Monday, May 20, 2024

Anders Fryxell on Gustav Adolf's final departure from Sweden in May 1630 and the last time he and Kristina saw each other

Source:

Berättelser ur svenska historien, sjette delen: Gustaf II Adolf, pages 206 to 210, by Anders Fryxell, 1833 (1862 edition)
The account:

... Uti slutet af Maj 1630 blefvo ständerna kallade till Stockholm... Enhvar kunde lätteligen förutse de stora olägenheter, som af detta krig skulle i framtiden föranledas; men ingen enda stämma höjde sig deremot. Det ädla, det storsinnade i sjelfva företaget hänryckte alla sinnen och folket offrade sjelfvilligt sina egodelar för den heliga sak, för hvilken deras konung visade sig beredd att offra sitt eget lif. Kriget blef gilladt och nödiga gerder beviljade. Den 20 Maj samlades ständerna på rikssalen, der konungen framträdde, åtföljd af sin fyraåriga dotter. Först upplästes det riksdagsbeslut, hvarigenom denna prinsessa försäkrades om tronföljden, och ständerna förnyade henne deras hyllningsed. Derpå följde förordningen om rikets styrelse under konungens frånvaro. Slutligen tog Gustaf Adolf sjelf till orda. Upplyftande dottern på armarna, anbefallde han henne åt ständernas kärlek och vård med så varma ordalag, att tårarna stego honom sjelf lika som hela församlingen i ögonen. Derpå lemnade han barnet ifrån sig och fortsatte talet...

... Då allt var i ordning för inskeppandet, begaf sig konungen ut till Elfsnabben, åtföljd af hofvet och en talrik folkskara. Krigshären mönstrades ännu en gång och började derpå stiga ombord. Slutligen konungen sjelf. Lilla prinsessan Kristina var äfven närvarande. Man hade låtit henne läsa öfver några korta ord, att dermed taga afsked af fadren; men denne, sysselsatt med så många vigtigare föremål, tycktes på länge icke egna henne någon uppmärksamhet, tills hon slutligen af otålighet började sjelf rycka honom uti rocken. Nu föllo hans blickar på den älskade dottern. Han lyfte henne i famnen under smekningar, tårar och stumma välsignelser. Afskedstimman slog; han återlemnade barnet, steg ombord och seglade ut under myckenhetens jublande rop och välönskningar. ...

English translation (my own):

... At the end of May 1630, the Estates were called to Stockholm... Anyone could easily foresee the great inconveniences that this war would cause in the future; but not a single voice was raised against it. The noble and the magnanimous nature of the enterprise itself captivated all minds, and the people willingly sacrificed their properties for the holy cause, for which their King showed himself ready to sacrifice his own life. The war was approved and necessary concessions granted. On May 20, the Estates gathered in the Hall of State, where the King appeared, accompanied by his four year old daughter. First, the Riksdag decree was read, by which this princess was assured of the succession to the throne, and the Estates renewed their oath of homage to her. Then followed the regulation on the administration of the kingdom during the King's absence. Finally, Gustav Adolf himself spoke. Lifting his daughter in his arms, he commended her to the love and care of the Estates in such warm terms that tears welled up in his eyes as well as those of the whole congregation. Then he put the child away from him and continued his speech...

... When everything was in order for embarkation, the King set out for Älvsnabben, accompanied by the court and a large crowd of people. The army was once more mustered and then began to embark. Finally, the King himself. The little princess Kristina was also present. One had let her read a few short words to say goodbye to her father; but he, occupied with so many more important objects, seemed for a long time to pay no attention to her until finally, out of impatience, she began to tug him by the coat herself. Now his eyes fell on his beloved daughter. He lifted her in his arms amid caresses, tears and silent blessings. The hour of parting struck; he left the child, got on board, and sailed out amid the cheering shouts and well-wishes of the multitude. ...


Above: Gustav Adolf presents Kristina to the Estates as his heir. Painted by Pelagio Palagi in the early 19th century.


Above: Anders Fryxell.

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