Bulstrode Whitelocke's diary entry of January 8/18 (Old Style), 1654

Source:

A journal of the Swedish ambassy, in the years M.DCC.LIII. and M.DCC.LIV., volume 1, pages 308 to 309, by Bulstrode Whitelocke, 1772

https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_Journal_of_the_Swedish_Ambassy/gPFMAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=A+journal+of+the+Swedish+embassy+Bulstrode+Whitelocke,+1772&printsec=frontcover

The diary entry:

The Lord's day, yett after sermons Whitelocke thought first to send his son James to visit the chancellor, and to congratulate his safe arrivall att Ubsale. Berkman accompanyed James to the chancellor's lodging, who received the message with great respect, and the more (as Berkman said) bicause it was delivered in latin. He excused Whitelocke's ill intertainment by the way, and heer; which he said was not according as the queen desired: he made many professions of his respect to the common-wealth of England, and to their ambassador.

Yett there was no complement for a personal visit of one another: the master of the ceremonies, and others, pressed Whitelocke to make the first visit to the chancellor, as a complement expected from him, and which was done by other ambassadors to that great and prime minister of state the ricks chancellor. Whitelocke told them plainely, that unlesse the chancellor did first visite him, that he would not visite the chancellor; and this he did for the honor of his nation, and believing (as it fell out) that for this carryage, though towards himselfe, the chancellor would have the better opinion of him. Att this distance they stood; Whitelocke refusing to give the first visit, bicause he was the ambassador of England, which he did heer represent, and the chancellor was a subject in his own countrey.

The queen heard of this, and seemed to expostulate why Whitelocke should not afforde her servant the same respect as other ambassadors did, and was told, that Whitelocke answeared, that other mens actions must not guide his, nor could they answear for his actions; nor would he doe any thing which he doubted might reflect uppon the honor of his nation, although others did so; that if no question had bin stirred about the first visit, he should not have insisted on it, butt the question being moved, he thought he could not doe it without prejudice to the right of England. The queen, when she saw Whitelocke would not be altered, said, that he did heerin like a person who understood his right, and was carefull of his nation's honor, which she commended, and said, she would take order that her chancellor should give Whitelocke the first visite. ...

With modernised spelling:

The Lord's day, yet after sermons Whitelocke thought first to send his son James to visit the Chancellor and to congratulate his safe arrival at Uppsala. Berkman accompanied James to the Chancellor's lodging, who received the message with great respect, and the more (as Berkman said) because it was delivered in Latin. He excused Whitelocke's ill entertainment by the way and here; which he said was not according as the Queen desired. He made many professions of his respect to the Commonwealth of England and to their ambassador.

Yet there was no compliment for a personal visit of one another; the Master of the Ceremonies and others pressed Whitelocke to make the first visit to the Chancellor, as a compliment expected from him, and which was done by other ambassadors to that great and prime minister of state, the Rix-Chancellor. Whitelocke told them plainly that unless the Chancellor did first visit him, that he would not visit the Chancellor; and this he did for the honour of his nation, and believing (as it fell out) that for this carriage, though towards himself, the Chancellor would have the better opinion of him. At this distance they stood, Whitelocke refusing to give the first visit because he was the ambassador of England, which he did here represent, and the Chancellor was a subject in his own country.

The Queen heard of this and seemed to expostulate why Whitelocke should not afford her servant the same respect as other ambassadors did, and was told that Whitelocke answered that other men's actions must not guide his, nor could they answer for his actions. Nor would he do anything which he doubted might reflect upon the honour of his nation, although others did so; that if no question had been stirred about the first visit, he should not have insisted on it; but, the question being moved, he thought he could not do it without prejudice to the right of England. The Queen, when she saw Whitelocke would not be altered, said that he did herein like a person who understood his right and was careful of his nation's honour, which she commended, and said she would take order that her chancellor should give Whitelocke the first visit. ...

Above: Kristina.

Above: Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna.

Above: Bulstrode Whitelocke.