 GustavasAdolphus Wasa - Christina's father, King of Sweden from 1611 - 1632,during the Thirty Years War. Known for his decisive action, military finesseand intellectual curiosity and passion. Although initially possessing religioustolerance, he became a bitter enemy of Catholicism. Lacking a son, he wasdetermined that his daughter would be raised as a prince. However, becausehe was away at war until his death, he rarely saw her. | |
Maria EleonoraHohenzollern - theGerman wife of King Gustavas, whom he married for political reasons. Superficialand pleasure-oriented, with a hysterical, morbid temperament. Never recoveredfrom her husband's death. Rejected her daughter at birth because Christinawas not a son, and was ugly. | |
 Charles Gustavus Palatine - cousin toChristina, four years older than her, and son of Catherine Wasa and Christina'sbeloved uncle, John Casimir. A friend in childhood, and object ofher adolescent love. He wished to marry her but she refused. Neverthelessthey stayed friends and she supported him as king. Charles was prone toexcessive drinking and eating, but was an honorable and respected kingduring his short reign from 1654-1660. Although always timid with Christina,he was a decisive and firm ruler. Charles died at 38, in 1660. | |
Axel Oxenstierna - the trustedchancellor of King Gustavas and mentor of Christina before she fully tookon her duties as Queen. A competent administrator, who ruled Sweden, Finland,the Baltic countries and a much of Germany until Christina came of age. Once Christina began ruling, her conflicts with Oxenstierna increased,mostly because of her pro-French attitude and dedication to ending theThirty Years War, which meant accepting compromises that would result inpeace. Later, however, she wrote, "I loved this great man as a secondfather. Although I knew almost all the greatest and most brilliant personalitiesof this time, I met few who would and could stand in comparison to him." | |
 Magnusde la Gardie -the handsome, charming, cosmopolitan son of the GrandMarshall of Sweden, favored by the Queen, and a result quickly promotedup the diplomatic ladder. Financially extravagant and self-indulgent, hewas frequently rescued from his debts by Christina.She loved Magnus for several years, but he did not return her affectionsand married one of her only female friends, Maria Eurphryosyne.She sent both away to France for a year, but maintained both friendships.Later she turned against Magnus, reputedly because he lied to her, butpossibly due to his continued exploitation of her good will toward him. | |
Belle lived with Christina even after her short-lived marriage to Jacobde la Gardie (who died in 1652), but they were separated permanently afterChristina abdicated. Belle was believed to have lost interest in her friendonce Christina was no longer queen. She died an early death, in 1662. | |
Pierre-Hector Chanut- French ministerthen ambassador to Sweden, who arrived at the court in 1645 and becamea lifelong friend and supporter of Christina. Many of her letters to himstill exist; she confided to him, "I let no one look inside me - exceptyou and another friend." (At this time, before Pimentel's arrival,her only other confidant was Belle). Chanut was known to be diplomatic,politically astute and intellectual. Hisverbalportrait of Christina is frequently quoted. | |
Descartes - French philosopher admiredby Christine because he was able to reconcile reason and faith and to embraceCatholicism. Impressed with hisPrincipes de la Philosophie, shestarted corresponding with him in 1647 and invited him several years laterto Sweden to tutor her. However, during his visit, she waited several monthsto see him, then insisted on mid-winter lessons at 5am. Descartes sooncontracted pneumonia and died. | |
Don Antonio Pimentelde Prado- a general, and the Spanish envoy to Sweden beginning in 1652, an aristocratic,military-oriented, honorable man of action, who became her confidante andrecipient of her affections for many years. (Some believed they were lovers,but scholars today think that Christina maintained her virginity throughoutlife). Christina sought his friendship initially because she wanted theKing of Spain's support before she abdicated and converted to Catholicism,and Pimentel was a helpful go-between. He also supported her conversionand helped her to gain access to priests for several years beforehand. | |
Pope Alexander VII -previously CardinalChigi, elected pope in 1655, and died 1667. Pope Alexander was initiallyfavorably disposed to Christina, especially because of her public conversionto Catholicism, and gave here luxurious suites in Vatican City. But aftershe killed Monaldeschi and attempted to take over Naples, he turned againsther and insisted that she find accommodations elsewhere. Although he remainedcritical of her, they were reunited before his death. | |
Cardinal Dezio Azzolino - Christina'smost devoted friend during her post-abdication years. A young cardinalunder Pope Alexander VII, and leader of the "Flying Squadron" group, thepolitically savvy intellectual elite of the Vatican. Azzolino was knownfor his intelligence, sophistication, charm, appeal to women, politicalfinesse, literary talents, and administrative capabilities.  Azzolino's close relationship with Christina caused a scandal, forcinghim to explain to the Pope upon several occasions that it was completelyinnocent; Indeed, Christina often referred to them "not being ableto be lovers because of his piety." She was nonetheless, obsessively inlove with him, and wrote him numerous letters proclaming her undying affectionand begging for his. He did not ardently reciprocate her affections (and did cool somewhat emotionally over time, in response to her oftenclinging attachment), but remained a loyal friend who helped her throughher worst times. Azzolino was present at her death, and died six weekslater. Image: Sculpture of Azzolino by Bernini. | |
Father Miguel Molinos -Spanish priest,and founder of Quietism, a contemplative spiritual approach to life, advocatedin his highly successfulSpiritual Guide published in 1675. He lednumerous spiritual conferences and conducted weekly theology sessions withChristina for several years. As the focus upon the inner mystical lifebecame threatening to the sacraments of the search, he was arrested bythe Inquisition in 1685, and condemned in 1687 under Pope Innocent XI. His philosophy and work inspired Christina's later years, althoughshe became disenchanted with him personally as he revealed his sexual aberrationsto the Inquisition. Christina's devotion to God was her primary preoccupationduring the last decade of her life. | |
copyright 1999 byTorreyPhilemon (Tracy Marks) Images were scanned by Torrey Philemon and may not be reproduced. This site was originally created for The Ancient Sites Celebrationof Women. Ancient Sites community folded March 30, 2001. The web sites of Tracy Marks as TorreyPhilemon of Ancient Sites are now being moved to other locations. | |
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