The coronation of Nicholas II: through contemporary eyes

[Janet Ashton]

Please see this new article by Greg King and me, published in the British Library's journal (which also published a previous article of mine on Alexandra's spiritual life): -

http://www.bl.uk/eblj/2012articles/article9.html

This article is the first piece of our research on Nicholas's coronation to be published, but there's much more. The article analyses the coronation contemporaries saw, from the planning to Khodynka, via their opinions of Nicholas and Alexandra. It features journalists, bishops, royalty, foreign tourists and lots more.

Because this in an academic journal the style is a little different to the bigger work we're completing, but we think it's enjoyable enough! The pictures all come from the original coronation album.

[Janet Ashton]

Please do post your comments and thoughts, by the way!

[edubs31]

Wow, looks and sounds amazing!

I can't wait to dig in and read all of the details that have been missing from much of what has been written before about this fateful day. The most interesting thing I've read to this point is probably Vladimir Poliakoff's recounting of the events he witnessed as boy in his book "The Tragic Bride".

Thanks for sharing!

[Terence]

Thanks Janet & Greg, a great read, obviously well researched.
T

[Janet Ashton]

Thanks Janet & Greg, a great read, obviously well researched.
T

Thanks for the feedback - any questions, let us know!

[Janet Ashton]

I can't wait to dig in and read all of the details that have been missing from much of what has been written before about this fateful day. The most interesting thing I've read to this point is probably Vladimir Poliakoff's recounting of the events he witnessed as boy in his book "The Tragic Bride".

Among the witnesses, we like Aylmer Maude...;-). But a lot of them are great fun - Richard Harding Davis, who had a massive crush on the Empress, and Therese Vianzone, who was besotted with Nicholas, as well as the page boys and the royals and diplomats all sniping at each other and taking offense at nothing, all provide light relief from the tragedy of Khodynka and from the portentousness of the ceremony. There's a little of that mood in the article, but much more in our book.