Nikolay Pavlovich

Nikolai was a very tall boy and had a bass voiceYoung Nikolai showed talent for painting and drawing, but used them "almost exclusively for drawing geometric figures, fortifications, battle plans and drawing troopsNikolai's main passion was military affairs. He loved to watch parades and guard changes, in the procedures of which he knew every melodyNikolai was a very tall boy and had a bass voiceHe grew up stubborn and persistent, but at the same time he was kind and honest. Since childhood, he had very close relationshipsNikolai loved to play the drum. He was not interested in the humanities, but he studied the exact sciences with great pleasure

The character of Nicholas I was complex and contradictory, combining the traits of a conservative ruler with elements of practicality and responsibility. Main character traits Commitment to discipline and order. Passion for military affairs formed in Nicholas I the concept of unquestioning discipline, legality and duty in all spheres of life. Persistence and steadfastness. He always brought an interesting task to the end, and did not like to admit mistakes. Observation and brevity. The Emperor was brief and concise in his expressions, and did not approve of anything false or feigned. A sense of responsibility. It forced Nicholas I to "lock" the management of the empire to himself personally, to work 18 hours a day. Relationships with others Secrecy and distrust. Nicholas I could flare up in public, although he had been accustomed to hiding his feelings and thoughts since childhood. Demanding of subordinates. The Emperor demanded discipline and personal loyalty from his employees, and appointed senior officers to key positions in the state apparatus. Rejection of liberal ideas. Nicholas I was afraid of the opposition and any liberal manifestations, and sought to destroy them at the root. Examples of behavior Investigation of the Decembrists' case. After the uprising was suppressed, Nicholas I personally interrogated the participants in the rebellion, delved into all the details of the case and thought out the procedure for arresting and holding prisoners. Attitude to peasants. The Emperor did much to make life easier for the peasants: he established a ban on the sale of peasants without land and with the "breaking up of the family", and limited the right of landowners to exile peasants to Siberia.

Nicholas I was considered one of the most handsome men of his time. Some characteristics of the emperor's appearance: Height: 189 cm. Build: athletic, with the excellent bearing of a military officer. Facial features: regular, with a high forehead and Greek profile. Eyes: clear, large, blue, which women considered hypnotic. Nose: Roman. Mouth: Beautifully defined. According to the description of the French traveler and writer Marquis de Custine, Nicholas I had a more German than Slavic appearance. The classic image of the emperor, which is often depicted in portraits, is a straight, tall, reserved, collected man with a cold look in his light eyes, an open forehead, small sideburns and neatly upturned moustache tips, in a strict military uniform. Majestic posture. When approaching Nicholas I, people felt that they were dealing with a tsar, the leader of the people. The charm of power. The Emperor was endowed with this quality, which women have always valued. Conformity to the canons of male beauty of the era. For a quarter of a century, Nicholas I fully corresponded to these canons. Popularity of the image in sculpture. The correct facial features and classical antique profile of Nicholas I influenced the popularity of his image in sculpture. According to the British ambassador Lord Loftus, Nicholas I was the most handsome ruler of Russia, and his image seemed magical. By the age of thirty, a bald spot appeared, which Nicholas initially hid, but then got used to it. In his youth, one of the portraits of Nicholas I depicts a young man with light golden hair. However, closer to the age of 30, the emperor began to go bald rapidly; large bald spots are visible even in early portraits. To hide the lack of hair, the Tsar's personal hairdresser Etienne prepared special hairpieces for Nicholas I from 1833. He usually made them twice a year, and the cost of one hairpiece was about 58 rubles. Since the 1840s, Nicholas I stopped using hairpieces and began to be content with the remaining hair.

Drawing. From childhood, Nikolai asked his teachers to draw something on paper, and then he would happily color the drawing and give it to someone close to him. In his mature years, the emperor mastered the art of engraving and released the series "Uniforms of Russian Troops". Music. Nicholas I played wind instruments: flute, French horn, cornet. He had a good ear and composed short marches, which he performed at home concerts. Church singing. The Emperor always attended Sunday services and, standing with a prayer book in his hands behind the singers, sang beautifully along with the church choir. Engineering. From early childhood, Nicholas I loved to build houses and fortresses from scrap materials, and as an adult he liked to say about himself "we are engineers" or "our engineering unit". Creating sketches of uniforms. For this, Nicholas I even had to get acquainted with the basics of sewing and participate in the selection of fabrics and fittings for military uniforms. Travel. The Emperor traveled a lot, on average, he traveled 5,500 miles a year, and he rode on simple coachmen and without guards. Pozharsky cutlets. According to legend, Nicholas tried them in a tavern in Torzhok and was delighted. After that, he named the cutlets in honor of the tavern keeper's last name and ordered that the cooks prepare them for him on a regular basis. Pickled cucumbers. Nikolai ate at least five of them every day. Buckwheat porridge in a pot. Vodka was not served with it, since the Tsar was practically a teetotaler. Shchi. Nicholas I fortified himself with ordinary shchi with black bread. In the last years of his life, the emperor ate only vegetable dishes, soups made from mashed potatoes, and drank compotes.

Music. In particular, the works of the composer M. I. Glinka. Nicholas I especially did not like the opera "Ruslan and Lyudmila", the libretto of which was based on the poem by A. S. Pushkin. The works of A.S. Pushkin. Nicholas I hated the poet and his works. Objections to himself. The Emperor did not tolerate any objections and closed down rebellions. Changes. Nicholas I was afraid of changes and the consequences after them, so he often turned a blind eye to reforms that were already brewing. For example, he never freed the peasants from serfdom, although he understood the need for these actions. Deviate from the planned daily routine. The Emperor got up early, worked all day and went to bed late. Ostentatious luxury. Nicholas I lived a healthy lifestyle and preferred to dress in a military uniform and an officer's greatcoat. Everything related to the humanities. Nicholas I was repelled by everything related to the humanities.

There is information that Nicholas I liked to suddenly inspect enterprises or institutions, often walked around the city alone and traveled a lot. The emperor also did drill exercises with weapons and attended military reviews.

Emperor Nicholas I was fond of the knightly style and organized knightly-style events at court. This passion coincided with the pan-European interest in medieval history and culture. Some aspects of the hobby: Collecting artifacts from the Middle Ages. Nicholas I and his son Alexander II kept a collection of rare bladed weapons and medieval armor in their Tsarskoye Selo residence. Construction of pavilions in the medieval style. A number of pavilions were also built there, such as the Cottage Palace and the Gothic Chapel in Alexandria Park. Testimonies of contemporaries Emperor Nicholas I was called “the last knight of Europe” – he received this nickname for a reason: he was fascinated by the history of chivalry and loved to organize medieval competitions at celebrations. Events One of the famous events in the knightly style was the knightly carousel on May 23, 1842 in Tsarskoe Selo. The celebration was held in honor of the 25th anniversary of the engagement of the Emperor and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. Carousel features: The performance involved 16 couples. The ladies wore specially tailored medieval outfits, and the gentlemen wore authentic knightly armor from the emperor's collection. In front of a small group of spectators (only relatives of the participants were admitted), the dance figures of the horse quadrille were demonstrated for an hour and a half. At the request of Nicholas I, this knightly celebration was captured in 1843 by the artist Horace Vernet in the painting “Tsarskoye Selo Carousel”

Nicholas I and his wife Alexandra Feodorovna had an ideal relationship: they loved and respected each other. Despite the emperor's numerous connections, he emphasized that his wife occupied the most important place in his life, never undermined her authority and cared about her feelings.

Emperor Nicholas I treated Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin with patronage, but at the same time took into account that the poet could express freedom-loving views. Their relationship included both personal meetings and correspondence, which continued until Pushkin's death. First meeting The first meeting between Nicholas I and Pushkin took place on September 8, 1826, in the Miracle Palace in Moscow. The poet was in exile in the village of Mikhailovskoye, but in the summer he sent a letter to the emperor asking him to end his exile and allow him to return to service. In early September, the answer came: Nicholas I released Pushkin from punishment, allowed him to live freely in both capitals, and set a date for the audience. During the meeting, the emperor promised to become the sole censor of Pushkin's works and cancelled his exile. The poet, according to Pushkin, saw in the tsar a man "knightly beautiful, majestically calm, with a noble face." Subsequent relationships Some features of the subsequent relations between Nicholas I and Pushkin: The Emperor appointed Count Alexander Benckendorff, the chief of the gendarmes, as an intermediary between himself and the poet. It was to him that Pushkin was to turn in all cases. In 1831, at Pushkin's request, Nicholas I enrolled him in the civil service at the Collegium of Foreign Affairs. The poet was assigned a salary of 5,000 rubles, and his salary was paid not from the financial funds of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but from a special fund of Nicholas I in the Ministry of Finance. The Emperor gave Pushkin access to the archives to write the History of Peter and a historical work on the Pugachev rebellion, making him almost the official historiographer of the empire. More than once, Nicholas I personally intervened to save Pushkin from trial and punishment for his overly free works. At the same time, Pushkin took on certain obligations: not to participate in secret societies and to fulfill many of the Emperor’s personal requests.

One of the letters from Nicholas I to Pushkin was written on September 30, 1826, on behalf of the Emperor. The letter officially confirmed the oral agreement on censorship: the Tsar obliged Pushkin to acquaint him with all new works and at the same time assumed the functions of a censor. Another letter is Nicholas I's response to Pushkin before the poet's death, when Pushkin asked for forgiveness for violating the ban on participating in duels. Nicholas I replied: "If God does not allow us to meet again in this world, I send you my forgiveness and my last advice to die a Christian. Do not worry about your wife and children, I will take them into my own hands."

On the one hand, Nikolai considered his older brother a kind and gentle person. In fact, Alexander I replaced the image of a father for Nikolai, without whom the boy was left very early. On the other hand, Nicholas often criticized the liberal policies of Alexander I. Nicholas I recalled Alexander I as follows: “We rarely saw Tsar Alexander Pavlovich, but we always loved him as our patron angel, for he was always especially kind to us.”

Nicholas I did not have a close relationship with his mother, Empress Maria Feodorovna. Maria Feodorovna was a willful woman, strictly followed court etiquette and behaved arrogantly and coldly towards her children. Baron Korf pointed out that in the first years of childhood, Nikolai and Mikhail Pavlovich were in a relationship with their mother of ceremony, cold politeness and even fear. Court etiquette did not assume constant communication between mother and children. Nicholas I wrote in his notes about his childhood that he was deprived of filial trust in his mother, since he was allowed to see her rarely and only in the presence of other people. During the Patriotic War of 1812 and the subsequent military campaigns of the Russian army in Europe, Nikolai was eager to go to war, but was met with a decisive refusal from his mother.

Nicholas I and Mikhail Pavlovich were close and friendly. From childhood, Mikhail became attached to his older brother Nicholas, and over the years they became united in a strong friendship. Nicholas I appreciated Mikhail's loyalty and considered his behavior an example of brotherly love and devotion. However, there is another opinion: Nicholas I wrote about Mikhail Pavlovich: “The imminent arrival of Mikhail Pavlovich, instead of bringing us joy, is rather a sorrow, because he is returning without finishing his treatment, which will have to be started again if, as we must assume, he does not change his way of life and bad habits here.” The death of Mikhail Pavlovich in 1849 made a strong impression on Nicholas I: he grew old, turned grey, quickly became tired and sad.

I (Nikolai Pavlovich Romanov) - Russian Emperor (1825-1855).

Born on July 6, 1796 in Tsarskoye Selo. The third of the four sons of Emperor Paul I, Grand Duke Nikolai Pavlovich could not count on the Russian throne, and this left its mark on his upbringing and education.

The militarized atmosphere of St. Petersburg from an early age determined Nikolai's passion for military affairs, especially those that concerned its external, ceremonial side. Nikolai's political system of views was distinguished by a pronounced conservative, anti-liberal orientation.

Nicholas considered the main goal of his reign to be the fight against the revolutionary spirit that had spread everywhere and subordinated his entire life to this goal.

The reign of Nicholas I ended with the biggest foreign policy collapse. The Crimean War of 1853-1856 demonstrated Russia's organizational and technical backwardness compared to Western powers and led to its political isolation.

Nicholas I died on March 2, 1855 in St. Petersburg. Domestic policy of Nicholas I: Streamlining of legislation. By order of Nicholas I, under the actual leadership of M. M. Speransky, the "Complete Collection of Laws of the Russian Empire" and the "Code of Laws of the Russian Empire" were prepared. Centralization of the state apparatus and bureaucratization of governance. In 1826, Nicholas I transformed His Imperial Majesty's Chancellery into the highest government body, establishing the Second Section (the body for codifying legislation) and the Third Section (the body for political investigation and studying public opinion). Protectionist economic policy. Nicholas I supported Russian industrialists with state subsidies, long-term loans and preferential taxation. Under his rule, mechanical engineering and the sugar industry emerged in Russia.

Domestic policy of Nicholas I: Streamlining of legislation. By order of Nicholas I, under the actual leadership of M. M. Speransky, the "Complete Collection of Laws of the Russian Empire" and the "Code of Laws of the Russian Empire" were prepared. Centralization of the state apparatus and bureaucratization of governance. In 1826, Nicholas I transformed His Imperial Majesty's Chancellery into the highest government body, establishing the Second Section (the body for codifying legislation) and the Third Section (the body for political investigation and studying public opinion). Protectionist economic policy. Nicholas I supported Russian industrialists with state subsidies, long-term loans and preferential taxation. Under his rule, mechanical engineering and the sugar industry emerged in Russia. Beginning of railway construction. The first railway was laid in 1837 from St. Petersburg to Tsarskoe Selo, and the construction of the first major railway line was completed in 1851, connecting Moscow and St. Petersburg. Easing of serfdom. It was forbidden to send serfs to factories and the right of landowners to exile peasants to Siberia was limited. In 1841, a law was passed that did not allow peasants to be sold individually and without land. In 1843, landless nobles were deprived of the right to acquire peasants

Solution of the "Eastern Question". As a result of the Russo-Iranian War (1826-1828), the Erivan and Nakhichevan Khanates (Armenia) were transferred to Russia under the Treaty of Turkmanchay. As a result of the Russo-Turkish War (1828-1829), under the Treaty of Adrianople, Turkey recognized the annexation of the Erivan and Nakhichevan Khanates to Russia, and Russian merchant ships were granted the right to pass through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles. maximumtest.ru Suppression of the revolutionary movement in Europe. In 1830, an open uprising began in Warsaw, in response to which Nicholas I sent troops under the command of Count Diebitsch to Poland. The uprising was suppressed, and its result was the introduction of the "Organic Statute", which significantly curtailed the autonomy of the Kingdom of Poland (the constitution and the Polish Sejm were abolished, the Polish army ceased to exist). Russia also actively contributed to the suppression of the revolution in Hungary, which sought to secede from the Austrian Empire in 1849. maximumtest.ru moluch.ru Crimean War (1853–1856). Nicholas I believed that in the early 1850s, a favorable international situation had developed for fighting Turkey: a coup d'état had taken place in France, undermining its state stability. However, this view of things turned out to be an illusion: Austria, which had its own interests in the Balkans, could not allow Russia to strengthen in this region, and the President of France, Louis Bonaparte, who carried out a coup in 1852 and proclaimed himself emperor, was eager for a victorious war to strengthen his regime. Here are some of the results of Nicholas I's reign: A complete collection of laws of the Russian Empire was created, which was used until 1917. It was possible to expand the empire's territory in the south. The uprising in the Kingdom of Poland was suppressed, and it was transformed into several provinces. The first railways in the country were built: from St. Petersburg to Moscow, from Warsaw to Krakow. Sberbank was created and financial reform was carried out in 1839–1843. A reform of state peasants was carried out.

Here are some of the results of the reign of Nicholas I:

A complete collection of laws of the Russian Empire was created, which was used until 1917.

It was possible to expand the empire's territory in the south.

The uprising in the Kingdom of Poland was suppressed, and it was transformed into several provinces.

The first railways in the country were built: from St. Petersburg to Moscow, from Warsaw to Krakow.

Sberbank was created and financial reform was carried out in 1839–1843.

A reform of state peasants was carried out, and their quality of life improved.

The 3rd section and the Geographical Society were created.

The revolution in Hungary was suppressed.

The Crimean War of 1853–1856 was unsuccessful; Russia’s position in the Black Sea region was weakened by territorial concessions to Turkey and the loss of its fleet in the Black Sea.

On December 14, 1825, an armed uprising of the Decembrists took place on Senate Square in St. Petersburg. The organizers of the uprising set themselves the task of changing the political system (replacing autocracy with a constitutional monarchy or republic), creating a constitution and parliament, and abolishing serfdom. Nicholas I put an end to the Decembrists' uprising harshly and decisively. He brought troops to the site of the uprising, four times larger than the rebels, and 36 guns. The Emperor gave the order to fire, the rebels responded to the first volley with rifle fire, but then the ranks wavered under a hail of grapeshot - flight began. To consider the "Decembrist case", Nicholas I established the Supreme Criminal Court. About 600 people were involved in the investigation. The Supreme Criminal Court sentenced 120 defendants under 11 different categories, ranging from the death penalty to deprivation of rank and demotion to soldiers.

Nicholas I commuted the punishment for those convicted in all categories, including those sentenced to death. The monarch spared the lives of all those who were to be beheaded. On July 22, 1826, Nicholas I finally approved the death sentence for five Decembrists: the leaders of the Northern and Southern Societies Kondraty Ryleyev and Pavel Pestel, as well as Sergei Muravyov-Apostol and Mikhail Bestuzhev-Ryumin, who directly led the uprising of the Chernigov Regiment.

During the Decembrist uprising on Senate Square on December 14 (26), 1825, Nicholas I was on Admiralty Boulevard, exercising direct command of the troops moving against the rebels. bigenc.ru The Emperor personally participated in suppressing the uprising, could not sit in the palace and personally went to the rebellious city. When a detachment of rebels passed by him, Nicholas pointed to Senate Square, advising them to go there. The rebels did not risk attacking the Emperor. Nicholas I made a difficult decision, after negotiations and unsuccessful attempts to settle the matter peacefully, he ordered to open fire on the rebels. The Emperor motivated his refusal to use force with the question: "What do you want me to stain my subjects with blood on the first day of my reign?" They answered: "Yes, if it is necessary to save the Empire." dilettant.media cyrillitsa.ru For Nicholas I, the Decembrist revolt did not pass without a trace. From that day on, he began to believe that he had been given the throne by God's providence, that his calling was to fight the revolution, not only in Russia, but also in Europe. And Nicholas saw the Decembrists as part of a pan-European conspiracy. dilettant.media After the defeat of the Decembrist uprising, Nicholas vowed that revolution would not penetrate the country “as long as the breath of life remains in me.” And he did everything to suppress the slightest manifestation of free thought, including tightening censorship and strengthening state

On the evening of December 13 (25), 1825, Ryleyev asked Pyotr Kakhovsky to enter the Winter Palace early the next morning and kill Nikolai. Kakhovsky initially agreed, but at around 6 a.m. he refused, not wanting to act alone. Pyotr Kakhovsky did not dare to kill the emperor, but instead shot the Governor-General of St. Petersburg M.A. Miloradovich in the back, who was trying to resolve the conflict peacefully and convince the soldiers to swear allegiance to Nikolai. According to the original plan, Kakhovsky was supposed to enter the Winter Palace and kill Nikolai Pavlovich as a lone terrorist. But he never got around to doing this. He also did not dare to shoot Nikolai when he was on Palace Square, although he was quite accessible for a shot. Pyotr Kakhovsky was given the task of eliminating Nicholas. He was required to get into the Winter Palace and deal with the pretender to the throne. At first, Kakhovsky agreed, but when the matter entered the decisive phase, he refused. That day, death followed Nicholas I literally on his heels. For more than two hours, Bulatov was 20 steps away from him with a loaded pistol. Later, he explained to the Tsar his reluctance to shoot him: “Every time I grabbed the pistol, my heart failed me.”

Nicholas I was educated at home - teachers were assigned to him and his brother Mikhail. During the first seven years, Nicholas's only tutor was the Livonian Charlotte Karlovna Lieven. From November 1800, General M. I. Lamzdorf became Nicholas and Mikhail's tutor. Some of the teachers who taught in the education of Nicholas I: V. A. Zhukovsky. Taught Russian language, general grammar, basic physics and chemistry. Lipman. I read "General History" in French. Kemmerer. Taught Chemistry. Trinius. Read "Natural History". Pletnev. Taught Russian literature. Nicholas I's attitude to teachers was as follows: during lessons, according to his recollections, he dozed or drew, and for exams he learned something without fruit or benefit for the future. At the same time, Nicholas did not show any particular diligence in his studies. He did not recognize the humanities, but he was well versed in military art, was fond of fortification, and was familiar with engineering. Matvey Lamzdorf was a strict teacher who personally beat Nikolai and Mikhail with rods, a ruler and a gun ramrod for pranks and mistakes. The teacher recorded all punishments in a special journal. In addition to Lamsdorf, other teachers taught the children: historian Fyodor Adelung, lawyer Vasily Kukolnik, economist Andrei Shtorkh. The home education that the younger children of Paul I received was weak: Nikolai and Mikhail were well versed in military affairs, but they barely studied the humanities. Nicholas I later recalled: “Count Lamsdorf managed to instill in us one feeling - fear, and such fear and assurance of his omnipotence that the face of my mother was second in importance to us... In a word, fear and the search for how to avoid punishment occupied my mind more than anything else.”

War games. The brothers used tin soldiers, guns, halberds, grenadier caps, wooden horses, drums, trumpets and other toys related to military life. In winter they placed them on tables in the rooms, and in summer they played in the garden, built redoubts and fortresses and attacked them. Imitation of sentries. Sometimes, imitating the palace sentries, the brothers stood guard for a long time and even, despite the strict prohibition of their mentors, jumped out of bed at night and stood guard with wooden guns. Fight. From his earliest years, Nikolai emphasized his superiority over his peers, including his brother, and took command in all games. Mikhail was dexterous, mocking, and witty, and Nikolai incited his brother to mock others, but he did not tolerate it if the most innocent joke in his address seemed offensive to him. So sometimes there were fights between the brothers, but they always ended very quickly, and the reconciliation was stormy and joyful. Persistence, the desire to command, cordial kindness, a passion for everything military, a special love for the art of construction engineering, the spirit of camaraderie, which was expressed later, after his accession to the throne, in unwavering loyalty to alliances, despite the treachery of allies - all this is already evident in early childhood and, of course, sometimes in the most insignificant details.

The spirit of camaraderie developed in Nikolai Pavlovich under the influence of his joint upbringing with his younger brother Mikhail Pavlovich. Both brothers loved each other tenderly. If the gentlemen who were with them showed their dissatisfaction with one of them, the other, who was not guilty, pitied him and played without any pleasure. Their mutual affection reached the point that if one was ill, the other did not want to go anywhere, even to the Empress Maria Feodorovna, where they usually had a lot of fun.

Once, during his stay with the empress, the younger (Mikhail Pavlovich) was guilty of something in front of his mother, and when they returned to their half, Nikolai Pavlovich told the duty officer

Perseverance, the desire to command, warm-hearted kindness, passion for everything military, a special love for the art of construction engineering, the spirit of camaraderie, which was expressed later, after the accession to the throne, in unwavering loyalty to the alliances, despite the treachery of the allies - all this is already evident in early childhood and, of course, sometimes in the most insignificant details.

The spirit of camaraderie developed in Nikolai Pavlovich under the influence of his joint upbringing with his younger brother Mikhail Pavlovich. Both brothers loved each other tenderly. If the gentlemen who were with them showed their dissatisfaction with one of them, the other, who was not guilty, pitied him and played without any pleasure. Their mutual affection reached the point that if one was ill, the other did not want to go anywhere, even to the Empress Maria Feodorovna, where they usually had a lot of fun.

Once, during his stay with the empress, the younger (Mikhail Pavlovich) did something wrong to his mother, and when they returned to their half, Nikolai Pavlovich told the gentleman on duty that he had tears in his eyes all the time from fear for his brother, who could anger the empress with his stubbornness, but that, thank God, she forgave him.

It is surprising that, despite the efforts made by the will of Empress Maria Feodorovna to protect Grand Duke Nikolai Pavlovich from being carried away by military service, a passion for everything military nevertheless manifested itself and developed in him with irresistible force. It was especially evident in the nature of his games. As soon as Nikolai Pavlovich got up in the morning, he almost immediately began playing military games with Mikhail Pavlovich. They had a large number of tin soldiers; in the winter they placed them on tables in the rooms, and in the summer they played with these soldiers in the garden, built redoubts, fortresses and attacked them. In addition to soldiers, tin and porcelain, they had a whole arsenal of other toys reminiscent of military life: guns, halberds, grenadier caps, wooden horses, ba

It was especially evident in the nature of his games. As soon as Nikolai Pavlovich got up in the morning, he almost immediately began playing war games with Mikhail Pavlovich. They had a large number of tin soldiers; in winter they placed them on tables in the rooms, and in summer they played with these soldiers in the garden, built redoubts, fortresses and attacked them. In addition to soldiers, tin and porcelain, they had a whole arsenal of other toys reminiscent of military life: guns, halberds, grenadier caps, wooden horses, drums, trumpets, ammunition boxes, etc.

The love for everything military was also supported by the influence of one of the cavaliers, Akhverdov (Nikolai Isaevich), who taught the Grand Duke how to build and draw fortresses, made bombs, grapeshot, and cannonballs out of wax for him, and showed him how to attack fortifications and defend them.

One of the Grand Duke’s favorite activities was cutting out fortresses, cannons, and ships from paper, and Akhverdov explained to him how to use these figures for games.

In general, everything military was so much in the foreground in the thoughts of little Nikolai Pavlovich that even when he built a dacha for his nanny or governess from chairs, earth or toys, he never forgot to fortify it with cannons "for protection". Mikhail Pavlovich, more lively by nature, loved to destroy as much as the elder loved to build, and therefore the latter, caring for the safety of his buildings, was afraid of the presence of the younger. Nikolai Pavlovich's inclination towards the construction part began to express itself very early: in his games one could notice a desire for all kinds of construction; he also loved to draw not so much figures and other objects as "houses" and "fortresses", and once (December 15, 1802), when at dinner there was a conversation about the Alexandrovskaya manufactory and its machine, which they were going to build again with special strength, because the ice had damaged it a year before, he cried out: "And they want to, for this they need this: drive piles into the Neva, or put up pillars, cover them with iron and put the machine on top." He was then 6

Subsequently, of all his educational activities, the Grand Duke loved most of all the lessons of Colonel Gianotti, who taught him the engineering part; and when he was already on the throne, he often said: “we, engineers”, “our engineering part”.

Mikhail Pavlovich, on the contrary, had no sympathy for the building part at all, and his liveliness in games was in complete contrast to the patience, calmness and assiduity of his elder brother when he set about his constructions. But they both equally agreed in their tastes for everything military, and often, in the morning, one of them would go to wake the other, wearing a grenadier's cap and with a halberd on his shoulder to report. Sometimes, imitating the sentries, of whom they had so many before their eyes, they would stand watch for hours, and even, despite the strict supervision of their cavaliers, sometimes jump out of bed at night in order to stand watch for at least a little while with a halberd or a gun at their shoulder.

Despite his inclination and passion for military formalism, Nikolai Pavlovich in childhood was not distinguished by a warlike spirit at all and in many cases even displayed completely opposite qualities: timidity and even cowardice.

For example, he had been afraid of gunshots for a long time. When, having yielded to his and Mikhail Pavlovich's requests, they were allowed to practice shooting, and Akhverdov was preparing to fire a shot to show how to shoot, Nikolai Pavlovich became frightened, began to cry and hid in the gazebo.

Under the windows of the Gatchina Palace, troops sometimes trained and there was shooting. And in these cases, he would get scared, cry, cover his ears and hide. Once, during the life of Emperor Pavel Petrovich, hearing cannon fire, Nikolai Pavlovich hid behind an alcove, and when his playmate, Adlerberg, found him there and began to shame him, he hit him on the forehead with the butt of his gun with such force that the scar from the blow remained with him for the rest of his life.

However, not only shooting, but even the sight of cannons frightened the boy Grand Duke, and once, while walking in Gatchina in 1802, he did not even dare to go around the fortress, fearing the exposed muzzles of the guns. When his fear of shots was noticed, they began to accustom him to them, and by the age of ten he himself already loved to shoot.

For a very long time Nikolai Pavlovich was also afraid of thunderstorms and fireworks. As soon as a thunderstorm was noticed, he asked that windows and chimneys be closed and other precautions be taken.

The timidity of eight-year-old Nikolai Pavlovich and his younger brother Mikhail Pavlovich reached the point that they felt awkward while in the camp and among large gatherings, and when meeting officers, they took off their hats from afar and bowed, fearing that they would be taken prisoner.

It was also noted that Nikolai Pavlovich and his brother were afraid to set foot on the small frigate that was moored in Pavlovsk. In order to accustom the Grand Dukes to the cannons, rigging, etc. that frightened them, the commander of the imperial boats, Captain Klokachev, presented them in September 1802 with a small 74-gun ship made of mahogany, which Nikolai Pavlovich especially liked.

All parts of the ship were numbered, and the Grand Duke spent hours asking Klokachev about the name, purpose, and use of these parts. Soon the young Grand Duke became so addicted to this that once, when asked what service he liked most, Nikolai Pavlovich answered: "naval and cavalry." In addition to familiarization with naval affairs, Nikolai Pavlovich was also initiated into the details of other branches of military affairs. Thus, Akhverdov and other cavaliers imparted to the Grand Duke his first ideas about artillery and engineering.

It is also known that General Korsakov presented Nikolai Pavlovich, when he was eight years old, with small cannons made especially for him. The same Korsakov gave him his first knowledge of the pioneer part. By the way, he presented both grand dukes with small pontoons with all the accessories and tools.

In addition to familiarization with naval affairs, Nikolai Pavlovich was also initiated into the details of other branches of military affairs. Thus, Akhverdov and other cavaliers communicated to the Grand Duke his first ideas about artillery and engineering.

It is also known that General Korsakov presented Nikolai Pavlovich, when he was eight years old, with small cannons specially made for him. The same Korsakov gave him his first knowledge of the pioneer part. By the way, he presented both grand dukes with small pontoons with all the accessories and tools, and then sent pioneer officers to explain their construction and use.

An incident from the life of Nikolai Pavlovich is connected with these pontoons, which characterizes to a certain extent the mutual relations between Nikolai and Mikhail Pavlovich. In 1803, Nikolai Pavlovich had a crooked tooth that they wanted to pull out; but he was so afraid of the upcoming operation that he cried constantly and almost stopped eating. Mikhail Pavlovich, who, according to the reviews of his cavaliers, was distinguished by greater courage, mocked his brother's cowardice and said that "if he is such a coward, then war games are not suitable for him, and finally offered to pull out his tooth with their pontoon pincers."

It all ended with the tooth being pulled out at a time when Nikolai Pavlovich and his brother were in the Empress Mother’s quarters.

Usually a very serious, uncommunicative and thoughtful boy, and in his childhood a very shy boy, Nikolai Pavlovich seemed to be reborn during games. The bad inclinations of rudeness, arrogance and self-confidence that were dormant in him then manifested themselves with uncontrollable force.

In the journals of gentlemen from 1802 to 1809, complaints are constantly encountered that “in all his movements he introduces too much intemperance (trop de violence),” that “in his games he almost always ends up hurting himself or others,” that he has a “passion for grimacing and making faces,” and finally, in one case, when describing his games, it is said that “his character is so unsociable that he preferred to remain 1

In 1803, Nikolai Pavlovich had a crooked tooth that they wanted to pull out; but he was so afraid of the upcoming operation that he cried constantly and almost stopped eating. Mikhail Pavlovich, who, according to the cavaliers, was distinguished by greater courage, mocked his brother's cowardice and said that "if he is such a coward, then military games are not suitable for him, and finally suggested pulling out his tooth with their pontoon pincers."

It all ended with the tooth being pulled out at a time when Nikolai Pavlovich and his brother were in the Empress Mother’s quarters.

Usually a very serious, uncommunicative and thoughtful boy, and in his childhood a very shy boy, Nikolai Pavlovich seemed to be reborn during games. The bad inclinations of rudeness, arrogance and self-confidence that were dormant in him then manifested themselves with uncontrollable force.

In the journals of gentlemen from 1802 to 1809, complaints are constantly encountered that “in all his movements he brings too much intemperance (trop de violence)”, that “in his games he almost always ends up hurting himself or others”, that he has a “passion for grimacing and making faces”, and finally, in one case, when describing his games, it is said that “his character is so unsociable that he preferred to remain alone and in complete inaction than to take part in games”.

The games of the Grand Dukes were rarely peaceful; almost every day they ended in a quarrel or a fight. Nikolai Pavlovich's irascibility and obstinacy usually manifested themselves in cases when something or someone angered him; no matter what happened to him, whether he fell or hurt himself, or considered his wishes unfulfilled and himself offended, he would immediately utter swear words, chop up a drum and toys with his hatchet, break them, beat his playmates with a stick or whatever came to hand, despite the fact that he loved them very much and was passionately attached to his younger brother.

Of course, the listed shortcomings are characteristic of the vast majority of children of the same age; as for the lack of sociability on the part of Nikolai Pavlovich, about whom his educators speak, it undoubtedly reflects the makings of a proud, self-contained character, which later distinguished Emperor Nikolai in relations with everyone except his family.

In addition to his rude treatment not only of his confidants (cavaliers) and servants, but also of his brother and even his sister, the "shortcomings and rough edges" of the Grand Duke's character also include the following traits of his character, also noted in the cavaliers' journals. Thus, in the journal of December 15, 1804, mention is made of the harsh tone in which he spoke at the table about political affairs; in the journal of 17 February 1805 - that the Grand Duke, by his appearance more than once a day, revealed a desire to contradict those who did not approve of his misdeeds, and yielded more to persistence than to admonitions (témoigne par ses mines, plus d'une fois dans la journée, l'envie de contraire ceux qui désap - prouvaint ses fautes, et cédait plutot a la fermeté qu'aux remontrances).

In the journal of October 6, 1805, at dinner, he argued in a raised voice that he should be relieved of the obligation to write from dictation the following day; in the journal of the same year it was also said that the defect that was strongly developed in him was a constant tendency to admit his mistakes only when

Thus, in the journal of 15 December 1804, mention is made of the harsh tone in which he spoke at table about political affairs; in the journal of 17 February 1805, of the fact that the Grand Duke, by his appearance more than once a day, revealed a desire to contradict those who did not approve of his misdeeds, and yielded more to insistence than to admonitions (témoigne par ses mines, plus d'une fois dans la journée, l'envie de contredire ceux qui désap - prouvaint ses fautes, et cédait plutot a la fermeté qu'aux remontrances).

In the journal of October 6, 1805, at dinner, he argued in a raised voice that he should be relieved of the obligation to write from dictation the following day; In the journal of the same year it was also said that a fault which was strongly developed in him was a constant tendency to admit his mistakes only when he was, so to speak, forced to do so by force (un défaut auquel il tient encore beaucoup, c'est de ne vouloir jamais avou-er ses fautes, que lorsqu'il y est pour ainsi dire amené de force). Moreover, it was noticed that he willingly adopted a tone of complacency when everything was going well, and when he imagined that he no longer needed anyone (il prend volontiers a ton of suffisance lorsque les choses vont good, et qu'il s'imine ne plus avoir besoin des autres); and during the lesson he often claimed that he knew everything, and did not listen more than what was said to him.

At the same time, it often happened that Nikolai Pavlovich argued with his teachers even about the subject of teaching. For example, he argued with Akhverdov about the spelling of some Russian words back in 1804, with the calligraphy teacher about how to hold oneself while writing, and how to arrange the lines, etc., so that, as it seems, the gentlemen finally came to the conviction that Nikolai Pavlovich possessed very limited abilities.

The following two comments in the reports of the cavaliers, from 1805 and 1807, indicate the difficulty for the Grand Duke at that time in concentrating on one subject. "He is curious, attentive to what is told to him

Moreover, they noticed that he readily adopted a tone of self-satisfaction when everything was going well, and when he imagined that he no longer needed anyone (il prend volontiers un ton de suffisance lorsque les choses vont good, et qu'il s'imaginine ne plus avoir besoin des autres); during the lesson, however, he often claimed that he knew everything, and did not listen to more than what was said to him.

At the same time, it often happened that Nikolai Pavlovich argued with his teachers even about the subject of teaching. For example, he argued with Akhverdov about the spelling of some Russian words back in 1804, with the calligraphy teacher about how to hold oneself while writing, and how to arrange the lines, etc., so that, as it seems, the gentlemen finally came to the conviction that Nikolai Pavlovich possessed very limited abilities.

The following two comments in the reports of the cavaliers, from 1805 and 1807, indicate the difficulty for the Grand Duke at that time in concentrating on one subject. "He is curious, attentive to what he is told, very inquisitive, but as soon as he has to study alone, his diligence is extremely short-lived."

A characteristic feature of Nikolai Pavlovich's childhood is the constant desire to take on the leading role in games, to represent the emperor, to command and command. It is curious that, having understood with his childish instinct the difference between himself and his younger brother, he tried to use it in his own way.

Giving Mikhail Pavlovich the advantage in wit, external brilliance and dexterity, writes Baron Korf, he reserved for himself the command and leadership in all games and self-confidently praised only himself, while Mikhail Pavlovich, feeling the superiority of his older brother, always praised him and not himself.

The following two comments in the reports of the cavaliers, from 1805 and 1807, indicate the difficulty for the Grand Duke at that time in concentrating on one subject. "He is curious, attentive to what he is told, very inquisitive, but as soon as he has to study alone, his diligence is extremely short-lived."

A characteristic feature of Nikolai Pavlovich's childhood is the constant desire to take on the leading role in games, to represent the emperor, to command and command. It is curious that, having understood with his childish instinct the difference between himself and his younger brother, he tried to use it in his own way.

Giving Mikhail Pavlovich the advantage in wit, external brilliance and dexterity, writes Baron Korf, he reserved for himself the command and leadership in all games and self-confidently praised only himself, while Mikhail Pavlovich, feeling the superiority of his older brother, always praised him and not himself.

The younger brother had been mocking since childhood, and Nikolai Pavlovich, not knowing how or not wanting to mock others, used his brother for this, whom he deliberately incited and egged on to mockery and teasing, and at the same time, for his part, he did not tolerate any joke that seemed offensive to him, did not want to bear the slightest displeasure.

The persistence and steadfastness which Nikolai Pavlovich displayed in his games, and which in childhood could easily have been attributed to caprice, represented a completely different phenomenon in the life of the Grand Duke; they were preserved even in adulthood, subsequently constituting a distinctive feature of his personality as a sovereign.

Thanks to these peculiarities of his childish character, Nikolai Pavlovich became acquainted with the son of his governess, Colonel Adlerberg; this was little Eduard (here: Vladimir Fedorovich), who eventually became an adjutant general, count and minister of the imperial court.

This acquaintance took place in the following way. One day, in 1799, walking with Miss Lyon to the Empress Mother's half, Nikolai Pavlovich saw the boy Adlerberg. He liked the latter so much that he grabbed him by the hand and absolutely wanted to take him with him to play together at the Empress's.

Countess Lieven, Madame Adlerberg and the other governesses, knowing the Empress's strictness towards everything that concerned etiquette, and her aversion to the slightest familiarity with private people, began to dissuade and stop the Grand Duke; but he, as always, remained adamant and with cries and tears demanded the fulfillment of his desire.

Then Miss Lyon, knowing that further persuasion would only serve to increase the obstinacy of her pupil, took full responsibility for her decision and allowed the Grand Duke to take Adlerberg with him. At first the Empress was displeased with this, but Pavel Petrovich took the presented boy under his protection, and then the Empress herself liked him, so that he was allowed to come to the Grand Duke to play with him. After this, several more playmates were chosen for Nikolai Pavlovich.

Before all the lessons, dancing lessons began in 1802. At first, both Grand Dukes felt an extraordinary aversion to dancing, but then they became very fond of it, so that in 1803 they even danced a short ballet composed by Grand Duchess Anna Pavlovna at their home.

As for musical studies, they were less successful, and one journal from 1802 recorded that Nikolai and Mikhail Pavlovich repeatedly stated that they did not like music and preferred drums.

If Nikolai Pavlovich did not show any particular sympathy for the music taught to him, then from his earliest years he liked the singing of church singers, which moved him to tears; he retained his love for church singing throughout his entire life.

In 1804, drawing lessons also began; Nikolai Pavlovich felt a special passion for these activities and made great progress in this area.

From the middle of the same year 1804, Akhverdov began teaching arithmetic, from 1806 geometry, and from 1808 algebra. The Grand Duke took mathematical lessons reluctantly.

Since 1807, physics lessons were entrusted to the state councilor Kraft, and these lessons were of great interest to the Grand Duke.

Riding lessons began in the summer of 1803, and during them Nikolai Pavlovich did not show any fear.

He rose between 7 and 8 o'clock in the morning and dressed very slowly and lazily, especially since Miss Lyon had left him. He drank tea in the morning, usually ate very little at dinner, and sometimes contented himself with a piece of black bread and salt at supper. He went to bed at ten o'clock in the evening and, before going to bed, had to keep his journal, which, for the most part, he did very reluctantly, completely mechanically, and tried to arrange it so that "his cavalier would think for him."

Nikolai Pavlovich's health was generally very good during his childhood, and only occasionally was he troubled by bile and worms. Both Grand Dukes were taught not to be afraid of bad weather, and Empress Maria Feodorovna sometimes ordered them to stay in the garden and continue playing even during the rain, as long as it did not become particularly heavy.

Nikolai Pavlovich was taken early not only to the theatre, but also to court masquerades, for which special costumes were prepared. But Nikolai Pavlovich, who passionately loved the theatre and even sometimes played in the Grand Duchess Anna Pavlovna's half in comedies, operas and ballets, could not stand masquerades at first and told his cavaliers after his first visit to a masquerade in 1804 that "dominoes seemed to him a funny costume, and masks terrible and disgusting faces, and that he would have been afraid of them if Her Majesty the Empress had not thought to lead him by the hand."

Mother: Maria Feodorovna, Dowager Empress Father (died 1801) Emperor Pavel Petrovich Elder brother: Alexander I Pavlovich, Emperor. Years of life (1771-1725, years of reign: 1801-1825) Second eldest brother: Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich Younger brother: Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich Elder sisters, grand duchesses: Elena, Anna, Alexandra, Olga, Maria, Ekaterina Pavlovna. Wife, future Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, German princess. They married in 1817. Alexandra was a German who converted to Orthodoxy.

Born: July 6, 1796, Cancer according to the zodiac sign Tsarskoye Selo, Tsarskoye Selo district, Saint Petersburg province, Russian Empire Died: March 2, 1855 (age 58), Saint Petersburg, Saint Petersburg Province, Russian Empire in 1806 10 years in 1816 20 years until 1825 – Grand Duke Nikolai Pavlovich in 1826 30 years in 1836 40 years in 1846 50 years in 1855 58 years old

The long-term friendship between A. H. Benckendorff and Nicholas I was based on their similar views on the fate of Russia and the world. Benckendorff believed that the patriarchal conservative system of government that Nicholas I was building in Russia was the only possible one and fully consistent with the entire course of Russian history. As a close friend of the emperor, Benckendorff repeatedly carried out his important personal assignments. After the Decembrist uprising in 1825, Benckendorff led part of the government troops on the side of the new emperor Nicholas Pavlovich, and then took part in the work of the investigative committee. In early July 1826, he was appointed chief of the Corps of Gendarmes, heading the Third Section of His Imperial Majesty's Chancellery, the creation of which Benckendorff himself had initiated. In 1826, Alexander Khristoforovich became a senator, and in 1827, an honorary member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. From 1831, he was a member of the State Council and the Committee of Ministers. In 1832, Benckendorff was elevated to the rank of count. Alexander Khristoforovich Benckendorf and Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin had both supervisory and cooperative relationships. Tsar Nicholas I assigned Benckendorff the task of supervising Pushkin. In 1826–1829, the Third Section actively carried out secret surveillance of the poet. Benckendorff personally investigated the unpleasant case for Pushkin “about the distribution of ‘Andrei Chenier’ and ‘Gabriliad’.” However, for Pushkin, the chief of the Third Section became a kind of "administrative resource" to which the poet resorted when necessary. Through Benckendorff, Pushkin petitioned for a pension to be granted to General Raevsky's widow, for the publication of Kuchelbecker's play, for the transfer of his younger brother Lev from one regiment to another, and so on. It was to Benckendorff that the poet turned in 1830 for help in the matter of marriage. Natalia Goncharova's parents were not very fond of a groom with such an ambiguous reputation. Then Pushkin asked Benckendorff

Alexander Khristoforovich Benckendorf and Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin had both supervisory and cooperative relationships. Tsar Nicholas I assigned Benckendorff the task of supervising Pushkin. In 1826–1829, the Third Section actively carried out secret surveillance of the poet. Benckendorff personally investigated the unpleasant case for Pushkin “about the distribution of ‘Andrei Chenier’ and ‘Gabriliad’.” However, for Pushkin, the chief of the Third Section became a kind of "administrative resource" to which the poet resorted when necessary. Through Benckendorff, Pushkin petitioned for a pension to be granted to General Raevsky's widow, for the publication of Kuchelbecker's play, for the transfer of his younger brother Lev from one regiment to another, and so on. It was to Benckendorff that the poet turned in 1830 for help in the matter of marriage. Natalia Goncharova's parents were not very fond of a groom with such an ambiguous reputation. Then Pushkin asked Benckendorff for a positive character reference (in writing). Benckendorff did not refuse here either - the poet received a favorable written review. A letter of recommendation from the chief of the gendarmes reassured the Goncharovs, and consent to the marriage was given.

He became emperor only in 1825, not earlier. Preservation of chastity