In which city was the governor of the Menshiks? Food for thought

The Menshikovs are a Russian princely family descended from Alexander Danilovich Menshikov, who was elevated to the princely dignity of the Russian Empire in 1707 with the title of lordship. His son, Prince Alexander Alexandrovich (1714 - 1764), in the 13th year of his life, chief chamberlain, was demoted and exiled along with his father; returned in 1731, was general-in-chief. His son, Prince Sergei Alexandrovich (1746 - 1815), was a senator; about his grandson, Prince Alexander Sergeevich. With the death of the latter's son, the adjutant general of Prince Vladimir Alexandrovich, the line of princes Menshikov came to an end. Their primacy, surname and title were transferred in 1897 to cornet Ivan Nikolaevich Koreysh. The family of the princes Menshikov is included in Part V of the genealogical book of the Petrograd province.

Alexander Danilovich Menshikov (1673 -1729)

On November 6, 1673 A.D. was born. Menshikov. As a child, he was an inconspicuous, illiterate, but very responsible boy. He began his career, oddly enough, by selling pies on the streets. His father was a man of low birth, most likely a peasant or court groom. He wanted his son to get on his own feet and not depend on his family.

In 1686, Menshikov entered the service of one of Peter I’s close friends, Franz Lefort. In his house, the young king noticed a new nimble servant and soon hired him as his orderly.

Witty, resourceful and efficient, on every occasion showing boundless devotion to the sovereign and a rare ability to guess his will at a glance, he managed to bind Peter to himself, so that he could not do without him. The Tsar ordered that Alexander should always be with him and even, if necessary, sleep in his bed. During the Azov campaign, Peter and Menshikov lived in the same room.

It didn’t take long before Menshikov became the favorite of Peter I, he follows him everywhere and always. Together with the Tsar, Alexander went abroad as part of the “Great Embassy”. In Holland they studied shipbuilding together and received a certificate of naval craftsmanship, and in England Menshikov studied military affairs and fortification. In Russia he participated in the suppression of the Streltsy uprising, and during Northern War with the Swedes he repeatedly showed military valor.

Peter I trusted Menshikov, so Alexander supervised the construction Peter and Paul Fortress and the new capital (St. Petersburg), and, if necessary, ensured the defense of the city. Here Menshikov built himself luxurious palace, where he received ambassadors and other important persons. It was Alexander who introduced Peter to Martha Skavronskaya, who later became the tsar’s wife, and after his death, Empress Catherine I. When Peter I left St. Petersburg, he more than once left Menshikov at the head of the government. Menshikov was tested by Peter both in his personal life and in government affairs. During the investigation into the case of the son of Peter I, Tsarevich Alexei, Menshikov personally conducted the interrogation and was present during the torture. After all, it was Alexander who suggested Peter to impose a death sentence on his son. Menshikov’s signature appears under the text of the verdict immediately after the autograph of Peter I

After the death of Tsarina Natalya Kirillovna, the external life of the palace changed significantly: women and girls gradually left the towers and the princesses themselves did not strictly adhere to the former seclusion.

Tsarevna Natalya Alekseevna lived in Preobrazhenskoye with her brother with her hawthorn maidens. That's why Peter and Alexander went there more than once. Among these girls were the Arsenyev sisters - Daria, Varvara, Aksinya. Menshikov began a love relationship with Daria Mikhailovna. In 1706, Alexander’s relationship with Daria was finally legalized by marriage, which was partly the merit of Peter. But the prince was not disappointed in this marriage; Daria became his faithful lifelong friend.

In 1710, Menshikov “took a vacation”: he lived in his huge new house, which was luxurious and beautiful. Thanks to the gifts of Peter and Augustus, as well as the unceremonious “hosting” in enemy land, they reached enormous proportions, so Alexander could afford huge expenses. With him he had his own: a hairdresser, a valet - a Frenchman, a groom, trumpeters, bandura players, an equestrian master, coachmen, farriers, mechanics, cooks, a watchmaker, a gardener, gardeners - and all from other countries (foreigners). The only Russians are shoemakers and huntsmen. Almost all this year he rested and celebrated.

Menshikov was known as a true courtier and knew how to get his way, sometimes with cunning, sometimes with flattery. He never let Peter I down. Many hated the prince, but this was only out of envy.

Titles and callings

From the very beginning of his submission to Peter I, Menshikov served in the Preobrazhensky Regiment at its very establishment (his name is mentioned in the lists of 1693, and he was listed there as a bombardier). He served as an orderly under Peter.

During the Northern War with the Swedes, for his demonstrated military valor, he was appointed commandant of the Noterburg fortress captured by Peter. After one of the battles, which ended with the capture of Swedish ships, the Tsar awarded Menshikov the highest Russian Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. So all the rewards earned by Alexander were received after specifically completing tasks.

After the construction of the capital, A.D. was appointed the first governor of St. Petersburg. Menshikov. The Austrian Emperor Leopold in 1702, wanting to pay attention to the Tsar, elevated his favorite to the dignity of an Imperial Count; this was only the second time that a Russian became a Count of the Roman Empire. Already in 1706, Menshikov became the prince of the Roman Empire.

In 1707, on his birthday, Peter I bestowed upon his favorite the title of All-Russian Prince of the Izhora Land with the title of “most serene.” In 1709, on June 30, for Alexander’s services in the Battle of Poltava, the Tsar granted him the rank of field marshal. In 1714, Menshikov became the first Russian member of the English Royal Society. A little later, he receives an appointment from Peter to the post of commander of Russian troops in Pomerania. But Menshikov turned out to be a bad diplomat, and the Tsar returned him back to St. Petersburg. In 1719, Alexander headed the Military Collegium.

In 1703, the prince was appointed chief chamberlain of the prince, and Baron Huysen as his mentor. In 1719 he was appointed president of the newly established military college with the rank of rear admiral.

During the 9 years of his service, Sergeant Menshikov managed to rise to the rank of field marshal, and the rootless orderly “Alexashka” turned into the “Serene Highness Prince,” the richest and most powerful nobleman of his time.

Top down

Peter I knew how to select people, so he considered A.D. Menshikov is quite smart and business person. However, huge and uncontrolled power spoils many people, which has been known in Rus' since ancient times. This happened with Prince Menshikov. He was not devoid of ambition, but as he rose in power, it increased even more. Moreover, rank and titles “fell” on Menshikov from all sides. Unfortunately, Menshikov’s temptation to bribes and embezzlement quietly destroyed him. In 1719, Menshikov was granted the presidency of the newly established Military Collegium with the rank of rear admiral. True, a new commission was immediately appointed to investigate Alexander’s abuses. At this time, the Apraksins and Dolgorukies, taking advantage of the absence of Peter I in St. Petersburg, wanted to put Menshikov in custody (he was saved by Catherine’s petition, who asked the Senate to wait for the sovereign’s arrival). Peter himself, having visited the Petrovsky factories set up by Menshikov and finding them in good condition, wrote the most sincere letter to the prince.

IN Last year During the reign of Peter I, Menshikov's position deteriorated sharply. Due to abuses in the Military Collegium, Peter took the presidency from him and transferred it to another. The king was tired of listening to complaints about Alexander and forgiving him for his tricks, and he lost interest in his favorite and alienated him from himself. The health of Peter I deteriorated and on the night of January 27-28, 1725 he died.

After the death of the tsar, when Catherine I ascended the throne, Menshikov is again at the pinnacle of power and becomes chairman of the Supreme Privy Council. On May 13, 1726, he was awarded the highest military rank in Russia - generalissimo.

Already on May 25 of the same year, the prince arranged the solemn betrothal of twelve-year-old Peter to sixteen-year-old Marya Alexandrovna (Menshikov’s daughter). Thus, Menshikov insured himself well.

Soon the Dolgoruky family and the Osterman family “swim up” to young Peter. Menshikov is not even aware of the thunderstorm that will soon break out over him. The prince did not have time to come to his senses when the disgrace (the decree of resignation and exile), which was arranged by his old enemies and had been lying in wait for him all this time, took its toll.

On September 8, Lieutenant General Saltykov came to Menshikov and announced his arrest. On September 11, Alexander Danilovich, escorted by Captain Pyrsky with a detachment of 120 people, went into exile with his family in the city of Ranenburg. Although, from the outside, this departure could not be called “exile”: several carriages with the family’s personal belongings, a carriage with servants and security - everything looked like another trip on a hike. The family of Prince Menshikov settled in a house in the city of Ranenburg. Everything seemed to be fine, but secretly intercepted letters in which Menshikov gave instructions to his employees were transmitted directly to the Senate. His enemies were in a good position, so all the complaints that had accumulated over all these years were sent directly into the hands of the king. Every day they come up with more and more punishments for Alexander Danilovich. The following cities were confiscated: Oranienbaum, Yamburg, Koporye, Ranenburg, Baturin; 90 thousand souls of peasants, 4 million rubles in cash, capital in London and Amsterdam banks for 9 million rubles, diamonds and various jewelry (1 million rubles), 3 changes of 24 dozen each, silver plates and cutlery and 105 pounds of gold dishes. In addition to estates in Russia, Menshikov had significant lands in Ingria, Livonia, Poland, and the German emperor granted the Duchy of Kozelsk. As for things, houses - there was no account of this wealth.

One inventory of things taken with us to Ranenburg lasted 3 days. After the inventory, the family was left with only everything they needed for life.

Menshikov's wife and children secretly came to St. Petersburg several times and tearfully, on her knees, asked for even the slightest pardon, but Peter II was cold to the princess's pleas. Peter's severity increased.

On November 3, 1727, after another report against Menshikov, all titles and callings were removed from him. Now he was treated like a state criminal. Menshikov's house was surrounded by guards; at night the husband, wife and son were locked in one room, and the princesses in another. All rooms remained with guards.

Berezov in the life of Menshikov

In 1727, Berezov became the place of imprisonment for Menshikov and his children Maria (16 years old), Alexandra (14 years old), Alexander (13 years old). The full official title is A.D. Menshikov wore under Catherine I, sounded like this: “The Serene Highness of the Roman and Russian states, the Prince and Duke of Izhora, Her Imperial Majesty the All-Russian Reichsmarshal and over the troops the commander-in-chief field marshal, secret active adviser, the president of the state Military Collegium, the governor general of the province of St. Petersburg , from the All-Russian Navy, vice admiral of the white flag, holder of the orders of St. Andrew the Apostle, Elephant, White and Black Eagles and St. Alexander Nevsky, and Lieutenant Colonel Preobrazhensky of the Life Guards, and colonel over three regiments, captain - company bombardier Alexander Danilovich Menshikov.”

Under Peter II, His Serene Highness became a generalissimo and admiral of the red flag.

The “royal will” of Peter II, who was only twelve years old when he ascended the throne, was imposed on A.D. Menshikova fell from grace, and according to the established procedure, he was sent into exile - first to his own estate of Ranenburg, and then to Siberia. An order has been preserved to the lieutenant of the Preobrazhensky regiment Stepan Kryukovsky, appointed to carry out the highest command: “Send Menshikov, taking away all his belongings, to Siberia, to the city of Berezov, with his wife, son and daughters...”

On May 10, Menshikov’s wife died 12 versts from Kazan. Blind from tears, still in Ranenburg, frozen (there was no fur coat), in a small locality she dies in her family's arms. In the summer of 1728, a “secret” ship set off from Tobolsk to the north. It was commanded by the captain of the Siberian garrison, Mikloshevsky, who had two officers and twenty soldiers under his command. Such strong guards were assigned to the “sovereign criminal” A.D. Menshikov, his two daughters and son. Back in August, the floating prison, having covered more than thousands of kilometers by water, reached Berezov. The Menshikovs were placed in prison, and here, a little over a year later, Alexander Danilovich and Maria found their eternal peace.

Berezovsky, the last months of his life were spent by A.D. Menshikov steadfastly, without losing spirit. Having been deprived of wealth, power, freedom, he did not break down and remained as active as he had been from his youth. He picked up an ax again and remembered the carpentry techniques that he and Peter I had been taught in the Dutch Zaandam. I had enough skills and strength to build the Church of the Nativity at the prison myself. Holy Mother of God with the chapel of St. Elijah the Prophet. Money was also found: the meager prisoner's salary was used for construction costs.

In this temple, Menshikov was both a bell ringer and a singer in the choir. In the mornings, as the legend says, before the start of the service, he liked to sit in the gazebo, which he had erected on the banks of the Sosva. Here he talked with parishioners about the frailty and worthless vanity of our life in this world. It seems that in Berezovo he was possessed by one desire - to beg for absolution. That’s why, perhaps, he let his beard grow and returned to the God-fearing Russian antiquity after so many years of zealous cooperation with Peter in planting European fashion.

The prince vividly remembered the stormy, noble, dignified and famous years he had lived. His soul warmed and rejoiced, one must think, when in the evenings he told and asked the children to write down “remarkable incidents” from his past.

November 12, 1729 56-year-old A.D. Menshikov died. The prince was buried near the altar of the church he built. A chapel was erected over the grave. In 1764 the church burned down. The Menshikov gazebo has disappeared. And in 1825, the Tobolsk civil governor, the then famous historian D.N. Bantysh-Kamensky tried to find the grave of His Serene Highness, but to no avail. It is believed that Sosva washed away and collapsed part of the coast where it was located. However, until the beginning of the 1920s, Berezovsky priests secretly remembered Menshikov in prayers: “... and his name, Lord, you yourself know!..” The chapel near the newly built stone Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary was revered as a temple in his memory.

Maria outlived her father by just a month, dying on December 28, 1729. According to legend, which has not been reliably confirmed in sources, by this time she was already Princess Maria Dolgorukaya. Her beloved Fyodor Dolgoruky allegedly secretly made his way to the Berezovsky prison, and secretly married the chosen one of his heart. Soon after the death of his young wife, he himself passed away. They were buried nearby. Berezovsky old-timers claim that the graves of Maria and Fyodor were preserved in a dilapidated state in the early 1920s. years. According to other sources, twice, in 1825 and 1827, Mary’s grave was torn apart in search of A.D.’s ashes. Menshikov.

Alexandra, the prince’s second daughter, and son Alexander, after a drastic political change in the imperial capital, were returned by Anna Ioannovna to St. Petersburg in 1731. Alexander became a lieutenant in the Preobrazhensky regiment, and eventually rose to the rank of general-in-chief. And the queen made Alexandra a maid of honor and a year later she married Gustav Biron, the brother of the all-powerful temporary worker.

Settlement A.D. Menshikov in Berezovo for the first time, as it were, introduced this city to the great affairs of Russian political life, made Berezov widely known. Accordingly, the residents of Berezovka arose and still retain a kind of feeling of gratitude, special respect for the personality of Peter the Great’s closest assistant. Through the efforts of the Prince Menshikov society, in 1993, the world’s first monument to His Serene Highness was erected on the banks of the Sosva.

Of all Peter's contemporaries who surrounded him, there was no one closer to the sovereign than Menshikov. There was no other personality who would arouse the general attention of Europe to such an extent with the strange turns of his fate. According to the general opinion, formed during Menshikov’s lifetime, he came from commoners. According to some legends, his father was an Orthodox newcomer from Lithuania, according to others, he was a native of the banks of the Volga, but in both cases he was a commoner.

In 1686, he entered the service of an influential man - Franz Lefort, where he was noticed by the young Peter, managed to please him and soon became the tsar's orderly, then the tsar wrote him down as one of his amusements, where the young men were almost all from the noble class. This was the first step towards the rise of Menshikov. Peter, going to bed, laid it at his feet on the floor. It was then that Menshikov’s extreme understanding, curiosity and great diligence endeared him to the Tsar. Menshikov seemed to guess in advance what the tsar needed, and in everything he hurried to please his wishes. And Peter became attached to Menshikov to such an extent that he felt the need for his constant closeness.

Soon many, noticing that Menshikov was becoming the royal favorite, began to turn to him for intercession and intercession before the royal person. Menshikov accompanied the tsar on the Azov campaign and received the rank of officer, although he did not distinguish himself in military operations. Peter found in him a great admirer of the tsar’s favorite idea - to transform the Russian state in a foreign way. Menshikov seemed to Peter in everything to be a hater of old Russian techniques and customs and was greedily ready to resemble a Western European, and this was at a time when Peter was met with grumbling and the stern faces of their princes and boyars, who were afraid of the foreign domination that threatened Russia. It is clear how this commoner by breed seemed to Peter more worthy than many descendants of governors and governors.

In 1700 the Northern War began. Menshikov managed to prove himself here too: he was brave, efficient, and proactive. 1702 Peter appointed him commandant of the conquered fortress of Noteburg. Fully sharing Peter’s thoughts about the need for new Russia his fleet, Menshikov develops vigorous activity, first in the founding and then in the construction of the Olonets shipyard.

He also excelled in battles. After one of them, Menshikov received the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, the highest award of the state.

Throughout Peter's reign, Menshikov was the main executor of Peter's sincere plans regarding the founding, construction and settlement of St. Petersburg. The new capital owes its creation not only to the thoughts of the sovereign, but also to the ingenuity and skill of Menshikov. He oversaw both the delivery of building materials and the supply of workers sent from all over Russia. While engaged in the business of building St. Petersburg, Menshikov did not forget himself. erected a beautiful palace for himself in St. Petersburg, trying to make it convenient for a cheerful life and receiving guests.

Along with the scope of Menshikov’s activities, both his ambition and passion for wealth increased. The Polish King Augustus granted him the Order of the White Eagle. In 1706, the Austrian emperor, at the request of Peter I, awarded the royal favorite with the diploma of Prince of the Holy Roman Empire.

Menshikov’s contribution to the victory over the Swedes in the Battle of Poltava on June 27, 1709 was also great. Menshikov’s cavalry defeated the Swedish cavalry. After Poltava, the prince was granted the rank of field marshal and the cities of Pochep and Yampol.

Menshikov was involved in the administration of a huge province. In the case of Vice-Governor Kurbatov, Menshikov was exposed to abuses in the management of the province. In January 1715, the Tsar ordered a search. Menshikov, Apraksin and Bruce were accused of arbitrary treatment of government interests.

Menshikov was subject to a large penalty, but the sovereign, inexorably strict towards all crimes of this kind, was so merciful to his favorite that he ordered more government sums to be deducted from him.

Menshikov, for his part, had an opportunity to please the Tsar and win him over for leniency. The Russian army in Finland suffered a great shortage, and the provisions that were to be delivered from Kazan and the eastern region adjacent to it did not arrive in time. Menshikov had a large supply of flour and cereals on his estates. Menshikov hastened to donate all this at the right time for the army in need and earned gratitude from the tsar.

It happened that Menshikov also fell under the tsar’s disfavor: Peter deprived him of the governor’s post, giving it to Apraksin. But he soon made peace with his old friend and allowed him to his deathbed.

In history we see frequent examples that with the death of the sovereign, the happiness of their favorites fades, but this was not the case with Menshikov. Catherine I, enthroned in 1725 by the guard led by Menshikov, no longer interfered with the plans of His Holiness.

After the death of Catherine I, there was Menshikov's highest rise through the steps of power. His daughter's engagement to 12-year-old Peter II took place. Soon Menshikov fell ill and could not see Peter or influence him. September 8, 1727 A decree was signed on Menshikov’s house arrest, then on exile to the Rannenburg fortress.

The personality of A.D. Menshikov is very interesting and ambiguous. This inherently unique person was able to gain the trust of the king by being a funny boy selling pies. He arranged his destiny the way he wanted it. Menshikov, brought up in the school of Peter the Great, was smart, but not perceptive enough. He did not know how to recognize clever and cunning people, he trusted those from whom he was later threatened with death. And even when he failed, he tried to appear strong. When, on the way to the Ranenburg estate, he was traveling with his family under escort, a courier caught up with him with the royal order to take away all the orders, he said: “I am ready for anything. And the more you take from me. The less you leave me worrying. I regret only those who will take advantage of my fall.” Perhaps Menshikov, while still at the palace, knew the outcome of events, but it was difficult for him to come to terms with such a low fall.

A stormy time of his transformations began, among which he completely forgot about the nun Elena, as the former queen was now called, for ten years. And suddenly, out of the blue: it was discovered that in her captivity the nun had an affair with an officer, a certain Glebov! And moreover, this Glebov was among the conspirators who planned to overthrow Peter and give power to his son from Evdokia Lopukhina, Tsarevich Alexei. Glebov was impaled, Tsarevich Alexei was strangled in a dungeon, and nun Elena was sent to the North, to a distant monastery, and only a dwarf maid was left with her.
Here Evdokia Lopukhina spent many years, outlived both Peter and his second wife Ekaterina, and was finally returned to Moscow by her grandson Peter the Second. He surrounded the grandmother with honor. Why did she really need this honor when her whole life was trampled underfoot?..

Black-eyed "Monse"

Here we will talk about the main love of Tsar Peter Alekseevich. But first, a few words about some other circumstances of his personal life.
In his treatment of women, Peter quickly adopted the habits of the rough environment of sailors, soldiers and artisans. It was convenient and easy. At Menshikov’s palace or at his sister Natalya’s, he always found hay girls at his service, whom he paid like an ordinary soldier: a penny “for a hug.”

It is difficult to say now what was meant by the word “hug” - sexual intercourse or a date. But as a result of these “penny” hugs, about 400 “wives” and “girls” had children from Peter! When asked where she got the child from, such a lucky woman answered: “The Emperor bestowed it with mercy.”
This did not prevent both mothers and the children granted to them from eking out a modest, almost poverty-stricken existence. But the one whom Peter almost made his legal wife, Anna Mons, did not have children from him, but she had a palace, estates, and a lot of jewelry. Moreover, she took bribes for assistance in settling all sorts of litigation, because not a single official dared to oppose the “royal sweetheart.”
So who was this Anna Mons? There are different information about her origin, it is only known that her father was a craftsman, but died early. The mother was left with three children in her arms: two girls (Anna and Matryona) and a boy (his name was Willem and he would also play a fatal role in Peter’s life). The children were remarkably beautiful, smart, lively, and graceful. And extremely smart. Anna probably led the life of a courtesan for some time, and in any case, a lot of lovers were attributed to her. Among them was Franz Lefort, Peter’s friend, who introduced the Tsar to Annushka. The meeting took place in the German settlement in Moscow.
From that moment on, the clean and neat European-style German Settlement became, as it were, a model of the future Russia for the Tsar-Transformer, and Anna Mons became the ideal of a woman. Anna Mons was so beautiful, graceful, feminine that one contemporary wrote in delight: “She makes all men fall in love with her, without even wanting it!”
Her relationship with the king lasted about ten years. Peter was already planning to make Anna his legal wife and queen, but suddenly it turned out that she had been cheating on him for a long time with one elegant German, the Saxon Koenigsek, with whom she even had a daughter! This was discovered only after the sudden death of Koenigsek; he drowned during the crossing.
Anna Mons was arrested, but, however, the king was inclined to forgive her. He loved his Annushka too, too much! My? No, you can’t order your heart, and the already forgiven Anna Mons firmly told him that she wanted to marry the Prussian envoy Kaiserling. The Tsar retreated, however, by then he had already met his future second wife, Catherine.
Anna lost her husband early and fell ill with consumption. But even when she was sick, she could not do without love pleasures. She took in a handsome Swede for her support. Now she was paying for the joy of love, and very generously…

Alexander Danilovich Menshikov (November 6 (16) (1670?) 1673, Moscow - November 12 (23), 1729, Berezov) - Russian statesman and military leader, associate and favorite of Peter the Great, after his death in 1725-1727 - the de facto ruler of Russia . “...Happiness’s darling, rootless, semi-sovereign ruler...”, as A.S. Pushkin called him, never tired of big and small matters, helping the great Peter in all his endeavors.

He had the titles of His Serene Highness Prince of the Russian Empire, the Holy Roman Empire and Duke of Izhora (the only Russian nobleman to receive a ducal title), the first member of the Supreme Privy Council of the Russian Empire, the President of the Military Collegium, the first Governor-General of St. Petersburg (1703-1727), the first Russian senator, full admiral (1726). Field Marshal General (1709), under Peter the Great - generalissimo of the naval and ground forces(12 May 1727).

The son of the Polish nobleman from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Daniel Menzhik (d. 1695) and the daughter of the merchant Anna Ignatievna. Alexander Menshikov came from impoverished Lithuanian nobles (according to one of the officially recognized versions during his lifetime, written in the 1720s, which raises doubts among historians), he had an education, although foreign sources, from which domestic historians copied their conclusions, often represented Menshikov illiterate.

As a child, Alexander Menshikov, by chance, was taken as a servant by F. Ya. Lefort. In 1686, twelve-year-old Alexander Menshikov, given by his father to a Moscow pie maker, sold pies in the capital. The boy was distinguished by his witty antics and jokes, which had long been the custom of Russian peddlers; this is how he lured customers to him. He happened to pass by the palace of the famous and powerful Lefort at that time; Seeing the funny boy, Lefort called him into his room and asked: “What will you take for your entire box of pies?” “If you please, buy the pies, but I don’t dare sell the boxes without the owner’s permission,” answered Aleksashka - that was the name of the street boy. “Do you want to serve me?” - Lefort asked him. “I’m very glad,” answered Aleksashka, “I just need to move away from the owner.” Lefort bought all the pies from him and said: “When you leave the pie maker, come to me immediately.”

The pie-maker Aleksashka reluctantly let go and did this only because the important gentleman took him into his servant. Menshikov came to Lefort and put on his livery. Due to the latter’s closeness to the Tsar, Alexander was accepted by Peter as an orderly at the age of 14, and was able to quickly gain not only the trust, but also the Tsar’s friendship, and become his confidante in all his undertakings and hobbies. He helped him create “amusing” troops in the village of Preobrazhenskoye (since 1693 he was listed as a bombardier of the Preobrazhensky regiment, where Peter was captain).

Menshikov Palace. Oranienbaum.

There is also Russian news that Menshikov was born near Vladimir and was the son of a court groom, and General P. Gordon says that his father was a corporal in the Preobrazhensky Regiment. Both are quite possible: after all, the first amusing regiments were recruited from grooms and court servants. "...Menshikov was descended from Belarusian nobles. He was looking for his family estate near Orsha. He was never a lackey and did not sell hearth pies. This is a joke of the boyars, accepted by historians as the truth." - Pushkin A.S.: History of Peter. Preparatory texts. The years 1701 and 1702.

Menshikov was constantly with the tsar, accompanying him on trips around Russia, on the Azov campaigns of 1695-1696, and on the “Great Embassy” of 1697-1698. Western Europe. With the death of Lefort, Menshikov became Peter's first assistant, remaining his favorite for many years. Endowed by nature with a sharp mind, excellent memory and great energy, Alexander Danilovich never referred to the impossibility of fulfilling an order and did everything with zeal, remembered all orders, knew how to keep secrets, like no one else could soften the tsar’s hot-tempered character.

It is too well known how the Marienburg captive became Tsarina Ekaterina Alekseevna to dwell on this in detail. Around February or March 1704, Peter met Ekaterina in Menshikov’s house, and from that time their relationship began, cemented in the same year by the birth of their son, Petrushka. Menshikov was so prudent that he not only did not oppose the developing affection of the tsar, but also contributed to it in every possible way, correctly assessing all the benefits of such a course of action; and Catherine, wholly obliged to him for her rise, not only remembered and patronized her old friend, but also retained a friendly disposition towards him throughout her life.

On August 18, 1706, Menshikov’s wedding took place with Daria Mikhailovna Arsenyeva. A beauty in her own right, according to the general opinion of her contemporaries, Daria Arsenyeva was a simple and cheerful, devoted and loving woman, unremarkable in life, so modest that in the letters of the entire company to the “joy captain” Peter, she signed herself “Daria the Stupid.” Children were born: Maria (December 26, 1711, St. Petersburg - 1729, Berezov), Alexandra (December 17, 1712-September 13, 1736), Alexander (March 1, 1714-November 27, 1764).

Portrait of His Serene Highness Princess D. M. Menshikova. Unknown artist. 1724-1725

Portrait of Maria Menshikova. I. G. Tannauer (?). 1722-1723

Portrait of Alexandra Menshikova. I. G. Tannauer (?). 1722-1723

Showing himself to be an excellent cavalry commander, Menshikov won a brilliant victory over the Swedish-Polish corps near Kalisz on October 18, 1706, which became the first victory of Russian troops in a “proper battle.” As a reward for this victory, Alexander Danilovich received from the king a staff decorated with precious stones, and was promoted to colonel of the Life Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment.

The awards received by Menshikov were not only military. Back in 1702, at the request of Peter, he was granted the title of Count of the Roman Empire, in 1705 he became a prince of the Roman Empire, and in May 1707, the Tsar elevated him to the dignity of His Serene Highness Prince of Izhora. The material well-being of His Serene Highness and the number of estates and villages given to him gradually grew.

Peter I completely trusted the intuition and calculating mind of his favorite in many military matters; almost all the instructions, directives and instructions that the tsar sent out to the troops passed through the hands of Menshikov. He was like Peter's chief of staff: having submitted an idea, the tsar often instructed his closest assistant to develop it, and he found a way to translate it into action. His quick and decisive actions were fully consistent with Peter's ebullient energy.

Menshikov played a big role in the Battle of Poltava (June 27 (July 8), 1709), where he commanded first the vanguard and then the left flank of the Russian army. For Poltava, Menshikov was awarded the rank of Field Marshal. In addition, the cities of Pochep and Yampol with extensive volosts were transferred to his possessions, increasing the number of his serfs by 43 thousand male souls. In terms of the number of serfs, he became the second owner of souls in Russia after the Tsar. During Peter’s ceremonial entry into Moscow on December 21, 1709, Alexander Danilovich was at the Tsar’s right hand, which emphasized his exceptional merits.

In 1714, Alexander Danilovich Menshikov was elected a member of the Royal Society of London. The letter of acceptance was written to him personally by Isaac Newton; the original letter is kept in the archives of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Menshikov became the first Russian member of the Royal Society.

In 1718-1724 and 1726-1727, His Serene Highness was the president of the Military Collegium and was responsible for the arrangement of all the armed forces of Russia. On the day of the conclusion of the Peace of Nystadt, which ended the long struggle with the Swedes, Menshikov was awarded the rank of vice admiral.

Despite the generous rewards and honors received from the tsar, Alexander Danilovich was distinguished by his exorbitant greed, was repeatedly convicted of embezzling government funds, and only thanks to Peter’s leniency did he get away with paying large fines. “Where it comes to the life or honor of a person, then justice requires weighing on the scales of impartiality both his crimes and the services he rendered to the fatherland and the sovereign...” Peter believed, “...and I still need him.” According to official historians, Peter I “allowed” Menshikov to use his monogram “RR”.

The bulk of the ill-gotten capital was made up of lands, estates, and villages taken away under a variety of pretexts. He specialized in taking escheated property from heirs. He covered up schismatics and runaway peasants, charging them a fee for living on his lands. After Lefort’s death, Peter will say about Menshikov: “I have only one hand left, a thief, but a faithful one.”

After the death of Peter, His Serene Highness, relying on the guard and the most prominent state dignitaries, in January 1725 enthroned the wife of the late emperor, Catherine I, and became the de facto ruler of the country, concentrating enormous power in his hands and subjugating the army. With the accession of Peter II (the son of Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich) to the throne, he was awarded the rank of full admiral and the title of generalissimo, his daughter Maria was betrothed to the young emperor.

Portrait of Generalissimo A.D. Menshikov. First quarter of the 18th century Unknown thin

But, having underestimated his ill-wishers and due to a long illness, he lost influence on the young emperor and was soon removed from government. Due to the struggle for power, behind-the-scenes intrigue among senior government officials and courtiers, Menshikov’s side lost. Alexander Danilovich was arrested without trial, but according to the results of the work of the investigative commission of the Supreme Privy Council, by decree of the 13-year-old boy Emperor Peter II, he was sent into exile to the Ranenburg fortress (Ranenburg, Ryazan province, now Chaplygin, Lipetsk region).

Chaplygin city, Lipetsk region. House of A.D. Menshikov.

On September 11, 1727, a huge train, consisting of four carriages and many different crews, escorted by a detachment of 120 people, took Menshikov with his family and numerous servants from the capital, which owed him so much, so that they would never return to Peter’s “paradise” Great. Joy over the fall of Menshikov was universal - “the vain glory of the proud Goliath perished,” “tyranny, the rage of a madman, dissolved into smoke.”

After the first exile, on charges of abuse and embezzlement, he was deprived of all his positions, awards, property, titles and exiled with his family to the Siberian town of Berezov, Tobolsk province. Menshikov's wife, the favorite of Peter I, Princess Daria Mikhailovna, died on the way (in 1728, 12 versts from Kazan). In Berezovo, Menshikov himself built himself a village house (along with 8 faithful servants) and a church. His statement from that period is known: “I started with a simple life, and I will end with a simple life.”

V. I. Surikov. "Menshikov in Berezovo".

Later, a smallpox epidemic began in Siberia. First, his eldest daughter died (according to one version), and then he himself, on November 12, 1729, at the age of 56. Menshikov was buried at the altar of the church he built; then the Sosva River washed away this grave.

Berezovo. Temple built by Menshikov.

The unhappy royal bride, Princess Marya, who belonged to those quiet, meek and simple female natures who only know how to love and suffer, who seem to be created for the joys of family, the worries and sorrows of home life. Both in character and face she strongly resembled her mother. Local legend says that, following Menshikov, the young Prince F. Dolgorukov, who loved Princess Marya, came to Berezov and married her. A year later, Princess Dolgorukova died giving birth to two twins and was buried with her children in the same grave not far from the Spasskaya Church, on the steep bank of the river. Pine trees.

Count (1702), Prince (1705) Alexander Danilovich Menshikov (November 6 (16), 1673, Moscow - November 12 (23), 1729, Berezov, Siberian province) - Russian statesman and military leader, closest associate and favorite of Peter I, general Field Marshal (1709), first St. Petersburg Governor-General (1703-1724 and 1725-1727), President of the Military Collegium (1719-1724 and 1726-1727). The only Russian nobleman who received the title of duke from the Russian monarch (“Duke of Izhora”, 1707).

No reliable documentary information has been preserved about the origin of Menshikov; the opinions of historians on this matter are very contradictory. Father, Danila Menshikov, died in 1695. According to a popular version, before becoming surrounded by F. Ya. Lefort, the future “semi-sovereign ruler” sold pies in the capital. This is how N.I. Kostomarov gives this story:

The boy was distinguished by witty antics and jokes, which was the custom of Russian peddlers, with this he lured buyers to him. He happened to pass by the palace of the famous and powerful Lefort at that time; Seeing the funny boy, Lefort called him into his room and asked: “What will you take for your entire box of pies?” “If you please, buy the pies, but I don’t dare sell the boxes without the owner’s permission,” answered Alexander - that was the name of the street boy. “Do you want to serve me?” - Lefort asked him. “I’m very glad,” he answered, “I just need to move away from the owner.” Lefort bought all the pies from him and said: “When you leave the pie maker, come to me immediately.” The pie maker reluctantly let the boy go and did this only because an important gentleman took him into his servant. Menshikov came to Lefort and put on his livery.

N.I. Kostomarov. Russian history in the biographies of its main figures. Second section: The dominance of the House of Romanov before the accession of Catherine II to the throne. Issue six: XVIII century

During Menshikov’s lifetime, it was believed that he came from the Lithuanian nobility, although this version has traditionally raised doubts among historians. The legend about the pie seller, however, could have been put into circulation by the prince’s opponents in order to belittle him, as A. S. Pushkin pointed out:

...Menshikov came from Belarusian nobles. He was looking for his family estate near Orsha. He was never a footman and never sold hearth pies. This is a joke of the boyars, accepted by historians as truth.
- Pushkin A.S.: History of Peter. Preparatory texts. Years 1701 and 1702

Elevation
Alexander, at the age of 14, was accepted by Peter as his orderly, and managed to quickly gain not only the trust, but also the friendship of the Tsar, and become his confidant in all his undertakings and hobbies. He helped him in creating “amusing troops” in the village of Preobrazhenskoye (since 1693 he was listed as a bombardier of the Preobrazhensky regiment, where Peter was captain of the bombardment company; after participating in the massacre of the archers he received the rank of sergeant, from 1700 - lieutenant of the bombardment company). In 1699 he received the title of ship's apprentice.
Menshikov was constantly with the tsar, accompanying him on trips around Russia and on the Azov campaigns)