Author Topic: Alix calling Nicholas weak?  (Read 4729 times)

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myhusbandswife

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Alix calling Nicholas weak?
« on: October 08, 2009, 08:35:29 PM »
I came across this site: http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/nicholas_and_alexandra.htm
and saw this:
“The emperor unfortunately is weak, but I am not and I intend to be firm.”

Alexandra, writing in 1905

I have never seen that written anywhere before...did she really write that? For some reason I can not picture her calling Nicholas weak. I mean we all know he was a gentle man. I don't believe he was weak I believe he just wasn't cut out for that kind of life and stress..but I was kind of shocked that she would write that about her husband. Maybe it's just me, but I was raised that you don't ever say anything against your husband/wife and always stick by their side..never go against them...
« Last Edit: October 08, 2009, 08:39:26 PM by myhusbandswife »

historyfan

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Re: Alix calling Nicholas weak?
« Reply #1 on: October 09, 2009, 08:57:01 PM »
I've seen that quoted as well, but also on a website.  I've never seen it in a book.

I don't know if she used "weak", but she definitely believed he needed propping up.

Offline Olga Maria

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Re: Alix calling Nicholas weak?
« Reply #2 on: October 09, 2009, 11:05:49 PM »
Quoted from Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna's biography by Meriel Buchanan:
In an audience he had with the Empress my father tried to warn her that it was laying on the Emperor the whole responsibility for a fresh disaster; that it was too heavy a burden for one man, to combine the duties of commander-in-chief with those of a ruler of a great Empire. She told him coldly that it had been a great mistake her husband not having taken command from the beginning. "I have no patience," she continued, "with Ministers who try to prevent him from doing his duty. The Emperor unfortunately is weak, but I am not," (Note:  I find it impossible to believe the Empress would have said this to the English Ambassador.  Bob Atchison)


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Offline Terence

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Re: Alix calling Nicholas weak?
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2009, 12:11:23 AM »
Quoted from Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna's biography by Meriel Buchanan:
In an audience he had with the Empress my father tried to warn her that it was laying on the Emperor the whole responsibility for a fresh disaster; that it was too heavy a burden for one man, to combine the duties of commander-in-chief with those of a ruler of a great Empire. She told him coldly that it had been a great mistake her husband not having taken command from the beginning. "I have no patience," she continued, "with Ministers who try to prevent him from doing his duty. The Emperor unfortunately is weak, but I am not," (Note:  I find it impossible to believe the Empress would have said this to the English Ambassador.  Bob Atchison)
I certainly do not have the expertise of Bob Atchison, but this "quote" by Meriel Buchanan simply does not ring true, according to all the other evidence.  As far as historic reliability, it is secondhand gossip, not particularly reliable at all.
JMHO,
T

Offline CountessKate

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Re: Alix calling Nicholas weak?
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2009, 06:34:14 AM »
Quoted from Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna's biography by Meriel Buchanan:
In an audience he had with the Empress my father tried to warn her that it was laying on the Emperor the whole responsibility for a fresh disaster; that it was too heavy a burden for one man, to combine the duties of commander-in-chief with those of a ruler of a great Empire. She told him coldly that it had been a great mistake her husband not having taken command from the beginning. "I have no patience," she continued, "with Ministers who try to prevent him from doing his duty. The Emperor unfortunately is weak, but I am not," (Note:  I find it impossible to believe the Empress would have said this to the English Ambassador.  Bob Atchison)

I am just now looking at the 'biography' - in fact an essay in Meriel Buchanan's 'Queen Victoria's relations' and am unable to find this quote.  Perhaps it is in one of the many other books she wrote on Imperial Russia?

Offline blessOTMA

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Re: Alix calling Nicholas weak?
« Reply #5 on: October 17, 2009, 02:57:48 PM »
I actually can see Alexandra saying it to Buchanan, the British ambassador....I believe she would let her strength show  a bit with him, since he was from "home" and would understand her. I think she would be more honest with Buchanan for these reasons

I'm reading Olga N's 1913 diary and  by that time Alexandra is rarely spends time with  them due to her weak heart and endless headaches.

So let me say this about Alexandra Feodorovna, there is an old proverb:

" The terrible strength of the weak"

The whole family is held hostage to her supposed  weakness . But she was far from weak

"Give my love to all who remember me."

  Olga Nikolaevna