Alisa Hessenskaya, Grand Duchess: biography, a story of life and love

Who is Alisa Hessenskaya? How did this woman become famous in history? How was her life? For all these questions you will find answers in our article.

Origin

Alisa Hessenskaya received the name Victoria Alisa at the birth of Elena Luisa Beatrice of Hesse-Darmstadt. Was born June 6, 1872 in Germany. The future Empress of Russia received such a name from the derived names of four representatives of the royal family: mother, also Alisa, and four mother sisters. Her father was the eminent Duke Ludwig IV, the mother - the Duchess Alice. The girl became the fourth, the youngest daughter of the famous family.

Childhood and youth

Princess Alice of Hesse inherited the hemophilia gene. This disease was transmitted from mother to child in their family is not the first generation. Surprisingly, it manifested itself in its strong expressed form in men, while women were only its bearers. With this disease, blood coagulability is reduced, which can lead to severe bleeding, both internal and external. The girl's health did not affect the disease.

The native Hesse in 1878 underwent an epidemic of diphtheria. She also touched Alice's family. Her mother and sister May die. After that, the widowed Louis IV decides to send Alice to be raised to her grandmother, realizing that she can not replace the mother himself. Most of the time heir to the throne holds in the UK, on the Isle of Wight. Thus, her childhood was spent at Balmoral Castle, where her grandmother, Queen Victoria of England, invariably spoiled her. Historians note Victoria's special tenderness and love for her granddaughter, whom she called "my sun".

The future duchess Alisa Hessenskaya was very modest and diligent in her studies. A great influence on her childhood was the religiosity of the whole dynasty.

First visit to Russia

At the age of 12, the Grand Duchess of Hesse and Rhine Alice first visited Russia. In 1884 her elder sister Ella became the wife of the Russian prince Sergei Alexandrovich. It was at the wedding celebration that the young lady saw Nicholas II - the prince, the son of Emperor Alexander III. It is worth noting that he immediately liked Alice. Then Nicholas was already 16, and she looked with reverence at him, considering the future emperor a more mature and educated person. The 12-year-old modest duchess did not dare to speak to Nikolai once more and left Russia with a light love of heart.

Training

The main role in teaching Alice since childhood was played by religions. She sacredly honored all traditions and was quite religious. Perhaps, it was the modesty instilled in her that later struck Nicholas II. She showed good zeal for the humanities, was interested in politics, public affairs and international relations. Her passion for religion bordered on mysticism. The girl was fond of studying theosophy and theology, in which she excelled and subsequently received a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Cambridge University.

Relationship with the future husband of Nicholas II and the wedding

In 1889, Alice, the Grand Duchess of Hesse, again visited St. Petersburg. She was invited here by Sister Ella and her husband. After a long relationship with Nicholas II for 6 weeks in the magnificent apartments of the Sergius Palace, she managed to win the heart of the eldest son of the emperor of Russia. In his notes, already in 1916, Nicholas II will tell you that his heart was drawn to a modest and sweet girl from his first acquaintance, and already at the second meeting he knew for sure that he would take only her as his wife.

But his choice was not initially approved by eminent parents. He was supposed to be married to Elena Louise Henrietta, heiress of the Parisian Count. This marriage was very beneficial for the emperor. In addition, Nicholas's mother was a native Dane and did not like Germans. Alice herself, returning to her grandmother's palace, began to actively study the history of Russia, the language, communicated with the Orthodox bishop. Queen Victoria, adoring her granddaughter, immediately approved of her choice and in every possible way helped her in mastering a new culture. The eldest sister Ella, who by that time adopted Orthodoxy and the name of Elizabeth Feodorovna, like her husband, contributed to the correspondence of lovers. Of course, for the family of Prince Sergei Alexandrovich, the husband of Alisa's sister, the kinship with the imperial family brought many benefits.

Another negative fact for the Romanov family was the famous ailment of the dynasty of the Dukes of Hessen. Fear of the disease of future heirs questioned the wisdom of choice.

Nicholas II was adamant and insistent, he did not agree to the persuasions of Maria Fyodorovna's mother. It helped the lovers rather tragic event. Alexander III in 1893 seriously ill, and the question arose about the urgent engagement of the first heir to the throne. To ask for Alice's hands, Nicholas went himself, on April 2, 1894, and on April 6, an engagement was announced. After the death of Emperor Alexander III Alice, Hessen took the Orthodox faith and received the name of Alexandra Feodorovna. By the way, her husband from an early age called the girl not otherwise than Alix - combining 2 names - Alice and Alexander. The wedding had to be held as soon as possible, otherwise the marriage would be illegal, and Alisa could not be considered the wife of the new emperor, so less than a week after the funeral of his father, Nicholas II was married to his beloved wife. Historians note that even their honeymoon passed during memorial service and mourning, as if prophesying the difficult fate of the Romanov dynasty.

Government duties and political activities

Alisa Gessenskaya Alexandra Feodorovna was forced to master very quickly in the new country, to get used to the new culture. Researchers note that, perhaps, it was the sharp change in the situation that so strongly influenced the formation of Alexandra Feodorovna's personality. Modest and closed, she sharply became a proud, suspicious and powerful person. The Empress became the leader of several military regiments, including outside the empire.

She also actively engaged in charity. Under her leadership, flourished such organizations as shelters, hospitals, help homes and public organizations. She learned the medical profession and personally assisted in operations.

Alexandra Feodorovna's environment

The first unpleasant incident associated with deception in the life of Alisa Hessenskaya, the wife of Nicholas II, was due to the fact that she could not give birth to her beloved husband. Since she was brought up from birth as the future wife of a ruler, she took the next daughter she was born as a curse for sins and a change of faith. Her mysticism was the reason for the appearance in the palace of Philip. It was a charlatan from France who managed to convince the Empress that he was able to magically help her give the heir to her husband. Philip even managed to impress Alexandra Feodorovna that she was pregnant, and for several months to stay at the palace. Through the queen he greatly influenced the Emperor himself. It was only after the doctors' verdict of "false pregnancy" that they managed to drive him out.

Friends in the life of Alexandra Feodorovna were court maid of honor. Among them, Princess Baryatinskaya, Baroness Buxgevden and Countess Hendrikova, who was affectionately called Nastenka, was especially notable. A close friendship with the empress for a long time with Anna Vyrubova. It was with the help of this lady that Alice of Hessen, wife of Nicholas II, met Grigory Rasputin, who later strongly influenced the fate of the empire.

Among the subjects of the German Duchess never achieved love and devotion. Alexandra Feodorovna took a disdainful attitude towards others, rarely she could hear praise or affectionate words.

The long-awaited heir to the throne

After the birth of four daughters - Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia - the imperial couple already despaired of acquiring the heir to the throne. But a miracle happened, and in 1904 a long-awaited son, named Alexei, appeared. Fortunately there was no limit, only the gene of hemophilia affected the boy's health. Appearing at the time at court, Rasputin helped him cope with the disease, as traditional medicine did not yield positive results. It was this fact that made Grigory close to the royal family.

last years of life

The last years of life were tragic and difficult for Alexandra Feodorovna. She was a wonderful mother, her daughters helped her with surgery in the hospital and spent a lot of time with wounded soldiers, participants in the First World War.

After the February Revolution, by order of the new government, the Romanov family was placed under house arrest, and later was deported from Petersburg to Tobolsk. In April 1918, the Bolsheviks transported convicts to Ekaterinburg, which was the last refuge of the royal family. Nicholas II defended his relatives until the last, but on the night of July 17, 1918 all members of the Romanov family were sent to the basement and shot. Eyewitnesses of those events told that, going down to certain death, Alexandra Fedorovna walked with her head held high. This summer night ended the reign of the Romanov dynasty.