Christina Augusta

Born Dec. 8, 1626, in Stockholm; died Apr. 9 (19), 1689, in Rome. Swedish queen from 1632 to 1654; daughter of Gustavus II Adolphus.

Until 1644, when Christina came of age, the country was governed by a council of regents (in actuality, by Chancellor Oxenstierna). Despite some disagreements with the aristocratic state council, Christina continued the policy of cooperation with the feudal aristocracy initiated by her father; the land grants to the nobility assumed enormous proportions during her reign and the antinoble demands of the tax-paying estates were largely ignored. Having secretly converted to Catholicism, Christina abdicated the throne; this act was also precipitated by Sweden’s internal and international situation. Christina was one of the most educated women of her time and a patron of scholars. She left behind a vast correspondence and her memoirs.