Katherine I – the mistress, the bride and the wife
Today we’d like you to get acquainted with Catherine I, the former empress of Russia.
Her real name was Marta Skavronskaya (1682?-1727). Marta was empress of Russia for two years:from 1725 till 1727. She was of peasant origin and her native town was Jakobstadt (which is situated now in Latvia). But she became an orphan in the early childhood and was brought up by a pastor form Marienburg (now called Malbork in Poland).
When Marienburg was captured by the Russians in 1702, she was taken as a prisoner by the Russian commander. He sent her to Prince Aleksandr Menshikov, who was a close adviser of Peter the Great at that times. Catherine became Peter’s mistress rather soon and was considered to be most influential counselor.
In 1699 Peter divorced with his first wife and married Catherine in 1712. After the death of his son Alexis, Peter issued an imperial order which declared his right to name his own successor but Peter died in 1725 without naming the definite successor. Nevertheless
Catherine had been crowned empress in 1724 and was proclaimed as Peter’s successor. While the claims of Alexis son (who became Peter III later) weren’t taken into consideration.
Catherine was prespicacious and brave which helped her to defend Peter’s advisers against his rages. She concentrated power in the supreme Privey Council.
Only two children of eight she gave the birth to survived: Anna (mother of Peter III) and Elizabeth Petrovna (empress Of Russia in the years 1741-62).
Katherine liked having fun and enjoying various pleasures. Almost all the time she devoted to entertainments: court parties, balls, banquets, feasts, masquerades, different celebrations and actually almost wasn’t engaged in state affairs. Menshikov insisted that Katherine sign up the testament, according to which the throne was to be occupied by Peter II, and in case of his death to be signed over to her daughters or their successors.
Katherine died on May,6 1727 in Saint-Petersburg.
George Stuart, a well-known paintist and historian from California state is engaged in producing the puppets of historical public figures for already the half of the century. He made more than 400 puppets, demonstrated in the galleries and private collections all over the world.
