Personalities in history: 10 famous favorites of Russian monarchs

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

At all times, next to the rulers were people who enjoyed the special trust of the monarchs. The history of the monarchy in Russia knows many such examples. The favorites of the Russian tsars influenced not only the rulers, but also the policy of the state as a whole. Very often there were people who were quite strong and smart near the throne, able to support and help with advice. In our today's review - the most influential and famous favorites of the Russian monarchs.

Svenald (920 - about 980)

The voivode of Varangian origin in the 10th century was the confidant of Princess Olga and Prince Igor. He was endowed with special powers and even had the right to assemble his own squad. He was the educator of Svyatoslav Igorevich, but he could not influence Svyatoslav's decision to go to Kiev through the Dnieper rapids, where the Pechenegs were ambushed. As a result, the prince died, and Svenald returned to Kiev unharmed and took his place under the eldest son of Svyatoslav Yaropolk, practically concentrating all power in his hands. As a result of a quarrel between Svenald and Yaropolk's brother Oleg, the son of the favorite, and then Oleg himself, died. After the death of Oleg, he was expelled from service, and his further fate remained unknown to history.

Malyuta Skuratov (unknown - 1573)

Malyuta Skuratov's real name is Grigory Belsky. Once admitted to the oprichniki by the lowest rank, he was able to rise and become a confidant of Ivan the Terrible, thanks to his own ingenuity, determination and cruelty. On account of his brutal reprisal against the Novgorod conspirators, whose boyars considered Ivan the Terrible to be evil of Russia and wanted to give the city under the rule of the Lithuanian king, and the murder of the ousted Metropolitan Philip, who fell into disgrace because of the criticism of the king and the disclosure of his atrocities. Malyuta Skuratov died in 1573 from a gunshot wound during the storming of the Weissenstein fortress.

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Boris Godunov (1552 - 1605)

He was born into the family of a simple landowner, after whose death he was brought up by an uncle. Having entered the oprichniki in 1570, he managed to advance very quickly, and a year later he was married to the daughter of Malyuta Skuratov, Maria, and after the marriage of his son Ivan the Terrible to the sister of Boris Godunov, the latter became a boyar. Boris kept in the shadows for a long time, and after the accession to the throne of Fyodor Ioannovich, he quickly concentrated power in his hands, finished off his opponents, and began to actually rule the country from 1587, and in 1598 he was completely elected tsar. He died suddenly in 1605.

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Vasily Golitsyn (1643 - 1714)

Boyarin, a diplomat and military leader, became the unofficial head of government during the regency of Princess Sophia, whose dear friend he was. However, the desire of Golitsyn to remove Peter I from power led to the fact that Peter himself overthrew Sophia, and exiled her favorite to Pinega, depriving him of all property.

Alexander Menshikov (1673 - 1729)

He was only 14 when Alexander Menshikov became the orderly of Peter I, and then his right hand. He was a talented commander and administrator, but he was repeatedly caught stealing. True, every time his tricks were revealed, he knew how to beg forgiveness from the king. After the death of Peter I, he helped his wife Catherine to ascend the throne and under her he had virtually unlimited power, and after the accession to the throne of Peter II he lost all his influence, fell into disgrace and was exiled to Berezin.

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Ernst Johann Biron (1690 - 1772)

He was from a small Baltic noble family, but thanks to Anna Ioannovna, whose service he entered in 1718, Ernst Johann Biron was able to rise and become a confidant and favorite of the empress. He had tremendous influence on the tsarina and even after her death ruled Russia as regent. After the overthrow and exile, he managed to procure permission from Catherine II to return and even regained the Duchy of Courland. Died in Mitava.

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Alexey Razumovsky (1709 - 1771)

The son of a simple Cossack was able to achieve the location of the crown princess Elizabeth Petrovna and become the main person at her court, playing an important role during the coup of 1741. Even after the death of Elizaveta Petrovna, he retained all his titles, titles and awards, did not lose his fortune, although he no longer had any influence.

Grigory Potemkin (1739 - 1791)

Born into a noble family, Grigory Potemkin was curious and ambitious from childhood. Participation in the palace coup allowed him to attract the attention of Empress Catherine II and become her favorite. However, Grigory Potemkin did not forget about the service, having played a huge role in the annexation of the Crimea and becoming the founder of the Black Sea Fleet. His Serene Highness Prince Tauride was considered the most influential person of the Russian Empire, was granted lands and money, received the rank of Field Marshal.

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Alexey Arakcheev (1769 - 1834)

He enjoyed the favor of two Russian emperors: Paul I and Alexander I. Under Alexander, he became practically omnipotent, and the period of his reign was even called "Arakcheevshchina". On his account there are many reforms carried out, both successful and not so. Alexander I made Count Arakcheev his right hand and entrusted very important matters, including the development of the draft Constitution. Alexey Arakcheev resigned after the accession to the throne of Nicholas II.

Grigory Rasputin (1869 - 1916)

One of the most controversial and mysterious personalities in Russian history. A simple peasant gained fame as a "divine man" in St. Petersburg and in 1905 he met the royal family, having managed to become a friend of Nicholas II and win over his wife Alexandra Fedorovna. Despite the fact that the influence of Grigory Rasputin on the tsar, as well as his political and personnel decisions, are too exaggerated, numerous controversies are still going on around his personality, and his assassination in 1916 remained unsolved. It is believed that the British special services could have had a hand in the death of the elder.

There is an opinion that men should rule the world. But history knows the period of matriarchy, and the influence of women on men cannot be ruled out either. Very often there was a representative of the fair sex next to the monarch, skillfully and unobtrusively forcing a man to act as it was beneficial to her.