Author Topic: Maria's letters & notes  (Read 175809 times)

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Offline edubs31

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Re: Maria's letters & notes
« Reply #270 on: March 18, 2014, 06:06:07 PM »
The one that always makes me shudder involuntarily is the one where they tell Papa about riding their bicycles up and down the palace corridors -- no doubt weaving in and out among the priceless vases, statues, antique furniture, etc., at top speed.
Ouch!

Yes it amazes me they were permitted to do such things. Wouldn't their mother have put a stop to such behavior. On one hand they risked destroying priceless objects, as you noted. On the other this was surely an activity that Alexei could not take part in. I'd think the jealously factor alone would compel Alexandra to stop her children overly active behavior such as this. A bad example for their young brother who couldn't involve himself in such free spirited activity.
Once in a while you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right...

Offline Превед

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Re: Maria's letters & notes
« Reply #271 on: March 18, 2014, 06:28:25 PM »
Perhaps they weren't allowed to, but just did it.
I think this exactly shows how well brought up they were: That they could act out and have some wild fun, without loosing all sense. They would never forget who and where they were.

On the other this was surely an activity that Alexei could not take part in. I'd think the jealously factor alone would compel Alexandra to stop her children overly active behavior such as this. A bad example for their young brother who couldn't involve himself in such free spirited activity.

Do you really believe she was such a bad parent? Do you think Alexey was jealous of everything his sisters did, like doing serious work in the hospital? I think he too had been brought up with a deep sense of injustice, that some rules applied to some people, others to other people. Come to think of it, that must have been a very strong element in any upbringing in pre-Revolutionary Russia!
« Last Edit: March 18, 2014, 06:31:38 PM by Превед »
Берёзы севера мне милы,—
Их грустный, опущённый вид,
Как речь безмолвная могилы,
Горячку сердца холодит.

(Афанасий Фет: «Ивы и берёзы», 1843 / 1856)

Offline Inok Nikolai

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Re: Maria's letters & notes
« Reply #272 on: March 19, 2014, 08:40:18 AM »
The one that always makes me shudder involuntarily is the one where they tell Papa about riding their bicycles up and down the palace corridors -- no doubt weaving in and out among the priceless vases, statues, antique furniture, etc., at top speed.
Ouch!

Yes it amazes me they were permitted to do such things. Wouldn't their mother have put a stop to such behavior. On one hand they risked destroying priceless objects, as you noted. On the other this was surely an activity that Alexei could not take part in. I'd think the jealously factor alone would compel Alexandra to stop her children overly active behavior such as this. A bad example for their young brother who couldn't involve himself in such free spirited activity.

Forgive me, but I don't quite understand why such a negative spin was put onto my innocent comment. I was not being judgmental of the Grand Duchesses, but simply imagining what Papa and Mama's reaction might be when they heard about their antics! Actually, I found it rather warm, natural, and sort of amusing. Girls will be girls... even if Grand Duchesses.
инок Николай

Offline amelia

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Re: Maria's letters & notes
« Reply #273 on: March 19, 2014, 10:31:13 AM »
I read somewhere that Lord Mountabtten played Hide-and-seek in the Winter Palace with Grand Duchess Maria, among the vases etc... I think it was funny.

Amelia
(Eva McDonald)

Offline edubs31

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Re: Maria's letters & notes
« Reply #274 on: March 19, 2014, 01:29:06 PM »
The one that always makes me shudder involuntarily is the one where they tell Papa about riding their bicycles up and down the palace corridors -- no doubt weaving in and out among the priceless vases, statues, antique furniture, etc., at top speed.
Ouch!

Yes it amazes me they were permitted to do such things. Wouldn't their mother have put a stop to such behavior. On one hand they risked destroying priceless objects, as you noted. On the other this was surely an activity that Alexei could not take part in. I'd think the jealously factor alone would compel Alexandra to stop her children overly active behavior such as this. A bad example for their young brother who couldn't involve himself in such free spirited activity.

Forgive me, but I don't quite understand why such a negative spin was put onto my innocent comment. I was not being judgmental of the Grand Duchesses, but simply imagining what Papa and Mama's reaction might be when they heard about their antics! Actually, I found it rather warm, natural, and sort of amusing. Girls will be girls... even if Grand Duchesses.

Hmmm...you considered that response of mine negative?

I'm not being critical of the girls...and maybe just a tad critical of Alexandra. My point was that I would think Alexei might be prone to a certain amount of jealousy having to watch his sisters roughhouse and parade around the halls of the palace in such a way. As if to say, "they get to do that, why can't I?" The answer of course is because of his condition. I believe Alexandra was known to have lectured her son on several occasions about playing too rough.

So my question is, why would she have permitted such behavior from her daughters, even if done in good spirits? 1) They risk breaking things and injuring themselves and, potentially, others. 2) They risk upsetting Alexei who goes and cries to his Mama that he isn't allowed to partake in the fun. These would be reasons enough for a normal parent to put a stop to such behavior, don't you think?

Personally I think its cute that they got away with it, and stories of children enjoying themselves always brings a smile to my face...I'm only considering it from Alexandra's & Alexei's perspective.
Once in a while you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right...

Offline Sarushka

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Re: Maria's letters & notes
« Reply #275 on: March 19, 2014, 11:10:15 PM »
2) They risk upsetting Alexei who goes and cries to his Mama that he isn't allowed to partake in the fun. These would be reasons enough for a normal parent to put a stop to such behavior, don't you think?

On the contrary I think Aleksei would benefit most from learning to manage disappointment and jealousy rather than simply avoiding it.
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Offline Maria the Beautiful

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Re: Maria's letters & notes
« Reply #276 on: March 20, 2014, 04:47:15 AM »
2) They risk upsetting Alexei who goes and cries to his Mama that he isn't allowed to partake in the fun. These would be reasons enough for a normal parent to put a stop to such behavior, don't you think?

On the contrary I think Aleksei would benefit most from learning to manage disappointment and jealousy rather than simply avoiding it.
And let's not forget that as Tsarevich, Alexei was most likely accorded many more advantages overall than OTMA would have received - I'm assuming.   

Offline edubs31

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Re: Maria's letters & notes
« Reply #277 on: March 20, 2014, 08:23:10 AM »
Quote
On the contrary I think Aleksei would benefit most from learning to manage disappointment and jealousy rather than simply avoiding it.

That might very well be true, but do you think that's what Alexandra was thinking? A teachable moment for her son? Makes sense certainly, but I'm thinking it's just as likely she was laid up in her Mauve Room (or somewhere out of sight) and either unaware, or paying such "incidents" little mind.

Quote
And let's not forget that as Tsarevich, Alexei was most likely accorded many more advantages overall than OTMA would have received - I'm assuming.

He was certainly the center of the family's attention and during the war years got to visit GHQ with his father, but as a younger child at the palace was this really so? Was Alexei given cooler toys to play with, or special desserts after dinner, or allowed to stay up later and sleep in longer than his sisters? What "advantages" are we talking about here? Given how often he was laid up and in pain I'd think the poor child would be bursting at the seams just to do something as ordinary as ride on a bicycle...like his sisters.

Anyway, back on topic.
Once in a while you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right...

Offline Превед

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Re: Maria's letters & notes
« Reply #278 on: March 20, 2014, 01:30:26 PM »
Even though they may very well retain a sunny disposition, chronically ill children become somewhat passive, don't they? It is a profound experience for a child to realize that there are different rules for him or her than for other children. In Alexey's case his status apart due to being the designated heir and successor must have been reinforced by this difference from other children.
Берёзы севера мне милы,—
Их грустный, опущённый вид,
Как речь безмолвная могилы,
Горячку сердца холодит.

(Афанасий Фет: «Ивы и берёзы», 1843 / 1856)

Offline Olga Maria

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Re: Maria's letters & notes
« Reply #279 on: March 29, 2015, 01:27:13 PM »
I read somewhere that Lord Mountabtten played Hide-and-seek in the Winter Palace with Grand Duchess Maria, among the vases etc... I think it was funny.

Amelia
(Eva McDonald)
It's been a year since this has been posted but.. I'm wondering where can we read a letter mentioning this event? Thanks in advance!

Amazing colored fotos  by the most wonderful Yelena Aleksandrovna. Endless thank you very much!

Offline amelia

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Re: Maria's letters & notes
« Reply #280 on: March 29, 2015, 06:17:49 PM »
I read it in some book, unfortunately I can not remember. Lord Mountbatten and Maria were in love, and there were talks about marriage. He kept her photograph on his bedside table till he died. A pity that I can not remember where I read this.
Amelia
(Eva McDonald)

Offline Превед

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Re: Maria's letters & notes
« Reply #281 on: March 29, 2015, 06:27:39 PM »
I read somewhere that Lord Mountabtten played Hide-and-seek in the Winter Palace with Grand Duchess Maria, among the vases etc... I think it was funny.

Amelia
(Eva McDonald)
It's been a year since this has been posted but.. I'm wondering where can we read a letter mentioning this event? Thanks in advance!

Here is the interview where Dickie Mountbatten speaks of his boy crush on Maria. Here he also shares his memories about other Romanov and Hesse relatives. I'm still jumping up and down after discovering this documentary after so many years searching it! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x10vt58_the-life-and-times-of-lord-mountbatten-02of12-the-kings-depart_shortfilms?search_algo=2

Notez l'introduction:
À la bordure chequy argent et gules + Que Dieu protège le tsar = Battenberg + Romanoff = Marie + Dickie.
« Last Edit: March 29, 2015, 06:38:11 PM by Превед »
Берёзы севера мне милы,—
Их грустный, опущённый вид,
Как речь безмолвная могилы,
Горячку сердца холодит.

(Афанасий Фет: «Ивы и берёзы», 1843 / 1856)

Offline Inok Nikolai

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Re: Maria's letters & notes
« Reply #282 on: August 31, 2015, 01:42:15 PM »
I believe that the full text of this letter appears somewhere here on the AP Forum, but I cannot find it right now.

Eva and Daniel McDonald translated it from Princess Eugenie's book.

April 23 / May 6, 1918 -- Ekaterinburg

G. D. Maria Nicholaevna writes to those back in Tobolsk:

"...To remind you of Golaf. Sem., I can inform you that today we ate the provisions purchased on Saturday. Sedniev heated everything again on the spirit stove, and this reminds us how he prepared our kasha."

Does anyone have any idea who or what or where Golaf. Sem. might be? Perhaps it's a place in the Finnish Skerries where the Imperial family used to picnic, etc? Or the Crimea?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice!
I. N.
инок Николай

matushka

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Re: Maria's letters & notes
« Reply #283 on: September 04, 2015, 07:26:59 AM »
Perhaps a name? Olaf, or Golaf Semionovitch? I looked at the frend edition, Eugénie de Grèce gives indeed "Golaf. Sem."

Offline Sarushka

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Re: Maria's letters & notes
« Reply #284 on: September 16, 2015, 05:24:31 PM »
I believe that the full text of this letter appears somewhere here on the AP Forum, but I cannot find it right now.

Eva and Daniel McDonald translated it from Princess Eugenie's book.

April 23 / May 6, 1918 -- Ekaterinburg

G. D. Maria Nicholaevna writes to those back in Tobolsk:

"...To remind you of Golaf. Sem., I can inform you that today we ate the provisions purchased on Saturday. Sedniev heated everything again on the spirit stove, and this reminds us how he prepared our kasha."

Does anyone have any idea who or what or where Golaf. Sem. might be? Perhaps it's a place in the Finnish Skerries where the Imperial family used to picnic, etc? Or the Crimea?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice!
I. N.

Here's an amateur translation by myself, Robert Beaudoin, and Bethanie Connors:

(pg 275)
23 April/6 May 1918 Maria Nikolaevna (& AF) to OTAA
Ekaterinburg. 23 April/6 May 1918
I congratulate you, my dear for Mama’s birthday. Today I’m writing with new ink – it’s better, isn’t it? I am writing at 10:45, which is to say it’s 11:45 at your house. You will probably have the changing of the guard. At our house the guard changes only every forty-eight hours. The deputy commander told us yesterday how as a boy, he lived in Gagra and played with A[unt] Olga. He also met U[ncle] Misha when hunting, in short told us many interesting things about his life. After dinner, we spend the evening with Evg[eny] Serg[eivich Botkin]. Niouta greets you all, it reminds me of Aleksei when she says: "Oh Come on!" or "You see what is going on!" She repeats that very often. Currently, the sun shines and it snows. To remind you of Golaf. Sem. I will tell you that today we eat the supplies we purchased last Saturday. Sedniev reheats everything on our alcohol stove, and reminded us how people used to prepare Kasha for us. The dining room is dark, with a buffet on which our hats and our provisions are placed. The door that leads to the balcony is closed with shutters that are padlocked, and the window is blocked from the outside with a carpet. Niouta spends her mornings cleaning the rooms, there is a lot of dust -- where it comes from is a mystery since there is no carpet. In our rooms there is linoleum, and in the living room and the dining room there are parquet floors. Remind Al Petr. Kirpitchnikov to bring some radish seeds. Is Fizi crying because he will need to pack everything again? I am always wondering what you all are doing, how you pass the time. Is Tolia coming to play?

[Alexandra]:
My dear sweet dushki, thank you very much for the four-leaf clover. I was very moved and am wearing it today. Perhaps you have a church service today, it would be so nice! I do not write to each of you separately because there is nothing interesting to say, my head hurts. Papa reads to us in a loud voice a lot. I remain in bed with my eyes closed and Maria is drawing. This time, this letter is for Aleksei. Oh! How I would like to see you. The days are passing and we don’t know anything about what’s going on with you. We do not write to the others, since you probably tell them all about us. We greet them all. As for you, our beloved, we embrace you tenderly, tenderly and bless you. May Christ be with you.

Your old and very loving Mama.

[Maria]:
This page has been soiled by the road, in fact, all our paper is dirty. Mama hopes that you received the eggs and icons yesterday. We learned that Al[exis] walked in the courtyard and we are very happy about it. Papa and I embrace you very tenderly. May Christ be with you. Your M.
THE LOST CROWN: A Novel of Romanov Russia -- now in paperback!
"A dramatic, powerful narrative and a masterful grasp of life in this vanished world." ~Greg King