In Russia at the end of the 17th century, something incredible happened: in a country where house-building traditions were very strong, and women led mostly reclusive lives, Princess Sofya Alekseevna began to manage all the affairs of the state. It happened so unexpectedly and at the same time naturally that the Russians began to take it for granted. Until some time, Princess Sofya Alekseevna, whose biography is so unusual, did not cause indignation in anyone. However, after several years, when she had to transfer the reins of government into the hands of Peter I, people were surprised: how did it happen that they revered the empress, who was just a woman. Undoubtedly, Princess Sophia was an outstanding personality. Her photo and biography will give you some idea of her.
Sophia's life in seclusion
It all started with the death of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. However, after his death, Princess Sophia (reigned 1682-1689) did not immediately realize that she had become free. Daughter of the autocratsat as a recluse in the tower for 19 years with her sisters. She went to church only accompanied and sometimes attended with her father performances arranged by Artamon Matveev. The princess, brought up according to house building, was also one of the best students of Simeon of Polotsk, a famous enlightener. She was fluent in Polish, read Greek and Latin. Repeatedly this woman surprised her surroundings by composing a tragedy that was immediately played out in the family circle. And sometimes Sophia wrote poetry. The princess was so successful in artistic creativity that even the famous writer and historian Karamzin noted this. He wrote that the talent of the princess allowed her to compare with the best writers.
Chance to get out of the tower
In 1676, with the accession of Fyodor Alekseevich, Sophia's brother, the latter suddenly realized that there was a chance to finally get out of the tower. Her brother became seriously ill, and at that time Sophia was often next to him. The princess often visited Fyodor's chambers, communicated with clerks and boyars, sat in the Duma, delved into the essence of governing the country.
The autocrat died in 1682, and a dynastic crisis began in the state. Pretenders for the throne were not fit for such a responsible post. The heirs were the son of Natalia Naryshkina, the young Peter and the weak-minded Ivan, whom Maria Miloslavskaya gave birth to Alexei Mikhailovich. These two parties - the Naryshkins and the Miloslavskys - fought among themselves.
Election of Tsar Peter
Tsar, according to tradition, was to be Ivan. However, this would entail the need for guardianship for the duration of his reign. On thisSophia hoped. The princess was disappointed when 10-year-old Peter was elected sovereign. Sophia could only congratulate her stepbrother on this. It was difficult for her now to challenge the legitimacy of his accession.
Rebellion of the archers and the reign of Sophia
However, Sophia had nothing to lose. The decisive and independent princess could not but take advantage of the situation that had developed in her favor. Sophia used the archery regiments for her purpose. The princess persuaded them to revolt, as a result of which John and Peter officially began to reign. And Sophia was given the government.
However, the joy of this victory could be premature. These days Sophia's power seemed illusory. The archers, led by Prince Khovansky, had too real power. Under a plausible pretext, Sophia lured Khovansky from the capital to the village of Vozdvizhenskoye. Here the head of the Streltsy Department was accused of high treason and executed. The army, therefore, was without a leader. Tsarevna Sofya Alekseevna immediately threw out a cry, mobilizing the noble militia to protect the legitimate government. The archers were in a state of shock, they did not know what to do. At first, they planned to give battle to the ruler and the boyars, but they caught on in time and capitulated. Sophia now dictated her will to the archers. Thus began the 7-year regency of Princess Sofia Alekseevna.
Prince Golitsyn, commutation of sentences
Sophia's favorite, Prince Vasily Golitsyn (picturedabove), became head of government. He was a talented diplomat. Close and long communication with him made Sophia a staunch supporter of mitigation of punishments and education. By the way, later rumors spread about the existence of a carnal connection between them. However, neither the correspondence with the favorite of the princess, nor the evidence relating to the time of her reign, confirm this.
However, the influence of Golitsyn on Sophia, of course, was great. In particular, a decree was issued according to which creditors were forbidden to take debtors-husbands without their wives to work off the debt. In addition, it was forbidden to collect debts from orphans and widows if there was no estate left after the death of their fathers and husbands. From now on, "outrageous words" were not executed. Severe punishment was replaced by exile and a whip. Previously, a woman who cheated on her husband was buried up to the neck in the ground alive. Now, such a painful death was replaced with an easier one - the traitor was threatened with beheading.
Industrial Development
The reign of Princess Sophia was also marked by a number of initiatives for the development of industry, the revival of trade with the West. This affected in particular the weaving industry. In our country, expensive fabrics began to be made: brocade, satin and velvet. Previously, they were imported from overseas. Foreign specialists began to leave from abroad to teach Russian masters.
Founding an academy, promoting education and the arts
Sophia opened the Slavic-Greek-Latin Academy in 1687. The business of its creation was started during the reign of Tsar Fyodor Alekseevich. After the Kyiv scientistsPatriarch Joachim began to persecute, Golitsyn and Sophia took them under protection. The princess encouraged the construction of stone choirs in Moscow, the study of languages and various arts. Young people from noble families were sent abroad to study.
Successes in foreign policy
Successes were noticeable in the sphere of foreign policy as well. Russia concluded Eternal Peace with the Commonwe alth. This power, according to the conditions presented by Golitsyn, recognized the transition to the Russian state of Kyiv and the belonging of Russia to the Left-Bank Ukraine, Seversky and Smolensk lands. The Treaty of Nerchinsk concluded with China was another important political event. At that time, Russian lands in Siberia bordered on this state.
Crimean campaigns
However, there were also failures that, in the end, led to the overthrow of Sophia and Golitsyn (his portrait is presented above). An experienced diplomat, the favorite of the princess was a gentle and indecisive person. He didn't see himself as a general at all. However, Sophia insisted that this man lead the Crimean campaign, which ended in failure. The army from the campaign carried out in 1687 returned back. They were prevented by the Tatars, who set fire to the steppe. However, Sophia staged even the inglorious return with all solemnity. She wanted to support Golitsyn. At that time, it was openly said about the favorite that he only killed people in vain by embarking on this adventure. And the second campaign was unsuccessful. It was undertaken two years later.
Sofya loses power
Until the kings grew up, the regency of Princess Sophia allowed her to independently resolve all state issues. During the reception of foreign ambassadors, the princess hid behind the throne and told the brothers how to behave. However, as time went on, Peter matured over the years of Sophia's reign. On May 30, 1689, Peter I turned 17 years old. At the insistence of Natalya Kirillovna, his mother, he had already married Evdokia Lopukhina by this time and became an adult, according to the concepts of that time. In addition, Ivan, the elder tsar, was also married. That is, there were no formal grounds for continuing the regency. However, Sophia still held the reins of power in her hands. This led to conflicts with Peter.
The relationship between him and his sister became more and more hostile. The princess was well aware that the balance of power would change from year to year not in her favor. In order to strengthen her own position, she made an attempt to marry the kingdom back in 1687. Fyodor Shaklovity, an approximate clerk of the princess, began agitation among the archers. However, they did not forget what happened to Prince Khovansky and refused to support Sophia.
The first skirmish between the princess and Peter occurred when Sophia dared to participate with the kings in the procession of the cross. Peter was angry. He said that she was a woman, so she should leave immediately, as it was obscene for the fair sex to follow the crosses. However, Sophia decided to ignore her brother's rebuke. Then Peter himself left the ceremony. He inflicted a second insult on his sister by refusing to accept Prince Golitsyn after the Crimean campaign.
Attempt to eliminate Peter
So, Sophia's wedding attempt failed. However, there was another way out - it was possible to eliminate Peter. Again the princess relied on the archers, but this time in vain. Someone started a provocative rumor, saying that Peter's amusing regiments were going to Moscow in order to kill Tsar Ivan and the ruler. Sophia called on the archers for protection. And Peter, in turn, heard rumors that an attack by "dirty bastards" was being prepared (this is what Peter called the archers). The tsar was not afraid of the threat, however, from childhood, the picture of 1682 remained in his mind, when the archers carried out a massacre against people close to him. Peter decided to take refuge in the Trinity-Sergius Monastery. After some time, amusing regiments also came here, as well as, to the surprise of many, one regiment of archers, commanded by Sukharev.
Peter's flight puzzled Sophia. She wanted to reconcile with her brother, but her attempts were unsuccessful. Then Sophia decided to turn to the help of the patriarch. But he reminded her that she was just a ruler under sovereigns, and went to Peter. Supporters of Sophia became less and less. The boyars, who recently swore allegiance to her, somehow imperceptibly left the princess. And the archers arranged for Peter, who was going to Moscow, a repentant meeting. As a sign of humility, they laid their heads on the blocks by the road.
Conclusion in a monastery, last hope
32 year oldSophia at the end of September 1689 was imprisoned by order of Peter in the Novodevichy Convent. However, in 1698 she had hope. Then Peter went to Europe, and the archery regiments, which were stationed far from the capital, moved to Moscow. They intended to return Sophia to the throne, and to “lime” the sovereign, who did not favor the archers, if he returned from abroad.
Execution of archers, Sophia's fate
But the rebellion was crushed. Descendants will remember for a long time the mass execution of archers. And Peter, who had not seen his sister for 9 years, came to her for the last explanation in the Novodevichy Convent. The involvement of the princess in the Streltsy rebellion was proved. Shortly thereafter, the former ruler was tonsured a nun by order of Peter. She was given the name Susanna. She no longer had any hope of the throne. Shortly before her death, she accepted the schema and returned her name. On July 3, 1704, Princess Sophia died, whose biography was so atypical for her time.
