Catherine I’s dealings and feelings

335 years ago, on April 15, 1684, the first Russian Empress Catherine I, the spouse of Peter the Great, was born. The Presidential Library’s digital collections contain copies of unique books and paintings that tell about this certainly bright historical figure. Most of the materials are available on the institution's portal.

“On the morning of January 28, upon the death of the Emperor, Catherine accepted the congratulations of her court and the supreme dignitaries of the empire, who that night made the manifesto on her ascension to the throne. In this manifesto, immediately published, it is said that since the Emperor Peter the Great, now deceased, conferred his spouse with the crown and anointing, the Senate, the Synod and the Generality were ordered to serve Empress Catherine", - writes K. I. Arsenyev in the book "The Reign of Catherine I" (1856).

Finally, the emperor saw her. So, perhaps, standing in front of the throne, which still seemed to keep Peter’s warmth, she recalled this particular sharp turn of fate? What was it? Love? How odd! After all, the European monarchs of that time were extremely rarely loved, and even less often married for love...

She was everywhere with him. And, curiously, he, too, was with her, wherever he was, whatever business led the Great Transformer away from his native shores. Whatever obstacles arose, no matter what kind of people and loft there were between Peter and Catherine, they were always together. This is indicated by hundreds of letters exchanged by royal spouses, which are available on the Presidential Library's portal in the first part of the rare publication Letters by Russian Sovereigns and other persons of the royal family (1861-1896).

Peter I missed his wife - judging by his answer, he was impatient to return home soon: “Darling Catherine, my dear friend, hello! God forbid! coming to you soon”.

Such rapid household moments tend to manifest themselves in memory at especially solemn moments. Who knows, maybe this case was recalled by Catherine, who suddenly became the widow and sole empress? She was nervous when Peter did not write her letters.

But here's the long-awaited news! She again reads the words drawn by her husband's hand: “I declare to you that today, the fleets here of packs happened away from Anguta, and tea with the help of God’s speedy action; only 8 miles from the Swedish shores are gaining. May God give your mercy!”

She could not forget. Not a single detail. Is it possible not to remember the simple, human signs of attention exchanged between the emperor and the empress?

Catherine I ruled just two years. She passed away after her husband, being young, at the age of 43, on May 17, 1727. And now, perhaps, the best, brief description of her life, which is given in the book “The Reign of Catherine I”: “The reign of Catherine I was not long, and her whole life was short. But in this short period of time, how many changes were made in the fate of Her, wonderful, without example, hardly probable changes!”