10 facts about Elizabeth I - the empress who continued the Peter's reforms

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

Historians called this empress an intelligent and kind, but at the same time disorderly and wayward Russian lady, who combined new European trends with pious patriotic antiquity. She opened the first university in Moscow and virtually abolished the death penalty in Russia. Today, interesting facts about Elizabeth I Petrovna.

Due to the birth of his daughter, Peter I postponed the celebration of the victory in the Battle of Poltava

Elizabeth I Petrovna was born on December 29, 1709 in Kolomenskoye near Moscow, 2 years before her parents entered into a legal marriage. This day was especially solemn for Peter I - the emperor intended to celebrate the victory in the Battle of Poltava. When he entered the capital, the news of the birth of his youngest daughter was brought to him. “Let's postpone the celebration of the victory and hasten to congratulate my daughter on her coming to this world!” The king said to those close to him.

The name Elizaveta Romanov has not previously been used

The youngest daughter of Peter I received the name "Elizabeth". Earlier in the Russian royal dynasty this name was not used, but in the gallicized form "Lisette" Peter I liked it very much. It is known that the Russian tsar used this name to call a 16-gun shnyava, one of the first ships of the Russian fleet, built at a St. Petersburg shipyard and launched on the water on June 14, 1708. The name Lisette was borne by a smooth-haired terrier, one of the most beloved dogs of Peter I, and a Persian mare, which the king bought in 1705.

Elizabeth I was carried to the palace by the guards

Elizaveta Petrovna, who was a beauty and seemed an angel of kindness next to Anna Ioannovna, ascended the Russian throne as a result of a palace coup, carried out not without the help of the royal houses of Prussia and France.

The guards swore allegiance to Elizabeth and brought her into the palace in their arms, literally, since there was a lot of snow on the street. So Elizaveta Petrovna, she became an empress. Anna Leopoldovna, her husband and 2-month-old Ivan VI were taken to the fortress, and then sent into exile in Kholmogory.

Celebrations on the occasion of the coronation lasted for more than 2 months

The celebrations of the coronation of Elizabeth I took place in April 1742. Contemporaries recalled that the celebrations, which lasted for 2 months, were distinguished by unprecedented luxury. During this time, the Empress, who had a weakness for outfits, managed to put on costumes from almost all countries of the world. Subsequently, masquerades took place at court twice a week. It is known that in the wardrobe of Elizabeth I there were about 15 thousand dresses, which now form the basis of the textile collection of the State Historical Museum in Moscow.

Empress's coronation album sold at auction for $ 98.5

In memory of the celebrations, the "Coronation Album of Elizabeth Petrovna" was published, which was prepared by the best engravers of that time: I. Sokolov, J. Shtelin, H. Wortman, G. Kachalov. The edition was published on thick paper with the empress's golden monogram in Russian and German and on plain paper with unadorned Russian text. The total circulation of the book was 1550 copies. In 2009, the original edition, released in 1744, was sold at Christie's for $ 98.5 thousand.

Elizabeth I went on a pilgrimage on foot for 52 km

It is known that Elizaveta Petrovna went on pilgrimage to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra from Moscow on foot, albeit in a very original way. She walked only 2-3 versts a day, after which she went to the palace in a carriage. The next day the carriage brought her to the place from where it took her, and Elizabeth walked on for another couple of miles. Thus, the journey took months, but it was not very tiring.

It should be noted that the largest Orthodox male stauropegic monastery in Russia received the status and name of the lavra by a decree of Elizabeth Petrovna on July 8, 1742.

Elizabeth I - author of decrees on the opening of Moscow University and on the abolition of the death penalty

With the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna, the era of the Enlightenment came to Russia. In 1744, the Empress issued a decree expanding the network of primary schools. In 1755 the first gymnasium was opened in Moscow, and in 1758 - in Kazan. In 1755 Moscow University was founded, and in 1757 - the Academy of Arts. In 1756, Elizabeth I signed a decree on the creation of the imperial theater and ordered the transfer of the troupe of Fyodor Volkov from Yaroslavl to the capital. Elizabeth I provides all kinds of support M. V. Lomonosov and a number of other talented representatives of Russian science and culture.

In 1755, the newspaper "Moskovskie vedomosti" began to appear, and in 1760, the magazine "Useful entertainment". Under Elizabeth I, the first Russian banks were founded - Merchant, Noble (Loan) and Medny (State).

The Empress allocated huge funds for the arrangement of the royal residences. It was at that time that the architect Rastrelli rebuilt the Winter Palace, which has since become the main residence of the Russian monarchs. Under Elizabeth I, Peterhof and Strelna were rebuilt. The major style of Rastrelli's buildings went down in history as Elizabethan Baroque.

In 1741, the Empress adopted a decree recognizing the existence of the "Lamai faith", and Buddhism was officially recognized in the Russian Empire.

Elizabeth I abolished the death penalty in Russia and severely limited the use of torture.

Elizabeth I had a weakness for snuff boxes

Wanting to surprise the Russian empress and knowing her weakness for clocks, toilet cases and snuff boxes, they brought her the most amazing things made by the best craftsmen. But Elizaveta Petrovna had a special passion for snuff boxes. By her decree, the first porcelain factory was even opened, which was engaged in the production of snuff boxes. The empress herself enjoyed the sneeze boxes and gave them away to foreign ambassadors. Today Elizabethan snuff-boxes can be seen in the Hermitage.

Elizabeth I was married in secret

Once she saw the Little Russian singer Alexei Razumovsky in the court choir, the Grand Duchess begged to be released to the small court. He did not involve his beloved in intrigues and dangerous enterprises associated with the overthrow of Anna Ioanovna, but he supported the coup of 1741. Razumovsky, who had no inclination for state affairs and loved magnificent holidays, took a special place in the heart of amorous Elizabeth. She showed him gentle signs of attention, showered him with expensive gifts. in 1742 he became Chief Jägermeister and Chevalier of the main order of Russia - the Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called.

According to legend, in 1742, the secret wedding of Elizabeth I and Alexei Razumovsky took place in the Perovskaya church. The adherents of this version cite 2 facts in support of their correctness. First, a year later the empress bought the village of Perovo and presented it to Razumovsky, who turned it into a family nest. And secondly, the empress personally embroidered air for the Perovskaya church - ritual fabrics for worship. They were kept in this church for a very long time.

The last favorite of Elizabeth I did not accept the title of count

Elizabeth I never lacked favorites. But the last and one of the most famous was Ivan Ivanovich Shuvalov. In fairness, it should be noted that the young favorite used his influence to benefit the Fatherland and often forgot about himself. He became the first curator of Moscow University, president of the Academy of Arts, and did not accept the count's title granted by the empress. After the death of Elizabeth I, he did not come to the new court. He was sent to "improve his health" abroad. He returned to his homeland 14 years later, Ivan Shuvalov never got a family. Who could compare with the brilliant Elizabeth?