Sources:
A journal of the Swedish ambassy, volume 2, pages 179 to 185, by Bulstrode Whitelocke, published in 1772
Bulstr. Whitelockes Dag-Bok Öfver Dess Ambassade til Sverige, pages 674 to 676, translated by Johan Edman, 1777
The diary entry excerpt:
... This day being appointed for Whitelocke's last audience, he was habited in a plain suit of very fine english cloth of muske colour, the buttons of gold, enamelled, and in each button a rubye, and rich points and ribbons of gold; his gentlemen were in their richest clothes, his pages and lacquayes, above twenty, in their liveryes.
In the afternoon, two of the ricks senators, with the master of the ceremonies, came with two of the queen's coaches to Whitelocke's house, to bring him to his audience; he received them with the usuall ceremonie, and, after they had sate a little while in his bed-chamber, one of the senators said, that, by the queen's commaund, they were come to him to accompany him to his audience, which he had desired this day, and that her majesty was ready to receive him.
Whitelocke answeared, that he was alwayes desirous to waite uppon her majesty, and not the lesse now, bicause it was in order to returne to his own countrey. They made no long complements, butt went downe and tooke their coaches.
The noblemens coaches, sent thither to accompany him, went first, then followed his two coaches, and last, the queen's coaches: in the last of them sate the two senators in the fore-end, Whitelocke in the backe-end, and the master in the boote; the gentlemen in the severall coaches, the pages and lacquayes walking and riding behind the coaches.
Att the bridge of the castle was a guard of musquetiers more then formerly, of about two companies, with their officers; they made a lane from the bridge to the end of the court: as soon as Whitelocke was alighted out of the coach, the ricks hough master, with his silver staffe, mett him att the stayres foote; very many of the queen's servants and courtiers with him, very gallant. Whitelocke's gentlemen went first, two and two up the stayres; after them, the queen's servants, then the master of the ceremonies, then the hough marshall, then the two senators and Whitelocke between them, followed by his sons, his chaplains, physitian, secretaries, and steward, and after them, his pages and lacquayes.
In this order they mounted the stayres, and through the great chamber to the guard chamber, where the queen's partizans stood in their rich coates, with the armes of Sweden imbroydered with gold, their swords by their sides, and rich halberts guilded in their hands; they stood in a fixed posture, more like images then men.
When they came to the audience chamber, there was scarce roome for any of Whitelocke's gentlemen to come in, butt, by the civility of the queen's servants, roome was made for them, and they made a lane from the doore of the chamber to the upper end neer the queen, who was uppon a foot pace, covered with carpets, and a rich canopy over her head.
Her habit was blacke silke stuffe for her coates, and over them a blacke velvet jippo, such as men use to weare; she had uppon her breast the jewell of the order of the knights of Amaranta, her hayre hung loose as it used to doe, and her hatt was after the fashion of men: a great number of senators, and of civill and military officers and courtiers, many more then ordinarily did appeare att any audience, stood all bare about her, and a few ladyes were behind her.
She stood uppon the carpets before the state with her hatt on, and when Whitelocke came first into the roome, and pulled off his hatt, the queen presently pulled off her hatt, and when Whitelocke made his honors, she answeared him, though att that distance, with a short cour[t]sey. After his three obeysances, being come up to the queen, he kist her hand; then the queen putt on her hatt, and Whitelocke putt on his hatt, and, after a little pawse, with high silence and solemnity in all the company, Whitelocke took off his hatt, and the queen took off her hatt likewise, and all the time of his speaking both of them were uncovered. Whitelocke having made his ceremonies, spake to the queen thus:
"Madame,
I confesse that the time of my absence from my relations, and concernements in my own countrey, would have seemed very tedious, had I not bin in the publique service, and honored with admittance into your majesty's presence; whose favours, answearable to your greatnes, though above my merit, have bin inlarged towards me during the whole time of my residence, under the just and safe protection of your majesty: the which, with the civilities of those most excellent persons with whom I treated, and of those who have bin pleased to honor me with their acquaintance in your court, I shall not fayle to acknowledge with all respect.
Butt, madame, to your majesty I shall not presume to returne any other acknowledgement then by the thankes of my lord the protector, who is able to judge of the affection showed to him and to the common-wealth, wherof he is the head, by the honor done unto their servant.
Madame, it is your great judgement in the publique interest, and your desire to advance the good of your own state, and that of your neighbors, and the perticular respect that you beare to my master, wherby the buisnes trusted to my care by his highnes is brought to such an issue, as I hope will be a solide foundation of great and mutuall prosperity to both these nations.
I have nothing to adde on my parte, butt to intreate that my faylings and errors, not willingly committed, may be excused, to take my leave of your majesty, and to assure you, that there is no person who honors you more then I doe, and who shall be more ready to lay hold on any opportunity, wherby I may indeavor, to the utmost of my power, to contribute to the happyness and prosperity of your royall majesty, and of your people."
As it was done att Whitelocke's first audience, so he now ordered it, that Mons. de la Marche, one of his chapleins, did, att the end of every sentence as Whitelocke spake, interpret the same to the queen in french.
During all the time of his speaking to the queen, she looked him wistly in the face, and came up very neer unto him, as she had done att his first audience, perhaps to have daunted him, as she had done others, butt he was not daunted; and when he had made an end of speaking, after a little pawse, the queen answeared him in the swedish language, which was then interpreted in latin to Whitelocke, to this effect:
"My lord ambassador,
It may well be, that your stay in this place, where you have bin so ill accommodated, and your absence from your neer relations and native countrey, hath bin tedious to you; butt I can assure you, that your residence in my court hath bin a contentment to myselfe, and to those who have had the honor to converse with you in this place: and it would have bin a blemish to me, and to all under my governement, if, in this time, any thing of injury or daunger had fallen out to your person, or to any of your people. I hope I may say, that there hath bin no such thing offered to you, and I am glad of it.
I doe not know that your judgement hath deceived you in any thing butt this, that you have too great a value of my understanding of publique affayres. It hath bin your prudent management of the buisnes committed to your trust by the protector, and my perticular respects to him, and to your common-wealth, with the good inclinations of the people of this countrey towards you, and the generall interest of the protestant party, which have brought your buisnes to effect; and which, I hope, will occasion much good and happynes to these nations, and to all the evangelicall party. And truely, sir, your demeanor on all occasions requires from us this testimony, that we have found much honor, and great abilities to be in you; and I should be very unwilling to part with so good company, were it not in order to your own satisfaction for your returne to England.
I know no errors committed by you heer, butt desire your excuse of the want of those expressions of our respect, which this place would not afforde: the thankes are due to you, for your patience, and for the affection which you have testifyed to me and to this nation, from whom you may depend uppon a firme friendship and amitie, with a true respect to the protector and his common-wealth of England, and an honorable esteem of yourselfe in perticular, to whom we wish a safe and prosperous returne to your own countrey."
After the queen had done speaking, Whitelocke had some private discourse of complement with her in french, to give her majesty thankes for her noble treatment of him, and many favors to him; then, according to the usage of this court, he delivered to Mons. Lagerfeldt, standing by, a copy of his speech in english, signed by him with his hand, and another copy of his speech in latin, not signed by him, to be presented to the queen: then Whitelocke tooke his leave, and kist her majesty's hand, who gave him the à Dieu with great respect and civility.
He was conducted back to his coach with the same ceremony as he was brought to his audience, and the same two senators, with the master of the ceremonies, returned with him to his house; and, after usuall complements past between them, they returned to the court. ...
With modernised spelling:
... This day being appointed for Whitelocke's last audience, he was habited in a plain suit of very fine English cloth of musk colour, the buttons of gold, enameled, and in each button a ruby, and rich points and ribbons of gold; his gentlemen were in their richest clothes, his pages and lackeys, above twenty, in their liveries.
In the afternoon, two of the rix-senators, with the master of the ceremonies, came with two of the Queen's coaches to Whitelocke's house to bring him to his audience; he received them with the usual ceremony, and, after they had sat a little while in his bedchamber, one of the senators said that, by the Queen's command, they were come to him to accompany him to his audience, which he had desired this day, and that Her Majesty was ready to receive him.
Whitelocke answered that he was always desirous to wait upon Her Majesty, and not the less now, because it was in order to return to his own country. They made no long compliments, but went down and took their coaches.
The noblemen's coaches, sent thither to accompany him, went first, then followed his two coaches, and last the Queen's coaches. In the last of them sate the two senators in the fore end, Whitelocke in the back end, and the master in the boot; the gentlemen in the several coaches, the pages and lackeys walking and riding behind the coaches.
Att the bridge of the castle was a guard of musketeers more than formerly, of about two companies, with their officers; they made a lane from the bridge to the end of the court. As soon as Whitelocke was alighted out of the coach, the rix-hofmaster, with his silver staff, met him at the stairs' foot, very many of the Queen's servants and courtiers with him, very gallant. Whitelocke's gentlemen went first, two and two up the stairs; after them, the Queen's servants, then the master of the ceremonies, then the hofmarshal, then the two senators and Whitelocke between them, followed by his sons, his chaplains, physician, secretaries and steward, and after them, his pages and lackeys.
In this order they mounted the stairs, and through the great chamber to the guard chamber, where the Queen's partisans stood in their rich coats, with the arms of Sweden embroidered with gold, their swords by their sides, and rich halberds gilded in their hands; they stood in a fixed posture, more like images than men.
When they came to the audience chamber, there was scarce room for any of Whitelocke's gentlemen to come in, but, by the civility of the Queen's servants, room was made for them, and they made a lane from the door of the chamber to the upper end near the Queen, who was upon a footpace covered with carpets, and a rich canopy over her head.
Her habit was black silk stuff for her coats, and over them a black velvet jippo, such as men use to wear; she had upon her breast the jewel of the Order of the Knights of Amarante. Her hair hung loose as it used to do, and her hat was after the fashion of men. A great number of senators and of civil and military officers and courtiers, many more than ordinarily did appear at any audience, stood all bare about her, and a few ladies were behind her.
She stood upon the carpets before the state with her hat on, and when Whitelocke came first into the room and pulled off his hat, the Queen presently pulled off her hat, and when Whitelocke made his honours, she answered him, though at that distance, with a short curtsey. After his three obeisances, being come up to the Queen, he kissed her hand; then the Queen put on her hat, and Whitelocke put on his hat, and, after a little pause, with high silence and solemnity in all the company, Whitelocke took off his hat, and the Queen took off her hat likewise, and all the time of his speaking both of them were uncovered. Whitelocke having made his ceremonies, spake to the Queen thus:
"Madame,
I confess that the time of my absence from my relations, and concernments in my own country, would have seemed very tedious had I not been in the public service and honoured with admittance into Your Majesty's presence, whose favours, answerable to your greatness, though above my merit, have been enlarged towards me during the whole time of my residence, under the just and safe protection of Your Majesty; the which, with the civilities of those most excellent persons with whom I treated, and of those who have been pleased to honour me with their acquaintance in your court, I shall not fail to acknowledge with all respect.
But, Madame, to Your Majesty I shall not presume to return any other acknowledgement than by the thanks of Milord the Protector, who is able to judge of the affection showed to him and to the Commonwealth, whereof he is the head, by the honour done unto their servant.
Madame, it is your great judgement in the public interest, and your desire to advance the good of your own state, and that of your neighbours, and the particular respect that you bear to my master, whereby the business trusted to my care by His Highness is brought to such an issue, as I hope will be a solid foundation of great and mutual prosperity to both these nations.
I have nothing to add on my part but to entreat that my failings and errors, not willingly committed, may be excused to take my leave of Your Majesty and to assure you that there is no person who honours you more than I do and who shall be more ready to lay hold on any opportunity whereby I may endeavour, to the utmost of my power, to contribute to the happiness and prosperity of Your Royal Majesty and of your people."
As it was done at Whitelocke's first audience, so he now ordered it that Monsieur de la Marche, one of his chaplains, did, at the end of every sentence as Whitelocke spake, interpret the same to the Queen in French.
During all the time of his speaking to the Queen, she looked him wistly in the face and came up very near unto him, as she had done at his first audience, perhaps to have daunted him, as she had done others, but he was not daunted; and when he had made an end of speaking, after a little pause, the Queen answered him in the Swedish language, which was then interpreted in Latin to Whitelocke, to this effect:
"Milord Ambassador,
It may well be that your stay in this place, where you have been so ill-accommodated, and your absence from your near relations and native country, hath been tedious to you; but I can assure you that your residence in my court hath been a contentment to myself and to those who have had the honour to converse with you in this place. And it would have been a blemish to me, and to all under my government if, in this time, anything of injury or danger had fallen out to your person or to any of your people. I hope I may say that there hath been no such thing offered to you, and I am glad of it.
I do not know that your judgement hath deceived you in any thing but this, that you have too great a value of my understanding of public affaires. It hath been your prudent management of the business committed to your trust by the Protector, and my particular respects to him and to your Commonwealth, with the good inclinations of the people of this country towards you and the general interest of the Protestant party, which have brought your business to effect; and which, I hope, will occasion much good and happiness to these nations and to all the Evangelical party. And truly, Sir, your demeanour on all occasions requires from Us this testimony, that We have found much honour and great abilities to be in you; and I should be very unwilling to part with so good company were it not in order to your own satisfaction for your return to England.
I know no errors committed by you here, but desire your excuse of the want of those expressions of Our respect, which this place would not afford. The thanks are due to you for your patience and for the affection which you have testified to me and to this nation, from whom you may depend upon a firm friendship and amity, with a true respect to the Protector and his Commonwealth of England, and an honourable esteem of yourself in particular, to whom We wish a safe and prosperous return to your own country."
After the Queen had done speaking, Whitelocke had some private discourse of compliment with her in French, to give Her Majesty thanks for her noble treatment of him and many favours to him; then, according to the usage of this court, he delivered to Monsieur Lagerfeldt, standing by, a copy of his speech in English, signed by him with his hand, and another copy of his speech in Latin, not signed by him, to be presented to the Queen. Then Whitelocke took his leave and kissed Her Majesty's hand, who gave him the adieu with great respect and civility.
He was conducted back to his coach with the same ceremony as he was brought to his audience, and the same two senators, with the master of the ceremonies, returned with him to his house; and, after usual compliments passed between them, they returned to the court. ...
Approximate reconstruction of Kristina's speech as it was in Swedish (from Edman's Swedish translation):
My Lord Ambassadeur.
Jag kan väl tro, der J ej ansedt Edart vistande här i mitt land, hvarest J ej så väl blifvit emottagen och undfägnad, som vederbordt, för synnerligen nöjsamt, då J varit skild ifrån Edart Fädernesland och Edra vänner; men jag kan försäkra, at det förskaffat så väl mig et fullkomligt nöje, som dem, hvilke haft den hedren at deltaga i Edart sällskap; och skulle det för mig och mina undersåtare vara en vanheder, om under denna tiden någon oförrätt eller öfvervåld mött Eder eller någon af Edar Svite. Men jag hoppas, och tör säga, at ej något sådant händt, hvaröfver jag är hjerteligen glad.
Jag har ej märkt at Edart omdöme i något misstagit sig, om ej i den stora tanka J utmärkt Eder hysa om min insigt och skickelighet i publique affairer. Och har J at tacka Edar försigtighet, under utförandet af Edart ärende, jämte min aktning för Hans Höghet Protector och Edar Nation, samt mina undersåtares tilgifvenhet för Engelske folket och vårt allmänna interesse för Religionens bibehållande i sin renhet, at denne affairen blifvit så väl afslutad, som jag hoppas, til bägge Nationernes förmon och nytta, samt Protestantiske Religions-förvanternes bästa; och har i sanning, min Herre, Edart upförande vid alla tilfällen varit sådant, at vi därutaf märkt Edar stora skickelighet, samt den myckna ära och heder, som är driffjädren til alt Edart företagande; och skulle jag ganska ogerna gå miste om et så godt sällskap, därest icke Edar hemresa til England vore oundvikelig.
Jag känner inga förseelser, hvartil J kan anses skyldig, utan beder Eder ursäkta, det vårt vistande på denna orten ej tillåtit oss at visa Eder all den aktning vi önskat. Vi tacke Eder för det tolamod, hvarmed J uptagit alt, och för den tilgifvenhet J å daga lagt för mig och denna Nation, på hvars vänskap, så väl som aktning, Protector och Engelske folket kunna räkna, ej mindre än J för enskilt del, och önske vi Eder af alt hjerta en lyckelig resa tilbaka til Edart Fädernesland.
With modernised spelling:
Milord Ambassador,
Jag kan väl tro, där I ej ansett Edert vistande här i mitt land, varest I ej så väl blivit emottagen och undfägnad, som vederbort, för synnerligen nöjsamt, då I varit skild ifrån Edert Fädernesland och Edra vänner; men jag kan försäkra att det förskaffat så väl mig et fullkomligt nöje som dem vilka haft den hedren att deltaga i Edert sällskap; och skulle det för mig och mina undersåtare vara en vanheder om under denna tiden någon oförrätt eller övervåld mött Eder eller någon av Eder svit. Men jag hoppas och tör säga att ej något sådant hänt, varöver jag är hjärtligen glad.
Jag har ej märkt att Edert omdöme i något misstagit sig, om ej i den stora tanka I utmärkt Eder hysa om min insikt och skicklighet i publika affärer. Och har I att tacka Eder försiktighet under utförandet av Edert ärende, jämte min aktning för Hans Höghet protektor och Eder nation, samt mina undersåtares tillgivenhet för engelska folket och vårt allmänna intresse för religionens bibehållande i sin renhet, att denna affären blivit så väl avslutad, som jag hoppas, till bägge nationernas förmån och nytta, samt protestantiska religionsförvanternas bästa; och har i sanning, min herre, Edert uppförande vid alla tillfällen varit sådant at Vi därutav märkt Eder stora skicklighet, samt den myckna ära och heder som är drivfjädren til allt Edert företagande; och skulle jag ganska ogärna gå miste om ett så gott sällskap därest icke Eder hemresa till England vore oundviklig.
Jag känner inga förseelser vartill I kan anses skyldig, utan beder Eder ursäkta det vårt vistande på denna orten ej tillåtit Oss att visa Eder all den aktning Vi önskat. Vi tacke Eder för det tålamod varmed I upptagit allt och för den tillgivenhet I ådagalagt för mig och denna nation, på vars vänskap, såväl som aktning, protektor och engelska folket kunna räkna, ej mindre än I för enskild del, och önske Vi Eder av allt hjärta en lycklig resa tillbaka till Edert Fädernesland.
_(David_Beck)_-_Nationalmuseum_-_17258.tif.jpg)
Above: Kristina.
.jpg)
Above: Bulstrode Whitelocke.
Note: wistly = intently, attentively.
No comments:
Post a Comment