The Girl King

At age six in 1632 upon his death, Kristina, the only offspring of King Gustav II Adolf of Sweden, is taken from her mother to be groomed by Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna to be the rightful successor, the Chancellor's teachings largely in following Lutheranism, like her father, in the continuing battles across Europe between the Protestants and the Catholics. In reaching the age of majority, Kristina ascends to the throne a strong and strong-willed young woman, exhibiting the traits more often associated with a man. She is a popular ruler with a progressive stance, her two priorities to make the Swedish populace more enlightened through learning - she particularly enamored with the philosophies of Rene Descartes - but arguably more important to achieve peace which means coming to an agreement with the Catholic opposition, not only in Sweden but across the continent. This stance places her at odds with many of the men standing behind her, some who wish to marry her to exert that influence, while there are others who want to marry truly for love. There are also others who believe she should cozy up to the Catholics in a marriage of convenience to show a more meaningful path to peace. Complicating matters is Kristina's own attraction, specifically to Countess Ebba Sparre, who she appoints one her Ladies-in-Waiting solely to have her near. Kristina's romantic yearnings for the Countess are despite she already being betrothed to another, and Kristina realizing that one of her own duties as Queen is to sire an heir.