Sophia, Princess: biography, photo, years of government

In Russia at the end of the 17th century something incredible happened: in a country where the traditions of house construction were very strong, and women were mostly reclusive, Tsarevna Sofya Alexeyevna began to manage all affairs of the state. It happened so suddenly and at the same time it is natural that the Russians began to perceive what happened as something self-evident. Until some time, Tsarevna Sofya Alexeyevna was not indignant at anyone, whose biography is so unusual. However, after several years, when the reins of government had to be transferred to Peter the Great, people were surprised: how did it happen that they revered the Empress, who was only a woman. Certainly, the outstanding personality was the princess Sophia. Her biography and biography will give you some idea of her.

Life of Sophia in Reclusiveness

It all began with the death of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. However, after his death, Princess Sophia (years of reign - 1682-1689) did not immediately realize that she became free. The daughter of the autocrat sat as a recluse in the tent of 19 years with her sisters. She went to church only when she was accompanied, and occasionally visited her father with performances arranged by Artamon Matveyev. The princess, brought up on a house-building, was also one of the best pupils of Simeon of Polotsk, a famous enlightener. She was fluent in Polish, read Greek and Latin. Repeatedly this woman surprised her surroundings by writing a tragedy, which was immediately played out in the family circle. And sometimes poetry was written by Sophia. The princess was so successful in artistic creation that this was noted even by the famous literary and historian Karamzin. He wrote that the princess's talent allowed her to compare with the best writers.

The chance to get out of the house

In 1676, with the accession of Fyodor Alekseevich, brother of Sophia, 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 Sofya was often with him. The princess often visited Feodor's chambers, communicated with the deacons and boyars, sat in the Duma, delved into the essence of governing the country.

The autocrat died in 1682, and the dynastic crisis hit the country. The pretenders to the throne were not fit for such a responsible post. The heirs were the son of Natalia Naryshkina, little Peter and the feeble-minded Ivan, who gave birth to Maria Miloslavskaya Alexei Mikhailovich. These two parties - Naryshkin and Miloslavsky - fought among themselves.

Election of the Tsar Peter

Tsar, according to tradition, was to become Ivan. However, this would entail the need for custody for the time of his reign. This is what Sofia hoped for. The princess was disappointed when the 10-year-old Peter was elected as sovereign. Sophia could only congratulate his half-brother. It was difficult for her now to challenge the legality of his accession.

The riot of the Streltsi and the reign of Sophia

However, Sophia had nothing to lose. A resolute and independent princess could not help but take advantage of the situation that had developed in her favor. For its own purpose, the Streltsy regiments of Sofia were involved. The princess inclined them to rebellion, as a result of which John and Peter officially reigned. And Sophia was handed the government.

However, the joy of this victory could be premature. In these days, the power of Sophia seemed ghostly. Sagittarians, headed by Prince Khovansky, had too real power. Under a plausible pretext, Sophia lured the Khovansky capital to the village of Vozdvizhenskoe. Here the chief of the Streletsky order was accused of high treason and executed. The army, therefore, was without a leader. Tsarevna Sofya Alekseyevna immediately threw out the cry, mobilizing the noble militia to guard the lawful authority. Sagittarians were in a state of shock, they did not know what to do. At first they intended to give battle to the ruler and the boyars, but in time they realized and capitulated. Sophia now dictated her will to the streltsy. So began the 7-year regency of the princess Sophia Alexeevna.

Prince Golitsyn, mitigation of punishment

Favorite Sophia, Prince Vasily Golitsyn (pictured above), became head of government. He was a talented diplomat. Close and continuous communication with him made Sophia a staunch supporter of mitigating punishment and enlightenment. By the way, later rumors spread about the existence of a fleshly connection between them. Nevertheless, neither correspondence with the favorite of the princess, nor evidence relating to the time of her reign, this does not confirm.

However, Golitsyn's influence on Sophia was certainly great. In particular, a decree was issued, according to which creditors were forbidden to borrow debtors-husbands without their wives to work off 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 a reference and a whip. Previously, a woman who had changed her husband by the neck was buried in the earth alive. Now, so painful death was replaced by an easier one - the traitor was threatened with the cutting off of the head.

Development of industry

The reign of Princess Sophia was marked by a number of initiatives on the development of industry, the revival of trade with the West. This affected particularly the weaving industry. In our country, they began to produce expensive fabrics: brocade, satin and velvet. Previously, they were imported from across the sea. Specialists-foreigners began to write out from abroad in order to teach Russian masters.

Foundation of the Academy, the promotion of education and the arts

Sophia in 1687 opened the Slavic-Greek-Latin Academy. The cause of its creation was begun even under Tsar Fedor Alekseevich. After the Kiev scientists began to pursue the patriarch Joachim, Golitsyn and Sophia took them under protection. The princess encouraged the construction of stone choruses in Moscow, the study of languages and various arts. Young people from noble families went abroad to study.

Advances in foreign policy

And in the sphere of foreign policy, success was evident. The eternal peace was concluded with the Commonwealth. This power, according to the conditions set by Golitsyn, recognized the transition to the Russian state of Kiev and the ownership of Russia of the Left Bank Ukraine, the Seversky and Smolensk lands. Concluded with China, the Nerchinsk Treaty was another important political event. With this state bordered at that time the Russian lands in Siberia.

Crimean campaigns

However, there were also failures that eventually brought about the overthrow of Sophia and Golitsyn (the portrait is presented above). An experienced diplomat, a favorite of the princess, was a soft and indecisive person. He completely did not imagine himself a general. However, Sophia insisted that this man led the Crimean campaign, which ended in failure. The army from the campaign, carried out in 1687, returned back. They were prevented by Tatars, who set fire to the steppe. However, Sophia even furnished an inglorious return with all solemnity. She wanted to support Golitsyn. At the time, a favorite was openly told that he had only in vain ruined people, embarking on this adventure. And the second campaign was unsuccessful. It was undertaken two years later.

Sophia loses power

Until the kings grew up, the regency of Tsarevna Sophia allowed her to solve all state problems independently. During the reception of foreign ambassadors, the princess hid behind the throne and told the brothers how to behave. However, as time passed, during the reign of Sophia, Peter grew up. Peter I on May 30, 1689 turned 17 years old. At the insistence of Natalia Kirillovna, her mother, he had already married Evdokia Lopukhina by this time and had become 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 government 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 correlation of forces would not change from year to year in its favor. In order to consolidate her own position, she made an attempt to get married to the kingdom back in 1687. Fedor Shaklovity, an approximate deacon of the princess, began agitation among the streltsy. However, they did not forget what happened to Prince Khovansky, and refused to support Sophia.

The first clash 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 is a woman, so she should immediately leave, as following the crosses to a fair sex representative is indecent. However, Sophia decided to ignore her brother's reproach. Then the ceremony was left by Peter himself. He inflicted a second insult to his sister, refusing to accept Prince Golitsyn after the Crimean campaign.

An attempt to eliminate Peter

So, the attempt at the wedding of Sophia was not a success. However, there was another way out - it was possible to eliminate Peter. Once again the princess relied on the streltsy, but this time in vain. Someone started a provocative rumor, saying that Moscow was amusing Peter's comic shelves in order to kill Tsar Ivan and the ruler. Sophia called the streltsy to defense. And before Peter, in turn, there were rumors that an attack was being prepared for "dirty tricksters" (that's what the Streltsi called Peter). The Tsar was not afraid of the threat, however, from childhood, the picture of 1682 remained in his mind, when the streltsi carried out a bloody massacre of people close to him. Peter decided to take refuge in the Trinity-Sergius Monastery. After a while, comical shelves came up here, and, to the surprise of many, one regiment of archers, commanded by Sukharev.

The flight of Peter puzzled Sophia. She wanted to reconcile with her brother, but the 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 the sovereigns, and went to Peter. Supporters of Sophia became less and less. The boyars, who had recently sworn to her in fidelity, somehow imperceptibly left the princess. And the streltsy arranged a repenting meeting for Peter, who was going to Moscow. As a sign of obedience, they put their heads on the plaques at the road.

Conclusion in the monastery, the last hope

The 32-year-old Sophia at the end of September 1689 was executed on the orders of Peter to the Novodevichy Convent. However, in 1698, she had a hope. Then Peter went to Europe, and the streltsy regiments, which were quartered away from the capital, moved to Moscow. They intended to return Sophia to the throne, and the prince, who did not pay tribute to the streltsy, "lime" if he returned from abroad.

The execution of the Archers, the fate of Sophia

But the mutiny was suppressed. Descendants for a long time remembered 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. It was proved the involvement of the princess in the Streltsy rebellion. The former ruler shortly afterwards was tonsured into nuns on the orders of Peter. She was given the name Susanna. She had no hope of the throne. Shortly before her death, she accepted the schema and returned her name. July 3, 1704, died princess Sophia, whose biography was so atypical for her time.