The Russian Tsarevna and the German Duchess Ekaterina Ioannovna Romanova

In the vague and often difficult history of our country there are the names of people who, incidentally, entered books that tell of the development of Russia. Most often, this happened with those individuals who, in fact, were members of the royal family. This can be said about the princess, whose name Catherine Ioannovna Romanova has little to say to the modern man in the street. Meanwhile, there lived such a princess in Russia at the beginning of the 18th century.

Birth and childhood

Let's start with the fact that Catherine was lucky since childhood. First, she was born in 1691 in the family of a young Tsar John Alekseevich, co-ruler of Peter the Great. Secondly, the little princess managed to survive, unlike her sisters-weather. The third luck of the young princess will be discussed in more detail below.

As is known, only the young and extremely painful Tsar John Alekseevich and his wife Praskovia had 6 daughters, but only a few girls survived to adulthood. Tsarevna Ekaterina Ioannovna was one of those surviving children.

By the way, the godmothers of the little princess were the most eminent. They were her uncle Peter the Great and a great-aunt, sister of the Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich Tatyana Mikhailovna.

Childhood of a small Catherine, especially until 1708, flowed in quiet Moscow, under the walls of the Kremlin. The girl was strengthened, by the time of moving to the new capital, which her royal uncle founded, Ekaterina Ioannovna was already strong in health. Photos of St. Petersburg at the time speak of the greatness of this city.

Marriage

Now it's time to say about the third luck of the little princess. Catherine was fortunate that in her time the royal daughters were not kept in captivity until their death, and not giving in marriage, but found overseas suitors.

And these changes were introduced by her uncle Peter the Great. Before him, the girls in the royal families were an ornament of the royal house, which no man, even from the most noble family, could take to himself. Tsarevens were not given in marriage, because they were not of their own rank, and overseas non-Christians did not then pay tribute.

So the princesses lived out their days, forever remaining old maidens, went on pilgrimage, commanded their courtyard girls, embroidered and missed.

Ekaterina Ioannovna, fortunately or unfortunately for herself, escaped such a fate. Married her royal regent uncle, who, in an effort to establish relations with the Mecklenburg courtyard, gave his godfather for the ruler of the Duke Karl Leopold.

By the way, Catherine was well educated for her time: she spoke several languages, knew the history, was literate.

The wedding with a foreign spouse took place in 1716 in Danzig. The ceremony was magnificent. Peter the Great contributed to the fact that a marriage contract was drawn up between the spouses , suggesting that allied relations between Russia and the Duchy of Mecklenburg will be concluded.

Flight to Russia

However, on the mountain young wife her marriage with Karl was unsuccessful. This was due to many reasons: the duke himself contrived to quarrel with Peter, his wife addressed rudely and unceremoniously. Not accustomed to such treatment, Yekaterina Ioannovna returned home six years later with her young daughter, who bore the Protestant name Elizaveta Katerina Kristina.

At home, she was received with kindness and understanding of her difficult situation. Her princess never saw her husband again. He lost his throne and died in the fortress many years later.

Here, after the death of Pyotr Alekseevich's grandson Peter the Great, Catherine Ioannovna herself could become empress herself, but this place was decided by her younger sister Anna Ioannovna. This was due to the fact that formally Catherine was still married, so her husband had the right to claim the Russian throne, which was unacceptable.

As a result, her widowed sister, the Duchess of Courland, Anna Ioannovna, was elected to the throne.

Early death

However, the life of the princess at the court during the reign of her sister was developing quite well. In addition, Catherine Ioannovna, whose children died, with the exception of one daughter, should also rejoice over the fact that her childless Empress sister, Anna, appointed her daughter to be the heir to the throne.

Elizaveta Katerina Christina received the name of Anna Leopoldovna in Orthodoxy . It was destined to become regent under the young Emperor John, who, as a result of the palace coup, will be sent to the side of the story by the daughter of Peter Elizabeth. But this event is destined to happen.

And Catherine Ioannovna died early: in 1733, at the age of 41.