Queen Christina of Sweden was born on December 18, 1626, and became queen regnant at just six years old after her father, King Gustavus Adolphus, died in battle. She was known for her intelligence, education, and interest in the arts, often inviting prominent thinkers and artists to her court. Christina ruled from 1632 until her abdication in 1654. In 1654, Christina shocked Europe by abdicating the throne in favor of her cousin, Charles X Gustav. She converted to Catholicism, which was controversial in predominantly Protestant Sweden, and moved to Rome, where she became a patron of the arts and continued to influence European culture.