Christina, Queen of Sweden

NAME Christina, Queen of Sweden

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Christina, Queen of Sweden, is best known for her unorthodox reign as a monarch, her abdication of the throne, and her significant cultural and intellectual contributions to the arts and sciences in 17th-century Europe.

BIRTH Christina was born on December 18, 1626, in Stockholm, Sweden.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Christina was the daughter of King Gustav II Adolph and Queen Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg. Her father, a celebrated warrior king, died when Christina was six years old, leaving her as his sole heir.

CHILDHOOD Christina's childhood was marked by a strong intellectual curiosity and a preference for masculine pursuits. She was educated by male tutors and often dressed in men's clothing.

Christina had a rigorous education typically reserved for male heirs, reflecting her father’s desire for her to be a capable ruler. She was raised by a strict Lutheran governess and received training in various subjects including philosophy, languages, and the arts.

EDUCATION Christina received an exceptional education for a woman of her time, studying philosophy, classical literature, languages (she was fluent in at least eight), and the arts. 

In 1649, she persuaded the French philosopher René Descartes to tutor her. However, her insistence on early morning lessons contributed to Descartes' deteriorating health and eventual death in 1650.

CAREER RECORD Christina ruled Sweden from 1632 to 1654. She took the throne at the age of 18 and governed the country during the later stages of the Thirty Years' War. Her reign is remembered for its support of the arts and sciences, as well as her controversial decision to abdicate in 1654.

APPEARANCE Queen Christina was described as having some masculine features at birth. It was noted that she was "hairy" and had "a strong, hoarse voice," which initially led to confusion about her gender.

Christina was described as having a distinct appearance with an androgynous look, which she often accentuated by wearing male attire. She was not considered conventionally beautiful and had a slight, athletic build.

Queen Christina By Sébastien Bourdon

FASHION Christina was known for her unconventional fashion sense, often wearing men's clothing, which was unusual for women of her status. Her attire reflected her defiance of traditional gender roles and her strong sense of individuality.

CHARACTER Christina was known for her intelligence, wit, and eccentric personality. She was headstrong, independent, and often defied societal expectations of women and royalty.

It was noted that she "swore like a trooper, enjoyed vulgar humour and revelled in traditionally masculine sports."

SENSE OF HUMOUR Christina had a sharp wit and a playful sense of humor. She enjoyed intellectual sparring and was known to be a charming and entertaining conversationalist.

RELATIONSHIPS Christina never married, and her relationships were often a subject of speculation. Her closest companionships were intellectual and artistic, rather than romantic.

When the Chancellor of Sweden brought up rumors about her planning a foreign marriage, Christina replied, "They are baseless." The Chancellor then insisted, "But your Majesty, you cannot die an old maid." To this, Christina quipped, "I have no intention to, Chancellor. I shall die a bachelor!"

MONEY AND FAME Christina was one of the most famous women of her time. She spent lavishly on the arts, culture, and learning, which, combined with her abdication, left her in financial difficulties later in life.

FOOD AND DRINK As a royal, Christina likely had access to a wide variety of foods, including meats, fish, fruits, and vegetables available in Sweden at the time. Swedish cuisine in the 17th century would have included dishes like: Various types of fish (herring, salmon, etc.); game meats (venison, boar, etc.); root vegetables; breads and porridges made from grains like rye and barley.

After moving to Rome, she adopted the Italian custom of leisurely, opulent meals.

MUSIC AND ARTS Christina was a great patron of the arts, collecting paintings, sculptures, and books. She established an extensive library and invited artists, musicians, and intellectuals to her court, making it a vibrant cultural center.

LITERATURE Christina was an avid reader and writer, penning memoirs and essays. Her court attracted writers from all over Europe, and she corresponded with many prominent literary figures.

NATURE As princess, Christina was involved in the development of Humlegården, a park in Stockholm. She "converted Humlegården into a baroque garden with pedestrian avenues lined with linden trees."

Christina showed a particular fondness for the garden at Palazzo Riario (now Palazzo Corsini) in Rome. She "contributed to enrich it with rare and exotic plants, forming the original nucleus of the Botanical Garden of Rome"

PETS Christina cared for her cousin Charles' hunting dogs when they were engaged. 

Christina had a notable phobia of fleas, which led her to order the construction of a tiny four-inch-long cannon. She used it to fire tiny cannonballs at fleas infesting her bedchamber.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Christina was interested in fencing, riding, and hunting, pursuits traditionally associated with men. Her hobbies reflected her unconventional and independent spirit.

Christina of Sweden, by Sébastien Bourdon (1653).

SCIENCE AND MATHS  Christina was a supporter of scientific research. She corresponded with scientists and mathematicians, and funded scientific experiments. She brought Descartes to Sweden to discuss philosophical and scientific ideas, although their collaboration was short-lived.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Christina was deeply interested in philosophy and theology, and her court was a hub for intellectual discourse. Her philosophical inclinations and dissatisfaction with Lutheranism contributed to her conversion to Catholicism.

Christina decided to convert to Catholicism around May 1652, while still Queen of Sweden. This was initially kept secret . She had a private ceremony on December 24, 1654, where she converted to Roman Catholicism in the chapel of Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria in Brussels. This private conversion was not publicized at the time. Her public conversion to Roman Catholicism took place on November 3, 1655, at the Innsbruck Court Church in Austria.

On Christmas Day in 1655, after arriving in Rome on December 20, Christina received the sacrament of confirmation from Pope Alexander VII at St. Peter's Basilica

She was buried in the Vatican Grottoes, a rare honor for a woman.

POLITICS Christina’s reign was marked by her strong will and progressive ideas. She ended Sweden's involvement in the Thirty Years' War and focused on cultural development. Her political maneuvering led to her controversial abdication in 1654.

REIGN Born into the House of Vasa, Christina ascended to the Swedish throne at the tender age of seven. Her reign was marked by a remarkable intellectual curiosity and a desire to transform Stockholm into the "Athens of the North." She was a champion of education and established a university at will thanks to the Peace of Westphalia. Her unconventional lifestyle, including her penchant for dressing in men's attire, was a constant source of gossip and scandal.

Despite her accomplishments, Christina's reign was not without its challenges. Her lavish spending habits pushed the state to the brink of bankruptcy, and her refusal to marry and her conversion to Catholicism sparked public outrage. Faced with growing discontent, she eventually abdicated the throne and moved to Rome.

Even in exile, Christina continued to make her mark on the world. She became a patron of the arts, supporting Baroque artists, composers, and musicians. 

SCANDAL Christina’s decision to abdicate, her conversion to Catholicism, and her unconventional lifestyle caused scandals throughout Europe. Her relationships and attire often defied societal norms, adding to her controversial reputation.

MILITARY RECORD Christina did not lead armies into battle, but her reign saw the conclusion of the Thirty Years' War, with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, solidifying Sweden's position as a significant European power.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Christina was reportedly healthy but was affected by stress and anxiety related to her role as queen. Her rigid schedule and intellectual pursuits may have contributed to physical and mental strain.

HOMES Christina resided in various royal palaces in Sweden, including the Stockholm Palace. After her abdication, she settled in Rome, where she lived in the Palazzo Riario, now known as the Palazzo Corsini.

TRAVEL Christina traveled extensively after abdicating the throne. She visited France, Italy, and several other European countries, engaging with the intellectual and cultural elite of her time.

DEATH Christina died on April 19, 1689, in Rome, Italy. She was buried in the Grotte Vaticane, beneath St. Peter's Basilica, one of the few women to receive such an honor.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Christina’s life has been the subject of numerous books, plays, and films. The most famous portrayal is Greta Garbo’s performance in the 1933 film Queen Christina, which dramatized her life and reign.

ACHIEVEMENTS Christina’s most notable achievements include her cultural patronage, which significantly contributed to the arts and sciences in Europe. Her abdication and conversion to Catholicism were groundbreaking decisions that made her a unique figure in European history.

Sources Lonely Planet, Roma Culture