Video: Biron is the first favorite at the Russian court, who changed the status of a night "temporary worker" to an influential politician
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
In 1730, Anna Ioannovna came to Russia to take the royal throne. Ernst Johann Biron followed her from Courland. The reckless love of the queen for her favorite led to the fact that the time of her reign was called "Bironovism", which meant the power of foreigners acting only in the name of their interests.
In 1718, Biron got into the service of Bestuzhev-Ryumin, who at that time was the official Russian representative at the court of Anna Ioannovna in Courland. When the diplomat was returned to St. Petersburg, Biron directed all his charm to charm the dowager ruler. When Anna Ioannovna fell to become the Russian empress, she, after accession to the throne, immediately summoned Biron to her.
Ernst Johann Biron became the first favorite in Russia who went beyond the nocturnal "temporary worker" and managed to concentrate real power in his hands, influencing the decisions of the tsarina. Two years after his arrival in Russia, Biron, being in the rank of chief chamberlain, regularly received foreign ambassadors. In some cases, he said that he was acting on behalf of the empress, in other situations he emphasized his importance.
It should be noted that neither the Russians nor the Germans liked Biron. For this person, there were no restrictions if he wanted to achieve his goal. Moreover, during the period of "Bironovschina" more than 10 thousand cases passed through the Secret Chancellery. But at the same time, the chief chamberlain never "chopped off the shoulder." He understood that one should be nice not only with friends, but also with opponents. In addition, for many influential figures of that time, Biron was the one who could get the tsar's signature for the "necessary" document, so his opinion had to be taken into account.
Biron was a very intelligent person. He understood that in order to be able to manage state affairs, one must not forget about his duties as a favorite: regularly appear in the Empress's bedroom, predict her mood, invariably surprise with surprises, indulge whims. In gratitude, Anna Ioannovna not only allowed Biron to make important decisions on her behalf, but also generously showered him with "favors" that were calculated in monetary terms.
With the death of Anna Ioannovna approaching, Biron decided to rise as high as possible. At his suggestion, the cabinet minister Alexei Petrovich Bestuzhev-Ryumin drew up a "petition" in which he proposed to appoint Biron as regent under the infant emperor John III Antonovich. This meant that absolute power would then be concentrated in the hands of Biron. The petition was signed by all the most important statesmen, and two days before her death, Anna Ioannovna gave her consent to the regency of Biron.
The newly minted regent enjoyed the power for three weeks. He issued 100 decrees, signed himself as "Johann Regent and Duke", promised amnesty to the prisoners and a reduction in the size of the duty to the peasants. But, as soon as a new contender for the throne appeared on the horizon (Anna Leopoldovna), Field Marshal Minich carried out a palace coup.
It was decided to quarter Biron, but then the execution was changed to exile to Siberia with the confiscation of all of his 120 estates. But fortune did not leave Biron. When the next ruler, Elizaveta Petrovna, ascended the throne, she allowed the failed regent to move from Siberia to Yaroslavl. Then Peter III returned Biron to the court, and Catherine II completely returned the Duchy of Courland to him.
Biron became the first favorite in Russia to have the opportunity to influence the country's politics. In France, the favorites often interfered in state affairs. Louis XV went down in history as a monarch who allowed his mistresses to rule the country. This time was called "The rule of three skirts."
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