reason to live quietly in the Catholique religion his Majesty discoursing with himself that though the said Queen was not able in publique at least she could have exercis'd in private the true faith in her own Kingdom and perhaps with more advantages to the Catholique religion especially since surrendring the Scepter unto a new King who might be of a turbulent and warlike disposition was to open peradventure the way to some of those enterprizes which in the afflictions of Christianity might cause greater dammages to the interests of Catholiques than among the applauses of the world get glory and repose to the Queen He consider'd too wisely that the things of the world have nothing that is constant but inconstancy and that women particularly notwithstanding they have courage and spirit are subject to change so as he was not able with his solid Intellect to judge securely of a single appearance nor thought he it agreeable to his gravity and decorum to engage himself in any thing without sounding more fully the business and reaching the bottom of the motives from which a resolution so great and so little in use was deriv'd But afterwards assur'd that many heroicall vertues and eminent parts abounded in the Queen with the motive of which she knew the world was one of those enemies that is conquer'd by flying and albeit a woman had strength to trample under her feet its forces allurements and charms and conquer her self The King was so taken with her Majesties magnanimous action that out of his most pious zeal to the honour of God and the Catholique Church he not onely with great fervour accompanied her Majesties letter to the Pope but exhibited all his protection for the journey and entire satisfaction of so noble and so vertuous a Princesse After the peace of Germany the States of Swedland having soon bent their thoughts for the settlement of the Kingdom had likewise found it necessary to provide that the Masculine succession fayling in the blood Royall some one might ascend the Throne quietly and peaceably and the rather since the recalling the suffrages of the ancient elections did not seem good to them they knowing by experience that kind of dominion as not very durable and unsafe had often been replenisht with tumults and calamities whereupon they unanimously agreed that her Majesty pleasing her self with a husband that was not of a different religion nor suspected by the States should establish in her Progeny the security of succession They therefore made severall instances to the Queen and often sollicited the effect of their desires The Queen who in her mind had greater designs making use of the pretence of being unwilling by marriage to subject her own liberty to any declar'd that as she had been born free so she likewise would live and die free She boastingly said all the Kingdoms of the world were a price below the value of liberty which onely was the pretiousest Gem in her Crown That she knew the chast wits were still the most vigilant most lively and the fittest for all things which require understanding spirit and prudence The States seeing her firm in resolving not to marry pretended at least to appoint her a Successour to the end that she fayling there might be no difficulty in a new Kings election And because whatsoever we can most of all wish for in a Prince consists in his valour his prudence and goodness in the meeting of all the four Orders of the Kingdom the qualities and parts of the most conspicuous personage being maturely examin'd all gave their votes and applauses to the foresaid Prince Charles Gustavus Palalatine as one who descending by Birth from Emperours and Kings and having till that time commanded the Swedish Amies had given in all occasions great experiments of his valour and prudence Besides he being passionately belov'd by the people and souldiers could desire no clearer arguments of his merit for his exaltation to the Crown establisht in his Person by his substitution in the Kingdom if Christina should fail Some Polititians divulged to meddle in their discourses with so great an affair the Queen was not pleased the gate of dominion should be opend to this Princes desire since this being the most sensible of humane affections and that which soonest toucheth the quick they might see again acted on the Stage the offences of those times in which many men thinking nothing to be villanous and wicked have trampled under foot to compasse soon their ends all respects obligations honour and conscience But the said Polititians have fail'd in the conceit which perhaps they imagin'd their discourses would have rais'd while that they measur'd her Majesties thoughts and resolutions with their own ordinary rule of the interest of State The Queen's designs had solider motives and deeper foundations She sought to gain a Kingdom where Angells inhabit and therefore lost that willingly where men have their residence The Queen could not erre in the reason of State who secur'd to her selfe that of God She labour'd to know God in true greatnesse and felicity and God made himself known to her by giving her judgement and vigour to seek what few did desire and to despise that which all covet after For what concern'd humane reputation and glory she had learnt she could not better make happy and prolong the short periods of her life than with the report of one of the most glorious resolutions that had ever been heard She therefore very charitably and freely agreeing to surrender her Scepter to the foresaid Prince Palatine contrived a way with which without discovering her thoughts she frankly might renounce the possession of those States which were no longer hers because by her Majesty exchang'd for those of Heaven She thought that she had not the lustre of any vertue while she sate on that Throne which was not illustrated with the splendour of true faith The Queen lov'd God and therefore could no longer love the world To mount to the greatnesse of Heaven 't was necessary she should fall from the height of terrestriall felicity This her Majesties resolution discovered to some she most trusted it seem'd strange to them she would abandon voluntarily the dominion of a Kingdom than which there is not any thing more desired on the earth as in the change of a Prince both the Cities and Inhabitants are oftentimes subject to hurtfull alterations so with the apprehension of future events and the want of the happinesse they enjoy'd they particularly were troubled and discontented and labour'd to remove her from that her opinion with very strong reasons and resembling the quality of the matter of which they discours'd They knew the new Kings â—enius and the martiall inclinations of his Captains so as they were â—ffraid it might prove one of those punishments which with the appearance of a blessing is cast upon them whom God will chastise They doubted though the Queen loved peace and
a good correspondence with the neighbouring Princes that the Genius and Interest of her Majesties Successour would not be the same who probably at his entrance into his principality would have the ambition to make ostentation of his valour and foment his Commanders desires To convince her understanding and divert her from so great a resolution many of the knowing'st and zealousest Ministers whom her Majestie did the honour to trust with her design of renouncing her Kingdom but not with her change of religion advanced so far to presage unto her unlucky events but nothing could retain her in her motion which she urged with all speed Now all things appertaining to that renunciation were in readiness and nothing was wanting but to solemnize it with those publique functions requir'd in such Cases Many Feasts being therefore now made together with tiltings for a happy prediction of the new Kings Coronation in the end on the 17th of January 1654 they brought it to a period The Prince Palatine would have had it deferr'd till the following July while his cloaths and other things becoming the magnificence of this unusuall spectacle were prepar'd But the Queen admitting no delay prevented these demurs with all diligence while each little minute seem'd too long to her for the the finishing her secret intentions She therefore came out of her lodgings that day about nine of the clock in the morning and appear'd in the great open gallery of the Court accompany'd by the Senate and the Grandees of the Palace She wore a stately robe embroyder'd with Crowns of gold and with a comly gravity walking up and down among a great company of Gentlemen and other who out of curiosity came to see so renown'd and unusuall a function sate down in a chair under a Canopy of Silver nobly wrought and adorn'd Here the Lord Zchering Rosemâ—hain a Senatour of the Kingdom read with a loud voice the instrument of donation which her Majestie made to the said Prince Charles Gustavus Palatine and a Patent in which the new King engag'd to the said Queen three Islands and diverse revenues issuing out of Pomerania with other regalities to the yearly value of two hundred thousand crowns Her Majestie accepting the writings rose up and taking the Crown from her head deliver'd it to the Earl Peter Bracch great Praefect and principall Senatour of the Kingdom The Scepter Sword Globe of gold and a Key she consign'd to four great Personages and Ministers of the Kingdom to wit to Count Gustavus Horn Generall of the Militia to Count Gabriel Oxerstern to Count Oxerstern great Chancellour and Count Magnus Gabriel de la Gardie great Treasurer The Queen had nothing left to put off but the royall Robe and she seeing that those to whom it belonged deferr'd to unty it unty'd it her self and in throwing it down sported with her maids of Honour and was pleasant with them while there was not any one in so great a number of persons that could forbear weeping to see this so generous action of the Queen to whom the hearts of all paid the tribute of duty and affection The royall robe being depos'd she was begirt with a very white garment and here with a majestique affability turning towards the Nobility and people with a loud and clear voice and great freenesse of mind pray'd a quartern of an hour with such efficacy and sweetnesse that all remaining equally dazled with the splendour of so much vertue and soften'd with the pleasantness of the manner had such an affection as admits not of comfort nor receives moderation After this with a long and most prudent discourse she advertis'd the new King of many things appertaining to the Kingdoms good Government and affectionately recommended to him the Queen her Mother her Friends and all her Subjects whom she loved so firmly and so she return'd to the very same room whence she came leaving all the people in the darknesse of confusion and bitternesse of sorrow for the losse of that Sun which so long had govern'd them with the influence of his rayes The Prince Palatine two hours after was conducted to the Cathedrall by the Arch-Bishop of Upsalia where he was anointed King and receiv'd the royall ensignes and the next day after the solemn oath was given him by all the four Orders of the Kingdom In these solemnities severall sorts of money of gold and silver â—ere scatter'd up and down as well by the Queen as the King Those by the King had his Picture on the one side and the words Carolus Gustavus and on the other a regal-Crown with these words a Deo Christina Those by the Queen had her Picture on the one side and on the other a Crown with these words Et sine Te. The day after the usuall Oath of loyalty being perform'd to the King by the States the Queen visited and honour'd by all departed from Upsalia towards Stockholm The King accompany'd her to the Mannour of Merstad which is half the way and all the Senatours Gentlemen and chief Ladies of the Court waited on her to Stokholm where she stay'd three daies Here all desired to see her and to be seen by her who receiv'd them with such courtesie and kindnesse that they there made discovery of the pleasure she took to leave them all mindfull of her vertues and government She had made them believe she would go live in the Island of Holland fifty leagues distant from Stockholm in the fair Castle there with a great Park of Deere where the Kings were accustom'd to retire for their pleasure With this report she departed from Stockholm three hours after the setting of the Sun She would depart by night not to see their affections and tears who apprehended the want of so great a Queen and so good a Mother Yet from the royall Palace to the gate of the City the concourse of the people was great but the affliction much greater which oppressed their senses every one as immoveable and mute with their eyes cast down on the earth giving to understand a weighty sorrow hath neither tears nor sighs sufficient to expresse it The King had sent the greatest part of the Court to accompany and attend her among whom were the Lord Charles Soop a person of great quality with the charge of high Steward the Lord Tersen Gentleman of the Chamber and of much desert and vertue with six other Gentlemen of his Majestie all of noble families and merit the Lord Vlifeldt great Master of Denmark retyr'd long since into Swedland under his Majesties protection the Senatours Earl Todt and Baron Lind with Eal Donoau Lievetenant Colonell all three personages of high worth and eminent parts with severall others In her going out of the City she was saluted with the Artillery from the walls and the ships and as she past along the Governours of Forts and Provinces waited on her with their Souldiers She travail'd all
THE HISTORY OF THE Sacred and Royal Majesty OF CHRISTINA ALESSANDRA QUEEN OF SWEDLAND With the Reasons of her late Conversion to the Roman Catholique Religion As also a Relation of the severall entertainments given her by divers Princes in her Journey to Rome with her magnificent Reception into that City LONDON Printed for T. W. and are to be sold at the Signe of the Bell in St. Pauls Church-yard 1658. To the glory of the Age and Compendium of Honour and Nobility her Grace the Dutchess of RICHMOND and LENOX May it please your Grace THE golden-Apple on which was this Inscription be it given to the fairest Paris presented to Venus as surpassing the others in beauty The same condition is annexed to this History which belonging of right to the fairest most justly is presented to your Grace as surpassing all others in the beauty of the body and mind And whom should a Queen so renown'd for her vertues and eminent qualities make her addresses to if not to your Grace who like the glorious Sun among the lesser lights out-shines all other Ladies with the rayes of your Graces rare vertues and admirable parts These reflections Madam invited this great Princess to recurre to your Grace who like the River Nilus disdains to mix the waters she brings from a Paradise with any other streame Since the offering then Madam is no waies unworthy of your Graces noble Altar where Hecatombs are only to be sacrificed be pleased not to lessen it in your Graces esteem because presented by Madam Your Graces most humble and most devoted Servant IOHN BURBERY TO THE READER IN the Catastrophe of the accidents which still are reducing this Age into a large abridgment of all that are past the resolutions and talents of Christina Alessandra Queen of Swedland have an eminent place That a Queen by birth of a spirit so sublime and the Epilogue of all vertues should depose her Scepter voluntarily and fall at the feet of the Vicar of Christ to receive there in his blessings a crown of Paradise in such a resolution as too much surpasses the capacity of man and not only custome The World peradventure hath not seen any other that to purchase the true Faith hath abandoned his own Kingdoms and to be enriched with the Jewels of Heaven hath divested himself of the treasures of the earth I therefore have begun to compose a particular History of it and hitherto have gone on with delight for it contains not only a great Princesses rare qualities and Prerogatives but likewise the entertainments she hath till now received of the greatest Princes and Monarchs of Christendom so as it may truely be said Christina the great in her resolutions and receptions could meet with nothing equall to her great desert but the mind and piety of a Philip and an Alexander Some perhaps may think I have employed my Pen in certain little things not suitable to the Majesty of the History but let them remember the knowledge of individuums and the memories of particular men provided they deserved well of fame encrease still in credit and delight with Posterity In case they persist in the rigour of their scruples they will easily be satisfied if they read alone that part which pleases them most Farewell WE the Reformers of the study at Padoua having seen by the testimony of our Secretary that in the book intituled the History of the sacred Majestie of Christina Alessandra Queen of Swedland by Count Galeazzo Gualdo Priorato printed in quarto in Rome there is nothing repugnant to good manners nor the interests of Princes grant licence to Francis Baba to print it he observing the Laws in this case and presenting a Copy for the publick Library of Venice and another for that of Padoua In Witness whereof c. Anno Domini the 24. of May 1656. John Donado Reformer Andrew Pisani Procurator and Reformer FRANCIS VERDIZZOTTI SECRETARY AN INDEX Of the most remarkable things contained in this present HISTORY A DOn Antonio Pimentell goes into Swedland by order of his Catholique Majesty Advertisments given by the Queen to the new King of Swedland The affliction of the people for the Queens renouncing her Kingdoms The arrivall of the Queen of Swedland in Hambourg The arrivall of the Queen of Swedland in Antwerp The applauses with which she is received in Flandres The Arch Duke sends to complement the Queen and goes afterwards thither in Person Don Antonio Pimentel extraordinary Embassadour of his Catholique Majestie with the Queen of Swedland The assumption of Cardinall Fabius Chigi to the Papacie and the generall applauses for his exaltation The Marquis of Anspach visits her Majesty Auspurge and its description The absolution given her Majesty by my Lord Holstenius The Marquis Andreasi complements the Queen in the name of the Duke of Mantoua The arrivall of the Queen in Rome who went presently to kâ—ss his Holinesses feet The affability of the Queen Academies instituted by her Majesty in her own Palace The answer of Don Antonio Pimentel to the Queen B. THe Briefs of his Holiness consigned to my Lord Holstenius The Briefs for the Prince of Trent The Brief for the Arch-Duke of Inspruch The Brief of his Holiness to the Queen of Swedland The Brief of his Holiness to the Queen presented to her by the Nuntii at her entrance into the Churches Dominions The Brief of his Holiness to the Cardinall Legates a Latere Count Bucquoy complements the Queen in the name of his Catholick Majesty C. CHristina succeeds in the Kingdom of Swedland Her education and admirable wit She learns divers Languages makes great progress in learning begins to assist at the Councell and afterwards takes upon her the Government She herself administers the affairs and is beloved and feared She is a great lover of vertue despises all delicacie She makes War and then Peace with the King of Denmark She is respected by all the Princes of the World She hath divers inspirations She discovers the errours of the Lutherans The reasons which move her to the knowledge of the truth With her own vertue she makes herself capable of the truth She examins the life and condition of Luther She perceives the falsitie and lies spread by him She fortifies herself with some important examples She abhors heresie She thinks to turn Catholick She imparts her designe to Don Antonio Pimentel She trusts wholy in God She resolves to quit her Kingdoms Her generous Act. She goes privately to see Bruxels The ceremonies in receiving the Queen in the Church The Cavaliers of Verona which met her Majestie The Cavalcata of the Cardinal Legates in their going to Olgiata The complements of several Gentlemen to the Queen at the Vineyard of Pope Julius The Castle of St. Angelo is seen by the Queen The Colledge of Sapienza The Church of the Greeks The Roman Colledge The rare things in the said Roman Colledge The Comedy intituled the Triumph of piety acted in the Palace of the
promoted by a Genius as noble as generous which made him desirous of glory and ambitious of greatness Prudence was still his companion eloquence and sagacity accompanying his discourses vivacity and affability his treaties and resolution and courage his enterprizes In great affairs he wanted not Providence readinesse and Constancy and the force of his wit and strength of his mind was still most resplendent in difficulties he nobly contemning the Lawrells and Palms which were not augmented by labours and water'd with pains Before the Battell he appear'd not so terrible and dreadfull as gentle mild and mercifull when he had obtain'd the victory being undaunted in dangers vigilant in occasions and wife in each affair A Prince in fine of great understanding and knowledge in all things He was followed with a greater affection and applause than any Commander before him He gave satisfaction to all with his praises hopes or mildnesse and especially his sincerity actions of vertue being written by him with indeleble Characters He never forgat services whether little or great but rewarded and valu'd them He was very wittie in his sayings and most affable in company still treating and speaking to all without pride and frequently asking when he pass'd by his People and Souldiers how they did what they would and desired To his Table and Court while he was in the field he admitted all Gentlemen and private Commanders he usually saying a table is the torment of a secret and a net to catch friendship and affection He could not abide ceremonies and complements affected and to those unacquainted with his Genius hee said or caused others to say they should reserve their Courtship for the Queens minds of honour for he was in the field to teach how to fight and not to lead a dance He was most severe in punishing the Souldiers offences and exact in providing for the peoples security He like a true souldier to give an essay of the greatness of his mind undertook not any enterprize which was without danger he that exhorted him to a care of his life acquiring his displeasure It seem'd to him undecent for a Prince of a warlike constitution to have the thoughts of death he thinking the counsell proceeded from fear which advis'd him to take heed of himself He called him happy that dy'd in his trade the volunteer death taking pay under him that feareth him not His designs were alwaies great but greater after the battell of Lipswick he aspiring to the Empire of Germany Even the Ottoman power began to reflect on the fortune and valour of this King who used to say he wondred the Ancients so easily obtain'd their victories and those of his time with such difficulty to whom when represented it proceeded from the difference in wâ—aring and now the expugnations of Cities and fortresses are harder he reply'd he did not value the difference of arms nor of times but that of the courage That the world was the same each age had it's Mines and Countermines offences and defences and that he could war like Alexander be victorious with Hanibal and equall Caesars Progresses who had the mind of Alexander the skilfulnesse of Hanibal and Caesars undauntednesse In the space of two years he drew to his party either by the force of arms or the motives of his power and reputation of Fortresses Cities and wall'd Town to the number of a hundred and ninety He won many battels in the field but crown'd with that of Lipswick his triumph having conquer'd the most experienc'd and most fortunate Commander of his age and an Army old in battels He passed the Seas and enter'd into Germany with a very little Army but as a small snowball rowling down a high Mountain becomes a great globe so he passing from one enterprise to another could number at his death above 100000 foot and 80000 horse which made up ten Armies together with other bodies all under his colours Nothing but the heresy of Luther eclipsed his high qualities who if he had follow'd the steps of his Ancestors not swerving from the path of the true faith would have been the Heroe of Kings He left no other Progeny than Christina his only Daughter born on the 16. of December in the year 1626 a Princesse of so noble enendowments and so elevated a spirit that 't is not any wonder if she representing in part the living image of her great Fathers vertues give cause to believe Gustavus yet remaines to the world in his specie although not in his individuo Now as their good education who are to have succession in Kingdoms and principalities is the chiefest foundation of the peoples felicity this Princesse us'd a diligent manuring of her mind bequeathing her self to the exercises of vertue to be afterwards able to outstrip with her years the duty of age 'T was therefore observ'd that from the first moments as it were of her life and understanding she began though a child to procure the enlightning of her intellect a command ore her reason limits to her will a curb to her affections a rule to her actions and strength â—o her body She was not seven years old when instructed in the elements of the Latin tongue and letters and having now discover'd what promise she could make to her self in the Progresses of her studies by the quicknesse of her spirit and most singular judgement she fell to the cultivating her mind with the most sublime sciences as those which administer the true lights not to erre in the Pilgrimage of the world and the gaining of Heaven In her minority five Ministers and Officers of the Crown which were the most conspicuous had the government of the Kingdom to wit the great Admirall bastar'd Brother co Gustavus her Father the great Chancellour Axellius Oxestern the great President Gabriel Oxestern the great Constable James of the Garde and the great Treasurer another Gabriel Oxestern In the mean time to her other applications aforesaid she added the instructing of her self in the knowledge of different tongues to make her self the fitter and more capaple for the management of the Kingdom in which she made most eminent Progresses And as the best books are incorrupt Counsellours and Oracles which without the least request even answer to our thoughts so she in reading there employing her best hours endeavour'd to learn there the way to govern well This Princesse advancing with her years in Vertues and Sciences measur'd every ones ability so well with the subtlety of her judgement that though a girle she penetrated the hidden designes of her principall Ministers of whom she made use to draw to her self the totall direction of the affairs of the Kingdom so as she gain'd great veneration free'd her self from the subjection in which some pretended to hold her and beginning to rule shew'd she had not any need to lay the Kingdoms weight on any others head than her own insomuch
the honour of her person as because she being there independent of any other Potentate whatsoever in Christendom might employ the endowments of her mind in the service of God and his Church by her Majesties interposing in many affairs of Christendom for the which without doubt there was no want at all of ability in her Majestie She sent then the Father to Rome in the Month of May of the year aforesaid but omitted at that time to make any motion to the Pope because she was not able to renounce so soon her Kingdom and in the mean time they had no suspition at all of those resolutions with which Pope Innocent was assistent to the business But Father Malines remained in Swedland well treated by the Queen while her Majesty disposed and so ordered her affairs that by the States of Swedland Charles Prince Palatine deputed before to the Crown after her was after her renouncing it admitted to the Kingdom which done she might securely depart In fine when she was to discover her mind and compleat her resolutions she began then by declaring her intentions to Monsieur Bordolot a French man and now Abbot of Massay her trusty Physitian to the end he repayring to the Court of France and making no mention at all of the business of religion might onely treat there if after her renouncing the Kingdom she might sojourn in France as likewise she had thoughts of dispatching Father Malines to Rome with her letters to the Pope While Bordolot and Malines prepared to be gone the Queen having made a discovery of the exquisite judgement and great prudence of Don Antonio Pimentel who with the Title of Gentleman sent from the Catholique King to complement the Queen and procure between their Majesties a good correspondence had been some Months before in that Court where he had with his rare parts purchas'd very great credit and fame resolv'd to trust him with her thoughts and make use of his assistance and counsell in a business of that consequence This Gentleman heard attentitively the Queen and was as much comforted as astonisht at the strangeness of the news And when he had considered how meritorious in Heaven how famous in the world and beneficiall to Christianity so glorious an action would be he represented to the Queen the necessity of supporting it by a Prince no less powerfull than pious that he accompanying with her dispatches the letter she sent to the Pope might make authentick the credit of so great and so heroique an act for the compassing of which the Catholique King seem'd fit to her Majesty The Queen therefore consigned to Father Malines letters for his Holiness Cardinall Chigi then Secretary of State to the Pope and for Father Nikei the Generall of the Jesuits and likewise gave him order that as secretly as he could he should go into Spain to procure the dispatches of his Catholique Majesty to the Pope in order to which she gave the said Father letters for the Catholique King and Don Lewes de Aro supposing besides besides that Don Antonio Pimentel being come to Madrid whither he was called might adde credit to her letters and solicit the effecting their Contents And as the greatest thing that troubled her Majestie consisted in secresy to remove every shadow of suspition she desir'd that the Father might go another way and not embarque himself with Pimentel For the very same reason it seemed not good to the Queen that Father Casati returned to Hamburg from Rome should repass into Swedland to avoid the renewing of the jealousies and suspitions had formerly of them especially she knowing some letters had been intercepted which Casati had written to Malines by which they understood that they were both engag'd in the very same business and had common interests Father Malines departed from Stockholm on the 3d. of May 1653. having stayed there something more than a year and two months The length of his voyage from Swedland to Lubeck occasioned by the contrary winds and his not finding suddenly shipping in England whither he went for that purpose out of Flanders were the cause he arrived not at Madrid till the second of August where he stayd certain months without having any news of Pimentel or negotiating any thing since his order was not to begin till he had first received her Majesties letters which were to be sent after Don Antonio aforesaid departed from Stockholm in the following August and embarquing at Gottembourg advanced not far when the Ship that sprang a leak constrain'd him back thither while the Vessell was repairing he went to the Court which then was removed to Vesten where he received order from Spain to stay there yet a while The Queen hinder'd by that accident to make use of Pimentel substituted in his place Father John Baptist Guemes a Dominican who was in Denmark with the Earl of Rebogliedo the Spanish Ambassadour to that King and being to negotiate some business appertaining unto the said Earl in the Court of Madrid was to have and expect the conveniency of embarquing himself with Pimentel to which end in the month of July 1653 he arrived at Gottembourg but the Ship as aforesaid coming back and he being commanded by Pimentel to continue with him went thence with him to Vesten The Queen knowing he was a man of great prudence and other rare qualities and considering she could give no suspition by his going into Spain since they knew long before he went for the affairs of Rebogliedo she lost not the conjuncture of making use of him for the treating of that in Madrid which she had design'd should be done by Pimentel She therefore informed him of the matter and wrote to Father Malines whom before she had order'd to make no attempt of any thing without new advice which he was to expect before he promoted any busâ—ness Father Guemes departed with her Majesties dispatches and Pimentel's on the ninth of October and after many troubles and impediments arriving in the Catholique Court in the month of March 1654 very earnestly sollicited there the Kings letters to the Pope to accompany the Queens and so honourably so faithfully proceeded in this business of consequence that her Majestie afterwards declaring she was infinitely satisfied was most confident of him by making him her Confessour and using him in her hardest and most scrupulous resolutions Though not onely by the mouths of the foresaid two Fathers Malines and Casati together with the Dominican and the letters of Pimentel himself his Majestie was fully inform'd and assured of all things yet he could do no less than remain surpriz'd a while at the news of so great and so strange a resolution it seeming to him a difficult thing that a Princess of that spirit and of so sublime a judgement could abandon her Kingdoms her Country and subjects whom she loved so tenderly and protected to lead a private life without that great Command for this only
remaining in Rome and sent him the fresh Letters for his Holinesse to the end he should present them as he did on the first day of July The Pope at that advice representing in his countenance and testifying in his words the joy and content news so good and so great did deserve call'd happy his Papacy for bringing a Queen to his feet with motives and resolutions so worthy and unparalell'd whereupon he reply'd t was necessary her Majestie ere she came into Italy or at least ere she enter'd the dominions of the Church should publickly make Profession of the Catholick Faith she before had made privately for if at her entrance into the said dominions it appear'd not she was now a Catholick she could not there be receiv'd with those demonstrations of honour his Holinesse had design'd her All things were easily reconcil'd and in the mean time fresh Letters came likewise out of Spain from that King to the Pope to whom they were presented by the Duke of Terranova Ambassadour for his Catholick Majestie in Rome The Queen having caused all things to be pâ—ovided for her journey with expressions of Kindness and gratitude gave all thanks to the Arch-Duke and the Miniâ—ters of the Catholick King for her noble entertainment and here as in each other place she had done she made her unexpressible magnificence and splendour appear by presenting his imperiall Highnesse with a proud and generous Swedish horse with a Sadle Bridle and Pistols enricht all with Diamonds to the value of above thirty thousand Crowns the Earl of Fuensaldagna with a horse like the other and Furniture worth above Ten thousand Crowns and all the other Officers and Servants with Donatives to the value of above ten thousand Pistolls to their admiration who conceived this Princesse as provident as generous had cause to reflect on the future necessities into which she might easily fall but they were deceiv'd for the same generosity and freedome with which she had parted with her Kingdoms made her more liberall than ever On the 22. of September in the year 1655. she departed from Bruxels accompany'd by the Arch-Duke and all the Nobility as well the Gentlemen as Ladies two leagues without the City and at her going out was saluted by all the Canon on the walls and the Musketeers placed in order every where as she pass'd Her Majestie departed highly satisfy'd with the honours received from his imperiall Highness a Prince indeed of so Noble a spirit and so great a mind that he shews he conserves in his heart the ancient and still stronger impressions of the valour and vertue peculiar to his most royall House being worthy in fine of the love veneration applauses and obsequiousness of all That night she lay in Lorrain some seven leagues distant a great City encompass'd with strong and ancient walls fill'd up with earth and famous for the Military successes of which it hath been the Theater in our time Those Senatours had offer'd and prepared her a lodging but her Majestie refusing it was content to be receiv'd by the Magistrates at the gate with the inhabitants in Armes and the discharging of the Canon a Present of 24. great bottles of wine presented to her in the name of the City according to the custome in that Countrey The Queen had with her of her own domesticks about fifty Persons among whom was Monsieur Liliecron Gentleman of her Chamber Monsieur Apelgren her Taster four Grooms of the Chamber two maids of Honour the one a Swede the other a Fleming Sigre Retius a Spaniard her Treasurer Monsieur Gillbert a Frenchman her Secretary three Italians Musitians Father Guemes the Dominican who went in a secular habit to serve there the better and more easily the Queen in saying Masse privately six Pages six Groomes and diverse other servants together with thirty souldiers of her Guard three Coaches and foure Waggons of baggage To these was joyn'd Don Anthony della Cuera di Silva a Spanish Gentleman of eminent quality of a very great spirit and most courteous and affable Lieutenant General of the Cavalry of Flanders and Serjeant major General of the battle He waited on the Queen with the title of her Majesties great Master of the Horse accompanied with the Lady his wife Madam de Broy of a very Noble family in Flanders and the chief Maid of Honour to the Queen a Lady of much vertue and noble deportment who carried with them eighteen servants of their own Don Anthony Pimentel follow'd likewise the Queen as extraordinary Embassadour of his Catholick Majesty to her to assist her and serve her in the journey with a train of twenty men for the purpose Diverse other persons afterwards of quality accompanyed her among whom was Don Francis Dessa of Portugal a Gentleman nobly born and of very great valour in recompence of his merits design'd to the command of General of the Artillery of the Kingdom of Naples who had ten persons with him The young Earl of Buquoy formerly Page to the Arch-Duke who went to Rome with the Eearl of Trassigny his camrade both Gentlemen of Flanders Don Romano Montero a Spanish Serjant Major no lesse famous in war with his sword than renowned in peace for his pen. Don Bernardino di Liepa of Sivill a youth of much spirit and great expectation Messieurs de Gans brothers and Monsieur Pos Hollanders Monsieur Levit a Fleming with many other persons of Honour and Civility so as the Queens Court was grown very numerous being about two hundred persons in all who were all at the Queens charge except the retinue of the Embassadour Pimentel who travelled by himself and at his own cost On the 23 of September her Majestie din'd at Louvaine a chief town in Brabant and one of the greatest in the low Countreys being renown'd for the wars past When the University had waited upon her she went that evening to Montaga some five leagues remote where she visited a miraculous Image of our Lady The next day she passing through Bering din'd there and came that night to Becht a village eight leagues distant In the morning betimes she dined in Steinbruch a village three leagues farther The Earle of Isenghien Prince of Mamines a Spanish Gentleman of a very noble family and Most eminent parts Governor of Gelders and the town of Rurmond overtook the Queen here with a regiment of foot a regiment of horse to invite her to this City where her Majesty was received by the souldiers in armes and discharging all the Canon being royally treated and defray'd by the said Prince Here she saw a rare firework and her Majesty din'd publiquely alone waited on at table by the foresaid Prince and the most conspicuous Officers of war As soon as her Majesty arrived in Ruremond the Bishop the supream Senate of of that Province and the chamber of accounts came to wait upon her All the night they made fireworks in the
went directly to the Palace of the Bishop her lodgings the Frontispice of which had abundance of Torches The Cardinall receiv'd and accompany'd her to her lodgings as all the chief Lady 's of the Countrey likewise did who stood in rankes at the bottome of the stairs The Furniture for the Chambers as well as the preparation for the Tables was sumptuous and rich for the naturall generosity of the Cardinall omitted not any thing becoming a regall entertainment Her Majestie supp'd in publick with the Cardinall the same order in sitting and ceremony at the table being observ'd as at Ferrara and Bologna Count Alexander Sassatelli was her Majesties Cupbearer and Signior Thadius Dalla Volpe her Sewer Besides a great number of Persons well qualify'd twelve Pages the sons of the chief Gentlemen of the City assisted at the table The figures adorning the table were so finely contriv'd and with such mysterious Hieroglyphicks that the Queen looking earnestly upon them nourish't more her mind than her body Cardinall Donghi was Clerke of the Chamber and had other vacant Offices on the track of which he had a large field to shew his great parts which with his deserts encreas'd by his intense applications towards the service of the Apostolicall Sea in the stirrs of the wars of Castro preferr'd him to the purple He is a Gentleman of great integrity and freeness which he vigorously shew'd in the Legations of Ferrara and Romagna administred by him with much praise and advantage to the good and exemplary punishment of the bad His mind is generous and free and his intellect capable of the mannagement of the greatest affairs On St. Andrews day after Masse the Queen went from Imola attended and accompany'd by the Cardinall aforesaid to the confines of the territory Faenza where she met with my Lord Castelli a horseback a Gentleman of much worth and Governour of the City accompany'd by many Gentlemen and two troopes of Horse As soone as he had ended his complement with the Queen he rode forward insomuch as the Queen continuing diligently her journey in those waies which are plaine and good some miles without the City was met by Cardinall Charles Rossetti the Bishop of the Place who with a fine livery of thirty groom's and a traine of many travailing Coaches full of Gentry alighting as the Queen likewise did made the usuall complement being received with equall kindness and courtesie Her Majesty approaching to the City saw the neighbouring plaine all cover'd with people flock't thither to behold this great Princess and with Souldiers in squadrons to honour her arrivall some Pieces of Artillery plac't on the Walls though slight and without rampards were discharg'd and their roaring was seconded by the noyse of the Drums Trumpets Mortar-pieces and Muskets All the streets of the City abounded with people in arms and gay ornaments hanging from the window's and balcone At her entrance into the gate she was reverenc't by the publick Magistrates who on horseback and with their robes of Velvet attended her Majesty to the Palace of the Bishop design'd for her lodging and very richly furnish't with a double guard of Souldiers The Queen alighting out of her Coach in which she came alone and receiv'd by the Cardinall who hastened before her ascended the staires of the Palace on the top of which she met the cheif Ladies of the City who after a short complement waited on her to the lodgings prepared for her with all splendour and magnificence While her Majesty reposed a little with very good order the quarters were assigned to all of her numerous traine by Gentlemen appointed for that function who contended to shew their punctuality She afterwards comming forth of her lodgings went thence to dinner very splendidly prepared with such admirable workmanship of Statues representing Rome the four parts of the world the wordly Monarchy and other carved things gilt and coloured so to the life that they onely wanted motion Her Majesty sate at the table with the Cardinall in the manner observed before The Marquis Francis Rosseti nephew to his Eminence gave the water for her Majesties hands and the Marquis Gâ—rolamo his Brorher presented the Napkin and was Cupbearer Count Laderchi and Cavalier Pasi both Knights of St. Stephen were Sewers receiving the meat from the hands of twelve Gentlemen that assisted at the table At dinner her Majesty had continuall discourse with the Cardinall which was mixed with such a Carriage and gravity that she swerving not at all from the State of a Queen shewed evidently how much she was pleased with his Eminences behaviour an Academy in the mean time being prepared to entertain her Majesty in the exercises which as more peculiar to her most refined understanding might with a more relishing change make her pass from the food of her body to the aliment of her minde In this Academy besides the cheif discourse made in praise of the Church of Rome by father Zenobi the Domcan a Person of great vertue and parts above 30. Compositions were to be recited by others as well Ecclesiasticall as Secular eminent in severall languages Latine Spanish Greeke low Dutch and Italian and amongst these one in musique the fruite of the invention of the said Marquis Francis Rossetti who with a rare phancy introducing musique silence and poesy to sing the Queenes glories was no less harmonious to the eare than delightfull to the intellect but it was not effected for instead of abiding there that night the Queen would continue her journey so as she rising from the table after a short stay in her Chamber went to visit the Cathedrall with a singular example of piety which thowgh it might well appear naked even in the fight of so great a Princess in being the designe of the famous Architect Bramante yet was all adorned with silke with such a rare mixture of colours that it cleerly shewed its joy in receiving within the compass of its walls whom the vastness of a Kingdome was not able to containe Faenza is an ancient and noble City fortified with walls and towers and seated in the middle of most fertile Plains famous for the art peculiar to it selfe of making most white and light vases of earth 'T is divided by the river Lamone which passing through the suburbs and the town leaves them afterwards united with a fair bridge of stone and two towers on the Emilian way The air is very healthfull the inhabitants industrious civil and lovers of their Countrey and the Gentry Courteous punctuall and very generous The Queen coming out of the Cathedrall went again into his Holinesses Coach carrying with her the Cardinall to the confines of that Territory towards which she advanced in pursuance of her journey about two houres before night having left imprinted in the minds of each one high conceits of her most excellent qualities The Queen seemed highly pleased with this Cardinall who had besides his learning and
knowledg in the affaires of the world all the prerogatives peculiar to a Gentleman well bred He is of Ferrara of the ancient and noble family of the Counts Rossetti now Marquisses who abounding more in vertue than yeares by the glorious Pope Vrban the eighth the lover of the learned and vertuous was sent as an Apostolicall Minister into the Kingdom of England to that Queen There he did all he could for the advantage and good of the Catholique Religion and ran there great dangers in those persecutions as more plainly may appear by a letter to him of the 13th of July 1643. from his Eminence Cardinall Francis Barberino nephew to Vrban in order to his preferment of the following tenor The troubles of our Countrey and of Christendome will have a short truce that I among so many disgusts may have some time to breath seeing your Eminences great labours rewardâ—d with the Purple God be pleased with the tranquillity of Italy to open to the way that by your continuall paines he may grant the same to all of the Catholique Religion and that by your endeavours your toylings and dangers not unknown to the world it may again flourish in the land of great Brittaine to the end this dâ—gnity deserved so well by you may not be deprived of the happy effects your Eminence hath desired and cooperated on your part for the publique good And I humbly Kiss your hands c. Your Eminences most humble and most affectionate Servant Cardinall Barberino The end of the fourth Booke The History of the sacred and Royal Majestie of Christina Alessandra Queen of Swedland c. The Fifth Book The Argument THE Queen advances from Faenza to Forli Cesena and Rimini accompanied by the foresaid Cardinall Legat of Romagna On the confines of the state of Urbin She is met by that Vice-Legate and Cardinall Legate and enters Pesaro where she is treated and royally entertained She passes from Fano and Ancona She arrives at the holy house of Loretto and consecrates devoutly her Scepter and Crown to that glorious Virgin She goes to Macerata thence to Tolentino and afterwards to Camerino She comes to Foligno goes to Assisi there visits the famous temple of Saint Francis and is splendidly entertained by Cardinall Rondinino then returnes to Foligno THe foresaid Cardinall Rossettti taking leave of the Queen Signior Fulvius Petrocci da Arieti Governour of Forli appeared with a numerous retinue of Gentlemen of Romagna come expresly with excessive rich cloaths and fine liveries to honour their Legate and augment the splendour of this Princesses reception The foresaid Prelate when he had humbly waited on her Majesty being very well satisfied with the courteous correspondence he found in the Queen went before to Forli whence advancing some miles the said Legate with the train not onely of six Coaches of his own full of Gentlemen of his family with which he waited on her in all his Legation but likewise came with 25 more with 6 horses apeice set forth by the Gentlemen of the Province who flockt to attend him in her first reception The gate without and within as likewise the walls though weak in that City were garnished with souldiers partly divided into squadrons and partly ranked in files The Magistrate there called il numero met her at the entrance with a troupe of the City and having presented her with their dutifull respects waited on her to the place very regularly beautified with lights The Ornament of the fire with which was represented the Majesty of so great a Princess by so much the more spread its light with greater splendour by how much the more the night was the darker Hieroglyphicks disposed in various manners were seen there to flame alluding to the joy of the people for her fortunate arrivall The Queen being enterd her lodgings and breathing there a little was invited to honour an Academy with her presence in which severall compositions in Italian and Latine were recited among which took greatly a discourse made by Signior Ridolfus his Eminences Nephew and an Ode of Pindarus by Signior Lodovick Tingoli a Person as conspicuous for his birth as famous for the vertuous and rare qualities of his minde and who is indeed the cheife ornament of Rimini his Countrey with other Compositions of the most esteem'd Poets of the Province Her Majesty supp'd privately and having the next morning heard Mass in the Dome din'd in publique with the said Cardinall Legate with the order observed in other places The foresaid Signior Ridolphus was her Cup-bearer the Governors brother the Sewer twelve principall Gentlemen of the City assisting at the service of the table The Town is seated in an open Countrey very fertile and pleasant inhabited by people of Courage and Spirit who retain the martiall nature of their first founders After dinner her Majesty departed from Forli carrying with her in his Holinesses Coach the Cardinall Legat being attended by all the train She passed the famous Rubicon but with greater glory than Caesar since he advanced thither to seize on the liberty of his Countrey and she after the renouncing of her paternall Kingdome came thither to arrive to the Empire of Christ Her Majesty continued her journey towards Cesena passing through Forlimpopoli a little Town where her Majesty was welcomed by the squadrons of foot being received between the souldiers standing in rowes through all the Countrey as she went In approaching to Cesena she found set in array diverse Batalions of foot was met by Signior Richard Hanniball Romano the Governour accompanied with many Gentlemen a horseback who alighting did complement the Queen and congratulate her arrivall The same thing was done by the cheif Standard-bearer Count Joseph Fantaguzzi with the Magistrate who all rode together before her to her lodging prepared in the palace of Count Lelius Roverelli a noble ancient family and cheif of that City where some Gentlemen in armour tilted one against another in the place Here her Majesty supp't privâ—tely and because it was late went to her repose without other entertainment Cesena is one of the chiefest Cities in Romagna of very great commerce and populous enough in regard of its bigness It lies at the foot of a mountaine the lower part of which is washt by the river Savius It hath a Castle on the hill with some fair and strong old fashion towers built long agoe by the Emperour Frederick the Second On the 2. of December the Queen went out of Cesena on horseback accompanied by the Legate who was likewise mounted on a Neopolitan courser of an Ermine colour which being observed by the Queen for his goodness and she seeming to like him extreamly was presented her by him He had likewise given her in Forli two globes of silver the one representing the earth and the other the sphaere most diligently engraven and supported by two statues of silver done by Algarbi of great value My Lord
the City and twelve other Footmen in several liveries of the Magistrates and three Trumpets The Magistrates at that time were Count Iohn Baptist Ferretti Signior Tomaso Tomasi Belaâ—dino Galli Knight of James Signior Flamineo Scalamonte Captain Ierome Bompiari and Signior Vincent Balestrieri both Commenders of the order of St. Stephen All these alighting from their horses in the name of the City did complement her Majesty the said Count Feretti speaking to her as their Prior. The Queen standing up received their complement with her usual and Majestique Civility The twelve Pages were left with her Majesties Coach to attend her the Magistrates remounting and continuing their journey towards the Apostolicall Palace The souldiers stood in rankes along the streets and the houses were adorned with fine tapistries Being come to the Palace she found in the first hall near the gate the Principall Ladies of the City standing in a stately circle who handsomly paid her their respects waiting on her to the door of her Chamber whom her Majesty received and treated with all Kindnesse and affability Having stai'd a little while in her Chamber it wanting then an howre to night she resolved to go see the famous Arch of Trajan the Emperour all wrought with fine Marble The Senate and People of Rome erected it in honour of him of Plotina his wife and Martiana his Sister who were held in veneration as Deities in that time as by the inscriptions read there may be gather'd Her Majesty went thither in a Chaire attended by the Nuntii and the Governour in Coach with others of quality She was welcomed with many tires of artillery from Rivellino which is in the mouth of the Haven from the Ships and other Partes towards the Sea In her Majesties return she observed two Arches of the Apostolicall Palace to wit the first towards the place repolisht of late and with an old inscription which said 'T is made Celestiall while the Princely Sun beholdes the Arche And two great Arms one of the Pope now raigning and the other of the Queen with the Motto in the midst of them The Starr's and Wind favouring In the second they read The immortall vertue of Christina Queen of Swedland raises me to a veneration of her Majesty This Arch of stone reduc'd into the forme of marble of Verona was on the superficies of the Pillars Bases Chapiters and great medalls wrought in Gold and upon it were erected the arms of her Majesty between two great statues one representing the heroicall vertue and the other liberality and under that was written By yielding she o'recomes by flying quells her enemyes And under the other By parting with her Kingdom she her Empire hath extended And over the arms in a great thick Pastboard By going it encreases That evening about an houre in the night all the Piazze and streets being resplendent with the fires and the lights her Majesty went from her lodgings to those that look't into the Piazza There near the stairs stood a painted machine of wood 36. hands breadths high which with six Mountains a starre and two Oakes represented the arms of his Holyness At the foot of these Mountains was the Tyber which under one hand held a great armes out of which instead of water it actually cast wine with the other supporting the arms of the Queen on which a Lyon lean'd On the one side there was a Virgin which had recourse to the Tyber and on the other a statue which sustaining in her hand Trajans Arch represented the City of Ancona this Motto being at the foot of the Virgin I return safe This machine was full of fire-workes which took very handsomly Many compositions were made in honour of her Majesty among which were certain verses of Count Paul Ferretti a Cavalier of much vertue and of an anâ—ient Family and Noble he descending from Ulderick Ferretti Lord of the County of Ferretta above Basil towards the County of Burgundy who had a daughter marry'd to Albert the second Duke of Austria The Queen afterwards supp'd in publick in the roome before the Chapell with the Nuntii and Spanish Ambassadour they taking place of him Signior Stefano Renincasa presented the water for her hands and the Marquis Francis Tassoni the napkin The Commender Alexander Fanelli was Sewer and Cavalier Caesar Nappi her Cupbearer and every time her Majestie dranke the signes being given before the Canon of the Fortress were discharg'd My Lord Lewis Gallo Bishop of Ancona the principall Cavalier of Osimo a person of try'd prudence in the charges and mannagement of affairs sustained by him for the holy Sea supposing the Queen in order to his instructions from Rome should quickly have come to his Cathedrall which is the Church of St. Ciriack seated on one of those Promontoryes caused it to be hung with rich Tapistrye and caused too the Altars to be deck'd with the pretiousest Ornaments But he could not have that honour for the said Church being far off from the Palace and on a craggy Mountain the Queen went not thither but instead of going thither the day following when she had heard Mass in the Chapell of the Palace she seeming desirous to see the famous Reliques kept there the Nuntii by the Popes authority gave order that to the said Chapell of the Palace two Canons should bring them with assistance of other Gentlemen and one was the tip of the iron of the lance which open'd the side of our Lord Jesus Christ left in Ancona by the Ambassadour of Bajazet the Emperour of the Turkes in the year 1492 when he passed through that place towards Rome where he gave to Innocent the eighth the head of the speare of the same iron the other the right foot of St. Anne the Mother of the most glorious Virgin Mary with the flesh and the bones given likewise to the said City by the Patriarch of Constantinople Paul Paleolgus in the year 1380. the Queen kneel'd before them and kissed them with great devotion My lord Holstenius who as Canon of the Church of St. Peter had many times handled the relique of the said head of the speare not only assured her Majesty 't was true but likewise affirm'd the colour of the rust was the same as also Pope Clement the eighth passing through Ancona towards Ferrara had that of Ancona confronted with the other of Rome This function being ended the Bishop went to wait on her Majesty who received him most courteously After breakfast she continu'd her journey towards Loretto accompany'd by the said Governour with all the retinue to the bridge of Arciato the Confines of Ancona The Magistrates waited not upon her as at her arrivall because the Master of the Ceremonies told them 't was not necessary At her going away she was saluted by all the Artillery and departed highly satisfy'd with her reception and the honours done her by that noble City Ancona is seated on the side of a Mountain which extending it self
into the Sea makes a kind of Amphitheater It hath a great Haven and defended as well from the South-east-winds as exposed to the Northern at the head of which is a Ravelin founded in the Sea within which there is the space of above a thousand feet and the way thither is under the said Arch of Trajan This City is fortify'd with strong walls which are very well flank't and a Castle well built which seated on the Mountain commands the haven The houses and streets are somewhat narrow but of very good architecture and industriously order'd which make it fine and beautifull The Citizens are courteous and kinde particularly to Strangers the commodity of the Sea bringing thither good traffique and all sorts of merchandize The Queen was met on the confines by my Lord Gentile the Governour of Loretto who when he had complemented the Queen in his Holynesses name returned thence diligently to receive her at the gate of the City As soone as the Queen had discovered the top of the holy house she alighting out of her litter and kneeling with very great devotion kiss'd often the ground then return'd into her litter going on to the bending of the Mountain where afterwards she alighted again and walk'd to the Church The Queen arriving at the Gate of the City was receiv'd by the said Governor and the Magistrates all the Artillery being discharg'd from the walls and the Muskets which were all in rowes in the streets At the gate of the Church she was after the usuall manner receiv'd by the Chapter the Clergy and Bishop where her Majestie remained about half an hour praying with great humility and afterwards went to the Palace where having supp'd privately she retyr'd to her repose On the 8. of December in the morning she arising betimes went to Confession and heard Mass being afterwards present at high Mass sung at the high Altar with exquisite musick As soone as it was ended she presented at the feet of the holy Image a Crown and royal Scepter empailed with Jewels of great value This Princess could not perform the vowes of her Christian generosity with more proper and more significant representations 'T was fit that if she be sure of the true and weighty Kingdom of Heaven had renounced those on Earth should leave a rare remembrance of it in those tokens of royalty of which she had divested her self And since she had done all for Christs sake it was likewise necessary she should leave to his mother a dear and pretious memory of it After this she returned to her lodgings and dined in publique to satisfy the curiosity of the people flock't thither in great throngs out of the Mark and the neighbouring Countries Count Ferretti of Ancona presented the water for her hands and the Lord Bernard Spada Cardinall Spadas nephew the napkin Count Bonarelli of Ancona was her Sewer and Signior Urbane Rocci Nephew to Cardinall Rocci deceased her Cup-bearer After dinner Don Antonia della Cueva with the Lady his wife arriv'd there who as we said before stai'd behind in Ussulengo by reason of her sickness being seen by the Queen with a joy and content correspondent to the love she bare them Her Majesty went afterwards to the Sacristy where she admired the treasure kept there of the rich Presents made to that house by the religious Piety of severall Princes and Gentlemen As she pass'd by the great cupboord in which were the Scepter and Crown presented by her t' was open'd for her to behold them but with her usuall generous modesty she desir'd it might be shut she saying those trifles were unworthy to be seen When she had seen the treasure and the rest of the curious things there she return'd thence to her lodgings where she was entertained with Musique and the Conversation of the Nuntij supping privately afterwards The content joy and tenderness which her Majesty felt in that Sanctuary are incapable of expression These are gifts reserv'd by Heaven to let vs understand that God alone with his gracious mercies can give vs in this world a tast though it be little of the sweetness he instills into a soul enamoured of him In the mean time his Holinesse had received the letter she had written from Inspruch as was said before so as it being afterwards seconded with the news of the Acts of Piety performed in that place by the Queen his Beatitude was very much edified with those demonstrations The said letter was as followes Most Blessed Father Being arrived in the end to what I desired so much my reception into the lap of our holy mother the Roman Catholique Church I would not be wanting to impart it to your Holiness humbly thanking you for the honour I receiv'd of your loving Commands which are observ'd by me with all due respect to your Holiness I have manifested to the world that to obey your Holiness I have left with great gladness that Kingdome where to honour you is held an irremissible sin and have laid by all humane respect to make it appear I value more the glory of obeying your Holiness than that of the most deserving throne I beseech your Holiness to receive me thus devested as I am of all greatness with the fatherly and accustomed Kindness you have hitherto been pleased to shew me I have here nothing else to sacrifice to the holy feet of your Holiness but my selfe together with my blood and my life which I offer to your Holiness with that blind obedience that is due beseeching you to be pleased to dispose so of me as you shall judge best for the Publique good of our holy Church to which and to your Holiness as the onely and true head of the same I have dedicated the remainder of my life with a most ardent desire to imploy and spend it wholy to Gods greater glory To this end I wish your Holiness many fortunate yeares which are so necessary for the good and Common repose of Christianity beseeching our Lord to conserve in your Holiness the great gifts he hath given you and to make me so happy I may see the long'd for day in which I may fall at the holy feet of your Holiness which I humbly doe Kiss entreating you to impart unto me your holy and paternall benediction c. Your Holynesses most obedient Daughter CHRISTINA Inspruch the 5. of November 1655. The City of Loretto reduc'd into the Compass of a little Borough on the edge of a mountain is fruitfull It 's forme is somewhat long at the head of which towards the Sea is the Church nobly painted and in the midst of it the holy house of the Virgin Mary the most glorious Mother of Christ the redeemer of the world Before the gate of the said Temple is a handsome Piazza and in the middle of it a fountain which throwes up store of water On the right hand are the Governours Palace and their habitations who officiat
qualities of the Cardinall a Person abounding with the vertues sutable to an Ecclesiasticall magnanimous and accomplished Prince This Gentleman nephew to Cardinall Lodowick Zacchia of happy memory was born in Rome and finish't there his studies in humanity and philosophy in the Roman Colledg under the fortunate discipline of the Jesuits accomplishing those of the law in Perugia where he was in the mean time made Clerk of the Chamber by Pope Vrbane the eight When he had administred many offices of that Tribunall he likewise performed with Cardinall Raggi the charge of Treasurer in the place of Cardinall Rapaccioli who was Commissary of the Souldiers after which on the 12th of July 1643. he was preferred to the Purple with the title of Saint George and Pope Innocent the tenth conferred on him the Bishopprick of Assisi This City is seated on the side of the Mountain Asius which in a bending line by the side of a high hill derived from the said Mountain Asius extendeth it self a mile long from the East to the West lying wholly towards the South and though at the head and the shoulders 't is environned with Mountains not uneasy and rich in fruitfull Pastures it hath fertil hills at the slanke and finely arayed and a most pleasant plain at the feet which no less for it's greatness than fertility is one of the most beautifull and best parts of Jtaly Her Majesty returned to Foligno about three howres in the night being met by the Governour the Magistrates and part of her own train which staid there the night being resplendent with many fireworks and her Majesty Supping privately The Morning after the 14th of the month she went to the Dome at the gate of which she was received in the usuall forme by my Lord Montecatini the Bishop of that City That Church was very splendidly adorned where her Majesty heard Mass then visiting the said Church of the Nunns where she heard a little Musique she returned to the Palace and dined there in publique for their satisfaction who desired to see her at dinner The end of the Fifth Book The History of the sacred and Royal Majestie of Christina Alessandra Queen of Swedland c. The Sixth Book The Argument FRom Foligno the Queen goes to Spoleto where she is royally treated by Cardinall Fachenetti She goes to Terni where she is waited on by my Lord Bonfiglioli the Governour of that City she passes to Gallese and is met by my Lord Visconte Governour of the Patrimony she advances to Caprarola where she receives the complements of the Spanish Ambassadour and thence goes to Bracciano and finally to Olgiata whither the Cardinall Legates a latere come to complement her Majestie conduct her to Rome where she makes her private entrance and is received by the Pope with all courtesie She makes her solemn entrance into Rome AFter dinner her Majesty departed from Foligno to the Confines being accompany'd by my Lord Marazzani and all his retinue and waited on to the gate by the Magistrates of the City and saluted by the Canon Mortar-pieces and Muskets the Souldiers standing in squadrons and rankes in severall places Then continuing her journey through that fruitfull Valley she dismissed on the Confines the Prelate aforesaid seeming very highly satisfyed with him And here she was met by my Lord Capecelatro a Neopolitan brother to the Duke of Sejano Governour of Spoleto who having with him a great traine of Gentlemen and two troops of horse complemented her Majesty Three miles without Spoleto Cardinall Caesar Fachenetti the Bishop of the City came out to meet the Queen accompanyed by my Lord Faustus Poli of Spleto the Bishop of Amelia the Governour of Orvieto the Prince of Gallicano and many Gentlemen The two Prelates aforesaid were there expresly to assist in this service the Cardinall The Prince came from Rome on the 11. in the evening on purpose to waite on her Majesty and being himself lodged in the Palace of the Bishop gave place to her Majesties traine and retiring into the house of a Gentleman his friend met with the opportunity of paying his respects to the Queen who received him very courteously having known long before his deserving and eminent qualities The Cardinall having complemented her Majesty returned into his Coach and went before to be ready to receive her in his Bishoprick who before she arrived at the gate found many thousand Souldiers in squadrons who saluted her with volleys of shot The Magistrates appearing with the Pompe peculiar to the sprightly inhabitants of Spoleto presented her Majesty with their humble respects at the gate of the City who caused the Coach to be stop't and kindly received them Diverse Arch triumphalls were erected in the streets which were all adorned with Figures Inscriptions and other sprightly Mottos Among all the foresaid Arches the remarkablest was that which was repaired o're an ancient gate of the City where besides the Inscription set there in honour of the Queen there was another alluding to the place where Haniball of Carthage after the battail won at Thrasymenus desiring to advance towards Rome was put to flight whereupon the same gate retains to this day the name of the gate of the flight The Queen passed through the Piazza reduced into the form of a Theater The circuite of the laterall Portici was enclosed with two great gates in each of which were Inscriptions Mottos fine Figures This Theater was made at the charge of the Gentlemen of the City incited by the generous example of the Cardinall who first of all contributed to the worke They did it supposing the Queen would have come thither by night the better to see the fireworkes which were plac't upon it and played the same evening On the great gates of the Theater were the Arms of the Queen with severall Mottos of the Kingdom of Swedland on the one side her Majesty and on the other the King her Father both on horseback The Queen being entered the Palace of the Bishop met a very noble company of Ladies who having had before of the Cardinall a splendid collation of sweet-meats were assembled together to wait on her Majesty At her entrance into the Hall they all kissed her hands and were received by her with the greatest affability her Majesty being pleased they should be present and sit at a musicall consort which was in her own Chamber and served for her Majesties entertainment that night The subject represented Faith triumphing which having sent three Persons to Sing the Queens Prayses appeared at last inviting her to enter into the little ship of St. Peter The Queen with some of her Domestiques lay in the Bishops Palace the Nuntij the Ambassadour Pimentel Count Montecuccoli and the other cheife Gentlemen being distributed in severall private houses in every one of which were Gentlemen of the City deputed to their service The direction of these lodgings was committed to the care of Signior Joseph
Pallettonio a Gentleman of much spirit and active with the assistance of whom and the Signior Vincent Pianciani Treasurer of Perugia and Nicholas Benedetti Treasurer of Spoleto all things were performed with good order and punctuality On the 15th in the Morning her Majesty attended by the Cardinall the Nuntij the Ambassadours Prelates Princes and all the Nobility went to the Cathedrall to hear Mass the Souldiers standing in rankes all along in the streets The porch of the Church was beautified with Figures Inscriptions Mottos and other ornaments done by the Cardinall in the name of the clergy of Spoleto When Mass was ended she returned to the Palace and dined in publique with the Cardinall Signior Maffeo Rosari Master of the Camp of the Province and Gentleman of the City presented her the napkin and the ancientest Magistrate in his habit the water for her hands The Nuntij the Spanish Ambassadour Count Montecuccoli and the other cheif persons of the Court dined at the same time in Gentlemens houses where they were well attended and had every thing in order Her Majesty resolved to goe after dinner to the Church of the Dominicans to see many reliques and particularly the holy naile of our Saviour but the great snow hindered all On Wednesday in the evening her Majesty was pleased to goe to the Town-house and hear there a play Sung in musique by some young Gentlemen of the City with severall machines changes of Scenes On the 16th after dinner her Majesty departed from Spoleto being attended by the Cardinall some miles without the City and the Governour to the confines of the Dioces of Terni When the Cardinall took his leave of the Queen hee told him she not onely was highly satisfied With the honours he had done her but extreamly well edified with the very great knowledg she discovered in his discourses with her This Cardinall is of Bologna and of the noble family of the Marquisses Fachenetti being Pope Innocent the ninth's nephew's sonne He was first Referendarius then Nuntio in Spain where he gave a great testimony of his understanding and capacity At his return to Rome he was for his eminent goodness and worth a little while after preferred to the purple on the 13th of July 1643. He is one of those Cardinalls which hold up the glory of the Sacred Colledg and the honour of the Church He hath a quick intellect a solid discourse a setled judgment and a refined prudence in the management of great affaires He hath a grace and sweetness in all his entertainments with which he attracts the encomiums and praises of all those that know him he having especially the generous mind of an Emperour The Citizens of Spoleto endeavour'd to welcome this great Queen with all the expressions of gladness and joy and though to comply with the genius of the Prince the subjects sometimes use to turn the sincerest and purest affection into flattery yet in this occasion the people of Spoleto very fully corresponded with their naturall ingenuity as well with a dutifull respect to second the good intention of his Holiness as to shew the partiality of their ancient inclinations towards this Princesses great name Those of Spoleto as the histories of greatest credit report are nobly descended and happily propagated of the reliques of the Goths who after the fall of their Kingdome in Italy remained in Spoleto as a City very nobly adorned and augmented by Theodorick their King And albeit the hostility of Totilas may diminish much less renew afterwards the least sense of gratitude yet the piety and other sublime qualities of this Queen are advantagiously sufficient to repair very fully whatsoever the deadly remembrance of the cruelties of that King had demolished and restore with ample recompence the memory of the benefits this Countrey so glories to have had from the North. Spoleto is a famous City and abounds with all things being seated at the head of a Plain towards the East partly at the foot of the Mountaines and for the greatest part on the Mountaines themselves It was in former times the residence of the Princes of Lumbardy and is now esteemed among the most conspicuous provinces of Vmbria Here they see the vast Palace of Theodorick the King of the Gothes as likewise the foundation of a very fair Theater and of the Temple of concord and without the City high and strong forms of aqueducts partly cut from the sides of Apenninus and partly raised from the bottome of the valley with arches of brick The high roofes of the Cathedrall are remarkable there the walls of marble the rock built in the Amphitheater and likewise the stone-bridg which supported with great art by 24. great pillars joyned the highest part of the City to the rock or to the Amphitheater seated on another hill Here her Majesty was entertained with musique and particularly being pleased with the skill of Francis Joseph Tomasini who plaid on the Violin received him into her service On the confines of Terni her Majesty was received by my Lord Bonfiglioli of Bologna the Governour of the City who came thither accompanied by forty Gentlemen on horseback with many Servants a foot in fine liveries he having with him many troops of horse and Companies of foot The Queen being come to the gate call'd Spoletana was met by the Nobility and among the rest by six Gentlemen who representing the Magistrates complemented her in the name of the publick and waited on her through the City all along as she passed the streets and windows being beautified with ornaments and lights At her arrivall at the Dome she saw erected before that Piazza a triumphall Arch with very fine Inscriptions and Figures in her praise The Frontispiece of the Church annexed to the Seminary and the Palace of the Bishop resembles a Theater and is beautify'd with thirty windowes which were splendidly adorn'd and most of them had two torches apiece with other lights At the gate of the said Cathedrall her Majestie was received as usually by the chief of the Clergie in the absence of the Cardinal Bishop the Church being richly set forth and illuminated with great store of torches and candles with quires of rare musick and a young man of the house of Sciamanna reciting a Sermon very handsomly The Functions of the Church being ended the Queen by the foresaid my Lord Bonfiglioli the Governour was conducted to the Palace of the Bishop very sumptuously furnish't by the Officers of the Cardinall Bishop her Majestie being pleas'd to heare in that fine Oratory a spirituall play recited to her with excellent musick Don Antonio della Cueva with the Lady his wife and their train were lodged too in that Palace The Nuntii with their retinue were accommodated in the Palace of Signior or Ferdinand Sciamanna the Spanish Ambassadour Pimentel in my Lord Ferentillis Count Montecuccoli in Count Jerome Spadas and the Marquis Bentivogli in Signior Antonio Manasseis
great learning who was expresly there to satisfie her Majesties demands The Queen saw their communion and when the Masse was done a Priest bringing to her the bread that was blessed she tasted some of it The said ceremonies being ended she arose up very gladly having satisfied in that her curiosity which desired to understand and know all things and was accompany'd out of the Church by the Fathers aforesaid and other Cavaliers As she was never idle so to exercise continually her mind and entertain it in noble and vertuous habits besides musicall Consorts which from time to time she had in the evenings in her lodgings at which great Personages were present she gave order to Count Francis Maria Santinelli Gentleman of her Chamber to bring her a list of the persons fam'd for learning and experienced in the Academies of Rome and acquaint them with her Majesties desire to have them hold their Academies in her Palace And as every one justly sought to shew her a dutifull respect not only with the tribute of reverence but with their parts and talents so they were most ready to comply with her desires which no sooner were made known unto them but many fruitfull wits with which the Court of Rome still abounds were employed in her praises The Fathers of the Society who justly may be called the Oracles of the Sciences not permitting their sublime wits to sleep nor their fortunate Pens to be idle as they knew that the Queen so great a lover of learning would see their Roman Colledge the most happy schools of the Sciences and piety so they put those compositions together which they thought not so much to be sutable to the ornament of the place as meet for the reception of a woman who exceeded the capacity of men in the knowledg of the most profound literature And indeed in the rich mine of their sublime wits they found so much matter that all that beheld it were astonisht and amazed at the numerous and proper applications of so many images Mottos Hieroglyphicks and Emblems all alluding to the Person alone of this renowned Princess On the 18th of January after dinner her Majesty came to the said Colledg with her usuall attendance accompanied by so many Persons that she could hardly get in her self though the gate was well lookt to by the Guards of the Switzers set expresly there to hinder the disorders which usually occurre in the like crowds and throngs At the entrance into the said Colledg was a great quadrangle with walkes round about supported by Pillars under which in three parts the Schooles are extended All the Pillars were adorned with the pictures of women remarkable in learning with their medalls of embossed work coloured like brass and under two thick pastboords of the like embossed work In the first they read the elogy of each one which was still applied to the qualities of the Queen and in the second they saw a Motto on the same subject In the semicircles of the Arches the Universities and Colledges in which those Fathers teach were painted with their Inscriptions Between the Pillars and each door of the Schooles were represented the particular donatives of each City offered to the Queen and displaied underneath with an Epigram written within a wreath supported by an Angell The second place was the room of the gate through which they goe into the Colledg In this they represented the statues of the Queenes renowned for their raignes expressed in darkish colours and standing on their bases under which in severall pastboords hung their Elogies all applied to her Majesty Between one statue and another on a great gilt pastboord were the Emblems relating to the vertues required in Princes and under the Epigrams of the Emblem All these roomes seemed adorned with red damaske with twisted gold being so naturally painted that they cozened the eyes in case they were not toucht The leaf-workes had interchangeably on them the Armes of her Majesty and the Mottos alluded to the vertues aforesaid In the third place were extended the little walkes which are behind this roome in the which as contiguous to the garden was painted most excellently a beautifull garden with a prospect of various Pillars in which were written elogies and odes on the Empresses and Queens renowned for their vertues and piety on the doores four Emblems with their Epigrams being delineated The fourth and last place was the space between the sacristy and the Church and there they saw painted the Empresses and Queens come to Rome to honour there the Vicars of Christ The painting represented a plain in which were erected great Pyramides in every one of which was imprinted an Elogie in praise of that picture which still had relation to her Majesty between the one Pyramide and the other was a fained bound of brass which held up an ode on the same subject and on the other between these hung a paper with an Epigramme The Church of the said Colledge dedicated to St Ignatius the founder of the Society of Jesus albeit not yet finished was most beautifully adorned As her Majesty went in at the great gate she saw on the first arch within an inscription containing the argument of all the preparation and in the space between the great gate and the walkes of the Court on the right hand was painted the heavenly wisdom desired by Solomon and preferred before riches and Kingdoms on the left hand Pallas the wisdom of the ancient Gentiles who with her speare made an Olive-tree grow up in opposition to Neptune who caused a horse to appear All this was display'd in 4. odes written on thick past-boards supported by the bounds in four pillars and in four others the Sybills and Muses who with their predictions and verses alluded to her Majesty She went afterwards up into the roome o're the Gate where a throne being prepar'd she was complemented by Father Lodowick Bompiani the Rector of the said University with a Latin oration Being come without the Court she went up and down all the Schooles in every one of which she was welcom'd by one of the most eminent Scholars with a short Epigramme Being afterwards returned into the said roome o're the gate she was by Father Rho the Provinciall informed of the contents of that noble preparation and heard him read the names of those renowned Princesses Thence she went into the Church where she heard a motetto with most exquisite musick and afterwards departed This vertuous preparation was most curious and noble and therefore the concourse of the people to see and admire it was great On the first of February her Majesty went to see the Colledge of Urbane for the propagation of the Faith where Cardinall Capponi as Vice-prefect of that Congregation in the absence of Cardinal Anthony Barberino the Prefect was ready to receive her She was first conducted into the printing-house where they print two and twenty severall tongues and she saw in an
be acted several times The composition of the words was by Signior Giouanni Lotti and the musick by Tenalia both persons very famous With such recreations the Prince entertained her Majesty till the last night of Carneval in which he made wonderfully appear his own wit and generosity for after a royal collation and abounding with all the new fruits they could get in despight of the harshness of the season he conducted the Queen into a great roome adorned with most splendid and inestimable furniture where she saw sitting under a state the furniture in a moment vanish out of the Chamber a fair Sea there appearing in a beautifull prospect and ingeniously contrived within that narrow place she saw then immediately Venus and Cupid descend from above in a Chariot drawn by two Pigeons without seeing what supported it in the aire insomuch as the Queen and all that were there were amazed and astonisht Venus being come to the earth with her Son heard Cupids complaints who accused the Ladies of Tybur for being too rigid and the authority of his Mother not appeasing his anger he shot some arrowes towards the Ladies and together with Venus returned to the Chariot both of them singing joyntly the praises of her Majesty As they vanished they sang a little song inviting some Ladies who formerly were followers of Cupid to give with a dance some refreshment to them he had subdued The machine vanishing away from the sides of the maritime scene issued forth eight Ladies of the Princess aforesaid most splendidly apparrel'd with lighted Torches in their hands and danced a rare dance establishing love with those unstable motions and securing the motions of the will with the measure of short distances After this the room was refurnisht as before and her Majesty was so highly contented that she publickly declared she had not seen any thing in Rome to her greater satisfaction The words were composed by the said Prince Don Camillo who presented her Majesty with a song made by him on her renouncing of her Kingdoms which was much commended by her she celebrating the Prince for a very vertuous person and deserving all praise and applause Still in all these actions the Princess of Rossano was accompanyed by many Princesses and Ladies and severall Princes and Cavaliers were with the Prince who had every day rich cloaths with strange and new inventions The same did the Princess who had Jewels of inestimable value This Princess with her prudence and most noble carriage made it evidently appear her mind is as illustrious and generous as her family is great she being the Niece of many Popes and allyed to many Potentates in Italy The Abbot Caesar Malvicino and Signior Carlo Centosiorini the former the Secretary and the latter the chief Gentleman of the horse to the Prince aforesaid still assisted at these functions as likewise Signior Mario Raviera his Excellences domestick Gentleman who applyed himself to it very earnestly In Carneval-time notwithstanding these vertuous entertainments her Majesty shewed her piety in visiting severall Churches and particularly that of Giesu where with a most splendid preparation the forty hours were exposed On a scaffold in fine order appeared six mountains the arms of his Holiness on the top of which according to the prophecie of Isaiah they saw the Church sitting in a beautifull manner who while with her left hand she supported the cross with the other pointed at the sublime throne of glory on which they discovered the Saviour of the VVorld On the two contiguous mountains were erected two figures representing Religion and contemplation while the theological vertues plac't on the three mountains below did court and attend her At the feet of the mountains they saw come from all parts throngs of people to do homage to that great Monarchess and captivate their understandings convinced in obedience to the Catholick Faith Those personages afterwards appeared who thought it a thing of glory and desert to preferre the reproach of the cross before worldly greatness They represented too the Princes Kings and Emperours who shewed they regarded not their titles but to have some worthy argument to make known to the VVorld their esteem of the true Religion while for the love of it they despised those dignities There were likewise Princesses and Queens whose piety was as generous and as the famous Painters had given life and eloquence with their pensills to the Pictures so they were all contented with their state but in a certain manner confessed they were conquered with the modern miracle of a couragious and masculine woman who remarkable in the midst of the rest with a countenance breathing majestick as well as devotion the more she endeavoured to obscure the titles of a Queen acquired them the more The three Crowns and Scepters the victimes offered up by her to the Catholick Faith she did not now behold but every one admired them and it seemed she would plant them in that mountain she judging it worthy to have Scepters for trees and Diadems for flowers where Monarchs and Princes excited by her singular example might instead of birds build their nests To this great Lady the supream Commandress of the mountain bowed her face as if she had said many daughters have heaped up riches and thou exceedest them all You would have thought in so pleasing a sight the holy Church sucking consolations with her eyes and milk as it were from so many breasts as there were triumphant soules encreased to the eyes of the beholders and with those mountains quickened with some invisible breath was raised much higher Behind the Mountains and Personages they discovered severall fine distances which was all in the low region But the eye looking upwards entered into a Paradise which being wide open while it would be a Spectator of what was done on earth became a delitious and fortunate spectacle to way-faring men It extended it self in many circles proportionably still greater and abounding with beautifull figures of knots Seraphins Cherubins Angels and Saints even to the top of the Arch and profundity of the royal Court the receptacle of glory which could not be bounded with limits fine knots appearing without the Arch. The most holy Sacrament the Ascendent and Horoscope of the holy Church was in the midst of Heaven as it were nor could they discern how or where it reposed and yet it stood fast The blessed soules adoring it as they shewed they enjoyed its glories so likewise presaged by vertue of its influences greater happiness to the Catholick VVorld and it seemed they heard them say to those mountains enjoy peace O Mountains at which tidings they shall skip for joy like Ramms for the hope they saw they had The Father eternall was Spectator of all whom we there represent as when he had finish'd the VVorld and said all was good so there he appeared supported in himself and joyning together the high with the low the Earth with the Heaven made one
of Christianity may best of all others give a happy long and fit entertainment to her Majesties glorious fortunes FINIS The life and qualities of Gustavus Adolphus of Swedland His stature The Turk was jealous of his fortune His remarkable sayings His Conquests With what Army he pass'd the Sea Christina his only daughter succeeds in the Kingdom The education of this Princesse Her wonderfull wit On whom the Government of the Kingdom depended on her minority She learnt diverse tongues She makes great Progresse in learning She begins to assist at the Council of State and afterwards takes the Government upon her She administers her self the greatest affairs She makes her self belov'd and fear'd She contemns all delicacy She makes war and then peace with Denmark to her advantage She is honour'd by all the Princes of the world Heavens is propitious to her The reasons which give motives to the true knowledge Important observations Her own vertue makes her see the truth She examines the life and conditions of Martin Luther She perceives the falsities and untruths spread by him She fortifies them with some important examples She detests heresie She resolves to turn Catholique She sends a Jesuit to Rome In her letter to the Father General of the Society She desires two Fathers of the Society may be sent to her The Father Generall receives her letters very gladly He sends two Fathers into Swedland Their journey Their arrivall They are courteously receiv'd She treats secretly with them and determines to inform the Pope of her resolution Don Antonio Pimentel is in Swedland for his Catholique Majesty The Queen imparts to him her thoughts And resolves to rely on the Catholique King Father Malines the Jesuit is dispatcht to the Court of Spain for that effect Father Guemes a Dominican arrives in Swedland and her Majesty makes use of him She informs him of the business and sends him into Spain Her negotiations The King of Spains sense of the news The King of Spain's perplexity With great piety he undertakes the business and writes to the Pope The States of Swedland make instance to the Queen Her Majesties answer Charles Gstavus Palatine is declared and substituted in the Kingdom after the death of the Queen She trusts wholly in God She resolves to forgoe her Kingdoms She is disswaded but without effect The renouncing follows The ceremonies of this action A generous act of her Majesty She gives some advertisements to the King her Successour The Prince Palatine is anointed King of Swedland The Queens return to Stockholm and her departure She makes them believe she will go into the Island of Holland The affliction of the people for her departure Her Majesties journey She visits the Queen her Mother She gives out she will change her journey She dimisses divâ—rse of the Court. She puts on mans cloaths to pass unknown She passes the straight of the Sound She comes to Hambourg She speaks with the Prince of Holsteria and concludes the marriage of his daughter with the King of Sweden She is Visited in Hambourg by diverse Princes of Germany She is feasted abroad by the Landgrace of Hessen She departs on the suddaine from Hambourg Differences between the Crown of Swedland and the City of Bremen Her Majesties journey from Hambourg to Antwerp She is known in Munster She arrives in Antwerp The applauses with which she is seen in that City The Arch-Duke sends to complement her The Prince of Condes pretences not admited He visits the Queen as a private Gentlemen Many Iricys and great Lods come to â—isit the Queen The Emperour sends Earle Montecucoli to complement her Majesty She goes conceal'd to Bruxells The King of Spaine sends Don Antony Pimentel extraordinary Ambassadour to the Queen The Aâ—ch-Duke returns to Antwerp to invite the Queen to Bruxells Her Majesties entrance into Bruxells The rejoycings with which she is publickly received in Bruxells She makes secretly profession of the Catholick faith She eats in publick She is alwaeis inclin'd to Noble and worthy entertainments The Queen her Mother dies The death of Pope Innocent Cardinall Chigi is assum'd to the Papacy With the applause of all Christianity The Queen gives an account to the Pope of her desire to come to Rome Letters from the King of Spaine to his Holiness Presents made by her Majestie to the Arch-Duke in Flanders and others Her departure from Bruxells The quality of her Majesties Traine The persons of quality that accompanied the Queen Her reception in Ruremond She passes through Cullen The continuation of her journey She is visited by the King of Scotland And by the Elector Palatine Afterwards by Prince Robert She goes from Steinhaim She arrives in Rotemburg She comes to Nordlinguen To Donavert Earle Montecuccoli returnes dispatcht again to the Queen from the Emperour The Queens letter to the Arch-Duke of Inspruch She goes privately to Auspurge to see the most remarkable things The Queen is met by the Officers of the Elector of Bavaria She is treated sumptuously in Landsperg She enters Tyrole The Arch-Dukes of Inspruch go to visit the Queen privately in Seefelt Her Majesties entrance into Inspruch The honours done her by their Highnesses the Arch-Dukes His Holinesse resolves to dispatch to Inspruch my Lord Luke Holstenius He elects four Nuntii to receive the Queen on the Confines of the State Ecclesiastical Breifes consignâ—d to my Lord Holstenius Father Malines the Jusuit goes with the said Holstenius to Inspruch The Breife to his Eminence Lomellino Cardinall Legate of Bologna My Lord Holstenius arrives at Mantoua The Popes Breifâ— to the Prince of Trent The Breife to the Arch-Duke Charles Ferdinand My Lord Holstenius is received by the Arch-Duke with much Courtesie The honours done to my Lord Holstenius Father Malines is sent to discover the will of the Queen The Popes Breife to the Arch-Dutchness of Inspruch My Lord Holstenius visits the Baron Ghirardi The expressions of the said Baron My Lord Holsténius visits the Ambassador Pimentel He imparts to him his Holinesses intention And he to the Queen who submits to the Popes pleasure My Lord Holstenius hath audience of her Majestie Her Majestie discourse with my Lord Holstenius His Holineses Breif to the Queen The Queen dines publickly with their Highnâ—sses the Arch-Dukes Her Majesty visits the Palace of Ambre She goes into the Church publickly The Order of the Church for performing the function of the Catholick profession The contents of the Popes Brief to my Lord Holstenius The Act of the Catholick Profession made by the Queen The Queens great generosity The absolution given to the Queen by my Lord Holstenius The joy for this profession The Recreations and plays recited before her Majestie The forme of the subscription of the act of profession Her Majesties departure from Inspruch The Arch-Duke sends a Gentleman to visit the Queen Her Majesty returnes the Arch-Dukes Complement The honors done her Majesty by the Bishop of Bressanon The Baron of Fermiano comes to
being the Soul of the World elected her heart for his unchangeable throne as a City the head of the VVorld The Chariot come before the Queen stood still and the three Graces who seemed to draw it seconded singing sweetly the musical sense of love ending all in the praises of her Majesty After this from the opposite side came forth the other twelve Cavaliers who fained themselves to be Amazons and they were Don Maffeo Barberini Prince of Pellestrina Signior Urbano Rocci the Marquis Ferdinand Torres Signior Gasparo Alveri Ferrante Count of Massa in the roome of the Marquis Patritii who fell sick Signior Stefano Pignatelli the Marquis Fabritius Mari the Marquis Cintius Silvestri Signior Giouanni Battista Costaguti Count Marc. Antonio Monte Marte della Corbara Signior Paola Mignanelli and Signior Angelo Leonini all cloathed in red and Gold with high plumes of feathers very rich cloaks noble trappings and sprightly horses eight Trumpetters and a hundred and twenty grooms going before them all cloathed in red embroydered with Gold with great and thick feathers on their heads and lighted Torches in their hands who were all like the first Souldiers of fortune chosen out of good companies that their marching and rankes might be regular as they were they being conducted by a very expert Officer who supplyed that place Another Chariot like the first followed after disagreeing in nothing but the colours this being of red and Gold and varied with not inferiour ornaments drawn likewise by three Musitians in the likeness of three furies In it with a dreadfull aspect and menacing posture sate another Musitian representing Disdain This after a handsome and orderly motion his Champions preceding stood opposite to the other of the God of love who stopt before the Queen There between the Graces and the Furyes was a pleasant and curious dialogue in musick each of the parties calling in the end their own warriers to arms for the decision of the business The same contention had Love and Disdain each one concluding for the battail The Amazons with much courage and generosity moved from the other side of the field and stood in array at the head of the Theater towards the Garden The Cavaliers as fierce and hardy did the same and went to the opposite side in their rankes Each of these squadrons was followed by their own Chariot which moved in good order The Cavaliers putting off their high plumes of feathers and long Cloakes for the shew were more fit for the fight and putting on their Helmets that were easy and light were armed on the breâ—st and the back with brachals and gauntlets The Chariots retired aside to give no impediment to the field and the Grooms attending there filled all the circumference of the Theater making a very fine prospect which from the light of the Torches and the glittering of their clothes received much beauty The Quire of the Musitians on the arch aforesaid just against her Majesty as it did from time to time make most exquisite musick so gave place to the sound of the Trumpets with which they were awaked to the battail so as three of the Cavaliers with pistolls in their hands rode a gallop towards the Amazons The said pistolls were charged by Colonell Vaini who being a person nobly borne and very valorous was honoured with that charge much esteemed and used in Germany At the motion of the foresaid Cavaliers three of the Amazons rode against them and meeting them in the midst of the Careere of the Theater enterchangeably discharged their pistolls turning twice quickly about to meet the second time which succeeded very well they afterwards retiring in good order Four afterwards on a side issued forth and did the same thing then five afterwards six and lastly all twelve they mingling themselves the one with the other in order so as between the smoake the fire and the noise of their arms they saw a seeming fray and pleasant contention This no sooner was ended but a curtain being drawn from the arch or great Gate aforesaid came a great machine representing a monstrous Dragon which vomited flames of fire and like a great Chariot carried on his back another Musitian who seemed the famous Hercules He with a shrill and grave voice suspending the fight offered instead of it two golden apples taken violently by him out of the orchard of the Hesperides the renowned acquisition of his glorious labours At those words three of the said Hesperides very finely attired issued forth and bewailing with lamentable accents the prodigall concession of that treasure obtained the favours they themselves might distribute those apples which they gave to the Cavaliers and to the Amazons This act being ended which was boldly performed and with excellent musick the Dragon walked by course o'e the field and returned to his first station in the great Gate In the mean time two Cavaliers brake from their troope brandishing their shields in their left hands and carrying the apples in their right and riding a gallop towards the front of the Amazons assailed them fiercely and endeavoured to seize on their apples turning swiftly on the right hand but two Amazons pursued them closely and charging them home followed them to their own squadron Then three Cavaliers issuing forth put the Amazons to flight and returned to their own partie of which sometimes four in a Company coming forth then five and six and at last all together made so handsome a mixture so well led and so dexterous that the eyes of the Spectators could not see it enough This skirmish being ended which was no less strange than delightfull they came all in rankes with their swords in their hands before the Queen Then from the left side came forth another great Charior all guilded and adorned with various ornaments representing that of the Sun on which sate glittering a Musitian in the habit of Phoebus who was attended by the four seasons of the year with 24. Virgins waiting on him which related to the hours The said Chariot was drawn by four horses of a right murrey colour very well matcht and barded with Gold This stopping before the Queen reconcil'd the hostile troops and having sung some verses to express the love of Rome towards her honoured Majesty the Cavaliers and Amazons united themselves together three by three and preceded by all their train and followed by the mâ—chins they passing before the Queen retired into their quarters the shew ending in this manner after which the Prince gave a splendid collation of most excellent sweet-meats to the Ladies The Queen ended afterwards the recreations of Carneval with hearing in the Palace Mazarino at Quirinale a French Play intituled Heraclius done by Cornelius the famous Poet of France whither her Majesty was invited by Signior di Lionne the French Embassadour to the Princess of Italy who then was at Rome for the affairs of his Master This Minister in all his great employments for the service of that Crown as
well within as without the Kingdom hath sufficiently made known the vivacity of his Spirit the readiness of his wit and constant fidelity He is of a most affable behaviour a vigorous judgement great foresight and rare capacity in every affair His wit is refined with experience his mind very sprightly and his thoughts aime only at glory and an excellent report He is full of solidity in his discourses of wariness and dexterity in affairs and sincerity and sweetness in his carriage being especially a friend unto vertue with which he deservedly attracts to himself the encomiums and praises of every one that know him Besides the said Comedy he presented her Majesty with a stately collation of most excellent sweet-meats and in extraordinary abundance and gave her a fine Ball danc'd after the French fashion by some nimble and agile Savoyards with which the Queen was very highly satisfied On the first day of Lent her Majesty went to the house of the Prince of St. Gregory to behold the sollemne Cavalcata with which the Pope accompanyed by the sacred Colledge and the rest of the Court went from the Vatican to Aventino to visit there St. Sabina the Church of the Dominicans This Convent is famous for severall memorialls of the residence there of the glorious St. Dominick After dinner she went likewise to that station where the Father Generall received and attended her as likewise the chief Fathers of that order which met there that day On the second of March her Majesty went to the Church of Madonna della Scala the discalceate Carinelites an order she loved well At the Gate of the Church the was received by Father Joachim di Giesu Maria the Generall accompanyed by the most eminent Friars of that order While she prayed before the most holy Sacrament a very fine Motetto was sung Thence passing into the Convent she went into the Oratory which she found richly hung and adorned with Pictures Mottos and Emblems Here she heard Mass at which the devotion of her mind was augmented with exquisite Musick She then honoured a pretious relique of a foot of St. Teresia the foundress of that order and heard a Latin oration recited by one of those Fathers The day after which was the first Friday in March she visited St. Peters as she did all the Fridayes of the moneth aforesaid for the gaining the treasures of that famous indulgence She was pleased afterwards to visit the Colledge of the English where the good and generous zeale of Pope Gregory the thirteenth erected under the instruction of the Jesuits a place of refuge for the English youth who retaining the true seeds of the Catholick Religion should recurre to this City the common Country of all to be the better setled in their Faith with the Sciences and Piety they learn there This Colledge had desired ever since her arrivall in Rome to testifie to her their dutifull respects and Father Edward Courtney the Rector employed soone his parts in composing a book in which are contained the Elogies of above fifty Saint the Queens or daughters of the Kings of England he adding to each Elogie some verses very handsomly applyed to this Princesses rare qualities She came thither accompanyed by divers Princes and Cavaliers and particularly by my Lord Torreggâ—ani who had invited thither her Majesty she going into the Church dedicated to the glorious English Martyr St. Thomas Arch-Bishop of Canterbury found it finely adorned and abounding with the Pictures of Saints the Kings of England lent them by my Lord Somerset Chamberlain of Honour to the Pope and a Gentleman nobly borne who was likewise there Her Majesties prayers were accompanyed with most admirable musick and a harmony of Viols in which the English excell She sitting down afterwards under a state had recited to her a short Latin oration with some verses by two of those young Scholars they presenting to her the said book of printed Elogies which her Majesty most courteously accepted On the day of St. Thomas of Aquin the solemne Feast of the order of St. Dominick her Majesty went to the Church of Minerva of the Fathers aforesaid one of the chiefest of Rome as well for the service of the Church as the sacred Congregation of the Cardinalls held in that Convent every Wednesday in the morning of the holy office of the greatest importance in Rome The rooms where they hold the said Congregation were seen by the Queen as likewise all the Convent her Majesty remaining highly pleased with the magnificence both of the one and the other She was received and attended by the Father Generall and Father Raymund Capisucchi Master of the Sacred Palace and one of the examiners of the Bishops a Prelate of much vertue and rare parts which are the more remarkable by the ancient Family of the Capisucchi which as appears by authentick writings and is gathered from the very same arms is a branch sprowted out of the most noble stock of the Counts of Tunn in Germany the head of which now is the Prince Arch-Bishop of Saltzbourgh a Gentleman of most eminent qualities Her Majesty had likewise some thoughts of seeing the curious study of the Knight of St. Stephen Sir Francis Gualdo of Rimini a Gentleman well deserving of the learnedest of the ancients which he gave to his most Christian Majesty but the ill weather and the greater affairs of this Princess have not yet permitted her to behold it I therefore forbear to speak of the said study till a fitter opportunity be presented me The Queen then continuing her vertuous entertainments at the beginning of Lent introduced the spirituall exercise of a devout oratory in her Palace every Wednesday which was ordered by the Prince of Gallicano They began the second Wednesday in March and the history of Daniell was recited in musick a composition well becoming the said Prince In the second Oratory Father Rho the famous Preacher made a Sermon in the third Father Spinola in the fourth Father Nicholas Zucchi all Jesuits in the fifth Father Spinelli a Celestine and in the sixth Father Don Carlo di Palma a Theatine all Persons of great learning and worth But behold us at the end of these our relations The sincerity of my Penne which cannot deliver truly to Posterity the glorious name of Christina great without the true Characters of a perpetuall Panegirique concludes that as 't is doubtless this great Princess deserves for a thousand respects the greatest obsequiousness and complyance in order to her eminent qualities and parts so 't is to be hoped the fortunate Climate of Rome the Epilogue of Celestiall and humane felicities will deserve the good fortune to enjoy and serve her long 'T is certain as this Queen with the incomparable endowments of her mind and the franke resolutions of her heart like the Sun among the Starrs may justly pretend to be singular in the World so Rome the sacred the great and majestick Phoenix among the Metropolitan Cities