Source:
Some Historic Women; or, Biographical Studies of Women Who Have Made History, page 282, by William Henry Davenport Adams, 1890-1899; original at the University of Toronto - Robarts Library
Above: Kristina.
The biography:
To Christina's persistent efforts we must ascribe in some degree the happy conclusion of the Thirty Years' War. She continually urged on her ambassadors the necessity of bringing to an end this calamitous and sanguinary struggle, which had swept the fairest parts of Christendom with fire and sword, and sharply reprimanded them when they attempted to raise insuperable objections or formulate impossible conditions. "Be assured", she wrote, in April 1647, "that I desire, above everything in the world, a safe and honourable peace. ... Do not be diverted from this object by the schemes of ambitious persons, unless you are prepared to endure disgrace and encounter my anger." No one rejoiced more sincerely than Christina when the Treaty of Westphalia, in August [sic], 1648, restored peace and safety to bleeding and distracted [divided] Europe. On the courier who brought the news of its signature she bestowed a gold chain with 600 ducats; and the person who brought the auspicious document itself she rewarded with a patent of nobility, and gave him for his arms three crowns united with olive branches, and a dove for the crest.
Christina's noble services in the cause of peace may well appeal to us to treat with indulgence her eccentricities of temper and disposition.
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