G. Gualterius After this he gave the Original Briefe to the Master of the ceremonies of his Highness who was Signior Carlo Pompeati Canon of the Cathedral Church of Trent a person famous for his birth and education who read it with a lowd and clear voice and then gave it into the hand of the Notary there present My Lord Hoâ—sterius added some latine words which began Though this thing in open view c. He sate down and was covered according to instruction And here then the cushion being brought before him which as we said before was laid on the last step of the Altar the Queen conducted thither by the Arch-Dukes quickly and freely kneeled down upon it Holstenius presented her the printed forme of the Profession saying to her the following words This is the solemn and usual form of Professing the Catholick faith the holy Church of Rome useth and her Maâ—esty is to read before me and the witnesses here present with a clear and distinct voice and afterwards with her own hand subscribe And both the Arch-Dukes standing about the Queen together with Don Antonio Pimentel as witnesses desired her Majesty with a clear distinct and lowd voice read the following Profession I Christina believe with a firme faith and professe all and every thing contained in the Creed of Faith the holy Roman Church usâ—th namely I believe in one God the Fatheâ— Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth of all things visible and invisible and in one Lord Jesus Christ the onely begotten Son of God and borne of his Father before all times God of God Light of Light true God of true God begotten not made consubstantial to the Father by whom all things are made who for us men and our salvation descended from the Heavens and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary and made man crucifiâ—d also for us and suffered under Pontius Pilate and was buried And arose the third day accordâ—ng to the Scriptures and ascended into Heaven sits at the right hand of his father and is to come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead of whose Kingdom there shall be no end And I believe in the Holy Ghost the Lord and giver of life who proceeds from the Father and the Son who together with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified who spake by the Prophets and in one holy Catholick and Apostolical Church I confesse one Baptisme in the remission of sinnes and expect the resurrection of the dead and the life to come Amen I firmly admit and embrace the Apostolical and Ecclesiastical Traditions and the other observances and constitutions of the same Church I likewise admit the sacred Scripture according to the sense our holy Mother the Church hath held and holds to whom it belongs to judge of the sense and interpretation of the holy Scriptures neither will I ever receive and interpret it but according to the unanimous consent of the Fathers I likewise professe seven true and proper Sacraments of the new Law instituted by Christ Jesus our Lord and to the salvation of mankind though al to every one are not necessary namely Baptisme Confirmation Eucharist Penance extream Unction Order and Matrimony and these to conferre grace and of these Baptisme Confirmation and Order cannot be reiterated without Sacriledge I receive and admit the received and approved rites of the Catholick Church in the solemn administration of these Sacraments I embrace and receive all and every thing which have been designed and declared in the holy Council of Trent concerning Original sin and justification I also professe that in the Masse there is offered up to God a true proper and propitiatory sacrifice for the living and the dead and that in the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist there are truly really and substantially the body and blood with the soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ and a conversion made of the whole substance of the bread into the body and of the whole substance of the wine into the blood of Christ which conversion the Catholick Church calls Transubstantiation I likewise confess that under each kind Christ is whole and entire and a true Sacrament to be received I constantly hold there is Purgatory and the souls there detained are helpt by the suffrages of the faithfull And that in like manner the Saints raigning together with Christ are to be honoured and invocated and that they offer up to God prayers for us and their reliques to be held in veneration I firmely assert the images of Christ and of the blessed Virgin as also of other Saints are to be had and retained and due honour and reverence to be given to them I likewise affirm the power of indulgences is left by Christ in his Church and their use very healthfull to Christian people I acknowledge the holy Catholick and Apostolical Roman Church to be the Mother and Mistress of all Churches And I promise and swear true obedience to the Bishop of Rome the successor of Saint Peter the chief of the Apostles and Vicar of Jesus Christ And all other things delivered defined and declared by the sacred Canons general Councils and especially by the holy Council of Trent I undoubtedly receive and professe and the contrary and all heresies whatsoever condemned rejected and anathematiz'd by the Church I also condemne reject and anathematize This true Catholick faith without which none can be saved which I here professe willingly and do truly hold the same entire and inviolable I will by Gods assistance most constantly retain and confesse and as much as in me lies endeavour that the same may be held taught and preacht by my subjects and those under my command I the said Christina doe promise vow and swear so help me God and these holy Evangelists CHRISTINA Her Majesty read the said Profession with such forcible expression that all remained no less astonisht than toucht with compunction at such an heroick resolution and here 't was observed that at every new period or parcell of the Scripture aforesaid her Majesty lifting up her head and fixing her eyes in the countenance of Holstenius with the freedom of her sight shew'd what resolution and affection her heart labour'd with so as this generous action so soften'd the minds of the assistants that from the eyes of many the teares out of tenderness trickel'd down in abundance The said Holstenius was not able to suppress them without difficulty and violence while he thought with what melting affection the mind of his Beatitude would have been mov'd if he had seen that action the noblest and most memorable of all to be seen in the world Her profession being ended and the oath contain'd in it taken Holstenius stood up and recited the following Verses and Prayers O Lord God of vertues convert us and shew thy face and we shall be safe Arise O Christ and help us and deliver us for thy name sake Let thy
a madness to depart from their common consent and adhere unto those who without the reputation of goodness and vertue have for their own passion and private advantage endeavoured to darken the world to confound it and vizard it with many chimeras and malignities To these her reflections the wise Queen added diverse other weighty considerations and amongst them this seem'd to have force that by the continu'd succession of Popes and uniformity in Rights and Doctrine the Church of Rome though tost by fierce tempests invaded by her enemies armes and molested with contrary Doctrines had allwaies like the Palmtree grown higher and been still more resplendent and glorious Her Majestie observed that the very same Nations and particularly the Septentrional which now do live out of the lap of the Roman Church have more than any others for many ages past had the Catholique faith in veneration and produc'd many men who with their holy lives have enobled the world and with their souls beautify'd Heaven That the writings esteem'd the most learned the famousest actions the conspicuousest vertues and most refin'd wits have been the perseveres in the Catholique faith insomuch that as examples more forcibly perswade us than precepts it seem'd to her impossible so many good men so intelligent and so learned should have been blind to follow so tenaciously and so long the opinions and doctrines which hereticall Ministers represent to the simple and Ideot for falsities and errours Besides she consider'd the very same Protestants confess'd the Spaniards the French and Italians were of a more elevated spirit and more compos'd mind of more profound Knowledge and a civiller and soberer behaviour than all other people of the world and that amongst these of the Northern Inhabitants themselves he was most valued that was best acquainted with the customs and dictates of the Nations aforesaid insomuch that though Arius had in Spain spread the poyson of his heresie and France had both open'd her bosom and arms to the errours of the neighbouring Countries yet those great Kings and most of the Nobility without ever changing their opinions among so many accidents had continu'd in the obedience of the Catholique Church and the Vicar of Christ which afforded a strong argument for the goodness and truth of his faith Her Majesty received an additional force in her mind that the Authors of heresies could never yet shew when how or why the Catholique Church did prevaricate in her faith nor where and in whom perpetuated and conserv'd it being very necessary the true Church should alwaies have endur'd in some part But the consideration of the qualities of the Authors of heresies made a very strong breach in this Princesses heart her Majestie being now well inform'd that interest alone and the pleasures of the flesh not the benefit of the publique nor integrity of the mind were the Councellours and Promoters of these novelties She examin'd Martin Luthers conditionâ— and the other opposers of the Catholique Church and found they were men of an ill life sensual and extreamly ambitious whereupon like seditious persons who in a State-Government do cloak their pretences with the zeal of the publique good and the service of the Prince against whom they fight they never had other design than the ruine of the State and Monarchy of the Church in revenge of the wrong they pretended to receive in their minds in that the Popes of Rome comply'd not with their boundless desires so as she foresaw in the end that when Luther began to impugne the value of indulgences by depressing the authority of the Pope he did it out of envy and anger that the care of delivering them in Sermons was committed to others and not to himself as he had desir'd That when Purgatory was condemned by him he being unwilling to admit any pain did remain to the souls which dy'd in the state of grace 't was meerly his invention either to discredit more the said indulgences or let loose the reins to sensuality since the contumacy is the greater when the punishment is represented the less That when he deny'd fastings Pennance Confession the single life of Priests the intercession of Saints the Mass the Ornaments and Images of the Church and the like it onely proceeded from his inward design to make the people follow him who are apt to believe what allureth the senses and furthers the appetite of nature as likewise his principall motives for promoting his wickedness had their rise from his unplacable hatred of the Pope as one that condemned his errours To this pious Queen the resolution of Henry the eigth King of England seem'd too sacrilegious and wicked who withdrew from the obedience of the holy Church a Catholique and well compos'd Kingdom and onely for the pleasing of his humours and abandoning and debasing himself in the loves of Anne Bullen She dislik'd the unworthy actions of those Princes of Germany who spoiling the Churches had seized the revenues of so many Orders of Religious who in honour of our Saviour and the Heavenly Court had employ'd them in sacred Temples to glorifie and exalt him But more than all the rest she came to the Knowlege of the truth by considering how unseemly it was to believe the Holy Ghost would use such men that were vitious and unworthy for reforming of his Church while there were so many others renown'd for their Doctrine and sanctity With these speculations and the guide of the holy Fathers exactly perpended by her she saw a great light before her eyes whereupon as in the way long chosen by her she discover'd great stumblings and disturbances so among these new lights she walking in the best and readiest paths began to examine particularly the substance and foundation of the truest religion With great rewards she invited to her the famousest men in the Lutheran profession and under the colour of learning what they knew extracted with admirable dexterity the sum of their belief and understanding Truth the only Catholique and Roman religion among the black darkness of so many opinions and contrary doctrines began to shew her cleanness and beget in her mind a great loathing of the manifest falsities and immoderate absurdities which usually by the malice of hereticall Ministers with great industry are instill'd into the minds of unwary and simple people In the mean time Don Joseph Pinto Parera the Portugall Ambassadour arrived in Swedland making his entrance into Stockholm about the end of July with whom as his confessour was Father Anthony Macedo a Portugess together with his Companion Father John Ardrada both Jesuits The Queen inform'd of all was glad of that encounter by her so desir'd insomuch as concealing in her mind a resolute inclination to the Catholique faith she began in her discourses and treaties to shew some esteem and affection to Father Macedo He on the contrary side observing the Queen when she spake of the Pope to shew much
remaining in Rome and sent him the fresh Letters for his Holinesse to the end he should present them as he did on the first day of July The Pope at that advice representing in his countenance and testifying in his words the joy and content news so good and so great did deserve call'd happy his Papacy for bringing a Queen to his feet with motives and resolutions so worthy and unparalell'd whereupon he reply'd t was necessary her Majestie ere she came into Italy or at least ere she enter'd the dominions of the Church should publickly make Profession of the Catholick Faith she before had made privately for if at her entrance into the said dominions it appear'd not she was now a Catholick she could not there be receiv'd with those demonstrations of honour his Holinesse had design'd her All things were easily reconcil'd and in the mean time fresh Letters came likewise out of Spain from that King to the Pope to whom they were presented by the Duke of Terranova Ambassadour for his Catholick Majestie in Rome The Queen having caused all things to be pâ—ovided for her journey with expressions of Kindness and gratitude gave all thanks to the Arch-Duke and the Miniâ—ters of the Catholick King for her noble entertainment and here as in each other place she had done she made her unexpressible magnificence and splendour appear by presenting his imperiall Highnesse with a proud and generous Swedish horse with a Sadle Bridle and Pistols enricht all with Diamonds to the value of above thirty thousand Crowns the Earl of Fuensaldagna with a horse like the other and Furniture worth above Ten thousand Crowns and all the other Officers and Servants with Donatives to the value of above ten thousand Pistolls to their admiration who conceived this Princesse as provident as generous had cause to reflect on the future necessities into which she might easily fall but they were deceiv'd for the same generosity and freedome with which she had parted with her Kingdoms made her more liberall than ever On the 22. of September in the year 1655. she departed from Bruxels accompany'd by the Arch-Duke and all the Nobility as well the Gentlemen as Ladies two leagues without the City and at her going out was saluted by all the Canon on the walls and the Musketeers placed in order every where as she pass'd Her Majestie departed highly satisfy'd with the honours received from his imperiall Highness a Prince indeed of so Noble a spirit and so great a mind that he shews he conserves in his heart the ancient and still stronger impressions of the valour and vertue peculiar to his most royall House being worthy in fine of the love veneration applauses and obsequiousness of all That night she lay in Lorrain some seven leagues distant a great City encompass'd with strong and ancient walls fill'd up with earth and famous for the Military successes of which it hath been the Theater in our time Those Senatours had offer'd and prepared her a lodging but her Majestie refusing it was content to be receiv'd by the Magistrates at the gate with the inhabitants in Armes and the discharging of the Canon a Present of 24. great bottles of wine presented to her in the name of the City according to the custome in that Countrey The Queen had with her of her own domesticks about fifty Persons among whom was Monsieur Liliecron Gentleman of her Chamber Monsieur Apelgren her Taster four Grooms of the Chamber two maids of Honour the one a Swede the other a Fleming Sigre Retius a Spaniard her Treasurer Monsieur Gillbert a Frenchman her Secretary three Italians Musitians Father Guemes the Dominican who went in a secular habit to serve there the better and more easily the Queen in saying Masse privately six Pages six Groomes and diverse other servants together with thirty souldiers of her Guard three Coaches and foure Waggons of baggage To these was joyn'd Don Anthony della Cuera di Silva a Spanish Gentleman of eminent quality of a very great spirit and most courteous and affable Lieutenant General of the Cavalry of Flanders and Serjeant major General of the battle He waited on the Queen with the title of her Majesties great Master of the Horse accompanied with the Lady his wife Madam de Broy of a very Noble family in Flanders and the chief Maid of Honour to the Queen a Lady of much vertue and noble deportment who carried with them eighteen servants of their own Don Anthony Pimentel follow'd likewise the Queen as extraordinary Embassadour of his Catholick Majesty to her to assist her and serve her in the journey with a train of twenty men for the purpose Diverse other persons afterwards of quality accompanyed her among whom was Don Francis Dessa of Portugal a Gentleman nobly born and of very great valour in recompence of his merits design'd to the command of General of the Artillery of the Kingdom of Naples who had ten persons with him The young Earl of Buquoy formerly Page to the Arch-Duke who went to Rome with the Eearl of Trassigny his camrade both Gentlemen of Flanders Don Romano Montero a Spanish Serjant Major no lesse famous in war with his sword than renowned in peace for his pen. Don Bernardino di Liepa of Sivill a youth of much spirit and great expectation Messieurs de Gans brothers and Monsieur Pos Hollanders Monsieur Levit a Fleming with many other persons of Honour and Civility so as the Queens Court was grown very numerous being about two hundred persons in all who were all at the Queens charge except the retinue of the Embassadour Pimentel who travelled by himself and at his own cost On the 23 of September her Majestie din'd at Louvaine a chief town in Brabant and one of the greatest in the low Countreys being renown'd for the wars past When the University had waited upon her she went that evening to Montaga some five leagues remote where she visited a miraculous Image of our Lady The next day she passing through Bering din'd there and came that night to Becht a village eight leagues distant In the morning betimes she dined in Steinbruch a village three leagues farther The Earle of Isenghien Prince of Mamines a Spanish Gentleman of a very noble family and Most eminent parts Governor of Gelders and the town of Rurmond overtook the Queen here with a regiment of foot a regiment of horse to invite her to this City where her Majesty was received by the souldiers in armes and discharging all the Canon being royally treated and defray'd by the said Prince Here she saw a rare firework and her Majesty din'd publiquely alone waited on at table by the foresaid Prince and the most conspicuous Officers of war As soon as her Majesty arrived in Ruremond the Bishop the supream Senate of of that Province and the chamber of accounts came to wait upon her All the night they made fireworks in the
horsemen full of chief Ladies and the rest of the Queens Court. At the entrance into the City she was welcomed with the discharging of fifty pieces of Ordinance many Mortarpieces and thick Squadrons of Musqueteers who wiâ—h many other Souldiers stood in ranks in the streets the houses being adorned wiâ—h rich furniture and the concourse of people very great Her Majesty was lodged in the Arch-Dukes Palace his Highnesse accompanying her to the lodgings designed her where he presently left her to her rest But the Citizens in the darknesse of the night made every where resplendent with bonefires the joy and content of their hearts for having with them a Princesse of so high a condition The End of the Second Book The History of the sacred and Royal Majestie of Christina Alessandra Queen of Swedland c. The Third Book The Argument THe Pope receiving advice of the Queens departure from Bruxells towards Italy declares foure Nuntii to receive her on the confines of the Churches Dominions His Beatitude dispatches to her my Lord Luke Holstenius She continues her journey through Germany Holstenius arrives in Inspruch where her Majestie is royally received There she makes publick profession of the Catholick faith performed with great solemnity She departs from Inspruch with great satisfaction She arrives at Trent and is magnificently served by the Prince the Bishop She passes through the State of Venice and is regally received in the Territory of the Duke of Manrova She departs thence and enters the Churches dominions AS soon as the Pope had advice of the Queens departure from Bruxells his Holinesse on the sixth of October sent for my Lord Luke Holstenius principal Apostolical Notary Canon of St. Peters Church and Keeper of the Vatican Library a person very famous for his learning and erudition and a Gentleman of the City of Hembourg To him he imparted the purpose he had of sending him to be assistant at the profession of Faith his Holinesse understood should be made by the Queen ere she came into Italy or at least into the Churches Dominions He therefore gave him order to prepare with all diligence for his journey and when his Beatitude had declared four extraordinary Nuntii to receive her on the confines of the Ecclesiastical State to wit my Lord Hanibal Bentivogli Arch-Bishop of Thebes my Lord Torreggiani Arch-Bishop of Ravenna my Lord Carraccioli Dean of the Clark of the Chamber and my Lord Cesarini Clark of the Chamber persons of great vertue and nobility he consigned them their instructions and two briefs each of which was to them of the following tenor To the Reverend Bretheren Hanibal of Thebes and Luke of Ravenna Arch-Bishops as also to our beloved Sonnes Mr. Innico Carraccioli and Philip Cesarini Clarkes of our Apostolicall Chamber Alexander the VIIth Pope REverend Brethren and beloved Sons Greeting and Apostolicall benediction Your approved wisdom in acting affairs and singular faithfulnesse and devotion to us and the Apostolicall Sea with other deserving vertues accompanied with the noblenesse of your Families with which we know you manifoldly adorned by the Lord are the cause we use gladly your help in a businesse of great weight firmly hoping in the Lord that in the execution thereof you abundantly will satisfie our expectation Wherefore through our Apostolicall authority by vertue of these presents we create constitute and depute you extraordinary Nuntii of us and the Sea Apostolâ—call aforesaid to receive in the name both of us and the same Apostolicall Sea our most dear Daughter in Christ Christina the Illustrious Queen of Swedland in her journey to this our renowned City any thing to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding Dated at Rome at St. Maries the greater under the ring of the fisher on the XXIXth day of October 1655. In the first year of our Papacy G. Gualterius On the 10th of October in the evening the Breifs with the letters and instructions were consignd'd to my Lord Luke Holstenius by my Lord Julius Rospigliosi Arch-Bishop of Tarsus Secretary of state to his Holiness One of the Breifs was for the Queens Majestie which by us shall be register'd in it's place the other for their Highnesses the Arch-Duke Charles Ferdinand the Arch-Duchess Charles the second Duke of Mantoua the Prince the Bishop of Trent and the Bishop of Bâ—essanon On the 10th then of October the foresaid Holstenius departed from Rome with all secresy accompany'd by order of the Pope with Father Mâ—lines the Jusuit a man of great ability and withall well inform'd of the Genius as well of the Queen as her Court he haveing been in Swedland as aforesaid for a while with particular satisfaction to her Majestie He arriving in Bologna on the 19th of October had advice that the Queen was at Franckfort on the 6th so as fearing she might get to Inspruch before him he resolv'd to send before him by post as he did the said Father Malines to the end at all adventures he might beseech the Queen to be pleas'd to stay in Inspruch till he came Conferring in Bologna with Cardinall Lomellino the Legate he consigned to him the Popes Breif of the following tenor To our beloved Son Cardinal Lomellino of the holy Church of Rome Legate of Bologna OUr beloved Son greeting and Apostolicall benediction Our beloved Son Luke Holstenius of our houshould principall Apostolicall Notary Canon of the Church of St. Peter and Keeper of our Vatican Library is going into Germany to act by our command affairs of high concern appertaining to this holy Sea whom as famous for his piety as his various and solid learning and esteemed by us for his faithfulnesse if you shall with all courtesie receive you will do a thing worthy of our love towards you and becomming your own inclination to such men And we impart to you our Apostolicall benediction Given at Rome at Saint Maries the greater under the ring of the fisher on the 10th of October 1655. in the first year of our Papacy Natalis Rondininus He went afterwards to Mantoua on the 21th but found not there his Highness who was gone to Casal The same evening he visited her Highness the Dutchess Mary in the Monastery of S. Vrsula but told her not the business that carry'd him into Germany for her Highness haveing many Nunns about her and being thick of hearing he could not tell her of it without speaking loud and discovering it to many other persons there present Here the Marquis Octavius Gonzaga gave him a particular relation of what had past in Franckfort about the Queens journey and her traine and he quickly sent the newes of it to Rome and to the Cardinall Legates He going thence to Trent arriv'd on the 24th and waited on the Prince the Bishop presenting to him the Apostolicall Breife the contents of which were To our Reverend Brother the Bishop of Trent Alexander the VIIth Pope REverend Brother greeting and Apostolicall benediction
There are many rare things in our beloved Son Luke Holstenius of our houshold principall Apostolicall Notary Canon of the Church of Saint Peter and Keeper of our Vatican Library to wet excellent vertue singular learning and accomplisht behaviour for which though of your own accord you will shew him all civility and respect yet this is to be added that we send him into Germany to negotiate high affairs and of greatest concern in which regard whatsoever shall be done by you for him by you will be conferr'd on this holy Sea and on the whole Church whose cause he now acts 'T is onely your part to acquit your self so in receiving him that neither your piety nor civility towards so excellent a man be required of us You shall know more by him of our affection to you who will too in our name impart unto you our Apostolicall benediction Given at Rome the 10th of October 1655. in the first year of our Papacy Natalis Rondininus He afterwards arriving on the 28th in Inspruch did treat the next morning with Court Piccolomini principall Gentleman in his Highnesses Court and father Christopher Mendler a Jusuit his Confessor to have audience of the Arch-Duke which he had the same evening to whome he presented the Popes Breif of the following tenor To our beloved Son the noble Charles Ferdinand Arch-Duke of Austria Alexander VII Pope BEloved Son and noble Prince Greeting and Apostolicall benediction The pastor all care the burthen impos'd on us lately requires hath forc'd us to send into Germany for the compassing of a difficult and most weighty affair our beloved Son Luke Holstenius of our houshold principall Apostonicall Notary Canon of the Church of Saint Peter and Keeper of our Vatican Library a man in whom besides his great learning which hath very well deserv'd of the dignity of the Romane Church this age admires a singular faith and honesty together with a like conduct in the management of business It would in a manner be an injury to your noblenesse if we should use many words to desire you to receive him with courtesie and kindness while he greets you in our name since you dayly teach posterity in the Patrimony of your Ancestors glory you have nothing dearer to you than the praise of defending whom both their own vertue and pontificall affection the honourablest testimony of vertue doth commend But how we are affected to your noblenesse and how earnestly desire the prosperity of your affairs you will clearly know of him And we send you very lovingly our Apostolicall benediction Given at Rome at Saint Maries the greater under the Ring of the fisher on the 10th day of October 1655. and in the first year of our Papacy Natalis Rondininus That Prince receiv'd the Brief with great humility and treated my Lord Holstenius very courteously hearing him with much attention When he heard of the motive of his coming and the function he was to perform in that place for the sollemn profession of the Queen he remain'd full of wonder and unspeakable joy that the City of his residence by order of the Pope should be honoured with so glorious and conspicuous an action Holstenius then enlarged himself in assuring his Highnesse of his Holinesses fatherly affection and the confidence he had in his generous piety telling him 't was needlesse he should acquaint him with his Holinesses desire and satisfaction in order to the honouring of that action with some publique demonstration of joy while he at his arrival found so splendid a preparation for the entrance and reception of her Majesty Holstenius was carried from the Inne where he lighted conducted to a lodging appointed for him within another house being attended by the Baron of Waitmanstorf one of the four Chaplains of his Highness and Commissary General of the Mines in Tysole who with other attendance had the care to provide him two Groomes and a Coach of the Court he treating him very splendidly and failing in nothing that became a punctual Minister The day after Halstenius thought it good to send Father Malines to meet the Queen to discover her sense about the manner and forme of the Profession of the Catholick religion which she was to make publickly since neither she nor any one else till that time knew such was the pleasure of the Pope The Father departed saw the Queen and Don Anthony Pimentel and brought word she was absolutely disposed to performe very punctually his Holinesses Orders On the 31 of October in the morning Holstenius received expresse order from Rome by a Courier sent to him to procure that her Majestie should retard as much as she could her journey to give time for providing all things fit for her reception the Popes great and generous minde desiring it should be in the most Majestique forme and most honourable that could be desired and that above all the four Nuntii elected to receive her and serve her in the Churches dominions should prepare for their journey be ready on the confines with that traine and decorum which the quality of their charge and condition required After dinner my Lord Holstenius had audience of the Arch-Dutches Anne of Medices and the Arch-Duke Sigismond Francis to whom he presented the Pontificall Breifes of the following tenor To our beloved Daughter in Christ the noble Arch-Dutchesse of Austria Alexander VII Pope BEloved Daughter in Christ and noble Princesse Greeting and Apostolicall benediction with other commands given to our beloved Son Luke Holstenius of our houshold principall Apostolicall Notary Canon of the Church of St. Peter and Keeper of our Vatican Library by the occasion of great affairs to be manag'd by him in Germany 't is given him in charge in a principall manner to visit your nobleness in our name and clearly inform you of our affection to you That this our advertisement is valued by you we both constantly believe and your noblenesse will abundantly make good if you gratiously entertain the Bearer hereof and with your authority and favours where need shall require defend and assist him he being a person of singular faith and honesty and polished exactly with all good arts Which that you will do we again and again request of your noblenesse to whom we very lovingly impart our Apostolicall benediction Given at Rome at St. Maries the greater under the seal of the fisher on the 10th of October 1655 and in the first year of our Papacy And he was received by them with all the most affectionate expressions of a reverend obsequiousness to the holy Sea particular respect On the 30 th in the evening my Lord Holstenius having preunderstood that the Baron Ghirargi cheif Counseller and minister to his Highness had thoughts of conferring with her deem'd it good to prevent him by going to visit him in his lodgings at the Pallace who received him with civilitie peculiar to the nobleness of his birth
assuring him of his Highnesses great joy and content for his arrivall He afterwards heard most gladly and with due attention the perfect relation Holstenius gave him in order to the conduct of this most weighty business of which till that time he had had no notice telling him in reality that all things were prepar'd in that state for the honour alone of her Majesties passage and therefore it displeas'd much his Highnesse than he had not had some knowledge of the business of her Profession since the subject of the Comedies entertainments should not have been profane but sacred and agreeable to the quality of the function On the first of November divine Office was celebrated in the Arch-Dukes church by a mitered Abbot where their Highnesses were present together with all the Court and excellent musick was sweetly accompanied with so tunable a consort and harmony of trumpets tabours and drums that as a new thing and unheard of before it pleased their curiosity extreamly The Queen was to hear it at an open publique window and was very well satisfied and delighted After dinner Holstenius went to visit Don Antony Pimentel Ambassadour of Spain and discours'd long with him on the points of his Commission The Ambassadour reply'd with the Courtesy and prudence of a very able minister and Compleat Cavalier that there would be no difficulty in order to the publique profession which troubl'd him most nor concerning the rest Holstenius shew'd him a Coppy of the said profession which was printed on purpose in Inspruch with great characters that the Queen might have no trouble to read it as also he communicated to him the form of the absolution which was printed and the necessary interlocutions for this act The Ambassadour read all the writeings and carri'd them speedily to the Queen to consult them with her Majestie He returned soone after told him the Queen found not any opposition in them but was rather ready to perform whatsoever should be pleasing to his Holiness as likewise she acknowled'd it for a singular favour that his Highness had sent him for this function whom she wisht to see and hear offering him audience at that very instant My Lord Holstenius was cloath'd then in black down to his heeles to distinguish this visit from that to the Arch-Dukes which he made to them cloathed in purple so as he desired the conveniency of a quarter of an hour to go back to his lodging and change as he did his cloathes So quickly returning he was soon introduced to her Majesty who at the second reverence Holstenius made to her in the middle of the roome between the door and a little table on which the Queen stood leaning her Majesty went towards him some two or three paces receiving him with a smile and a cheerful and pleasing countenance My Lord Holstenius spake to her in order to his instructions and when she had replyed to the congratulation and expression of his Holinesses fatherly affection she said about the principal businesse of her profession the Embassadour without doubt had assured him before of her readinesse to do all things which by order of his Holinesse were commanded him and seeming impatient to performe them out of hand she resolved of her selfe the said function should be on the following Wednesday the third of November When her Majesty had answered to the heads proposed to her by Holstenius he confirmed the pleasure she took in seeing he was sent unto her for this purpose by his Holiness She discoursed with him with much affability shewing she was particularly informed of his qualities his eminent learning and singular erudition in the Sciences She spake with much praise and great esteem of his vertuous labours as well sacred as prophane She curiously inquired of the rare books that are kept in the Vatican of the learned men in Rome and particularly of the Cardinals and Prelates shewing she was very well informed as well in the general as particularly of the Court of Rome and going on in telling him she thought it her good fortune to be able to make use of a person of his quality at Rome for the seeing of the Libraries Antiquities and other curious things Holstenius presented her his Holinesses Brief of the following tenor To our most dear Daughter in Christ Christina the illustrious Queen of Swedland Alexander VII Pope Our most dear Daughter in Christ Greeting and Apostolicall benedection As soon as we heard your Majesty embracing in Bruxels though not openly the integrity of the Romane to wit the Catholique faith had risen out of the filth of old errâ—rs and that the holy Ghost had created new wisdom in you what joy over flowed our soul no force or strength of words can expresse This our greatnest gladnesse to which hardly any thing could be added in appearance was in a high manner encreas'd by your journey begun towards this place to the end you might reverence the Trophyes of the Apostles the faith which was commended by the Apostles own mouth and us whom though unworthy Christ would have in Peters stead and his own to bear rule o're his Church upon Earth In doing of which you not onely will equall the never dying praises of the famousest Princes who thought it a glory to them to depose their triumphall Ornaments and Laurells at the feet of the Fisher and the Bishops of Rome but likewise from the City it self the Mistris of rightly believing and teaching draw the precepts of true and heavenly learning Yet because not without some hurt unto them who assume to themselves a vain opinion of knowledge and onely are wise among themselves so much light lyes yet hidden under the bushel at ought at length to shine out to all from an eminent place that they by these examples and foot steps may likewise come in We send to your Majesty our beloved son Luke Holstenius of our Houshold principal Apostolical Notary Canon of the Church of St. Peter and Keeper of our Vatican Library a man for his knowledge in all learning and singular piety very dear unto us who may be assistant to you in your publique profession of the Catholick faith according to the ancient and accustomed manner of the Roman Church and by whom our great love to you and the joy we have received may more fully be declared But we firmely hope in him who hath wrought in you so mercifully salvation your Majesty will be wanting in nothing that may shew you not unworthy of this most ample benefit and that by your ready obsequiousnesse and hearty obedience you will testifie to all you have earnestly sought and most ardently received the Catholick faith By the sad Luke our fatherly and most loving benediction more to this purpose your Majestie will receive for whom we most earnestly begg all happinesse of God and that he would strengthen the power his right hand hath wrought marvellously
mercy O Lord be upon us as we have hoped in thee O Lord hear my Prayer and let my cry come unto thee Our Lord be with you And with thy spirit Let us Pray O God who shewest the light of thy truth to the erring to the end they may return into the way of justice grant to all of the Christian profession to reject those things that are contrary to this name and correctest those and dispersed gatherest them together and gathered together preservest them We beseech thee mercifully to pour on Chrâ—stian people the grace of thy union that all division rejected vniting themselves to the true pastor of thy Church they may be able worthily to serve thee OMnipotent eternall God receive this thy sheep with thy fatherly piety withdrawn by thy power from the jawes of the wolfe and renew her to thy flock by thy mercifull benâ—gnity that the enemy rejoyce not at the dammage of thy family but that in her conversion and delivery thy Church as a pious mother may congratulate a daughter that is found Oâ—od â—od who man wonderfully created according to thy image dost mercifully repair propitiously behold this thy servant and what is stolne from her by the hostile blindness of ignorance and deceit of the Devill pardon and absolve through the clemency of thy piety that receiv'd by the communion of thy truth shee may be united to thy holy Church through our Lord Jesus Christ thy sonne who liveth and raigâ—eth God with thee in the Vnity of the holy Ghost world without end Amen He afterwards sate down and was cover'd giving her absolution in the following forme God forgive thee and absolve thee from all thy sinnes and bring thee to life everlasting And I by Apostolicall authority wherewith I am impower'd to this purpose by the speciall Commission of our holy Lord the Pope Alexander the Seventh absolve thee from all tye of excommunication and interdict and other ecclesiasticall sentences censures and punishments howsoever incurr'd and receive thee into the bosome of our holy mother the Roman Church and restore thee to the holy Sacraments of the same and to the Communion and unity of the faithfull in the name of the Father and the Sonne and the holy Ghost Amen After this hee arose up again and gave her the benediction in the following words Confirme O God that thou hast wrought in us From thy holy Temple which is in Hierusalem Behold thus shall the man bee blessed that feares the Lord. Our Lord bless thee from Sion Who hath made Heaven and Earth The blessing of God Almighty the Father and Sonne and holy Ghost descend vpon thee and remaine alwayes with thee Amen Then the Queen stood up and was by their Highnesses conducted to her first place whither Holstenius repairing in a very low posture congratulated her Majestie and incontinently caus'd the Psalme to bee sung Make yee jubilation to God all the earth c. with musique of exquisite voyces of Organs Trumpets Tabours and Drums And while the said Prelate going into the sacristy prepared himself to sing the solomne Mass father Staudacter a Jesuit Preacher to the Arch-Duke made a Sermon in Dutch so elegant learned and so fit for that action that it ravisht the affections and applauses of all After Mass which was celebrated with the greatest sollemnity Holstenius stay'd on the last step of the Altar and began the Te Deum which was sung with the same harmony accompany'd by the roaring of above 50. Peices of artillary many Mortar-peices and an infinite number of muskets as likewise with the ringing of the bells The Mass was sayd after the Roman fashion as they do in Saint Peters and all were well satisfy'd with it The day after my Lord Holstenius sent to Rome an account of all that had succeeded The Queen wrote to the Pope and consigned the letter to Holstenius in which giving his Holiness information of that she had done she declared her self his most obedient daughter with expressions of much duty and very great respect These letters with others written by the said Holstenius to the Legates and Nuntii with the advice of all and with the Calculation that the Queen would arrive in Ferrara on the 22. of November on the fifth of the said month were sent by an extraordinary Courier who comming out of Poland past in hast towards Rome In the discourses Holstenius had with the Queen in order to her reconciliation to the Catholique Church he giving a hint that after the profession of faith she should receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and then the most holy Eucharist her Majesty said her desire was to communicate the first time in publique by the hands of his Holiness himself and asking him diverse particulars about confirmation said she heard in that function she might change her name or adde another to it and therefore would gladly to the name of Chrâ—stâ—na adde that of Alessandra in honour of his Holiness Holstenius reply'd the Pope himselfe at her coming to Rome would much better counsell her than any one else The Evening of the day in which the Queen made her profession was solemniz'd with diverse Bonfires of joy the ringing of the bells and roaring of the Canon and with a most noble and most excellent play represented in musique with very sumptuous machins and scenes which succeeded extreamly delightfull The subsequent night they likewise represented in musique a play called Argia a musicall tragicomedy with admirable prospects of scenes and of greatest curiosity The cloaths of the Actors were most noble and most splendid and the musique very exquisite his Highness having neither spar'd paines nor charges to get the best musitians of Jtaly It lasted six whole hours and her Majesty with the rest of the assistants beheld it with great pleasure and attention The other three dayes her Majesty stay'd in Inspruch she was allwayes entertained with vertuous recreations and both the said Playes were reacted since the tast being never orecharg'd while the appetite lasts they saw the Queen and the rest not yet cloy'd with that pleasure The day before their departure appointed on the 8th of December my Lord Holstenius visited Count Raymond Montecuccoli dispatcht from the Emperour not onely to assist at the possession but to waite on her Majesty to Rome and he was by this courteous Cavalier received with geat demonstrations of esteem On the 8th of December in the morning the Arch-Dukes and Don Antonio Pimentel the Spanish Ambassadour together with Holstenius subscribed 4 Copies of the originall of the foresaid Profession confirmed before by her Majesties own hand to the end that one of them should remain with the Queen one in Inspruch in the place of Records one in the Records of the Vatican Library and the other be sent to the Pope The Signature and Subscriptions under the over-written Profession were these Christina I Ferdinand Charles Arch-Duke of Austria have been a witnesse and
subscribed I Sâ—gâ—smond Francis Arch-Duke of Austria Bishop of Auspurge c. have been a witnesse and subscribed I Don Antonio Pimentel de Prado Embassador of the Catholick King have been a witnesse and subscribed I Luke Holstenius Canon of Saint Peters in Rome have received this Profession and sâ—bscribed Which were likewise afterwards authenticated with the Act of a publick Notary and with the legality of the Arch Dukes Records in the following form In the name of Christ Amen In the year of our Lord 1655. and the eighth indiction on the third of November in the first year of the Papacâ—e of our most holy Father in Christ Alexander the seventh at Inspruch in the Dioces of Brixia about noone in the Arch-Dukes Church of the holy Crosse before the high Altar the most noble Lady Christina Queen of Swedland personally there present freely and delâ—berately on her knees with a clear voice before the above-written witnesses required thereunto in the face of the Church and touching the holy Gospells pronounced this subscribed profession of the Catholick faith Which Profession of faith being ended the most illustrious Queen and Right Honourable and most reverend Lord Luke Holsienius Canon of Saint Peters in Rome and one of the houshold and continual attendance at the table of our most holy Father in Christ very favourably required of me the Notary under-written that in order to this businesse I would make one or more publick instruments in perpetual remembrance of the thing And because I undernamed publick Notary was present with the witnesses at the publick profession of the Catholick faith made by the most illustrious Queen Christina c. and received by the most Reverend Lord Holstenius in the name and stead of the Roman Apostolical Sea according to the order appointed by the holy Council of Trent by vertue of his Apostolical delegation both it and the subscriptions to set dâ—wn I have both seen and heard In testimony therefore of this I have made this present publick instrument have written it with my own hand subscribed and published it and with the usual seal of my Office of Notary being thereunto required have confirmed it Dated as above Nicholas Zerzer the Arch-Dukes Counsellor Secretary and publick Notary by Papal and Imperial authority We N. N. President Chancellor Regents and Counsellors of the Provinces of the upper Austria belonging to the most Illustrious Prince Ferdidinand Charles Arch-Duke of Austria c. do witnesse the above named Nicholas Zerzer the Arch-Dukes Counsellor and also Secretary of the Provinces of the higher Austria is a legal and authentical Notary as abovesaid and therefore to his writings and publick instruments in judgments and out here and every where a full and undoubted faith may and ought to be given In testimony whereof we here present have confirmed it with the Arch-Dukes Seale Dated at Inspruch the 8th day of November 1655. John Christopher Castner of Castenstein Counsellor to the Arch-Duke and President of the Arches Her Majesty remaining in Inspruch thought it good to write this following letter to the King of Swedland the contents of which were Dear Brother I Am happily arrived here where I found the Permission and Order of his Holinesse to declare my self what I am and have been long ago I think my self fortunate in obeying him and have preferred this glory before that of reigning o're the potent Dominions you possesse You should like my resolutâ—on though you thought it not good since to you 't is so profitable and so glorious However I protest unto you I have not at all changed the sense of the friendship I have ever had for you nor the love I owe Swedland which I will preserve as long as I live and eternally be Dear Brother Your most affectionate Sister and Friend CHRISTINA Inspruch Novemb. 4. 1655. Two houres after dinner the Queen went from Inspruch with all her attendance accompanied by their Highnesses some part of the way and waited on by the Baron of Freyberg together with all the Officers and the same train that went to meet her being alwaies very generously defrayed by that Prince to the very last confines of his state The same evening the Queen went from Inspruch Holstenius dispatcht a Courier to the Cardinal Legat of Ferrara advising him of her Majesties advance towards that place and that he might be sure she would be in the Churches dominions on the two and twentieth following In the mean time he continued in Inspruch to perfect the publick instrument of the act of Profession in the Notaries acts and here on that account he being necessitated to expect till the next day after noone he departed then likewise and overtook the Queen just as she was going out of Stersen after dinner on the tenth On the eighth at night her Majesty lay at Motera a little town of Tyrole between Inspâ—uch and the mountain Prainer and the following morning arrived there from Inspruch the Baron John George Clinig Gentleman of the Chamber to his Highnesse and Count Francis di Lodrone Gentleman of the Chamber to Prince Sigismond to visit her Majesty in the name of their Masters to enquire of her health to wish her a good journey and see if she wanted any thing Complements used by Princes among one another in like cases The Queen dispatcht presently the Lord Lilliecron Gentleman of her Chamber to Inspruch to return their Highnesses complement and thence pursued her journey going that night to Stersen a little town seated not far from the foresaid mountain of Prainer in a large space of a very fertile plain shut up on all sides by high mountains From Stersen her Majesty went to Bressanon whom the Bishop and Prince of the City my Lord Anthony Crolino met with a noble traine and lodged with all magnificence that night The day after on the eleventh having dined at Colmar a place that was halfway her Majesty arrived that evening at Bolgiano a very great Town between the mountains in the spatiousest place of the plain where the clear river Adice made navigable carries with a rapid current all the Merchandize sent into Italy from those noble Faires which are usually kept foure times a year A little before they arrived at Bolgiano a Courier came to Holstenius dispatcht from the Legat of Ferrara and the Nuntii to have an assurance of the way by which her Majesty would come into the Countrey of Ferrara to wit if through the state of Venice or of Mantoua but he being unable to give them any answer of that the Venetians having then not declared by what place they would give her leave to passe he detained the Courier till he knew their resolution The four Nuntii were departed now from Rome with Signior Fulvie Servanzii one of the Masters of the Ceremonies and Signior Nuntiato Baldocci one of the Computists of the Apostolical Chamber and with a great retinue and baggage answerable to the greatnesse
appeared the Majesty and decorum of the Court of Rome The light horsemen of his Holinesses guard arm'd with breast-plates and having red Casocks trimed with gold twist and lances in their hands with colours at the points shut up the Cavalcata Behind the horses which shut up this royall Cavalcata came the travailing Coaches and the Coaches of the City of all the great Persons which were all noble sumptuous and enricht with rare furniture and most sprightly Coursers After her Majesties Coaches came three of Prince Panfilio which were very splendid and one among the rest as noble and Majestique as could be devised it being all of gold and embroydery with admirable metals and the armes of his family Two likewise appeared of the Prince of Pallestrina one of which was rich and stately of black velvet with golden fringe and lin'd with cloth of gold the Carvings Figures Nayle-work Iron-work and furniture of the horses being gilt most splendid and magnificent The gate of the people by order of the Pope was finisht before by Cavalier Bernino on the ancient design of Michael Angelo Bonaruota with some embellishments of the said Cavaliers own invention and an Inscription representing the happy and fortunate entrance of this Queen into Rome on the top of the gate aforesaid they saw appear in a great embossed work six Mountains and a starre on the top the Armes of his Holiness At all the ends of the streets of the course St. Mark Giesu della Valle Mount Jordan di Banchi the bridg of St. Angelo and the Suburbe through which the Cavalcata was to pass stood Souldiers in rankes and all Coaches were forbidden to stirre up and down and stand in those streets after 18. houres All the windows were hung with rich tapestries and full of Ladies and Cavaliers all the way being covered with a very great number of people At her Majesties entrance through the gate of the People she was welcomed by many Mortar-peices and Canon brought into the Garden of that convent the roaring of which was answered by all with an Echo of Prayses and blessings As she passed through so many peopl who were more desirous to see her than curious to contemplate the pompe of the Cavalcata she saluted every one with so cheerfull a countenance and a carriage so tempered with decorum and courtesy that she made it appear she could not stirre a foot but 't was measured with the compass of her vertue She often turn'd her self to speak with their Eminences Orsini and Costaguti and all her words breathed a gravity and sweetness As her Majesty pass'd the bridge of St. Angelo Count Jerome Gabrielli the Vice Governour of the Castle stood at the door of the grate of the fortress at the head of a hundred Musquetiers in array who took up all the drawbridges to the gate of the Castle Captain Decius Laurentini arm'd with a corselet and pike standing a little behind him towards the left hand and on the right Captain Rutilius Ferraccioli the Adjutant of the Fortress The Souldiers of the Garrison displayed their colours from the walls and as the Queen passed along she heard first from the Castle a pleasing harmony of fifes and Sackbuts which was afterwards seconded by a volley of Muskets accompanied immediately by the roaring of a hundred and fifty Mortar-peices and sixty peices of artillery On the top of the great Tower hung the arms of his Holiness and the Queen where likewise were prepared many squibs and great store of fireworkes which in the beginning of the night had admirable success the Mottos and Arms being handsomly seen and illuminated On the Piazza of St. Peter on this and that side of the Guglia two battalions of a thousand foot apeice stood in rankes with two other squadrons of cuirassiers 'Ore against the same Piazza near the fountain was squadroned the free Company of Dutchmen of Count Vidman aforesaid in the midst of two squadrons of Carabines The said Count Vidman was likewise a horseback with severall his Camerades at the head of the said Souldiers by whose good order and experienced understanding every thing was regular This Cavalier was assisted by Sergeant Major Molinati Captain Corradino and Grassi Count Baschi Buonfanti Captain Alphonsus Bartoi with the Militia of Frascati Castell Gandolfo and Rocca Priora Captain Anthony Torazzi with the Souldiers of Velletri and others commanders of that people who the Queen being alighted at the staires of St. Peter gave their last volley of shot which was seconded by twelve peices of Artillery brought to the said Piazza The end of the Sixth Book The History of the sacred and Royal Majestie of Christina Alessandra Queen of Swedland c. The Seventh Book The Argument THe Queen after the Cavalcata is received in St. Peters Church by that Clergy and afterwards in the Consistory by the Pope She visits the Church of St. Mary the greater She dines with the Pope From the Vatican she goes to the Palace Farnese and is there visited by the sacred Colledg and the Grandees of the City She visits the Churches of Saint Iohn Lateran St. James of the Spaniards Giesu and the Monasteries di Torre de Specchi and St. Sixtus she sees the Castle of St. Angelo la Sapienza the Monastery of St. Catharine of Siena the Greeks Church the Roman Colledg and that of Urban for the propagation of the Faith She is present at Academies and entertained with severall Musicall Comedies THE Queen come to St. Peters while the Cardinalls were dismoâ—nted before to goe and assist the Pope in the publique Consistory did likewise alight and their Eminences Orsini and Costaguti committed her to the Cardinalls Medici and Sforza they themselves going thence as the first Deacons to vest and serve his Holiness Being ascended the first steps and come through all that space to the last which arrive at the Portico of the Church she saw on the last step my Lord Scanarola the Bishop of Sidoma Vâ—car to his Eminence Cardinall Barberino the Arch Priest of St. Peter together with all the Chapter of the said Church which stood attending her The said Scanarola presented her the Cross to be kiss'd and she kissed it kneeling on a cushion of cloth of gold vnder which was spread a great carpet of the same In the mean time while a great quire of Musitians Sang the Anthem she is beautifull c. The Queen entred into the Church in the midst of the said Cardinalls Medici and Sforza The said Bishop gave her holy water and by all the quires of the Musitians was begun the hymne of Te Deum This sumptuous Temple was all hung with tapistries out of the wardrobe of Cardinall Barberino among which were fifty eight hangings for doores very splendidly embroydered with gold with the Armes of her Majesty in the middle ten of which were embellished with severall Mottos alluding to the glories of this renowned Princess So being preceded by the Clergy with the
great learning who was expresly there to satisfie her Majesties demands The Queen saw their communion and when the Masse was done a Priest bringing to her the bread that was blessed she tasted some of it The said ceremonies being ended she arose up very gladly having satisfied in that her curiosity which desired to understand and know all things and was accompany'd out of the Church by the Fathers aforesaid and other Cavaliers As she was never idle so to exercise continually her mind and entertain it in noble and vertuous habits besides musicall Consorts which from time to time she had in the evenings in her lodgings at which great Personages were present she gave order to Count Francis Maria Santinelli Gentleman of her Chamber to bring her a list of the persons fam'd for learning and experienced in the Academies of Rome and acquaint them with her Majesties desire to have them hold their Academies in her Palace And as every one justly sought to shew her a dutifull respect not only with the tribute of reverence but with their parts and talents so they were most ready to comply with her desires which no sooner were made known unto them but many fruitfull wits with which the Court of Rome still abounds were employed in her praises The Fathers of the Society who justly may be called the Oracles of the Sciences not permitting their sublime wits to sleep nor their fortunate Pens to be idle as they knew that the Queen so great a lover of learning would see their Roman Colledge the most happy schools of the Sciences and piety so they put those compositions together which they thought not so much to be sutable to the ornament of the place as meet for the reception of a woman who exceeded the capacity of men in the knowledg of the most profound literature And indeed in the rich mine of their sublime wits they found so much matter that all that beheld it were astonisht and amazed at the numerous and proper applications of so many images Mottos Hieroglyphicks and Emblems all alluding to the Person alone of this renowned Princess On the 18th of January after dinner her Majesty came to the said Colledg with her usuall attendance accompanied by so many Persons that she could hardly get in her self though the gate was well lookt to by the Guards of the Switzers set expresly there to hinder the disorders which usually occurre in the like crowds and throngs At the entrance into the said Colledg was a great quadrangle with walkes round about supported by Pillars under which in three parts the Schooles are extended All the Pillars were adorned with the pictures of women remarkable in learning with their medalls of embossed work coloured like brass and under two thick pastboords of the like embossed work In the first they read the elogy of each one which was still applied to the qualities of the Queen and in the second they saw a Motto on the same subject In the semicircles of the Arches the Universities and Colledges in which those Fathers teach were painted with their Inscriptions Between the Pillars and each door of the Schooles were represented the particular donatives of each City offered to the Queen and displaied underneath with an Epigram written within a wreath supported by an Angell The second place was the room of the gate through which they goe into the Colledg In this they represented the statues of the Queenes renowned for their raignes expressed in darkish colours and standing on their bases under which in severall pastboords hung their Elogies all applied to her Majesty Between one statue and another on a great gilt pastboord were the Emblems relating to the vertues required in Princes and under the Epigrams of the Emblem All these roomes seemed adorned with red damaske with twisted gold being so naturally painted that they cozened the eyes in case they were not toucht The leaf-workes had interchangeably on them the Armes of her Majesty and the Mottos alluded to the vertues aforesaid In the third place were extended the little walkes which are behind this roome in the which as contiguous to the garden was painted most excellently a beautifull garden with a prospect of various Pillars in which were written elogies and odes on the Empresses and Queens renowned for their vertues and piety on the doores four Emblems with their Epigrams being delineated The fourth and last place was the space between the sacristy and the Church and there they saw painted the Empresses and Queens come to Rome to honour there the Vicars of Christ The painting represented a plain in which were erected great Pyramides in every one of which was imprinted an Elogie in praise of that picture which still had relation to her Majesty between the one Pyramide and the other was a fained bound of brass which held up an ode on the same subject and on the other between these hung a paper with an Epigramme The Church of the said Colledge dedicated to St Ignatius the founder of the Society of Jesus albeit not yet finished was most beautifully adorned As her Majesty went in at the great gate she saw on the first arch within an inscription containing the argument of all the preparation and in the space between the great gate and the walkes of the Court on the right hand was painted the heavenly wisdom desired by Solomon and preferred before riches and Kingdoms on the left hand Pallas the wisdom of the ancient Gentiles who with her speare made an Olive-tree grow up in opposition to Neptune who caused a horse to appear All this was display'd in 4. odes written on thick past-boards supported by the bounds in four pillars and in four others the Sybills and Muses who with their predictions and verses alluded to her Majesty She went afterwards up into the roome o're the Gate where a throne being prepar'd she was complemented by Father Lodowick Bompiani the Rector of the said University with a Latin oration Being come without the Court she went up and down all the Schooles in every one of which she was welcom'd by one of the most eminent Scholars with a short Epigramme Being afterwards returned into the said roome o're the gate she was by Father Rho the Provinciall informed of the contents of that noble preparation and heard him read the names of those renowned Princesses Thence she went into the Church where she heard a motetto with most exquisite musick and afterwards departed This vertuous preparation was most curious and noble and therefore the concourse of the people to see and admire it was great On the first of February her Majesty went to see the Colledge of Urbane for the propagation of the Faith where Cardinall Capponi as Vice-prefect of that Congregation in the absence of Cardinal Anthony Barberino the Prefect was ready to receive her She was first conducted into the printing-house where they print two and twenty severall tongues and she saw in an
Inspruch to complement the Queen in the name of the Prince of Trent He invites her Majesty to Trent The Queens answer to the Baron of Fermiano The invitation made her in the name of the Duke of Mantoua She is splendidly treated at Trent She resolve to dine at Trent The generosity of the Prince of Trent The description of Lavis The Prince of Trent meets the Queen She alights at the Church She observes the most remarkable things The Prince Complements the Queen The Queen her letter to the Prince of Trent She enters into the state of Venice The Cavaliers of Verona complement Don Antonio Pimentel In Dolce they resolve to go thorough the Countrey of Mantoua My Lord Holstenius gives information to the Legate of Ferrara The Marquiss Andreasi complementeth the Queen in the name of the Duke of Montoua The Duke goes to meet the Queen He waitâ— on her Majesty Who received him with great courtesie The Arch-Dutchesse complementeth the Queen She passeth the Po and is royalty received in Revere The entertainments given to her Majesty by the Duke of Mantoua She eats in publick She departs from Revere with great satisfaction The Nuntii of his Holynesse go to meet the â— Queen She arrives at Figarolo She advanced towards Ferrara A splendid bridge o're the Po. She is met at the gate of Ferrara She alights at the Cathedral being received by the Cardinal Bishop From the Church she goes to the Castle Count Montecuccoli sent by the Queen to Rome The qualities of the Prince of St. Gregory And of Cardinal Pio. The Queens discourse at the Table The description of Ferrara The noble qualities of the Cardinal John Baptist Spada She departs from Ferrara She is received on the confines by the Vice-Legate of Bologna Cardinall Lomellino goes out to meet the Queen Her reception at her entrance into Bologna She visits the Church fine Convent of St. Dominique The honours her Majesty received in Bologna She dines in publick The manner of the said Tilting The description of Bologna The worthy qualities of the Bolognesi The eminent condition of Cardinal Lomellino She departs from Bologna She is met on the Confines by the Vice Legate Romagna She is met by Cardinal Donghi the Bishop of Imola Her reception in Imola The eminent qualityes of Cardinall Donghi She departs from Imola And is met by the Governour of Faenza And afterwards by Cardinall Rossâ—ttâ— the Bishop of the place The honors dâ—ne her Majesty in Faenza She dines in publique The vertuous preparations designed for her Majesty in Faenza The Description of Faenza The qualities of Cardinall Rossetti The meeting she had in Forli The honors done her in Forli She depart from Forli Her reception in Cesena The description of Cesena Her departure from Cesena She is met by the Governour of Rimini She enters Rimini on horseback The vertuous entertainments she had in Rimini The description of Rimini Her departure from Rimini The worthy qualities of Cardinall Acquaviva Legate of Romagna She was met by my Lord the vice-Legal of Pesaro And afterwards by Cardinall Homodei Her reception in Pesaro She dines in publick Her Majesty is highly satisfyed with the demonstrations she receiv'd in Pesaro She departs from Pesaro highly satisfied with the honours she received The description of Pesaro The description of Fano The remarkable qualities of Cardinall Homodei Her Majesties reception by the Governour of Ancona Her reception in Ancona The compositions made in Ancona in honour of her Majesty The Bishop of Ancona visits her Majesty The description of Ancona My Lord Gentile Governour of Loretto meets the Queen The devotion of her Majestie towards the holy house Her arrival at Loretto The Queen makes a present of her Scepter and Crown at Loretto Don Antonia della Cueva arrived at Loretto The Queens letter from Inspruch to his Holiness The description of Loretto She departs from Loretto The description of Recanati The Arch Pio. She is met at Macerata She is complemented by the Ladies Her departure from Macerata She advances to Tolentino She visits the Church of St. Nicholas The description of Tolentino Her reception in Camerino Count Montecuccoli returnes from Rome to her Majesty She departs from Camerino The description of Camerino She arrives at Foligno The scituation of Foligno She goes to Assisi She is met by Cardinall Rondinino She visits the Church of Saint Francis She is royally entertained The quality of some statues which set out and adorned the table She visits the Church of the Angells The qualities of Cardinall Rondinino The description of Assisi She returnes to Foligno She departs towards Spoleto Cardinal Fachenetti meets her She is waited on by the Ladies of the City She goes to the Cathedrall She dines in publique She departs from Spoleto The eminent qualities of Cardinall Fachenetti The description of Spoleto Her reception at Terni The honours done her in Terni The description of Terni Her departure She dines in Otricoli The quality of this Place The Bridge Filice She is met by my Lord Visconte She arrives at Gallese Her reception in Gallese The description of Gallese She lodges in Caprarola The Spanish Ambassadour goes to Caprarola to visit the Queen She is met by the Duke of Bracciano The order of the Cavalcata The honors done her at the Castle of St. Angelo She arrives at St. Peters Her reception in the Church of St. Peter The Majestique ornaments in St. Peters She goes in to the Concistory and kâ—sses the feet of his Holiness She is present at his Holinesses Mass She receives the Sacrament of confirmation She communicates She visits the Church of St. Mary the greater She dines with his Holiness From the Vatican she goes to the Palace Farnese The presents given her by the Pope The Queen visits St. Peters Afterward St. James of the Spaniards Her Majesty visits the Church of Giesu She goes to see the Castle es St. Angelo She sees the Colledge of Sapienza She visits the Monastery of St. Catharine of Sienna And the Church of the Grecians She desires to hold an Academy in her own Palace She sees the Roman Colledge The description of the Roman Colledg which was adorned to receive her The honours done her Majesty She goes to the Colledg of Urbane for the propagation of the Faith The curiosities seen in the said Colledg She goes again to the Roman Colledg The splendid Library of the deceased my Lord Coccino The remarkable things she saw in the Roman Colledg She institutes an Academy in her own Palace The names of the Academians The contents of divers Academies held before her Majesty The Comedy intitled the triumph of piety recited to her Majesty in the Palace of the Prince of Pallestrina The morall contents of the Comedy The Author of the Composition She visits the famous reliques kept in St. Peters She goes to the Church of the Nuns in Campo Martio She goes to the Vineyard of Prince Panfilio The presents made by the said Prince to her Majesty The honours done her Majesty by Prince Panfilio The Queens recreations in the house of the said Prince The eminent qualities of the Princess of Rossano The noble preparation in the Church of Giesu The noble Comedies acted in the Palace of the Prince of Pellestrina The Play acted in the German Colledge Si fece la festa d' Carroselli The Cavalcata of his Holiness to St. Sabina She visits the English Colledge