CHRISTINA, kriteria, queen of Sweden: b. Stockholm, 9 Dec. 1626; d. Rome, 19 April 1689. She was a daughter of Gustavus Adol phus, and her education was conducted in a masculine manner. After the death of Gustavus in 1632 the States-General appointed guardians to the Queen Christina, then but six years old. These were the five highest officers of the Crown, who were entrusted at the same time with the administration of the kingdom. The education of Christina was continued according to the plan of Gustavus Adolphus. She learned the ancient languages, history, geography, politics, and renounced the pleasures of her age in order to devote herself entirely to study. In 1644 in her 18th year she took upon herself the government. A great talent for business, and great firmness of purpose, distinguished her first steps. She terminated the war with Den mark, and obtained several provinces by the treaty concluded at Bromsebro in 1645. She then, contrary to the advice of Oxenstiern, who hoped to gain, by the continuance of the war, still greater advantages for Sweden, labored to re-establish peace in Germany, in order to be able to devote herself uninterruptedly to the sciences and the arts of peace. France, Spain, Holland and England sought her friendship. She promoted commerce by wise legislation, and patronized the learned and literary institutions. She declined to marry her cousin, Charles Gus tavus, but induced the States-General in 1649 to designate him for her successor. In 1650 she caused herself to be crowned with great pomp, and with the title of king. From that time she neglected her ancient ministers, and listened to the advice of ambitious favorites. The public treasure was squandered with extravagant pro fusion. Distinctions were conferred upon the undeserving, and produced jealous murmurs, complaints and factions. In this state of con fusion the Queen declared her intention of ab dicating the crown. The old ministers remon strated with so much energy that the Queen de sisted from her resolution. She now grasped with more firmness the reins of government, and occupied herself again with study, bought paintings, medals, manuscript, books, maintained a correspondence with many learned men and invited several to her court. Descartes, Grotius, Salmasius Bochart, Huet, Chevreau, Nandi, Vossius, Conring, Meibom, appeared m Stock holm, and the Queen conversed familiarly with them on literary and philosophical subjects. But
new troubles occurred; and Christina, who loved whatever was uncommon, resumed her deter mination to resign the crown.
In 1654 she assembled the States-General at Upsala, and in their presence laid aside the in signia of royalty to surrender them into the hands of Prince Charles Gustavus. She reserved to herself a certain income, entire independence and full power over her suite and household A few days after she left Sweden, and went to Brussels, where she made a secret profession of the Roman Catholic religion, which she after ward publicly confirmed in Innsbruck. From here she went to Rome, which she entered on horseback in the costume of an Amazon, with great pomp. When the Pope Alexander VII confirmed her she adopted the surname of Ales sandra. In 1656 she visited France, where her dress and manners produced an unfavorable im pression, but her talents and knowledge were generally admired. She offered to mediate be tween France and Spain; but Mazarin declined the offer. While at Fontainebleau during this visit, abusing the right of extraterritoriality, she had Monaldeschi; her grand equerry and lover, executed before her eyes, as a faithless traitor. Mazarin succeeded in accelerating her departure from France under various pretexts. After the death of Charles Gustavus in 1660, the Queen made a visit to Sweden, under pre tense of wishing to arrange her private affairs; but it was soon perceived that she had other views. As the Crown Prince was very young, she declared that in case of his death she should lay claim to the throne. This project was unfavorably received and she was com pelled to sign a formal act of abdication. About this time she aspired to the Polish Crown, but the Poles took no notice of her wishes. Finally she returned to Rome, where she passed the re mainder of her life in the cultivation of the arts and sciences, giving way at times to fits of sen sual indulgence. She was interred in the church of Saint Peter,' and the Pope erected a monument to her with a long inscription. She had asked only for these few words: Visit Christina annos LXIII. Consult Archenholtz, 'Vie de Christine par elle-mime (Stockholm 1751) ; Bain, 'Christina, Queen of Sweden' (London 1890) ; Geyer, 'Geschichte Schwe dens,' Vol. III (Hamburg 1836).