Christina
Christina, a queen of Sweden. She was the daughter of Gustavus Adolphus (Gustavus II), who died when she was six years old. From 1632 to 1644 she ruled under a regency headed by the capable statesman Axel Oxenstierna. As a ruler, Christina was more interested in the arts and sciences than in politics. Contrary to Swedish law, she became a Roman Catholic and in 1654 she abdicated in favor of a cousin, who became Charles X. The following year she settled in Rome. Charles died in 1660, and Christina tried unsuccessfully to regain the throne. She went to Sweden again in 1667, but was not allowed to enter Stockholm because of her religion.