Who was Catherine's last favorite 2. Line of favorites

The period of the reign of Empress Catherine II was overshadowed by both the mass of social problems that arose in the Russian Empire and the unprecedented scale of favoritism. The young suitors who surrounded the empress had a sharply negative impact on the domestic and foreign policy of the state. Representatives of the upper strata of the nobility began to seek personal gain through flattery to the new favorites of Catherine the Great, thereby undermining all the norms of morality and social foundations of that time. Naturally, in no way can one underestimate the enormous importance in the development of Russia, which the era of the empress's reign has. However, we will not describe in detail the acts of state and exploits of Catherine II, but will try to tell about the personal life of a woman who has left a truly indelible mark on the history of our country.

Princess Fike

The future "By God's grace" Empress and Autocrat of All Russia, Catherine, who had already received the title "Great" from her contemporaries, was born on April 21, 1729 in the Prussian town of Stettin. Major General, Colonel Christian August of Anhalt-Zerbst and his wife, Johann Elizabeth, gave their first-born daughter - a beautiful German name - Sophia Augusta Frederica. Despite the fact that the girl's parents were related to many royal houses of Europe (her father had the title of prince and even later became the owner of the German principality of Zerbst, and her mother was a nee princess of Holstein-Gottorp), her childhood was not like the life of a person of "royal blood" ... Living in an ordinary German house, Fike, as her parents affectionately called her daughter, received the usual home education for a girl from a bourgeois family of that time, which necessarily included the ability to cook and clean.

The beginning of the "royal" path

In 1744, under the patronage of the Prussian king Frederick the Great, Sophia Augusta and her mother were summoned by Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, who was looking for a bride for her son, to Petersburg. In Russia, the German princess was baptized and, according to Orthodox tradition, received the name. In 1745, she married the Grand Duke Peter Fedorovich, the future Emperor Peter III. young from the very beginning did not work out. The heir to the throne, either because of his infantilism or dementia, or simply from "dislike", was very cold with his wife. Even on their wedding night, he did not pay any attention to the young bride. She, however, with an irrepressible sexual temperament, simply needed male attention and, according to contemporaries, immediately after the wedding she began to openly flirt with her gentlemen.

First serious love

Even during the life of her husband, the future empress had a secret lover. He was Sergei Vasilyevich Saltykov (1726-1765), a noble nobleman of a grand ducal family, who had the rank of chamberlain under the Grand Duke. Saltykov at the time of their acquaintance was 26 years old. He became the first favorite of Catherine II and the only one who was older than her. The connection between young people lasted from 1752 to 1754, until the birth of Catherine's son - the heir to the throne - Pavel Petrovich. Many contemporaries attributed the true paternity of Paul to Saltykov. Whether it is true or not, it is not known for certain, the empress herself never denied these rumors. As for Sergei Vasilyevich, in the same year he was sent as an envoy to Europe, from where he corresponded with his beloved for a long time. It is with Saltykov that the favorites of Catherine the Great begin their countdown, whose portraits are well preserved to this day.

Second love: a young Pole

Catherine, being a young, cheerful and very addicted woman, simply could not remain alone. In 1756 she had a new lover. This was Stanislav August Poniatowski (1732-1798), a well-educated diplomat who soon became the Polish ambassador to St. Petersburg. According to rumors, it was from this connection that the future empress gave birth in 1757 to her daughter Anna, who died at the age of two. It is known that Pyotr Fedorovich knew about the relationship between his wife and the young Pole, and moreover, he supported them. The only significant opponent of Catherine's "adventures" was the ruling empress - In 1758 she learned about the vicious relationship of her daughter-in-law, was very angry and ordered to immediately send the envoy back to Poland. Catherine retained the memory of her beloved even after the forced separation. In 1764, being already an empress, she helped Stanislav August to ascend the throne of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Grigory Orlov (1734-1783)

What role did Grigory Grigorievich Orlov play in the fate of this woman? What does history tell us? The future favorite of Catherine the Great was born on October 17, 1734 in the family of a retired major general - Grigory Ivanovich Orlov. The childhood of Gregory and his four brothers passed in an atmosphere of love, harmony and warmth. The head of the family, who was an indisputable authority, never allowed any quarrels or scandals in the family. The Orlovs received the usual home education for people of their circle, where special attention was paid to military affairs and physical training. The brothers differed from most of their peers in tall stature, a heroic article and tremendous strength. In 1749, Gregory entered the St. Petersburg Ground Cadet Corps, after which he was immediately enrolled in the elite Guards. The young man was very handsome, loved by women and had a passion for amorous adventures. At the same time, he was distinguished by courage and fearlessness, which allowed him to quickly rise to the rank of lieutenant and go as part of the active army in the Seven Years War.

War feats

On the battlefield, the future favorite of Catherine II, Orlov, proved to be a very brave warrior. Glory to Gregory was brought by a bloody battle near the German village of Zorndorf, where the Russian army met with the troops of the Prussian king Frederick II. During the battle, the desperate cavalry guard showed brilliant courage, amazing composure and great endurance. Wounded three times, he remained in the ranks, rushed into the thick of the battle and tirelessly smashed the enemy. The news of the hero's deeds spread throughout the ranks of the soldiers, inspiring all Russian soldiers, and the Prussian army was defeated and put to flight. For the courage and courage shown in the battle, Grigory Orlov was elevated to the rank of captain, and the war for him ended there. The fact is that during the Battle of Zorndorf, Friedrich's adjutant, Count von Schwerin, was captured. The responsible mission of delivering the prisoner to the court of Empress Elizabeth was entrusted to the young guardsman.

Meeting the future empress

In the spring of 1759, Gregory arrived in the northern capital, where he was immediately greeted by his brothers, Alexei and Fyodor, who served in the rank of lieutenant of the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky guards regiments, respectively. The trinity had fun, indulging in merry feasts, love affairs, and card games. However, in 1760, Gregory was transferred from the guard to the artillery and appointed adjutant of a very influential nobleman - Count Pyotr Ivanovich Shuvalov. Finding himself in the center of court life, handsome Orlov meets thirty-year-old Catherine, an attractive and experienced in love affairs, but at the same time an unhappy woman suffering from loneliness and humiliation from her husband. Grigory Grigorievich charmed the future empress with his youth, passion and adventurism. For a long time, lovers managed to hide their relationship from strangers.

Conspiracy against the emperor

The Orlovs, reputed to be brave and decent people, enjoyed great prestige in the guards regiments, which represented a serious power and support of the tsarist power. In conversations with friends, the brothers began to create the image of a martyr for the Grand Duchess, gradually attracting an increasing number of nobles and military men to their side. The arrogant behavior of the heir to the throne himself, Peter, also did not contribute to his popularity. The first opportunity to make a coup for the conspirators, which included the current (G. Orlov) and future (G. Potemkin) favorites of Catherine II, presented itself on December 25, 1761, on the day of the death of Empress Elizabeth. However, the Grand Duchess herself was in complete confusion, panicked terribly, and the moment was lost. However, the reason for Catherine's confusion soon became known. She was in her fifth month of pregnancy, and all the courtiers were aware that it was Gregory who was the father of the child. The boy was born in April 1762, was named Alexei, received the title of count and became the founder of the noble Bobrinsky family.

Palace coup

The first "steps" of Emperor Peter III (the conclusion of peace with Prussia and the disbandment of the guard, which was the main support of the Russian troops) caused enormous discontent in society. The Orlov brothers, having united the outraged military, decided to hold a coup on the night of June 27-28, the purpose of which was to overthrow the emperor. brought Catherine from Peterhof to the capital, where they were met by Gregory and his associates. The guards regiments swore allegiance to the future autocrat, and from 9 o'clock in the morning the ceremony of her coronation began in the Kazan Cathedral. Peter III, being in Oranienbaum, was well aware of the hopelessness of his position and humbly signed his abdication. The Empress was well aware of the enormous role of the brothers in her enthronement and later repeated more than once that she owed much to the Orlovs.

Grigory Orlov - favorite of Catherine the Great

After the coronation, Catherine, having showered all her assistants with titles, titles and awards, moved to the Winter Palace. Orlov, despite the estates donated by the empress, preferred to live next to his beloved. A truly wonderful time has come for him. Raised to the dignity of the count, who received the rank of major general, Grigory Grigorievich began to possess tremendous power, was always close to the empress, and she discussed all state affairs with him. Catherine II passionately loved her favorite and was even seriously going to marry Orlov. Count Nikita Panin, with great difficulty, managed to dissuade the autocrat from such a step. Historians know his words: "Mother, we all obey the command of the Empress, but who will obey Countess Orlov?" Gregory, according to eyewitnesses, also loved Catherine very much and presented her with expensive presents, the most famous of which is a huge diamond.

Life at court

Grigory Grigorievich always supported the empress's undertakings and, to the best of his ability, tried to help her in governing the state. He did not have the thirst for power, which was experienced by many of Catherine the Great's favorites, and his contemporaries spoke of him as a generous, trusting and good-natured person. Count Orlov was interested in science and philosophy, poetry and art. He provided support and patronage to the great Lomonosov, and after his death he was able to redeem all the works of the scientist and save them for posterity. He was one of the initiators of the campaign against the Turks with the aim of conquering the outlets to the Black Sea. Although the empress did not let her beloved go to war, he quickly found use. Grigory Orlov, the favorite of Catherine the Great, was sent to Moscow to fight the plague epidemic. He managed to show his organizational skills there and in a month to cleanse the city from a terrible infection. Catherine met her lover as a hero, commanded to erect the Arc de Triomphe in his honor and cast a medal with a portrait of the count.

Sunset of a bright star

On April 18, 1772, Gregory was sent to Romania to negotiate with the Turks. During this trip, Orlov learned that Catherine II had a new favorite. It turned out to be Alexei Semenovich Vasilchikov (1746-1813) - the cornet of the Life Guards Cavalry Regiment, belonging to a well-known noble family. Gregory on August 28 interrupted the conference and rushed to Petersburg, wanting to meet with the Empress. At this time, Catherine had already received a report from the news that Orlov had failed the negotiations, and decided to finally break with him. The empress refused her former lover an audience and sent him on an annual "leave", giving him a rich annual allowance, as well as thousands of serfs. In 1777, the count married his cousin, who soon contracted tuberculosis and died. Grigory Grigorievich could not stand her death, was damaged by reason and died on April 24, 1783.

Life does not stand still

Alexey Vasilchikov did not have such outstanding data that the previous favorites of Catherine the Great possessed. Although he was 17 years younger than the empress, he had a lack of education and quickly bored the empress. Of his merits, only disinterestedness and the fact that he did not use his position at all can be distinguished. He was replaced in 1774 by Grigory Aleksandrovich Potemkin, who became one of the most famous people of his time, from the connection with whom Catherine gave birth to a daughter, Elizaveta Grigorievna. A scion of a poor noble family, Potemkin became a great statesman, friend and de facto co-ruler of the empress. On the "post" of the favorite Grigory Alexandrovich was replaced by Pyotr Vasilyevich Zavadovsky, who also became a prominent dignitary. During the reign of Alexander I, the grandson of Catherine, he received the post of Minister of Public Education.

A few words in conclusion

The favorites of Catherine II, who were mainly adjutants of the Most Serene Prince Potemkin, began to replace one another. Some of them, like the future hero of the Patriotic War, Ermolov, gained fame and popular love. The majority, as Sorotokin N. M. writes in his book "Favorites of Catherine the Great", were engaged in open money-grubbing, corruption, and devastated the state treasury. And the phenomenon of favoritism has become a dark spot on the entire history of the Russian state.

The most famous favorites of Catherine the Great

You can see a photo of some of them in our article. Although these are far from all the favorites of the empress. The favorites of Catherine II, who received the greatest fame: Alexei Petrovich Ermolov (the future hero of the war with Napoleon), Grigory Alexandrovich Potemkin (the great statesman of that era) and the last favorite of the Empress.

Empress Catherine the Great, as many know, was very loving. Considering all her official favorites, men appearing in intimate life, lovers and official husbands, there are up to 21 lovers. List of men of Catherine the Great:

Peter Fedorovich, aka Emperor Peter III, was the husband of Catherine II. They got married on August 21 in 1745. The relationship ended between them in 1762 due to the death of Peter III. The couple did not have a close relationship due to the impotence of Peter. The problem was solved with the help of the operation.

Catherine had an affair with Saltykov Sergei Vasilyevich at the time when she was married to Peter. In 1752, their romance began, it was in this year that he was at the small court of the Grand Dukes Catherine and Peter. Saltykov was expelled from St. Petersburg and sent to Sweden as an envoy. It happened in 1754 after the birth of Catherine's son Pavel.

In 1756, Catherine fell in love again. Stanislav August Poniatovsky became her next lover. He left Petersburg after the fall of Chancellor Bestuzhev in 1758. Some time later, Catherine made him the King of Poland, and some time later annexed Poland to Russia. Ekaterina had a daughter, Anna, after an affair with Saltykov. Peter did not know how his wife became pregnant, but believed that the right decision would be to recognize the child as his own.

Orlov Grigory Grigorievich was another secret lover of Catherine the Great. In the spring of 1759, their relationship began. Orlov was the guard of Count Schwerin who arrived in St. Petersburg; he was captured in the Battle of Zorndorf. After he beat off his mistress from Pyotr Shuvalov, Orlov became famous. Catherine the Great wanted to marry Orlov after her husband died, but since Orlov had many mistresses, she was dissuaded from such a marriage.

Vasilchikov Alexander Semyonovich, whom she met in 1772, became the official favorite of Catherine. In Tsarskoe Selo Vasilchikov often stood guard. Together with his brother, he began to live in Moscow after his retirement, and never married. With Catherine they had 14 years of difference, and she considered him boring.

The next official favorite, and later her husband, was Potemkin Grigory Alexandrovich. They legalized the relationship in 1775. From relations with Potemkin, Catherine the Great had a daughter, Elizabeth.

Zavadovsky Petr Vasilievich became the new official favorite of Catherine the Great. In 1776, their relationship began. He was jealous of Catherine after her acquaintance with Zorich in 1777, this damaged their relationship, in the same year Catherine recalled him back to the capital.

In 1777 Zorich Semyon Gavrilovich was appointed Catherine's personal bodyguard. He was 14 years younger than her. He was fired and expelled from St. Petersburg in 1778.

In 1778, Ivan Nikolayevich Rimsky-Korsakov became the next official favorite. In the arms of Countess Praskovya, Bruce was noticed by Catherine and broke off relations with him in 1779.

In 1778, Catherine the Great had a relationship with Stakhiev (Strakhov). She began to avoid him after he fell on his knees in front of her and asked for her hand. The end of the relationship came in 1779.

In 1778, Catherine's relationship with Stanov began and ended.

The lover of Catherine the Great from 1779 to 1780 was Rantsov Ivan Romanovich. He was the illegitimate son of Count Vorontsov.

In October 1779, Catherine had a fleeting affair with Vasily Ivanovich Levashov.

Another quickly ended affair with Catherine was with Vysotsky Nikolai Petrovich. It began and ended in March 1780.

The next official favorite of Catherine was the young Lanskoy Alexander Dmitrievich. He was 29 years younger than Catherine the Great. The relationship began in April 1780 and ended with the death of Alexander in 1784 on 25 July.

The next lover of the empress was Lermontov's relative Mordvinov. In 1781, the relationship began.

In 1785, at a specially organized holiday, Catherine met another lover, Ermolov, Alexander Petrovich.

After Ermolov left, Catherine met a new lover in 1786, Dmitriev-Mamonov Alexander Matveyevich. He fell in love with Princess Darya Fyodorovna Shcherbatova and was forced to leave Petersburg.

Catherine also had a fleeting relationship with Miloradovich in 1789.

Miklashevsky is the next favorite candidate, and whom he did not become. The relationship began and ended in 1787.

Relations began in July 1789 with Catherine the Great with the official favorite Zubov Platon Alexandrovich. With Catherine, he was the last favorite. The death of Catherine the Great ended their relationship in November 1796. At the time of Plato's acquaintance with Catherine, he was 22 years old, and she was 60 years old.

Catherine II is the famous Russian empress, who was destined to become the mother of the Enlightenment in the country, the mouthpiece of political and economic changes in the state. Despite the fact that Catherine the Great was adored by the people, the number of her lovers amazed both contemporaries and historians. It is now completely unknown how many lovers Catherine II had, but rumors of her intrigues excite many scientists. So, what role did Catherine's favorites play in Russian history, and what love relationships are proven?

As you know, Catherine's first lovers appeared at the very beginning of her unhappy marriage with Peter III. Everyone knew that Peter III was in love with a maid of honor who lived in the Winter Palace, and that marriage with Catherine was a burden to him. The first few years of marriage between the heir to the throne and his wife there was no intimate relationship, and the dismissive attitude of Peter III stimulated Catherine to have connections on the side.

Some historians are sure that even the future heir to the throne, Paul I, was not the son of Peter III. According to biographers, the heir to the throne was born as a result of Catherine's relationship with Sergei Saltykov.

And yet, despite a certain frivolity in her personal life, the future empress always knew how to take advantage of her connections with her favorites. In particular, the connection with Grigory Orlov helped Catherine the Great to overthrow Peter III from the throne and take his place. While still the wife of Peter, Catherine became pregnant by Orlov, and in order to hide this fact, the future empress had to go to considerable tricks.

In particular, on the day of birth, the faithful servant of Catherine Shkurin set fire to his house, and the interested Peter III went to watch this amazing sight. During the absence of her husband, Catherine managed to safely give birth to a son, who received the name Alexey Bobrinsky.

This is not the only lover of the Empress who was used by this great woman to gain power. For example, Catherine II used Grigory Potemkin to organize her reforms, improving the image of the Enlightenment policy among the masses.

The most famous favorites of Catherine II	Features of relations and the place of the favorite in Russian history
1.Sergey Vasilievich Saltykov	One of the first favorites of the Empress, an affair with whom began back in 1754. For a long time there was a delusion that Paul I was the son of Saltykov, but later historians disputed this fact. After the birth of Paul I, Sergei Saltykov was removed from the court, so as not to generate rumors about the illegality of the rights of the future emperor to the throne.
2. Stanislav Ponyatovsky	The connection with Poniatovsky began back in 1756, and the Grand Duchess Anna Petrovna, according to many testimonies from sources, is his daughter. Despite the end of the novel in 1758, Catherine II continued to support Poniatowski, making him even the Polish king.
3. Grigory Orlov	One of the Empress's most significant favorites. Communication with him continued from 1759 to 1772. After the death of Peter III, Catherine even thought about marrying Orlov, but the fact that the latter had an uncountable number of mistresses became an incentive to cancel this decision. In 1772, Orlov lost the title of favorite, and was soon removed from the court.
4. Potemkin Grigory Alexandrovich	Despite the fact that his relationship with Catherine lasted only three years (from 1774 to 1776), he played a very important role in the internal politics of the Russian Empire. After the end of relations with Catherine, he maintained friendly relations with her, occupying important government posts.
5. Ivan Nikolaevich Rimsky-Korsakov	Many historians call Rimsky-Korsakov the last strong love in the life of Catherine II. Their relationship began in 1778 and was upset already in 1779 due to the activities of Prince Potemkin. It was Potemkin who set up an affair between Rimsky-Korsakov and Praskovya Bruce. Finding the lovers together and unable to withstand the betrayal, Catherine II removed the former favorite from the court.

Features of imperial patronage and relations with artists

It cannot be said that Catherine II entered into an intimate relationship with all her “favorites” at court. For example, the empress supported G.R. Derzhavin, as well as Mikhail Lomonosov. As a figure of the Enlightenment, Catherine tried to discover new artists, poets, writers, to educate new generations of artists.

Since the empress has always shown an interest in the development of foreign culture, she subscribed from abroad to her prominent artists of her time: Kering and Brompton. Due to the attention of Catherine II, many politicians, historians, scientists were able to rise, but their relationship with the empress was limited to business relations.

There are also known cases in which Catherine II showed herself as a vindictive woman who did not have sympathy. So, for example, Catherine immediately removed from the courtyard favorites that were disagreeable to her, as, for example, happened with Rimsky-Korsykov. An exception was Potemkin, who managed to maintain friendship with the empress even after the end of their relationship.

Despite a very stormy personal life, Catherine the Great managed to maintain the image of a far-sighted and competent politician. At one time, Alexander Dumas in his book "Twenty Years Later" wrote that only Elizabeth of England and Catherine II knew how to be both mistresses and empresses for each of their favorites.

"Golden age" Empress Catherine the Great was the century of favorites. But out of all the variety of people who have risen thanks to the favor of the empress, two stand out - Grigory Potemkin and Grigory Orlov.

The love triangle Orlov - Ekaterina - Potemkin has occupied the minds of those who like to study history through an alcove for the third century.

Potemkin and Orlov, who did not have a high-born origin, owed their initial rise to personal sympathy on the part of Catherine.

But Potemkin managed to show himself as an outstanding organizer, statesman, who became the "right hand" of the empress in all her endeavors.

On the side of Grigory Orlov were only courage, determination and personal devotion to Catherine. However, if he had not had these qualities, it is possible that Catherine would not have ascended the Russian throne at all.

Handsome and ignorant

Grigory Grigorievich Orlov was born on October 6 (17 in the new style) October 1734 in the village of Lyutkino, Bezhetsk district of the Tver province into a family Novgorod Governor Grigory Ivanovich Orlov.

Like his brothers, Grisha received a home education, which Catherine II later assessed quite pejoratively: according to her, he did not understand any sciences, and he knew French so poorly that he did not understand poetry in this language. For the empress, a creative nature, such shortcomings of the favorite were unpleasant, but she tolerated them, realizing that Gregory could no longer be altered.

Many contemporaries noted the amazing friendship that reigned between the Orlov brothers - "they shared all their incomes, they had common expenses, one common wallet."

In 1749, his father brought his three sons, including Gregory, to St. Petersburg to start their military career. Gregory became a soldier of the Semyonov regiment.

If Grigory Orlov was not endowed with a penchant for science, then he possessed natural beauty and strength to the full. Standing in the ranks, he towered two heads above his comrades and was able to overcome any strong man.

In 1757, he was transferred to the army as an officer and took part in the Seven Years' War, having distinguished himself in the battle of Zorndorf, where he did not leave the battlefield even after three wounds.

Cunning adjutant

The fame of his exploits spread in the army, and then in St. Petersburg. In 1759, Gregory arrived in the capital along with the escort of a high-ranking Prussian prisoner - aide-de-camp of the Prussian king Count Schwerin.

In Petersburg, he took him into his service as an adjutant. General Feldzheichmeister Count Pyotr Shuvalov.

Gregory was reunited with the brothers who served in the guard. The Orlovs spent their time in merry feasts and revels, about which the whole Petersburg was gossiping.

And here Gregory demonstrated his desperate courage and recklessness, having an affair with Princess Kurakina, who was the beloved ... of Count Shuvalov.

When Shuvalov found out that the adjutant had "given him the horns", many expected that for Grigory Orlov this would be the end of his career.

But it turned out - Gregory got off only by transferring to the fusilier grenadier regiment.

But after this story, Catherine became interested in him, at that moment his wife Tsarevich Peter.

Love in exchange for devotion

Seeing Orlov, the future empress fell in love with a handsome military man. Orlov, 25, was hardly capable of subtle feelings, but answered Catherine with deep personal devotion.

For Catherine, this was very opportune - Gregory and his brothers, extremely popular in the guards, were irreplaceable allies in the political struggle.

Politics and personal feelings of Grigory Orlov and Catherine were very closely intertwined - in April 1762, when her fate hung in the balance, the future empress gave birth to a son from her favorite, who was named Alexei.

The child was transferred to the upbringing of Catherine's confidant. Subsequently, the boy who received the surname Bobrinsky, became the founder of the Bobrinsky family of counts.

Peter III was well aware of the birth of his wife, and that the child was not from him. He intended to get rid of Catherine, imprisoning her in a monastery, and marry his favorite Elizaveta Vorontsova.

Catherine had no other chance than to get ahead of her husband. The success of the conspiracy was facilitated by the low popularity of Peter in the army, which could not forgive him for admiration for King Frederick of Prussia, with whom Russia fought in the Seven Years War.

The Orlov brothers were the main driving force behind the coup that took place on June 28, 1762. Gregory, by his appearance and decisiveness, was able to win over to his side those who hesitated. As a result, both the military and officials swore allegiance to Empress Catherine II.

But an important question arose: what to do with the deposed emperor? Peter III, whether he was in exile or imprisonment, posed a potential danger to the empress. At the same time, Ekaterina could not give the order to kill her husband.

In such cases, the help of a devoted and enamored favorite is needed. On July 6, 1762, the deposed emperor died in Ropsha, according to the official version, from hemorrhoidal colic. Historians believe that Peter III was killed, but disputes about how this happened continue to this day. For a long time, brother Gregory was called the killer, Alexey Orlov... But it is possible that someone else was the direct performer. One thing is clear - Catherine's favorite managed to save her from the inconvenience.

One step away from the throne

Immediately after accession to the throne, Catherine II showered the Orlovs, and, of course, first of all Gregory, with favors.

The Empress's favorite was promoted to major general. On the same day he was awarded the title of actual chamberlain, the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky and a sword richly decorated with diamonds. On the day of Catherine's coronation, Grigory Orlov was promoted to lieutenant general and appointed adjutant general of the empress.

Ranks, positions, awards, money - Grigory Orlov had everything, and in addition, sincere, for the time being, Catherine's love.

But Grigory could not remake himself. A rude brave man and a reveler, personally loyal to the empress, he could only diligently carry out her orders. Catherine wanted more - to have by her side not the executor of her will, but an intelligent and active advisor, able to develop her ideas, to offer something new. It was precisely such a person that Catherine would later find in Grigory Potemkin.

Meanwhile, the Orlov brothers seriously thought about legitimizing the relationship between Catherine and Gregory, making him the Empress's official husband.

Catherine was not going to go so far, but she managed to arrange her refusal as if the reason for it was not her own will, but the opinion of society.

According to legend, at a meeting of the Council of State Nikita Panin, one of the most influential persons of the first half of the reign of Catherine II, when it came to the marriage of the Empress to Orlov, said: "The Empress can do as she pleases, but Madame Orlova will never be the Empress of Russia."

Plague conqueror

Denying Gregory the right to the throne, Catherine continued to shower him with awards, appoint him to new posts, encouraging state activity, but he remained only the executor of the empress's will.

Catherine's passion for love lasted for several years, but gradually her feelings began to fade away. Gregory did not notice this for a long time, and when he realized it, it was already too late.

In 1771, the determination of Grigory Orlov was needed in Moscow, where the plague was raging. Desperate Muscovites raised a riot, the victim of which fell Archbishop Ambrose.

The empress sent Orlov to restore order. He acted tough: the riot was suppressed ruthlessly, the instigators were executed, after which decisive measures were taken to curb the epidemic. Orlov himself went around hospitals, strictly watched the treatment and food, watched how the belongings of the dead were burned, consoled the disadvantaged. By his order, a monetary reward was established for those discharged from hospitals (married - 10 rubles, single - 5 rubles), which became a more effective measure against hiding patients than the strictest orders.

Thanks to these measures, the epidemic was stopped.

The Empress again showered Gregory with awards, and in Tsarskoe Selo, on the way to Gatchina, a wooden gate was erected with an inscription depicting his feat, with a verse poet Maikov: "The Orlovs saved Moscow from trouble."

A short moment of happiness

But this triumph was the last in the rank of favorite for Grigory Orlov. Tired of him, Catherine found herself a new hobby, commanding Gregory to retire to one of his many possessions, or wherever he himself wishes.

The retired favorite quickly lost influence. Almighty yesterday, now he was only a shadow of his former self.

He went abroad for treatment, but then returned home, spending time in idleness.

His marriage in 1777 to cousin Ekaterina Nikolaevna Zinovieva... This marriage turned out to be scandalous - the bride was 18 years old at the time of the wedding, and after the death of her parents for four years she was in the care of Orlov. It was rumored that the guardian had simply raped his pupil. But even if everything was out of mutual love, the Russian Church categorically did not approve of marriage between such close relatives.

Grigory Orlov was threatened with imprisonment in a monastery for such an offense, but the empress intervened, personally approving the marriage and granting the newly made Countess Orlova the title of state lady.

And then it turned out that Count Orlov felt a sincere and deep feeling for the young Katya Zinovyeva, which was not even for the Empress. He was truly in love with his young wife, binges and eccentricities remained in the past, he retired and devoted himself entirely to family life.

But Grigory Orlov was not destined to enjoy happiness for a long time. The countess began consumption, and the couple left for Switzerland for treatment. Catherine dreamed of giving her husband an heir, but the disease progressed rapidly. In June 1782, the 22-year-old Countess Orlova died in Lausanne.

For Grigory Orlov, whose health was already undermined by injuries and the lifestyle that he led in his youth, this blow turned out to be fatal.

The former favorite of the Empress went crazy, falling into childhood. The brothers took Grigory to his house in Moscow, in the Neskuchnoye estate, where the Neskuchny garden would later be laid out.

Orlov was prescribed the best doctors and the best medicines of that time, but it was all in vain - Grigory was fading away, being in a state of quiet insanity. He died on the night of April 13, 1783.

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Introduction

People who are worthy do not always get access to the monarch. A favorite, a temporary worker, just a clever and unprincipled person, using the trust of the sovereign, begins to announce decrees and decrees on his behalf. Arbitrariness, covetousness, immorality and servility flourish. The favorites do not care about the interests of the state, for them there are only their own desires. State affairs are abandoned, the treasury is plundered, the unworthy are appointed to important positions, and those who managed to serve the favorite. Thus, the monarch is separated from his government ...

Catherine's accession to the throne has much in common with Elizabeth's accession to the throne in 1741. Catherine's policy was national and favorable to the nobility. Elizabeth's government was distinguished by its rationality, humanity, reverence for the memory of Peter the Great, but it did not have its own program, and acted according to the principles of Peter.

The government of Catherine, a smart, talented empress, used the old patterns of government, but also led the state forward according to its own program, which it acquired little by little according to the instructions of practice and abstract theories assimilated by the empress. In this, Catherine was the opposite of her predecessor. Under her there was a system in management, and therefore random persons, favorites, were less reflected in the course of state affairs than under Elizabeth, although Catherine's favorites were very noticeable not only by their activity and power of influence, but even by whims and abuses.

1. Favorites of Catherine II

Here is a list of famous favorites of Catherine II

This list was compiled by the Russian historian, a specialist in the Catherine era, Ya. L. Barskov.

1.11752-1754 S.V. Saltykov. Diplomat. Envoy in Hamburg, Paris, Dresden. The first order of S.V. Saltykov was a mission to Stockholm with the news of the birth of Grand Duke Pavel Petrovich, whose father, according to legend, is himself.

2. 1756-1758 S. Ponyatovsky. Polish-Saxon Ambassador to Russia. With the help of Catherine and with the support of the Prussian king Frederick II, he became king of Poland in 1764. All the years of his reign in his policy he was guided by Russia. Which was one of the reasons for his abdication from the throne in 1795.

3.1761-1772 G. G. Orlov was the grandson of a rebel archer, pardoned by Peter the Great for fearlessness. The most active participant in the palace coup in 1762. Grigory Orlov, as a favorite, received the rank of senator, count, adjutant general. He played a significant role in the creation of the Free Economic Society. Was its president. In 1771 he directed the suppression of the "plague riot" in Moscow. Since 1772 he lost his influence at the court and in 1775 he retired. Potemkin handed Orlov an imperial decree, where he was ordered to live permanently in Gatchina under protection, until special new orders of the empress.

4.1772-1774 A.S. Vasilchiko. Poor officer. Catherine was awarded the titles: Count, Chamberlain. Received the title of Knight Commander of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky and became the owner of huge estates and hundreds of thousands of peasant souls. He was exiled from St. Petersburg to Moscow.

5.1774-1776 G.A. Potemkin - the son of a Smolensk nobleman, in 1762. among the conspirators, after which he becomes a second lieutenant of the guard. Participates in the Russian-Turkish war (1768-1774) and receives the rank of general. Then vice-president of the Military Collegium, count, field marshal general, chief of the regular troops. The empress's closest assistant in pursuing the policy of strengthening the absolutist state, forming the system of the Starodub povet, began his career as a secret "enlightened monarchy." The organizer of the suppression of the Pugachev revolt and the initiator of the liquidation of the Zaporizhzhya Sich. He possessed tremendous power, being the governor of Novorossiysk, Azov, Astrakhan provinces, prince of the Holy Roman Empire, His Serene Highness Prince Tauride (he received this title for the annexation of Crimea to Russia in 1783). He contributed to the development of the northern Black Sea region, the construction of Kherson, Nikolaev and Sevastopol, Yekaterinoslav. He was the organizer of the construction of military and merchant fleets in the Black Sea. A prominent diplomat.

6.1776-1777 P.V. Zavadovsky. The son of a Cossack office at the headquarters of P.A. Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky during the Russian-Turkish war of 1768-1774. He was introduced to the Empress as the author of reports and reports on the affairs of Little Russia. The rise of Zavadovsky progressed so quickly that even Potemkin's rival was seen in him. Although he was not a favorite for long, this provided him with a dignified and bureaucratic career. Zavadovsky managed the Noble and Assignation Banks, was the director of the Corps of Pages. And when the ministries were established in 1802, he became the minister of public education.

7. 1777-1778. S.G. Zorich The nephew of the midwife who poisoned Catherine's daughter-in-law. It was an empty, windy moto and a player. However, he was not loyal to Catherine. He was exiled from St. Petersburg to the Crimea, to Potemkin.

9.1780-1784 HELL. Lanskoy. This is the only one of the favorites who did not interfere in politics and refused to influence, ranks, and orders, although Catherine forced him to accept from her the title of count, vast lands, tens of thousands of peasants and the rank of aide-de-camp. Catherine wanted to marry him and announced this to Panin and Potemkin. In 1784 he was poisoned by order of Potemkin.

10. 1785-1786 A.P. Ermolov. Officer, Potemkin's adjutant, adjutant wing. Received 100 thousand rubles and was expelled from St. Petersburg, like all temporary favorites.

11.1786-1789 A.M. Mamonov. Officer, Potemkin's adjutant. Has acquired a tremendous influence on domestic and foreign policy. He was awarded the Order of Alexander Nevsky, showered with diamonds of 100,000, two of the highest Polish orders.

12. 1789-1796 P.A. Teeth. The last favorite of Catherine II. He did not show himself in any way in the post of Governor-General of Novorossiya and in the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Black Sea Fleet. The Empress presented him with huge estates and granted him the title of His Serene Highness.

Henceforth, favoritism became a government institution in Russia, as in France under Louis XIV, XV, and the favorites, living with the empress, were recognized as people who served the fatherland and the throne.

Firstly, many of them were capable people, like Panin, Potemkin, Bezborodko, Zorich. Secondly, they delighted in the leisure of their empress, giving her strength for new labors. This is how Catherine herself looked at the case.

The English envoy Harris and Caster, a famous historian, figured out what the favorites of Catherine II cost Russia. They received more than 100 million rubles from her in cash. With the then Russian budget, which did not exceed 80 million a year, this was a huge amount. The value of the land belonging to the favorites was no less enormous. In addition, the gift included peasants, palaces, a lot of jewelry, dishes.

In general, favoritism in Russia was considered a natural disaster that devastated the entire country and hindered its development. The money that was supposed to go to the education of the people, the development of arts, crafts and industry, to open schools, went to the personal pleasures of favorites and floated into their bottomless pockets.

2. Historical portrait ofone of the favorites of Catherine II

favorite ekaterina panin potemkin

Count Nikita Ivanovich Panin (1718-1783).

Husband of true reason and honesty-

Above the morals of this century!

Your merits to the Fatherland cannot be forgotten.

D. Fonvizin.

Among the famous people who glorified the "century of Catherine" one of the first places, of course, belongs to Nikita Ivanovich Panin - a man who "stood out for his abilities and education." For twenty years he stood at the head of the foreign policy of Russia - "the most brilliant side of Catherine's state activity."

"There was not a single case related to the integrity and security of the empire, which would have avoided its production or council. ... In matters relating to the good of the state, neither promises nor threats to shake it were not strong enough," wrote his employee and friend. famous writer DI Fonvizin, - nothing in the world could force him to offer his opinion, against his inner feelings. "

He believed, and not without reason, that in terms of his knowledge, experience and ability to analyze, he surpassed not only Catherine II, but also most of the people from her inner circle. Naturally, therefore, Panin considered himself entitled to instruct the empress and seek the implementation of his political ideas. So far, she was satisfied with this - the glory of the converter will still go to the sovereign!

Panin's authority was so high that many of the foreign diplomats saw him as one of the leaders of the conspiracy. The Austrian ambassador, Count Mercy d "Argento, reported:" Panin was the main instrument of Catherine's enthronement. " could help her in management and in achieving greatness ... "

Panin on October 4, 1763 became a senior member of the Foreign Collegium; in October, after the final removal from Bestuzhev's affairs, the head of the collegium's affairs was transferred to him. Without being officially appointed chancellor, he was, in fact, placed above the vice-chancellor, Prince D.M. Golitsyn and for almost two decades remained the main adviser to Catherine II and the head of Russian foreign policy. When Panin took office as a senior member of the Collegium of Foreign Affairs, the institution was relatively small. It numbered about 260 employees, of which 25 were in Moscow. Panin knew his "cadres" very well, appreciated and, perhaps, was even proud of them.

In St. Petersburg, foreign policy issues under Panin were resolved according to a well-oiled scheme. Nikita Ivanovich received correspondence from abroad and studied it carefully. Having selected the most important, he wrote his comments and suggestions in the margins and sent all this to the Empress. Ekaterina looked through the papers and immediately approved. Then the collegium drew up a rescript for sending to the ambassador or other official documents, which the empress approved in the same manner. Sometimes Panin "to gain time" did not send a second paper for approval to the Empress at all. The Empress conducted diplomatic correspondence or negotiations as agreed with Panin.

Panin becomes the Empress's chief adviser. Not a single important issue of foreign and domestic policy is now resolved without his participation: "Everything is done by the will of the Empress and is digested by Mr. Panin," E.R. Dashkova to his brother in Holland. "At this time, Ekaterina strongly believed in Panin's diplomatic talents," says V. Klyuchevsky.

One of Panin's contemporaries, observing the state of affairs in Russia, came to a paradoxical conclusion: "The Russian state has the advantage over others that it is controlled directly by God himself - otherwise it is impossible to explain to oneself how it can exist." Many people thought about how to fix this situation. Panin was also thinking about this. And he decided to start with what seemed to him the most important thing - with the reorganization of the public administration system.

In the Russian Empire, Panin argued, as in any monarchy, the legislative power is confined to the person of the sovereign. Subordinate to him is the government (Senate), which administers the state in accordance with the existing laws and regulations. The Senate is joined by the collegia in charge of state affairs, each in its own area. Such a system, although it was created by Peter the Great on the model of Sweden, is far from perfect.

The monarch, Panin believed, no matter how reasonable and enlightened he was, was not able to establish laws and decide other matters alone. He will, if necessary, rely on the help of persons close to him. This is where all the troubles begin.

And Panin proposes to establish an official and permanent body that would provide assistance to the monarch in legislative activity - the Imperial Council. He developed this idea in detail and even prepared a manifesto on the establishment of the Council - the empress only had to sign it.

Proving its necessity, Panin vividly depicts the absence of basic laws in Russia, where everyone "at will and credit intrigues and appropriated state affairs for himself."

On December 28, 1762, Catherine II, yielding to Panin's insistence, signed a manifesto on the creation of the Imperial Council, but the signature under it was torn, and it did not enter into force. Only a decree was signed on the division of the Senate into departments.

Taking foreign policy into his own hands, Nikita Ivanovich quickly became its not only formal, but also the actual leader. The development of foreign policy - studying the situation, pondering further steps, preparing detailed instructions for Russian representatives abroad - all this was concentrated in the hands of Panin.

The first thing he had to do was solve the Polish question. After the death of Augustus III, Catherine, in her instructions to her agents, set the task of seeking the election to the Polish throne of Stanislav Poniatowski, king, "useful to the interests of the empire, who, apart from us, could have no hope of achieving this dignity from anywhere." After the Sejm decided to nominate only Poles as candidates, foreign ambassadors - French, Austrian, Spanish and Saxon - left Warsaw in protest. On August 26, 1764, the Coronation Diet, in a calm atmosphere, elected the stolnik of the Lithuanian Count Stanislav Poniatowski as king. Panin had every reason to be pleased. Russia achieved the election of its candidate to the Polish throne, and in such a way that peace remained in Poland and other European powers took this event for granted. He, Panina, the external political system began to take shape. It was based on the idea of creating the Northern Union. Panin believed that the pro-French coalition should have been opposed by an alliance of the northern powers: Russia, Prussia, England, Denmark, Sweden and Poland. However, Panin alone cannot be considered the author of this program. In February 1764, Baron J.A. Korf presented to Catherine a corresponding project on the Northern Union. Panin appreciated these ideas, adopted them, and since then the concept of the Northern Union (Northern System) has been associated mainly with his name. The draft includes the concepts of "active" and "passive" powers (on the part of the "passive" it was supposed to be content with their neutrality; Panin considered the "active" powers to be those who could decide to enter into a direct open struggle with the countries of the southern union: Panin attributed Russia to the first, England, Prussia, partly Denmark; "passive" meant Poland, Sweden and other countries that could be attracted to the union).

Nikita Ivanovich Panin hoped with the help of the Northern system to strengthen Russia's influence in the Commonwealth and Sweden, as well as in Turkey, to shift part of the costs of combating French influence in these countries to the allies. Using the words of Panin himself, it was necessary "once and for all by the system to bring Russia out of constant dependence and put it in the way of a common Northern Alliance to such an extent that, as in common affairs, a noble part of the leadership could have, so especially in the north, peace and quiet could be inviolably" ...

Thanks to the idea of the Northern Union, Russia's foreign policy acquired a programmatic character. Actions taken in individual countries were linked into a single whole. The first serious step in the creation of the Northern system can be considered the conclusion in 1764 of a union treaty between Russia and Prussia. When Russia needed Prussia's active participation in Polish affairs, the treaty was signed. The alliance with Prussia allowed St. Petersburg to influence Polish affairs, to contain Turkey, "to dominate in the north" and "to play the first role in Europe ... without large expenditures on the part of Russia." Negotiations with Denmark turned out to be relatively easy for Panin. Nikita Ivanovich insisted that, in the secret articles of the treaty, Denmark assumed obligations to help Russia against Turkey and oppose French influence in Sweden. In return, Denmark received the Holstein possessions of the Grand Duke Pavel Petrovich. In February 1765, the contract was signed. Then Panin took energetic steps to persuade the London cabinet to sign the union agreement. But he managed to conclude only a trade agreement (1766). To stop the successful activities of Russian diplomacy, Austria and France resorted to Turkey's assistance.

Turkey at the end of 1768 declared war on Russia. Friendly relations with Prussia, Denmark and England, that is, the part of the Northern system that was created by the beginning of the war, allowed Panin not to worry about the northern borders and completely focus on the Turkish problem. Already in 1770, under the impression of the defeats suffered, Turkey turned to Prussia and Austria with a request to mediate in peace negotiations with Russia. Petersburg wanted to end the war as soon as possible. Successful completion of the war required not only military efforts, but no less diplomatic efforts. The reason for the start of the war was the unrest in Poland. Events developed in such a way that Polish affairs were closely intertwined with Turkish affairs, and they had to be resolved in a comprehensive manner. After Austria entered into a defensive alliance with Turkey in the summer of 1771, the government of Catherine II was forced to partition Poland. The issue of participation in the section was resolved between Ekaterina and Panin even before it was discussed at the State Council. On May 16, 1771 Nikita Ivanovich "opened" the proposal of the Prussian king to the members of the Council. “By agreeing to the partition, Russia received a triple gain,” says Panin's biographer A.V. Gavryushkin. “First, a secure border with Poland. finally, their troops from this country. And, thirdly, neutralization of Austria in the issue of the Russian-Turkish war. The convention on the Polish question between Russia and Prussia was signed on February 6, 1772 and ratified on March 4. Panin proposed to put down other dates: signing - January 4 and ratification - February 4. Thanks to this, in the negotiations that had begun with the Austrians, it was possible to refer to the convention as a fait accompli and, accordingly, to deprive them of the opportunity to propose changes to its content. , Frederick II and Kaunitz grappled over the size of the occupied territories, and Panin had to constantly urge his partners to restrain.

In August 1772, an agreement was finally reached, sealed in three bilateral acts between Russia, Austria and Prussia. Russia received the Polish part of Livonia and part of Eastern Belarus, which at one time was torn away from the Russian lands by the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. In the war with Turkey, the Russian troops and navy won a number of brilliant victories that made the Turks agree to peace, which was formalized in 1774 in Kuchuk-Kainardzhi. Russia got access to the Black Sea ... On September 20, 1772, Grand Duke Pavel Petrovich turned 18 years old. Panin's duties as an educator ended there.

Conclusion

The favorites played an important role in the fate of Russia, influencing the empresses and emperors, they skillfully carried out their plans regarding the foreign and domestic policy of the state. Sometimes the face of the emperor was only a mask of the ruling favorite of the country.

References

1. Palace coups of Russia 1725-1825, Phoenix, 1998

2. History of the Russian State: Biographies of the 18th century, M., Book Chamber, 1996

3. Lesin V.I., Rebels and Wars, 1997

4. Obolensky G.L., The Age of Catherine the Great. Russian word, 2001

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