Source:
Memoirs of Christina, Queen of Sweden, volume 1, pages 216 to 219, by Henry Woodhead, 1863; original at the University of Michigan
Kristina's letter of June 30/July 10 (New Style), 1646 to the Prince de Condé is here:
His reply letter to her is here:
The account:
[... Torstenson belonged to an old West Gothland family, who continued longer than any other the ancient custom of being named only from their father's Christian name. They had no surname until they took one from the renowned Leonard Torstenson.]
His loss was less felt than it would otherwise have been, because the great Condé was now fighting on the side of the Swedes. He had lately established his fame by the destruction of the celebrated Spanish Infantry at Rocroi.
He took command of the French army in Germany in 1645, when even Turenne had not been able to hold his ground before the Imperial General Mercy.
Condé soon changed the face of affairs. He fought a battle at Nördlingen, the same place where the Swedes had sustained their memorable defeat.
The Imperialists were now completely routed, and Mercy himself was killed.
The generous victor erected a monument over his remains, with the epitaph, "Sta, viator: heroem calcas."
Christina wrote the following flattering letter to the young Conqueror: —
"My Cousin, — Fearing that my ambassador, the Count de la Gardie, will not have seen you, I do not think that the congratulations conveyed by the gentleman I have ordered him to send you will be sufficient, unless I record with my own hand the high esteem I feel for your extraordinary merit. I assure you that my own successes have never given me greater satisfaction than your splendid victories have done. If your only exploit had been to revenge the manes of my soldiers who fell at Nördlingen, I should take the warmest interest in your glory. I hoped that your services would have been continued in Germany, and my own interest made me wish you to pass the Rhine again, and complete the humiliation of our enemies; but wherever the King my brother is pleased to employ you, I will always show you, by the joy with which I receive the tidings of your successes, that I am your affectionate cousin,
"CHRISTINA."
Condé's answer was modest and graceful. He said: —
"I owe to your Majesty's goodness the high opinion that you have of me. My success in Germany is to be attributed rather to the fortune of the King's and of your Majesty's arms, than to my courage. It is your generosity, madam, which allows moderate successes to rank as illustrious victories. It is your Majesty's approbation only which makes me also esteem them so highly. The example of the great Gustavus might lead me to hope for success; but as he was born to be inimitable, and as it would be necessary to bring him back to finish those great actions worthily which he began, there is no cause for surprise that I have not been able to equal him. I content myself with having revenged, at Nördlingen, an injury which fortune did to his arms after his death, which she would not have dared to do during his life. To repair this injury, madam, I have fought for his glory, and for yours, that the enemies over whom he gained so many battles, might not boast of winning one from you. I should have been happy to spend my life in so glorious an employment, if the affairs of the King had permitted it; but on whichever side of the Rhine I may be ordered to serve, I shall always feel the most ardent desire to prove my devotion to your Majesty."
The mutual admiration of Christina and Condé lasted until they met, when the charm was broken.
Above: Kristina.
Above: The Prince de Condé.
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