Queen christina of sweden children

Biography of Christina, Queen of Sweden

Christina, Queen of Sweden, reigned from 1633 to 1654. She held the titles of Queen of Sweden, Goths and Wends, Grand Duchess of Finland, Duchess of Ingria, Estonia, Livonia, and Karelia. She was the only surviving child of King Gustav II Adolph and his wife Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg. At the age of six, she inherited the throne after her father's death in the Battle of Lützen. Christina was raised in the Protestant faith but caused a scandal when she abdicated the throne and converted to Catholicism in 1654.

In the later years of her life, Christina lived in Rome, where her home became a center of theatrical and musical life. She was buried in St. Peter's Basilica. Christina was a complex and educated woman with a thirst for fame. She had a keen interest in books, religion, alchemy, and science. As she grew older and influenced by the Counter-Reformation, she became more fascinated by Mediterranean Baroque culture, which ultimately led to her abdication. Her unconventional lifestyle and behavior, including her preference for wearing men's clothing, became a source of inspiration for numerous novels, plays, films, and even operas.

Christina was born on December 18, 1626, in the royal castle of Tre Kronor. The country had great hopes for the birth of a male heir to the Swedish throne. The royal couple had already lost two daughters in infancy, and when little Christina was born, she cried so loudly and hoarsely that she was initially mistaken for a boy. Although the midwives were confused, the king was pleased and declared that his daughter would grow up to be intelligent, as she had already outwitted everyone present at her birth.

Many sources suggest that King Gustav Adolph was deeply attached to his daughter, and she loved him just as devotedly. Unfortunately, her mother had previously shown complete indifference towards her, but suddenly made Christina the center of her life. Perhaps Maria Eleonora was not in good health after her husband's death, but living under the same roof with an agitated, restless mother prone to bouts of black melancholy did not benefit Christina. According to the decision of the regent council, the heir was sent back to her aunt's palace, where she was cared for with genuine love and attention.

On March 15, 1633, six-year-old Christina became the queen. She received an excellent education and amazed her tutors with her knowledge and abilities in governing the state. She also possessed an exceptional talent for languages, mastering Greek, Latin, German, Dutch, Danish, French, and Italian, in addition to her native Swedish. Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna proudly wrote about the 14-year-old queen, stating that she was unlike any girl he had ever known, referring to her intelligence. At the age of 18, Christina was declared an adult and became the full-fledged ruler of Sweden.

Unfortunately, her reign was short-lived. While Sweden's international and military position seemed brilliant, and her authority unquestionable, the internal crisis of the impoverished country was unavoidable due to Christina's passion for luxury and her tendency to surround herself with favorites, granting them titles and lands. On one hand, Stockholm attracted scholars, artists, poets, and masterpieces of world art from all corners of Europe. On the other hand, excessive taxes burdened all social classes except the nobility. Christina lost her former popularity, but her abdication in 1654 and departure from the country came as a shock to her subjects. When she converted to Catholicism, the country practically disowned her.

She traveled around Europe for some time before settling in Rome. She lived in Paris for a few years but eventually returned to Rome and resided in the Palazzo Corsini. After the death of her designated heir, Charles X Gustav, Christina attempted to reclaim the Swedish throne and regain power, but her efforts were unsuccessful. She passed away on April 19, 1689, at the age of 62.