After the birth of her son Peter 21-year-old Charlotte died. Peter’s childhood passed without maternal affection and love. Governess, and “guys” was the main caregiver and the father, Alexius Petrovich, engaged in the conflict with his father (Peter I), and their children were not paying attention. Nevertheless, Peter grew up healthy, happy, active child.
By its nature, it resembled the great grandfather – was an independent, quick-tempered, fond of military exercises (fiddling with the guns), fired from the toy guns, prized sword given to him by his grandfather Peter I. Peter I enjoyed watching grandson, it reminded him of his own childhood.
The king dearly loved the young Prince, but sometimes his feelings were replaced by some strange hostility is the son of the Tsarevich Alexei, with whom he had had too much trouble.
After the death of Peter I (1725), young Peter became a hostage in the struggle between the two factions fought for power – Alexander Menshikov, and Prince Dolgoruky. The all-powerful Menshikov, acting through the Empress Catherine I, decided to marry the future Emperor Peter II to his daughter Mary and thus become sole ruler in the young king.
Everything happened as planned Menshikov. Catherine I died on may 6, 1727, and Grand Duke Petr Alekseevich became Emperor under the name Peter II.
To constantly to influence the young king and keep him under control, Menshikov took it to his house and gave the king all the time – I have been with him on the construction of ships, went on the hunt, examined the stables.
Trained dignitary of the king A. I. Osterman. Studied all subjects, and on Tuesday had always conducted classes on shooting at a target on Wednesday the young king went hunting. In the program there were other activities like Billiards, shuttlecock and angling.
Osterman develop his pupil’s skill, the love of art. The training program took place exercise, dancing, games. Classes were not in vain: Peter was a healthy, strong, agile, fearless, tall and handsome.
During the illness Menshikov Peter got out of his control and became friends with the young Prince Ivan Dolgoruky – conceited, narrow-minded, weak-willed, flighty playboy and a drunk. A party of carousing became the Emperor Peter II.
It turned out that the mind and spiritual qualities of the Emperor were easily changed for the worse – he became like his grandfather: all stood his ground, would not tolerate any objection, do what he wanted, and no one dared to contradict him. His character was tough, he was capricious and insolent to others.
His teacher Osterman has become rare to see him as the young king saw him only in the evening, after returning from hunting. King Peter II fell in love with hunting some wild and irresistible passion, which had become fanatical and actually the only one in his short life.
It is difficult to find any written order of Peter II, in addition to instructions on hunting, for example: “to Let go. Peter.” it’s about nutritional standards for dogs. The scope of hunting with the participation of the king is the fact that in 1729, Peter and his entourage with a complete hunt, consisting of 600 greyhounds and hounds hunted 4 thousand rabbits and 50 foxes, 5 bobcats, 3 bears.
Constant companions hunting with Peter II was I. Dolgoruky and the daughter of Peter I, Elizabeth Petrovna, the future Empress, which some courtiers wanted to marry Peter II. But their efforts were in vain – Elizabeth had no desire to walk down the aisle with my nephew, but for hunting I went with the greatest pleasure.
Here is what writes about this waliszewski in his book “the Daughter of Peter the Great”: “She didn’t deceive his nephew, but began hard to Wake up in this life instincts. She tore him from serious training and textbooks. She developed in him the hunt, even the passion for physical exercise. Being a fearless rider and an indefatigable hunter, she drew him with them on long horseback riding and hunting.”
Historian P. V. Dolgorukov estimated that “only in July-August of 1729 the king spent on the hunt continuously for 55 days. It was a record, as usual the trips were 10-26 days in a row. It has been estimated that over 20 months 1728 – 1729 years he spent on the hunt for 8 months.
The situation and the absence of the king in Moscow has raised the IRE of diplomats, who could not resolve their issues, slowed down the work of Ministers and other state institutions. Diplomats of Austria and Spain have expressed in writing their indignation at the Chancellor when he learned that the king goes from Moscow to hunt for 3-4 months.
The Spanish Ambassador reported to Madrid that the king he had not seen at all, and that the Russian Ambassador is not needed, and enough to have a Secretary.
Osterman, using the passion of Peter II to the hunt, trying to write “experienced huntsmen-professional order he had given the king knowledge of nature”. Trying to build a mock military town, wherever the king like a young Peter I, studied military Affairs.
But all in vain. The case stood. The Ministers went with the king to hunt, the Ministers and neogotiki simply did not go to the service. Even members of the Supreme Council were to lazy to drive to the presence. But after the exile of Menshikov business was fully launched.
The decay of the Navy. In 1729, at sea, could go only 5 ships. Fleet rotting. So the king Peter II for months had gone out hunting, and became a risk “stop of public Affairs”.
The Saxon envoy Lefort wrote about the work of state institutions in Moscow: “Everywhere reigns a deep silence, all live here in such carelessness that the human mind cannot comprehend how such a huge machine is kept so ill-prepared, everyone tries to get rid of worries, no one wants to take anything for themselves and keep silent.” It was a time of uncertainty, anxiety for the future, a time of intrigue and podsazhivanie.
The real power belonged to the Vice-Chancellor Osterman. Elizabeth, daughter of Peter I, did not aspire to power. Her favorite pastime was dancing and hunting. She always accompanied Peter II on the hunt with a small circle of her maids.
In November 1729 Peter II, who came from another hunting, gathered a Council and announced that he is marrying my sister’s favorite, Princess Catherine Dolgoruky. 30 Nov 1729 of their betrothal.
Some historians have argued that the king caught a cold while hunting and became ill. But there is evidence that in January 1730 for Baptism, Peter was with the bride for the ritual blessing of the waters on the Moscow river, has long been in the cold without movement, without a hat, resulting in a cold and got sick. The cold was aggravated by the smallpox.
Illness proceeded hard, and in the night of January 19, articles (30 January n. V.) the Emperor, who was only 14 years old, died. Ironically, this day was appointed the young king’s wedding with Princess Dolgorukova. With the death of Peter II stopped the male line of the Romanov dynasty.
Nobody knows what expect Russia, if the Emperor, who loved in his short life of just hunting, would rule the country for a long time, but I’m sure it would be gone, and life would balance all the Hobbies with the urgent practical matters. Was the Romanov dynasty emperors, and passionately fond of hunting, but Peter II was really completely in love with her.
