Favorites and Mistresses of the Tsarist Court

In this book, a professional historian and the leading specialist on the Romanov dynasty that ruled in Russia for more than 300 years presents an account of episodes of Russian history that have not yet become widely known. The world of the royal court will appear not from the “front” side, but in the blaze of passions, in a chain of heartfelt attractions—so the reader will see not “characters,” but people placed by fate into the most unusual public circumstances.

Among the main characters are favorites and favorite ladies of the last nine monarchs: Empress Elizabeth, Emperor Peter III, Empress Catherine II, Emperors Paul I, Nicholas I, Alexander I, Alexander II, Alexander III, and Nicholas II. Favorites often did not merely share the sovereigns’ royal bed—they played leading roles in all palace ceremonies, took prominent places during royal banquets, and “considered” cases and petitions submitted by various people. The opinion of each favorite had to be taken into account by both courtiers and state figures.