Tsar Nicholas II 1916
Mogilev, Russia
Christmas 1916
Dear ,
How time flies! Last Christmas saw me at home in our beloved Alexander Palace at Tsarskoe Selo with my dearest wifie Alex, or “Sunny” as I like to call her, and our five little ones- Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia and Alexis, gathered round the Christmas tree. The pile of presents underneath was somewhat smaller than normal owing to Cousin Willy not being his usual generous self. I cannot fathom why he now considers us, and Cousin Georgie in England, to be his enemies. Dear Grandmamma would be exceedingly annoyed at his less than peaceful stance towards everything not German. I suppose the Austrians can just about be counted on his side together with other ragtag and bobtail central European states.
This last year has been very busy, leaving me with little time for my favourite relaxations smoking, dominoes etc.
Fortunately spring came early and I was able to get out in the garden for some much needed fresh air and exercise, digging, sawing logs, etc. My darling Sunny was much happier lying in her beautiful mauve boudoir telling the government what to do and giving her usual good advice to all and sundry. She received so much help in her good works from her spiritual advisor, good friend and mentor, Grigori Rasputin. They were constantly closeted together and in early Summer Grigori told Sunny that, in spite of optimistic reports from the various Grand Dukes and Generals at the front, the army was suffering heavy casualties. I do not understand this as we were assured that 500 of our sturdy peasants armed with a rifle and two bullets to every fiftieth man, and the rest with stout sticks, could easily overcome one German machine gunner. The problem apparently arose when an officer shouted 'fire' and half of them ran for buckets of water and the others started rubbing the sticks together. He also told her that he had seen a wonderful vision in which essential food supplies got through to the troops (cabbage soup, etc.) I told my army friends this at dinner and one of them muttered something about Grigori seeing pigs flying but I'm sure he never mentioned pork in the vision.
However, all the foregoing gave Sunny, and Grigori, a very good idea - who better to inspire confidence and gets things moving than the Tsar, and before my feet could touch the ground I was on my way here to be actual, as well as acting, commander in chief.
What is so touching is the men's faith in me, they call me their 'Little Father' with such simplicity and loyalty. When this dreadful war is over I am sure they will return to their humble homes and tell everyone of the Tsar's kindness and humanity.
We had to forego our usual summer seaside holiday at our little palace in the Crimea owing to many petty annoyances, such as that fool, Witte, the Prime Minister or something (Sunny would know she is so good at politics) being assassinated. The four girls so loved digging sandcastles and now the eldest is 20, they were getting quite elaborate. Even Royalty has to take its share of hardship and set a good example.
You may already have heard, the greatest possible misfortune happened only last month. Grigori, our Friend, disappeared. He was later found drowned, shot and poisoned. We were devastated when the police came to the conclusion that it must be murder.
We cannot understand who might have wanted this saint among men out of the way. He had been making some odd remarks, saying that if anything happened to him, our dynasty could not survive, as if something founded by the great Peter could just be snuffed out because a peasant (albeit a very holy one) was not here to advise us.
With Sunny's sure hand guiding the ship of state and my leadership and inspiration for our gallant army what could possibly go wrong?
And now, a little secret before I wish you all a very happy 1917, Cousin Georgie is making me an English Field Marshall! I always said he had a nose for talent.
Happy Christmas
Tsar Nicolas II
Christmas 1916
Dear ,
How time flies! Last Christmas saw me at home in our beloved Alexander Palace at Tsarskoe Selo with my dearest wifie Alex, or “Sunny” as I like to call her, and our five little ones- Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia and Alexis, gathered round the Christmas tree. The pile of presents underneath was somewhat smaller than normal owing to Cousin Willy not being his usual generous self. I cannot fathom why he now considers us, and Cousin Georgie in England, to be his enemies. Dear Grandmamma would be exceedingly annoyed at his less than peaceful stance towards everything not German. I suppose the Austrians can just about be counted on his side together with other ragtag and bobtail central European states.
This last year has been very busy, leaving me with little time for my favourite relaxations smoking, dominoes etc.
Fortunately spring came early and I was able to get out in the garden for some much needed fresh air and exercise, digging, sawing logs, etc. My darling Sunny was much happier lying in her beautiful mauve boudoir telling the government what to do and giving her usual good advice to all and sundry. She received so much help in her good works from her spiritual advisor, good friend and mentor, Grigori Rasputin. They were constantly closeted together and in early Summer Grigori told Sunny that, in spite of optimistic reports from the various Grand Dukes and Generals at the front, the army was suffering heavy casualties. I do not understand this as we were assured that 500 of our sturdy peasants armed with a rifle and two bullets to every fiftieth man, and the rest with stout sticks, could easily overcome one German machine gunner. The problem apparently arose when an officer shouted 'fire' and half of them ran for buckets of water and the others started rubbing the sticks together. He also told her that he had seen a wonderful vision in which essential food supplies got through to the troops (cabbage soup, etc.) I told my army friends this at dinner and one of them muttered something about Grigori seeing pigs flying but I'm sure he never mentioned pork in the vision.
However, all the foregoing gave Sunny, and Grigori, a very good idea - who better to inspire confidence and gets things moving than the Tsar, and before my feet could touch the ground I was on my way here to be actual, as well as acting, commander in chief.
What is so touching is the men's faith in me, they call me their 'Little Father' with such simplicity and loyalty. When this dreadful war is over I am sure they will return to their humble homes and tell everyone of the Tsar's kindness and humanity.
We had to forego our usual summer seaside holiday at our little palace in the Crimea owing to many petty annoyances, such as that fool, Witte, the Prime Minister or something (Sunny would know she is so good at politics) being assassinated. The four girls so loved digging sandcastles and now the eldest is 20, they were getting quite elaborate. Even Royalty has to take its share of hardship and set a good example.
You may already have heard, the greatest possible misfortune happened only last month. Grigori, our Friend, disappeared. He was later found drowned, shot and poisoned. We were devastated when the police came to the conclusion that it must be murder.
We cannot understand who might have wanted this saint among men out of the way. He had been making some odd remarks, saying that if anything happened to him, our dynasty could not survive, as if something founded by the great Peter could just be snuffed out because a peasant (albeit a very holy one) was not here to advise us.
With Sunny's sure hand guiding the ship of state and my leadership and inspiration for our gallant army what could possibly go wrong?
And now, a little secret before I wish you all a very happy 1917, Cousin Georgie is making me an English Field Marshall! I always said he had a nose for talent.
Happy Christmas
Tsar Nicolas II
posted by Author designate at 3:12 PM
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