Cleuter, fick han genom denna duell ryktet om tapperhet bland sina kabaler, vilket gjorde honom fräckare än någonsin.
En skotsk överste som gjorde sin kur till drottningen i hopp om att få någon ansenlig sysselsättning genom hennes kredit, vet jag inte av vilken anledning, då han lämnade Hennes Majestäts hus, hade någon tvist med Cleuter, som högg honom i sidan. Skottländaren hade inte hunnit sätta sig på sin vakt, och Cleuter fick hjälp av sju eller åtta betalda män som stod vakt vid dörren till drottningens hus, och lade också sina svärd i händerna och förföljde skottländaren, som tvingades dra sig tillbaka av rädsla för värre.
Drottningen, efter att ha utökat sitt garde efter den olycka som drabbade henne i Hamburg, om vilken vi snart skall tala, gjorde Cleuter till sin kapten och därefter förde hon honom till Rom, där hon presenterade honom för påven Clement, som gav honom ett regemente som han skickade till Candia. Cleuter skördade lagrar där mer härligt än han hade gjort i Tyskland, och sedan han återvände hade han alltid sällskap i påvens vakter fram till sin höga ålder.
English translation (by Hollingworth):
Our Barbon was no less Gallant in Amours, than other Intrigues. For a French Captain of Foot in the Service of Sueden, coming out of the Dutchy of Bremen to Hamburgh, about some Business, brought a pretty Mistress along with him, whom he call'd his Wife, and was so Jealous of her, that contrary to the Custom and temper of his Country, he kept her up close. But the Marquiss happening to see her, was so taken with her Beauty that he fell into an extream longing to have an Amorous Correspondence with her. By the power of Money he found means to speak to her, and send a small Present, which she refus'd with Disdain, and Checked the Messenger very Severely for offering it. But Cleuter to serve the Marquiss, went to the Captain like a Blockhead, and after a short Compliment, told him, "Captain, you have a very handsome Mistress, sure you will not be so unreasonable to keep her all to your self." The Captain, who was a Man of very high Courage, being surpriz'd with so blunt a Salute, fiercely answer'd, that he wonder'd a Man of his Appearance and Character, durst speak so to a Military Man, who carried that by his Side which would do him reason against any insolent Affront that should be offer'd him. That the Consideration and Respect he had for the Queen, did hinder him from making a proper return at that Instant, but that he hoped to find both a fitter time and place to make him repent his Rashness. This was great Moderation for a Man of Courage as he was, and who had the Principal Officers in that City to back him, I mean the Body of the Army, which the King Quarter'd in Bremen, Verden and Staden, all which had been yielded up to him by the Peace of Munster; for there was a great many French among those Troops. Such of them as were then at Hamburgh seeing the Captain out of Humour, would needs know the Reason, and having understood it, would have humbled Cleuter after another manner. But the Captain intending to revenge himself like a Man of Honour, went first of all to the Queen, who only Laugh'd at him, being prepossess'd by the Marquiss, who was the prime cause of the Difference. This Anger'd the Frenchman and made him Chalenge Cleuter to fight him with Sword and Pistol. Cleuter accepted it with difficulty, being indeed forc'd to it for fear of passing for a Coward and loosing his Reputation; but however took Eight days to prepare himself. The Frenchman generously and readily consented, and the Marquiss in vain endeavoured to agree the Matter during that interval of time.
The day of Combat came, and the People (as is usual there) flock'd out of Hamburgh to go and see it. For though the Magistrates had forbidden Duels in the City, yet they could not hinder People from going out and fighting in the Lands that were under the Power of Denmark, which was but a League from thence, at a place called Altena; near which, scarce any Week pass'd, but there was some Duel or other fought, the Custom being grown so general, that even among the very Tradesmen, every one pretended this way to revenge himself of the Injuries done to him. Our two Champions being met, went together upon the top of a little rising Ground, near a Meadow, and there wheeling about, they both fired their Pistols at the same time; the Frenchman's fail'd, but Cleuter's went off, and Shot his Adversary in the Arm, who finding himself Wounded, was the more Enraged, and notwithstanding his Wound, drew out the other Pistol, which also fail'd as the first did. The Frenchman seeing this immediately Dismounted, and with Sword in hand Attack'd Cleuter, but he, though he saw so much Bravery, instead of offering fair Quarter, fir'd his other Pistol, Shot him into the Belly, and Kill'd him. After which, the Spectators ran in and parted them; but the Frenchman having lost much Blood, was carried Dead on a Bier into Hamburgh.
Thus passed this Combat, at which the French were extreamly Mortified. And it was said, that Cleuter had a Charm which hinder'd his Enemies Pistols from going off: But for my part, I really believe it to be his Misfortune, for Arms do often fail Men on that manner, of which this is not the first Instance. At least Cleuter did not act like a Genteel Cavalier in the Queen's Judgment, who ought, (as she her self confessed) to have given good Quarter, when he saw his Adversary not in a condition of Fighting. But he on the contrary, did not show the least Compassion for his Misfortune, nor gave him the least good Word, but always, like a Brute, said an hundred things of the French Nation. But one Clairet, Valet de Chambre to the Queen, who was a Friend of the French Captain's, was extreamly affected with Grief at it, and had the Generosity to assist his Widow. The Queen also gave her something out of Charity towards her Maintenance. As for Cleuter, he acquir'd the reputation of a Valiant Person among those of his Gang, which made him more Insolent than ever.
At that Juncture, a Scotch Colonel made his Court to the Queen, in hopes of obtaining some considerable Employ by her Credit. But as he was coming away from her Majesty, had some Difference, I know not how, with Cleuter, and he without many words, gave him a Wound in the right side with his Sword. The Scotchman had no time to put himself upon his Defence; for Cleuter was assisted by Seven or Eight, who kept Guard at the Gate of the Queen's Palace, and they pursued the Scotchman with Sword in Hand, so that he was fain to fly for fear of worse Mischief.
The Queen augmenting her Guard, after an Accident which happen'd to her in Hamburgh, of which we shall speak by and by, made Cleuter a Captain, whom she carried with her afterwards to Rome, and there presented him to Pope Clement, who gave him a Regiment, which he sent to Candia. Cleuter in that Expedition, reaped more glorious Lawrels than he had done in Germany. And after his return, had a company of the Pope's Guards, even to his Dying day.
With modernised spelling and punctuation for easier reading:
Our Barbon was no less gallant in amours than other intrigues. For a French captain of foot in the service of Sweden, coming out of the duchy of Bremen to Hamburg about some business, brought a pretty mistress along with him whom he called his wife, and was so jealous of her, that contrary to the custom and temper of his country, he kept her up close. But the Marquis, happening to see her, was so taken with her beauty that he fell into an extreme longing to have an amorous correspondence with her. By the power of money, he found means to speak to her and send a small present, which she refused with disdain and checked the messenger very severely for offering it.
But Cleuter, to serve the Marquis, went to the captain like a blockhead and, after a short compliment, told him: "Captain, you have a very handsome mistress; sure you will not be so unreasonable to keep her all to yourself?"
The captain, who was a man of very high courage, being surprised with so blunt a salute, fiercely answered that he wondered a man of his appearance and character durst speak so to a military man who carried that by his side which would do him reason against any insolent affront that should be offered him; that the consideration and respect he had for the Queen did hinder him from making a proper return at that instant, but that he hoped to find both a fitter time and place to make him repent his rashness. This was great moderation for a man of courage as he was, and who had the principal officers in that city to back him, I mean the body of the army, which the King quartered in Bremen, Verden and Stade, all which had been yielded up to him by the Peace of Münster, for there was a great many French among those troops.
Such of them as were then at Hamburg seeing the captain out of humour would needs know the reason, and having understood it, would have humbled Cleuter after another manner. But the captain, intending to revenge himself like a man of honour, went first of all to the Queen, who only laughed at him, being prepossessed by the Marquis, who was the prime cause of the difference. This angered the Frenchman and made him challenge Cleuter to fight him with sword and pistol. Cleuter accepted it with difficulty, being indeed forced to it for fear of passing for a coward and losing his reputation; but, however, took eight days to prepare himself. The Frenchman generously and readily consented, and the Marquis in vain endeavoured to agree the matter during that interval of time.
The day of combat came, and the people (as is usual there) flocked out of Hamburg to go and see it, for, though the magistrates had forbidden duels in the city, yet they could not hinder people from going out and fighting in the lands that were under the power of Denmark, which was but a league from thence, at a place called Altona; near which scarce any week passed but there was some duel or other fought, the custom being grown so general that even among the very tradesmen, every one pretended this way to revenge himself of the injuries done to him.
Our two champions being met went together upon the top of a little rising ground, near a meadow; and there, wheeling about, they both fired their pistols at the same time. The Frenchman's failed, but Cleuter's went off and shot his adversary in the arm, who, finding himself wounded, was the more enraged and, notwithstanding his wound, drew out the other pistol, which also failed as the first did. The Frenchman, seeing this, immediately dismounted and, with sword in hand, attacked Cleuter; but he, though he saw so much bravery, instead of offering fair quarter, fired his other pistol, shot him into the belly and killed him.
After which the spectators ran in and parted them, but the Frenchman, having lost much blood, was carried dead on a bier into Hamburg.
Thus passed this combat, at which the French were extremely mortified, and it was said that Cleuter had a charm which hindered his enemy's pistols from going off. But for my part, I really believe it to be his misfortune, for arms do often fail men on that manner, of which this is not the first instance. At least Cleuter did not act like a genteel cavalier in the Queen's judgment, who ought (as she herself confessed) to have given good quarter when he saw his adversary not in a condition of fighting. But he, on the contrary, did not show the least compassion for his misfortune, nor gave him the least good word, but always, like a brute, said an hundred things of the French nation.
But one Clairet, valet de chambre to the Queen, who was a friend of the French captain's, was extremely affected with grief at it and had the generosity to assist his widow. The Queen also gave her something out of charity towards her maintenance. As for Cleuter, he acquired the reputation of a valiant person among those of his gang, which made him more insolent than ever.
At that juncture, a Scotch colonel made his court to the Queen in hopes of obtaining some considerable employ by her credit, but, as he was coming away from Her Majesty, had some difference, I know not how, with Cleuter; and he, without many words, gave him a wound in the right side with his sword. The Scotchman had no time to put himself upon his defence, for Cleuter was assisted by seven or eight who kept guard at the gate of the Queen's palace, and they pursued the Scotchman with sword in hand, so that he was fain to fly, for fear of worse mischief.
The Queen, augmenting her guard after an accident which happened to her in Hamburg, of which we shall speak by and by, made Cleuter a captain, whom she carried with her afterwards to Rome, and there presented him to Pope Clement, who gave him a regiment which he sent to Candia. Cleuter, in that expedition, reaped more glorious laurels than he had done in Germany and, after his return, had a company of the Pope's guards, even to his dying day.
English translation (my own):
Our Barbon was no more a gallant man in his love affairs than in his other intrigues. A French captain of infantry in the service of Sweden in the Duchy of Bremen, being in Hamburg on some business, had at home a beautiful mistress who called herself his wife, for whom he was very jealous and whom he held on to very tightly, against the genius of the nation. As she was very pretty, the Marquis del Monte felt a desire for her. He found means, by dint of money, to get her to talk and even to send her some small present; but she refused it with disdain and strongly rebuked the ambassador.
Cleuter, to serve the Marquis in his love affairs, went like a brute to find the captain, and after a very abrupt compliment, he said to him: "Monsieur, you have a pretty mistress; do you apparently not want her all for yourself?"
The captain, who was a man à la main, was surprised at such a compliment. He replied with pride that he was surprised that a man of his kind dared to speak to a soldier who carried at his side enough to make up for the insults that one wanted to make him than the consideration of the Queen prevented him from ill-treating him, but that he would know how to make him repent in time and place of his temerity. It was a great moderation for a man of heart who, moreover, had the support of the principal officers of an army corps which the King of Sweden maintained in the countries of Bremen, Verden and Stade, which had been ceded to him by the Peace of Münster; and there were many Frenchmen among these troops.
Those who were in Hamburg, seeing this French captain in a bad humour, wanted to know the subject, and, having learned it, they wanted to exterminate Cleuter without so much ceremony; but the Frenchman, who wished to avenge himself as a man of courage, first complained to the Queen, who only laughed at it, being informed by the Marquis del Monte, who was the first cause of this disagreement. This disconcerted the Frenchman, who had Cleuter called upon to duel him with sword and pistol. Cleuter accepted it with difficulty, not being able to refuse it without appearing a coward and losing his reputation, but he asked for eight days to prepare. French generosity, which refuses nothing, caused the Frenchman to consent to it without difficulty, and during this time the Marquis del Monte tried to bring them to agreement in vain. In the meantime, the French captain tested his arms, and his pistols never missed.
The day of the fight arrived. Everyone left Hamburg to go see him, because the magistrates, who had forbidden duels in the city, could not prevent the inhabitants from leaving it and going to fight on the lands of Denmark, a league away, in a place called Altona, and there was not a week that there were not several duels, the fashion being so general that even the craftsmen claimed to take avenge themselves of the insults that had been made to him.
Our two champions, being in each other's presence, went to a small rise at the edge of a meadow; they were both on horseback. After caracolling, they dropped their pistols at the same time; that of the Frenchman missed, but that of Cleuter fired, and the bullet fell into the arm of his adversary, who, feeling himself wounded, was more animated; and, wounded as he was, he took the other pistol, which missed him like the first. The Frenchman, dismounting quickly, drew his sword and came to swoop down on Cleuter, who, seeing so much bravery, instead of offering him good quarter, dropped his pistol in his belly and put him out of action.
The spectators separated them, but the poor Frenchman, losing all his blood, had to be carried to Hamburg on a stretcher. This is how the fight went.
The French were extremely mortified, and it was said that Cleuter had a charm which had prevented his enemy's pistols from firing. For my part, I believe in good faith that it was his misfortune, for weapons are often lacking in such an encounter, and this is not the first example; at least Cleuter did not act like a good cavalier, in the Queen's judgment, for when he saw his man out of action, he should, she said, have given him good quarter, but he did not show the slightest compassion for his misfortune. Not even a single honest word came out of his mouth, but, always brutalising, he said a hundred things in contempt of the French nation.
Clairet, valet de chambre to the Queen, and a friend of the French captain, was penetrated with grief. He had the generosity to assist his widow, and the Queen also made him give something out of compassion. As for Cleuter, he acquired by this duel the reputation of bravery among those of his cabal, which made him more insolent than ever.
A Scottish colonel, who paid court to the Queen in the hope of obtaining some considerable employment by her credit, I do not know for what reason, on leaving Her Majesty's house, had some dispute with Cleuter, who stabbed him in the side. The Scotsman not having had time to put himself on his guard, Cleuter being assisted by seven or eight paid men who stood guard at the door of the Queen's hostel, also put their swords in their hands and pursued the Scotsman, who was forced to withdraw for fear of worse.
The Queen, having augmented her guard after the accident which befell her at Hamburg, of which we shall soon speak, made Cleuter her captain, and afterwards she brought him to Rome, where she presented him to Pope Clement, who gave him a regiment which he sent to Candia. Cleuter harvested laurels there more gloriously than he had done in Germany, and since his return, he always had company in the Pope's guards until his extreme old age.
Notes: Barbon = the Marquis del Monte.
Candia = the old name for the Greek island of Crete.
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