Nicholas II | Nicholas II

NEW BOOK – Tobolsk: Nicholas II and His Family Under House Arrest in Siberia

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Paul Gilbert

*You can order this title from most AMAZON outlets, including
the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia,
France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and Japan
*Note: prices are quoted in local currencies

CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE PAPERBACK EDITION @ $17.99 USD

English. Paperback. 246 pages with more than 80 Black & White photos

In August 1917, Russia’s last Tsar, his family and their retinue of faithful servants and retainers were exiled to Tobolsk in Siberia, where they were held under house arrest until April 1918.

The seven chapters in this book explore the eight months that the Imperial Family spent in captivity in the former mansion of the regional governor.

This book features the first Enlgish translations of Eugene Kobylinsky’s interrogation and Vasily Pankratov’s recollections, which provide twp very different eye witness accounts of the Tsar and his family.

In addition are chapters on the woman who photographed the Imperial Family in Tobolsk, the fate of the church where they worshipped, and the fate of both the Kornilov and Governor’s Houses.

This is the first book dedicated entirely to the Imperial Family’s stay in Tobolsk to be published in English.

My Nicholas II blog marks 5th anniversary and 1 million hits

Posted on January 22, 2024 by Paul Gilbert

Today – 22nd January – marks the 5th anniversary of the launch of my blog NICHOLAS II. EMPEROR. TSAR. SAINT, dedicated to clearing the name of Russia’s much slandered monarch.

Over this past weekend, my blog marked a major milestone, as the numbeer of hits it has received over the last 5 years sur[assed the 1 MILLION mark!

To date, I have researched, written and published more than 700 articles on my blog, making it the largest English-language site dedicated to the study of the life and reign of Russia’s last Tsar. My articles are based primarily on new research from Russian archival and media sources.

My Nicholas II blog also features more than 2,000 photographs, including historic black and white photos of Nicholas II, his family and Imperial Russia. These are complemented with contemporary colour photos of palace restorations, exhibitions, and much more. My blog also features more than 100 videos, ranging from vintage newsreels, documentaries and full length films,

In addition, I announce and promote new books on Nicholas II and the Romanov dynasty by other authros, as well as books which I have researched and written, as well as the recent relaunch of my popular semi-annual magazine SOVEREIGN.

Please note, that proceeds from the sale of books from my ROMANOV BOOKSHOP on AMAZON help support my research, including the cost of translating documents from Russian archival and media sources.

Take advantage of the search engine on my blog. Please refer to the ‘SEARCH‘ option located at the ottom of the page, which will allow you to explore nearly 200 categories. Or you can scroll down further to review the list of categories found on this blog.

In closting, I would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have followed and supported my work over the past 5 years. I look forward to bringing you many more full-length articles, news stories, photos and videos, on Nicholas II and his family, the Romanov dynasty, and the history of Imperial Russia for many more years to come,

NEW BOOK – Sovereign No. 12 (Winter 2024)

Posted on January 15, 2024 by Paul Gilbert

CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE PAPERBACK EDITION @ $20.00 USD

English. Large format 8-1/2″ x 11-1/2″. 130 pages. 114 Black & White photos

I am pleased to offer the first issue of my popular magazine Sovereign: The Life and Reign of Emperor Nicholas II, to be published in 5 years! Sovereign No. 12 – the Winter 2024 issue is now available through AMAZON outlets around the world.

The No. 12 issue, features 17 articles, and richly illustrated with more than 100 photographs, English text. The following articles have been reproduced from my blog, and presented in a printed format for the very first time:

[1] How Boris Yeltsin justified the demolition of the Ipatiev House

[2] Doomed to Resurrection: Is it Possible to Resurrect the Ipatiev House?

[3] The Fate of Nikolai Nikolaevich Ipatiev (1869-1938)

[4] Then they repented of slandering the Tsar . . .

[5] The myth of Nicholas II’s indifference to the Khodynka tragedy

[6] Nicholas II’s Private Apartments In the Winter Palace

[7] Nicholas II, the Union of the Russian People and the Black Hundreds

[8] Imperial Railway Pavilion at Tsarskoye Selo is being restored

[9] The ghost of Anna Anderson continues to haunt us

[10] Nicholas’s national education Project for Russia

[11] The Russian Imperial Award System 1894-1917

[12] How the Orthodox Church supported The overthrow of the monarchy

[13] “There are still many conjectures surrounding the death of Grand Duchess R+Elizabeth”

[14] Lost and found: Romanov family photo album found in Siberia

[15] The Charity of the Holy Tsar Nicholas II

[16] Russia’s last Tsar through Serbian eye

[17] Russia after Putin: Would he restore the monarchy?

Founded in 2015, Sovereign is a unique publication, dedicated to clearing the name of Russia’s much slandered Tsar. Each issue features articles based on new research from Russian archival and media sources.

The opening of the Romanov archives in 1991, unearthed many previously unknown documents, letters and diaries, which shed new light on the life and reign of Nicholas II.

A new generation of Russian historians now have the tools to reassess the popular negative myths and lies which have existed about Nicholas II for more than a century now. Thanks to their efforts, Nicholas II has undergone nothing short of a renaissance in modern-day Russia. Their findings are published in Sovereign.

Why did Sovereign cease publication in 2019?

Many former readers of Sovereign will be delighted to learn of the revival of this once popular publication, which from 2015 to 2019, was published semi-annually. But, why did it cease publication in 2019?

Between 2015 and 2019, a total of 11 issues were published[2]. The last issue, No. 11, was published in February 2019, and the series was cancelled later that year.

Many readers could not understand, why I cancelled Sovereign. I did not cancel the series because it was unpopular, on the contrary, I was forced to cancel the series due to the rising costs of printing this product here in Canada, in addition to Canada Post’s outrageous foreign shipping rates. For example, the rate to ship a single copy of Sovereign to the United States was $12, while the rate to UK, Europe, and other countries was a whopping $22! The postal rates have increased even more since!

Now, thanks to my publishing venture with AMAZON, I can resume publication, and make it available worldwide through AMAZON, while taking advantage of their much more affordable printing and postage rates. For example, I have reduced the retail price from $25 to $20 – a savings of $5 per issue.

The importance of Sovereign for historical accuracy

It is important to note, that the revival of Sovereign, is an integral tool in my personal mission to help clear the name of Russia’s much slandered Tsar. Not only is the publication of this unique periodical, a project which is near and dear to my heart and soul, Sovereign will continue to be a valuable resource for Western historians and researchers, and to those who share an interest in the life and reign of Russia’s last Tsar.

NOTE:

[21 The No. 13 issue of Sovereign is scheduled for publication in Summer 2024.

[2] The only remaining copies of back issues of SOVEREIGN, Nos. 1 to 11, can still be purchased from Amazon.com (United States) and Booksellers van Hoogstraten (The Hague, Netherlands).

Icon belonging to Nicholas II discovered in the funds of State Hermitage Museum

Posted on December 30, 2023 by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker by the iconographer Grigory Nikolayevich Zhuravlev (1860–1916). The icon was painted in 1884, specially for the future Emperor Nicholas II

In 1885, the heir to the Russian throne Tsesarevich and Grand Duke Nicholas Alexandrovich [the future Emperor Nicholas II], was presented with an unusual icon of his heavenly patron St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. It was unusual not in its execution, but in the way it was written [painted].

This icon was painted by Grigory Nikolayevich Zhuravlev (1860–1916), who used his teeth to paint the image of St. Nicholas. Zhuravlev was a bilateral amputee [a person who was missing both arms and both legs] a peasant from the village of Utyovka, Samara Province.

”

PHOTO: Grigory Nikolayevich Zhuravlev (1860–1916)

Grigory was born with arms up to his elbows and legs up to his knees. However, he was gifted with the ability to draw, which is revealed in his early youth in the painting of icons. Having learned the basics of icon painting from a Samara iconographer, Grigory began to create icons.

He did not receive any special education, he was self-taught. He painted icons for his fellow villagers. He received orders from prominent Samara residents, and was in regular correspondence with the Samara governor Alexander Sverbeev, who became the iconographer’s patron.

In 1884, Zhuravlev met with Sverbeev, and made a request to present Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich with an icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker – the future Tsar’s namesake. The governor heartily approved his request.

PHOTO: the Trinity Church in Zhuravlev’s native village of Utevka (near Samara)

Grigory Zhuravlev enclosed a letter with the icon:

“Your Imperial Highness! I most humbly ask you to allow this icon to come to Your Highest Name, because I have no hands and feet. And I painted this icon at the instruction of Almighty God, Who allowed me into the Light of God. And he gave me a gift. Using the movement of my mouth God I direct my skill to create this icon.”

The Tsesarevich graciously accepted the icon painted by the peasant Zhuravlev and deigned to grant him a one-time allowance of one hundred rubles from His Imperial Majesty’s own sum, a very generous sum.

Interestingly, the artist without arms and legs was invited to paint icons in the Trinity Church in his native village of Utevka (near Samara). The iconographer was tied to a cradle and lifted to the appropriate height, where he painted holy images, holding the brush in his teeth.

PHOTO: in 2020, an article by Anna Ivannikova, about the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, was published in an issue of the Russian magazine Дилетант [Diletant]

When Nicholas Alexandrovich returned to St. Petersburg, he kept the icon in his private rooms in the Anitchkov Palace. After the distribution of possessions of the Romanov’s in 1935, the icon ended up in the the State Russian Museum in Leningrad, and in 1941 it was transferred to the State Hermitage Museum, where it was placed into storage, as museum staff believed it had no historic significance.

Several years ago, a unique icon was discovered in the funds of the Staraya Derevnya Restoration and Storage Center of the State Hermitage Museum. Researchers knew nothing of the icon’s provenance. That is, until Alexander Malinovskiy, a local historian, writer and Doctor of Technical Sciences, a researcher of the life and work of Grigory Zhuravlev, provided the Hermitage with information which solved the mystery of the icon and it’s famous iconographer.

PHOTO: Alexander Malinovskiy

Malinovsky cited two letters, which provided evidence. In one of them, Zhuravlev writes that he and his father are sending an icon commissioned by the governor. In the same archive, he found another letter from Zhuravlev to Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich dated 1884 with a request to accept an icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, specially painted for him.

On the back of the icon there is an inscription: “From the archive of the Tsesarevich”.

Zhuraviev’s icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, gifted to the future Emperor Nicholas II, has been preserved to this day, in the Collection of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.

Unique icons belonging to the imperial family on display in Moscow for the first time

Posted on December 28, 2023 by Paul Gilbert

On 21st December 2023, a unique exhibit featuring four folding icons presented to members of the Family of Emperor Nicholas II, went on display at the Andrei Rublev Museum in Moscow.

According to Zhanna Belik, curator of the exhibition, “the icons, all of which are now in private collections, are being shown for the first time at the exhibition”.

“Each of the four folding icons is unique in its own way. They were personal gifts to members of the Imperial Family from organizations and donors from different walks of life. Gifts were given to the Imperial Family on special occasions throughout the year. For instance, on the occasion of the birth of children, their coming of age, the 300th anniversary of the House of Romanov, birthdays and namedays, etc.. To do this, it was necessary to submit a petition in advance, which was considered personally by the person to whom the gift was addressed,” Belik said.

CLICK on each IMAGE below to enlarge

According to Belik, the birth of Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich in 1904 is associated with the folding icon gifted to Emperor Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra Fedorovna, by the abbot and brethren of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra [in the town of Sergiyev Posad, near Moscow]. The artists and jewelers who created it were outstanding craftsmen of their time.

“The exhibition also presents a folding icon with images of saints St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Prince Alexander Nevsky and Mary Magdalene. The icon was presented to Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich [future Emperor Nicholas II] on his 18th birthday, by the guard of the Moscow Philistine Society. The folding icon was made in the workshop of Ivan Khlebnikov, a Supplier to the Imperial Court,” the curator said.

CLICK on each IMAGE below to enlarge

The curator noted that each of the four folding icons have the icon writer’s name on the back of each icon, the frames were made by jewelers – Suppliers of the Imperial Court. “At this time, jewelry art reached its apogee in Russian art, the work of jewelers of the second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century are world-class works,” Belik said.

The exhibition also features a sewn icon from the collection of the Andrei Rublev Museum, also created on the occasion of the birth of the long-awaited heir, and presented to Nicholas and Alexandra.

The exhibition runs from 21st December 2023 to 11th February 2024.

Nicholas II appointed rank of Admiral of the British Navy, 1908

Posted on December 27, 2023 by Paul Gilbert

PHOTOS: Emperor Nicholas II, in the uniform of a Royal Navy Admiral of the Fleet

One of the many memorial items belonging to Emperor Nicholas II from the collection of the Military Chamber in Tsarskoye Selo, is this sabre of the admiral of the British Navy.

On 27-28 May 1908, King Edward VII of Great Britain met Nicholas II, during the King’s State Visit to Russia, which took place off Revel (now Tallinn, Estonia).

During their meeting, in addition to discussing diplomatic and trade issues, Edward VII granted Emperor Nicholas II the rank of Admiral of the British Navy.

CLICK on each IMAGE below to enlarge

PHOTOS: Emperor Nicholas II’s sabre of admiral of the British Navy, presented to him on 28th May 1908, by his uncle King Edward VII of Great Britain. From the collection of Tsarskoye Selo State Museum

On May 28, 1908, Emperor Nicholas II wrote in his diary:

“Again, a wonderful day. We slept well … At one o’clock a big breakfast was held on the ‘Standart’. Uncle Bertie appointed me Admiral of the British Navy … “.

On the blade is the English inscription “To His Imperial Majesty Nicholas II Emperor of all the Russians from his affectionate uncle Edward Revel 1908”.

Monument to Nicholas II proposed for Murmansk

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Paul Gilbert

On 22nd December 2023, the Day of the Murmansk Region was held at VDNH in Moscow, during which a proposal was made to the Governor of Murmansk Region Andrei Vladimirovich Chibis, for the installation of a monument to Emperor Nicholas II in the center of Murmansk.

Historical memory must be observed, and in accordance with the initiatives of the residents and the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, a decision was made to build a cathedral [Preobrazhensky St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral] in Murmansk. The cathedral will be dedicated to the heroes of the First and Second World Wars. In addition, the installation of a monument to Emperor Nicholas II on the grounds of the cathedral is already being considered, however, the proposal must be approved by the residents of Murmansk,” the governor said.

The decision to build a cathedral in Murmansk was proposed 106 years ago, by Russia’s last Tsar, who approved the project. According to project manager Archpriest Vladimir Semenov, the completion of the cathedral “will fulfill the last will of the Russian Emperor Nicholas II, who is the founder of our city and the governing synod until February 1917”. Construction on the cathedral began earlier this year and is expected to be completed in 2028.

PHOTO: artist concept of Preobrazhensky St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral in Murmansk, to be completed in 2028

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Recall that Murmansk was the last city founded in the Russian Empire. Russia’s first ice free port was founded here in 1916 by Nicholas II and named Romanov-on-Murman. It was officially named Murmansk during the Soviet years.

In recent years, Emperor Nicholas II has been commemorated in a number of projects in Murmansk and the surrounding region:

In June 2019, Murmansk Airport was reamed Nicholas II-Murmansk Airport
In July 2019, plans were announced for a bust-monument to Nicholas II, to be installed in front of the main terminal at Nicholas II-Murmansk Airport
In November 2020, a permanent photo-exhibition dedicated to Nicholas II opened in the terminal building at Nicholas II-Murmansk Airport
In December 2020, a bust-monument to Nicholas II was installed on the grounds of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the city of Kovdor
In January 2023, plans were announced for the installment of sculptural composition of the last Russian Imperial Family, in front of Nicholas II-Murmansk Airport

“Nicholas II is the most slandered personality in the history of Russia” – Metropolitan Tikhon

Posted on December 14, 2023 by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov) of Simferopol and Crimea, reading from his new book “Гибель империи. Российский урок” – “The Death of the Empire. The Russian Lesson“

On 7th December 2023, *Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov) of Simferopol and Crimea, held a press conference in Moscow, to promote his new book *“Гибель империи. Российский урок” – “The Death of the Empire. The Russian Lesson“, from which he read aloud excerpts.

Reading from his book, Tikhon’s said: “Our wonderful publicist Ivan Solonevich said that Russia was ruined by gossip. He is absolutely right, it was in the salons of St. Petersburg society in which false testimonies were being made of Russia’s last tsar. Nicholas II, is perhaps the most slandered personality in the history of Russia. Such slander that was spewed at him, from the West and from Japan, from the East, and from inside Russia, was unthinkable.”

In particular, the Russian nobility of that time, Metropolitan Tikhon said, “refused to conform to the rules of decency, and instead spread malicious gossip, in an effort “to despise the sovereign and his entire family.”

At the same time, he noted: “before the revolution, Russia was a prosperous country, the achievements were enormous. Thus, in terms of GDP, the Russian Empire was among the leading countries in the world, and in terms of industrial growth rates, it was in first place. By 1913, Russia was harvesting more grain than Canada, Argentina, and the United States combined. In the first 15 years of the reign of Nicholas II, many educational institutions were created in the history of the country.”

“Yes, the Soviet Union did a lot, but it inherited much of it from the economics and industrial achievements made during the reign of Nicholas II. An incomparable gigantic legacy fell on the heads of the Bolsheviks. <… >The potential that was already laid down from that pre-revolutionary time worked for many, many years,” the bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church said.

Tikhon notes that his new book, using the events of 1917, reveals the mechanisms that were used to fan the flames of revolution in Russia, the mistakes its government and society made during the ensuing 70+ years, and the Soviet Union’s eventual collapse in 1991. Research for the publication is based on nearly 300 scientific works and archival documents.

*NOTE: this title is only available in Russian. I regret. that I do not know how to obtain copies, or if we will ever see an English edition published – PG

***

* Tikhon is one of two Bishops in the Moscow Patriarchate, who believe that the Ekaterinburg Remains are those of Emperor Nicholas II, his family and their four retainers. It is no longer a question of “IF” but “WHEN” the Bishops Council will convene to bring closure to this issue.

Photo Exhibition in St Petersburg Marks 150th Anniversary of Birth of Emperor Nicholas II

Posted on December 6, 2023 by Paul Gilbert

NOTE: this article was originally posted on 6th July 2018, it has
Been updated with the video below on 6th December 2023 – PG

CLICK on the IMAGE above to watch the grand opening of the photo-exhibition.
Language: Russian. Duration: 2 minutes, 27 seconds

On 6th July 2018 a new exhibition Emperor Nicholas II. To the 150th Anniversary of his Birth, opened in the ROSPHOTO Museum and Exhibition Center in St. Petersburg.

The photo-exhibition is a joint project between the Russian State Archive of Cinema and Photo Documents, the State Archive of the Russian Federation (Moscow), the Russian State Archive of the Navy (St. Petersburg), and the Central State Archive of Film and Photo Documents (St. Petersburg).

The exposition presents 150 photographs and 30 minutes of vintage newsreels related to the life and public activities of Nicholas II. The exhibition ran from 6 July to 9 September 2018

The Imperial Family were photographed by the best photographers of the Russian Empire. In addition, the Romanovs were photographed by the best foreign photographed when they travelled abroad. The exhibition presents family photos of the emperors Alexander III and Nicholas II, taken by outstanding Russian and foreign photographers of the day.

The greatest number of photographs which have been preserved to this day were taken by the co-owner of the photographic studio “K.E. von Gan and Co., the famous Russian photographer AK. Yagelsky, who was appointed “photographer of His Imperial Majesty.” He photographed Nicholas II not only at court, but also in his day-to-day life, on trips around the country, and during diplomatic visits. The exhibition features numerous other photographs of the K.E. Von Gan and Co. Studio marking the state activities and private life of the last Russian emperor.

The project further presents photographic images taken by the famous photographer K.K. Bulla. In 1904, he received permission to photograph views of the capital and important celebrations. Bulla received certificate of permission from the General Staff of the War Department, “to make photographic surveys on maneuvers and exercises of the Guard troops and the St. Petersburg Military District”, as well as a special certificate from the Main Naval Staff permitting photography “during maneuvers, reviews, exercises, and all events relating to naval life.” The exhibition includes K.K. Bullas photos from various jubilee celebrations, military reviews, launching of the ships of the Russian Navy, all of which were attended by Nicholas II.

A separate part of the exhibition features photographs taken by Nicholas II himself and his family members. The Emperor, along with Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, their five children, were all passionate amateur photographers. From 1896, when Nicholas II had his first camera, he hardly ever parted with it. Every year the emperor personally prepared family photo albums, placing and identifying each of them. The photos taken by the emperor and his family are sincere and warm; they were not intended for the general public, and therefore imbued with warm human feelings and true love that reigned in the family of the last Russian emperor.

The exhibition Emperor Nicholas II. To the 150th Anniversary of his Birth, ran from 6th July until 9th September 2018, at the ROSPHOTO Museum and Exhibition Center, which is situated at Bolshaya Morskaya Ulitsa 35, near St. Issac’s Cathedral.

“The Romanovs. The Final Word” viewed more than 1 million times!

Posted on December 1, 2023 by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: scenes from the final days of the Imperial Family in the Ipatiev House were recreated for the 5-part documentary ‘The Romanovs. The Final Word’

The historical series ‘The Romanovs. The Final Word‘ has become one of the most popular documentary projects ever made for Russian online cinema. The 5-part series premiered on 4th November 2023, and in less than a month has been viewed more than 1 million times.

‘The Romanovs. The Last Word‘ is a detailed historical study of one of the most notorious crimes in 20th century Russian history – the murders of Emperor Nicholas II and his family, based on the memories of the klliers themselves. The series was created by journalist and historian Sergey Minaev together with producer Danila Sharapov.

In 1964, members of the firing squad Grigory Petrovich Nikulin (1894-1965) and Isai Radzinsky, on the orders of Nikita Khrushchev, recorded their memories of the execution of the Imperial Family in July 1918. These audio recordings were subsequently ordered sealed and stamped “SECRET” and placed in the archives. These important historical recordings are now made public for the first time in the documentary series ‘The Romanovs. The Last Word.’

The conversation between Nikulin and Radzinsky at the USSR Radiocomet was recreated specifically for this documentary project. In addition, the Ipatiev House, in which the Imperial Family were murdered, was reconstructed for the documentary, based on original plans, drawings, photographs and memoirs of eyewitnesses.

The actors for the roles of Nikulin and Radzinsky, members of the Imperial Family, and their faithful retainers, based on their likeness to the historical figures they were portraying in the documentary.

The best historical consultants, artists and restorers were involved in the project. Thanks to their participation, it was possible to recreate the events and circumstances of the final months of house arrest, and subsequent murders of the last Russian Tsar and his family, with accuracy through a previously unknown source, and an important historical record.

For the first time, this documentary series shows in detail the last days of the family of Emperor Nicholas II, their execution, as well as the circumstances of hiding the bodies by a team of executioners. The project was narrated by Sergey Minaev.

Click HERE to watch the trailer for ‘The Romanovs. The Final Word‘

FURTHER READING:

The Romanovs. The Final Word + TRAILER

Watch all 5 episodes of ‘The Romanovs. The Final Word’ + VIDEO