Sources:
Brieve relation de la vie de Christine reyne de Suede, jusques à la demission de sa couronne & sa arriuement à Bruxelles, pages 15 to 18, published by Gregorio Leti or Monsieur Saint-Maurice (erroneously attributed to Urbain Chevreau), 1656
Recueil de quelques pièces curieuses: servant à l'esclaircissement de l'histoire de la vie de la reyne Christine, ensemble plusieurs voyages qu'elle à faites, pages 91 to 99, published by Pierre de Marteau, 1668
Histoire de la Vie de la Reyne Christine de Suede, avec un veritable recit du Sejour de la Reyne à Rome, et la Defense du Marquis Monaldeschi contre la Reyne de Suede, pages 91 to 99, published by Jean Plein-de-Courage, 1678
A relation of the life of Christina Queen of Svveden: with her resignation of the crown, voyage to Bruxels, and journey to Rome. Whereunto is added, her Genius, Translated out of French, by I. H., translated by John Howell, 1656
User comments page for the book on VuFind (Trinity College Cambridge):
Above: Kristina.
The account:
Mais que dirons nous de l'injustice horrible que cette Princesse a fait à ses Creanciers? Quand je l'envisage, j'en ay horreur, & j'estime que ceux qui ont pris la demission comme une fameuse banqueroute, ont eu quelque raison; il s'est veu, j'en suis le tesmoin, des marchands joüailliers de qui elle avoit pris le bien aux uns pour dix, aux autres pour 20. & à quelques uns pour 30. mil. livres ausquels elle a fait traisner leur payemens durant 6. 10. & 15. mois, mesme 2. ans, & en fin elle s'en est partie leur laissant des billets, qui seront acquitez ad Calendas Græcas; N'est ce pas une chose estonnante, & qui crie vengeance à Dieu, dequoy ces pauvres gens ont esté forcez de se divertir de leurs affaires, de manger leur bien en païs estranger, ou les despences sont grandes, & en fin de se voir les mains vuides? mais ne vous en estonnez pas, la maxime de Bourdelot que la Reyne a parfaitement bien suivie, estoit, que les Rois pouvoient disposer du bien des particuliers à leur plaisir; mais ou a t'il puisé cette fausse doctrine? sans doute que c'est dans le fond de son ame noire, & lasche: J'ay veu de ces marchands demander avec toutes les instances possibles leurs joyaux, puis qu'ils se voyent hors d'esperance d'en estre payez, mais ils estoyent entre les mains d'une Princesse, qui a le coeur trop bon pour jamais rendre; ce n'est pas qu'elle ne fust parfaitement bien informée du tort que l'on leur faisoit, car elle en estoit advertie par des requestes, qu'ils luy presentoient, lesquelles elle recevoit toutes, les lisoit sur sa cheze percée, & puis s'en torchoit le derriere.
Mais quelle justice doit on attendre d'une personne, qui ne s'en fait pas à soy mesme? envisagez un peu sa conduitte dans l'Oeconomie de sa maison. Son Intendant, auquel elle a envoyé tous ses creanciers, est un homme qui ne sçait ni lire ni escrire, à la reserve de son nom, qu'il a appris à griffonner depuis quelque temps; il estoit tailleur de son mestier, & s'appelloit Maistre Iean; dont cette Princesse a changé l'aiguille & les Ciseaux, en une espée, l'ayant annobly, & luy a donné le nom de Leyon Crona; mais par ma foy, il porte plustost la ressemblance d'un Guenon, que d'un Lion. Cet homme illustre a sçeu si bien mesnager l'esprit de la Reyne, qu'elle luy a commis l'Intendance & l'Oeconomie de toute sa maison, lequel suivant le genie de sa Maistresse, s'est estudié dans son ignorance à fourber tout le monde; & s'est rendu si sçavant dans cet art, qu'il n'y a eu que ceux qui n'ont point eu affaire à luy, qui ayent eschappé de ses tromperies. Il a commencé, de s'enrichir dans le voyage qu'il fit en France pour les appareils du courronnement de la Reyne, d'ou ayant apporté un amas des plus meschantes estoffes, il en a fait commerce en Suede de cette façon: c'est pour lors que la Reyne donnoit quelque Commis à ses domestiques, ou autres pour s'habiller; Maistre Jean les assignoit sur le marchand auquel il avoit fié son Magazin, si bien qu'on se trouvoit par là contraint de s'addresser à luy, qui donnoit des marchandises de la valeur de 50. escus, pour 100. qui luy estoyent recognus, en quoy l'eschange n'estoit pas trop desavantageus pour luy.
Pour passer de l'Intendant aux Valets de chambre, qui en leur espece gouvernoient aussi la Reyne, c'estoyent des personnages dignes d'estre cognus, l'on s'appelloit du Piquet, François de nation, qui a esté le plus infame maquereau du monde, & dont la femme a esté detenuë en prison à Bruxelle ou à Anvers, à cause de ses infames pratiques: l'autre se nommoit Alexandre, Italien de naissance, qu'on dit tirer son illustre extraction d'un fort celebre savatier, & tous deux ont esté nommez «les cochons de la Reyne», lesquels elle a anobly, sans que jamais ils ayent fait une action remarquable qu'en infamie & en lascheté: si c'est pour l'avoir servie, il y en a cent autres qui ont eu cet honneur, & qui l'ont fait plus honorablement & avec plus de fidelité, & avec plus de gloire. Voilá comme cette Princesse a gardé les loix de la justice dans toute sa conduite.
Consultez s'il vous plaist les Gentils-hommes de la chambre, & ses filles d'honneur, vous trouverez que dans un moment elle s'est fait[e] quitte de tous, & de ses pages, sans leur payer mesme leurs appointemens, pour ne parler pas de recompense, qu'on ne trouve plus aupres d'elle.
Parlez un peu au Secretaire de ses commandemens, qui l'a servie pendant 18. mois, avec une assiduité & une fidelité incroyable, & qui a plus fait escrire de son temps à la Reyne & aux Rois & aux Princes de toute l'Europe, que tous ses predecesseurs n'avoyent fait; il vous dira qu'elle a esté ingrate à ce poinct de ne luy laisser pas le soi, bien qu'il eust fait toutes les menuës depences du Cabinet.
Il y a quelque temps qu'elle avoit fait venir de Rome un Gentilhomme Neapolitain, & avoit escrit à Madame la Duchesse d'Aiguillon, qu[']il ne se repentiroit pas de venir à son service, qu'elle ne sçavoit pas seulement reconnoistre les services que l'on luy faisoit; mais mesme qu'ils tesmoignoit avoir pour elle: mais toutes ces belles paroles ont esté sans effect, & un vent qui s'est dissipé, ou une fumée qui s'est esvanouie, & a laissé ce pauvre gentilhomme, quoy que d'une fort bonne naissance, dans la trouppe des miserables.
Mais quel traittement ridicule n'a telle pas fait à ce Gentilhomme François, qui luy emmena le petit Saumaize, lequel pour quelque sujet que je ne diray pas icy, s'est volontairement exilé de France & de sa propre maison, & qui avoit entrepris cette condition rogneuse, soit pour reconnoistre les obligations qu'il avoit à feu Monsieur de Saumaize, soit pource qu'il estoit persuadé, que cette Princesse estoit une grande Reyne, de qui il devoit esperer toute sorte de satisfaction, quand elle en auroit cognu la valeur & le merite; nous l'avons veu negligé en Suede autant ou plus que tous les autres, & elle a souffert qu'il se soit retiré sans luy avoir donné quoy que ce soit, pour reconnoistre la peine qu'il a prise à sa consideration, & le soin qu'il a eu de ce petit enfant. Ne voila pas une belle façon de sçavoir recompenser jusques aux bonnes volontez des personnes?
Je ne sçaurois taire l'injustice qui a esté faite à un Valet de la Garderobbe, appellé du Pleßis, François de nation, lequel pour s'estre tendu trop assidu au service de sa Maistresse, qui estoit peut estre par là empeschée dans les pratiques qu'elle avoit de nuict avec Pigmentelli, le fit traitter un soir à coup de bastons par ses valets de pied, deguisez avec des habits gris, qu'il a remportéz pour la recompense à ses services, & à sa grande assiduité; belle façon certainement de reconnoistre ses serviteurs.
J'en obmets beaucoup d'autres, comme le Gouverneur de ses Pages, appellé la Selle, qui s'est comporté dans une double charge, qu'il avoit chez la Reyne, avec une conduite si sage, & si prudente, qu'elle mesme a confessé, n'y avoir rien à redire, dont le merite l'a fait choisir à son Altesse le Prince Atolf pour l'accompagner dans ses voyages; lequel ne s'est pas veu mieux traitté que les autres; il est sorty de Suede plein d'honneur à la verité, mais fort vuide d'argent, pour le moins de celuy qui est venu de la Reyne: Grande Princesse, digne que des personnes d'honneur & de qualité la servent.
With modernised spelling:
Mais que dirons-nous de l'injustice horrible que cette princesse a fait à ses créanciers? Quand je l'envisage, j'en ai horreur, et j'estime que ceux qui ont pris la démission comme une fameuse banqueroute ont eu quelque raison. Il s'est vu, j'en suis le témoin, des marchands joailliers de qui elle avait pris le bien aux uns pour dix, aux autres pour 20 et à quelques-uns pour 30 000 livres, auxquels elle a fait traîner leur paiements durant 6, 10 et 15 mois, même 2 ans; et enfin elle s'en est partie, leur laissant des billets, qui seront acquittés ad kalendas Græcas.
N'est-ce pas une chose étonnante et qui crie vengeance à Dieu, de quoi ces pauvres gens ont été forcés de se divertir de leurs affaires, de manger leur bien en pays étranger, où les dépences sont grandes, et enfin de se voir les mains vides? Mais ne vous en étonnez pas. La maxime de Bourdelot, que la reine a parfaitement bien suivie, était que les rois pouvaient disposer du bien des particuliers à leur plaisir; mais où a-t-il puisé cette fausse doctrine? Sans doute que c'est dans le fond de son âme noire et lâche.
J'ai vu de ces marchands demander avec toutes les instances possibles leurs joyaux, puisqu'ils se voient hors d'espérance d'en être payés, mais ils étaient entre les mains d'une princesse qui a le cœur trop bon pour jamais rendre. Ce n'est pas qu'elle ne fût parfaitement bien informée du tort que l'on leur faisait, car elle en était avertie par des requêtes qu'ils lui présentaient, lesquelles elle recevait toutes, les lisait sur sa chaise percée, et puis s'en torchait le derrière.
Mais quelle justice doit-on attendre d'une personne qui ne s'en fait pas à soi-même? Envisagez un peu sa conduite dans l'économie de sa maison. Son intendant, auquel elle a envoyé tous ses créanciers, est un homme qui ne sait ni lire ni écrire, à la reserve de son nom, qu'il a appris à griffonner depuis quelque temps. Il était tailleur de son métier et s'appelait maître Jean, dont cette princesse a changé l'aiguille et les ciseaux en une épée, l'ayant anobli, et lui a donné le nom de Leyoncrona; mais, par ma foi, il porte plutôt la ressemblance d'un guenon que d'un lion.
Cet homme illustre a su si bien ménager l'esprit de la reine qu'elle lui a commis l'intendance et l'économie de toute sa maison, lequel, suivant le génie de sa maîtresse, s'est étudié dans son ignorance à fourber tout le monde et s'est rendu si savant dans cet art qu'il n'y a eu que ceux qui n'ont point eu affaire à lui qui aient échappé de ses tromperies. Il a commencé de s'enrichir dans le voyage qu'il fit en France pour les appareils du couronnement de la reine, d'où, ayant apporté un amas des plus méchantes étoffes, il en a fait commerce en Suède de cette façon.
C'est pour lorsque la reine donnait quelque commis à ses domestiques ou autres pour s'habiller; maître Jean les assignait sur le marchand, auquel il avait fié son magasin, si bien qu'on se trouvait par-là contraint de s'adresser à lui, qui donnait des marchandises de la valeur de 50 écus pour 100, qui lui étaient reconnus, en quoi l'échange n'était pas trop désavantageux pour lui.
Pour passer de l'intendant aux valets de chambre, qui en leur espèce gouvernaient aussi la reine, c'étaient des personnages dignes d'être connus. L'on s'appelait du Piquet, français de nation, qui a été le plus infâme maquereau du monde, et dont la femme a été detenue en prison à Bruxelles ou à Anvers, à cause de ses infâmes pratiques. L'autre se nommait Alexandre, italien de naissance, qu'on dit tirer son illustre extraction d'un fort celebre savetier, et tous deux ont été nommés «les cochons de la reine», lesquels elle a anobli, sans que jamais ils aient fait une action remarquable qu'en infâmie et en lâcheté.
Si c'est pour l'avoir servie, il y en a cent autres qui ont eu cet honneur et qui l'ont fait plus honorablement et avec plus de fidélité et avec plus de gloire. Voilà comme cette princesse a gardé les lois de la justice dans toute sa conduite.
Consultez, s'il vous plaît, les gentilhommes de la chambre et ses filles d'honneur; vous trouverez que dans un moment elle s'est faite quitte de tous et de ses pages, sans leur payer même leurs appointements, pour ne parler pas de récompense, qu'on ne trouve plus auprès d'elle.
Parlez un peu au secrétaire de ses commandements, qui l'a servie pendant 18 mois avec une assiduité et une fidélité incroyable, et qui a plus fait écrire de son temps à la reine et aux rois et aux princes de toute l'Europe que tous ses prédécesseurs n'avaient fait; il vous dira qu'elle a été ingrate à ce point de ne lui laisser pas le soi, bien qu'il eût fait toutes les menues dépenses du cabinet.
Il y a quelque temps qu'elle avait fait venir de Rome un gentilhomme néapolitain et avait écrit à Madame la duchesse d'Aiguillon qu'il ne se repentirait pas de venir à son service, qu'elle ne savait pas seulement reconnaître les services que l'on lui faisait, mais même qu'ils témoignait avoir pour elle. Mais toutes ces belles paroles ont été sans effet, et un vent qui s'est dissipé, ou une fumée qui s'est évanouie, et a laissé ce pauvre gentilhomme, quoi que d'une fort bonne naissance, dans la troupe des misérables.
Mais quel traitement ridicule n'a-t-elle pas fait à ce gentilhomme français qui lui emmena le petit Saumaise, lequel, pour quelque sujet que je ne dirai pas ici, s'est volontairement exilé de France et de sa propre maison, et qui avait entrepris cette condition rogneuse, soit pour reconnaître les obligations qu'il avait à feu Monsieur de Saumaise, soit pource qu'il était persuadé que cette princesse était une grande reine, de qui il devait espérer toute sorte de satisfaction quand elle en aurait connu la valeur et le mérite?
Nous l'avons vu négligé en Suède autant ou plus que tous les autres, et elle a souffert qu'il se soit retiré sans lui avoir donné quoi que ce soit pour reconnaître la peine qu'il a prise à sa considération et le soin qu'il a eu de ce petit enfant. Ne voilà pas une belle façon de savoir récompenser jusqu'aux bonnes volontés des personnes?
Je ne saurais taire l'injustice qui a été faite à un valet de la garderobe, appelé du Plessis, français de nation, lequel pour s'être tendu trop assidu au service de sa maîtresse, qui était peut-être par-là empêchée dans les pratiques qu'elle avait de nuit avec Pimentelli, le fit traiter un soir à coup de bâtons par ses valets de pied, déguisés avec des habits gris, qu'il a remportés pour la récompense à ses services et à sa grande assiduité. Belle façon certainement de reconnaître ses serviteurs!
J'en omets beaucoup d'autres, comme le gouverneur de ses pages, appelé la Selle, qui s'est comporté dans une double charge qu'il avait chez la reine avec une conduite si sage et si prudente qu'elle même a confessé n'y avoir rien à redire, dont le mérite l'a fait choisir à Son Altesse le prince Adolphe pour l'accompagner dans ses voyages, lequel ne s'est pas vu mieux traité que les autres. Il est sorti de Suède plein d'honneur à la vérité, mais fort vide d'argent, pour le moins de celui qui est venu de la reine. Grande princesse, digne que des personnes d'honneur et de qualité la servent!
Swedish translation (my own):
Men vad skall vi säga om den fruktansvärda orättvisa som denna prinsessa har gjort mot sina fordringsägare? När jag tänker på den blir jag förskräckt av den, och jag anser att de som har tagit demissionen som en berömd konkurs har haft någon anledning. Det har setts, jag är vittne till det, juvelerare från vilka hon hade tagit egendomen av några för tio, av andra för 20,000 och av några för 30,000 livres, till vilka hon betalade ut sina betalningar i 6, 10 och 15 månader, även 2 år; och slutligen gick hon och lämnade dem biljetter som kommer att betalas enligt den grekiska kalendern.
Är det inte en häpnadsväckande sak, och en sak som ropar till Gud om hämnd, att dessa stackars människor har tvingats avleda sig från sina angelägenheter, att äta upp sina rikedomar i ett främmande land, där utgifterna är stora, och slutligen att se sig själva tomhänta? Men bli inte förvånad över detta. Bourdelots maxim, som drottningen helt väl följde, var att konungar kunde förfoga över enskildas egendom efter deras behag; men varifrån drev han denna falska lära? Utan tvivel är det från djupet av hans svarta och fega själ.
Jag har sett dessa köpmän kräva sina juveler med all möjlig envishet, eftersom de ser sig bortom hopp om att få betalt för dem, men de var i händerna på en prinsessa som har ett för gott hjärta för att någonsin kunna betala tillbaka dem. Det är inte så att hon inte var helt väl informerad om felet som gjordes mot dem, för hon blev informerad om det genom de förfrågningar som de framförde till henne, som hon alla fick, läste på hennes nattstol och sedan torkade hennes bak med dem.
Men vilken rättvisa kan vi förvänta oss av en person som inte gör rättvisa mot sig själv? Tänk på hennes uppförande i förvaltningen av sitt hushåll. Hennes intendent, till vilken hon har sänt alla sina borgenärer, är en man, som varken kan läsa eller skriva, utom sitt namn, som han för en tid sedan lärde sig att klottra. Han var skräddare till yrket och kallades mäster Johan, vars nål och sax denna prinsessa förvandlades till ett svärd, efter att ha adlat honom och givit honom namnet Leijoncrona; men vid min tro liknar han mer en apa än ett lejon.
Denne berömde man visste hur han skulle sköta drottningens sinne så väl att hon anförtrodde honom hela sitt hushålls förvaltande och ekonomi, som efter sin härskarinnas geni studerade i sin okunnighet för att lura alla och blev så lärd i denna konst att endast de som inte hade något att göra med honom undgick hans bedrägerier. Han började berika sig på den resa han gjorde till Frankrike för drottningens kröningsanordningar, varifrån han, efter att ha fört en hop av de vidrigaste tyger, på detta sätt handlade dem i Sverige:
Detta är för när drottningen gav någon assistent till sina tjänare eller andra att klä sig själva; mästare Johan anvisade dem till köpmannen, som han anförtrott sitt förråd, så att man därigenom fann sig nödsakad att tilltala sig honom, som gav varor till ett värde av 50 écus för 100, som erkändes honom, i vilket utbytet var inte alltför ofördelaktigt för honom.
För att övergå från intendanten till valets de chambre, som i sin art också styrde drottningen, var de karaktärer värda att bli kända. En hette du Piquet, en fransman till födseln, som var den mest ökända hallicken i världen, och vars fru hölls fängslad i Bryssel eller Antwerpen på grund av sina ökända seder. Den andre hette Alessandro, en italienare till födseln, som sägs ha hämtat sitt lysande utdrag från en mycket berömd skomakare, och båda kallades »drottningens grisar«, som hon adlade utan att de någonsin hade gjort någon märkvärdig handling utom i ökändhet och feghet.
Om det är för att ha tjänat henne, så finns det hundra andra som har haft denna ära och som har gjort det mer hedersamt och med mer trohet och med mer ära. Det är så denna prinsessa har hållit rättvisans lagar i allt sitt uppträdande.
Rådfråga, om Ni vill, hennes kammarherrar och hedersjungfrur; Ni kommer att upptäcka att hon på ett ögonblick blev av med dem alla och sina sidor utan att ens betala dem deras löner, för att inte tala om en ersättning, som inte längre finns hos henne.
Tala lite till sekreteraren för hennes befallningar, som tjänade henne i 18 månader med otrolig ihärdighet och trohet, och som skrev mer på sin tid till drottningen och konungarna och furstarna i hela Europa än alla hans föregångare hade gjort; han skall säga Er att hon hittills var otacksam att inte lämna honom en enda sou, fastän han hade betalat alla små utgifter för kabinettet.
För en tid sedan hade hon hämtat en napolitansk herre från Rom och skrivit till madame hertiginnan av Aiguillon att han inte skulle ångra att hon kom till hennes tjänst, att hon inte bara visste hur hon skulle känna igen de tjänster som gjordes mot henne, utan till och med som de visade sig ha för henne. Men alla dessa fina ord var utan verkan, och en vind som skingrade, eller en rök som försvann, och de lämnade denne stackars herre, fastän av mycket god börd, i de eländigas trupp.
Men vilken löjlig behandling gav hon inte denne franske herre, som tog lille Saumaise till sig, som av någon anledning, som jag inte kommer att nämna här, frivilligt förvisade sig själv från Frankrike och från sitt eget hus, och som hade åtagit sig detta pinsamma tillstånd antingen att erkänna de förpliktelser han hade gentemot den salige monsieur de Saumaise, eller för att han var övertygad om att denna prinsessa var en stor drottning, från vilken han borde hoppas på alla möjliga tillfredsställelse när hon hade känt tapperhet och förtjänst?
Vi har sett honom försummad i Sverige lika mycket eller mer än alla de andra, och hon har tillåtit att han dragit sig tillbaka utan att ha givit henne något för att erkänna det besvär han gjort med hänsyn till henne och den omsorg han haft om detta lilla barn. Är inte detta ett vackert sätt att veta hur man belönar även människors goda vilja?
Jag kan inte tiga om den orättvisa som gjordes mot en betjänt i garderoben, kallad du Plessis, en fransman till födseln, som, för att ha ansträngt sig alltför ihärdigt i sin härskarinnas tjänst, som kanske därigenom hindrades i de övningarna som gjorde på natten med Pimentel, lät behandla honom en kväll med batongslag av sina fotfolk, förklädd i grå kläder, som han tog tillbaka som belöning för sina tjänster och hans stora envishet. Ett bra sätt, förvisso, att känna igen sina tjänare!
Jag utelämnar många andra, såsom guvernören för hennes pager, kallad la Selle, som uppträdde i en dubbel anklagelse som han hade mot drottningen med ett så klokt och försiktigt uppträdande att hon själv erkände att hon inte hade något att säga, vars förtjänst fick henne att välja Hans Höghet prins Adolf att följa med honom på hans resor, som inte behandlades bättre än de andra. Han lämnade Sverige full av heder, visserligen, men väldigt tomt på pengar, åtminstone det som kom från drottningen. En stor prinsessa, värdig att människor av ära och kvalitet skall tjäna henne!
English translation (by Howell):
But what shall we say of the horrible injustice that this Princess hath done to her Creditors? When I look upon it, I tremble; and think that those, who have taken her demising the Crown as a famous playing the Bankrupt, had some reason for it. It is seen, (I am a witness of it) that there be some Merchants of Jewels, from whom she had taken up Goods, from some for Ten, from others for Twenty, and from some for Thirty thousand Livres, to whom she hath delay'd payment to be made, for Six, for Ten, and for Fifteen months beyond the time, yea, two yeers, and in the end went her way, leaving Tickets, that will be paid ad Calendas Graecas, that is, never. Is it not a matter of astonishment, and which cryeth for vengeance to God, that these poor people have been forced to leave off their lawful occasions and business, and to consume their Livelihood, in attendance for their own in a strange Country, where the expences are great; and, at last, to see themselves left empty handed? But be not at all astonished at this: Bourdelot's Maxime, which the Queen hath exactly followed, was this: That Kings might dispose of the goods of private men, as they pleased. But whence hath he drawn this false doctrine? Without doubt, from the bottom of his black and base soul. I have seen some of these Merchants with all possible earnestness desire their Jewels back again, since they saw themselves out of hope to be paid: but they were in the hands of a Princess, that had a heart rather to give them away to others, then ever to render them to their right owners. This was not for want of information of the wrong was done these men: for she was sufficiently advertised thereof, by Petitions and Requests which they presented to her; all which she received from them, and read them upon her pierced Chair, and then wip'd her hinder parts with them.
But what Justice can be expected from that person, that doth not right to her self? Look a little on her carriage in the Oeconomy of her house. Her Intendant, to whom she sent all her Creditors, was a man that could neither reade, nor write, except onely his name, which he learn'd to scribble a little time since. He was a Taylor by trade, and was called Master Iohn, whose Needle & Shears this Princess hath changed to a Sword, he being made a Noble-man; and hath given him the name of Lyon Crona: but truly he carries the likeness of a Monkey, rather then of a Lion. This illustrious Blade knew so well how to govern the Queens minde, that she committed to him the Intendancie and Oeconomy of her whole house: who following his Mistress's Genius, he studied, in the midst of his Ignorance, to deceive the world; and made himself so knowing in that Art, that there was none, but such as had no business with him, that have escaped his Knaveries. He began to enrich himself, by the Voyage he made into France, for the provisions of the Queens Coronation; from whence having brought an heap of the worst Stuffs, he made Merchandise of them in Sweden after this manner: When the Queen gave commission to her domesticks, or others, to make them Cloaths, Mr. Iohn directed them to the Merchant with whom he had intrusted his Magazine; so as by this means they were constrained at last to go to him, who gave them wares of the value of 50 Crowns, for 100; which they entered into Recognizance to pay him for: which change was not over disadvantageous to him.
To pass from the Intendant, to the Vallets of her Chamber, who in their own kinde governed also the Queen: they were personages worthy to be known. One of them was called du Piquet, a French-man by Nation, who was the most infamous Pimp in the world; and his wife had been kept in prison at Bruxels and Antwerp, for her infamous tricks. The other of them was call'd Alexander, an Italian born, who they say drew his illustrious extraction from a very renowned Cobler. And both these were called, The Queens Piggs; whom she made Noble-men, though they had never been remarkable for any thing, but infamy and Baseness. If it was, because they had served her, there were an hundred others, who have had that honour, and who did it more honourably, and with more faithfulness, and more glory. See here how this Princess kept the laws of justice in all her carriage.
Ask, if you please, the Gentlemen of her Chamber, and her Maids of Honour; you shall finde, that in a moment she quitted her self of them all, and of her Pages also, without so much as paying them their allowances; to say nothing of Recompense, which is no more to be found neer her.
Speak but a little to the Secretary of her Commands, who served her eighteen months with an incredible diligence and fidelity, and who caused more to be writ in his time to the Queen, and to Kings, and to all the Princes of Europe, than all his predecessors had done: He will tell you, that she was ingrate to him, in this, that she left him not a sous, although he made all the petty expences of the Cabinet, himself.
It is not long time since she had made a Neapolitan Gentleman come from Rome, and had written to Madam the Dutchess of Aiguillon, that he should not repent for having come to her service; because she knew not onely how to acknowledge the services that any did her, but also to recompense them, even to their good wills that they should testifie to have for her. But all these fair words were without any real effect, and were but winde, that is dissipated; or as smoak, that vanisheth: and they left this poor Gentleman (though he was of very good birth) amongst the troop of those that were miserable.
But what ridiculous entertainment did she give that French Gentleman, that brought to her the little young Monsieur de Saumaize, who for some reason, that I will not here mention, voluntarily banished himself out of France, and from his own house; and who had undertaken that sorry condition, either to acknowledge the obligations that he had to the deceased Monsieur de Saumaize, or that he was perswaded, that this Princess, being a great Queen, he might hope to receive from her all manner of satisfaction, when she should be informed of his worth and valour? we saw him neglected in Sweden, as much, or more then any other; and she suffered him to go his way, without giving him any thing at all, as an acknowledgement of the pains he had taken for her, and the care he had taken of that little childe. Is not here a brave way of knowing how to recompense so far, as to reach even the good will that any had towards her?
I cannot omit the mentioning of the injustice that was done to a Valet of the Garderob, called by the name of du Plessis, a French-man by Nation; who for having made himself too watchful towards his Mistresses service (who thereby perhaps was hindered of her night-practices with Pigmentelli) caused him one evening to be beaten by her Foot-men, disguised in gray cloaths: which he got of her, in recompense of all his services done her, and his great diligence. A brave fashion, surely, of acknowledging her servants!
I omit many others; as, the Governour of her Pages, called La Selle, who having a twofold charge in the Queens house, carryed himself therein with a behaviour so wise, and so discreet, that her self confessed, that she had nothing to say against him; whose merit therefore made him be chosen for his Highness the Prince Atolf, to accompany him in his travels: who yet was no better used by her, than others. He is come out of Sweden, full of Honours indeed, but very empty of money, at least, for any that he had from the Queen. A great Princess indeed, and worthy that persons of honour and quality should serve her!
With modernised spelling for easier reading:
But what shall we say of the horrible injustice that this princess hath done to her creditors? When I look upon it, I tremble and think that those who have taken her demising the Crown as a famous playing the bankrupt had some reason for it. It is seen (I am a witness of it) that there be some merchants of jewels from whom she had taken up goods, from some for ten, from others for twenty, and from some for thirty thousand livres, to whom she hath delayed payment to be made for six, for ten, and for fifteen months beyond the time, yea, two years, and in the end went her way, leaving tickets that will be paid ad kalendas Græcas — that is, never.
Is it not a matter of astonishment, and which crieth for vengeance to God, that these poor people have been forced to leave off their lawful occasions and business and to consume their livelihood in attendance for their own in a strange country where the expenses are great; and, at last, to see themselves left empty-handed? But be not at all astonished at this. Bourdelot's maxim, which the Queen hath exactly followed, was this: that kings might dispose of the goods of private men as they pleased. But whence hath he drawn this false doctrine? Without doubt, from the bottom of his black and base soul.
I have seen some of these merchants with all possible earnestness desire their jewels back again, since they saw themselves out of hope to be paid, but they were in the hands of a princess that had a heart rather to give them away to others than ever to render them to their right owners. This was not for want of information of the wrong was done these men, for she was sufficiently advertised thereof by petitions and requests which they presented to her, all which she received from them and read them upon her pierced chair — and then wiped her hinder parts with them.
But what justice can be expected from that person that doth not right to herself? Look a little on her carriage in the economy of her house. Her intendant, to whom she sent all her creditors, was a man that could neither read nor write, except only his name, which he learned to scribble a little time since. He was a tailor by trade and was called Master John, whose needle and shears this princess hath changed to a sword, he being made a nobleman, and hath given him the name of Leijoncrona, but truly he carries the likeness of a monkey rather than of a lion.
This illustrious blade knew so well how to govern the Queen's mind that she committed to him the intendancy and economy of her whole house, who, following his mistress's genius, he studied, in the midst of his ignorance, to deceive the world and made himself so knowing in that art that there was none but such as had no business with him that have escaped his knaveries. He began to enrich himself by the voyage he made into France for the provisions of the Queen's coronation, from whence, having brought an heap of the worst stuffs, he made merchandise of them in Sweden after this manner:
When the Queen gave commission to her domestics or others to make them clothes, Mr. John directed them to the merchant with whom he had entrusted his magazine, so as by this means they were constrained at last to go to him, who gave them wares of the value of 50 crowns for 100, which they entered into recognisance to pay him for, which change was not overdisadvantageous to him.
To pass from the intendant to the valets of her chamber, who in their own kind governed also the Queen, they were personages worthy to be known. One of them was called du Piquet, a Frenchman by nation, who was the most infamous pimp in the world, and his wife had been kept in prison at Brussels and Antwerp, for her infamous tricks. The other of them was called Alexander, an Italian born, who they say drew his illustrious extraction from a very renowned cobbler. And both these were called the Queen's pigs, whom she made noblemen, though they had never been remarkable for anything but infamy and baseness.
If it was because they had served her, there were an hundred others who have had that honour and who did it more honourably and with more faithfulness and more glory. See here how this princess kept the laws of justice in all her carriage.
Ask, if you please, the gentlemen of her chamber and her maids of honour; you shall find that in a moment she quitted herself of them all, and of her pages also, without so much as paying them their allowances, to say nothing of recompense, which is no more to be found near her.
Speak but a little to the secretary of her commands, who served her eighteen months with an incredible diligence and fidelity, and who caused more to be writ in his time to the Queen and to kings and to all the princes of Europe than all his predecessors had done. He will tell you that she was ingrate to him in this: that she left him not a sou, although he made all the petty expenses of the cabinet himself.
It is not long time since she had made a Neapolitan gentleman come from Rome and had written to Madame the Duchess of Aiguillon, that he should not repent for having come to her service because she knew not only how to acknowledge the services that any did her, but also to recompense them, even to their good wills that they should testify to have for her. But all these fair words were without any real effect and were but wind that is dissipated, or as smoke that vanisheth, and they left this poor gentleman (though he was of very good birth) amongst the troop of those that were miserable.
But what ridiculous entertainment did she give that French gentleman that brought to her the little young Monsieur de Saumaise, who, for some reason that I will not here mention, voluntarily banished himself out of France and from his own house, and who had undertaken that sorry condition either to acknowledge the obligations that he had to the deceased Monsieur de Saumaise, or that he was persuaded that this princess, being a great queen, he might hope to receive from her all manner of satisfaction, when she should be informed of his worth and valour?
We saw him neglected in Sweden, as much or more than any other, and she suffered him to go his way without giving him anything at all as an acknowledgement of the pains he had taken for her and the care he had taken of that little child. Is not here a brave way of knowing how to recompense so far as to reach even the good will that any had towards her?
I cannot omit the mentioning of the injustice that was done to a valet of the garderobe, called by the name of du Plessis, a Frenchman by nation, who, for having made himself too watchful towards his mistress's service (who thereby perhaps was hindered of her night practices with Pimentelli) caused him one evening to be beaten by her footmen, disguised in grey clothes, which he got of her in recompence of all his services done her and his great diligence. A brave fashion, surely, of acknowledging her servants!
I omit many others as the governor of her pages, called la Selle, who, having a twofold charge in the Queen's house, carried himself therein with a behaviour so wise and so discreet that herself confessed that she had nothing to say against him, whose merit therefore made him be chosen for His Highness the Prince Adolf to accompany him in his travels, who yet was no better used by her than others. He is come out of Sweden full of honours indeed, but very empty of money, at least for any that he had from the Queen. A great princess indeed, and worthy that persons of honour and quality should serve her!
English translation (my own):
But what shall we say of the horrible injustice that this princess has done to her creditors? When I consider it, I am horrified by it, and I consider that those who have taken the demission as a famous bankruptcy have had some reason. There have been seen, I am witness to it, jewellers from whom she had taken the property of some for ten, of others for 20,000 and of some for 30,000 livres, to whom she made their payments drag on for 6, 10 and 15 months, even 2 years; and finally she left, leaving them billets, which will be paid according to the Greek calendar.
Is it not an astonishing thing, and one that cries out to God for vengeance, that these poor people have been forced to divert themselves from their affairs, to eat up their wealth in a foreign country, where expenses are great, and finally to see themselves empty-handed? But do not be astonished at this. Bourdelot's maxim, which the Queen followed perfectly well, was that kings could dispose of the property of individuals at their pleasure; but where did he drive this false doctrine from? Doubtless it is from the depths of his black and cowardly soul.
I have seen these merchants demand their jewels with all possible insistence, as they see themselves beyond hope of being paid for them, but they were in the hands of a princess who has too good a heart to ever repay them. It is not that she was not perfectly well informed of the wrong that was being done to them, for she was informed of it by the requests that they presented to her, all of which she received, read on her close stool, and then wiped her behind with them.
But what justice can we expect from a person who does not do justice to herself? Consider her conduct in the management of her household. Her intendant, to whom she has sent all her creditors, is a man who can neither read nor write, except for his name, which he learned to scribble some time ago. He was a tailor by trade and was called Master Johan, whose needle and scissors this princess changed into a sword, having ennobled him, and gave him the name of Leijoncrona; but, by my faith, he bears more resemblance to a monkey than to a lion.
This illustrious man knew how to manage the Queen's mind so well that she entrusted him with the intendance and economy of her entire household, who, following the genius of his mistress, studied in his ignorance to deceive everyone and became so learned in this art that only those who had no dealings with him escaped his deceptions. He began to enrich himself in the voyage he made to France for the devices of the Queen's coronation, from where, having brought a heap of the most vile fabrics, he traded them in Sweden in this way:
This is for when the Queen gave some assistant to her domestics or others to dress themselves; master Johan assigned them to the merchant, to whom he had entrusted his storeroom, so that one found oneself thereby forced to address oneself to him, who gave merchandise of the value of 50 écus for 100, which were recognised to him, in which the exchange was not too disadvantageous for him.
To pass from the intendant to the valets de chambre, who in their species also governed the Queen, they were characters worthy of being known. One was called du Piquet, a Frenchman by birth, who was the most infamous pimp in the world, and whose wife was detained in prison in Brussels or Antwerp because of her infamous practices. The other was called Alessandro, an Italian by birth, who is said to have drawn his illustrious extraction from a very famous cobbler, and both were called "the Queen's pigs", whom she ennobled without them ever having done any remarkable action except in infamy and cowardice.
If it is for having served her, there are a hundred others who have had this honour and who have done it more honourably and with more fidelity and with more glory. This is how this princess has kept the laws of justice in all her conduct.
Consult, if you please, the gentlemen of the chamber and her maids of honour; you will find that in a moment she got rid of all of them and her pages without even paying them their salaries, not to mention a recompense, which is no longer found with her.
Speak a little to the secretary of her commands, who served her for 18 months with incredible assiduity and fidelity, and who wrote more in his time to the Queen and the kings and princes of all Europe than all his predecessors had done; he will tell you that she was ungrateful to this point not to leave him one sou, although he had paid all the small expenses of the cabinet.
Some time ago she had brought from Rome a Neapolitan gentleman and had written to Madame the Duchess of Aiguillon that he would not regret coming to her service, that not only did she know how to recognise the services that were being done to her, but even that they showed themselves to have for her. But all these fine words were without effect, and a wind that dissipated, or a smoke that vanished, and they left this poor gentleman, although of very good birth, in the troop of the wretched.
But what ridiculous treatment did she not give to this French gentleman who took little Saumaise to her, who, for some reason that I will not mention here, voluntarily exiled himself from France and from his own house, and who had undertaken this peevish condition either to recognise the obligations he had to the late Monsieur de Saumaise, or because he was persuaded that this princess was a great queen, from whom he should hope for all sorts of satisfaction when she had known valour and merit?
We have seen him neglected in Sweden as much or more than all the others, and she has suffered that he has withdrawn without having given her anything to recognise the trouble he has taken in considering her and the care he has had for this little child. Is this not a beautiful way of knowing how to reward even people's good will?
I cannot keep silent about the injustice that was done to a valet of the wardrobe, called du Plessis, a Frenchman by birth, who, for having strained himself too assiduously at the service of his mistress, who was perhaps thereby hindered in the practices she had at night with Pimentel, had him treated one evening with blows of batons by his footmen, disguised in grey clothes, which he took back as a reward for his services and his great assiduity. A fine way, certainly, to recognise one's servants!
I omit many others, such as the governor of her pageboys, called la Selle, who behaved in a double charge that he had with the Queen with such wise and prudent conduct that she herself confessed to having nothing to say, whose merit made her choose Prince Adolf to accompany him on his travels, who was not treated any better than the others. He left Sweden full of honour, it is true, but very empty of money, at least that which came from the Queen. Great princess, worthy that persons of honour and quality should serve her!
