Source:
Christina of Sweden, pages 78 to 81, by Ada Harrison, 1929
The biography:
The unproductive wrangles with Sweden were resumed, Azzolino's coldness increased, and, Poland appearing remotely on the horizon, Christina flung herself towards it. The campaign was almost burlesque. What she would have done with Poland, or Poland with her, had they fallen to each other, it is impossible to guess. She bid for it out of weariness, and out of her unreflecting habit of crying, 'I want! I want!' without giving a thought to what she would do if she got what she wanted.
The Polish throne became vacant through the King, Jean Casimir, Christina's cousin and last scion of the house of Vasa, abdicating in 1667. The Pope had discouraged him, but Louis XIV, with an idea at the back of his mind of settling Condé on the Polish throne, made him valuable offers if he would abdicate before 1668. Casimir accepted, and the elective throne becoming vacant, the idea of exploiting the Vasa cousinship flashed into the minds of the queen and Azzolino. The Cardinal was immensely enthusiastic about the plan, and began at once working hard for it. Perhaps it seemed to him a solution of what he should do with Christina.
Besides Condé and the queen there were three other aspirants to the throne, the Duke of Neuborg [sic], Charles of Lorraine, and the son of the Tsar of Russia. Christina looked to come in on a split vote. The successful candidate did as a matter of fact come in on a split vote; but it was not Christina.
The queen's first step was to apply to the Pope for approval. Clement IX, whose interest was only that no non-catholic should occupy the throne, had already approved two of the candidates, and saw no reason why he should not approve a third. Armed with this important weapon, she flung herself into the campaign. She and Azzolino began addressing the Polish electors. Christina had put forward her celibacy as a plea for the Pope's approval. Azzolino, deluded by his enthusiasm to be rid of her, assured the Poles that she would marry, and practically guaranteed children. The queen was forty-two, but the Cardinal, in a passage that seems to prove their relationship, writes that one of so ardent a temperament was certain to have issue.
Under the stimulus of an object in life, Christina's spirits rose. She sat on in Hamburg pouring out a spate of letters and disposing merrily of the other candidates. Everything about the Duke of Neuborg [sic], was, as usual, sot, especially his ambassador and the fact that his Duchess could speak only German, a language unknown to the Polish ladies. Also 'the Poles have a fearful hatred and antipathy to the Germans, in which I sympathise with them.' Condé, the erstwhile hero, was denounced as too bloody a man for the position. Besides, 'I think that the French are out in their reckoning, for I believe that the Poles would never take a Frenchman. They fear and hate them too much.' It was obvious that the Poles could choose nothing but a Swede, especially a Swede with the credentials of Christina. 'I governed the Swedes for ten years after my minority', she declared to the electors, 'with more absolute power than any of my predecessors, and at this hour am adored, feared and regretted in that kingdom. ... Do the exigencies of the republic demand my appearance at the head of the army? I shall fly with joy to lead her troops to victory.'
Speculations followed on the possibilities of a readjustment in Europe. After a couple of years on the Polish throne, Christina would put in motion her scheme for the Powers' ousting the Turk. It occurred to her that she had better get back to Rome, where she could not only see the Cardinal, but also make her preparations. We do not hear of her ordering new liveries for her suite as she did preparatory to becoming Queen of Naples, but she did write that she wished to be in a place where she could receive the honour of her election 'avec décence.'
Carried along by this tide, she suddenly sees herself in Poland, and her heart faints at the prospect. She will be inconsolable for Rome. What shall she do in a country of which she knows neither the language nor the customs? The only remedy will be for Azzolino to become polacco as well. What, seriously, does he think of that?
But she distressed herself needlessly. Maresciotti [sic], Christina's agent, who prided himself on seizing the moment, decided at a certain point to confide to the Bishop of Posnania, who was the most influential elector, the Pope's choice. The Bishop was agog to hear it. The meeting was arranged[,] and Maresciotti whispered in his ear. On hearing Christina's name the Bishop started back, crossed himself, and begged Maresciotti not to mention it again for fear of being howled down by universal laughter. Christina's Polish campaign was at an end.
She was back in Rome, however, before she heard of its collapse. Prompted by desire, she found that her affairs at last were in order; more, she was 'leaving in glory after having adjusted everything.' She had, at any rate, she protested, becoming pathetically literal, settled everything in a way that would suit Azzolino. Every place, when the time came to leave it, customarily became odious to Christina, but Hamburg had borne that character almost ever since she had set foot in it, two years ago. 'I am leaving this place at last', she wrote, 'with the joy that souls must feel on leaving purgatory — and I hope here to have worked off part of mine.'
Above: Kristina.
Above: Cardinal Decio Azzolino.
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