Church Invitation Letter Pdf: Fill & Download for Free

Oh boy … I’d rather not do a history lesson, but let me try to tell stories instead.I was involved with the International Churches of Christ at one point in time — it was long ago (1991–1994), while I was an undergrad.Yes, I know it has a reputation — the irony is that my best friend in high school warned me about it — and yet I got involved.When I left in 1994, there was not much on the internet — well, maybe better put, the Internet “wasn’t really a THING.” In my own flailing around and discovery, I had a lot of help. Former leaders of other cults, friends who were Christians, pastors, Christian counter-cult and secular counter-cult — they all helped me in different ways, so I started to document things that would help others.We assembled back then in forums like alt.religion.christian.boston-church — one where I was the first to post. I became the historian of the International Churches of Christ, and an early critic, an activist. I got to know various people who got involved: Jerry Jones, Sue Condon, Kyle Degge, Rick Bauer, many others. As I further was helped, we realized we needed a central repository for information was developed: Leaving the International Churches of Christ (ICC, ICOC, ICoC) and International Christian Church (ICC)/Sold-Out Discipling Movement (and you can find many stories of former members we accumulated over the years at An Alphabetical Index of Stories From the ICC )I contributed my own story circa 1995 and by the time REVEAL decided to become a 501c3 in 1997, I was asked to be part of the Board of Directors, a role I served from 1997–2005.We had other groups spring up — that were trying to help former members or provide other types of help. We never saw that we had a “monopoly on the market,” so to speak. We were just one of many resources available. REVEAL helped to galvanize a lot of activism, collect information to call for truth in the International Churches of Christ, and provide for some support groups for former members while there was interest.Most poignantly, I remember when the Henry Kriete Letter came out — a significant leader, the city evangelist for London, UK — had written a thorough manifesto on the problems within the International Churches of Christ. The International Churches of Christ refused to publish his information or to disseminate information, so we approached Henry and Henry granted us information. We still house his letter today — one that caused a lot of people to think about their relationship within the International Churches of Christ. It exposed a lot of legalism and hypocrisy, bad practices. A lot of then current members pressed for their churches to publish Kriete’s letter and to push for reform.Over the same period, as I had gained a lot from others, I gained a significant desire to learn my faith well, to be able to rightly divide the Bible, as well as to discern right and wrong doctrine — and I was beginning to function in positions of Christian leadership within my church — so I started my part-time studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.When my predecessor decided she wanted to resign (she wanted to start at law school and would not be able to continue, plus she needed the break) — I had just completed my final class for my Master of Divinity and I requested to become the Executive Director of REVEAL.I apologize for the outdated look — and for much of the dated materials. I only run this website out of my free time. I’m planning somewhat of a reorganization and rewrite/categorization of various materials, plus I’ve been experimenting with a bunch of different things.In any case, I’ve been adding various materials over the years — technology is definitely my strong suit (not surprisingly, since I’m an MIT graduate):I digitized several books, including the following (and I got permission to post them):Churches that Abuse by Ron Enroth, Jr.Recovery from Churches that Abuse by Ron Enroth, Jr.Jerry Jones’ “What Does the Boston Movement Teach, Volumes I-III” (Volume 1 part 1, Volume I part 2, Volume II, Volume III) (I was trying use Optical Character Recognition software to transfer the PDF images into digital text)Rick Bauer/Mr. X’s “Toxic Christianity”I wrote up several analyses, some of which were used by various people or organizationsI did an interview that became an article with Charisma Magazine: http://web.archive.org/web/20170222191655/http://www.charismamag.com/life/177-j15/features/developing-discernment/143-is-it-a-church-or-a-campus-cult/I was quoted in Kathleen E. Jenkin’s book “Awesome Families: The Promise of Healing Relationships in the International Churches of Christ”I guess I gained some notoriety — a friend’s sister-in-law had gotten involved with a different cult, and I approached some of the former members/experts on the matter, and they said, “Oh! I know who you are…” and handed me a bunch of digital materials.I wrote up a tract (one page, double-sided) as kind of a short way to talk about the International Churches of Christ and International Christian Churches — their history and a summary of their beliefs.I even did a QR code for this: http://www.reveal.org/tracts/reveal_qr_test.pdfwe worked with InterVarsity, Cru, Navigators and legitimate, healthy campus fellowships to attempt to inoculate them against the sheepstealing tactics of the International Churches of Christ (largely digitally)I was an admin for a while for some of the facebook groups regarding the International Churches of Christ, and I still try to represent a faithful Christian follower to this day. Along with that, I’m one of the earliest posters on the International Churches of Christ Discussion Board on Delphiforums.0I just attended two Zoom meetings today, one for former members as a meet and greet, and the other was an information/meet and greet for some recent members of the Boston Church of Christ, myself, and a guy who almost got recruited in the Massachusetts area.In my short-term goals, I want to be developing recovery materials.Beyond this, I also acknowledge it is very important to teach Good Biblical orthodox Christianity. People often get caught up in cults looking to obey God, but then are twisted by an insidious system.Much of my non-cult efforts has been to teach Good Christianity including using Apologetics as the handmaiden of Evangelism — or put differently, “How can we address the difficult questions arising out of trying to share about our faith so that we can share the faith?”I wrote some HTML, hosted by my church to figure out what was the best timeslot to teach New Testament Greekwe used Yahoo Groups and Google Docs/Google Drive to host materials for Greek and for ApologeticsI got invited to participate and to contribute to the Christian Apologetics Alliance as well as to the Facebook Group for the Christian Apologetics Alliance.You can see I am supposed to work on some of these topics here: CAA Catechism - Christian Apologetics AllianceOccasionally when I have time, I work on my own personal apologetics projects, like Visualizing Various Commentators’ Hypotheses to the Dating of the Gospel of JohnThere’s a lot more that could be said. I also have a lot of uses for the internet:I read several blogs, but I do not publish any — although maybe I should :) (counts as social media, right?)I read some cultural blogs, as well as stuff like Evangelical Textual CriticismI forget where I read this first (I don’t think it was quora, but it was through social media): The Unbelievable Tale of Jesus’s Wife (Basically the Coptic fragment claiming Jesus had a wife was a fraud.)I particularly like Michael J. Kruger’s materials: Canon Fodder - Exploring the origins of the New Testament canon and other biblical and theological issuesI also read a bunch of other stuff (ReasonableFaith, Reasons to Believe, etc.)I don’t think tweets/Twitter or text messages and certain media are very good for interchanges.I do also like Biblindex, a free online way to search through Christian literature for allusions, citations, and references of canonical and apocryphal ScriptureI would hazard a guess that my church (Park Street Church of Boston, MA) has had more of a reach than me.they host sermons on the websitethere’s a lot of materials that the former senior minister wrote on various topicsI also enjoy quora. I’ve enjoyed the thoughtful Christians who have written, especially regarding their own testimonies and experiences.

Maria Eleonore of Brandenburg (Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - Wikipedia)Like Mother, like daughter. In many ways Maria Eleanora's life is just as fascinating, if not more so, than that of her unorthodox daughter, Queen Christina of Sweden.Beautiful. Immature. Fashionable. Jealous. Tempestuous. Unstable. Stupid.Just a few of the adjectives that have been used to describe Maria Eleonore of Brandenburg (1599-1655), a German princess who became queen consort of Sweden. Hers was a life that was equal parts melodrama, tragedy, mystery, and adventure, with a bit of unintentional humor.This was a woman who adored her husband, Gustavus Adolphus, the King of Sweden beyond death; despised her only daughter Christina, who would come to inherit the throne, to such a degree that many believe she tried to engineer her demise; and, basically, sent no less than three countries into turmoil with her mercurial personality and entitled demands. As later sources attest, her daughter Christina would continue the family drama, with scandals, adventures and poor judgement.Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg (1599-1655) was born into the Hohenzollern family on November 11, 1599. Her father was Elector Johann Sigismund of Brandenburg (1572-1619), and her mother was Anna (1576-1625), heiress of Prussia. Maria Eleonore's maternal grandfather was the last mad Duke of Prussia and her maternal grandmother was a sister of the last mad Duke of Cleves. Maria Eleonore's brother, George Wilhelm (1595-1640), suffered from melancholy and repeatedly lost his consciousness.[1][1][1][1]Marua Eleonore's father, Johann Sigismund of Brandenburg, was an indolent glutton and drunk.[2][2][2][2] Due to his corpulence he was often short of breath, and his action radius was further reduced by gout. Still, his reign was a fairly happy one. In 1614, he issued an Edict of Tolerance to uphold religious freedom.[3][3][3][3] He converted from Lutheranism to Calvinism, but pallowed his wife and children to remain Lutherans.[4][4][4][4] Near the end of his life, he suffered several strokes that left him increasingly debilitated.[5][5][5][5]Duchess Anna of Prussia - WikipediaMaria Eleonore's mother, Anna of Prussia, was as dominant and energetic, as her husband was indolent. Anna was married to John Sigismund on 30 October 1594. Before the marriage, his mother, Catherine of Brandenburg-Küstrin,[6][6][6][6] pointed out that Anna was not beautiful, but the marriage was arranged in order to secure the incorporation of the Duchy of Prussia into the Electorate of Brandenburg through Anna, whose father had no surviving male heirs. This was a political match of exceptional importance, since Anna was not only heir to Prussia, but also the expected heir of Cleves Jülich and Berg, as well as Mark and Ravensberg.[7][7][7][7]Anna was described as intellectually superior to her spouse, temperamental and strong-willed. She fought on her own to secure her succession rights to various fiefs and handled negotiations with her competitors.[8][8][8][8] In 1612, she placed her demands before the Emperor. When the Hohenzollern couple had a row, plates and grass were often broken.[9][9][9][9] The Elector Johann (1585-1656), who had married Anna's sister, once wrote to Johann Sigismund that, “if his wife would vex him as Johann Sigismund's did off and on, he would surely hit her.”[10][10][10][10]Due to her father’s somewhat strained finances and her mother’s very strict Lutheran approach to life, Maria Eleonore’s education was not the best, restricted to practical skills and Bible studies, instead of French, Latin or the like.[11][11][11][11]The drama and love affair began in 1616, when 22-year-old Gustavus II Adolphus, heir apparent to the Swedish throne, entered the marriage market, seeking a suitable Protestant bride.[12][12][12][12] Gustavus II Adolphus needed a dynastic marriage. Had he been allowed to choose, he would have married Ebba Brahe, a Swedish noblewoman with whom he was head over heels in love with[13][13][13][13]. But Gustavus II Adolphus’ mother declined the match and being a dutiful son – or a pragmatic young king – Gustavus II Adolphus bid his beloved Ebba farewell and set off to tour Europe in search of other candidates.https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22804847/johann-sigismund-von_brandenburgElector Johann Sigismund was well inclined towards the Swedish King, but he had become very infirm.[14][14][14][14] His determined Prussian wife showed a strong dislike for this Swedish suitor, because Prussia was a Polish fief and the Polish King still resented that he had lost Sweden to Gustavus II Adolphus father.[15][15][15][15]An intelligent, stunningly beautiful young woman, Maria Eleonore had other suitors - young William of Orange, Wladislaw Wasa of Poland, Adolph Friedrich of Mecklenburg and even the Prince of Wales.[16][16][16][16] The lack of consensus between her parents left Maria Eleonore in limbo for nearly two years.But not everyone was in favor of the union, particularly the princess’s brother, George William, Duke of Prussia, who feared it would lead to conflicts with neighboring Poland, which was at odds with Sweden at the time.[17][17][17][17] George William wrote to Gustavus II Adolphus refusing his consent to the marriage.Having decided upon Maria Eleanore, Gustavus II Adolphus had the rooms of his castle in Stockholm redecorated and started making preparations to leave for Berlin to press his suite in person, when a letter arrived from Maria Eleonore's mother to his mother.The Electress demanded in no uncertain terms that the Queen Dowager should prevent her son's journey, as"being prejudicial to Brandenburg's interests in view of the state of war existing between Sweden and Poland". “Her husband”, she wrote, was "so enfeebled in will by illness that he could be persuaded to agree to anything, even if it tended to the destruction of the country". It was a rebuff that verged on an insult.[18][18][18][18]No matter. Gustavus II Adolphus would not be deterred, and in 1620 he traveled to Berlin to plead his case with the Duchess and her daughter.[19][19][19][19]Maria Eleanora's father died on December 23, 1619.[20][20][20][20] In the spring of 1620, however, stubborn Gustavus II Adolphus arrived in Berlin. The Electress Dowager maintained an attitude of reserve and even refused to grant the Swedish King a personal meeting with Maria Eleonore.[21][21][21][21] All those who were present, however, noticed the Princess's unconcealed interest in the young King. Afterwards, Gustavus II Adolphus made a round of other Protestant German courts with the professed intention of inspecting a few matrimonial alternatives.[22][22][22][22]On his return to Berlin, however, the Electress Dowager seems to have become completely captivated by the charming Swedish King. After plighting his troth to Maria Eleonore, Gustavus II Adolphus hurried back to Sweden to make arrangements for the reception of his bride.[23][23][23][23]The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own DaughterGeorge William, who had just succeeded his father, was dumbfounded upon learning of his mother’s interference.[24][24][24][24] Despite his protests, Maria Eleonore was smuggled onto a Swedish ship, which took her to Brunswick territory[25][25][25][25], before heading for Stockholm out of George Wilhelm's reach.Anna of Prussia provided herself with a selection of objects of value from the exchequer, before she joined Maria Eleonore in Brunswick.[26][26][26][26] A detachment of the Swedish fleet took the women over to Kalmar, where Gustavus II Adolphus was impatiently awaiting them. [27][27][27][27] The wedding took place in Stockholm on November 25, 1620. Three days later 21-year-old Maria Eleonore was crowned Queen in the Great Church.[28][28][28][28]Reel Norden: King Gustav II Adolf and Maria EleonoraAt first, nothing seemed amiss. Foreign ambassadors found the new queen charming and applauded her exquisite taste. Gustavus II Adolphus shared Maria Eleonore's interest in architecture and her love of music.[29][29][29][29] She was pretty and her manner was lively, giving an impression of girlish gaiety.But there were signs of trouble to come. Maria Eleonore despised Stockholm, considering it an uncultured country lacking the culture, history and vibrancy of Berlin.[30][30][30][30] She found the Swedish people boorish and lacking refinement, as well as the frigid climate and barren landscape. Still, she tried to find ways to adapt, creating her own entertainment (she frequently brought buffoons and dwarfs to court). [31][31][31][31] Goldsmiths, musicians, and ballet dancers were imported from Germany and France.Maria Eleonore was moody, often peppering her speech with inappropriate language and profanities. More often than not, she directed her anger at her husband, the king. Maria Eleonore described herself as "hysteric", because she couldn't cope with her husband's long absences.[32][32][32][32] It soon became very apparent that Maria Eleonore’s passionate love for her husband bordered on mental instability.[33][33][33][33] In his presence, she glowed like the sun. In his absence, she was depressed and fearful, going into hysterics if he was delayed in returning home or was wounded.[34][34][34][34] Given that Gustavus II Adolphus spent most of his time away from home, and most of that time embroiled in one battle or the other, poor Maria Eleonore led a dark, difficult and mentally unstable life.Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - WikipediaWithin six months of their marriage, Gustavus II Adolphus left to command the siege of Riga, leaving Maria Eleonore in the early stages of her first pregnancy.[35][35][35][35] She lived exclusively in the company of her German ladies-in-waiting and had difficulty in adapting herself to the Swedish people, countryside and climate.[36][36][36][36]Maria Eleonore's behaviour now became increasingly eccentric. She indulged in sweet foods, and spend lavish gifts on her favorites that the treasure could not affort.[37][37][37][37] She spoke French, the court language of the age, but never bothered to learn to write Swedish correctly, and even became incapable of speaking her native German correctly.[38][38][38][38] She confused syllables and made up strange concoctions of words. This unusual difficulty with language suggests a possible neurologial problem. During one of her confinements, she may have suffered some kind of stroke.[39][39][39][39] Whatever the reason, her muddled speech no doubt added to Maria Eleonore's growing sense of desperation and isolation.Maria Eleonore was regarded as neither intelligent nor mentally stable. Gustav referred to Maria as his malum domesticum (domestic evil).[40][40][40][40] European society at the time claimed that the German princess was not on Gustav’s intellectual level, stating, “Maria Eleonora’s letters do indeed give a depressing impression. We expect to find bad handwriting and gross spelling mistakes in the manuscripts of the seventeenth century, but the Queen of Sweden wrote like an ignorant housemaid; she had no idea of the logic of syntax and her letters often reveal a condition of utter mental confusion.”[41][41][41][41]Maria Eleonore responded to her husband's frequent absences by sinking into a deep depression, often refusing to eat and sleep. With the king so frequently risking his life in battle, it became imperative that Maria Eleanore produce a male heir to the throne. A year after her marriage to Gustav II Adolf in 1620, Maria became seriously ill and miscarried.[42][42][42][42] She gave birth to a daughter, baptized in 1623 as Christina Augusta to honor Gustav and his officious mother, Dowager Queen Christina, but the baby died before her first birthday.[43][43][43][43]In May 1625, the king and his pregnant queen were reviewing warships at Skeppsholmen, when a sudden wind nearly caused the royal yacht to capsize. After the accident Maria noticed that her child was no longer moving and she delivered a stillborn son. [44][44][44][44]In 1626, during a rare break in battle, Gustavus II Adolphus returned to Stockholm to attend what everyone hoped would be a successful royal birth.[45][45][45][45] Everyone was sure it was a boy. The king, his Lord Chancellor, the queen herself, the court astrologers, the queen’s dwarfs, her ladies-in-waiting – all of them were quite convinced that this time the queen would be delivered of the male heir the kingdom so desparately desired.[46][46][46][46]On December 7th, Maria Eleonore gave birth for the fourth time. The baby was healthy, though had fleece lanugo (a condition where soft, downy, unpigmented hair covers the body of a newborn). In this instance, the infant was enveloped from its head to its knees, leaving only its face, arms and lower legs visible.[47][47][47][47]At first, it was assumed that the baby was a boy, but upon closer inspection, it became clear: It was a little girl. Historical records reveal that at the time of Christina’s birth there was a concurrent rare astrological conjunction. [48][48][48][48] This was taken to be an omen that this child would have some great effect on worldly matters. However, Gustavus II Adolphus’ half-sister Catherine, afraid of the king’s reaction, carried the baby to him “in a condition for him to see and to realize for himself what she dared not tell him.”[49][49][49][49]Engraving of Maria Eleonore (Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - Wikipedia)True to form, Gustavus II Adolphus shocked both the Swedish aristocracy and foreign courts. Unlike England’s Henry VIII, Gustavus Adolphus revealled in the birth of his daughter, remarking, “She is going to be clever, for she has taken us all in.” [50][50][50][50] He named her Christina, after his mother, and ordered that her arrival be announced with all the pageantry accorded to that of a male heir.[51][51][51][51] His wife, however, would have a different reaction.The court waited several days before breaking the “It’s a girl!” news to the Queen. Upon learning the truth, Maria Eleonore shouted, “Instead of a son, I am given a daughter, dark and ugly, with a great nose and black eyes. Take her from me, I will not have such a monster!”[52][52][52][52]Shocking, to be sure. Such sentiments were widely known but never expressed in so public a manner. And then, peculiar things began to happen. A beam from the ceiling mysteriously fell on the cradle, coming close to crushing the infant. The one time Christina was not surrounded by nannies and retainers, she mysteriously toppled down a flight of stairs. A nursemaid was blamed for dropping the baby onto a stone floor, resulting in an injury that would leave Christina with a crooked shoulder for the remainder of her life.[53][53][53][53]Gustavus II Adolphus described his wife as being “a very sick woman”[54][54][54][54], and unfortunately distanced himself from the court, leaving Christina defenseless against her mother's physical and emotional attacks. She may have suffered from a post-natal depression[55][55][55][55], because in her madness,the Queen tried to hurt her own child.Before he left to join the Thirty Years War, he discussed a possible regency with members of the government and admitted to them that his wife was"a miserable woman".[56][56][56][56] Even so, Gustavus II Adolphus could not bring himself to nominate a regency council in which her name did not appear. To Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna, he confessed:"If anything happens to me, my family will merit your pity [..], the mother lacking in common sense, the daughter a minor - hopeless, if they rule, and dangerous, if others come to rule over them."[57][57][57][57]Gustavus II Adolphus was devoted to his daughter and reared Christina as a boy. At the age of two, she clapped her hands and laughed with joy when the great cannons of Kalmar Castle boomed out the royal salute.[58][58][58][58] Afterwards, Gustavus II Adolphus often took his little daughter with him to military reviews. Maria Eleonore showed little affection for her daughter and was not allowed any influence in Christina's upbringing. The Princess was placed in the care of Gustavus II Adolphus' half-sister, Katharina, and the Chancellor, Axel Oxenstierna.[59][59][59][59]Gustavus II Adolphus restricted Maria Eleanore's access to their daughter, preventing her from having any involvement in their daughter’s upbringing.[60][60][60][60] Gustavus II Adolphus himself was determined to raise Christina as he would a boy, taking her to military reviews, teaching her to ride, shoot, and hunt. Soon, she was swearing a blue streak and even appreciated a good dirty joke.[61][61][61][61]The Battle of Lutzen by Jan Asselijn (The Death of King Gustavus Adolphus at the Battle of Lutzen)Meanwhile, the king's life was constantly in peril on and off the battlefield. After years of pleading, Gustavus II Adolphus allowed Maria Eleanore to be with him in Germany, moving into Wolgast Castle.[62][62][62][62]In the battle of Lützen, 39-year-old Gustav II Adolph was shot in the back. He fell and was dragged for some distance by his horse. He managed to free himself from the stirrup, but while lying on the ground "The Lion of the North" was killed by another shot through his head. By nightfall, both armies were exhausted, but Bernard of Saxe-Weimar (1604-1639) and the Swedes had captured all the Imperial artillery and were in possession of the key position. The King's body was found, lying face downwards in the mud, plundered of everything but his shirt.[63][63][63][63]Contrary to Maria Eleonora’s apparent belief that she also inherited power, the dowager queen was kept from any real authoritative role. She insisted on organizing Gustav’s funeral arrangements, but her ideas were deemed so flippant and ostentatious by the Riksdag that legislation had to be introduced to limit her planning.[64][64][64][64]Maria commissioned a funeral at Uppsala Cathedral in October 1633, but then changed her mind and wanted Gustav placed in the chapel at Strömsholm Castle. In February 1634, she proposed renaming Strömsholm in memory of her husband. By 1634 the Council of State contended that Maria Eleonora had taken enough time to plan and made independent arrangements to follow Gustav II Adolf’s wishes and entomb him with his infant children at the Riddarholmskirche.[65][65][65][65]In 1633, Maria Eleonora returned to Sweden with her beloved’s embalmed body. She refused to bury Gustavus II Adolphus’ body for more than a year and forced Christina to live in seclusion in rooms draped in funereal black, blocking out the light of day.[66][66][66][66]Seeing his lifeless form, Maria Eleonore gave way to enormous grief. She clung, often literally, to her husband's remains, and her attendants began to fear for her reason. She wrote: "Since We, God pity Us, were so rarely granted the pleasure of enjoying the living presence of His Majesty, Our adored, dearest master and spouse, of blessed memory, it should at least be granted to Us to stay near his royal corpse and so draw comfort in Our miserable existence".[67][67][67][67]Category:Gustav II Adolf of SwedenShe tore her clothes, she wept some more. She shrieked in despair, she was inconsolable, lamenting her cruel fate, to be robbed of the light of her life when they were still both so young. At the time of his death, Maria Eleonore had been in Germany, and so she hastened to kneel by her husband’s body, insisting it was her right as his wife to see to his body. She had him embalmed (very much against his will), selected the clothes the corpse was clad in, the fabrics for his bier. [68][68][68][68] All the while she wept and moaned, embracing her dead husband as if he were still alive. Most uncomfortable for the Swedish nobles who witnessed all this – such excessive grief was frowned upon, very far from the Lutheran ideal of silent stoicism in the face of adversity.[69][69][69][69]Gustavus II Adolphus' heart had already been taken out to be seperately preserved; Maria Eleonore kept it with her constantly. At night, it hung above her bed, while she continued weeping for months.[70][70][70][70]It wasn't until August 1633 that the King's body finally returned to Sweden. In Nyköping, 7-year-old Queen Christina came in solemn procession to the ship to receive her mother. Later she wrote:"I embraced the Queen my mother, she drowned me with her tears and practically smothered me in her arms."[71][71][71][71]Maria Eleonore had her husband's coffin placed in her own bedroom. It remained unsealed, and it seems that it was regularly opened.[72][72][72][72] For more than a year, Maria Eleonore condemned her active, spirited little daughter to an appalling mourning seclusion, in rooms draped with black and lit by candles day and night, from which every ray of light was excluded.[73][73][73][73]Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden - WikipediaShe made her daughter sleep with her in a bed over which her father's heart was hung in a golden casket.[74][74][74][74] Sermons and pious orations continued endlessly. Things were made worse by Maria Eleonore's continual weeping. She smothered her once rejected daughter with affection, and scarcely let her out of her sight. Christina, who was herself somewhat malformed with one shoulder higher than the other, also detested her mother's dwarfs, buffoons and hunchbacks, later writing that her mother had “an uncommon amount of pleasure from these pygmies.”[75][75][75][75] The little Queen became seriously ill; an ulcer appeared on her left breast, causing her terrible pain and a high fever - until it burst.[76][76][76][76]In 1634, 19 months after his death, Gustavus II Adolphus was at last buried – despite his widow’s protests.[77][77][77][77] Maria Eleonora agreed to allow a state funeral and place Gustav in the Riddarholmskirche, but then proposed other memorials throughout the next decade. In January 1635 she aspired to construct a pleasure palace in Gustav’s honor as her personal residence on the Kungsholmen island of Stockholm. In 1636, she undertook the construction of a monumental home near Konigsberg Castle in Prussia because she did not succeed in getting anything built to her satisfaction in Sweden. She then commissioned Jacob Elbfas to design a renovation of Omberg Castle and rename the surrounding city Gustavburg. All of the queen’s proposals were too complicated and expensive, and were never realized.[78][78][78][78]Marie Eleonore developed a sudden fondness for her daughter and insisted she was to have a major say in her daughter’s upbringing and future marriage. Not at all in line with Gustavus II Adolphus’ instructions – he had little confidence in his wife’s capabilities.[79][79][79][79] The council and the queen mother were in constant conflict, poor little Christina being the object of this lethal tug-of-war. When Maria Eleonora had the bad taste to offer Christina as a bride to Christian IV of Denmark[80][80][80][80] Sweden’s archenemy, things went from bad to worse.The Council had had enough; in 1636, Christina was removed from her mother’s custody and returned to the safety of her aunt’s household.[81][81][81][81]Her mental instability might have been a factor, but there were other reasons for her exclusion. For one thing, Maria Eleonore invited several prominent Danish courtiers and ambassadors to court, at a time when Denmark was Sweden's greatest adversary. She even attempted to arrange a potential marriage between Christina and Danish prince Ulrik.[82][82][82][82]A Visit to Gripsholm Castle, Sweden's Most Prominent EstateThe Council of State convened on 26 August 1636 to finalize a resolution to separate their majesties, Queen Christina and her mother the Dowager Queen Maria Eleonora. [83][83][83][83]. She was taken to Gripsholm castle, a fortress perched on an island in a lake. Nearing 40, she remained pretty with a "truly royal figure".[84][84][84][84]In 1639, a letter written by her and intended for Sweden's archenemy, the King of Denmark, was intercepted. After a summons, Maria Eleonore appeared at her daughter's court in a flood of tears in the summer of 1640. Queen Christina, 13 years old, reasoned with her mother and dissuaded her from taking up residence at Nyköping near Denmark.[85][85][85][85]Afterwards, Maria Eleonore returned to Gripsholm. To undertake one of her periodic fasts, she retired to the seclusion of her own apartment, accompanied by only one of her ladies.[86][86][86][86] That night, dressed in disguise, the two ladies let themselves down from a window and were rowed in a boat to the other side of the nearby lake, where a carriage was waiting for their arrival.[87][87][87][87] They drove to Nyköping, where they boarded a Danish ship. The plan was for the crew to bring Marie Eleanore to Brandenburg, but she persuaded the captain to deliver her to Denmark instead.Maria Eleonora av Brandenburg attributed to Hendrik MunnichhovenKing Christian was less than thrilled with his surprise guest, but allowed her to remain at court as George William, her brother, refused to receive his sister.[88][88][88][88] Maria Eleonore was unable to enter Germany until after his death in December of that year. But there was a catch: The new Elector insisted that Sweden provide for her upkeep and expenses.[89][89][89][89] She received a small pension of 30,000 écus a year. Teenage Queen Christina negotiated a pension, adding to it from her own purse.Just a few years later, Maria Eleonore began to miss Sweden, and in 1648, petitioned her daughter Queen Christina, now aged 22 for permission to return to Sweden.[90][90][90][90] Christina, despite her traumatic childhood, made arrangements for her to return to Stockholm. Christina waited to greet the ship carrying her mother, and when its arrival was delayed, camped outside for two nights, falling ill in the process.[91][91][91][91]Christina, Queen of Sweden - WikipediaIn 1650, Marie Eleonorr attended her daughter’s coronation.[92][92][92][92] Christina bought a castle for her, close to her own royal residence in Stockholm, in order to maintain a healthy distance between herself and her mother.[93][93][93][93]Four years later, in early 1564, Christina abdicated her throne to her cousin Charles Gustav (1622-1660). She offered an array of explanations: a man was better suited to rule the Swedish army, she was exhausted by her many duties and needed a rest. What she failed to mention was her recent conversion to Roman Catholicism, which was banned in Lutheran Sweden.[94][94][94][94]Maria Eleonore couldn't understand her daughter's action and had grave doubts about its possible effect upon her own finances.[95][95][95][95] She was miserable about the whole situation, and when the cousins visited her in her residence at Nyköping in April, Christina and Charles Gustav promised the Queen Dowager that she would be provided for.[96][96][96][96]Maria Eleanor's coffin at Riddarholm Church[97][97][97][97]Christina’s last official act was to write her mother in a letter. This was also the last known form of correspondence between the two women.“As fate compels me to depart forever from the city in which I was born, I shall thus be deprived of the honor of conveying my submission and reverence to your Majesty… I know, Madam, that my final result will not please you, but the destiny that has elected to make me the happiest of all mankind requires that I accept my happiness at the cost of your disapproval… Pray be satisfied with the reparation for my faults and spare me the distastefulness of your censure. Whatever your Majesty may elect to do, I shall always bear in mind what I owe to you. I shall never indulge in any feeling that might cause your Majesty to regret having given birth to me. In conclusion, Madam, I venture to assure you that I shall never commit any act unworthy of the daughter of the great Gustavus.’ [98][98][98][98]The Queen Dowager was provided for until her death in 1655. At the time, ex-Queen Christina was touring across Europe, wearing a man's suit.[99][99][99][99] She was laid to rest in the Riddarholm Church, in peace at last, beside her husband and two of their children.In fairness to Maria Eleonore, she appears to us today as depicted in her husband’s letters to his Lord Chancellor and best friend, Axel von Oxenstierna, and the minutes of the Swedish Council’s meetings. The king was frustrated by his overly devoted and unstable wife, Axel didn’t like her, and the Council found her a meddling woman with a negative influence on her daughter. Is this a fair depiction of Maria Eleonorr? Probably not. Was she an entirely stable and supporting wife & mother? Not likely. In retrospect, maybe it was unfortunate that Maria Eleonore’s mother succumbed to young Gustavus II Adolfus' charms and gave him her daughter’s hand in marriage. On the other hand, no Maria Eleonore, no Christina, and I am reluctant to say farewell to Christina.Footnotes[1] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[1] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[1] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[1] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[2] "John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg" on Revolvy.com[2] "John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg" on Revolvy.com[2] "John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg" on Revolvy.com[2] "John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg" on Revolvy.com[3] Brandenburg | historical margravate, Germany[3] Brandenburg | historical margravate, Germany[3] Brandenburg | historical margravate, Germany[3] Brandenburg | historical margravate, Germany[4] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22804847/johann-sigismund-von_brandenburg[4] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22804847/johann-sigismund-von_brandenburg[4] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22804847/johann-sigismund-von_brandenburg[4] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22804847/johann-sigismund-von_brandenburg[5] "John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg" on Revolvy.com[5] "John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg" on Revolvy.com[5] "John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg" on Revolvy.com[5] "John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg" on Revolvy.com[6] Catherine of Brandenburg-Küstrin - Wikipedia[6] Catherine of Brandenburg-Küstrin - Wikipedia[6] Catherine of Brandenburg-Küstrin - Wikipedia[6] Catherine of Brandenburg-Küstrin - Wikipedia[7] Duchess Anna of Prussia - Wikipedia[7] Duchess Anna of Prussia - Wikipedia[7] Duchess Anna of Prussia - Wikipedia[7] Duchess Anna of Prussia - Wikipedia[8] Duchess Anna of Prussia - Wikipedia[8] Duchess Anna of Prussia - Wikipedia[8] Duchess Anna of Prussia - Wikipedia[8] Duchess Anna of Prussia - Wikipedia[9] Anna of Prussia[9] Anna of Prussia[9] Anna of Prussia[9] Anna of Prussia[10] "Duchess Anna of Prussia" on Revolvy.com[10] "Duchess Anna of Prussia" on Revolvy.com[10] "Duchess Anna of Prussia" on Revolvy.com[10] "Duchess Anna of Prussia" on Revolvy.com[11] Reel Norden: King Gustav II Adolf and Maria Eleonora[11] Reel Norden: King Gustav II Adolf and Maria Eleonora[11] Reel Norden: King Gustav II Adolf and Maria Eleonora[11] Reel Norden: King Gustav II Adolf and Maria Eleonora[12] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[12] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[12] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[12] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[13] Ebba Brahe - Wikipedia[13] Ebba Brahe - Wikipedia[13] Ebba Brahe - Wikipedia[13] Ebba Brahe - Wikipedia[14] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22804847/johann-sigismund-von_brandenburg[14] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22804847/johann-sigismund-von_brandenburg[14] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22804847/johann-sigismund-von_brandenburg[14] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22804847/johann-sigismund-von_brandenburg[15] Anna of Prussia[15] Anna of Prussia[15] Anna of Prussia[15] Anna of Prussia[16] Biography of Maria Eleonore of Brandenburg (1599-1655), Queen of Sweden[16] Biography of Maria Eleonore of Brandenburg (1599-1655), Queen of Sweden[16] Biography of Maria Eleonore of Brandenburg (1599-1655), Queen of Sweden[16] Biography of Maria Eleonore of Brandenburg (1599-1655), Queen of Sweden[17] About George William, Elector of Brandenburg [17] About George William, Elector of Brandenburg [17] About George William, Elector of Brandenburg [17] About George William, Elector of Brandenburg [18] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[18] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[18] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[18] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[19] Gustavus Adolphus | Biography, Thirty Years’ War, & Death[19] Gustavus Adolphus | Biography, Thirty Years’ War, & Death[19] Gustavus Adolphus | Biography, Thirty Years’ War, & Death[19] Gustavus Adolphus | Biography, Thirty Years’ War, & Death[20] John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg[20] John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg[20] John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg[20] John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg[21] Anna of Prussia[21] Anna of Prussia[21] Anna of Prussia[21] Anna of Prussia[22] Prabook[22] Prabook[22] Prabook[22] Prabook[23] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[23] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[23] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[23] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[24] About George William, Elector of Brandenburg [24] About George William, Elector of Brandenburg [24] About George William, Elector of Brandenburg [24] About George William, Elector of Brandenburg [25] Biography of Maria Eleonore of Brandenburg (1599-1655), Queen of Sweden[25] Biography of Maria Eleonore of Brandenburg (1599-1655), Queen of Sweden[25] Biography of Maria Eleonore of Brandenburg (1599-1655), Queen of Sweden[25] Biography of Maria Eleonore of Brandenburg (1599-1655), Queen of Sweden[26] Anna of Prussia[26] Anna of Prussia[26] Anna of Prussia[26] Anna of Prussia[27] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg[27] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg[27] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg[27] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg[28] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[28] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[28] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[28] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[29] Gustavus Adolphus | Biography, Thirty Years’ War, & Death[29] Gustavus Adolphus | Biography, Thirty Years’ War, & Death[29] Gustavus Adolphus | Biography, Thirty Years’ War, & Death[29] Gustavus Adolphus | Biography, Thirty Years’ War, & Death[30] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[30] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[30] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[30] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[31] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[31] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[31] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[31] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[32] Wonderful Characters[32] Wonderful Characters[32] Wonderful Characters[32] Wonderful Characters[33] Gustavus Adolphus | Biography, Thirty Years’ War, & Death[33] Gustavus Adolphus | Biography, Thirty Years’ War, & Death[33] Gustavus Adolphus | Biography, Thirty Years’ War, & Death[33] Gustavus Adolphus | Biography, Thirty Years’ War, & Death[34] Reel Norden: King Gustav II Adolf and Maria Eleonora[34] Reel Norden: King Gustav II Adolf and Maria Eleonora[34] Reel Norden: King Gustav II Adolf and Maria Eleonora[34] Reel Norden: King Gustav II Adolf and Maria Eleonora[35] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[35] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[35] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[35] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[36] Biography of Maria Eleonore of Brandenburg (1599-1655), Queen of Sweden[36] Biography of Maria Eleonore of Brandenburg (1599-1655), Queen of Sweden[36] Biography of Maria Eleonore of Brandenburg (1599-1655), Queen of Sweden[36] Biography of Maria Eleonore of Brandenburg (1599-1655), Queen of Sweden[37] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[37] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[37] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[37] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[38] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[38] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[38] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[38] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[39] Biography of Maria Eleonore of Brandenburg (1599-1655), Queen of Sweden[39] Biography of Maria Eleonore of Brandenburg (1599-1655), Queen of Sweden[39] Biography of Maria Eleonore of Brandenburg (1599-1655), Queen of Sweden[39] Biography of Maria Eleonore of Brandenburg (1599-1655), Queen of Sweden[40] Sweden in the Seventeenth Century (European History in Perspective) - PDF Free Download[40] Sweden in the Seventeenth Century (European History in Perspective) - PDF Free Download[40] Sweden in the Seventeenth Century (European History in Perspective) - PDF Free Download[40] Sweden in the Seventeenth Century (European History in Perspective) - PDF Free Download[41] Queen Christina of Sweden and her Circle[41] Queen Christina of Sweden and her Circle[41] Queen Christina of Sweden and her Circle[41] Queen Christina of Sweden and her Circle[42] Gustavus Adolphus | Biography, Thirty Years’ War, & Death[42] Gustavus Adolphus | Biography, Thirty Years’ War, & Death[42] Gustavus Adolphus | Biography, Thirty Years’ War, & Death[42] Gustavus Adolphus | Biography, Thirty Years’ War, & Death[43] Wonderful Characters[43] Wonderful Characters[43] Wonderful Characters[43] Wonderful Characters[44] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg[44] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg[44] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg[44] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg[45] Reel Norden: King Gustav II Adolf and Maria Eleonora[45] Reel Norden: King Gustav II Adolf and Maria Eleonora[45] Reel Norden: King Gustav II Adolf and Maria Eleonora[45] Reel Norden: King Gustav II Adolf and Maria Eleonora[46] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[46] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[46] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[46] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[47] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg[47] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg[47] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg[47] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg[48] Famous Queen Christina[48] Famous Queen Christina[48] Famous Queen Christina[48] Famous Queen Christina[49] History Lesson: The Queer Queen Christina[49] History Lesson: The Queer Queen Christina[49] History Lesson: The Queer Queen Christina[49] History Lesson: The Queer Queen Christina[50] 'Christina, Queen of Sweden': A Royal Mess[50] 'Christina, Queen of Sweden': A Royal Mess[50] 'Christina, Queen of Sweden': A Royal Mess[50] 'Christina, Queen of Sweden': A Royal Mess[51] Queen Christina's autobiography[51] Queen Christina's autobiography[51] Queen Christina's autobiography[51] Queen Christina's autobiography[52] Queen Christina's autobiography[52] Queen Christina's autobiography[52] Queen Christina's autobiography[52] Queen Christina's autobiography[53] Christina Queen of Sweden by Veronica Buckley[53] Christina Queen of Sweden by Veronica Buckley[53] Christina Queen of Sweden by Veronica Buckley[53] Christina Queen of Sweden by Veronica Buckley[54] Gustavus Adolphus Quotes[54] Gustavus Adolphus Quotes[54] Gustavus Adolphus Quotes[54] Gustavus Adolphus Quotes[55] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[55] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[55] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[55] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[56] Queen Christina of Sweden: Why She Was Called the Minerva of the North[56] Queen Christina of Sweden: Why She Was Called the Minerva of the North[56] Queen Christina of Sweden: Why She Was Called the Minerva of the North[56] Queen Christina of Sweden: Why She Was Called the Minerva of the North[57] The Uncrowned King: Axel Oxenstierna and Sweden's Rise to Power During the Thirty Years War[57] The Uncrowned King: Axel Oxenstierna and Sweden's Rise to Power During the Thirty Years War[57] The Uncrowned King: Axel Oxenstierna and Sweden's Rise to Power During the Thirty Years War[57] The Uncrowned King: Axel Oxenstierna and Sweden's Rise to Power During the Thirty Years War[58] Christina of Sweden[58] Christina of Sweden[58] Christina of Sweden[58] Christina of Sweden[59] 'Christina, Queen of Sweden': A Royal Mess[59] 'Christina, Queen of Sweden': A Royal Mess[59] 'Christina, Queen of Sweden': A Royal Mess[59] 'Christina, Queen of Sweden': A Royal Mess[60] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[60] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[60] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[60] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[61] Christina of Sweden[61] Christina of Sweden[61] Christina of Sweden[61] Christina of Sweden[62] Reel Norden: King Gustav II Adolf and Maria Eleonora[62] Reel Norden: King Gustav II Adolf and Maria Eleonora[62] Reel Norden: King Gustav II Adolf and Maria Eleonora[62] Reel Norden: King Gustav II Adolf and Maria Eleonora[63] The Death of King Gustavus Adolphus at the Battle of Lutzen[63] The Death of King Gustavus Adolphus at the Battle of Lutzen[63] The Death of King Gustavus Adolphus at the Battle of Lutzen[63] The Death of King Gustavus Adolphus at the Battle of Lutzen[64] https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://ir.uiowa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi%3Farticle%3D6354%26context%3Detd&ved=2ahUKEwjFze_1tI7gAhWmx4MKHawwAA4QFjAKegQIBhAB&usg=AOvVaw35I83NfgrB2X3QsfP2Ebii&cshid=1548612039612[64] https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://ir.uiowa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi%3Farticle%3D6354%26context%3Detd&ved=2ahUKEwjFze_1tI7gAhWmx4MKHawwAA4QFjAKegQIBhAB&usg=AOvVaw35I83NfgrB2X3QsfP2Ebii&cshid=1548612039612[64] https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://ir.uiowa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi%3Farticle%3D6354%26context%3Detd&ved=2ahUKEwjFze_1tI7gAhWmx4MKHawwAA4QFjAKegQIBhAB&usg=AOvVaw35I83NfgrB2X3QsfP2Ebii&cshid=1548612039612[64] https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://ir.uiowa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi%3Farticle%3D6354%26context%3Detd&ved=2ahUKEwjFze_1tI7gAhWmx4MKHawwAA4QFjAKegQIBhAB&usg=AOvVaw35I83NfgrB2X3QsfP2Ebii&cshid=1548612039612[65] Gustavus Adolphus – Battle of Lützen[65] Gustavus Adolphus – Battle of Lützen[65] Gustavus Adolphus – Battle of Lützen[65] Gustavus Adolphus – Battle of Lützen[66] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[66] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[66] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[66] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[67] Holding on to his heart - of grief and crazy queens - Anna Belfrage[67] Holding on to his heart - of grief and crazy queens - Anna Belfrage[67] Holding on to his heart - of grief and crazy queens - Anna Belfrage[67] Holding on to his heart - of grief and crazy queens - Anna Belfrage[68] Holding on to his heart - of grief and crazy queens - Anna Belfrage[68] Holding on to his heart - of grief and crazy queens - Anna Belfrage[68] Holding on to his heart - of grief and crazy queens - Anna Belfrage[68] Holding on to his heart - of grief and crazy queens - Anna Belfrage[69] Patterned Lives: The Lutheran Funeral Biography in Early Modern Germany (review)[69] Patterned Lives: The Lutheran Funeral Biography in Early Modern Germany (review)[69] Patterned Lives: The Lutheran Funeral Biography in Early Modern Germany (review)[69] Patterned Lives: The Lutheran Funeral Biography in Early Modern Germany (review)[70] Holding on to his heart - of grief and crazy queens - Anna Belfrage[70] Holding on to his heart - of grief and crazy queens - Anna Belfrage[70] Holding on to his heart - of grief and crazy queens - Anna Belfrage[70] Holding on to his heart - of grief and crazy queens - Anna Belfrage[71] Queen Christina of Sweden (1626-1689)[71] Queen Christina of Sweden (1626-1689)[71] Queen Christina of Sweden (1626-1689)[71] Queen Christina of Sweden (1626-1689)[72] Holding on to his heart - of grief and crazy queens - Anna Belfrage[72] Holding on to his heart - of grief and crazy queens - Anna Belfrage[72] Holding on to his heart - of grief and crazy queens - Anna Belfrage[72] Holding on to his heart - of grief and crazy queens - Anna Belfrage[73] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[73] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[73] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[73] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - A Queen on the loose - History of Royal Women[74] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[74] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[74] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[74] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[75] 'Christina, Queen of Sweden': A Royal Mess[75] 'Christina, Queen of Sweden': A Royal Mess[75] 'Christina, Queen of Sweden': A Royal Mess[75] 'Christina, Queen of Sweden': A Royal Mess[76] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[76] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[76] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[76] The Renegade Queen of Sweden who was Banned from Raising her own Daughter[77] Gustavus Adolphus - The Lion from the North[77] Gustavus Adolphus - The Lion from the North[77] Gustavus Adolphus - The Lion from the North[77] Gustavus Adolphus - The Lion from the North[78] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8508950/gustav_ii_adolph[78] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8508950/gustav_ii_adolph[78] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8508950/gustav_ii_adolph[78] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8508950/gustav_ii_adolph[79] The Blazing Career and Mysterious Death of “The Swedish Meteor”[79] The Blazing Career and Mysterious Death of “The Swedish Meteor”[79] The Blazing Career and Mysterious Death of “The Swedish Meteor”[79] The Blazing Career and Mysterious Death of “The Swedish Meteor”[80] The Danish Lion - of Christian IV - Anna Belfrage[80] The Danish Lion - of Christian IV - Anna Belfrage[80] The Danish Lion - of Christian IV - Anna Belfrage[80] The Danish Lion - of Christian IV - Anna Belfrage[81] 'Christina, Queen of Sweden': A Royal Mess[81] 'Christina, Queen of Sweden': A Royal Mess[81] 'Christina, Queen of Sweden': A Royal Mess[81] 'Christina, Queen of Sweden': A Royal Mess[82] Ulrik of Denmark (1578–1624) - Wikipedia[82] Ulrik of Denmark (1578–1624) - Wikipedia[82] Ulrik of Denmark (1578–1624) - Wikipedia[82] Ulrik of Denmark (1578–1624) - Wikipedia[83] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - Wikipedia[83] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - Wikipedia[83] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - Wikipedia[83] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - Wikipedia[84] Original Memoirs of the Sovereigns of Sweden and Denmark from 1766 to 1818[84] Original Memoirs of the Sovereigns of Sweden and Denmark from 1766 to 1818[84] Original Memoirs of the Sovereigns of Sweden and Denmark from 1766 to 1818[84] Original Memoirs of the Sovereigns of Sweden and Denmark from 1766 to 1818[85] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - Wikipedia[85] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - Wikipedia[85] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - Wikipedia[85] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - Wikipedia[86] Original Memoirs of the Sovereigns of Sweden and Denmark from 1766 to 1818[86] Original Memoirs of the Sovereigns of Sweden and Denmark from 1766 to 1818[86] Original Memoirs of the Sovereigns of Sweden and Denmark from 1766 to 1818[86] Original Memoirs of the Sovereigns of Sweden and Denmark from 1766 to 1818[87] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - Wikipedia[87] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - Wikipedia[87] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - Wikipedia[87] Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg - Wikipedia[88] About George William, Elector of Brandenburg [88] About George William, Elector of Brandenburg [88] About George William, Elector of Brandenburg [88] About George William, Elector of Brandenburg [89] Christina | queen of Sweden[89] Christina | queen of Sweden[89] Christina | queen of Sweden[89] Christina | queen of Sweden[90] Original Memoirs of the Sovereigns of Sweden and Denmark from 1766 to 1818[90] Original Memoirs of the Sovereigns of Sweden and Denmark from 1766 to 1818[90] Original Memoirs of the Sovereigns of Sweden and Denmark from 1766 to 1818[90] Original Memoirs of the Sovereigns of Sweden and Denmark from 1766 to 1818[91] Queen Christina, Who Ruled as a King[91] Queen Christina, Who Ruled as a King[91] Queen Christina, Who Ruled as a King[91] Queen Christina, Who Ruled as a King[92] History’s grandest coronation procession[92] History’s grandest coronation procession[92] History’s grandest coronation procession[92] History’s grandest coronation procession[93] 'Christina, Queen of Sweden': A Royal Mess[93] 'Christina, Queen of Sweden': A Royal Mess[93] 'Christina, Queen of Sweden': A Royal Mess[93] 'Christina, Queen of Sweden': A Royal Mess[94] Vatican Secret Archives reveal abdication letter of 'hermaphrodite' Swedish queen [94] Vatican Secret Archives reveal abdication letter of 'hermaphrodite' Swedish queen [94] Vatican Secret Archives reveal abdication letter of 'hermaphrodite' Swedish queen [94] Vatican Secret Archives reveal abdication letter of 'hermaphrodite' Swedish queen [95] Queen Christina, Who Ruled as a King[95] Queen Christina, Who Ruled as a King[95] Queen Christina, Who Ruled as a King[95] Queen Christina, Who Ruled as a King[96] Queen Christina of Sweden, Lesbian Troublemaker - HeadStuff[96] Queen Christina of Sweden, Lesbian Troublemaker - HeadStuff[96] Queen Christina of Sweden, Lesbian Troublemaker - HeadStuff[96] Queen Christina of Sweden, Lesbian Troublemaker - HeadStuff[97] Riddarholm Church - Wikipedia[97] Riddarholm Church - Wikipedia[97] Riddarholm Church - Wikipedia[97] Riddarholm Church - Wikipedia[98] Queen Christina of Sweden and her Circle[98] Queen Christina of Sweden and her Circle[98] Queen Christina of Sweden and her Circle[98] Queen Christina of Sweden and her Circle[99] 11 Monarchs Who Went Insane[99] 11 Monarchs Who Went Insane[99] 11 Monarchs Who Went Insane[99] 11 Monarchs Who Went Insane

How an Actress Jayalalithaa turned to IRONLADY JAYALALITHA AMMA ? “Note: I have created a Short Biography Document in PDF about Jayalalitha Amma, If anyone interested. Please ping me in Inbox. Or else I posted the PDF document in my FACEBOOK wall “ Jayalalithaa Jayaram, an Indian actress-turned-politician, was a six-time chief minister of Tamil Nadu. She was also the General Secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party. She was sworn-in as the chief minister for a record sixth term on 23 May 2016. Jayalalithaa died in office on December 5, 2016 at the age of 68 years after suffering from a major cardiac arrest. She held the distinction for being the second female Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Her followers fondly refer to her as "Amma", meaning mother, and "Purat(more)