Commemoration of Anniversary of Birth

[Pravoslavnaya]

Dear Dasha and Angie -

Both impressions of the Tsesarevich-Martyr have their place, I think - although I think some of the stories of him actually pulling rank do come originally from the books written from Princess Catherine Radziwill, a noblewoman with an axe to grind concerning the Imperial Family.  The thing to remember is that Alexei eventually outgrew any behavior like this if indeed he did act up, and shone with compassion for others simply because he had suffered so much.

I can definitely imagine the poor boy crying at the loss of the Standart and of the opportunity to visit with the soldiers that had once served his father.   Part of his martyrdom...

[JaneEyre5381]

Dear Dasha and Angie -

Both impressions of the Tsesarevich-Martyr have their place, I think - although I think some of the stories of him actually pulling rank do come originally from the books written from Princess Catherine Radziwill, a noblewoman with an axe to grind concerning the Imperial Family.  The thing to remember is that Alexei eventually outgrew any behavior like this if indeed he did act up, and shone with compassion for others simply because he had suffered so much.

I can definitely imagine the poor boy crying at the loss of the Standart and of the opportunity to visit with the soldiers that had once served his father.   Part of his martyrdom...

Hello Elizabeth,
    Once again, very well put.  Of course he outgrew that sort of behaivior, and his parents had to be credited, along with his tutor the one and only Pierre Gilliard.  His father was not the one to flaunt his rank and title, and since Alexei spent a good deal of time with his father, he probably picked it up and acted in a more respectable manner (usual spelling apologies).  

His graciousness was displayed when he gave his own things as tokens of gratitude to the person who taught him English while under house arrest in Tsarskoye Selo.  The tutor wasn't Mr. Gibbes (again, sorry if I butchered his name), and Alexei felt that he should show appreciation and be even more studious then usual.  

Source:  an article on Alexei on www.suite101.com. Apologies if the info is wrong.  

Dasha

[Vive_HIH_Aleksey]

Absolutely. I heard a story that he comforted a man by the name of Fredricks (now this was in a historical fiction book so I don't know how reliable it is LOL) after he lost his son in the war, and Fredricks told Nicholas that Aleksey would make a fine Tzar someday, but wouldn't give any details about what happened exactly cause he promised.

Again that was in a fictional book but who knows it might have had some truth to it.

But I do know he was a very compassionate, caring young man, mature beyond his years especially after Spala as I recall. But he was still young at heart, enjoying childhood pleasures when he could, like playing war with his sisters and so on.

I love these stories because it makes me feel like I knew him as a friend, you know?

After chatting with Dasha, this is based on fact. The man had a different name. John Hanbury-Williams. I think that was the name mentioned in the book, I just haven't read it in ages LOL.

[Pravoslavnaya]

Here is yet another story of that delightful rapscallion the Tsesarevich Alexei, in another paraphrase from a Russian source:

While his mother, sisters and other female members of the court were visiting father and son Army Headquarters at Mogilev, they all stopped off at one of the boy's favorite swimming areas, on the banks of the Dnieper River.  (a place that I believe was called Evpatoria).   At one point the Emperor noticed a lady's parasol floating down the river, one that belonged to the lady-in-waiting who tells this story in her memoirs.  (I think it was Baroness Sophie Buxhoevden).

'How did that parasol get into the river?'  the Tsar asked.

'Oh, Alexei must have done that!  I had seen him with it earlier,'  his daughter Olga said.

Nicholas II called the little culprit to him, and said then,

'For shame, Alexei!  Now I will just have to go in there and get it, and I won't like getting wet.'

And it served as a reprimand for the little prince to see his father swim out to retrieve the fancy parasol while in that angry state.  The Tsar returned the umbrella to its owner, and went to sun himself on a rock in order to get dry.  His Majesty did not feel like speaking to anyone for a while.... until, as the Baroness writes:

'The poor little Tsarevich apologized most humbly and sincerely to me.  From then on he made sure to be especially courteous to ladies.'

[Vive_HIH_Aleksey]

That is so funny! Yes, rapscallion certainly fits the bill for him!

[JaneEyre5381]

Here is yet another story of that delightful rapscallion the Tsesarevich Alexei, in another paraphrase from a Russian source:

While his mother, sisters and other female members of the court were visiting father and son Army Headquarters at Mogilev, they all stopped off at one of the boy's favorite swimming areas, on the banks of the Dnieper River.  (a place that I believe was called Evpatoria).   At one point the Emperor noticed a lady's parasol floating down the river, one that belonged to the lady-in-waiting who tells this story in her memoirs.  (I think it was Baroness Sophie Buxhoevden).

'How did that parasol get into the river?'  the Tsar asked.

'Oh, Alexei must have done that!  I had seen him with it earlier,'  his daughter Olga said.

Nicholas II called the little culprit to him, and said then,

'For shame, Alexei!  Now I will just have to go in there and get it, and I won't like getting wet.'

And it served as a reprimand for the little prince to see his father swim out to retrieve the fancy parasol while in that angry state.  The Tsar returned the umbrella to its owner, and went to sun himself on a rock in order to get dry.  His Majesty did not feel like speaking to anyone for a while.... until, as the Baroness writes:

'The poor little Tsarevich apologized most humbly and sincerely to me.  From then on he made sure to be especially courteous to ladies.'

And yet another good story!  Thank you for posting it Elizabeth.  I have no stories at this particular moment to add (shocker, since I'm constantly blabbing), but as soon as I come up with one, it will be on here.

Hi Angie!  

Dasha

[Maria_Vanya]

Alexei's birthday is today! Will they show anything on TV about this in the USA or just Russia???

[katieann]

I read a sweet story about Alexei.  When he was quite young he was brought into the dining room to be introduced around and, at one point, dived under the table and came out near his father's chair holding the slipper of a lady in waiting.  Nicholas told him to immediately put it back - which he did.  But not before putting a ripe strawberry into the toe!  The lady in waiting let out a squeal and Alexei was taken out of the room - Nicholas by all accounts was not amused.  But several members of the Court had to stifle giggles.  Personally, I think it's a lovely story and just goes to show that despite his ill health, he was capable of as much mischief as any health child.

[Sunny]

Remembering Alexei on this day, and always.

Sunny

[Annie]

Remember the Tsar's diary entry telling of his birth, and how happy he was. If only things could have turned out better.

In memorium and in honor of Alexei, 100 years, and forever.

[Mary]

Happy Birthday, dearest baby boy.
God bless.

[Chris Fulmer]

Wherever you may be now, Alexei Nikolaevich, happy birtday from a true disciple.  I think you'd have been a great czar if you'd been given a chance.  

[JaneEyre5381]

Happy Birthday to Russia's brightest Sunbeam!  Remembering you with love today and always+

Dasha

[Maria_Vanya]

Happy Birthday Alexei Nicholaevich Romanov++

[Annie]