Favorites of Catherine the Great. Grigory Orlov - favorite of Catherine the Great

The reign of Empress Catherine II was marred by a mass of social problems that arose in the Russian Empire, and unprecedented scale of favoritism. The young boyfriends surrounding the Empress exerted a drastically negative influence on the domestic and foreign policies 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 the social foundations of that time. Naturally, in no way can you underestimate the enormous importance in the development of Russia, which is the era of the reign of the Empress. However, we will not describe in detail the state deeds and exploits of Catherine II, and try to talk about the personal life of a woman who has left a truly indelible mark in the history of our country.

Princess Ficke

The future "The Divine Mercy of the Empress and the Autocrat of All Russia" Catherine, already received from her contemporaries title "The Great", was born on April 21, 1729 in the Prussian town of Stettin. Major-General, Colonel of the Prussian Christian Army August Anhalt-Zerbstsky and his wife, Johanna Elizabeth, gave their first-born daughter - a beautiful German name - Sofia Augusta Frederika. Despite the fact that the girl's parents were related to many royal houses in Europe (the father had the title of prince and even later became the owner of the German principality Tserbst, and the mother was a nee Princess Holstein-Gottorp), her childhood was little like the life of a "royal blood" . Living in an ordinary German house, Fika, as her parents were affectionately called, she received a home education, which was usual for a girl from a bourgeois family of that time, where she always had the skills to cook and clean.

The beginning of the "regal" way

In 1744, in the patronage of the Prussian King Frederick the Great, Sofia Augusta and her mother were summoned by Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, who was seeking a bride for her son, in St. Petersburg. In Russia, a German princess underwent a baptismal rite and, according to Orthodox custom, was given the name of Ekaterina Alekseevna. In 1745 she married the Grand Duke Peter Fedorovich, the future Emperor Peter III. The family life of the young from the beginning was unsuccessful. Heir to the throne, either because of his infantilism or dementia, or simply from "dislike" was very cold with his wife. Even on the wedding night, he did not pay any attention to the young bride. She, differing in her irrepressible sexual temperament, simply needed a man's attention and, according to the testimony of contemporaries, immediately after the wedding began to openly flirt with the gentlemen.

First serious love

Even during the life of her husband, the future Empress had a secret lover. They became Sergei Vasilyevich Saltykov (1726-1765), a noble nobleman of the grand ducal family, who had the rank of chamberlain under the Grand Duke. Saltykov at the time of their acquaintance turned 26 years old. He became the first favorite of Catherine II and the only one who was older than her. The connection between the young people lasted from 1752 to 1754, before the birth of the son of Catherine - heir to the throne - Pavel Petrovich. Many contemporaries ascribed to Saltykov the true paternity of Paul. So it or not, for certain it is not known, the Empress herself never denied these rumors. As for Sergei Vasilyevich, he was sent to Europe in the same year, where he had a long correspondence with his beloved. It is with Saltykov begin the countdown favorites Catherine the Great, 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 lonely. In 1756 she had a new lover. They became Stanislaw August Poniatowski (1732-1798), a well-educated diplomat, who soon became Polish ambassador to St. Petersburg. According to rumors, it is from this connection that the future Empress gave birth in 1757 to daughter Anna, who died at the age of two. It is known that Pyotr Fyodorovich knew about his wife's relationship with a young Pole, and moreover, he supported them. The only powerful opponent of the "adventures" of Catherine became the ruling empress - Elizaveta Petrovna. In 1758, she learned of the vicious connection of her daughter-in-law, was very angry and ordered immediately to send the envoy back to Poland. Catherine kept the memory of her beloved and after the forced parting. In 1764 she, already an empress, helped Stanislav Augustus to the throne of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Grigory Orlov (1734-1783)

What role did Grigory Grigoryevich Orlov play in the fate of this woman? What does history tell us? The future favorite of Catherine the Great was born October 17, 1734 in the family of a retired Major-General - Grigory Ivanovich Orlov. The childhood of Grigory 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 in the family neither quarrels nor scandals. Orlovs received home education, which was customary for people of their own range, with special attention paid to military affairs and physical training. The brothers differed from the majority of their peers with tall growth, a heroic article and enormous power. In 1749, Grigory entered the St. Petersburg land cadet corps, at the end of which he was immediately enrolled in the elite Guards Semenovsky regiment. The young man was very handsome, loved by women and had a passion for amorous adventures. At the same time, he was distinguished for his courage and fearlessness, which enabled him to quickly rise to the rank of lieutenant and go to the army for the Seven Years' War.

Heroic deeds

On the battlefield the future favorite of Catherine II, Orlov, proved to be a very brave warrior. Glory brought bloody battle near the German village of Zorndorf, where the Russian army met with the troops of Prussian King Frederick II. During the battle, the desperate cavalryman showed a brilliant courage, an amazing composure and great endurance. Three times wounded, he remained in the ranks, rushed into the thick of battle and tirelessly razed the enemy. The news of the hero's exploits flew around the soldiers' ranks, inspiring all Russian soldiers, and the Prussian army was defeated and fled. For the courage and bravery displayed in the battle, Grigory Orlov was elevated to the rank of captain, and the war for him was over. The fact is that during the Zorndorf battle, Adjutant Friedrich, Count von Schwerin, was captured. Responsible mission to deliver the prisoner to the court of Empress Elizabeth was entrusted to the young guard.

Acquaintance with the future empress

In the spring of 1759, Gregory arrived in the northern capital, where he was immediately met by his brothers, Alexei and Fedor, who served in the rank of lieutenants of the Preobrazhensky and Semenov Guards regiments, respectively. Trinity cheerfully spent time indulging in merry feasts, love adventures and card games. However, in 1760 Gregory was transferred from the Guards to artillery and appointed adjutant of a very influential nobleman - Count Pyotr Ivanovich Shuvalov. Caught in the center of court life, handsome Orlov gets acquainted with thirty-year-old Catherine, attractive and sophisticated in love affairs, but at the same time an unhappy woman suffering from loneliness and humiliation from her husband. Grigory Grigoryevich 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

Orlovs, having been known by people as brave and decent, enjoyed great authority in the Guards regiments, which represented a serious power and support of the tsarist power. Brothers in conversations with friends began to create the Grand Duchess the image of a martyr, gradually attracting to his side an increasing number of nobles and soldiers. The arrogant behavior of the heir to the throne, Peter, also did not contribute to his popularity. The first opportunity to overthrow the conspirators, including the current (G. Orlov) and the future (G. Potemkin) favorites of Catherine II, appeared on December 25, 1761, the day of the death of Empress Elizabeth. However, the Grand Duchess herself was in utter dismay, panicked terribly, and the moment was missed. However, the cause of confusion Catherine soon became known. She was five months pregnant, and all the courtiers were aware of the fact that it was Gregory who was the child's father. The boy was born in April 1762, was named Alexei, received the title of Count and became the founder of the noble family of Bobrinsky.

Palace coup

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

Grigory Orlov - favorite of Catherine the Great

After the coronation, Catherine, showered with titles, titles and awards of all her assistants, moved to the Winter Palace. Orlov, despite the gifts given to the emperor, preferred to live next to his beloved. It was a truly beautiful time for him. Raised in the dignity of Count, received the rank of Major-General, Grigory Grigorievich began to possess enormous power, always was akin to the Empress, and she was discussing all state affairs with him. Catherine II passionately loved her favorite and even seriously intended to marry Orlova. To dissuade the autocrat from such a step, with great difficulty, but still managed to Count Nikita Panin. Historians know his words: "Mother, we all obey the command of the Empress, but who will obey the Countess Orlov?" Grigory, according to eyewitnesses, was also very fond of Catherine and gave her expensive presents, the most famous of which is a huge diamond.

Life at Court

Grigory Grigoryevich always supported the initiatives of the Empress and, in proportion to his abilities, tried to help her in the management of the state. He did not have a thirst for power, which was experienced by many favorites of Catherine the Great, and his contemporaries spoke of him as a generous, gullible and kind-hearted 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 in order to gain access to the Black Sea. Although the Empress did not let her lover go to war, he quickly found an application. Grigory Orlov, a favorite of Catherine the Great, was sent to Moscow to fight the plague epidemic. He managed to show there his organizational skills and for a month to clean the city of a terrible infection. Catherine met her beloved as a hero, ordered to erect in his honor the Triumphal Arch and cast a medal with the portrait of the Count.

Sunset bright star

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. He was Alexei Semenovich Vasilchikov (1746-1813) - cornet of the Life Guards Life Guards Regiment, which belonged to a well-known noble family. On August 28, Grigory interrupted the conference and rushed to St. Petersburg, wishing to meet the empress. Catherine at this time already received a report from the Count Panin with the news that Orlov had failed negotiations, and decided to finally break with him. The Empress denied her former lover an audience and sent him to an annual "leave," while endowing him with a rich annual content, as well as thousands of serfs. In 1777, the Earl married his cousin, who soon fell ill with tuberculosis and died. Grigory Grigoryevich could not withstand her death, was damaged by reason and died on April 24, 1783.

Life does not stand still

Alexei Vasilchikov did not have such outstanding data, which had previous favorites of Catherine the Great. Though he was 17 years younger than the empress, he was noted for his lack of education and quickly became bored with the empress. Of his merits, one can single out only disinterestedness and the fact that he did not use his position at all. He was replaced in 1774 by Grigory Alexandrovich Potemkin, who became one of the most famous people of his time, from the connection with which Catherine gave birth to her daughter - Elizaveta Grigoryevna. Scion of a poor noble family, Potemkin became a great statesman, friend and de facto co-ruler of the empress. At the "post" favorite Gregory Alexandrovich was replaced by Peter 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 Education.

A few words in conclusion

The favorites of Catherine II, who were mostly the adjutants of the Most Serene Prince Potemkin, began to replace one another. Some of them, like the future hero of the Patriotic War, Alexei Petrovich Ermolov, gained fame and popular love. Most, as Sorotokin N.M. writes in his book "Favorites of Catherine the Great", were engaged in frank greed, corruption, and devastated the state treasury. And the phenomenon of favoritism laid a dark stain on the whole history of the Russian state.

The most famous favorites of Catherine the Great

A photo of some of them you see in our article. Although this is not all the favorites of the Empress. The favorites of Catherine II, best known: Aleksey Petrovich Ermolov (future hero of the war with Napoleon), Grigory Alexandrovich Potemkin (the great statesman of that era) and Platon Zubov, the last favorite of the empress.