Source:
Christina, Queen of Sweden, pages 195 to 198, by Francis William Bain, 1890; original at the University of Connecticut Library
The account:
There is no more truth in the allegations respecting her neglect of affairs with Spain, or the dark surmisings of her enemies as to this power. There are no signs of any inclination on her part to a treaty between Spain, England, and Sweden; Pimentelli indeed spoke to Whitelocke on the subject, but such a treaty was to the taste of neither Christina nor Cromwell, and the idea was not entertained. The Queen confined herself to sending an ambassador to Spain, to make overtures as to a commercial treaty with Sweden; this was the status quo when she abdicated. She showed no appearance of hostility to France, but assured Picques of her continued good will to that country.
It is the same when we examine her dealings with the Imperial Court. Christina showed favour to its ambassador Montecuculi, and endeavoured, indeed, to conciliate Frederick III. by supporting the claims of his son to be elected King of Rome, writing for that purpose to the electors in April, 1653. But the motive of this was purely political, and had nothing to do with Pimentelli or Montecuculi. She aimed at settling the difficulties that had arisen about Bremen. Sweden had, it will be remembered, acquired the bishopric of Bremen by the treaty of Westphalia; the present disputes turned upon the respective rights of the town and those Sweden had gained over it. There were also differences with Brandenburg and Pomerania. It is not necessary here to examine details; the settlement of both questions took place in the next reign, but the point to be noticed is that in order to a settlement it was necessary to gain the goodwill of the Emperor, to which accordingly Christina applied herself, as usual, with diplomatic skill. She had not time to accomplish it, but she prepared the way.
With Holland, in spite of certain vexatious actions tending to injure and interfere with Swedish commerce, she confined herself to sharp remonstrances, which had their effect; she took no part in the war of 1652–3, in which the Dutch were beaten by Cromwell, and here maintained her usual peace policy. As to the old enemies, Denmark and Poland, the prospect looked darker; the jealousy and fear of the former country, and the irritating claims of the latter, were respectively complicated by Ulfeld and Radziejowski, each anxious to forestall the other in attacking his own country and enforcing his rights by the help of Sweden. A war with these countries was merely a question of time; Christina pointed to this, when, in answer to the protestation of Poland against the election of Charles Gustavus, she replied that her cousin would "prove which had the best right to the throne by the testimony of thirty thousand men:" a prediction verified by the "New Pyrrhus", as soon as he came to the throne. For the wars of Sweden with Poland and Denmark, however, not Christina was responsible, but the old national animosities and the fiery character of Charles X.
Above: Kristina.
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