Sofia Alekseevna Romanova. Biography

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 what happened for granted. Until some time no one was outraged by Princess Sophia Alekseevna, whose biography is so unusual. However, after several years, when she had to transfer the reins of government into the hands of Peter I, people wondered how it happened that they venerated the empress, who was only a woman. Of course, Princess Sophia was an outstanding person. Her photo and biography will give you some idea of ​​her.

Sophia's life in seclusion

It all started with death. However, after his death, Princess Sophia (reigned 1682-1689) did not immediately realize that she had become free. The autocrat's daughter spent 19 years as a recluse in a mansion with her sisters. She went to church only when accompanied and sometimes attended performances with her father, arranged by Artamon Matveyev. The princess, brought up in house building, was also one of the best students of Simeon of Polotsk, a famous educator. She was fluent in Polish, read in 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 creation 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 Sophia's brother, the latter suddenly realized that there was a chance to finally leave the mansion. Her brother fell seriously ill, and at this 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 ensued in the state. The contenders for the throne were not suitable for such a responsible post. The heirs were the son of Natalya Naryshkina, young Peter and the feeble-minded Ivan, whom Maria Miloslavskaya gave birth to to Alexei Mikhailovich. These two parties - the Naryshkins and the Miloslavskys - fought among themselves.

Election of Peter as Tsar

According to the established tradition, Ivan was supposed to become the king. However, this would entail the need for guardianship during his reign. This is what Sofya hoped for. The princess was disappointed when 10-year-old Peter was elected sovereign. Sophia could only congratulate her stepbrother on this. It was now difficult for her to challenge the legality of his accession.

The archers' revolt and the rule of Sophia

However, Sophia had nothing to lose. The decisive and independent princess could not help but take advantage of the situation in her favor. For her purpose, Sophia used the rifle regiments. The princess persuaded them to revolt, as a result of which John and Peter began to reign officially. And Sophia was entrusted with the rule of the state.

However, the joy of this victory could be premature. These days, Sophia's power seemed ghostly. The archers, headed by Prince Khovansky, possessed too real power. Under a plausible pretext, Sophia lured from the capital Khovanskoye to the village of Vozdvizhenskoye. Here the chief was accused of high treason and executed. The army thus found itself without a leader. Tsarevna Sofya Alekseevna immediately threw a cry, mobilizing the noble militia to protect the legitimate power. The archers were in a state of shock, they did not know what to do. At first, they conceived of giving battle to the ruler and the boyars, but they caught themselves in time and capitulated. Sophia was now dictating her will to the archers. Thus began the 7-year regency of Princess Sophia Alekseevna.

mitigation of sentences

Sophia's favorite, Prince Vasily Golitsyn (pictured above), became the head of government. He was a talented diplomat. Close and long-term communication with him made Sophia a staunch supporter of mitigation of punishment and education. By the way, later rumors spread about the existence of a carnal connection between them. Nevertheless, neither the correspondence with the favorite of the princess, nor the testimonies dating back to the time of her reign, do not confirm this.

However, Golitsyn's influence on Sophia was undoubtedly great. In particular, a decree was issued, according to which it was forbidden for creditors 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 property left after the death of their fathers and husbands. From now on, they were not executed for "outrageous words". The harsh punishment was replaced by exile and whip. Previously, a woman who had cheated on her husband was buried up to her neck in the earth alive. Now such a painful death was replaced by an easier one - the traitor was threatened with cutting off the head.

Industry development

The reign of Princess Sophia was also marked by a number of initiatives to develop industry, revitalize trade with the West. This particularly affected the weaving industry. In our country, they began to make expensive fabrics: brocade, satin and velvet. Previously, they were imported from overseas. Foreign specialists began to leave from abroad in order 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 begun during the reign of Tsar Fyodor Alekseevich. After the patriarch Joachim began to persecute the Kiev scientists, Golitsyn and Sophia took them under their 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.

Success in foreign policy

And in the field of foreign policy, there were noticeable successes. Russia concluded Eternal Peace with the Commonwealth. This power, according to the conditions presented by Golitsyn, recognized the transition to the Russian state of Kiev and the belonging of Russia to the Left-Bank Ukraine, Seversky and Smolensk lands. The Treaty of Nerchinsk concluded with China became another important political event. At that time, the Russian lands in Siberia bordered this state.

Crimean campaigns

However, there were also setbacks, which in the end brought about and led to the overthrow of Sophia and Golitsyn (his portrait is presented above). An experienced diplomat, the princess's favorite was a gentle and indecisive person. He did not imagine 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 even arranged the inglorious return with all the solemnity. She wanted to support Golitsyn. At that time, it was openly said about the favorite that he had only in vain ruined people by embarking on this adventure. And the second trip was unsuccessful. It was attempted two years later.

Sophia loses power

Until the tsars 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 grew up during the years of Sophia's reign. May 30, 1689 was 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 king, 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 every year would change in no way in her favor. In order to strengthen her own position, she attempted to marry the kingdom back in 1687. Fyodor Shaklovity, a close clerk of the princess, began campaigning 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 tsars in the procession of the cross. Peter was angry. He said that she was a woman, so she should immediately leave, since it was indecent for a representative of 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, refusing to accept Prince Golitsyn after the Crimean campaign.

Attempt to eliminate Peter

So, Sofia's wedding attempt failed. However, there was another way out - Peter could be eliminated. Again, the princess hoped for the archers, but this time in vain. Someone started a provocative rumor, saying that the amusing regiments of Peter were going to Moscow in order to kill Tsar Ivan and the ruler. Sophia called on the archers to defend. And Peter, in turn, heard rumors that an attack was being prepared by "dirty tricks" (this is what Peter called the streltsov). The tsar was not afraid of the threat, but from childhood in his mind there was a picture of 1682, when the archers carried out a bloody massacre of people close to him. Peter decided to take refuge in the Trinity-Sergius Monastery. After a while, amusing regiments approached here, as well as, to the surprise of many, one regiment of archers, commanded by Sukharev.

The flight of Peter puzzled Sophia. She wanted to make peace with her brother, but the attempts were unsuccessful. Then Sophia decided to seek the help of the patriarch. But he reminded her that she was just a ruler under the sovereigns, and went to Peter. Sophia's supporters became less and less. The boyars, who had recently sworn allegiance to her, somehow imperceptibly left the princess. And the archers arranged for Peter, who was traveling to Moscow, a repentant meeting. As a sign of obedience, they laid their heads on the block by the road.

Conclusion in a monastery, the last hope

At the end of September 1689, 32-year-old Sophia was imprisoned at the order of Peter in the Novodevichy Convent. However, in 1698, she had hope. Then Peter went to Europe, and the rifle regiments, which were stationed at a distance from the capital, moved to Moscow. They intended to return Sophia to the throne, and the sovereign, who did not favor the archers, "lime" if he returned from abroad.

The execution of the archers, the fate of Sophia

But the rebellion was suppressed. The descendants will remember the mass execution of the archers for a long time. And Peter, who had not seen his sister for 9 years, came to her for a final explanation at the Novodevichy Convent. The princess's involvement in the Streltsy revolt was proven. The former ruler was tonsured a nun shortly afterwards 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.

Sofya Alekseevna was born on September 17, 1657 in Moscow. She received a good education under the guidance of Simeon of Polotsk, knew Polish and Latin, wrote plays, poems, studied history. Outwardly unattractive, she was simultaneously distinguished by energy, intelligence, ambition. After the death of Tsar Fyodor Alekseevich, Sophia, with the help of the archers, achieved her proclamation on May 29, 1682 as regent under the young brothers-sovereigns - 10-year-old Peter and 16-year-old Ivan. All state power was concentrated in the hands of Sophia and her favorite, Prince Golitsyn. Poor health, Ivan Alekseevich could not interfere with Sofya Alekseevna, and Pyotr Alekseevich, together with his mother Natalia Kirillovna, was sent to the village of Preobrazhenskoye near Moscow. Since 1684, the image of Sophia began to be minted on coins, and from 1686 they began to call her the autocrat. Sophia, first of all, dealt with schismatism and the streltsy freelancer, seeing in them the main opponents of her desire to become the sole ruler.

However, this dream of Sophia was not given to come true. Peter, at the insistence of his mother, married in January 1689 and became completely independent. Sophia tried in August of the same year with the help of the archers to overthrow him from the throne, but behind Peter there were already "amusing" troops loyal to him. In addition, many boyars and service people were not inclined to support the sovereign's ambitious plans. As a result of the energetic measures taken by Peter, Sophia was accused of treason and was put in the Moscow Novodevichy Convent. In 1698, she again tried to seize power. This time it all ended for her with the tonsure of a nun (with the name Susanna), and for the archers with numerous executions. Some of them Peter hung right in front of the windows of the cell of his restless sister. Sofia Alekseevna died on July 3, 1704. She was buried in the Smolensk Cathedral of the Novodevichy Convent.

The former regent spent the rest of her life in the Novodevichy Convent. There she was guarded by a hundred guards under the command of a lieutenant colonel. Before her death, she accepted the schema with her former name - Sophia.

She was born on September 27 (17 according to the old style) September 1657 in Moscow. One of six daughters from a marriage with Maria Miloslavskaya, who bore the tsar two more sons - Fyodor and Ivan.

The princess brought in a hitherto not practiced order - she, a woman, was present at the royal reports, and over time, without hesitation, publicly began to give her own orders.

Sophia's reign is marked by her desire for a broad renewal of Russian society. The princess took all measures to develop industry and trade. During the reign of Sophia, Russia began to produce velvet and satin, previously imported from Europe. Under her, the Slavic-Greek-Latin Academy was created. Sofia Alekseevna sent the first Russian embassy to Paris. During her reign, a famous dispute about faith took place in the Kremlin's Palace of Facets, which put an end to the long-term church schism.

In addition, the first census of the population was held, a reform of the tax system was carried out, and the rules for obtaining government positions were changed (now, officials were required not only for a title, but also for the business qualities of applicants). Sophia began reorganizing the army according to the European model, but did not manage to complete what she had begun.

During the reign of Sophia, small concessions were made to the settlements and the search for fugitive peasants was weakened, which caused the discontent of the nobles. In foreign policy, the most significant actions of Sofia Alekseevna's government were the conclusion of the "Eternal Peace" in 1686 with Poland, which secured the Left-Bank Ukraine, Kiev and Smolensk to Russia; Treaty of Nerchinsk in 1689 with China; entry into the war with Turkey and the Crimean Khanate. In 1689, there was a break between Sophia and the boyar-noble group that supported Peter I. The party of Peter I won.

Sofya Alekseevna Romanova (September 27 (17), 1657 - July 14 (3), 1704) - regent under the brothers Ivan V and. Sophia's father is Alexei Mikhailovich Romanov, and her mother is Marya Ilyinichna Miloslavskaya.

After the death of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, Ivan was to come to power. But he was not in good health. And it was decided to establish a dual power. In 1682, Ivan was appointed senior tsar, Peter was the younger tsar, and Sophia became regent.

Sophia was distinguished by a sharp mind, was ambitious and ambitious, spoke several languages, wrote poetry. She did not marry, she had no children, Sophia was only interested in power.

Domestic policy. In 1682 there were streltsy uprisings. But Sofia, along with the nobles, was able to suppress them. It was obvious that Russia needed reforms. But Sophia did not seek to carry them out, since she was afraid of losing power.

There was also a struggle against schismatics who sought the return of the "old piety." Priest Nikita Pustosvyat led the uprising. As a result, Nikita was captured and executed. The schismatics were treated no less severely: they were persecuted, beaten, burned, destroyed. In 1685, the "Twelve Articles" were adopted, on the basis of which thousands of Old Believers were executed.

Then Sophia ordered the execution of Prince Khovansky (the leader of the archers) and his allies for showing disrespect to her. Sophia appointed the clerk Shaklovity as the head of the archers.

During the reign of Sophia, the conditions for detecting serfs were weakened. In 1687, the Slavic-Greek-Latin Academy was opened in Moscow - this is the first secular institution of higher education in Russia. In 1755 it was transformed into the Imperial Moscow University.

On May 30, 1689, Peter turned 17 years old. He was entering adulthood. Ivan was already married. Consequently, there was no longer a need for Sophia's regency. But she continued to hold on to power. Peter tried to overthrow Sophia, but all the archers were on her side. Shaklovity decided to kill Peter and his mother, but the conspiracy was discovered. Peter and his family went to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. Sophia urged him to return, but to no avail. Peter demanded that Shaklovity and his accomplice Sylvester Medvedev be extradited. Sophia tried to avoid this by turning to the archers and the people, but no one listened to her. As a result, all the participants in the conspiracy were executed, and Golitsyn himself was exiled with his family to Pinega.

In August 1689, Peter came to power, and Sophia was exiled to the Novodevichy Convent. There she was kept in custody. But Sophia continued to keep in touch with the archers.

In 1698, while Peter was abroad, the archers raised an uprising so that Sophia again stood at the head of the state. But the uprising was suppressed, and many of the archers were executed.

Sophia herself was forcibly tonsured into a nun under the name of Susanna. Peter carried out the executions of the archers right under the windows of her cell.

Foreign policy. In 1686, the "Eternal Peace" was concluded with the Commonwealth. Under this agreement, Russia received Kiev, Smolensk and the left-bank Little Russia. In return, Russia was supposed to help Poland in the war with Turkey.

Prince Vasily Golitsyn, who was close to Sophia, in 1687 and 1689 carried out two Crimean campaigns, which ended in failure. This failure shook Sophia's position, many of her supporters lost faith in her.

In 1689 Russia and China signed the Treaty of Nerchinsk. China got back the banks of the Amur.

On July 14, 1704, Sophia died. She was buried in the Smolensk Cathedral of the Novodevichy Convent.

In the pre-Petrine era, the fate of girls born in the royal chambers was unenviable. The life of each of them developed according to the same scenario: childhood, youth, monastery. The princesses were not even taught to read and write. The daughter of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich and sister of Peter I flatly refused to put up with this state of affairs. Princess Sophia... Thanks to her sharp mind and cunning, this woman became the de facto ruler in Russia for seven whole years.

Until the 18th century, the fate of the princesses was predetermined. According to their status, they were forbidden to marry courtiers, and the idea of ​​marrying European monarchs was not allowed, since for the daughters of Russian rulers, the transition to Catholicism was impossible. That is why no one particularly burdened himself with teaching the princesses to read and write. Basically, their education was limited to the basics of needlework. After the girls were 20-25 years old, they were sent to monasteries. The exception was the daughter of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich Sophia.

Sofya Alekseevna was one of the 16 children of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. The little princess was different from her sisters: she showed curiosity, refused to spend time in endless prayers, did not obey the nurses. To the surprise of the courtiers, her father not only did not get angry with his daughter for such disobedience, but, on the contrary, hired a teacher for her.

Already at the age of 10, Princess Sophia learned to read and write, mastered several foreign languages, was interested in history and sciences. As the princess grew older, rumors about her spread far beyond the borders of the country. Lifetime images of the princess have not survived, but according to contemporaries, Sophia could not be called a beauty. The Frenchman Foix de la Neuville described it as follows: "She's terribly fat, she has a pot-sized head, facial hair, lupus on her legs, and as wide, short and rough as she is, so thin, sharp and political is her mind.".

After the death of Alexei Mikhailovich, the Russian throne was taken by his son Fedor Alekseevich. He was very painful, so the princess volunteered to look after her brother. In the intervals between caring for the king, Sophia made useful friendships with the boyars and understood the court intrigues. It was then that she met Prince Vasily Golitsyn.

Golitsyn had an excellent education, was known as a talented diplomat, and was well brought up. The princess, unwittingly, fell in love with the prince, who was also 14 years older than her. However, Golitsyn was considered an exemplary family man. The princess developed a relationship of trust with the prince.

When Tsar Fyodor Alekseevich died in 1682, the young Peter was elevated to the throne, and his mother, Natalia Naryshkina, was appointed regent. Princess Sophia did not want to put up with such a state of affairs, and with the support of Prince Golitsyn, she staged an archery riot, after which the newly-made tsar and his mother were overthrown. Literally a couple of weeks later, two brothers, Peter and Ivan, were planted to reign, and Sophia was appointed regent.

The beginning of Sophia's reign was marked by a number of positive reforms. Foreign traders, teachers, craftsmen were attracted to Russia. The Slavic-Greek-Latin Academy was opened. Under the princess, the punishment was mitigated a little. Now those accused of theft were not executed, but were limited to chopping off their hands. The female husbands were not left to die in suffering, buried up to the chest, but immediately cut off their heads.

Time passed, and Peter grew up. Now he no longer obeyed his sister in everything. Mother Natalya Naryshkina constantly whispered to young Peter the story of how his sister managed to become the de facto head of state. In addition, everyone knew that Sophia's regency should end when Peter reached the age of majority or after his marriage. At the insistence of his mother, the tsar married at the age of 17, but Sophia did not even think of resigning from herself.

The situation escalated in early August 1689. Several archers came to Peter in the village of Preobrazhenskoye, informing him of a possible attempt on his life. The heir disappeared into the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. Gradually, all the boyars and rifle troops went over to his side.

Vasily Golitsyn prudently left for his estate. The only one who supported Sophia was her favorite - the head of the streltsy order Fyodor Shalkovity. Later he was beheaded, and Sofya Alekseevna was left all alone.

Peter I exiled her to the Novodevichy Convent and put in a guard. The woman continued to be honored and even fed from the royal kitchen. In 1698, the archers, dissatisfied with the reforms of Peter, who was “replaced by the Germans,” who was staying abroad at that time, again tried to elevate Sophia to the throne. The case ended with the king ordered to forcefully cut his sister in a nun.

Peter I, who took the throne, became famous for his cardinal reforms. But during the reign