Thursday, June 8, 2023

Kristina's profession of faith read aloud and signed at her conversion ceremony, October 24/November 3 (New Style), 1655

Sources:

Historia della Sacra Real Maestà di Cristina Alessandra Regina di Svetia, pages 100 to 102, by Count Galeazzo Galdo Priorato, 1656


Nordin 185; Uppsala University Library (Uppsala universitetsbibliotek) via the Alvin portal


Riksarkivet, pages 31 to 33 in K 92; Handlingar rörande drottningens levnadsförhållanden, besök i Sverige osv; Drottning Kristina d. y. (Christina Alexandra); Svenska drottningars arkivaliesamlingar i riksarkivet; Kungliga arkiv


The history of the sacred and Royal Majesty of Christina Alessandra Queen of Swedland, &c., book 3, translated by John Burbury, 1658


The profession of faith:

Ego Christina firma fide credo, & profiteor omnia, & singula, quæ continentur in symbolo Fidei, quo Sancta Romana Ecclesia vtitur, videlicet: Credo in vnum Deum Patrem omnipotentem factorĕ Cœli, & terræ, visibilium omnium, & inuisibilium: Et in vnum Dominum IESVM Christum, filium Dei vnigenitum, & ex Patre natum antè omnia sæcula: Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero: Genitum non factum consubstantialem Patri, per quem omnia facta sunt, qui propter nos homines, & propter nostram salutem descendit de Cœlis, & incarnatus est de Spiritu Sanctu, ex MARIA Virgine, & homo factus est: Crucifixus etiam pro Nobis, & sub Pontio Pilato, passus, & sepultus est: Et resurrexit tertia die secundum scripturas, & ascendit in Cœlum, sedet ad dexteram Patris: & iterum venturus est cum gloria iudicare viuos, & mortuos, cuius Regni non erit finis. Et in Spiritum Sanctum Dominum, & viuificantem, qui ex Patre, filioque procedit. qui cum Patre, & filio simul adoratur, & conglorificatur, qui locutus est per Prophetas: & vnam Sanctam Catholicam, & Apostolicam Ecclesiam: Confiteor vnum Baptisma in remissionem peccatorum: & expecto resurrectionem mortuorum, & vitam venturi sæculi, Amen. Apostolicas, & Ecclesiasticas traditiones, reliquasquè eiusdem Ecclesiæ obseruationes, & constitutiones firmissimè admitto, & amplector. Item Sacram scripturam iuxtà eum sensum, quem tenuit, & tenet Sancta Mater Ecclesia, cuius est iudicare de vero sensu, & interpretatione Sacrarŭ Scripturarum, admitto: nec eam vnquam nisi iuxtà vnanimem consensum Patrum accipiam, & interpretabor. Profiteor quoquè septem esse verè, & propriè Sacramenta nouæ legis à IESV Christo Domino nostro instituta, atquè ad salutem humani generis, licet non omnia singulis necessaria, scilicet Baptismum, Confirmationem, Eucharistiam, Pœnitentiam, Extremam vnctionem, Ordinem, & Matrimonium, illaque gratiam conferre, & ex his Baptismum, Confirmationem, & Ordinem sinè sacrilegio reiterari non posse. Receptos quoquè, & approbatos Ecclesiæ Catholicæ ritus in supradictorum Sacramentorum solemni administratione recipio, & admitto: Omnia, & singula, quæ de peccato originali, & de iustificatione in Sacrosancta Tridentina Synodo difinita, & declarata fuerunt, amplector, & recipio[.] Profiteor pariter in Missa offerri Deo verum, proprium, & propitiatorium sacrificum pro viuis, & defunctis: atquè in Sanctissimo Eucharistiæ Sacramento esse verè, realiter, & substantialiter corpus, & sanguinem, vnà cum anima, & diuinitate Domini nostri IESV Christi, fideique conuersionem totius substantiæ panis in corpus, & totius substantiæ vini in sanguinem, quam conuersionem Catholica Ecclesia transubstantiationem appellat. Fateor etiam sub altera tantum specie totum, atquè integrum Christum, verumquè Sacramentum sumi. Constanter teneo Purgatorium esse, animasque ibi detentas fidelium suffragijs iuuari: Similiter, & Sanctos vna cum Christo regnantes, venerandos, atquè inuocandos esse, eosquè orationes Deo pro nobis offerre, atquè eorum reliquias esse venerandas. Firmissimè assero, imagines Christi, ac Deiparæ Virginis, necnon aliorum Sanctorum habendas, & retinendas esse, atquè eis debitum honorem, ac venerationem impertiendam: Indulgentiarum etiam potestatem à Christo in Ecclesia relictă fuisse, illarumquè vsum Christiano Populo maximè salutarem esse affirmo: Sanctam Catholicam, & Apostolicam Romanam Ecclesiam, omnium Ecclesiarum matrem, & magistram agnosco: Romanoquè Pontifici, B. Petri Apostolorum Principis successori, ac IESV Christi Vicario, veram obedientiam spondeo, ac iuro: Cætera item omnia à Sacris Canonibus, & Oecumenicis Concilijs, ac præcipuè à Sacrosancta Tridentina Synodo tradita, definita, & declarata indubitanter recipio, atquè profiteor simulquè contraria, atquè hæreses quascumquè ab Ecclesia damnatas, reijcio, & anathematizo. Hanc veram Catholicam Fidem, extrà quam nemo saluus esse potest, quam in præsenti spontè profiteor, & veraciter teneo, eamdem integram, & inuiolatam vsque ad extremum vitæ Spiritum constantissimè Deo adiuuante, retinere, & confiteri, atquè à meis subditis, vel illis, quorum cura ad me in munere meo spectabit, teneri, doceri, & prædicari, quantum in me erit curaturam, Ego eadem Christina spondeo, voveo, ac iuro: sic me Deus adiuuet, & hæc Sancta Dei Euangelia. Christina.

With modernised spelling:

Ego Christina firma fide credo, et profiteor omnia, et singula, quæ continentur in symbolo fidei, quo Sancta Romana Ecclesia utitur, videlicet: credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem factorem Cœli et terræ, visibilium omnium et invisibilium, et in unum Dominum Jesum Christum, filium Dei unigenitum, et ex Patre natum ante omnia sæcula: Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero. Genitum non factum consubstantialem Patri, per quem omnia facta sunt, qui propter nos homines, et propter nostram salutem descendit de Cœlis, et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sanctu, ex Maria Virgine, et homo factus est; crucifixus etiam pro nobis, et sub Pontio Pilato, passus, et sepultus est, et resurrexit tertia die secundum scripturas, et ascendit in Cœlum, sedet ad dexteram Patris; et iterum venturus est cum gloria judicare vivos et mortuos, cujus Regni non erit finis. Et in Spiritum Sanctum Dominum, et vivificantem, qui ex Patre, filioque procedit. qui cum Patre, et filio simul adoratur, et conglorificatur, qui locutus est per prophetas; et unam sanctam catholicam, et apostolicam Ecclesiam.

Confiteor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum, et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum et vitam venturi sæculi. Amen. Apostolicas, et ecclesiasticas traditiones, reliquasque ejusdem Ecclesiæ observationes et constitutiones firmissime admitto et amplector. Item Sacram scripturam juxta eum sensum, quem tenuit, et tenet Sancta Mater Ecclesia, cujus est judicare de vero sensu et interpretatione Sacrarum Scripturarum admitto; nec eam unquam nisi juxta unanimem consensum patrum accipiam et interpretabor.

Profiteor quoque septem esse vere, et proprie Sacramenta novæ legis a Jesu Christo Domino nostro instituta, atque ad salutem humani generis, licet non omnia singulis necessaria, scilicet: baptismum, confirmationem, eucharistiam, pœnitentiam, extremam unctionem, ordinem, et matrimonium, illaque gratiam conferre; et ex his baptismum, confirmationem, et ordinem sine sacrilegio reiterari non posse. Receptos quoque, et approbatos Ecclesiæ Catholicæ ritus in supradictorum Sacramentorum solemni administratione recipio, et admitto. Omnia et singula, quæ de peccato originali, et de justificatione in Sacrosancta Tridentina Synodo difinita, et declarata fuerunt, amplector, et recipio.

Profiteor pariter in missa offerri Deo verum, proprium, et propitiatorium sacrificum pro vivis et defunctis; atque in Sanctissimo Eucharistiæ Sacramento esse vere, realiter, et substantialiter corpus, et sanguinem, una cum anima, et divinitate Domini nostri Jesu Christi, fideique conversionem totius substantiæ panis in corpus, et totius substantiæ vini in sanguinem, quam conversionem Catholica Ecclesia transubstantiationem appellat. Fateor etiam sub altera tantum specie totum, atque integrum Christum, verumque Sacramentum sumi. Constanter teneo Purgatorium esse, animasque ibi detentas fidelium suffragiis juvari. Similiter, et sanctos una cum Christo regnantes, venerandos, atque invocandos esse, eosque orationes Deo pro nobis offerre, atque eorum reliquias esse venerandas.

Firmissime assero, imagines Christi, ac Deiparæ Virginis, necnon aliorum Sanctorum habendas, et retinendas esse, atque eis debitum honorem, ac venerationem impertiendam. Indulgentiarum etiam potestatem a Christo in Ecclesia relictam fuisse, illarumque usum christiano populo maxime salutarem esse affirmo. Sanctam Catholicam et Apostolicam Romanam Ecclesiam, omnium Ecclesiarum matrem et magistram agnosco. Romanoque pontifici, B. Petri, Apostolorum principis successori, ac Jesu Christi vicario, veram obedientiam spondeo, ac juro. Cætera item omnia a Sacris Canonibus, et Œcumenicis conciliis, ac præcipue a Sacrosancta Tridentina Synodo tradita, definita, et declarata indubitanter recipio, atque profiteor simulque contraria, atque hæreses quascumque ab Ecclesia damnatas, rejicio, et anathematizo.

Hanc veram catholicam fidem, extra quam nemo salvus esse potest, quam in præsenti sponte profiteor, et veraciter teneo, eamdem integram, et inviolatam usque ad extremum vitæ Spiritum constantissime Deo adjuvante, retinere, et confiteri, atque a meis subditis, vel illis, quorum cura ad me in munere meo spectabit, teneri, doceri, et prædicari, quantum in me erit curaturam. Ego eadem Christina spondeo, voveo, ac juro; sic me Deus adjuvet, et hæc Sancta Dei Evangelia.
Christina.

French translation (my own):

Je, Christine, crois avec une foi ferme, et je confesse tout et chaque détail qui est contenu dans le symbole de la foi qu'utilise la Sainte Église Romaine, à savoir: je crois en un seul Dieu, le Père Tout-Puissant, le Créateur du Ciel et de la Terre, de tous choses visibles et invisibles, et en un seul Seigneur, Jésus-Christ, le fils unique de Dieu, et engendré du Père avant tous les siècles: Dieu de Dieu, Lumière de Lumière, Vrai Dieu de Vrai Dieu. Né, non créé; consubstantiel au Père, par qui tout a été fait, qui est descendu du Ciel pour nous les hommes et pour notre salut, et s'est incarné par le Saint-Esprit, de la Vierge Marie, et s'est fait homme; il a aussi été crucifié pour nous, a souffert sous Ponce Pilate, a été enseveli et est ressuscité le troisième jour selon les Écritures, est monté au ciel et est assis à la droite du Père. Et il reviendra avec gloire pour juger les vivants et les morts, dont le Royaume n'aura pas de fin. Et en le Saint-Esprit, le Seigneur et le Donneur de Vie, qui procède du Père et du Fils, qui, avec le Père et le Fils, est adoré et glorifié, qui a parlé par les prophètes; et en une Sainte Église Catholique et Apostolique.

Je confesse un seul baptême pour la rémission des péchés, et j'attends la résurrection des morts et la vie du monde à venir. Amen. J'admets fermement et j'embrasse les traditions apostoliques et ecclésiastiques, et les autres observations et constitutions de la même Église. De même, j'accepte les Saintes Écritures selon ce sens qu'a tenu et tient la Sainte Mère l'Église, dont le devoir est de juger du vrai sens et de l'interprétation des Saintes Écritures admises; et je ne l'accepterai et ne l'interpréterai jamais que selon le consentement unanime des Pères.

Je professe aussi qu'il y a vraiment et proprement sept sacrements de la Loi nouvelle institués par Jésus-Christ notre Seigneur, et pour le salut du genre humain, bien que tous ne soient pas nécessaires pour chaque individu, à savoir: le baptême, la confirmation, l'Eucharistie, la pénitence, l'extrême-onction, l'ordre et le mariage, et ceux-ci pour conférer la grâce; et parmi ceux-ci, le baptême, la confirmation et l'ordre ne peuvent être répétés sans sacrilège. Je reçois et j'admets également les rites de l'Église catholique qui ont été reçus et approuvés dans l'administration solennelle des sacrements susmentionnés. J'embrasse et j'accepte tout ce qui a été défini et déclaré sur le péché originel et sur la justification dans le Saint Synode de Trente.

Je professe que dans la messe un sacrifice vrai, propre et propitiatoire est offert à Dieu pour les vivants et les morts; et que dans le Très Saint Sacrement de l'Eucharistie, il y a vraiment, réellement et substantiellement le corps et le sang, ainsi que l'âme et la divinité de notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ, et par la foi la conversion de toute la substance du pain dans le corps, et de toute la substance du vin dans le sang, conversion que l'Église catholique appelle transsubstantiation. Je confesse également que je reçois le Christ entier et complet et le vrai sacrement sous chaque forme. Je tiens fermement qu'il y a un purgatoire, et que les âmes qui y sont détenues sont aidées par les suffrages des fidèles. De la même manière, les saints régnant avec le Christ doivent être vénérés et invoqués, et ils doivent offrir des prières à Dieu en notre faveur, et nous devons vénérer leurs reliques.

J'affirme très fermement que les images du Christ et de la Vierge la Mère de Dieu, ainsi que des autres saints, doivent être conservées et conservées, et que l'honneur et la vénération qui leur sont dus doivent leur être impartis. J'affirme que la puissance des indulgences a été laissée par le Christ dans l'Église, et que cette pratique est des plus salutaires au peuple chrétien. Je reconnais la Sainte Église Catholique Romaine et Apostolique, la Mère et la Maîtresse de toutes les Églises. Et au Pontife Romain, Saint Pierre, Successeur du Prince des Apôtres, et Vicaire de Jésus-Christ, je promets et jure la vraie obéissance. De même, j'accepte inconditionnellement tout le reste transmis, défini et déclaré par les canons sacrés et les conciles œcuméniques, et en particulier par le Saint-Synode de Trente; et en même temps j'avoue le contraire, et je rejette et anathématise toutes les hérésies condamnées par l'Église.

Cette vraie foi catholique, en dehors de laquelle personne ne peut être sauvé, que je confesse librement à l'heure actuelle, et que je tiens vraiment entière et inviolable jusqu'à la fin de ma vie, je la ferai, avec l'aide de l'Esprit de Dieu, retiendrai et confesserai constamment; et, autant qu'il est en moi, je m'efforcerai qu'il soit tenu, enseigné et prêché par mes sujets, ou par ceux qui sont à mon service. Moi, la même Christine, j'engage et jure la même chose, que Dieu me vienne en aide, et ces saints évangiles de Dieu.
Christine.

Swedish translation (Riksarkivet copy):

Jagh Christina beKenner och tror aff alt mit Hierta, alt sampt och sÿnnerligen som wti then Heliga troo författat ähr, hwilken then H: och Rommerske Kiÿrkiā brukar på effterfölliande sett.

Jagh Troor på een gud Alzmächtigh Fadher Himmelens och Jordennes, så och alle sÿnlige så och osÿnlige Tingz Skapare.

Och pa Jesum Christum Hans eenfödde Son Vthaff Fadrenom ifrå ewighet födder. Gud aff Gudi, Liuß aff Liuset, Een sannom Gud aff sannom Gudj, Födder och inthet Skapader, aff enahanda Substans och warelse och fadrenom Jgenom Hwilken ähre alting skapade, Hwilken som för Oß Menniskom och wåra Salighets skul, ähr nidrestigen aff Himmelen, och igenom den H: Anda[.] Haffr aff J: Maria på sigh tagit mandom, och en Menniska Worden ähr; Ähr och för oß under Pontio Pilato bleffwen Korsfäst, pinter, lidit och begrafuen Och på tridie dagen ähr upstånden ifrå the döda, som skrifften säger: Han ähr Vpfaren till Himbla sittiandes på gudz fadhers Högra hand, dädan igen Kommandes med ähra och Herlighet at döm̃a Lefwandes och döda, och på Hans Rijke Warder ingen ända.

Jagh tror och på then H: och Liffgiffwande Andan, Som aff Fadrenom och Sonen Vtgår; Som med Fadrenom och Sonenom tillika tilbidin och ährat Warder, Huilken som igenom Prophetherna Propheterat Haffwer.

Jagh tror een Helig, Allmen eller Catolisk och Apostolisk Kiÿrkia et dop till Sÿndernas förlåthelse, och förWenthe the dödes Vpståndelße, och Ewinerligit Liffet.

Jag troor och Wißerligen, och antager den Helge Apostoliska och Chatolijska Kiÿrkiones lära, ordningar och stagdgar; Fast de Ähn icke så Uttrÿckeligen uti then H: skrifft uthtrÿckta och beskreffna ähra: Och förstår Helga skrifft Wti den mening och förstånd, Hwilket d[...] Kiÿrkian Wår moder alt hertill haffwe hafft, ähn hafe och her effter behållandes Warder: effter såsom Henne af Christo Wår K: Herre befalt ähr, den Helga skrifft rätt[a] förstånd och Wthtÿdning ifrån den falska och Wrånga [...] åtskillia. Jagh will och förb:te den H: skrifft altid effte[r] den enhellige de Helga Fädres Vthtÿdning förstå och a[n]taga[.]

Jagh troor och beKenner Siw Högwördiga r[ätt]a och sanna Sacrament den Nÿa Lagens eller Testamentets Wtaff Wår Herre Christo instichtat, och det Mennijskliga slächtet Högnödige; Ehuru Wel de inthet alle ähre Hwar och een menniska till saligheethen nödige: Såso[m] döpelsen, Förman Altarens Sacrament, Boot, Sista Smörielsen Prestewigningen och Echtenskapet, Vthaff Hwilka döpelsen, [...] och Prestewigningen Vthan största Gudz försmädelse inthet Kunna åtherKallas.

Jagh Vpp- och antager och så the insticktade bruck och Ceremonier Hwilka then H: Christeliga Kiÿrkia Vthi Högb:te Sacramentz offentlige meddelande och förrettande öffwar och brukar.

Här till med tror Jag sampt och sÿnnerligen, Huad som een Arffsÿnden och Menniskones Retferdigheet Vti thet allmenna Consilio Trieriske eller möthe till at troo beslutit och förKlarat ähr.

Jtem Jagh troor och at uthi den H: Meßan Warder Herren Gud offrat et sant och egenteligit försoningz offre för the Leffwande och döda, Och at uti thet Helga Högwerdiga Alt:nes Sacrament ähr wår Herres Christi Wesentliga sanna Lekamen och blod, med siel och gudom, Och at hela Brödsens Substans förbÿthes Wti Christi Lekamenes Substans och i Lika motto om winets Substans förWendes Uthi Christi blodz sanna Substans, Hwilken förWendelse den H: Christeliga Kÿrkia Kallar Transubsstantiātionē det ähr en förwendling den ena Substantiens i en annor[.]

Jagh troor och, at under den eena delen, Christus Heel och Hållen och ofördelat, och det samma Sacrament Hans Helga Lekamens fruchtsommeligen brukat och saligen anammatt Warder.

Jag håller Wißerligen therföör at een Skärseeld och Purgamentorium ähr till, och at the Christtrognas siälen Hwilka der sammastädes at plichta förhålles, bliffwer igenom förböner, Almoßer och andra gudeliga Werk som giöres aff the trogna Hulpne och Frelße. Ja at man och de heliga som med Christo Regera, sasom Gudz Wenner, och Wåra salige medlerdare äre och anropat skal: och at de och bidia Gud för oß. Der till med tror Jag, at theras Heliga Kroppar och Helgedommer sosom den H: Andes för detta Wercktÿg och Redskap, Hwilka och på then ÿttersta dagen till ähra och Herligheet skola vppstå och skola Hållas i Wördning och ähra.

Jagh troor Wist och fast at Wors Herres Jesu Christi Moder Maria och andre Heliga beläthen och Målningar, Hwilka oß Gudz Welgerningar och andra goda exempel påminna, skola Haffwas och Wti Kiÿrkiones behållas; och at man them tilbörlig ähra och Wördnat bewisa skall, för det de oß erindra och påminna.

Jag troor och förwist, at Wår Herre Christus Haffwer giffwit den Heliga Kiÿrkian fulkommeligh Wåld och macht, Råd och sÿndernes förlåthelse at utgifwa, och at sådan Råd och ablas ähr Christenhethen nÿttig och Nödigh[.]

Jagh ährkenner och den Helga Chatolisca, Apostoliska, Rommerska Kÿrkan för en moder och Mesteriña öffwer alle andre församblingar; Vtloffwer och tilsäger och så, den Rommerske Biskopen, såsom S. Petri Apostlarnas öffwerstes Effterfölgare och Wårs Herres Christi Vicarius Ståthållare på Jorden[.]

Så troor Jagh och alt, Hwad som om de Helga Regler Canones och allmenne Consilier, och i sÿnnerhet det, Som om det sist holne Consilio uthi Trier till at tro och afHålla budit; beslutit och förKlarat ähr, och förswerier tillika all Lähra Secter och meningar, aff Hwad nampn och Wilkor dee och ähro, som dee öffwer skreffna stÿcken Wedriga och [...] ähre. Jagh för Kaster och förswerrier och anamatiserer alle Kätterier, Wilfarelser och troos twister, som Wtaff bemälte Kiÿrkia all her till förKastade försworne och för banniserade ähre eller och her effter försworne och banniserade bliffwa Kunna.

Denna samme Chatoliska troo förwtan hwilken ingen någon Saligheet haffwer at förWeta :/ Hwilken Jagh Her friwilligh beKenner och fasteligen troor; Densam̃e Wil Jagh /: Will gud :/ hel och hållen oförandrat alt in till min graff fasteligen och obrotzlig behålla och beKenna; och min Wndersåther och alle som migh befelthe ähra, effter högste förmågo beweka och driffwa at de förb:te troo och beKennelse sampt med migh obrotzligen Hålla och beKenna detta Vtöffwer, Beplichter och [...] Jagh Christina, altså Hielpa migh Gud och the Heliga Euangelister.

Contemporary Swedish translation (my own):

Jag Kristina tror med fast tro, och jag bekänner allt och varje detalj som finns i den trossymbol som den heliga romerska Kyrkan använder, nämligen: jag tror på en Gud, den allsmäktige Fadern, himlens och jordens Skapare, av allting som är synligt och osynligt, och i en Herre Jesus Kristus, Guds enfödde son och född av Fadern före alla tider: Guds Gud, Ljusets Ljus, Sanne Gudens Sanne Gud. Född, inte skapade; överensstämmande med Fadern, genom vilken allting blev till, som kom ner från himlen för oss människor och för vår frälsning, och inkarnerades av den helige Ande från Jungfru Maria och blev människa; han blev också korsfäst för oss och led under Pontius Pilatus, och begravdes och uppstod på tredje dagen enligt Skrifterna, och steg upp till himlen och sitter på Faderns högra sida. Och han skall komma tillbaka med härlighet för att döma levande och döda, vars rike inte skall ända. Och på den helige Ande, Herren och Livets Givare, som utgår från Fadern och Sonen, som tillsammans med Fadern och Sonen tillbeds och förhärligas, som talade genom profeterna; och på en helig katolsk och apostolisk Kyrka.

Jag bekänner ett dop till syndernas förlåtelse, och jag väntar på de dödas uppståndelse och den kommande världens liv. Amen. Jag erkänner och omfamnar bestämt de apostoliska och kyrkliga traditionerna och de andra observationerna och konstitutionerna i samma Kyrkan. Likaså accepterar jag de heliga skrifterna enligt den mening som den heliga Moder Kyrkan höll och innehar, vars plikt det är att bedöma den sanna betydelsen och tolkningen av de heliga skrifterna som erkänns; och jag kommer aldrig att acceptera och tolka det annat än enligt Fädernas enhälliga samtycke.

Jag bekänner också att det verkligen och riktigt finns sju Sakrament av den nya lagen instiftade av Jesus Kristus, vår Herre, och för mänsklighetens frälsning, även om inte alla är nödvändiga för varje individ, nämligen: dop, konfirmation, Eukaristin, bot, yttersta salv, ordning och äktenskap, och dessa för att ge nåd; och av dessa kan dop, konfirmation och ordning inte upprepas utan helgerån. Jag tar också emot och erkänner den katolska Kyrkans riter som har mottagits och godkänts vid den högtidliga förvaltningen av de ovannämnda Sakramenten. Jag omfamnar och accepterar allt som definierades och förklarades om arvsynden och om rättfärdiggörelsen i den heliga Synoden i Trent.

Jag bekänner det faktum att i mässan frambärs ett sant, riktigt och försonande offer till Gud för levande och döda; och att i Eukaristins allra heligaste Sakrament finns det verkligen, verkligen och väsentligen lekamen och blodet, tillsammans med vår Herre Jesu Kristi själ och gudomlighet, och genom tro omvandlingen av hela brödets substans till lekamen, och av vinets hela substans till blodet, vilken omvandling den katolska Kyrkan kallar transsubstantiation. Jag bekänner likaså att jag tar emot hela och fullständiga Kristus och det sanna sakramentet under varje form. Jag håller fast vid att det finns skärselden och att de själar som är fängslade där får hjälp av de troendes suffragia. På samma sätt skall de heliga som regerar tillsammans med Kristus vördas och åkallas, och de skall framföra böner till Gud å våra vägnar, och vi skall vörda deras reliker.

Jag bekräftar med största bestämdhet att bilderna av Kristus och jungfrun Guds Moder, såväl som av andra heliga, bör bevaras och behållas, och att vederbörlig ära och vördnad bör tilldelas dem. Jag bekräftar att kraften i avlaten lämnades av Kristus i kyrkan, och att denna praxis är mest välgörande för det kristna folket. Jag erkänner den heliga romersk-katolska och apostoliska Kyrkan, alla kyrkors moder och mästarinna. Och till den romerske påven, Sankte Petrus, efterträdare till apostlarnas furste och Jesu Kristi ställföreträdare, lovar och svär jag sann lydnad. På samma sätt accepterar jag otvivelaktigt allt annat som överlämnats, definierats och förklarats av de heliga kanonerna och ekumeniska råden, och särskilt av den heliga Synoden i Trent; och samtidigt erkänner jag motsatsen, och jag förkastar och anatemaserar alla kätterier som fördömts av Kyrkan.

Denna sanna katolska tro, utanför vilken ingen kan bli frälst, som jag fritt bekänner för närvarande, och jag i sanning håller samma hela och okränkbara till slutet av mitt liv, kommer jag, med Guds Ande, de flesta ständigt behålla och bekänna; och, så mycket som det är i mig, kommer jag att sträva efter att detsamma skall hållas, undervisas och predikas av mina undersåtar eller av dem som är i min tjänst. Jag, samma Kristina, lovar och svär till detsamma, så hjälp mig Gud och dessa heliga Guds evangelier.
Kristina.

English translation (by Burbury):

I Christina believe with a firme faith, and professe all and every thing contained in the Creed of Faith, the holy Roman Church useth, namely I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, of all things visible, and invisible; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the onely begotten Son of God, and borne of his Father before all times: God of God, Light of Light, true God of true God: begotten, not made, consubstantial to the Father, by whom all things are made, who for us men, and our salvation descended from the Heavens, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost, of the Virgin Mary, and made man: crucified also for us, and suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried. And arose the third day according to the Scriptures, and ascended into Heaven, sits at the right hand of his father, and is to come again with glory, to judge the quick and the dead, of whose Kingdom there shall be no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who together with the Father and the Son, is adored and glorified, who spake by the Prophets: and in one holy Catholick and Apostolical Church. I confesse one Baptisme in the remission of sinnes, and expect the resurrection of the dead, and the life to come, Amen. I firmly admit, and embrace the Apostolical and Ecclesiastical Traditions, and the other observances and constitutions of the same Church. I likewise admit the sacred Scripture according to the sense our holy Mother the Church hath held, and holds, to whom it belongs to judge of the sense, and interpretation of the holy Scriptures: neither will I ever receive and interpret it, but according to the unanimous consent of the Fathers. I likewise professe seven true and proper Sacraments of the new Law, instituted by Christ Jesus our Lord, and to the salvation of mankind, though al[l] to every one are not necessary, namely Baptisme, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, extream Unction, Order, and Matrimony, and these to conferre grace; and of these, Baptisme, Confirmation, and Order cannot be reiterated without Sacriledge.

I receive and admit the received and approved rites of the Catholick Church in the solemn administration of these Sacraments. I embrace and receive all and every thing, which have been designed and declared in the holy Council of Trent, concerning Original sin and justification. I also professe that in the Masse, there is offered up to God, a true, proper, and propitiatory sacrifice for the living and the dead, and that in the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, there are truly, really, and substantially, the body and blood, with the soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and a conversion made of the whole substance of the bread into the body, and of the whole substance of the wine into the blood of Christ, which conversion the Catholick Church calls Transubstantiation. I likewise confess that under each kind, Christ is whole and entire, and a true Sacrament to be received. I constantly hold there is Purgatory, and the souls there detained, are helpt by the suffrages of the faithfull. And that in like manner the Saints raigning together with Christ, are to be honoured, and invocated, and that they offer up to God prayers for us, and their reliques to be held in veneration. I firmely assert, the images of Christ, and of the blessed Virgin, as also of other Saints, are to be had and retained, and due honour and reverence to be given to them. I likewise affirm the power of indulgences is left by Christ in his Church, and their use very healthfull to Christian people. I acknowledge the holy Catholick, and Apostolical Roman Church to be the Mother and Mistress of all Churches; And I promise and swear true obedience to the Bishop of Rome, the successor of Saint Peter the chief of the Apostles, and Vicar of Jesus Christ. And all other things delivered, defined and declared by the sacred Canons, general Councils, and especially by the holy Council of Trent, I undoubtedly receive and professe, and the contrary, and all heresies whatsoever condemned, rejected, and anathematiz'd by the Church, I also condemne, reject, and anathematize: This true Catholick faith, without which none can be saved, which I here professe willingly, and do truly hold the same entire and inviolable, I will by Gods assistance most constantly retain and confesse, and as much as in me lies endeavour that the same may be held, taught and preacht by my subjects and those under my command. I the said Christina doe promise, vow, and swear, so help me God, and these holy Evangelists,
CHRISTINA.

With modernised spelling for easier reading:

I Kristina believe with a firm faith, and profess all and everything contained in the Creed of Faith, the Holy Roman Church useth, namely: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, of all things visible, and invisible; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and born of his Father before all times: God of God, Light of Light, True God of True God. Begotten, not made, consubstantial to the Father, by whom all things are made, who, for us men and our salvation, descended from the Heavens and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost, of the Virgin Mary, and made man; crucified, also for us, and suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried. And arose the third day according to the Scriptures, and ascended into Heaven, sits at the right hand of His Father, and is to come again with glory, to judge the quick and the dead, of whose Kingdom there shall be no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who, together with the Father and the Son, is adored and glorified, who spake by the Prophets; and in one Holy Catholic and Apostolical Church.

I confess one Baptism in the remission of sins and expect the resurrection of the dead, and the life to come, Amen. I firmly admit and embrace the Apostolical and Ecclesiastical traditions and the other observances and constitutions of the same Church. I likewise admit the sacred Scripture according to the sense our Holy Mother the Church hath held and holds, to whom it belongs to judge of the sense and interpretation of the Holy Scriptures; neither will I ever receive and interpret it but according to the unanimous consent of the Fathers. I likewise profess seven true and proper Sacraments of the New Law instituted by Christ Jesus our Lord, and to the salvation of mankind, though all to everyone are not necessary, namely: baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, penance, extreme unction, order, and matrimony, and these to confer grace; and of these, baptism, confirmation and order cannot be reiterated without sacrilege. I receive and admit the received and approved rites of the Catholic Church in the solemn administration of these Sacraments. I embrace and receive all and everything which have been designed and declared in the Holy Council of Trent, concerning original sin and justification.

I also profess that in the Mass, there is offered up to God, a true, proper, and propitiatory sacrifice for the living and the dead, and that in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, there are truly, really, and substantially, the body and blood, with the soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and a conversion made of the whole substance of the bread into the body, and of the whole substance of the wine into the blood of Christ, which conversion the Catholic Church calls Transubstantiation. I likewise confess that under each kind, Christ is whole and entire and a true Sacrament to be received.

I constantly hold there is Purgatory, and the souls there detained, are helpt by the suffrages of the faithful. And that, in like manner, the Saints reigning together with Christ are to be honoured and invocated, and that they offer up to God prayers for us, and their relics to be held in veneration. I firmly assert the images of Christ and of the Blessed Virgin, as also of other Saints, are to be had and retained and due honour and reverence to be given to them. I likewise affirm the power of indulgences is left by Christ in His Church, and their use very healthful to Christian people. I acknowledge the holy Catholic and Apostolical Roman Church to be the Mother and Mistress of all Churches; and I promise and swear true obedience to the Bishop of Rome, the Successor of Saint Peter, the Chief of the Apostles, and Vicar of Jesus Christ. And all other things delivered, defined and declared by the sacred Canons, general Councils, and especially by the Holy Council of Trent, I undoubtedly receive and profess, and the contrary, and all heresies whatsoever condemned, rejected, and anathematised by the Church, I also condemn, reject, and anathematise.

This true Catholic faith, without which none can be saved, which I here profess willingly and do truly hold the same entire and inviolable, I will, by God's assistance, most constantly retain and confess, and, as much as in me lies, endeavour that the same may be held, taught and preached by my subjects and those under my command. I the said Kristina do promise, vow and swear, so help me God and these holy Evangelists,
Kristina.

English translation (my own):

I Kristina believe with firm faith, and I confess everything and every detail that is contained in the symbol of faith which the Holy Roman Church uses, namely: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, of all things visible and invisible, and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of God, and begotten of the Father before all ages: God of God, Light of Light, True God of True God. Begotten, not made; consubstantial with the Father, through Whom all things were made, Who came down from Heaven for us men, and for our salvation, and was incarnated by the Holy Spirit, from the Virgin Mary, and became man; He was also crucified for us, and suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures, and ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father. And he will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, whose Kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, Who, together with the Father and the Son, is adored and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets; and in one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

I confess one baptism for the remission of sins, and I await the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. I firmly admit and embrace the Apostolic and Ecclesiastical traditions, and the other observations and constitutions of the same Church. Likewise, I accept the Holy Scriptures according to that sense which the Holy Mother the Church held and holds, whose duty it is to judge of the true sense and interpretation of the Sacred Scriptures admitted; nor will I ever accept and interpret it except according to the unanimous consent of the Fathers.

I also profess that there are truly and properly seven Sacraments of the New Law instituted by Jesus Christ our Lord, and for the salvation of the human race, although not all of them are necessary for each individual, namely: baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, penance, extreme unction, order, and matrimony, and these to confer grace; and of these, baptism, confirmation, and order cannot be repeated without sacrilege. I also receive and admit the rites of the Catholic Church which have been received and approved in the solemn administration of the aforesaid Sacraments. I embrace and accept everything that was defined and declared about original sin and about justification in the Holy Synod of Trent.

I profess the fact that in the Mass a true, proper, and propitiatory sacrifice is offered to God for the living and the dead; and that in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist there is truly, really, and substantially the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by faith the conversion of the entire substance of the bread into the body, and of the entire substance of the wine into the blood, which conversion the Catholic Church calls transubstantiation. I likewise confess that I receive the whole and complete Christ and the true Sacrament under each form. I firmly hold that there is a Purgatory, and that the souls detained there are helped by the suffrages of the faithful. In the same way, the Saints reigning together with Christ are to be venerated and invoked, and they are to offer prayers to God on our behalf, and we are to venerate their relics.

I affirm most firmly that the Images of Christ, and of the Virgin Deipara, as well as of other Saints, should be kept and retained, and that due honour and veneration should be imparted to them. I affirm that the power of indulgences was left by Christ in the Church, and that this practice is most salutary to the Christian people. I acknowledge the Holy Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church, the Mother and Mistress of all Churches. And to the Roman Pontiff, Saint Peter, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, and Vicar of Jesus Christ, I pledge and swear true obedience. Likewise, I unquestioningly accept all the rest handed down, defined, and declared by the Sacred Canons and Ecumenical Councils, and especially by the Holy Synod of Trent; and at the same time I confess the contrary, and I reject and anathematise all heresies condemned by the Church.

This true Catholic faith, outside of which no one can be saved, which I freely confess at the present time, and I truly hold the same whole and inviolable to the end of my life, I will, with the Spirit of God's aid, most constantly retain and confess; and, as much as it is in me, I will endeavour that the same be held, taught and preached by my subjects, or by those who are in my service. I the same Kristina do pledge, vow, and swear to the same, so help me God and these Holy Gospels of God.
Kristina.


Above: Kristina.

Pope Alexander VII's letter to Lucas Holstenius, dated September 30/October 10 (New Style), 1655

Sources:

Historia della Sacra Real Maestà di Cristina Alessandra Regina di Svetia, pages 97 to 99, by Count Galeazzo Galdo Priorato, 1656


The history of the sacred and Royal Majesty of Christina Alessandra Queen of Swedland, &c., book 3, translated by John Burbury, 1658


The letter:

Dilecto filio Lucæ Holstenio Presbytero Hamburgensi, Basilicæ Principis Apostolorŭ de Vrbe Canonico, familiari, & continuo commensali nostro. ALEXANDER PAPA VII. Dilecte fili, salutem, & Apostolicam benedictionem. Cùm, sicut non sinè spirituali animi nostri lætitia accepimus, Christina Sueciæ Regina illustris ex parentibus hæreticis procreata, ac in hæresibus educata, & instructa, Diuino numine illustrata, viaque veritatis agnita, easdem hæreses omnino deserere, & ad gremium Sanctæ Romanæ Ecclesiæ, benedicente Domino, redire desideret; Nos qui pro pastorali munere id vnum præcipuè curare tenemur, vt siquæ oues à veritatis semita aberrant, in viam salutis reuocentur, de tua singulari pietate, prudentia, Religionis Catholicæ, & honoris domus Dei zelo plurimŭ in Domino confisi, motu proprio, ac ex certa scientia, & matura deliberatione nostra, dequè Apostolicæ potestatis plenitudine, tibi eamdem Christinam Reginam, siuè præuia abiuratione iudiciali, siuè extraiudiciali, aut nulla abiuratione præcedente, sed loco abiurationis recepta tantum ab ea Fidei Catholicæ professione, ab hæresibus huiusmodi, ac quibusuis excommunicationis, suspensionis, & interdicti, alijsquè Ecclesiasticis sententijs, censuris, & pœnis per eam propterea quomodolibet incurcis, iniuncta ei aliqua pœnitentia salutari, alijsque iniungendis, prout eiusdem Christinæ Reginæ animæ saluti expedire cognoueris, in vtroque foro auctoritate nostra absoluendi, eamdemque Christinam Reginam in gremium eiusdem Sanctæ Romanæ Ecclesiæ recipiendi, & reconciliandi, adhibito aliquo ad prædictos actus Notario publico, tenore præsentium plenam, liberam, & amplam facultatem concedimus, & impartimur, Volentes, vt simplici tuæ attestationi, etiam nullis adhibitis testibus, accedente tamen tua subscriptione, plena, & omnimoda fides adhibeatur. Non obstantibus Apostolicis, ac in vniuersalibus, prouincialibusque, & Synodalibus Concilijs editis generalibus, vel specialibus Constitutionibus, decretis, vsu, & stylo Tribunalis officij Sanctæ, & vniuersalis Inquisitionis, cæterisque contrarijs quibuscumque. Datum Romæ apud Sanctam Mariam Maiorem sub Annulo Piscatoris die 10. Octobris 1655. Pontificatus Nostri Anno Primo.
G. Gualterius.

With modernised spelling:

Dilecto filio Lucæ Holstenio, presbytero Hamburgensi, Basilicæ principis apostolorum de Urbe canonico, familiari, et continuo commensali nostro.
Alexander Papa VII.
Dilecte fili, salutem et apostolicam benedictionem. Cum, sicut non sine spirituali animi nostri lætitia accepimus, Christina, Sueciæ regina illustris, ex parentibus hæreticis procreata, ac in hæresibus educata, et instructa, divino Numine illustrata, viaque veritatis agnita, easdem hæreses omnino deserere, et ad gremium Sanctæ Romanæ Ecclesiæ, benedicente domino, redire desideret; nos qui pro pastorali munere id unum præcipue curare tenemur, ut siquæ oves a veritatis semita aberrant, in viam salutis revocentur, de tua singulari pietate, prudentia, religionis catholicæ, et honoris domus Dei zelo plurimum in Domino confisi, motu proprio, ac ex certa scientia, et matura deliberatione nostra, deque apostolicæ potestatis plenitudine, tibi eamdem Christinam reginam, sive prævia abjuratione judiciali, sive extrajudiciali, aut nulla abjuratione præcedente, sed loco abjurationis recepta tantum ab ea fidei catholicæ professione, ab hæresibus hujusmodi, ac quibusuis excommunicationis, suspensionis, et interdicti, aliisque ecclesiasticis sententiis, censuris, et pœnis per eam propterea quomodolibet incurcis, injuncta ei aliqua pœnitentia salutari, aliisque injungendis, prout ejusdem Christinæ reginæ animæ saluti expedire cognoveris, in utroque foro auctoritate nostra absoluendi, eamdemque Christinam reginam in gremium ejusdem Sanctæ Romanæ Ecclesiæ recipiendi et reconciliandi, adhibito aliquo ad prædictos actus notario publico, tenore præsentium plenam, liberam, et amplam facultatem concedimus, et impartimur, volentes, ut simplici tuæ attestationi, etiam nullis adhibitis testibus, accedente tamen tua subscriptione, plena, et omnimoda fides adhibeatur. Non obstantibus apostolicis, ac in universalibus, provincialibusque, et synodalibus conciliis editis generalibus, vel specialibus constitutionibus, decretis, usu, et stylo Tribunalis officii Sanctæ, et universalis Inquisitionis, cæterisque contrariis quibuscumque. Datum Romæ apud Sanctam Mariam Majorem sub Annulo Piscatoris, die 10 Octobris 1655, pontificatus nostri anno primo.
G. Gualterius.

French translation (my own):

A Notre très cher fils Luc Holstenius, prêtre de Hambourg, canonique de la Basilique du Prince des Apôtres dans la Ville, Notre familier, et toujours Notre commensal.
Pape Alexandre VII.
Notre très cher fils, Nos salutations et notre bénédiction apostolique. Comme, non sans la joie spirituelle de Notre âme, Nous avons appris que Christine, l'illustre reine de Suède, née de parents hérétiques, et élevée et instruite dans les hérésies, éclairée par la Divinité divine, et reconnue dans la voie de la vérité, veuille abandonner complètement ces mêmes hérésies et se tourner vers le sein de la Sainte Église Romaine, Nous, en tant que service pastoral, sommes obligés de Nous occuper avant tout de cette seule chose: que les brebis qui s'écartent du chemin de la vérité soient rappelées sur le chemin du salut.

Comme Nous sommes confiants dans Notre Seigneur, votre piété singulière, votre prudence, votre religion catholique et votre zèle pour l'honneur de la maison de Dieu, et par Notre mûre délibération, et dans la plénitude de Notre pouvoir apostolique, Nous vous confions donc et par la présente l'absolution de la même reine Christine, soit par abjuration judiciaire ou extrajudiciaire préalable, soit par aucune abjuration préalable, mais au lieu de l'abjuration reçue uniquement par cette profession de foi catholique, d'hérésies de ce genre et de toute excommunication, suspension et interdiction, et les autres jugements ecclésiastiques, les censures et les peines qu'elle encourt pour eux en aucune manière.

En lui enjoignant une pénitence salutaire et en enjoignant d'autres choses que vous savez être opportunes pour le salut de l'âme de la même reine Christine, Nous vous accordons, par Notre autorité, de l'absoudre dans les deux forums et de recevoir et de réconcilier la même la reine Christine dans le sein de la même Sainte Église romaine en employant un notaire public pour les actes susmentionnés, selon la teneur actuelle, que Nous voulions, à votre simple attestation, même sans aucun témoin employé, mais adhérant à votre signature, à donner en pleine et entière foi. Nonobstant les constitutions générales ou spéciales, les décrets, les usages et le style du Tribunal du Saint-Office et de l'Inquisition universelle, et autres choses contraires à celles publiées dans les conciles universels, provinciaux et synodaux.
Donné à Rome à Sainte Marie Majeure, sous l'Anneau du Pêcheur, le 10 octobre 1655, la première année de Notre pontificat.
G. Gualterius.

Swedish translation (my own):

Till Vår älskade son Lukas Holstenius, presbyter i Hamburg, kanonikat i Apostlarnas Prinsens Basilika i Staden, Vår familjär och alltid Vår bordkamrat.
Påven Alexander VII.
Vår älskade son, Vår hälsan och apostolisk välsignelse. Såsom, inte utan Vår själs andliga glädje, Vi har förnummit att Kristina, Sveriges durchlauchtigaste drottning, född av kätterska föräldrar och uppfostrad och instruerad i kätterier, upplyst av den gudomliga Gudomen och erkänd på sanningens väg, vill helt överge dessa kätterier och vända sig till den heliga romerska Kyrkans sköte, är Vi, som en pastoral tjänst, skyldiga att ta hand om det här framför allt: att sådana får som avviker från sanningens väg kan kallas tillbaka till frälsningens väg.

Eftersom Vi är säkra på Vår Herre, Er enastående fromhet, klokhet, Er katolska religion och Er iver för Guds hus ära, och genom Vårt mogna övervägande och i fullheten av Vår apostoliska makt, anförtror Vi Er därför och härmed att frikänna  samma drottning Kristina, antingen genom tidigare rättslig eller utomrättslig abjurering, eller genom ingen tidigare abjuration, utan istället för abjuration som endast erhållits av den katolska trosbekännelsen, från kätterier av detta slag och från varje bannlysning, suspension och förbud, och andra kyrkliga domar, censurer och straff som hon ådragit sig för dem på något sätt.

Genom att ålägga henne någon välgörande bot och påbjuda annat, som Ni vet är ändamålsenligt för samma drottning Kristinas själs frälsning, beviljer Vi Er genom Vår myndighet att frikänna henne i båda forumen och att ta emot och förlika densamma drottning Kristina in i samma heliga romerska Kyrkans famn genom att anlita en notarie för ovannämnda handlingar, enligt nuvarande lydelse, om det behagar Oss, till Ert enkla intygande, även utan några anställda vittnen, men ändå ansluta sig till Er underskrift i full och all slags tro. Utan hinder av allmänna eller speciella författningar, dekret, bruk och stil för det heliga ämbetets tribunal och den universella inkvisitionen och andra saker som strider mot de som publiceras i universella, provinsiella och synodala råd.
Givet i Rom i Santa Maria Maggiore, under Fiskarens Ring, den 10 oktober 1655, under det första året av Vårt pontifikat.
G. Gualterius.

English translation (by Burbury):

To our beloved son Luke Holstenius, Priest of Hamburg, Canon of St. Peters in Rome, one of our family and continual attendance at our table.
Alexander the VIIth Pope.
Beloved son, Greeting and Apostolical Benediction,
whereas we have received, not without the spiritual joy of our mind, that Christina the noble Queen of Swedland, born of heretical parents, and bred up, and instructed in heresies, illuminated by heavenly light, and knowing the way of truth, desires to renounce the same heresies, and returne, by the blessing of God, into the bosome of the holy Roman Church, we, who by our Pastoral function, are chiefly obliged to attend unto this, that if any Sheep wander from the path of the truth, they may be brought back into the way of salvation, being very much confident in our Lord, of your singular piety, prudence, zeal of the Catholick religion, and the honour of Gods house, of our own free motion, sure knowledge, mature deliberation, and out of the fulnesse of our Apostolical power, by vertue of these presents, do grant and impart to you, the free and full power of absolving by our authority in both Courts, the said Queen Christina from these heresies, all excommunication, suspension, interdict, and other ecclesiastical sentences, censures, and punishments howsoever incurred by her for the same, whether any juridicial, or extra-juridical abjuration, or any at all precedent, but in place of abjuration, her Profession of the Catholick Faith, according to the Articles long propounded by the Apostolical Sea, some healthful pennance being enjoyned her, and other things you shall know to be expedient for the good of her soul, and we grant and impart the same power of reconciling and receiving the said Queen into the bosome of the holy Roman Church, some publick Notary being used about the Acts aforesaid, we willing, to your sole attestation, without any any [sic] witnesses, your subscription onely added, full and absolute belief should be given. Notwithstanding the Apostolical, universal, or special constitutions, published in general, provincial, or other Councills, the decrees, use, and stile of the Office of the holy and general inquisition and all other things to the contrary.
Given at Rome at St. Maries the greater, under the Ring of the Fisher on the tenth of October, 1655. in the first year of our Papacie.
G. Gualterius.

With modernised spelling for easier reading:

To Our beloved son Luke Holstenius, Priest of Hamburg, Canon of St. Peter's in Rome, one of Our family and continual attendance at Our table.
Alexander the VIIth, Pope.
Beloved son, greeting and apostolical benediction. Whereas We have received, not without the spiritual joy of Our mind, that Kristina, the noble Queen of Swedeland, born of heretical parents and bred up and instructed in heresies, illuminated by heavenly light, and knowing the way of truth, desires to renounce the same heresies, and return, by the blessing of God, into the bosom of the Holy Roman Church, We, who by Our pastoral function, are chiefly obliged to attend unto this: that if any sheep wander from the path of the truth, they may be brought back into the way of salvation.

Being very much confident in our Lord, of your singular piety, prudence, zeal of the Catholic religion, and the honour of God's House, of Our own free motion, sure knowledge, mature deliberation, and out of the fullness of Our apostolical power, by virtue of these presents, [We] do grant and impart to you the free and full power of absolving by Our authority in both courts the said Queen Kristina from these heresies, all excommunication, suspension, interdict, and other ecclesiastical sentences, censures, and punishments howsoever incurred by her for the same, whether any juridicial, or extra-juridical abjuration, or any at all precedent, but in place of abjuration, her profession of the Catholic faith, according to the articles long propounded by the Apostolical See, some healthful penance being enjoined her, and other things you shall know to be expedient for the good of her soul; and We grant and impart the same power of reconciling and receiving the said Queen into the bosom of the Holy Roman Church, some public notary being used about the acts aforesaid, We willing, to your sole attestation, without any witnesses, your subscription only added, full and absolute belief should be given. Notwithstanding the apostolical, universal, or special constitutions, published in general, provincial, or other councils, the decrees, use, and style of the Office of the holy and general Inquisition and all other things to the contrary.
Given at Rome at St. Mary's the Greater, under the Ring of the Fisher, on the tenth of October 1655, in the first year of Our papacy.
G. Gualterius.

English translation (my own):

To Our beloved son Lucas Holstenius, presbyter of Hamburg, Canonical of the Basilica of the Prince of the Apostles of the City, Our familiar, and always Our commensal.
Pope Alexander VII.
Our beloved son, greetings and apostolic blessing. As, not without the spiritual joy of Our soul, We have received that Kristina, the illustrious Queen of Sweden, born of heretical parents, and brought up and instructed in heresies, enlightened by the divine Deity, and recognised in the way of truth, wishes to completely abandon these same heresies and to turn to the bosom of the Holy Roman Church, We, as a pastoral service, are obliged to take care of this one thing above all: that such sheep as stray from the path of truth may be called back to the path of salvation.

As We are confident in our Lord, your singular piety, prudence, your Catholic religion, and your zeal for the honour of the house of God, and by Our mature deliberation, and in the fullness of Our apostolic power, We therefore and hereby entrust you with absolving the same Queen Kristina, either by previous judicial or extrajudicial abjuration, or by no previous abjuration, but instead of abjuration received only by that profession of the Catholic faith, from heresies of this kind and from any excommunication, suspension, and prohibition, and other ecclesiastical judgments, censures, and punishments incurred by her for them in any way.

Enjoining upon her some salutary penance, and enjoining other things which you know to be expedient for the salvation of the soul of the same Queen Kristina, We grant you, by Our authority, to absolve her in both forums and to receive and reconcile the same Queen Kristina into the bosom of the same Holy Roman Church by employing a public notary for the aforesaid acts, according to the present tenor, We willing, to your simple attestation, even without any witnesses employed, yet acceding to your signature, to be given in full and all manner of faith. Notwithstanding the general or special constitutions, decrees, usage, and style of the Tribunal of the Holy Office, and of the universal Inquisition, and other things contrary to those published in universal, provincial, and synodal councils.
Given at Rome at Santa Maria Maggiore, under the Ring of the Fisherman, on October 10, 1655, in the first year of Our pontificate.
G. Gualterius.


Above: Kristina.


Above: Lucas Holstenius.


Above: Pope Alexander VII.

Pope Alexander VII's letter to Kristina, dated September 30/October 10 (New Style), 1655

Sources:

Historia della Sacra Real Maestà di Cristina Alessandra Regina di Svetia, pages 93 to 94, by Count Galeazzo Galdo Priorato, 1656


The history of the sacred and Royal Majesty of Christina Alessandra Queen of Swedland, &c., book 3, translated by John Burbury, 1658


The letter:

Charissimæ in Christo filiæ nostræ Christinæ Sueciæ Reginæ Illustri. ALEXANDER PAPA VII. Charissima in Christo filia nostra salutem, & Apostolicam benedictionem. Vbi primùm allatum Nobis est, Maiestatem tuam apud Bruxellas Romanæ, hoc est Catholicæ, fidei integritatem, licet non palam, amplexam, è veterum errorum colluuione emersisse, nouamquè per Spiritum Sanctum creatam in ea esse Sapientiam, in quam nihil inquinatum incurrit, quantum gaudium ad intimum animi sensum permanauerit, nulla tanta est in verbis vis, & magnitudo, qua in exequi, aut exprimere dicendo possimus. Hanc sanè multò maximam lætitiam, cui vix quicquam adijci posse videbatur, summoperè auxit huc à Te institutum inter; vt Apostolorum trophæa, & Fidem Apostolico ore laudatam, Nosquè, quos licet immeritos Petri, atquè sui ipsius vice terris præesse Christus voluit, venereris. Qua in re non modò præclarissimorum Principum immortales laudes æquæbis, qui sibi gloriosum dux erunt, triumphales fasces, & lauream ad Piscatoris, Romanorumquè Pontificum pedes deponere, verum etiam ab ipsa Vrbe, rectè sentiendi, docendiquè Magistra, hauries veræ, at Cælestis doctrinæ præcepta. Quoniam tamen non sinè aliqua eorum iacturæ qui sibi inanem scientiæ opinionem induerunt, & apud semetipsos solum prudentes sunt, tantum lumen adhuc sub modio conditur, debet tandem excelso è loco omnibus prælucere, vt & illi per hæc exempla, & vestigia ingrediantur. Mittimus ad Maiestatem tuam dilectum filium Lucam Holstenium, Domesticum nostrum, & Prothonotarium Apost[o]licum, S. Petri Basilicæ Canonicum, & Vaticanæ nostræ Bibliothecæ Custodem, virum omniŭ litterarum eruditione, ac singulari pietate nobis eximiè charum; qui tibi publicè Catholicam Fidĕ ex veteri, & recepto Romanæ Ecclesiæ more profitenti adsit, & à quo pluribus nostræ erga te charitatis, voluptatisquè perceptæ immensa planè vis explicetur. Certissimam autem in spem adducimur ab eomet, qui adeò misericorditer in te aperatus est salutem, nihil omissuram Maiestatem tuam, vt amplissimi huius beneficij se non indignam ostendat, summoquè in hanc Sanctam Sedem obsequio, obnixaque obedientia omnibus testaturam, se Catholicam Fidem ardenter concupijsse, flagrantissimequè suscepisse. Ab eodem Luca, & paternam nostram amantissimam benedictionem, & plura in hanc sententiam accipiet Maiestas tua, cui à Deo felicitatem, atquè vt eam, quam dextera sua mirabiliter in te fecit, virtutem confirmet, impensissimè precamur. Datum Romæ apud Sanctam Mariam Maiorem sub Annulo Piscatoris, die x. Octobris 1655. Pontificatus Nostri Anno Primo. Natalis Rondininus.

With modernised spelling:

Carissimæ in Christo filiæ nostræ, Christinæ Sueciæ Reginæ Illustri.
Alexander Papa VII.
Carissima in Christo filia nostra, salutem et apostolicam benedictionem. Ubi primum allatum nobis est, Majestatem Tuam apud Bruxellas Romanæ, hoc est Catholicæ, fidei integritatem, licet non palam, amplexam, e veterum errorum colluvione emersisse, novamque per Spiritum Sanctum creatam in ea esse sapientiam, in quam nihil inquinatum incurrit, quantum gaudium ad intimum animi sensum permanaverit, nulla tanta est in verbis vis, et magnitudo, qua in exequi, aut exprimere dicendo possimus.

Hanc sane multo maximam lætitiam, cui vix quicquam adiici posse videbatur, summopere auxit huc à te institutum inter, ut apostolorum trophæa, et fidem apostolico ore laudatam, nosque, quos licet immeritos Petri, atque sui ipsius vice terris præesse Christus voluit, venereris. Qua in re non modo præclarissimorum principum immortales laudes æquabis, qui sibi gloriosum dux erunt, triumphales fasces, et lauream ad Piscatoris, Romanorumque pontificum pedes deponere, verum etiam ab ipsa Urbe, recte sentiendi, docendique magistra, hauries veræ, at cælestis doctrinæ præcepta. Quoniam tamen non sine aliqua eorum jacturæ qui sibi inanem scientiæ opinionem induerunt, et apud semetipsos solum prudentes sunt, tantum lumen adhuc sub modio conditur, debet tandem excelso e loco omnibus prælucere, ut et illi per hæc exempla, et vestigia ingrediantur.

Mittimus ad Majestatem Tuam dilectum filium Lucam Holstenium, domesticum nostrum, et prothonotarium apostolicum, Sancti Petri Basilicæ canonicum, et Vaticanæ nostræ Bibliothecæ custodem, virum omnium litterarum eruditione, ac singulari pietate nobis eximie carum, qui tibi publice catholicam fide ex veteri, et recepto Romanæ Ecclesiæ more profitenti adsit, et à quo pluribus nostræ erga te caritatis, voluptatisque perceptæ immensa plane vis explicetur. Certissimam autem in spem adducimur ab eomet, qui adeo misericorditer in te aperatus est salutem, nihil omissuram Majestatem Tuam, ut amplissimi hujus beneficii se non indignam ostendat, summoque in hanc Sanctam Sedem obsequio, obnixaque obedientia omnibus testaturam, se catholicam fidem ardenter concupisse, flagrantissimeque suscepisse.

Ab eodem Luca, et paternam nostram amantissimam benedictionem, et plura in hanc sententiam accipiet Majestas Tua, cui a Deo felicitatem, atque ut eam, quam dextera sua mirabiliter in te fecit, virtutem confirmet, impensissimè precamur. Datum Romæ apud Sanctam Mariam Majorem sub Annulo Piscatoris, die 10 octobris 1655, pontificatus nostri anno primo.
Natalis Rondininus.

French translation (my own):

A Notre très chère fille en Christ, l'illustre Reine Christine de Suède.
Pape Alexandre VII.
Notre très chère fille en Christ, Nos salutations et Notre bénédiction apostolique. Lorsqu'il Nous a été rapporté pour la première fois que Votre Majesté avait embrassé, bien que non ouvertement, l'intégrité de la foi romaine, c'est-à-dire catholique, qu'elle était sortie de la saleté d'anciennes erreurs et que la nouvelle sagesse créée par le Saint-Esprit est venu en elle, dans lequel rien de souillé n'entre — il n'y a aucune force ou grandeur dans les mots avec lesquels Nous pouvons exécuter ou exprimer la grande joie qui est entrée dans Notre âme.

Bien sûr, ce très grand bonheur, auquel il semblait qu'on ne pouvait presque rien ajouter, était considérablement augmenté par son intention de venir ici, afin qu'elle puisse louer les trophées des apôtres, la foi qui elle-même a été louée de bouche par les apôtres, et Nous, que le Christ a voulu présider sur la terre à la place de Pierre et de lui-même, bien qu'à tort. En cette matière, non seulement elle égalera les louanges immortelles des princes les plus illustres, princes qui, pour leur gloire, ont déposé leurs fardeaux triomphaux et leurs lauriers aux pieds du Pêcheur et du pontife romain, mais elle sera également instruite dans les préceptes de la vérité et de la doctrine céleste par la Cité elle-même et par les maîtres de la pensée et de la connaissance justes. Parce que, cependant, non sans quelque perte pour ceux qui se sont revêtus d'une vaine opinion de la science et ne sont sages qu'entre eux, tant de lumière est encore cachées sous la lampe, elle doit enfin briller d'un haut lieu vers tous, ainsi qu'eux aussi puissent entrer par ces exemples et ces étapes.

Nous envoyons à Votre Majesté Notre très cher fils Luc Holstenius, Notre domestique, protonotaire apostolique, chanoine de la Basilique Saint-Pierre et gardien de Notre Bibliothèque Vaticane, homme de savoir en toutes lettres d'une piété singulière, et très cher à Nous, qui vous aidera à professer publiquement la foi catholique depuis l'ancienne à la manière de l'Église romaine, et l'immense force de Notre affection pour elle et du plaisir que Nous en sentons sera pleinement expliquée par lui. Mais Nous sommes portés à l'espérance la plus certaine par celui qui vous a si miséricordieusement ouvert le salut, qu'il ne laissera rien à Votre Majesté, afin qu'elle ne se montre pas indigne de cette grande faveur, et qu'elle en témoigne le Saint-Siège avec la plus haute soumission et une obéissance liée à tout ce qu'elle a ardemment désiré la foi catholique et l'a reçue très ardemment.

De la part du même Luc, et de Notre bénédiction paternelle très aimante, et plus encore sur cette intention, Nous prions ardemment que Votre Majesté reçoive le bonheur de Dieu, et qu'Il puisse fortifier le courage que sa main droite a merveilleusement forgé en elle. Donné à Rome à Sainte Marie Majeure sous l'Anneau du Pêcheur, le 10 octobre 1655, la première année de Notre pontificat.
Natalis Rondininus.

Swedish translation (my own):

Till Vår käraste dotter i Kristus, den durchlauchtigsta drottning Kristina av Sverige.
Påven Alexander VII.
Vår käraste dotter i Kristus, Våra hälsningar och apostoliska välsignelser. När det först kom till Oss att Ers Majestät hade omfamnat, men inte öppet, den romerska, det vill säga katolska, trons integritet, att hon hade kommit ur smutsen av gamla villfarelser och att den nya visdom skapad av den Helige Ande kom inom Er, in i vilken inget orent kommer — det finns ingen kraft eller storhet i ord som Vi kan utföra eller uttrycka den stora glädje som kom in i Vår själ.

Naturligtvis ökades denna mycket stora lycka, till vilken det tycktes knappast någonting kunna läggas till, i hög grad av Er avsikt att komma hit, så att Ni kan prisa apostlarnas troféer, den tro som själv har muntligen prisats av dessa apostlar och Oss, som Kristus ville presidera över jorden i stället för Petrus och honom själv, fastän det oförtjänt. I denna fråga kommer Ni inte bara att motsvara de odödliga lovprisningarna från de mest berömda furstarna, furstar som för sin ära lade ner sina triumfbördor och lagrar vid foten av fiskaren och den romerske påven, utan Ni kommer också att bli undervisade i föreskrifter om sanning och himmelsk doktrin av staden själv och av mästare av rätt tänkande och kunskap. Eftersom dock inte utan en viss förlust för dem som klädde sig med en tom vetenskapsuppfattning och endast är sinsemellan visa, så mycket ljus fortfarande döljs under lampan, måste det äntligen lysa fram från en höjd för alla, så att de också kan komma in genom dessa exempel och steg.

Vi sänder till Ers Majestät Vår älskade son Lucas Holstenius, Vår domestik och apostoliska prothonotär, kanonik för Peterskyrkan och vårdnadshavare för Vårt Vatikanbibliotek, en lärd man i alla lettres av enastående fromhet, och Oss mycket kär, som skall hjälpa Er att offentligt bekänna den katolska tron ​​från den gamla på den romerska Kyrkans sätt, och den enorma kraften i vår tillgivenhet mot Er och av det nöje som Vi uppfattar kommer att förklaras fullständigt av honom. Men Vi bringas till det säkraste hopp av honom, som så barmhärtigt har öppnat frälsningen för Er, att han inte lämnar någonting åt Ers Majestät, så att Ni kan visa Er inte ovärdig denna stora ynnest, och att Ni skall betyga för Heliga Stolen med den högsta undergivenhet och bunden lydnad till allt som Ni ivrigt har önskat den katolska tron ​​och ivrigt tagit emot den.

Från samme Lucas, och Vår mest kärleksfulla faderliga välsignelse, och mer till detta ändamål, ber Vi innerligt att Ers Majestät skall få lycka från Gud, och att han må stärka det mod, som hans högra hand förunderligt har gjort i Er. Givet i Rom i Santa Maria Maggiore under Fiskarens Ring, den 10 oktober 1655, det första året av Vårt pontifikat.
Natalis Rondininus.

English translation (by Burbury):

To our most dear Daughter in Christ, Christina the illustrious Queen of Swedland, Alexander VII Pope.
Our most dear Daughter in Christ, Greeting and Apostolicall benediction.
As soon as we heard your Majesty embracing in Bruxels, though not openly, the integrity of the Romane, to wit, the Catholique faith, had risen out of the filth of old errors, and that the holy Ghost had created new wisdom in you; what joy over flowed our soul, no force, or strength of words can expresse. This our greatest gladnesse, to which hardly any thing could be added in appearance, was in a high manner encreas'd by your journey, begun towards this place, to the end you might reverence the Trophyes of the Apostles the faith, which was commended by the Apostles own mouth, and us, whom though unworthy, Christ would have, in Peters stead, and his own, to bear rule o're his Church upon Earth. In doing of which, you not onely will equall the never dying praises of the famousest Princes, who thought it a glory to them, to depose their triumphall Ornaments and Laurells, at the feet of the Fisher, and the Bishops of Rome; but likewise from the City it self, the Mistris of rightly believing, and teaching, draw the precepts of true and heavenly learning. Yet because, not without some hurt unto them, who assume to themselves a vain opinion of knowledge, and onely are wise among themselves, so much light lyes yet hidden under the bushel, [th]at ought at length to shine out to all from an eminent place, that they by these examples and foot steps may likewise come in. We send to your Majesty, our beloved son Luke Holstenius of our Houshold, principal Apostolical Notary, Canon of the Church of St. Peter, and Keeper of our Vatican Library, a man for his knowledge in all learning and singular piety, very dear unto us, who may be assistant to you in your publique profession of the Catholick faith, according to the ancient and accustomed manner of the Roman Church, and by whom our great love to you, and the joy we have received, may more fully be declared. But we firmely hope in him, who hath wrought in you so mercifully salvation, your Majesty will be wanting in nothing that may shew you not unworthy of this most ample benefit, and that by your ready obseqiousnesse, and hearty obedience, you will testifie to all, you have earnestly sought, and most ardently received the Catholick faith. By the sa[i]d Luke, our fatherly and most loving benediction, & more to this purpose, your Majestie will receive, for whom we most earnestly begg all happinesse of God, and that he would strengthen the power, his right hand hath wrought marvellously in you.
Given at Rome at St. Maries the greater, under the ring of the Fisher, on the 10th day of October 1655, in the First year of our Papacy.
Natalis Rondinnius.

With modernised spelling for easier reading:

To Our most dear daughter in Christ, Kristina, the illustrious Queen of Swedeland,
Alexander VII, Pope.
Our most dear daughter in Christ, greeting and apostolical benediction.
As soon as We heard Your Majesty embracing in Brussels, though not openly, the integrity of the Roman, to wit, the Catholic faith, had risen out of the filth of old errors, and that the Holy Ghost had created new wisdom in you, what joy overflowed our soul, no force or strength of words can express.

This Our greatest gladness, to which hardly anything could be added in appearance, was in a high manner increased by your journey begun towards this place, to the end you might reverence the trophies of the Apostles the faith which was commended by the Apostles' own mouth, and Us, whom, though unworthy, Christ would have, in Peter's stead and His own, to bear rule over his Church upon Earth. In doing of which, you not only will equal the never dying praises of the famousest princes who thought it a glory to them to depose their triumphal ornaments and laurels at the feet of the Fisher and the bishops of Rome, but likewise from the city itself, the mistress of rightly believing and teaching draw the precepts of true and heavenly learning. Yet because, not without some hurt unto them who assume to themselves a vain opinion of knowledge and only are wise among themselves, so much light lies yet hidden under the bushel that ought at length to shine out to all from an eminent place, that they by these examples and foot steps may likewise come in.

We send to Your Majesty, Our beloved son Luke Holstenius, of Our household, principal Apostolical Notary, Canon of the Church of St. Peter, and Keeper of Our Vatican Library, a man for his knowledge in all learning and singular piety, very dear unto Us, who may be assistant to you in your public profession of the Catholic faith, according to the ancient and accustomed manner of the Roman Church, and by whom Our great love to you, and the joy We have received, may more fully be declared. But We firmly hope in him who hath wrought in you so mercifully salvation, Your Majesty will be wanting in nothing that may shew you not unworthy of this most ample benefit, and that by your ready obseqiousness and hearty obedience, you will testify to all you have earnestly sought and most ardently received the Catholic faith.

By the said Luke, Our fatherly and most loving benediction, and more to this purpose, Your Majesty will receive, for whom We most earnestly beg all happiness of God, and that He would strengthen the power, His right hand hath wrought marvellously in you.
Given at Rome at Saint Mary's the Greater, under the Ring of the Fisher, on the 10th day of October 1655, in the first year of Our papacy.
Natalis Rondininus.

English translation (my own):

To Our dearest daughter in Christ, the illustrious Queen Kristina of Sweden.
Pope Alexander VII.
Our dearest daughter in Christ, Our greetings and apostolic blessing. When it was first brought to Us that Your Majesty had embraced, though not openly, the integrity of the Roman, that is, Catholic, faith, that she had emerged from the filth of old errors, and that the new wisdom created by the Holy Spirit came within you, into which nothing defiled comes — there is no force or greatness in words with which We can execute or express the great joy that came into Our soul.

Of course, this very great happiness, to which it seemed that hardly anything could be added, was greatly increased by your intention to come here, so that you may praise the trophies of the Apostles, the Faith which itself has been praised by mouth by those Apostles, and Us, whom Christ willed to preside over the Earth in the stead of Peter and Himself, though undeservingly so. In this matter you will not only equal the immortal praises of the most illustrious princes, princes who, for their glory, laid down their triumphal burdens and laurels at the feet of the Fisherman and the Roman Pontiff, but you will also be instructed in the precepts of truth and heavenly doctrine by the City itself and by masters of right thinking and knowledge. Because, however, not without some loss to those who clothed themselves with an empty opinion of science and are wise only among themselves, so much light is still hidden under the lamp, it must at last shine forth from a high place to all, so that they too may enter by these examples and steps.

We send to Your Majesty Our beloved son Lucas Holstenius, Our domestic and apostolic prothonotary, canon of St. Peter's Basilica, and custodian of Our Vatican Library, a man of learning in all letters of singular piety, and very dear to Us, who will assist you in your publicly professing the Catholic faith from the old one in the manner of the Roman Church, and the immense force of Our affection towards you and of the pleasure perceived by us will be fully explained by him. But We are brought to the most certain hope by him, who has so mercifully opened salvation to you, that he will leave nothing to Your Majesty, so that you may show yourself not unworthy of this great favour, and that you will testify to this Holy See with the highest submission and bound obedience to all that you have ardently desired the Catholic faith and most ardently received it.

From the same Lucas, and Our most loving paternal blessing, and more to this purpose, We earnestly pray that Your Majesty will receive happiness from God, and that He may strengthen the courage which His right hand has wondrously wrought in you. Given at Rome at Santa Maria Maggiore under the Ring of the Fisherman, on October 10, 1655, in the first year of Our pontificate.
Natalis Rondininus.


Above: Kristina.


Above: Lucas Holstenius.


Above: Pope Alexander VII.

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Kristina and Ebba... (Select compilation)

Sources:

A journal of the Swedish ambassy, in the years M.DCC.LIII. and M.DCC.LIV., volume 1, by Bulstrode Whitelocke, published in 1772

Handlingar rörande Skandinaviens historia, volume 15, published by A. Wiborgs Förlag, 1830

Johan Ekeblads bref 1: Från Kristinas och Cromwells hof, published by Nils Sjöberg, 1911

Le opere del Raimondo Montecuccoli, volume 3: opere minori d'argomento militare e politico; diari i viaggio e memorie, published by Andrea Testa, 2000

Pet. Dan. Huetii, episcopi Abrincensis, commentarius de rebus ad eum pertinentibus, by Bishop Pierre Daniel Huet, published by Henri du Sauzet, 1718

Riksarkivet: K 89; Utgångna och ingångna skrivelser; Drottning Kristina d. y. (Christina Alexandra); Svenska drottningars arkivaliesamlingar i riksarkivet; Kungliga arkiv

Riksarkivet: K 90; Utgångna och ingångna skrivelser; Drottning Kristina d. y. (Christina Alexandra); Svenska drottningars arkivaliesamlingar i riksarkivet; Kungliga arkiv


Above: Kristina.


Above: Ebba Sparre.

Posted for the first day of Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈 ~

Note: I am still looking out for things about or mentioning Ebba, so this is not a full compilation.

The quotes (I have modernised the spelling for easier reading; with English translations):

Johan Ekeblad's letter to his father Christoffer Ekeblad, dated January 15/25 (Old Style), 1651:

"Av Stockholm, den 15 januari 1651.
... Igår vart dansat hos Hans Kungliga Höghet som sedvanligt (bal kallas det). Landgreven fick buketten till att giva bal härnäst. ...

Dessa undertecknade hava representerat personerna som uti denna balleten nämnas, nämligen:

... Uti den andra ingången är Diana representerad genom Hennes Majestät själv med några utav hovdamerna, vilka här varda nymfer kallade.

Uti den 3:e är Venus genom hovjungfrun Ebba Sparre representerad, vilken 3 utav Wachtmeisterens små döttrar med sig haver, tillika med Cupido, vilken är en fransysk lutenists son, Béthune benämnd. ...

Uti den 5:e i staden för Apollo dansar Hans Furstliga Nåde hertig Adolf med Dianam, vilken är drottningen. ...

Uti den 10:e ingången representerar återigen mademoiselle Sparre gudinnan Venus med flera nymfer, vilka äro hofjungfrurna. ...

Den 12:e är Venus åter inne med Æsculapius, vilken er Svante Banér, hovstallmästaren.

Uti den 13:e representerar hovmarskalkens grevinna Pallas tillika med Diana, Hennes Majestät. ..."

("Stockholm, January 15, 1651.
... Yesterday there was a dance by His Royal Highness as usual (it's called a ball). The Landgrave got the bouquet to give the ball next. ...

These written hereunder have represented the persons mentioned in this ballet, namely:

... In the second entrance Diana is represented by Her Majesty herself with some of the ladies of the court, who are here called nymphs.

In the 3rd, Venus is represented by the court lady Ebba Sparre, who has 3 of Wachtmeister's little daughters with her, as well as Cupid, who is the son of a French lutenist, named Béthune. ...

In the 5th, in the role of Apollo, His Princely Grace Duke Adolf dances with Diana, who is the Queen. ...

In the 10th entrance, Mademoiselle Sparre again represents the goddess Venus with several nymphs, who are the court maidens. ...

In the 12th, Venus is again inside with Æsculapius, who is Svante Banér, the Master of the Court Stables.

In the 13th the Court Marshal's countess represents Pallas; together with Diana, Her Majesty. ...")

—

From Pierre Daniel Huet's memoirs, anecdote happened in 1652 or 1653:

"... Colloquia narrabat mihi Salmasius, toto hoc anno, quem Holmiæ transegerat apud Christinam reginam, se podagrâ oppressum decubuisse, sibique supervenisse aliquando reginam, cum temporis et doloris fallendi causâ libellum legeret, perfacetum quidem, at subturpiculum, cujus auctorem ferunt franciscum Beroaldum Vervillam, præfixo hoc titulo, Rei faciendæ ratio; se eum diligenter inter stragula occultasse, ne manus injiciens regina obscœna lectione offenderetur; nec ejus tamen omnia circumspicientis argutum et curiosum oculum effugisse; atque illam arrepto statim et aperto libello, et perlectis saltuatim versibus aliquot subrisisse ad jocosas nequitias, et vocatæ ad se Sparræ, nobili et formosæ puellæ, quam habebat in deliciis, certos quosdam indicasse libri locos, quos sibi prælegi vellet ab ea, quantumvis renitente, multoque pudore ac rubore suffusa, solutis in magnos cachinnos omnibus adstantibus."

("Saumaise told me that during the whole year he had spent in Stockholm at Queen Kristina's court, he had been kept in bed by gout. The Queen having come to see him one day, a day on which, to divert his pain, he read Le Moyen de Parvenir, a very dirty book, but pleasant, it is said, by Beroalde de Verville. He hastened to slip the book under his sheets, lest the Queen should seize it and be shocked by this obscene reading. But this movement had not escaped the furtive and inquisitive eyes of Her Majesty. She seized the book, opened it, read a few lines, and laughed at the mischievous jokes she saw there. Calling then her favourite, Mademoiselle Sparre, a noble and beautiful young girl, she showed her some passages and ordered her to read them. It was necessary to obey. She blushed to the whites of her eyes, but the audience was bursting with laughter.")

—

Johan Ekeblad's letter to his father Christoffer Ekeblad, dated January 10/20 (Old Style), 1653:

"Av Stockholm, den 10 januari 1653.
... Jag vill höra upp med de onyttiga hovostadigheter och låta min käre farkär veta att igår, som var den 10 hujus, stod greve Jakobs bröllop på slottet med den sköna Sparren med stor prakt.

Förleden 3 kungadag blev det spelet hållet på slottet huru alla gudarna voro till gäst hos herdarna och herdinnorna. Det haver varit mycket vackert att se på och hava de lekt allt intill klockan 7 om morgonen. Rikshovmästaren Ulfeldt var Jupiter eller den förnämste av gudarna, den spanske envoajén var Mars och den polske kanslern Bacchus, vilken kom inåkande på en stor tunna, och blev dragen med en hisklig stor stop i handen full med vin. Drottningen och hertig Adolf voro med hela hovfolket klädda i herdekläder. ..."

("From Stockholm, January 10, 1653.
... I want to put an end to the useless court stuff and let my dear Father know that yesterday, which was the 10th of this month, Count Jakob's wedding took place in the castle with the beautiful Sparre with great splendour.

The other day, on Epiphany, a play was held at the castle where all the gods were guests of the shepherds and shepherdesses. It was very beautiful to watch, and they played until 7 o'clock in the morning. The Court Steward Ulfeldt was Jupiter or the foremost of the gods, the Spanish envoy was Mars, and the Polish chancellor Bacchus, who came riding in on a large barrel, and was drawn with a very large goblet in his hand full of wine. The Queen and Duke Adolf were with all the courtiers dressed in shepherd's clothing. ...")

—

Johan Ekeblad's letter to his father Christoffer Ekeblad, dated June 15/25 (Old Style), 1653:

"Stockholm, den 15 juni 1653.
... Greve Jakob, som tillförne var överste över det fransosregimentet, är nu uti Hans Furstliga Nådes hertig Adolfs ställe Rikskammarherre bleven och skall logera på slottet, efter hans grevinna Ebba Sparre uti tjänst hos Hennes Majestät är. ..."

("Stockholm, June 15, 1653.
... Count Jakob, who was previously colonel of the French regiment, has now become Grand Master of the Chamber in place of His Royal Grace Duke Adolf, and will reside at the castle, as his Countess, Ebba Sparre, is in Her Majesty's service. ...")

—

Ebba Brahe's letter to her son Count Magnus de la Gardie, January 1654:

"Högvälborne Greve, hjärtans allerkäraste son,
... Sist låter jag min käre son kärlig[en] förnimma att Ebba Sparre har sagt att min Kristina drottningen vill inte se mig. Jag skall inte bjuda mig för hennes ögon. Men jag tror det aldrig att det har varit hennes ord, utan de som inte gärna se min sons gemål och jag skall få komma till Hennes Majestät. Gud löner allt i sin tid. Gud låte mig kunna vara i allting tålig. Jag är försäkra[d] Gud löner vad mig oförtjänt sker. Ebba har Hennes Majestät sökt nådig avsked, tacka[t] henne för var dag hon har varit hos henne, önskat henne alltid måtte gå så väl som hon gärna såge. Bad hälsa mig och lät tacka mig som så länge har viljat låta henne bliva hos henne. Jag väntar henne imorron hit och förrän jag reser vill jag på en natt komma till min allerkäraste son och taga avsked. ..."

("Well-Born Count, my dearly beloved son,
... Finally, I lovingly let my dear son know that Ebba Sparre has said that my Queen Kristina does not want to see me. I must not offer myself before her eyes. But I don't believe that those were her words, but the words of those who do not like to see my son's wife, and I shall be allowed to come to Her Majesty. God rewards everything in His time. God grant that I may be patient in everything. I am assured that God will compensate me for what happens to me undeservedly. Ebba has asked Her Majesty for gracious leave, she has thanked her for every day she has been with her, she wished that it always goes as well with her as she would gladly see. She asked her to greet me and thanked me for letting her stay with her for so long. I am expecting her here tomorrow, and before I leave I want to come to my dearly beloved son one night and say goodbye. ...")

—

Count Raimondo Montecuccoli's diary, dated January 28/February 7 (New Style), 1654:

"Alli 7 [febbraio]. ... Li discorsi della regina sono argutissimi, faceti e per lo più amorosi. ... Ella dice d'esser innamorata della bella contessa; io replico non esser ciò maraviglia, poiché l'amore nasce dal simile. Ella soggiunge: «Signore, quest'è buono per gli Italiani.»"

"[February] 7. ... The Queen's discourses are very witty, facetious and mostly amorous. ... She said she is in love with the beautiful Countess; I replied that it is no wonder, as love is born from the similar. She added: 'Signor, this is good for the Italians.'")

—

Raimondo Montecuccoli's diary, January 31/February 10 (New Style), 1653:

"Alli 10 [febbraio]. La mattina scrivo. Il dopo desinare la regina va in slitta ed a me viene anche dato una slitta di Corte, nella quale conduco la bella contessa di casa Sparre, moglie del conte Jacopo de la Gardie. ... Alle 8 ore di notte si fa un ballo particolare, dal quale non entrano se non quelli nominati della regina, che sono sette dame e sette cavalieri, e fra essi io ho la bella contessa; nel discorso la regina dice il motto: «Questa gente non è barbara!» Alle 12 ore si finisce il ballo e si va a casa."

("[February] 10. I wrote in the morning. After luncheon the Queen went [out] by sleigh, and I was also given a sleigh from the court, in which I led the beautiful Countess of the house of Sparre, wife of Count Jakob de la Gardie. ... At 8 o'clock at night a private dance was held, to which only those named by the Queen entered, which are seven ladies and seven cavaliers, and among them I had the beautiful Countess; in her discourse the Queen said the witticism: 'These people are not barbarians!' At 12 o'clock the dance finished and we went home.")

—

Bulstrode Whitelocke's diary, February 8/18 (Old Style), 1654:

"... In the evening Whitelocke went again to court, as the Queen had invited him, and was brought into her bedchamber, and diverse of his gentlemen admitted in likewise to hear Her Majesty's music, which was very rare and performed by diverse Italian eunuchs and others, her servants, and by Madame de la Barre, a French woman, and her brother, who sang rarely well.

Besides Whitelocke, there was in the chamber Pimentel, the comte de Montecuccoli, and another Italian comte, and many of her court. The Queen was in a very good humour, and, taking Whitelocke by the hand, she led him to a lady in the roome, whom they called la belle comtesse, — the fair Countess, — the wife of Grave Jakob de la Gardie. The Queen said to Whitelocke: 'Discourse with this my lady, my bedfellow, and tell me if her inside be not as beautiful as her outside.'

Whitelocke, discoursing with her, found it so; and great modesty, virtue, and wit accompanying her excellent beauty and behaviour.

The Queen pulled off the Countess's gloves and gave one of them to Whitelocke for a favour; the other she tore in four pieces and distributed them to Pimentel, the Italians, and to Grave Tott. In recompense of the glove, Whitelocke sent to the belle comtesse a dozen pair of English white gloves, which are in much esteem in this country."

—

Raimondo Montecuccoli's diary, February 20/March 2 (New Style), 1654:

"Alli 2 [marzo]. ... il Pimentel ed io entriamo colla regina in carrozza sin a mezza strada, e quivi si pigliano le slitte, ed io conduco la bella contessa. ..."

("[March] 2. ... Pimentel and I entered the carriage with the Queen halfway, and there they took the sleighs, and I led the beautiful Countess. ...")

—

Bulstrode Whitelocke's diary, March 7/17 (Old Style), 1654:

"The Queen sent one of her servants to invite Whitelocke to take the air with her in the fields; and being come to the castle, she excused her not being yet ready to confer with him upon his articles as she had promised, but told him that she had ordered something to be written down on that subject to show to him.

She took him into her coach, where was the belle comtesse, the comte Gabriel Oxenstierna, Prince Adolf, Pimentel, Montecuccoli, Tott, and Whitelocke. The Queen was very merry, and they were full of cheerful discourse. ..."

—

Kristina to Ebba, year 1655:

"Mon bonheur serait sans second s'il m'était permis de le partager avec vous et si vous étiez témoin de ma félicité. Je vous jure que je serais digne de l'envie des dieux si je pouvais jouir du bien de vous voir. Mais puisque je désespère si justement de ce bonheur, il faut que vous me donniez au moins la satisfaction de croire quen quelqu'endroit du monde que je me trouve, je conserverai éternellement le souvenir de votre mérite et que j'emporterai au de-là des monts, la tendresse que je vous ai toujours portée. Conservez-moi du moins votre souvenir, et ne troublez pas la douceur de la félicité dont je jouis par un injuste oubli de la personne du monde qui vous honore et estime le plus. Adieu, Belle. Souvenez-vous de votre Christine.

J'oubliais de vous dire que je me porte parfaitement bien, que je reçois ici mille honneurs, et que j'y suis bien avec tout le monde, excepté avec le prince de Condé, que je ne vois jamais qu'à la comédie et aux concerts. Mes occupations sont de bien manger, bien dormir, étudier un peu, causer, rire et danser, voir les comédies françaises, italiennes, espagnoles, et à passer le temps fort agréablement. Enfin je n'écoute plus des sermons, tous les orateurs je méprise. Après ce que dit Salomon, tout le reste n'est que sottise, car chacun doit vivre content en mangeant, buvant et chantant."

("My happiness would be second to none if I were allowed to share it with you and if you could be witness to my happiness. I swear to you that I would be worthy of the envy of the gods if I could enjoy the good of seeing you. But since I so justly despair of this happiness, you must at least give me the satisfaction of believing that wherever in the world I may find myself, I will eternally preserve the memory of your merit and that I will take the tenderness that I have always had for you and carry it with me over the mountains. Preserve your memory for me, at least, and do not disturb the sweetness of the felicity which I enjoy by an unjust forgetting of the person in the world who honours and esteems you the most. Farewell, Belle. Remember your Kristina.

I forgot to tell you that I am doing perfectly well, that I receive a thousand honours here, and that I get along well with everyone, except with the Prince de Condé, whom I never see except at the comedy and at concerts. My occupations are to eat well, sleep well, study a little, talk, laugh and dance, see French, Italian and Spanish comedies, and pass the time very pleasantly. Finally, I no longer listen to sermons, I despise all orators. After what Solomon says, all the rest is nonsense, for all must live contentedly in eating, drinking and singing.")

—

Kristina to Ebba, dated January 6/16 (Old Style), 1656:

"Que je serais heureuse s'il m'était permis de vous voir, Belle, mais je suis condamnée du sort à vous aimer et à vous estimer sans vous voir jamais; et cette envie que les astres portent aux félicités humaines empêche que je ne sois parfaitement heureuse, puisque je ne le puis être, étant eloignée de vous. Ne doutez pas de cette vérité, et croyez qu'en quelque lieu du monde que je me trouve, vous y avez une personne qui vous est entièrement acquise, comme je l'ai toujours été. Mais est-il possible, Belle, que vous vous souvenez encore de moi? Vous suis-je encore aussi chère comme je l'étais autrefois? Ne me suis-je pas trompée lorsque je me suis persuadée que j'étais la personne du monde que vous aimiez le mieux? Ha, si cela est, ne me detrompez pas; laissez-moi plutôt mon erreur, et ne m'enviez point la félicité imaginaire que me donne l'opinion d'être cherie de la plus aimable personne du monde. Conservez-moi, s'il se peut, ce bien; et ne souffrez pas que ni le temps, ni l'absence me privent de la satisfaction d'être aimée de vous; et croyez que quoi q'uil puisse arriver, je ne cesserai jamais d'être à vous. Adieu, Belle, adieu! Je vous embrasse un million de fois.
Christine.
De Rome, le 6 janvier 1656."

("How happy I would be if I were allowed to see you, Belle, but I am condemned by fate to love and esteem you without ever seeing you; and this envy that the stars have for human happiness prevents me from being perfectly happy, since I cannot be so, as I am far away from you. Do not doubt this truth, and believe that wherever I am in the world, you have a person who is entirely yours, as I have always been. But is it possible, Belle, that you still remember me? Am I still as dear to you as I once was? Was I not mistaken when I persuaded myself that I was the person in the world you loved best? Oh, if that is, don't undeceive me; but leave me my error, and do not envy me the imaginary happiness that the opinion of being dear to the most amiable person in the world gives me. Preserve for me, if possible, this good; and do not allow time or absence to deprive me of the satisfaction of being loved by you; and believe that whatever may happen, I will never cease to be yours. Farewell, Belle, farewell! I kiss you a million times.
Kristina.
From Rome, January 6, 1656.")

—

Kristina to Ebba, March 27/April 6 (Old Style), 1657:

"De Pesaro, le 27 mars 1657.
Madame,
Vous avez trop de connaissance de vous-même pour n'être pas persuadée qu'en quelqu'endroit du monde que je sois, vous y faites toujours une partie de mon souvenir, et que le temps n'a pas de pouvoir sur l'amitié que je vous ai jurée. Celui qui vous rendra ce billet me sera témoin auprès de vous que je fais toujours justice à votre mérite et à votre beauté. Après avoir [vu] dans le plus beau et le plus poli pays du monde tout ce qu'il y a le charmant et de beau en notre sexe, je soutiens avec plus de hardiesse que jamais qu'il n'y a personne qui osât vous disputer l'avantage que vous emportez sur tout ce qu'il y a de plus aimable au monde. Dites-nous après cela si l'on se peut consoler quand on est condamné à une absence eternelle. Mais si je suis assurée de ne vous revoir jamais, je suis aussi assurée de vous aimer toujours, et vous êtes cruelle si vous en doutez. Une amitié qui est l'éprouve de 3 ans d'absence ne vous doit être suspecte; et si vous n'avez oublié le droit que vous avez sur moi, il vous souviendra qu'il y a déjà douze ans que je suis en possession d'être aimée de vous. Et, enfin, qui je suis à vous d'une manière qu'il est impossible que vous puissiez me perdre? et ce ne sera jamais qu'avec la vie, que je cesserai de vous aimer. Le sieur Baladrier vous portera de mes nouvelles, et pour moi je vous dis cela de plus particulier que je serais aujourd'hui la plus heureuse princesse du monde s'il m'était permis de vous avoir pour témoin de mes félicités, et si je pouvais espérer un jour la satisfaction de vous être utile. Si cette occasion se présente, faites état du pouvoir que vous avez sur moi; et soyez assurée qu'il n'y aura que l'impossibilité qui me dispensera de vous servir. Adieu. Vivez heureuse, et souvenez-vous de moi. Je vous embrasse un million de fois et vous prie d'être persuadée que je vous aime de tout mon cœur.
Christine.

Mes compliments à tous mes amis et amies. Assurez-les de ma part que si je n'ai pas pour tout la même tendresse que [j'ai] pour vous, je ne laisserai pas d'avoir pour eux la même constance."

("From Pesaro, March 27, 1657.
Madame,
You have too much knowledge of yourself not to be persuaded that, wherever I am in the world, you are always a part of my memory there, and that time has no power over the friendship that I have sworn to you. Whoever returns this note to you will bear witness to me that I always do justice to your merit and your beauty. After having seen in the most beautiful and the most polite country in the world all that is charming and beautiful in our sex, I maintain with more boldness than ever that there is no one who would dare to dispute with you the advantage you have over all the loveliest things in the world. Tell us after that if one can be consoled when one is condemned to an eternal absence. But if I am sure never to see you again, I am also sure to love you always, and you are cruel if you doubt this. A friendship which is tested by 3 years of absence should not be suspicious to you; and if you have not forgotten the right you have over me, you will remember that I have been loved by you for twelve years already. And, finally, who am I to you in a way that it is impossible for you to lose me? and it will only ever be with my life that I will stop loving you. Lord Baladrier will bring you my news, and as for me, I tell you the most particular thing: that I would be the happiest princess in the world today if I were allowed to have you as a witness to my felicity, and if I could hope one day for the satisfaction of being useful to you. If this opportunity ever presents itself, state the power you have over me; and rest assured that only impossibility will exempt me from serving you. Farewell. Live happily, and remember me. I kiss you a million times and beg you to be persuaded that I love you with all my heart.
Kristina.

My compliments to all my friends, men and women. Assure them on my behalf that if I do not have the same tenderness for them all that I have for you, I shall not fail to have the same constancy for them.")

—

Kristina's letter to King Karl XI, dated December 13/23 (Old Style), 1660:

"Stormäktigste Konung,
Älsklige Käre Herr Son,
Ibland andra vilka Eders Kungliga Majestäts kungliga nåde och ynnest jag synnerligen gärna förvärvade samt vilkas välgång jag med särdeles flit gärna inklinerar och åstundar att befordra, är förnämligast grevinnan välborna fru Ebba Sparre, som mig högeligen bedit haver Eders Kungliga Majestät på hennes vägnar kärligen att ansöka det henne icke allenast allodialiteten uppå det hallandska godset för de 12,000 riksdaler som hon så rättmätigen att fordra haver nådigst måtte förunnas, utan ock, där det skånska godset Kronan igen hemfalla skulle, välbemälte grevinna då däremot med ett likmätigt vederlag, evarest Eders Kungliga Majestät det ock bekvemt fölle, ihågkommas måtte.

Nu kan fuller vara att denna hennes begäran, förmedelst allodialiteten, kan förorsaka någon diffikultet, likväl enär man konsidererar de ringa villkor varuti välbemälte grevinna för denna tid sig befinner, därjämte hennes salige mans märkliga kvaliteter och förtjänster, jämväl att hans efterlåtna änka så mycket mera syntes väl skola ackommoderas, som hennes man helt oförmodligen uti Riksens tjänst, honom genom döden är förlustig gjord vorden, så hoppas jag de konsiderationer skola dem man eljest hava kunde icke allenast överväga, utan ock vara kapabla henne de konditioner att giva som hon så ödmjukligen av Eders Kungliga Majestät åstundar, vilka skäl jag för min person en mycket kärlig bön konjungerar, med försäkran att den nåd som Eders Kungliga Majestät henne grevinnan i denna måtto varder bevisandes skall såväl av mig som henne med ett tacksamt och ödmjukt hjärta alltid erkännas, och i synnerhet hos mig bliva räknat ibland de många obligationer som Eders Kungliga Majestät jag eljest skyldigen är, förmedelst vilka jag ock städse mig ombeflita skall att stadigen vara och förbliva
Eders Kungliga Majestäts
affektionerade moder
Kristina Alexandra.
Stockholm, den 13 decembris 1660.
J. Stropp."

("Most Powerful King,
My dearly beloved Lord Son,
Among others for whom I have particularly gladly acquired royal grace and favour, and whose prosperity I with particular diligence gladly incline and endeavour to promote, it is most prominently the Countess, the well-born Lady Ebba Sparre, who has humbly begged me to request to Your Royal Majesty on her behalf that you should not only graciously grant the allodiality of the Hallandic estate for the 12,000 riksdalers which she so rightfully claimed, but also, if the Scanian estate should once again fall to the Crown, that Your Royal Majesty should then remember the aforementioned Countess then in return with a commensurate consideration, wherever it would be convenient for Your Royal Majesty.

Now, it may certainly be that this request of hers, by means of the allodiality, may cause some difficulty; yet when one considers the poor conditions in which the aforementioned Countess finds herself in at this time, and also the remarkable qualities and merits of her late husband, as well as that his bereaved widow well seemed so much more likely to be accommodated, as she was rendered destitute by the quite unforeseen death of her husband in the service of the Realm, so I hope that the considerations that one would have otherwise could not only consider, but also be able to give her the conditions that she so humbly wishes from Your Royal Majesty's, to which reasons I conjoin a very loving prayer for my person, with the assurance that the grace which Your Royal Majesty will show to the Countess in this measure shall be always acknowledged by both me and her with a grateful and humble heart, and it shall especially be counted by me among the many obligations which I otherwise owe to Your Royal Majesty, by means of which I shall also make an effort to constantly be and remain
Your Royal Majesty's
affectionate mother
Kristina Alexandra.
Stockholm, December 13, 1660.
J. Stropp.")

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Karl Gustav's letter to Carl Soop ordering him to wait on Kristina during her illness and journey, dated June 20/30 (Old Style), 1654

Source:

Riksarkivet, image 330/page 861 in Maj-Juni 1654; Riksregistraturet



The letter:

C G. etc. etc. Wår sÿnnerlige ÿnnest etc. Såsom wij Her Carl Soop, aff hiertat beklaga, att Hennes M:tt Wår Högtährade gunstige Fru-Modher ähr med een oförmodelig feber worden behefftad, jämwell önskar Högstbe:te Hennes M:tt fo[r]derligst bekomma een allsköns welmågo igen; Altså skulle wij och gierna see och åstunda att wår Herre täcktes, H. M:tt till sin fullkomlige stÿrkia förhielpa, deth henne då motte behaga; för mehra Commoditet af reesa och öfwer försel betiäna sig dhe skiep som der til designeradhe äre men effter som H. M:tz hug och willia billigt ähr att föllia, fördenskull hafwa j med största wÿrdning flijt och hugh, och icke allenast giöra eder ÿttersta, der till, dett Hennes M:tt nu vtj sin siukdomb till bästeligen blifwer skiött och vprichtadt, vtan och ner dett kommer till reesan wara Hennes M:tz fullwichtig igönom landen och till grentzen eller så långt som Hennes M:tt eder tiänst och vpwachtning behagar och behöfwer, effter som och wij hafwe låtit ställas dhe ordrer, till wåra Landzhöfdingar i wegen, att dhe medh alle respect, mötte H. M:tt vp och giöra den förordning, att H. M:tt må blifwa defrajeradt sampt med all ära, wÿrdning och tiänstwilligheet på dett bästa som skee kan betiänte och hedradt, hwar med wij befalle eder Gudh Alzmechtigh sÿnnerligen Nådeligen. Dat. Vpsala.


Above: Kristina.


Above: Karl Gustav.