Nicholas II: The Life and Death

Until his death, Nicholas II carefully kept one notebook—a set of notes on the history of Russia written by his illustrious ancestor, the reforming tsar Alexander II, even while he was still heir to the throne.

“The Romanovs…” is how these records are proudly titled.

“The Romanovs” is a name that can be given to as many as three centuries of Russian history.

At the urging of his tutor, the future emperor recorded a kindly legend about the founding of the dynasty: “Mother, weeping tears of rapture, herself blessed him for the kingship. The approval of Michael’s becoming tsar was met with joy by all the inhabitants, who rejoiced. Michael, who did not remain long in the Ipatiev Monastery, set out for Moscow…”

And here history seems to wink: the monastery was indeed the Ipatiev Monastery, from which the first Romanov was invited to rule. And “Ipatiev” was also the name of the house where the last reigning Romanov—Nicholas II—was killed, named after the owner, Engineer Ipatiev. Michael was the name of the first ruler from the House of Romanovs, and also the name of that last one in whose favor Nicholas II vainly tried to abdicate.