The child, therefore, was left to the guardianship of five of the wisest men in the kingdom.

But these wise men knew better how to manage the affairs of state than how to govern and educate a little girl so as to render her a good and happy woman.
When two years had passed away, tidings were brought to Stockholm which filled everybody with triumph and sorrow at the same time.

The Swedes had won a glorious victory at Lutzen.

But, alas! the warlike King of Sweden, the Lion of the North, the father of our little Christina, had been slain at the foot of a great stone, which still marks the spot of that hero's death.
Soon after this sad event, a general assembly, or congress, consisting of deputations from the nobles, the clergy, the burghers, and the peasants of Sweden, was summoned to meet at Stockholm.

It was for the purpose of declaring little Christina to be Queen of Sweden and giving her the crown and sceptre of her deceased father.