Notes of Christina Queen of Sweden in a rare edition of the 18th century

Books on the biographies or notes of monarchs contain extremely useful information for historians. The life of crowned persons, the organization of their day, meetings. What made them happy? What, on the contrary, was frustrating? What attracted attention?

"Notes of Christina the Queen of Sweden" was presented as a gift to Field Marshal General, diplomat and military leader Grigory Alexandrovich Potemkin. The book contains notes of the Swedish Queen, analyzed from a philosophical and historical point of view by the famous French philosopher Jean Léron d'Alembert.

Queen Christina I of the Swedish Empire of the Vasa dynasty ruled from 1644 to 1654. She was distinguished by rather free behavior, was authoritarian and rarely compromised. Quite independent in her views, the ruler felt herself outside the boundaries, which concerned public affairs and often her personal life. Christina gave preference to luxury, glory, festivities. For the Royal Court, balls, celebrations and all kinds of entertainment were commonplace.

Among the favorites with whom the queen surrounded herself were many foreigners. The Swedish statesman Magnus Gabriel Delagardi, the French physician Pierre Bourdelot, the Spanish diplomat Don Antonio Pimentel da Prado had a great influence.

Christina I also did not miss the opportunity to communicate with outstanding people of her time - Rene Descartes, Blaise Pascal, Hugo Grotius. Once she even summoned René Descartes to the royal palace to give lectures on France from early in the morning. This was done to better get acquainted with the culture of the country.

Carried away in her early youth by the biography of the Queen of England and Ireland, Elizabeth I, the ruler of Sweden refused marriage. Christina I believed that marriage is more a matter of politics than personal preferences in choosing a spouse. This is probably why her personal life, as mentioned above, was beyond borders and barriers.

The "Books" section on Violiti's website will help to replenish the collection of rare books, including those about the biography of European monorahs.