Sources:
Histoire des intrigues galantes de la reine Christine de Suede: et de sa cour, pendant son sejour à Rome, pages 49 to 56, by Christian Gottfried Franckenstein, 1697
The history of the intrigues & gallantries of Christina, Queen of Sweden, and of her court whilst she was at Rome faithfully render'd into English from the French original, translated by Philip Hollingworth, 1697
Above: Kristina.
The account:
Du tems que la Reine étoit à Hambourg Monsieur de Pompone, Monsieur le Chevalier de Terlon, & Monsieur l'Evêque de Beziers, qui est à present le Cardinal de Bonzi, passérent par la en revenant de leurs Ambassades des Couronnes du Nord, & de Pologne, & saluérent la Reine qui les reçeut parfaitement bien selon leur merite; elle ne manquoit pas de leur faire parade de son Marquis Delmonte, & de vanter sa Noblesse, & son grand nom de Bourbon. Monsieur de Pompone avec son sang froid, dit un jour à la Reine qui vouloit lui persuader que le Marquis étoit Parent du Roy, qu'il avoit lû, & bien examiné la Genealogie de la maison de Bourbon, mais qu'il n'avoit point trouvé qu'une branche eût passé en Italie, à moins que le connêtable de Bourbon qui commandoit l'armée Imperiale, quand elle saccagea Rome en 1527. n'eut laissé des Bâtards en Italie. Monsieur de Terlon lui reprocha devant le Prince de Hombourg qu'il démentoit son origine, puisque les insolences de Cleuter alloient si loin envers les François, sans qu'il les reprimât, qu'il sembloit plütôt les applaudir. Mais la plus grande mortification qu'il eût, fut de Madame la grande Marechale Sobieski, à present Reine de Pologne, laquelle passant par Hambourg, le Marquis lui alla faire compliment, en suite d'une visite qu'elle avoit renduë a la Reine; Il voulut s'emanciper, je ne sçay pas en quoy, mais il fut rabroué d'une maniere surprenante, & cette Princesse regarda le personnage d'un air si méprisant, qu'il ne lui prit plus envie d'y retourner.
Cependant le Pape Alexandre VII. mourut, & dans l'apprehension qu'eut la Reine que le Cardinal Farnese ne devint Pape, elle meditoit déja une retraite à Venise ou en Hollande, étant persuadée que ce nouveau Pape ne souffriroit pas les desordres qui regnoient à la Cour de sa Majesté. Messieurs les Etats des Provinces Unies, qui avoient obligé quelque tems auparavant, la Suede à rendre au Dannemarck tout ce qu'elle avoit conquis sur cette Couronne, firent connoître à la Reine que son caractere royal seroit meprisé dans leur Republique: Enfin elle eut envie de s'aller établir en Angleterre qui étoit alors assez tranquille, mais ces peuples ne lui plaisoient pas. Sur ces entre faites elle apprit par une lettre du Cardinal Antoine, que le Cardinal Jules Rospigliosi avoit été créé Pape sous le nom de Clement IX. le 20. Juin 1667. Comme elle avoit eu quelque liaison avec lui, qu'elle esperoit tirer quelque avantage de son Pontificat, & que d'ailleurs c'étoit un sujet d'un grand merite, elle voulut temoigner publiquement la joye qu'elle en ressentoit, nonobstant les remontrances du Comte de Hombourg de la maison des Lantgraves de Hesse, pour l'empêcher de se commettre avec le peuple d'une grande Ville comme Hambourg, à qui on donneroit occasion de faire quelque insolence contre le respect dû à sa Majesté; cela lui fut confirmé par un des Magistrats, neantmoins elle voulut suivre son caprice, & le Conseil du Marquis Delmonte, qui la poussoit toûjours à faire de la depense, où il trouvoit son Compte, parce que toutes choses passoient par ses mains. Elle ordonna donc de preparer un beau feu d'artifice, fit illuminer la façade de son Palais, où elle avoit fait peindre une belle decoration avec les armes du Pape, & plusieurs personnages qui representoient ses vertus. Mais il y avoit au dessus une figure de l'eucharistie dans un nuage, adorée par les Anges, & plus bas l'Eglise en habit pontifical qui fouloit aux pieds l'heresie. On peut s'imaginer l'effet que devoit faire une telle representation dans une Ville protestante où l'exercice de la Religion Catholique n'est pas permis publiquement. Aussi quantité de matelots Anglois, Holandois, & Danois joints à la populace de Hambourg, attirez par la nouveauté du spectacle, remplirent bien-tôt la place qui est devant le Palais de la Reine, où pour surcroit le malheur, elle avoit fait faire deux fontaines de Vin, dont la liqueur les anima d'avantage à jetter des pierres contre la décoration. Quelques Domestiques de la Reine, pour reprimer la hardiesse de ces gens, tirérent des coups de pistolet sans balles par les fenêtres, mais au lieu de les faire écarter, cela les excita encore d'avantage à redoubler leurs insultes. On fut obligé de fermer les portes du Palais, dont les vitres des fenêtres fûrent toutes cassées en moins de rien; plusieurs même avec des bouchons de paille allumez, vouloient mettre le feu à la porte. Dans cette extremité on eut recours à quatre fauconneaux qui étoient dans la sale, & les ayant chargez de mitraille, on les tira tout de bon sur cette populace enragée, dont on tua & blessa quelques uns. Cela à la verité les fit reculer, mais le sang, & les cris de leurs Compagnons blessez les anima de nouveau. Ils revinrent à la charge dans l'intention d'enfoncer les portes, & de piller l'hôtel, mais comme ils n'avoient ni petards, ni machines pour en faire l'ouverture, une vingtaine de ces marauds apportérent une grosse poutre fort longue qui étoit dans la rue, à la porte d'un Charpentier qui en vouloit faire un mas[t] de Vaisseau, & la remuant à peu prés comme le Belier des anciens, ils essayérent plusieurs fois d'enfoncer la porte. Alors la Reine connut, mais trop tard, qu'elle avoit mal fait de n'avoir pas suivi le Conseil qu'on lui avoit donné, & la crainte de tomber entre les mains de ces insolents la rendit si interdite, qu'elle ne sçavoit plus à quoy se resoudre, car la place n'étoit plus tenable, & la plûpart des Domestiques étoient dehors, aussi bien que le Marquis Delmonte, dont bien lui en prit. Il s'en trouva deux neantmoins, qui prirent la Reine sous les bras, & la faisant sortir par une porte de derriere qui respondoit dans une autre rue, la menérent à pied habillée en homme, chez Monsieur le Chevalier de Terlon qui étoit alors à Hambourg, d'où il devoit passer en Dannemarck, & en Suede. Il demeuroit dans un quartier eloigné, c'est pourquoy la Reine étoit à demi morte quand elle y arriva. On la fit mettre au lit, & quelque tems aprés on lui apporta à souper; elle mangea de bon appetit, & s'étant un peu remise, elle commença à faire des rodomontades, & à dire que si on avoit voulu la laisser paroître aux fenêtres, elle auroit foudroyé toute cette canaille qui avoit perdu le respect qui lui étoit du.
Durant ce tems-là le Prince de Hombourg accompagné de quelques Gentilshommes de marque & de credit, se mêla parmi la populace qu'il tâcha d'appaiser par de belles paroles, jurant qu'il vouloit se vanger de ces chiens de Papistes qui avoient causé tant de sçandale, «mais je vous jure» poursuivit il, «que c'est à l'insceu de la Reine, & qu'elle sera la premiere à les châtier, pourvû que vous ne l'outragiés pas d'avantage, en voulant forcer son hôtel. Car sachez que si nous ne lui faisons une prompte reparation, nous nous attirons les armes non seulement de la Suede, & du Dannemarck, mais de tous les Princes de l'Empire, & de l'Empereur même, qui s'en vangeront hautement.» Ce peu de mots prononcez avec force, desarmérent ces mutins, à quoi ne contribua pas peu la Bourgeoisie en armes, ayant les Magistrats à la tête: ainsi le siege fut levé, & le lendemain le Magistrat conduisit la Reine dans son hôtel comme en triomphe, & cette Princesse eut encore la bonté de faire distribuer par charité, deux mille écus aux blessez, dont il y en eut deux qui mourûrent. Au reste elle ne demeura pas long tems en cette Ville, aprés une si chaude allarme, & elle reprit au plûtôt la route d'Italie.
Si j'étois un Historien à gage, je n'aurois pas manqué d'elever jusqu'au ciel l'intrepidité de la Reine dans cette occasion, & d'assûrer qu'elle avoit donné des preuves d'un courage heroïque, mais je trahirois la verité, car il est constant que jamais femme ne fut plus epouvantée, quoy que le danger passé, elle fît la fanfaronne, & qu'elle fût bien aise qu'on l'assûrat que jamais Alexandre ni Cesar ne temoignérent tant de fermeté, au milieu des plus grands perils, tant il est vray que la flaterie sçait déguiser, & que les Princes prennent beaucoup de plaisir à la boire à longs traits. Ce petit incident me fait souvenir d'un autre qui lui arriva long tems aprés dans son Palais à la Longara à Rome, ou elle ne temoigna pas plus de courage. Il y avoit une toile tendue dans la basse cour, pour la defendre des rayons du soleil, un petit garçon du voisinage y jetta par hazard une fusée qui y mit le feu, un peu de flame la rendit si egarée qu'elle couroit çà & là, comme une desesperée, priant le premier venu à mains jointes, de la sauver de cet embrasement, quoy qu'il y eût plus de so personnes pour eteindre le feu qui ne brûla de cette toile, que la grandeur d'une serviette, mais le peril étant passé, elle fit la Gasconne avec ses braves, comme si elle eût empêché l'incendie de Troyes.
With modernised spelling:
Du temps que la reine était à Hambourg, Monsieur de Pomponne, Monsieur le chevalier de Terlon, et Monsieur l'evêque de Béziers, qui est à présent le Cardinal de Bonzi, passèrent par là en revenant de leurs ambassades des Couronnes du Nord et de Pologne, et saluèrent la reine, qui les reçut parfaitement bien selon leur mérite. Elle ne manquait pas de leur faire parade de son marquis del Monte et de vanter sa noblesse et son grand nom de Bourbon. Monsieur de Pomponne, avec son sang froid, dit un jour à la reine, qui voulait lui persuader que le marquis était parent du Roi, qu'il avait lu et bien examiné la généalogie de la Maison de Bourbon, mais qu'il n'avait point trouvé qu'une branche eût passé en Italie, à moins que le connétable de Bourbon, qui commandait l'armée impériale quand elle saccagea Rome en 1527, n'eut laissé des bâtards en Italie.
Monsieur de Terlon lui reprocha devant le prince de Hombourg qu'il démentait son origine, puisque les insolences de Cleuter allaient si loin envers les Français sans qu'il les reprimât, qu'il semblait plutôt les applaudir. Mais la plus grande mortification qu'il eut fut de Madame la grande maréchale Sobieski, à présent reine de Pologne, laquelle, passant par Hambourg, le marquis lui alla faire compliment, ensuite d'une visite qu'elle avait rendue à la reine. Il voulut s'émanciper, je ne sais pas en quoi, mais il fut rabroué d'une manière surprenante; et cette princesse regarda le personnage d'un air si méprisant qu'il ne lui prit plus envie d'y retourner.
Cependant, le pape Alexandre VII mourut, et dans l'appréhension qu'eut la reine que le cardinal Farnèse ne devint pape, elle méditait déjà une retraite à Venise ou en Hollande, étant persuadée que ce nouveau pape ne souffrirait pas les désordres qui régnaient à la Cour de Sa Majesté. Messieurs les États des Provinces Unies, qui avaient obligé quelque temps auparavant la Suède à rendre au Danemark tout ce qu'elle avait conquis sur cette Couronne, firent connaître à la reine que son caractère royal serait meprisé dans leur République; enfin, elle eut envie de s'aller établir en Angleterre, qui était alors assez tranquille, mais ses peuples ne lui plaisaient pas.
Sur ces entrefaites, elle apprit par une lettre du cardinal Antoine que le cardinal Jules Rospigliosi avait été créé pape sous le nom de Clément IX, le 20 juin 1667. Comme elle avait eu quelque liaison avec lui qu'elle espérait tirer quelque avantage de son pontificat, et que d'ailleurs c'était un sujet d'un grand mérite, elle voulut témoigner publiquement la joie qu'elle en ressentait, nonobstant les remontrances du comte de Hombourg de la Maison des landgraves de Hesse pour l'empêcher de se commettre avec le peuple d'une grande ville comme Hambourg, à qui on donnerait occasion de faire quelque insolence contre le respect dû à Sa Majesté. Cela lui fut confirmé par un des magistrats, néanmoins elle voulut suivre son caprice et le conseil du marquis del Monte, qui la poussait toujours à faire de la depense, où il trouvait son compte, parce que toutes choses passaient par ses mains.
Elle ordonna donc de préparer un beau feu d'artifice, fit illuminer la façade de son palais, où elle avait fait peindre une belle décoration avec les armes du pape, et plusieurs personnages qui représentaient ses vertus. Mais il y avait au dessus une figure de l'Eucharistie dans un nuage, adorée par les anges, et plus bas l'Église en habit pontifical qui foulait aux pieds l'hérésie. On peut s'imaginer l'effet que devait faire une telle représentation dans une ville protestante, où l'exercice de la religion catholique n'est pas permis publiquement. Aussi quantité de matelots anglais, hollandais et danois, joints à la populace de Hambourg, attirés par la nouveauté du spectacle, remplirent bientôt la place qui est devant le palais de la reine, où, pour surcroît le malheur, elle avait fait faire deux fontaines de vin, dont la liqueur les anima davantage à jetter des pierres contre la décoration.
Quelques domestiques de la reine, pour reprimer la hardiesse de ces gens, tirèrent des coups de pistolet sans balles par les fenêtres, mais au lieu de les faire écarter, cela les excita encore davantage à redoubler leurs insultes. On fut obligé de fermer les portes du palais, dont les vitres des fenêtres furent toutes cassées en moins de rien; plusieurs même avec des bouchons de paille allumés, voulaient mettre le feu à la porte. Dans cette extrêmité, on eut recours à quatre fauconneaux qui étaient dans la salle, et les ayant chargés de mitraille, on les tira tout de bon sur cette populace enragée, dont on tua et blessa quelques-uns. Cela, à la vérité, les fit reculer; mais le sang et les cris de leurs compagnons blessés les anima de nouveau. Ils revinrent à la charge dans l'intention d'enfoncer les portes et de piller l'hôtel, mais comme ils n'avaient ni petards, ni machines pour en faire l'ouverture, une vingtaine de ces marauds apportèrent une grosse poutre fort longue, qui était dans la rue, à la porte d'un charpentier qui en voulait faire un mât de vaisseau; et la remuant à peu près, comme le bélier des anciens, ils essayèrent plusieurs fois d'enfoncer la porte.
Alors la reine connut, mais trop tard, qu'elle avait mal fait de n'avoir pas suivi le conseil qu'on lui avait donné, et la crainte de tomber entre les mains de ces insolents la rendit si interdite qu'elle ne savait plus à quoi se résoudre, car la place n'était plus tenable, et la plupart des domestiques étaient dehors, aussi bien que le marquis del Monte, dont bien lui en prit. Il s'en trouva deux néanmoins qui prirent la reine sous les bras et, la faisant sortir par une porte de derrière qui répondait dans une autre rue, la menèrent à pied, habillée en homme, chez Monsieur le chevalier de Terlon, qui était alors à Hambourg, d'où il devait passer en Danemark et en Suède. Il demeurait dans un quartier eloigné, c'est pourquoi la reine était à demi morte quand elle y arriva. On la fit mettre au lit, et quelque temps après, on lui apporta à souper. Elle mangea de bon appetit et, s'étant un peu remise, elle commença à faire des rodomontades, et à dire que si on avait voulu la laisser paraître aux fenêtres, elle aurait foudroyé toute cette canaille qui avait perdu le respect qui lui était dû.
Durant ce temps-là, le prince de Hombourg, accompagné de quelques gentilhommes de marque et de crédit, se mêla parmi la populace qu'il tâcha d'appaiser par de belles paroles, jurant qu'il voulait se venger de ces chiens de papistes qui avaient causé tant de scandale.
«Mais je vous jure», poursuivit-il, «que c'est à l'insu de la reine et qu'elle sera la première à les châtier, pourvu que vous ne l'outragiez pas davantage en voulant forcer son hôtel. Car [vous] sachez que si nous ne lui faisons une prompte réparation, nous nous attirons les armes non seulement de la Suède et du Danemark, mais de tous les princes de l'Empire et de l'empereur-même, qui s'en vengeront hautement.»
Ce peu de mots, prononcés avec force, desarmèrent ces mutins, à quoi ne contribua pas peu la bourgeoisie en armes, ayant les magistrats à la tête. Ainsi le siège fut levé, et le lendemain le magistrat conduisit la reine dans son hôtel comme en triomphe, et cette princesse eut encore la bonté de faire distribuer par charité deux mille écus aux blessés, dont il y en eut deux qui moururent. Au reste, elle ne demeura pas longtemps en cette ville après une si chaude alarme, et elle reprit au plutôt la route d'Italie.
Si j'étais un historien à gage, je n'aurais pas manqué d'éléver jusqu'au ciel l'intrépidité de la reine dans cette occasion et d'assurer qu'elle avait donné des preuves d'un courage héroïque, mais je trahirais la vérité; car il est constant que jamais femme ne fut plus épouvantée, quoique, le danger passé, elle fît la fanfaronne et qu'elle fût bien aise qu'on l'assurât que jamais Alexandre ni César ne témoignèrent tant de fermeté au milieu des plus grands périls. Tant il est vrai que la flatterie sait déguiser et que les princes prennent beaucoup de plaisir à la boire à longs traits!
Ce petit incident me fait souvenir d'un autre qui lui arriva longtemps après dans son palais à la Lungara à Rome, où elle ne témoigna pas plus de courage. Il y avait une toile tendue dans la basse cour, pour la défendre des rayons du soleil. Un petit garçon du voisinage y jetta par hasard une fusée qui y mit le feu. Un peu de flamme la rendit si égarée qu'elle courait çà et là comme une désespérée, priant le premier venu, à mains jointes, de la sauver de cet embrasement, quoiqu'il y eût plus de [...] personnes pour éteindre le feu, qui ne brûla de cette toile que la grandeur d'une serviette. Mais, le péril étant passé, elle fit la Gasconne avec ses braves, comme si elle eût empêché l'incendie de Troyes.
Swedish translation (my own):
När drottningen var i Hamburg passerade monsieur de Pomponne, monsieur le chevalier de Terlon och monseigneur biskopen av Béziers, som nu är kardinal de Bonzi, där på väg tillbaka från sina ambassader för Nordens och Polens Kronor och hälsade drottningen, som tog emot dem alldeles väl efter deras förtjänst. Hon misslyckades inte med att skräna över sin markis del Monte för dem och att skryta med sin adelhet och sitt stora namn Bourbon. Monsieur de Pomponne sade med sitt lugn en dag till drottningen, som ville övertyga honom om att markisen var släkt med konungen, att han hade läst och noggrant undersökt släktforskningen för huset Bourbon, men att han inte funnit att någon gren hade gått in i Italien om inte konstapel de Bourbon, som befälhavde den kejserliga armén när den plundrade Rom 1527, hade lämnat oäktingar i Italien.
Monsieur de Terlon förebråade honom inför prinsen av Homburg att han förnekade sitt ursprung, eftersom Cleuters fräckhet gick så långt mot fransmännen utan att han tillrättavisade dem att han snarare verkade applådera dem. Men den största förfäran han hade var från madam la grande maréchale Sobieski, numera drottningen av Polen, som, på väg genom Hamburg, gick för att ge henne sina komplimanger efter ett besök som hon hade avlagt hos drottningen. Han ville frigöra sig själv, jag vet inte hur, men han blev förvånansvärt avvisad; och denna prinsessa såg på personen med en sådan föraktfull luft att han inte längre ville gå tillbaka dit.
Emellertid dog påven Alexander VII, och i fruktan som drottningen hade att kardinal Farnese skulle bli påve, mediterade hon redan på en reträtt till Venedig eller Holland, övertygad om att denne nye påve inte skulle lida av de störningar som rådde hos henne Majestätets hov. De Förenade Provinsernas Ständer, som någon tid förut nödgat Sverige att till Danmark återställa allt som det erövrat från denna Krona, meddelade drottningen att hennes kungliga karaktär skulle föraktas i deras Republik; slutligen ville hon åka och bosätta sig i England, som då var ganska lugnt, men dess folk behagade henne inte.
Emellertid fick hon veta genom ett brev från kardinal Antonio att kardinal Giulio Rospigliosi hade skapats till påve under namnet Clemens IX, den 20 juni 1667. Eftersom hon hade haft en viss liäsong med honom, hoppades hon kunna dra fördel av hans pontifikat, och att det dessutom var ett ämne av stor förtjänst, ville hon offentligt vittna om den glädje hon kände därav, oaktat greven av Homburgs remonstrationer från Hessens lantgravars hus för att hindra henne från att begå sig mot folket i en stor stad som Hamburg, till vilken tillfälle skulle ges att visa en del fräckhet mot den respekt som tillkommer Hennes Majestät. Detta bekräftades för henne av en av magistraterna; likväl ville hon följa hennes nyckfullhet och råd från markisen del Monte, som alltid uppmanade henne att spendera pengar, där han fann sitt räkning, ty allt gick genom hans händer.
Hon beordrade därför att ett vackert fyrverkeri skulle förberedas och lät belysa fasaden på hennes palats, där hon hade låtit måla en vacker dekoration med påvens vapen och flera personer som representerade hans dygder. Men ovanför dem fanns en nattvardsfigur i ett moln, avgudad av änglarna, och under det Kyrkan i påvlig kläder som trampade kätteri under fötterna. Man kan föreställa sig vilken effekt en sådan representation måste ha haft i en protestantisk stad, där utövandet av den katolska religionen inte är offentligt tillåten. Också ett antal engelska, holländska och danska sjömän, förenade med befolkningen i Hamburg, lockade av spektaklets nyhet, fyllde snart platsen som ligger framför drottningens palats, där hon, för att öka olyckan, hade lät sätta upp två vinfontäner, vars sprit uppmuntrade dem mer att kasta sten mot dekorationen.
Några av drottningens tjänare, för att undertrycka dessa människors djärvhet, avlossade pistolskott utan kulor genom fönstren, men istället för att driva bort dem, upphetsade detta dem ännu mer att fördubbla sina förolämpningar. De var tvungna att stänga dörrarna till palatset, vars fönsterrutor alla krossades på nolltid; flera, även med tända korkar av halm, ville sätta eld på dörren. I denna ytterlighet fick man tillgripa fyra falkonetter som fanns i rummet och, efter att ha laddat dem med kartesch, sköt de rakt mot denna rasande befolkning, av vilka några dödades och sårades. Detta fick dem verkligen att rekylera; men blodet och ropen från deras sårade kompanjoner livade dem igen. De återvände till laddningen i avsikt att bryta ner dörrarna och plundra hotellet, men eftersom de varken hade smällare eller maskiner för att öppna det, förde ett tjugotal av dessa marodörer en stor, mycket lång balk som fanns på gatan vid dörren till en timmerman som ville göra en skeppsmast av den; och när de flyttade den nästan som de gamlas murbräckor, försökte de flera gånger bryta ner dörren.
Då visste drottningen, men för sent, att hon hade gjort fel genom att inte ha följt de råd som givits henne, och rädslan för att falla i händerna på dessa oförskämda människor gjorde henne så omtöcknad att hon inte visste något mer att besluta om, ty platsen var inte längre hållbar och de flesta tjänarna var utanför, liksom markisen del Monte, från vilken hon hade tagit det väl. Två av dem hittades dock som tog drottningen under armarna och ledde henne ut genom en bakdörr som ledde till en annan gata, de ledde henne till fots, klädd som en man, till monsieur le chevalier de Terlons hus, som då var i Hamburg, varifrån han skulle bege sig till Danmark och Sverige. Han bodde i ett avlägset område, varför var drottningen halvdöd när hon kom dit. De lade henne i sängen och en tid senare kom de med kvällsmat till henne. Hon åt med god aptit och efter att ha återhämtat sig lite, började hon skryta och säga att om de hade låtit henne dyka upp vid fönstren, så skulle hon ha slagit ner alla dessa skurkar som förlorat den respekt som tillkommit henne.
Under denna tid kom prinsen av Homburg, åtföljd av några få herrar av mark och kredit, bland folket, som han försökte blidka med fina ord, och svor att han ville hämnas sig på dessa papistiska hundar som hade orsakat så mycket skandal.
»Men jag svär Er«, fortsatte han, »att det är utan drottningens vetskap och att hon kommer att vara den första att straffa dem, förutsatt att Ni inte upprör henne ytterligare genom att vilja forcera hennes hotell. Vet att om vi inte göra omedelbara gottgörelser därtill, kommer vi att locka till oss vapen inte bara av Sverige och Danmark, utan av alla Imperiets furstar och av kejsaren själv, som kommer att hämnas högt.«
Dessa få ord, uttalade med våld, avväpnade dessa myterister, till vilka borgarna i vapen inte bidrog så lite, med magistraterna i spetsen. Sålunda upphävdes belägringen, och nästa dag förde magistraten drottningen till hennes hotell som i triumf, och denna prinsessa var återigen vänlig nog att låta två tusen kronor utdelas av välgörenhet till de sårade, av vilka två dog. Dessutom stannade hon inte länge i denna stad efter ett så allvarligt alarm, och hon tog vägen till Italien så snart som möjligt.
Om jag vore en anlitad historiker, skulle jag inte ha underlåtit att prisa drottningens oförskämdhet vid detta tillfälle och försäkra att hon hade gett bevis på heroiskt mod, men jag förråder sanningen; ty det är visst att aldrig någon kvinna varit mer förskräckt, fastän hon, när faran var över, spelade fanfaronne och var mycket glad över att vara säker på, att aldrig Alexander eller Caesar visat så mycket fasthet mitt i de största farorna. Hur sant det är att smicker vet hur man döljer och att furstar har stor glädje av att dricka det i långa drag!
Denna lilla händelse påminner mig om en annan som hände henne långt senare i hennes palats vid Lungara i Rom, där hon inte visade mer mod. Det låg en duk utsträckt över innergården för att skydda den från solens strålar. En liten pojke från grannskapet slängde av misstag en säkring i den, vilket satte eld på den. En liten låga skrämde henne så mycket, att hon förtvivlad sprang hit och dit och bad den förste, som kom, med knutna händer, att rädda henne från denna eldsvåda, fastän det fanns mer än nog av hennes folk för att släcka elden, som hade bara bränt en bit lika stor som en handduk från denna duk. Men när faran hade passerat spelade hon gasconne med sin tapperhet, som om hon hade förhindrat att Troyes brändes.
English translation (by Hollingworth):
Whilst the Queen was at Hamburgh, Monsieur Pompone, Monsieur Chevalier de Terlon, and Monsieur the Bishop of Beziers, now Cardinal Bonzi, in their return from their several Ambassages of the two Northern Crowns, and to Poland, passing by this Place; Saluted the Queen, who receiv'd them with great Respect, according to their Quality; and she forgot not to make mention of her Marquiss Del Monte, to boast of his Nobility and of his Honourable Name of Bourbon. But Monsieur Pompone one day told her very calmly, when the Queen would have perswaded him, the Marquiss was of the Family of the Kings of France; that he had read and examined over and over the Genealogy of the House of Bourbon, but then he had no where found, that any Branch of it had ever pass'd into Italy, except one, unless the Constable de Bourbon, who Commanded the Imperial Army, which Sacked Rome in the Year 1527, had left any Bastards in Italy. And at another time, Monsieur de Terl[o]n Reproach'd him before the Prince of Hamburgh, with the Belying his Descent, by his suffering so long the Insolencies of Cleuter towards the French; telling him, that he instead of Reproving him, seem'd rather to encourage him against them. But the greatest Mortification that ever the Marquiss had, was that of Madam the Grand Marshal Sobieski, since Queen, and at this present, Widow of the late King John of Poland, who passing by Hamburgh, the Marquis's was sent to Compliment her, and after in a Visit she made the Queen, he would needs have offered her some unbecoming Familiarity, though I do not well know or in what manner it was; but he received for it such a severe Reprimand from that Princess, and she look'd upon him with so much Contempt, that he had no further inclination to make the like Attempt again.
During her stay here, Pope Alexander VII. died at Rome, and the Queen apprehending that Cardinal Farnese might be chose Pope, she presently thought of a Retreat either to Venice or Holland, believing that this Pope would not suffer the Disorders of her Court. But the States of the United Provinces, who some time before had oblig'd the Swedes to restore to Denmark all they had taken from that Kingdom, sent word to the Queen, That her Royal Character would be slighted in their Republick: And at last she had a mind to have Settled her self in England, which was then quiet enough, but she did not like the People. In the midst of these Thoughts and Projects, she understood by a Letter from Cardinal Antonio, that Cardinal Julio Rospigliosi, was created Pope, by the Name of Clement IX. on the 20th of June 1667.
There had been some Friendship formerly between them, and she hop'd to draw an Advantage from his Pontificate.
Now, therefore because this was a Subject that deserv'd it, she resolv'd to give a publick Testimony of her Joy, notwithstanding the Remonstrances of the Count de Homburg, one of the House of the Lantgraves of Hesse, who advis'd her against it, for fear the People of so great a City as Hamburgh, should commit some Insolence against Her Majesty. This was also confirm'd by one of the Magistrates, but notwithstanding all that could be said, she would follow her own Capricio, and the Counsel of the Marquis, who always push'd her on to Expences, wherein he always found his Account, seeing all things pass'd through his Hands.
She gave Order therefore for the preparing a fine Artificial Fire, and illuminated the Front of her Palace, where she caus'd to be painted a noble Compartment with the Pope's Arms in it, and many curious Figures which represented his Vertues. But above it there was displayed the Picture of the Eucharist in a Cloud, ador'd by Angels, and below was an Emblem of the Church in a Pontifical Habit, treading Heresie under Foot. One might easily have imagined the Effects which such a Representation would produce in a Protestant City, where the Exercise of the Catholick Religion is not publickly permitted. So a great number of Seamen, both English, Dutch, and Danes, joyn'd to the Populace of Hambourgh, crowded into the Space which is before the Palace, being drawn together by the Novelty of the Sight. Where to increase the Misfortune she had made two Fountains of Wine, whose Liquor animated them the more to throw Stones against the Decoration. Some of the Queen's Domesticks to repress the Insolence of the People, shot Pistols out at the Windows without Ball, but this instead of dispersing, incited them the more, and made them redouble their Insults, till they within were forc'd to shut the Palace Gates. The Windows were quickly battered all to pieces, and many of them would have set fire to the Gates with Bundles of Straw. In this Extremity the Queens Servants had recourse to four Falcons that lay in the Hall, loading them with broken pieces of Brass and Iron, and discharged them against the enraged Populace, of whom they kill'd and wounded some others. This indeed made them recoil a little, but the Blood and Cries of their wounded Companions animated them afresh; so they return'd to the Charge with an Intent to break open the Gates and plunder the Palace. But because they had neither Petards, nor Engines to force them, a Score of Lusty Fellows brought a huge long Body of a Tree, that lay at a Carpenter's Door in the Street to make a Mast for a Ship, which they moving backwards and forwards like the Battering Rams of the Antients, did many times essay to break open the Gates.
It was then the Queen knew, but too late, that she had done ill to follow the Counsel which had been given her; and the fear of falling into the Hands of this Insolent Mob, did so terrifie her, that she knew not what to resolve on; for the Place was no longer tenable, and the greatest part of her Domesticks were without Doors, and even the Marquis del Monte from whom she had it.
At last two of the Servants took the Queen by the Arms, and led her out at a Back-door, which opened into another Street, and brought her on Foot, in Man's Apparel, to Monsieur le Chevalier de Terlon's Lodgings, who was then at Hambourgh; from whence he was to pass into Denmark and Sueden. He liv'd in a Quarter of the Town that was at some distance, and the Queen being half dead when she got thither, they put her to Bed, and presently after brought up Supper. When she was come to her self, she began to eat with a good Appetite, and after a while falling into her accustomed Rhodomontades, she affirmed, That if they would have but let her appear at the Windows, she should have Thunderstruck all this Rabble, which had lost the Respect that was due to her.
The Prince of Homburg being informed of this Uproar, he (accompanied by some other Gentlemen of Note and Reputation) crouding themselves among the Populace, endeavour'd to appease them with fair Words, swearing they themselves would be reveng'd on those Dogs the Papists, that had been the Cause of this Scandal; "But" (said they) "the Queen knows nothing of all this, and will be the first that shall Chastize the Inventers, provided you commit no further Outrage, by forcing her Palace. But know, that if we do not make a speedy Reparation for the Injuries done Her Majesty, we shall not only draw upon us the Arms of Sueden and Denmark, but of all the Princes of the Empire, and of the Emperour himself, who will severely revenge it." These few Words pronounc'd with Force, disarm'd these Mutineers; to which also the Burghers being in Arms, did not a little contribute. So the Seige was rais'd, and the next Week after the Magistrates conducted the Queen to her Palace in Triumph. And then this Princess was so bountiful as to disburst Two thousand Crowns among the Wounded, of which two died; yet after this hot Alarm, she staid not long in this City, but in a few Days set forward for Rome.
If I had been a brib'd Historian, I should have extoll'd the undaunted Courage of the Queen upon this Occasion to the very Skies, and assured the World, that [she] gave the utter most Proofs of an Heroick Courage, but then I should have betray'd the Truth: For it is most certain, that never any Woman was more timerous than she; tho' when the Danger was pass'd, she play'd the Braggadocio, and was infinitely pleas'd when her Sycophants affirmed, That neither Alexander nor Caesar had ever testified so much Bravery in the midst of so many Dangers. So true it is, that Flattery can disguise any thing, and that Princes take a great deal of Pleasure in being impos'd upon that way.
This little Accident makes me remember another which happen'd a long while after at her Palace of Langara in Rome, where she expressed every whit as little Courage as here. There was a Linnen Cloath put up before the Window in the Lower Court, to keep off the violent Heat of the Sun. A little Boy of the Neighbourhood by chance throwing a Squib happened to set it on fire. This inconsiderable Flame did so distract her, that she ran up and down from place to place like a Mad Woman, crying to the first she met, and begging with her Hands folded together, to rescue her out of the Fire, though there were People more than enough ready to extinguish it, and that it burnt nothing but the Linnen Cloath, which was not much bigger than an ordinary Table-Cloath: But the Danger being over, she play'd the Gascon again among her Bravo's, as if she her self had sav'd the whole City of Rome from being burnt.
With modernised spelling and punctuation for easier reading:
Whilst the Queen was at Hamburg, Monsieur Pomponne, Monsieur Chevalier de Terlon, and Monsieur the Bishop of Béziers, now Cardinal Bonzi, in their return from their several ambassages of the two northern Crowns and to Poland, passing by this place, saluted the Queen, who received them with great respect according to their quality; and she forgot not to make mention of her Marquis del Monte, to boast of his nobility and of his honourable name of Bourbon. But Monsieur Pomponne one day told her very calmly, when the Queen would have persuaded him the Marquis was of the family of the kings of France, that he had read and examined over and over the genealogy of the House of Bourbon, but then he had nowhere found that any branch of it had ever passed into Italy except one, unless the Constable de Bourbon, who commanded the imperial army which sacked Rome in the year 1527, had left any bastards in Italy.
And at another time, Monsieur de Terlon reproached him before the Prince of Homburg with the belying his descent by his suffering so long the insolencies of Cleuter towards the French, telling him that he, instead of reproving him, seemed rather to encourage him against them. But the greatest mortification that ever the Marquis had was that of Madame the Grand Marshal Sobieski, since Queen, and at this present, widow of the late King John of Poland, who, passing by Hamburg, the Marquis was sent to compliment her, and after, in a visit she made the Queen, he would needs have offered her some unbecoming familiarity, though I do not well know or in what manner it was; but he received for it such a severe reprimand from that princess, and she looked upon him with so much contempt, that he had no further inclination to make the like attempt again.
During her stay here, Pope Alexander VII died at Rome, and the Queen apprehending that Cardinal Farnese might be chose Pope, she presently thought of a retreat either to Venice or Holland, believing that this Pope would not suffer the disorders of her court. But the States of the United Provinces, who some time before had obliged the Swedes to restore to Denmark all they had taken from that Kingdom, sent word to the Queen that her royal character would be slighted in their Republic; and at last she had a mind to have settled herself in England, which was then quiet enough, but she did not like the people.
In the midst of these thoughts and projects, she understood by a letter from Cardinal Antonio that Cardinal Giulio Rospigliosi was created Pope, by the name of Clement IX, on the 20th of June 1667. There had been some friendship formerly between them, and she hoped to draw an advantage from his pontificate. Now therefore, because this was a subject that deserved it, she resolved to give a public testimony of her joy, notwithstanding the remonstrances of the Count de Homburg, one of the House of the Landgraves of Hesse, who advised her against it, for fear the people of so great a city as Hamburg should commit some insolence against Her Majesty. This was also confirmed by one of the magistrates, but, notwithstanding all that could be said, she would follow her own capricio and the counsel of the Marquis, who always pushed her on to expenses, wherein he always found his account, seeing all things passed through his hands.
She gave order therefore for the preparing a fine artificial fire and illuminated the front of her palace, where she caused to be painted a noble compartment with the Pope's arms in it and many curious figures which represented his virtues. But above it there was displayed the picture of the Eucharist in a cloud, adored by angels, and below was an emblem of the Church in a pontifical habit, treading heresy underfoot. One might easily have imagined the effects which such a representation would produce in a Protestant city, where the exercise of the Catholic religion is not publicly permitted. So a great number of seamen, both English, Dutch, and Danes, joined to the populace of Hamburg, crowded into the space which is before the palace, being drawn together by the novelty of the sight. Where, to increase the misfortune, she had made two fountains of wine, whose liquour animated them the more to throw stones against the decoration.
Some of the Queen's domestics, to repress the insolence of the people, shot pistols out at the windows without ball, but this, instead of dispersing, incited them the more and made them redouble their insults till they within were forced to shut the palace gates. The windows were quickly battered all to pieces, and many of them would have set fire to the gates with bundles of straw. In this extremity the Queen's servants had recourse to four falcons that lay in the hall, loading them with broken pieces of brass and iron, and discharged them against the enraged populace, of whom they killed and wounded some others. This indeed made them recoil a little, but the blood and cries of their wounded companions animated them afresh; so they returned to the charge with an intent to break open the gates and plunder the palace. But because they had neither petards nor engines to force them, a score of lusty fellows brought a huge, long body of a tree, that lay at a carpenter's door in the street to make a mast for a ship, which they moving backwards and forwards like the battering rams of the ancients, did many times essay to break open the gates.
It was then the Queen knew, but too late, that she had done ill to follow the counsel which had been given her; and the fear of falling into the hands of this insolent mob did so terrify her that she knew not what to resolve on, for the place was no longer tenable, and the greatest part of her domestics were without doors, and even the Marquis del Monte, from whom she had it. At last, two of the servants took the Queen by the arms and led her out at a back door, which opened into another street, and brought her on foot, in man's apparel, to Monsieur le Chevalier de Terlon's lodgings, who was then at Hamburg, from whence he was to pass into Denmark and Sweden. He lived in a quarter of the town that was at some distance, and the Queen being half-dead when she got thither, they put her to bed and presently after brought up supper. When she was come to herself, she began to eat with a good appetite, and after a while falling into her accustomed rodomontades, she affirmed that if they would have but let her appear at the windows, she should have thunderstruck all this rabble which had lost the respect that was due to her.
The Prince of Homburg being informed of this uproar, he (accompanied by some other gentlemen of note and reputation) crowding themselves among the populace, endeavoured to appease them with fair words, swearing they themselves would be revenged on those dogs the papists that had been the cause of this scandal.
"But", (said they), "the Queen knows nothing of all this and will be the first that shall chastise the inventors, provided you commit no further outrage by forcing her palace. But know that if we do not make a speedy reparation for the injuries done Her Majesty, we shall not only draw upon us the Arms of Sweden and Denmark, but of all the Princes of the Empire, and of the Emperor himself, who will severely revenge it."
These few words, pronounced with force, disarmed these mutineers, to which also the burgers, being in arms, did not a little contribute. So the seige was raised, and the next week after, the magistrates conducted the Queen to her palace in triumph. And then this princess was so bountiful as to disburst two thousand crowns among the wounded, of which two died; yet, after this hot alarm, she stayed not long in this city, but in a few days set forward for Rome.
If I had been a bribed historian, I should have extolled the undaunted courage of the Queen upon this occasion to the very skies and assured the world that [she] gave the uttermost proofs of an heroic courage, but then I should have betrayed the truth. For it is most certain that never any woman was more timorous than she; though, when the danger was passed, she played the braggadocio and was infinitely pleased when her sycophants affirmed that neither Alexander nor Caesar had ever testified so much bravery in the midst of so many dangers. So true it is that flattery can disguise anything and that princes take a great deal of pleasure in being imposed upon that way!
This little accident makes me remember another which happened a long while after at her palace of Lungara in Rome, where she expressed every whit as little courage as here. There was a linen cloth put up before the window in the lower court, to keep off the violent heat of the sun. A little boy of the neighbourhood, by chance throwing a squib, happened to set it on fire. This inconsiderable flame did so distract her that she ran up and down from place to place like a madwoman, crying to the first she met, and begging with her hands folded together, to rescue her out of the fire, though there were people more than enough ready to extinguish it, and that it burnt nothing but the linen cloth, which was not much bigger than an ordinary table cloth. But, the danger being over, she played the Gascon again among her bravos, as if she herself had saved the whole city of Rome from being burnt.
English translation (my own; this is more accurate):
When the Queen was in Hamburg, Monsieur de Pomponne, Monsieur le Chevalier de Terlon, and Monseigneur the Bishop of Béziers, who is now Cardinal de Bonzi, passed through there on their way back from their embassies of the Crowns of the North and of Poland and greeted the Queen, who received them perfectly well according to their merit. She did not fail to show her Marquis del Monte off to them and to boast of his nobility and his great name of Bourbon. Monsieur de Pomponne, with his composure, said one day to the Queen, who wanted to persuade him that the Marquis was related to the King, that he had read and carefully examined the genealogy of the House of Bourbon, but that he had not found that a branch had passed into Italy unless the Constable de Bourbon, who commanded the imperial army when it sacked Rome in 1527, had left bastards in Italy.
Monsieur de Terlon reproached him before the Prince of Homburg that he denied his origin, as Cleuter's insolence went so far towards the French without his reprimanding them that he seemed rather to applaud them. But the greatest mortification he had was from Madame the Grande Maréchale Sobieski, now the Queen of Poland, who, passing through Hamburg, the Marquis went to pay her his compliments after a visit she had paid to the Queen. He wanted to emancipate himself, I do not know how, but he was surprisingly rebuffed; and this princess looked at the personage with such a contemptuous air that he no longer felt like going back there.
In the meantime, Pope Alexander VII died, and in the apprehension that the Queen had that Cardinal Farnese would become Pope, she was already meditating a retreat to Venice or Holland, being persuaded that this new Pope would not suffer the disorders which reigned at Her Majesty's court. The Estates of the United Provinces, which had some time before obliged Sweden to restore to Denmark all that it had conquered from this Crown, informed the Queen that her royal character would be despised in their Republic; finally, she wanted to go and settle in England, which was then quite tranquil, but its people did not please her.
Meanwhile, she learned by a letter from Cardinal Antonio that Cardinal Giulio Rospigliosi had been created Pope under the name of Clement IX, on June 20, 1667. As she had had some liaison with him, she hoped to derive some advantage from his pontificate, and that it was moreover a subject of great merit, she wanted to publicly testify the joy she felt at it, notwithstanding the remonstrances of the Count of Homburg of the House of the Landgraves of Hesse to prevent her from committing herself with the people of a great city like Hamburg, to whom occasion would be given to show some insolence against the respect due to Her Majesty. This was confirmed to her by one of the magistrates; nevertheless she wanted to follow her caprice and the advice of the Marquis del Monte, who always urged her to spend money, where he found his account, because all things passed through his hands.
She therefore ordered a beautiful fireworks display to be prepared and had the facade of her palace illuminated, where she had had a beautiful decoration painted with the arms of the Pope and several personages representing his virtues. But above them was a figure of the Eucharist in a cloud, adored by the angels, and, below that, the Church in pontifical habit which trampled heresy underfoot. One can imagine the effect such a representation must have had in a Protestant city, where the exercise of the Catholic religion is not publicly permitted. Also, a number of English, Dutch and Danish sailors, joined with the populace of Hamburg, attracted by the novelty of the spectacle, soon filled the place which is in front of the Queen's palace, where, to add to the misfortune, she had had two fountains of wine set up, the liquour of which encouraged them more to throw stones at the decoration.
Some of the Queen's domestics, to repress the boldness of these people, fired pistol shots without bullets through the windows, but instead of driving them away, this excited them still more to redouble their insults. They were obliged to close the doors of the palace, the panes of the windows of which were all broken in no time; several, even with lighted corks of straw, wanted to set fire to the door. In this extremity, recourse was had to four falconets which were in the room, and having loaded them with mitraille, they fired straight upon this enraged populace, some of whom were killed and wounded. This indeed made them recoil; but the blood and the cries of their wounded companions animated them again. They returned to the charge with the intention of breaking down the doors and looting the hostel, but as they had neither firecrackers nor machines to open it, about twenty of these marauders brought a large, very long beam, which was in the street, at the door of a carpenter who wanted to make a ship mast out of it; and, moving it almost like the battering ram of the ancients, they tried several times to break down the door.
Then the Queen knew, but too late, that she had done wrong in not having followed the advice given to her, and the fear of falling into the hands of these insolent people made her so stupefied that she did not know anything more to resolve upon, for the place was no longer tenable and most of the domestics were outside, as was the Marquis del Monte, from whom she had taken it well. Two of them were found, however, who took the Queen under the arms and, leading her out by a back door which led to another street, they led her on foot, dressed as a man, to the house of Monsieur le Chevalier de Terlon, who was then at Hamburg, from whence he was to go to Denmark and Sweden. He lived in a remote area, which is why the Queen was half-dead when she arrived there. They put her to bed, and some time later they brought her supper. She ate with a good appetite and, having recovered a little, she began to boast and to say that if they had let her appear at the windows, she would have struck down all these scoundrels who had lost the respect which was due to her.
During this time, the Prince of Homburg, accompanied by a few gentlemen of mark and credit, mingled among the populace, whom he tried to appease by fine words, swearing that he wished to avenge himself on these papist dogs who had caused so much scandal.
"But I swear to you", he continued, "that it is without the knowledge of the Queen and that she will be the first to punish them, provided you do not outrage her further by wanting to force her hostel. For you know that if we do not make prompt reparations to it, we will attract the arms not only of Sweden and Denmark, but of all the princes of the Empire and of the Emperor himself, who will avenge themselves highly."
These few words, pronounced with force, disarmed these mutineers, to which the bourgeoisie in arms contributed not a little, having the magistrates at their head. Thus the siege was lifted, and the next day the magistrate conducted the Queen to her hostel as if in triumph, and this princess was again kind enough to cause two thousand crowns to be distributed out of charity to the wounded, of whom two died. Besides, she did not stay long in this town after such a serious alarm, and she took the road to Italy as soon as possible.
If I were a hired historian, I would not have failed to extol the Queen's intrepidity on this occasion and to assure that she had given proofs of heroic courage, but I betray the truth; for it is certain that never was any woman more terrified, although, when the danger had passed, she played the fanfaronne and was very glad to be assured that never had Alexander or Caesar showed so much firmness in the midst of the greatest perils. How true it is that flattery knows how to disguise and that princes take great pleasure in drinking it in long drafts!
This little incident reminds me of another that happened to her a long time later in her palazzo at the Lungara in Rome, where she showed no more courage. There was a cloth stretched across the inner courtyard to protect it from the rays of the sun. A little boy from the neighbourhood accidentally threw a fuse into it, which set it on fire. A little flame frightened her so much that she ran hither and thither in despair, begging the first person who came, with clasped hands, to save her from this conflagration, although there were more [than enough] of her people to put out the fire, which had only burned only a piece the size of a towel from this cloth. But, the danger having passed, she played the Gascon with her bravery, as if she had prevented the burning of Troyes.
Note: Kristina actually left Hamburg to return to Rome in October 1668.
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