Sources:
A journal of the Swedish ambassy, volume 2, pages 159 to 174, by Bulstrode Whitelocke, published in 1772
Den swenska fatburen, tredje öpningen, pages 89 to 91, published by Peter Hesselberg, 1768
Sveriges ridderskapets och adels riksdags-protokoll: 1652-1654, pages 164 to 165; pages 165 to 166; page 166, Stockholm, published by Ivar Hæggströms Boktryckeri, 1872
Bulstr. Whitelockes Dag-Bok Öfver Dess Ambassade til Sverige, pages 651 to 654; pages 656 to 658, translated by Johan Edman, 1777
Christina of Sweden, pages 112 to 113, by Ida Ashworth Taylor, 1909
The Sibyl of the North: The Tale of Christina, Queen of Sweden, pages 101 to 104, by Faith Compton Mackenzie, 1931
Christina, Queen of Sweden: The Restless Life of a European Eccentric, pages 156 to 158, by Veronica Buckley, 2004
The original, transcript and translations of the proposition are too long to put here, but I have posted them here:
The diary entry:
Early in the morning, the master of the ceremonies came to accompany Whitelocke to the castle, to see the manner of the assembly of the ricksdagh, and brought him and his company to the castle to an upper roome or gallery; where he sate privately, not taken notice of by any, yett had the full view of the great hall where the ricksdagh mett, and heard what was said.
The danish ambassador did forbeare to come thither (as was supposed) bicause of Whitelocke being there: the french resident sate by Whitelocke, and conversed with him.
The great hall, two stories high, was prepared for the assembly; an outer chamber was hung with cloth of Arras; in the antichamber to that were guards of the queen's partizans; in the court was a company of musquetiers.
The great hall was hung with those hangings which were before in Whitelocke's lodgings, with some others added, and was very hansome: on each side of the hall, from the walles towards the middle of the roome, formes were placed covered with red cloth, for seates for the members and were all alike without distinction, and reached upwards; three parts of the length of the hall, in the midst between the seats, was a space or lane, broad enough for three to walke abreast togither.
Att the upper end of the hall, on a foot pace, three steps high, covered with foot carpets, stood the chayre of state, all of massy silver; a rich cushion in it; and a canopy of crimson velvet richly imbroydered, over it.
On the left side of the chayre of state were placed five ordinary chayres of crimson velvet, without armes, for the five ricks officers; and on the same side, below them, and on the other side, from the foot pace down to the formes, in a semicircular forme, were stooles of crimson velvet, for the ricks senators.
About nine a'clocke, there entered att the lower end of the great hall, a plaine lusty man, in his boores habit, with a staffe in his hand, followed by about eighty boores, members of this councell, who had chosen the first man for their marshall, or speaker; these marched up in the open place between the formes to the midst of them, and then the marshall and his company sate down on the formes on the right of the state, from the midst downwards to the lower end of the hall, and putt on their hatts.
A little while after them, entered att the same doore, a man in a civil habit of a cittizen, with a staffe in his hand, followed by about 120 cittizens, deputies of the citties and boroughs, who had chosen him to be their marshall: they all tooke their places uppon the formes over against the boores, in the lower end of the hall, and were covered.
Not long after, att the same doore, entered a proper gentleman richly habited, a staffe in his hand, who was marshall of the nobility, followed by near 200 lords and gentlemen, members of the ricksdagh, chiefe of their respective families; many of them rich in clothes, of civill deportment: they tooke their seats uppermost on the right of the state, and, whilest they walked up to their formes, the cittizens and boores stood up uncovered; and when the nobility sate and putt on their hatts, the cittizens and boores did so likewise.
A little after, att the same doore, entered the archbishop of Ubsale, with a staffe in his hand; who by his place is marshall of the clergy: he was followed by five or six other bishops, and all the superintendants, and about sixty ministers, deputies, or proctors of the clergy. While they walked up to their places, all the rest of the members stood up uncovered; and when they sate downe on the uppermost formes on the left side of the state, and putt on their hatts and cappes, the rest of the members did the like: these were grave men, in their long cassocks and cannonicall habit, and most with long beards.
All the members being thus sate, about a quarter of an hower after, entered the captain, followed by divers of the queen's guarde, with partizans; after them came many gentlemen of the queen's servants, uncovered, with swords by their sides, and well clad, two and two togither; after them came the ricks senators in their order, the puisné first; after them the ricks officers, all bare; after them came the queen, and kept off her hatt in the hall; some of the officers of the court and pages after her.
In this order they went up in the open place in the midst of the formes, all the members standing up uncovered: the queen's company made a lane for her to passe through, and she went up to her chayre, and sate downe in it; and all the company, except the members of the councell, went out of the hall, and all the doores were shutt; the members sate in their places uncovered.
After the queen had sate a little, she rose and beckoned to the chancellor to come to her, who came with great ceremony and respect; and after a little speaking togither, he returned to his place, and the queen sate downe againe a little time; then rising up, with mettle, she came forward to the utmost part of the foot-pace, and with a good grace and confidence, spake to the assembly (as it was interpreted to Whitelocke) to this effect.
"The occasion (my friends), wherfore you are called togither to this diette, will in some sort appeare strange to you; for being so unusuall, and, as it were, unheard of, it cannot be understood without great astonishment. Butt, gentlemen, when you shall a little reflect uppon what hath past some years since, you will then perceive, that it is no new thing, butt long since premeditated, and by me wished and intended.
It is sufficiently known to you what hath formerly past, as to the succession of my most deare cousen to this kingdome; and I esteem myselfe very happy, that all things att present are in such a posture, that theruppon I may bring my purpose to effect; which is, to offer and to give into the hands of my most deare cousen, our most deare countrey, and the royall seate, with the crowne, the scepter, and the governement.
I need not repeate this subject to you: it sufficeth that all may be done for the good of the countrey, and the prosperity and security of my most deare cousen, to whom you have formerly given this right, and have found him capable to governe you and this kingdom, which he deserves by his great spirits and rare qualities, joyned with his heroick actions, witnessed by divers incounters.
And since there is nothing wanting, butt time, to putt in execution the succession of my most deare cousen to the governement of this kingdome, which depends only uppon myselfe; and of my purpose nothing remaines butt to make you parties, which is the only occasion of my calling you togither, and which I shall more att large declare unto you by my proposall; I doubt not butt you will consent therunto, wherby you will testify att this time, as you have done att all times before, your faithfulness and obedience to me.
Also, I give you thankes, that, with so much duety, you are come to this diette, and that, with so much affection and loyalty, you have demeaned yourselves towards me, and our most deare countrey, during my governement, so that I have received much content by your deportment; and if in these ten years of my administration I have merited any thing from you, it shall be this only which I desire of you, that you will consent to my resolution, since you may assure yourselves, that none can disswade me from my purpose.
You may be pleased also to take in good part, what hath past during the time of my governement, and to be assured, that heerin also, as well as in all other things, my intention hath bin alwayes to serve our most deare countrey: there remaines nothing butt my wishes, that all may worke to the glory of God, to the advancement of the christian church, and to the good and prosperity of our most deare countrey, and of all her inhabitants."
After the queen had spoken, she sate downe againe; and, after a little pause, the archbishop of Ubsale went out of his place into the open passage, and, making his obeysance to the queen, he, as marshall of the clergy, and in their name, made an oration to her majesty, which was somwhat long: butt the effect therof was interpreted to Whitelocke to be an acknowledgement of the happy reign of her majesty; wherby her subjects had injoyed all good, peace, and justice, and liberty, and whatsoever were the products of a blessed governement.
He then recited the great affections of this people to the king her father, and to her majesty, his only child; their duety and obedience to her in all her commaunds; that no prince could be more happy then her majesty was, in the affections and duety of her subjects, nor could any people be more contented in the rule of their soveraigne then her people were: he therfore used all arguments and humble intreaties to her majesty to desist from her intention of resigning the governement, and to continue to sway the scepter of this kingdome, wherin he did not doubt butt that the blessing of God would be with her, as it had bin, and that it would be to his honor and to the good of this kingdome, if her majesty would hearken to the humble desires of the clergy in this particular.
Then he acknowledged the virtues and admirable abilities of the prince, whose succession would come in due time; that her majesty reigning att present with so much satisfaction, both to this church and state, he humbly desired, in the name of the clergy, that she would be pleased, though to her own trouble, yett for her subjects good, to continue still to be queen over them.
After he had ended his speech, making three congees, he went up to the queen, and kist her hand, and with three more congees returned to his place.
Then the marshall of the nobility, going forth into the open place between the formes, made his oration in the name of the nobility, much to the same purpose as the archbishop had done; and, after his oration ended, with like ceremony kist her majesty's hand, and returned to his place.
Then the like was done by the marshall of the burgesses; and all were to the same effect.
In the last place stepped forth the marshall of the boores, a plaine countrey fellow, in his clowted shoone, and all other habits answearable, as all the rest of his company were accoutered: this boore, without any congees or ceremony att all, spake to her majesty (and was interpreted to Whitelocke to be) after this phrase.
"O Lord God, madame, what doe you meane to doe? It troubles us to heare you speake of forsaking those that love you so well as we doe: can you be better then you are? you are queen of all these countreys, and if you leave this large kingdome, where will you gett such another? If you should doe it (as I hope you wont for all this), both you and we shall have cause, when it is too late, to be sorry for it. Therfore, my fellows and I pray you to thinke better on't, and to keep your crown on your head; then you will keepe your own honor and our peace: butt if you lay it downe, in my conscience, you will indaunger all.
Continue in your geeres, good madame, and be the fore-horse as long as you live, and we will help you the best we can to beare your burden.
Your father was an honest gentleman, and a good king, and very stirring in the world; we obeyed him and loved him as long as he lived, and you are his own childe, and have governd us very well, and we love you with all our hearts; and the prince is an honest gentleman, and, when his time comes, we shall be ready to doe our duties to him, as we doe to you: butt, as long as you live, we are not willing to part with you, and therfore, I pray, madame, doe not part with us."
When the boore had ended his speech, he wadled up to the queen, without any ceremoney, tooke her by the hand, and shaked it heartily, and kist it two or three times; then turning his backe to her, he pulled out of his pocket a fowle handkercher, and wiped the tears from his eyes, and in the same posture as he came up he returned back to his own place againe.
When the orations were all ended, one of the queen's secretaries, by her commaund, read unto the assembly a paper, which Whitelocke procured to be given to him in a copy, and translated into English. ...
After this proposition was read, the queen's servants were called in, and she went out of the hall, attended by them and the ricks senators, in the same way and manner as she came in; and after she was gone, first, the archbishop of Ubsale, and the clergy following him; second, the marshall and nobility; third, the marshall and burgesses; fourth, the marshall and boores, went out of the hall in the same order as they first came in; and when they were all gone, Whitelocke returned to his lodging.
About eleven a'clocke in the evening, the master of the ceremonies came to bring Whitelocke to the remainder of the solemnities of the marryage. Whitelocke, in no good condition to goe abroade, having sate up the last night, yett rather then discontent the queen, and the nobility, who had sent for him, he went with the master in the queen's coach to the bride-groome's lodging in the castle, who mett him in the outer chamber, and brought him into another roome, where there were many senators and lords: they all tooke their coach, and went, in the same order as the day before, to the queen, where the bride and ladyes were expecting them.
They came all to the great hall, where the queen and the company tooke their places, and the drummes beating and trumpetts sounding; a gentleman entered the hall, carrying a speare or pike covered with taffata of the bride-groome's colours, all butt the head, which was silver, worth about twenty crownes; he stood by the bride, holding the speare in the middle, both ends of it about breast high, and the bridegroome was brought and placed by his bride. Then senator Bundt made a solemne speech to the queen, which (according to the interpretation made to Whitelocke) was to thanke her majesty for the favour which she did to the bride and bridegroome, in permitting the nuptialls to be in her court; and he acquainted the queen, and published to the company, what dowrey the bridegroome had given that morning to his bride, with 2000 ducketts for her provision; and that twelve of the nobility, of the alliance and friends to them both, were witnesses therunto, and were to take care, that the money should be disposed to the use of the wife and children, in case she survived her husband.
Then a gentleman read alowd the names of the twelve wittnesses, who, as they were called, one after another making their honors to the queen, went and layd their right hands on the speare; and then was published the dowrey and augmentation, thus by these twelve wittnessed.
After this, the speare was layd down att the feet of the bride, and all, making their solemne reverences to the queen, tooke againe their places. Then the same gentleman, that layd down the speare, took it up againe and threw it out of the window into the great court; where a multitude of people stood expecting it, and scrambled for the head of it, and for the taffata, which they tore in pieces and wore in their hatts, as the bride's favours.
After this ceremony ended, the bridegroome came and tooke the bride by the hand, and they marched after the torches to the sound of the drummes and trumpetts; after that, the bridegroome tooke the queen by the hand, and the bride came and tooke the english ambassador by the hand, and other noblemen tooke their severall ladyes, and they marched two and two amidst the torches, and to the same lowde musick as they had done the night before.
After this, the noblemen and ladyes went to daunce french daunces, and countrey daunces; butt Whitelocke, having watched the night before, and not being well, he privately withdrew himselfe from the company, and retired to his house; wondering that the queen, after so serious a worke as she had bin att in the morning, could be so pleased with this evening's ceremonies.
With modernised spelling:
Early in the morning, the master of the ceremonies came to accompany Whitelocke to the castle to see the manner of the assembly of the Riksdag, and brought him and his company to the castle to an upper room or gallery, where he sat privately, not taken notice of by any, yet had the full view of the great hall where the Riksdag met, and heard what was said.
The Danish ambassador did forbear to come thither (as was supposed) because of Whitelocke being there. The French resident sat by Whitelocke and conversed with him.
The great hall, two stories high, was prepared for the assembly. An outer chamber was hung with cloth of Arras; in the antechamber to that were guards of the Queen's partisans; in the court was a company of musketeers.
The great hall was hung with those hangings which were before in Whitelocke's lodgings, with some others added, and was very handsome. On each side of the hall, from the walls towards the middle of the room, forms were placed covered with red cloth for seats for the members, and were all alike without distinction and reached upwards; three parts of the length of the hall, in the midst between the seats, was a space or lane, broad enough for three to walk abreast together.
At the upper end of the hall, on a foot pace, three steps high, covered with foot carpets, stood the chair of State, all of massy silver, a rich cushion in it and a canopy of crimson velvet richly embroidered over it.
On the left side of the chair of State were placed five ordinary chairs of crimson velvet, without arms, for the five rix-officers; and on the same side, below them, and on the other side, from the foot pace down to the forms, in a semicircular form, were stools of crimson velvet, for the rix-senators.
About nine o'clock, there entered, at the lower end of the great hall, a plain, lusty man in his boor's habit, with a staff in his hand, followed by about eighty boors, members of this council, who had chosen the first man for their marshal, or speaker; these marched up in the open place between the forms to the midst of them, and then the marshal and his company sat down on the forms on the right of the state, from the midst downwards to the lower end of the hall, and put on their hats.
A little while after them entered, at the same door, a man in a civil habit of a citizen, with a staff in his hand, followed by about 120 citizens, deputies of the cities and boroughs, who had chosen him to be their marshal. They all took their places upon the forms over against the boors, in the lower end of the hall, and were covered.
Not long after, at the same door, entered a proper gentleman, richly habited, a staff in his hand, who was marshal of the nobility, followed by near 200 lords and gentlemen, members of the Riksdag, chief of their respective families, many of them rich in clothes, of civil deportment. They took their seats uppermost on the right of the state, and, whilst they walked up to their forms, the citizens and boors stood up uncovered; and when the nobility sat and put on their hats, the citizens and boors did so likewise.
A little after, at the same door, entered the Archbishop of Uppsala, with a staff in his hand, who by his place is marshal of the clergy. He was followed by five or six other bishops, and all the superintendents and about sixty ministers, deputies or proctors of the clergy. While they walked up to their places, all the rest of the members stood up uncovered, and when they sat down on the uppermost forms on the left side of the state and put on their hats and caps, the rest of the members did the like. These were grave men, in their long cassocks and canonical habit, and most with long beards.
All the members being thus sat, about a quarter of an hour after, entered the captain, followed by diverse of the Queen's guard, with partisans; after them came many gentlemen of the Queen's servants, uncovered, with swords by their sides, and well clad, two and two together. After them came the rix-senators in their order, the puîné first; after them the rix-officers, all bare; after them came the Queen, and kept off her hat in the hall; some of the officers of the court and pages after her.
In this order they went up in the open place in the midst of the forms, all the members standing up uncovered. The Queen's company made a lane for her to pass through, and she went up to her chair and sat down in it; and all the company, except the members of the Council, went out of the hall, and all the doors were shut; the members sat in their places uncovered.
After the Queen had sat a little, she rose and beckoned to the Chancellor to come to her, who came with great ceremony and respect; and after a little speaking together, he returned to his place, and the Queen sat down again a little time. Then, rising up with mettle, she came forward to the utmost part of the footpace and, with a good grace and confidence, spake to the assembly (as it was interpreted to Whitelocke) to this effect:
"The occasion (my friends) wherefore you are called together to this Diet will in some sort appear strange to you, for, being so unusual and, as it were, unheard of, it cannot be understood without great astonishment. But, gentlemen, when you shall a little reflect upon what hath passed some years since, you will then perceive that it is no new thing, but long since premeditated and by me wished and intended.
It is sufficiently known to you what hath formerly passed as to the succession of my most dear cousin to this kingdom; and I esteem myself very happy that all things at present are in such a posture that thereupon I may bring my purpose to effect, which is to offer and to give into the hands of my most dear cousin our most dear country and the royal seat, with the crown, the scepter, and the government.
I need not repeat this subject to you; it sufficeth that all may be done for the good of the country and the prosperity and security of my most dear cousin, to whom you have formerly given this right, and have found him capable to govern you and this kingdom, which he deserves by his great spirits and rare qualities, joined with his heroic actions, witnessed by diverse encounters.
And since there is nothing wanting but time to put in execution the succession of my most dear cousin to the government of this kingdom, which depends only upon myself, and of my purpose nothing remains but to make you parties, which is the only occasion of my calling you together, and which I shall more at large declare unto you by my proposal, I doubt not but you will consent thereunto, whereby you will testify at this time, as you have done at all times before, your faithfulness and obedience to me.
Also, I give you thanks that, with so much duty, you are come to this Diet and that, with so much affection and loyalty, you have demeaned yourselves towards me and our most dear country during my government, so that I have received much content by your deportment; and if in these ten years of my administration I have merited anything from you, it shall be this only which I desire of you: that you will consent to my resolution, since you may assure yourselves that none can dissuade me from my purpose.
You may be pleased also to take in good part what hath passed during the time of my government, and to be assured that herein also, as well as in all other things, my intention hath been always to serve our most dear country. There remains nothing but my wishes that all may work to the glory of God, to the advancement of the Christian Church, and to the good and prosperity of our most dear country and of all her inhabitants."
After the Queen had spoken, she sat down again; and, after a little pause, the Archbishop of Uppsala went out of his place into the open passage and, making his obeisance to the Queen, he, as marshal of the clergy, and in their name, made an oration to Her Majesty, which was somewhat long; but the effect thereof was interpreted to Whitelocke to be an acknowledgement of the happy reign of Her Majesty, whereby her subjects had enjoyed all good, peace and justice and liberty, and whatsoever were the products of a blessed government.
He then recited the great affections of this people to the King, her father, and to Her Majesty, his only child; their duty and obedience to her in all her commands; that no prince could be more happy than Her Majesty was in the affections and duty of her subjects, nor could any people be more contented in the rule of their sovereign then her people were. He therefore used all arguments and humble entreaties to Her Majesty to desist from her intention of resigning the government and to continue to sway the scepter of this kingdom, wherein he did not doubt but that the blessing of God would be with her, as it had been, and that it would be to His honour and to the good of this kingdom if Her Majesty would hearken to the humble desires of the clergy in this particular.
Then he acknowledged the virtues and admirable abilities of the Prince, whose succession would come in due time; that Her Majesty reigning at present with so much satisfaction, both to this church and state, he humbly desired, in the name of the clergy, that she would be pleased, though to her own trouble, yet for her subjects' good, to continue still to be Queen over them.
After he had ended his speech, making three congees, he went up to the Queen and kissed her hand, and with three more congees returned to his place.
Then the marshal of the nobility, going forth into the open place between the forms, made his oration in the name of the nobility, much to the same purpose as the Archbishop had done and, after his oration ended, with like ceremony kissed Her Majesty's hand and returned to his place.
Then the like was done by the marshal of the burgesses; and all were to the same effect.
In the last place stepped forth the marshal of the boors, a plain country fellow, in his clouted shoon, and all other habits answerable, as all the rest of his company were accoutered. This boor, without any congees or ceremony at all, spake to Her Majesty (and was interpreted to Whitelocke to be) after this phrase:
"Oh, Lord God, Madame, what do you mean to do? It troubles us to hear you speak of forsaking those that love you so well as we do. Can you be better than you are? You are Queen of all these countries, and if you leave this large kingdom, where will you get such another? If you should do it (as I hope you won't for all this), both you and we shall have cause, when it is too late, to be sorry for it. Therefore, my fellows and I pray you to think better on't, and to keep your crown on your head; then you will keep your own honour and our peace. But if you lay it down, in my conscience, you will endanger all.
Continue in your gears, good Madame, and be the forehorse as long as you live, and we will help you the best we can to bear your burden.
Your father was an honest gentleman, and a good king, and very stirring in the world; we obeyed him and loved him as long as he lived, and you are his own child and have governed us very well, and we love you with all our hearts; and the Prince is an honest gentleman, and, when his time comes, we shall be ready to do our duties to him, as we do to you. But, as long as you live, we are not willing to part with you, and therefore I pray, Madame, do not part with us."
When the boor had ended his speech, he waddled up to the Queen, without any ceremony, took her by the hand and shaked it heartily and kissed it two or three times; then, turning his back to her, he pulled out of his pocket a foul handkercher and wiped the tears from his eyes, and, in the same posture as he came up, he returned back to his own place again.
When the orations were all ended, one of the Queen's secretaries, by her command, read unto the assembly a paper which Whitelocke procured to be given to him in a copy, and translated into English. ...
After this proposition was read, the Queen's servants were called in, and she went out of the hall, attended by them and the rix-senators, in the same way and manner as she came in; and after she was gone, first, the Archbishop of Uppsala, and the clergy following him; second, the marshal and nobility; third, the marshal and burgesses; fourth, the marshal and boors, went out of the hall in the same order as they first came in; and when they were all gone, Whitelocke returned to his lodging.
About eleven o'clock in the evening, the master of the ceremonies came to bring Whitelocke to the remainder of the solemnities of the marriage. Whitelocke, in no good condition to go abroad, having sat up the last night, yet rather then discontent the Queen and the nobility, who had sent for him, he went with the master in the Queen's coach to the bridegroom's lodging in the castle, who met him in the outer chamber and brought him into another room, where there were many senators and lords. They all took their coach and went, in the same order as the day before, to the Queen, where the bride and ladies were expecting them.
They came all to the great hall, where the Queen and the company took their places, and, the drums beating and trumpets sounding, a gentleman entered the hall, carrying a spear or pike covered with taffeta of the bridegroom's colours, all but the head, which was silver, worth about twenty crowns. He stood by the bride, holding the spear in the middle, both ends of it about breast high, and the bridegroom was brought and placed by his bride. Then senator Bonde made a solemn speech to the Queen, which (according to the interpretation made to Whitelocke) was to thank Her Majesty for the favour which she did to the bride and bridegroom in permitting the nuptials to be in her court; and he acquainted the Queen, and published to the company, what dowry the bridegroom had given that morning to his bride, with 2,000 ducats for her provision; and that twelve of the nobility, of the alliance and friends to them both, were witnesses thereunto and were to take care that the money should be disposed to the use of the wife and children, in case she survived her husband.
Then a gentleman read aloud the names of the twelve witnesses, who, as they were called, one after another making their honours to the Queen, went and laid their right hands on the spear; and then was published the dowry and augmentation, thus by these twelve witnessed.
After this, the spear was laid down at the feet of the bride, and all, making their solemn reverences to the Queen, took again their places. Then the same gentleman that laid down the spear took it up again and threw it out of the window into the great court, where a multitude of people stood expecting it and scrambled for the head of it and for the taffeta, which they tore in pieces and wore in their hats as the bride's favours.
After this ceremony ended, the bridegroom came and took the bride by the hand, and they marched after the torches to the sound of the drums and trumpets; after that, the bridegroom took the Queen by the hand, and the bride came and took the English ambassador by the hand, and other noblemen took their several ladies, and they marched two and two amidst the torches and to the same loud music as they had done the night before.
After this, the noblemen and ladies went to dance French dances and country dances; but Whitelocke, having watched the night before, and not being well, he privately withdrew himself from the company and retired to his house, wondering that the Queen, after so serious a work as she had been at in the morning, could be so pleased with this evening's ceremonies.
—
Kristina's speech:
Orsaken, hwarföre J, gode Herrar, denna gången ären hit til denna Riksdagen sammankallade, kan fuller falla Eder något underlig och sällsam, efter ock sjelfwa subjectet är rart, och derföre annorledes icke kan än hållas för underligt. Men när J, gode Herrar, hafwen någon reflexion på det som deßa tider passeradt är, kunnen J fuller besinna, at det är icke något nytt werk, utan länge prepareradt, och af mig önskadt och åstundadt.
Eder, gode Herrar, är nogsamt weterligt, hwad som är allaredan för några år afhandladt och beslutet wordet i det Succeßions-Werket med Hans Kärlighet, min Frände Hans Kongl. Höghet, och jag ästimerar mig lycklig, at det allaredan hafwer sin riktighet, och är glad, at jag nu kan derpå effectuera min dessein, näml. at updraga Hans Kärlighet och Honom öfwerantwarda Wårt K. Fädernesland och Rikets Thron, Krona, Scepter och Regering; hwilket sker för Fäderneslandets bästa och Hans Kärlighets wälstånd och säkerhets skuld. J hafwen tilförene, gode Herrar, defererat Hans Kärlighet denna Rättigheten, och erkänt Honom för capable at förestå och regera Eder och detta Riket, såsom Han det ock för sit höga förstånd och qualiteter, så ock bewiste berömliga Actioner, wäl meriterar. Nu felar intet annat än tiden, hwilken dependerar af mig, så at nu mera i denna min deßein allenast tilbaka står notificera Eder, gode Herrar, härom; för hwilken orsaks skuld Jag ock Eder enkannerligen denna gången hafwer sammankallat, och widare alt detta nu genom min Proposition wil låta Eder förehålla; Twiflar icke, det J ju härtil bewiljande warden, bewisande Eder tro- och hörsamhet så nu som altid tilförene.
Jag tackar ock Eder, gode Herrar, för det J nu hörsamligen til denna Riksdagen ären sammankomne, så ock för den underdåniga tro- och hörsamhet uti min Regiments-tid, J hafwen emot mig och Wårt K. Fädernesland bewist, så at jag med Edert comportement rätt wäl är tilfreds. Kan jag ock något af Eder uti deßa Tio mina Regiments-år hafwa förtjänt, så är det jag nu allenast begärer, at J til denna min åstundan gifwen Eder consence, efter som jag ock wil hafwa Eder försäkrat, det jag ifrån denna min deßein icke skal låta persuadera mig. J willen ock för goda uptaga, hwad i denna min Regiments-tid skedt är, och wara derom försäkrade, at så wäl härutinnan, som i alt annat, har mit upsåt warit at tjäna Wårt K. Fädernesland. Jag önskar ock, at alt detta måtte lända Guds Namn til låf och ära, den Christeliga Församlingen til upbyggelse, samt Wårt K. Fädernesland och alla des Jnbyggare til önskeligt wälstånd och förkofring.
With modernised spelling:
Orsaken varför I goda herrar denna gången ären hit til denna Riksdagen sammankallade kan fuller falla Eder något underlig och sällsam, efter ock själva subjektet är rart och därför annorledes icke kan än hållas för underligt. Men när I goda herrar haven någon reflexion på det som dessa tider passerat är, kunnen I fuller besinna att det är icke något nytt verk, utan länge preparerat och av mig önskat och åstundat.
Eder, goda herrar, är nogsamt vetterligt vad som är allaredan för några år avhandlat och beslutet vordet i det successionsverket med Hans Kärlighet, min frände, Hans Kungliga Höghet, och jag estimerar mig lycklig att det allaredan haver sin riktighet och är glad att jag nu kan därpå effektuera min dessäng, nämligen att uppdraga Hans Kärlighet och honom överantvarda vårt kära Fädernesland och Rikets Tron, Krona, Scepter och Regering, vilket sker för Fäderneslandets bästa och Hans Kärlighets välstånd och säkerhets skuld. I haven tillförne, gode herrar, defererat Hans Kärlighet denna rättigheten och erkänt honom för kapabel att förestå och regera Eder och detta riket, såsom han det ock för sitt höga förstånd och kvaliteter så ock beviste berömliga aktioner väl meriterar.
Nu felar intet annat än tiden, vilken dependerar av mig, så att numera i denna min dessäng allenast tillbaka står notificera Eder, goda herrar, härom, för vilken orsaks skull jag ock Eder enkannerligen denna gången haver sammankallat och vidare allt detta nu genom min proposition vill låta Eder förehålla. Tvivlar icke det I ju härtill beviljande varden, bevisande Eder tro- och hörsamhet så nu som alltid tillförne.
Jag tackar ock Eder, goda herrar, för det I nu hörsamligen till denna Riksdagen ären sammankomna, så ock för den underdåniga tro- och hörsamhet uti min regementstid I haven emot mig och vårt kära Fädernesland bevist, så att jag med Edert komportement rätt väl är tillfreds. Kan jag ock något av Eder uti dessa tio mina regementsår hava förtjänt, så är det jag nu allenast begär att I till denna min åstundan given Eder konsens, eftersom jag ock vill hava Eder försäkrat det jag ifrån denna min dessäng icke skall låta persvadera mig. I villen ock för goda upptaga vad i denna min regementstid skett är och vara därom försäkrade att såväl härutinnan som i allt annat, har mitt uppsåt varit att tjäna vårt kära Fädernesland. Jag önskar ock at allt detta måtte lända Guds namn till lov och ära, den kristliga församlingen till uppbyggelse, samt vårt kära Fädernesland och alla dess inbyggare till önskligt välstånd och förkovring.
Summary transcript of the speech from the Riksdag protocols:
Ordsakerne hwarföre Rijkzens Ständer på denne tidh äre här sammankallade, kunne fuller af mångom tagas för undersame, effter dhe flyta och härkomma af ett owanligit och ett så rart sujet, som ij werlden någen sin wara kan. Men såsom iagh för detta har tijdigt der till beredt Ständernes tankar; och dhe, seendes med hwad åhåga iag har efftertrachtat att lemna Regementet effter migh ij säkerheet, hafwa migh så wida gåt tillhanda, att iagh med deres gode ja och samtycke har nåt det desiderii fullbordan, som iagh allreda längesedan fattat hafwer: Söker fördenskull nu att fullgöra samme min fattade dessein och opdraga min Frände Rijkzens Regering, men teegat altid här till dhe orsaaker, som mig der till hafwe kunna beweekt. Och såsom Rijksens Ständer hafwe för detta funnit min Frändes persoon nogsampt capabel till Rijkzens Regering, effter dhe, beweekte af dhe gode qualiteter der med han är begåfwat, hafwe honom uthkorat till Rijkzens ArfFurste, synes icke mycket wara ij sielfwe saaken som kan hindra, allenast är mäst om tidhen att göra, att der med icke förlänge dröijas måtte; ty hwad acceptation wedkommer, så är der om allreda Ständerne emellan aftalt och consenterat, och på min sijda kan min fattade resolution genom ingen tingh låta sigh förandra. Iagh har ock der hoos stor orsaak att seija, det iagh ij dhe Tije åhr, som iag har hafft den ähran och lyckan att regera, altid har spordt och förnummit mine undersåthers store trooheet emot migh, och till alt annat altid redebogne, der dhe haa seet deres skyldigheet någet af dem fordrat; och der iag ij dhe 10 åhr har kunnat någet giort till deres contentement, wore det allena som iag begärer för en recompence, mädan all min dessein har i medler tidh warit till alles deres wälståndh. Alt detta warde nu Rijkzens Ständer af sielfwe propositionen widare intagandes, den dhe sigh emellan wille wäl öfwerläggia och sedan med det första meddeela der öfwer deres gode meningh och betänkiande. Iagh önskar af Gudh wälsignelse till detta wärket, att det till Gudz ähra och Rijkzens nytta måtte wäl blifwa uthrättat.
With modernised spelling:
Orsakerna varför Riksens Ständer på denna tid äro här sammankallade kunne fuller av mångom tagas för undersamma, efter de flyta och härkomma av ett ovanligt och ett så rart sujet som i världen någonsin vara kan. Men såsom jag förr detta har tidigt därtill berett Ständernas tankar, och de, seendes med vad åhåga jag har eftertraktat att lämna regementet efter mig i säkerhet, hava mig så vida gått tillhanda att jag med deras goda ja och samtycke har nått det desiderii fullbordan som jag allreda längesedan fattat haver. Söker fördenskull nu att fullgöra samma min fattade dessäng och uppdraga min frände Riksens regering, men tegat alltid härtill de orsaker som mig därtill hava kunna bevekt. Och såsom Riksens Ständer hava förr detta funnit min frändes person nogsamt kapabel till Riksens regering, efter de, bevekte av de goda kvaliteter därmed han är begåvad, hava honom utkorat till Riksens arvfurste, synes icke mycket vara i själva saken som kan hindra, allenast är mest om tiden att göra att därmed icke för länge dröjas måtte; ty vad acceptation vidkommer, så är därom allreda Ständerna emellan avtalt och konsenterat, och på min sida kan min fattade resolution genom ingenting låta sig förändra.
Jag har ock därhos stor orsak att säga det jag i de tio år som jag har haft den äran och lyckan att regera alltid har sport och förnummit mina undersåters stora trohet emot mig och till allt annat alltid redebogna där de ha sett deras skyldighet något av dem fordrat; och där jag i de 10 år har kunnat något gjort till deras kontentemang, vore det allena som jag begär för en rekompens, medan all min dessäng har emellertid varit till allas deras välstånd. Allt detta varde nu Riksens Ständer av själva propositionen vidare intagandes, den de sig emellan ville väl överlägga och sedan med det första meddela däröver deras goda mening och betänkande. Jag önskar av Gud välsignelse till detta verket, att det till Guds ära och Riksens nytta måtte väl bliva uträttat.
Edman's transcript of the speech (translated by him back into Swedish from Whitelocke's English translation):
Orsaken, mine vänner, för hvilken J blifvit sammankallade til denne Riksdag, lärer i flere afseenden förefalla Eder främmande; ty då det är ovanligt och ohört, hvad jag hafver at föredraga Eder, kan det ej afhöras utan alrastörsta förundran. Men, mine Herrar, då J litet kommen ihog, hvad sig för några år sedan tildragit, så lären J finna det ej vara någon nyss uprunnen tanka, utan en länge sedan hos mig öfverlagd, önskad och beslutad sak.
J hafven tilräckelig kunskap om, hvad redan skedt, men den min kära Cousin lemnade Successions rättigheten til detta Rike; och skattar jag mig sjelf ganska lyckelig, at nu finna alla saker i en sådan belägenhet, at jag kan i verket ställa mitt beslut, som är, at til min kära Cousin gifva och öfverlemna vårt kära Fädernesland, med den Kongl. Thronen, Kronan, Spiran och Styrelsen.
Jag behöfver i detta ämne icke tala mycket til Eder. Det är nog at alt måste ske för Fäderneslandets bästa och min Cousins lycka och säkerhet, til hvilken J för detta lemnat denna rätt, då J ansedt honom värdig at styra Eder och detta Riket, hvartil han äfven gjort sig förtjent, genom sitt ädla hjerta och sina sällsynta egenskaper, beprydde med de största hjältedater, til hvilka månge bland Eder varit åsyna vittnen.
Och som nu ingen ting felar, utom tiden til at öfverlemna Kronan åt min kära Cousin, och detta fulleligen på mig ankommer, och för mig intet återstår, utom at af detta beslut lemna Eder del, för hvilken orsak J äfven blifvit sammankallade, och hvarom jag genom min Riksdags proposition vidare skall underrätta Eder; så tviflar jag icke, det J därtil lemnen Edart samtycke; hvarigenom J å daga läggen samma trohet och lydnad, som aldrig förr hos Eder brustit.
Desslikes får jag tacka Eder, at J med så utmärkt undergifvenhet kommit til detta Riksmöte, jämte det J, med så mycken tilgifvenhet för mig och vårt kära Fädernesland, upfört Eder under min Regering, at jag af Eder haft et det ömaste nöje; och om jag, under min tio-åriga Regering, gjort mig på något sätt af Eder förtjent, så är intet mer, jag af Eder åstundar, än at J gifven Edart samtycke til mitt beslut, ifrån hvars verkställande J kunnen vara försäkrade, at ingen ting förmår afhålla mig.
Jag förbehåller mig äfven, at J ej illa uttyden, hvad sig under min Regering tildragit, och kunnen J vara försäkrade at, så väl i detta, som alla andra tagne steg, ingen ting legat mig närmare om hjertat, än Fäderneslandets väl. Nu återstår för mig ej mer, än at önska, det hvar och en i synnerhet, och alle gemensamt, måtte arbeta för at befrämja Guds ära, Kyrkans bestånd, Fäderneslandets förmon, och samtelige dess innebyggares bästa.
English translation (my own):
The reason why you, good gentlemen, have been convened this time to this Riksdag may strike you as somewhat strange and unusual, as the subject itself is rare and therefore cannot be considered anything other than strange. But when you good gentlemen have some reflection on what has passed in these times, you can fully understand that it is not a new work, but it has been long prepared and desired and longed for by me.
You, good gentlemen, are quite aware of what was already discussed and decided a few years ago in that succession document with His Lovingness, my cousin, His Royal Highness, and I esteem myself happy that it is already corrected, and I am glad that I now can carry out my design, namely to commission His Lovingness with and to entrust to him our dear Fatherland and the Throne, Crown, Scepter and Government of the Realm, which is done for the good of the Fatherland and for His Lovingness's prosperity and security. You, good gentlemen, have conferred this right to His Lovingness, and you have recognised him as capable of presiding over and governing you and this kingdom, as he well merits for his high intelligence and qualities as well as his proven and illustrious actions.
Now there is nothing lacking but time, which depends on me, so that now in this my design it only remains for me to notify you, good gentlemen, about this, for which reason I and you especially have convened this time, and further I now want to leave all this to you through my proposition. I have no doubt that you will grant this, proving your fidelity and obedience now as always.
I also thank you, good gentlemen, for having now obediently gathered to this Riksdag, and also for the submissive faith and obedience which you have shown to me and to our dear Fatherland during my reign, so that I am quite well satisfied with your comportment. If I have also deserved anything from you in these ten years of my reign, then all I ask now is that you give your consent to this my desire, as I also want to have assured you that I will not let myself be persuaded away from this design. You will also take up for good what has happened in this my reign, and and you will therefore be assured that both here and in everything else, my intention has been to serve our dear Fatherland. I also wish that all this may bring praise and glory to God's name, edification to the Christian congregation, and desirable welfare and prosperity to our dear Fatherland and all its inhabitants.
English translation of the version in the Riksdag protocols (my own):
The reasons why the Estates of the Realm are at this time convened here could be taken as strange by many, as they flow and originate from as unusual and strange a subject as can ever be in the world. But as I before this have certainly prepared the thoughts of the Estates for that, and they, seeing with what desire I have longed to leave the regiment behind me, have gone so far as to help me that, with their good yes and consent, I have reached the consummation of the desire which I have already had for a long time. Therefore, I am now seeking to fulfill the same design I took and appoint the government of the Realm to my cousin the government, but I have always been silent about the reasons that could have influenced me to do so. And as the Estates of the Realm had previously found my cousin's person sufficiently capable of the government of the Realm, as they, moved by the good qualities with which he is gifted, had chosen him as the Hereditary Prince of the Realm, there does not seem to be much in the matter itself that can prevent, only mostly about the time to do it so that it is not delayed too long; for, as far as the acceptation is concerned which has already been agreed upon and consented to between the Estates, and on my side my taken resolution cannot be altered by anything.
I also have great reason to say that in the ten years during which I have had the honour and happiness of reigning, I have always felt and sensed the great loyalty of my subjects towards me, and for everything else they have always been ready where they have seen their obligation require something of them; and if in those 10 years I have been able to do something for their contentment, that would be the only thing I ask for as a recompense, while in the meantime my whole design has been for everyone's prosperity. All of this will now be taken in by the Estates of the Realm from the proposition itself, which they wanted to consider among themselves and then to announce their good opinion and consideration on it as soon as possible. I wish from God a blessing for this work, that it may be accomplished for the glory of God and for the benefit of the realm.
—
Summary of Johannes Canuti Lenæus', the Archbishop of Uppsala's, speech to Kristina (from the Riksdag protocols):
Som K. M:tt hugnar sigh öfwer Ständernes wälståndh, att dhe med god wälmåga äre här sammankomne, så önske ock dhe af Prästerskapet det Kongl. Maij:tt så länge öfwer dem och Rijket regera wille, till dess döden giorde der ij en förandringh, och att Kongl. M:tt ij medler tidh med god hälssa och wälmåga blefwe wälsignat.
Sade sedan, att dhe af sielfwe proposition hafwa intaget hwarföre dhe äre sammankallade, och effter saaken wore af stor wichtigheet, wille thidh till att sigh der öfwer betänkia. Tackade Gudh för fredh och roligheet, och önskade till denne Rijkzdags handel Gudz wälsignelse.
With modernised spelling:
Som Kungliga Majestät hugnar sig över Ständernas välstånd, att de med god välmåga äro här sammankomna, så önska ock de av prästerskapet det Kungliga Majestät så länge över dem och Riket regera ville till dess döden gjorde däri en förändring, och att Kungliga Majestät emellertid med god hälsa och välmåga bleve välsignad.
Sade sedan att de av själva proposition hava intagit varföre de äro sammankallade, och efter saken vore av stor viktighet, ville tid till att sig däröver betänka. Tackade Gud för fred och rolighet och önskade till denna Riksdagshandel Guds välsignelse.
English translation (my own):
As Her Royal Majesty rejoices at the prosperity of the Estates, that they are gathered here in good health, so also do those of the clergy wish Her Royal Majesty to rule over them for a long time and that she want to rule the Realm until death makes a change in it, and that Her Royal Majesty, in the meantime, be blessed with good health and well-being.
He then said that from the proposition itself they had understood why they were convened, and as the matter was of great importance, they wanted time to think about it. He thanked God for the peace and tranquility and wished God's blessing for this Riksdag commerce.
—
Summary of Stockholm mayor Hans Hansson's speech to Kristina (from the Riksdag protocols):
Borgmästarn ij Stocholm, Hans Hansson
sade huru Borgerskapet hafwer sig instält effter K. M:tz befalning: glädja sigh öfwer K. M:tz hälssa och wälmåga, den dhe önske blifwa länge beständig: tackar Gudh som har bewarat wårt fädernesland för den befarande pestilentien, och att dhe alle med hälssan kunne träda tillhopa och sij deres nådige Drottning ij gott wälståndh: glädia sigh öfwer fredh och roligheet: wela taga K. M:tz proposition underdånigst ij betänkiande etc.
With modernised spelling:
Borgmästaren i Stockholm, Hans Hansson, sade huru borgerskapet haver sig inställt efter Kungliga Majestäts befallning, glädja sig över Kungliga Majestäts hälsa och välmåga, den de önska bliva länge beständig; tackar Gud som har bevarat vårt Fädernesland för den befarande pestilentien och att de alla med hälsan kunde träda tillhopa och se deras nådige drottning i gott välstånd. Glädja sig över fred och rolighet, vilja taga Kungliga Majestäts proposition underdånigst i betänkande, etc.
English translation (my own):
The mayor of Stockholm, Hans Hansson, said how the burghers had acted according to Her Royal Majesty's command, rejoiced over Her Royal Majesty's health and well-being, which they wished to remain for a long time; he thanks God who has preserved our Fatherland from the dreaded pestilence, and that they could all come together in health and see their gracious Queen in good condition. They rejoice about the peace and tranquility, willing to submissively take Her Royal Majesty's proposition into consideration, etc.
—
Edman's transcript of the peasant's speech (translated by him back into Swedish from Whitelocke's English version):
Ach min Gud! hvad tänker väl Edar Maj:t til at göra? det oroar oss at höra, det J tänker at öfvergifva oss, som älske Eder så mycket. Kan väl Edar Maj:t få något bättre än hon har? Edar Maj:t är nu Drottning öfver alla dessa länder, och hvar skall väl Edar Maj:t få et sådant Rike igen, om detta lemnas? och om Edar Maj:t skulle göra det, som jag hoppas för all ting icke må ske, så får både Edar Maj:t och vi orsak at ångra det, då det är för sent. Därföre anhåller jag och mine bröder, at Edar Maj:t litet bättre må tänka häruppå, och behålla Kronan på sitt hufvud, ty därigenom befordras Edar Maj:ts heder och vår välgång; men om Edar Maj:t lägger den neder, så sättes därigenom, på mitt samvete, alt på vågspel.
Forfar, Nådigsta Drottning, i Edra förrättningar, och drag lasset så länge J lefver; vi skole hjelpa Eder det bästa vi kunne at lätta bördan.
Edar Fader var en hederlig man och god Konung, samt gjorde sig mycket namnkunnig i verlden; och vi lydde och älskade honom så länge han lefde. Edar Maj:t är hans enda barn, som har styrt oss ganska väl, och älske vi äfven Eder af alt hjerta. Prinsen är väl en hederlig man, och när hans tid kommer, äre vi lika villige at lyda honom som nu Eder; men så länge som J lefver, vilje vi icke skiljas vid Eder; och beder jag därföre, Nådigsta Drottning, drag Eder icke ifrån oss.
Summary of the peasant's actual speech to Kristina (from the Riksdag protocols):
Tackar Gudh för K. M:tz gode hälssa, och att dhe under K. M:tz Regemente niutha fredh och roligheet: Tackar ock K. M:tt som dem, eenfaldigt folck, optäcker sin meningh om Regementhet: Och der dhe med ödmiuk bön icke skulle winna att K. M:tt yttermehr sigh wille antaga Rijkzens Regeringh, bedia dhe K. M:tt att hon wille wara dem behielpelig åter till en god Rijkzens Herre och fader, som den fattige Almogen kunde haa att klaga sigh före. Det öfrige uthi een så högh saak hemställe dhe till Rijkzens Rådh och deres Siälesörjare af Prästerskapet, att dhe, som med högre förstånd äre begåfwade, wille sådant ij bäste måtta öfwerläggia. Sade att Almogen är bered att tiena sin höge Öfwerheet icke allenast med all sin förmögenheet, uthan, när så behöfwes, med deres lijf och blodh.
With modernised spelling:
Tackar Gud för Kungliga Majestäts goda hälsa och att de under Kungliga Majestäts regemente njuta fred och rolighet. Tackar ock Kungliga Majestät som dem, enfaldigt folk, upptäcker sin mening om regementet; och där de med ödmjuk bön icke skulle vinna att Kungliga Majestät yttermer sig ville antaga Riksens regering, bedja de Kungliga Majestät att hon ville vara dem behjälplig åter till en god Riksens herre och fader som den fattiga allmogen kunde ha att klaga sig före. Det övriga uti en så hög sak hemställa de till Riksens Råd och deras själesörjare av prästerskapet, att de som med högre förstånd äro begåvade ville sådant i bästa måtta överlägga. Sade att allmogen är beredd att tjäna sin höga överhet icke allenast med all sin förmögenhet, utan, när så behöves, med deras liv och blod.
English translation (my own):
He thanks God for Her Royal Majesty's good health and that under Her Royal Majesty's reign they enjoy peace and tranquility. He also thanks Her Royal Majesty that they, simple people, discover their opinion about the regiment; and if with humble prayer they could not win that Her Royal Majesty expressed their wish to accept the government of the Realm, they begged Her Royal Majesty that she would be assist them again to a good lord and father of the Realm, whom the poor common people could have for to complain to. The rest refer within such a high matter to the Council of the Realm and their pastors from the clergy, that those who are gifted with a higher understanding would want to consider such things in the best measure. He said that the common people are ready to serve their sovereign not only with all their ability, but, when necessary, with their life and blood.
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Above: Kristina.
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Above: Bulstrode Whitelocke.
Note: It was Bengt Claesson Horn af Åminne (1623-1678) who married Margareta Larsdotter Sparre (1631-1660), one of Kristina's ladies-in-waiting and the younger sister of Kristina's favourite, lady-in-waiting and lover Ebba Sparre (1626 or 1629-1662), on May 10/20, 1654. Margareta's and Ebba's father had passed away in 1644, when Ebba was either eighteen or fifteen and Margareta was thirteen.
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