Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, discussion and pictures Part 2

[Eric_Lowe]

Yes. But like Alexandra, she had a firm hold on her children and when they began to marry (Xenia & Nicky), she tightened the parental crews on the rest (Olga & Misha).

[Arkhimago]

Eric Lowe vaguely postulated in his last fascinating missive:
"But like Alexandra, she had a firm hold on her children and when they began to marry (Xenia & Nicky), she tightened the parental crews on the rest (Olga & Misha). "


Eric?

What exactly are "parental crews"?? I am relatively fluent in Russian and cannot think of a transliteration of your novel descriptor in that "yahzikh" either?

And being that she WAS a dowager empress, wouldn't the alleged "tightening" be a duty that would be delegated to a "mistress of the robes" or a handy footman??
Or, couldn't she have summarily despatched the "crews" from the Standart or her own yacht for this sacred duty requiring a "firm hold"?

Please advise accordingly? Enquiring minds want to know?

[Kalafrana]

I think Eric probably means 'parental screws'.

Ann

[Eric_Lowe]

Yes. You know me and my misspellings so well.  It was tightening of the parental screws. The children were bought more closely into Minny's obit and allowed few freedoms. The classic case was Queen Victoria towards her youngest daughter Beatrice.

[primrose]

"It was tightening of the parental screws. The children were bought more closely into Minny's obit..."

Minnie's OBIT??  She wasn't even dead!

Eric.... please do us all a favor and get yourself a good dictionary, keep it next to your computer and USE it!

[Margot]

Actually Olga resembled her father more and that is why she was the favourite of Dagmar. Misha looked more towards the Danish side of the family.

I personally would like to see some documentation concerning this statement. Page 93, paragraph 3 in "Little Mother of Russia" by Coryne Hall indicates the opposite: "Olga would never have dreamed of going to Dagmar for comfort or  advice and she never felt at ease in her company. Dagmar was much closer to the elder children..."

And on page 185 when Dagmar decided it was time for Olga's debut she tried to dismiss Nana and appoint a lady-in-waiting: "The result was a terrible scene, with Olga threatening to run away." Nicholas took Olga's side, Dagmar was furious, and "the gulf between mother and daughter widened".

These are but two examples of the strained relations between Olga and her mother; this book and others carry many more. I don't believe that these threads are the appropriate place for 'throw-away, off-the-top-of-your-head' posts like this one. Most of us take these boards and this information seriously; if we're not professional writers and historians we are still here because we're fascinated by the subject and want to learn more. Your posts are so often nothing but litter... no substance, no style, no real information, but lots of indeed!, very nice, beautiful picture, etc.

As long as I am an active member of this community I shall call you on any posts I see that I know contain misinformation and ask for sources. It seems to me that it would be in your best interest to do your research before you post instead of lazily throwing out another bit of litter. Others have told you this over the years and you've paid no attention, but it would be nice to think that one day soon you could give your posting style serious consideration and begin to contribute in an adult manner.

  

Absolutely beautifully put Primrose! Bravo!

And the 'Obit' post is just another example of shoddy disregard for others as well as of pollutant laziness too!!!!

[Eric_Lowe]

The quote that she was favourite came from the Ian Vorres book. The fact that Olga had tiffs with her mother did not make her less a favourite in her eyes. Interesting if you investigate further in the "Nana" (aka Miss. Franklin) case, you would understand that Minny tried to fire her because she felt Olga was too devoted to her old nurse and was jealous. Would Minny took the trouble if she wasn't that attached to her daughter ? In fact if you read Charlotte Zeepvat's excellent nanny book "From Cradle to Throne", Miechen did the same thing to her daughter Elena, when she discovered that the governess Miss Fox had not only her granddaughters affection but also her daughter's confidence. She fired the governess much to the distress of her daughter's family.

[Ena]

The quote that she was favourite came from the Ian Vorres book. The fact that Olga had tiffs with her mother did not make her less a favourite in her eyes. Interesting if you investigate further in the "Nana" (aka Miss. Franklin) case, you would understand that Minny tried to fire her because she felt Olga was too devoted to her old nurse and was jealous. Would Minny took the trouble if she wasn't that attached to her daughter ? In fact if you read Charlotte Zeepvat's excellent nanny book "From Cradle to Throne", Miechen did the same thing to her daughter Elena, when she discovered that the governess Miss Fox had not only her granddaughters affection but also her daughter's confidence. She fired the governess much to the distress of her daughter's family.

Nowhere in Vorres' book does it say that Olga was her mother's favorite.  On page 28 (2001 edition) it clearly states that Xenia was her mother's favorite.  It's even in the index, on page 260 under the heading Xenia, Grand Duchess - "mother's favourite, 28".  

The points you illustrate - MF's treatment of Miss Franklin and Miechen's treatment of Miss Fox - display extreme selfishness and insecurity, not attachment.   

[Eric_Lowe]

I think pocessiveness is a better term.

[Ena]

I think pocessiveness is a better term.

True, which is born out of insecurity.

[ashdean]

Actually Olga resembled her father more and that is why she was the favourite of Dagmar. Misha looked more towards the Danish side of the family.

As long as I am an active member of this community I shall call you on any posts I see that I know contain misinformation and ask for sources. It seems to me that it would be in your best interest to do your research before you post instead of lazily throwing out another bit of litter. Others have told you this over the years and you've paid no attention, but it would be nice to think that one day soon you could give your posting style serious consideration and begin to contribute in an adult manner.

  

Bravo primrose....may you stay an active member of these boards for a very long time!

[primrose]

Thank you Ashdean!

I shall try my best

primrose

[Margot]

The quote that she was favourite came from the Ian Vorres book. The fact that Olga had tiffs with her mother did not make her less a favourite in her eyes. Interesting if you investigate further in the "Nana" (aka Miss. Franklin) case, you would understand that Minny tried to fire her because she felt Olga was too devoted to her old nurse and was jealous. Would Minny took the trouble if she wasn't that attached to her daughter ? In fact if you read Charlotte Zeepvat's excellent nanny book "From Cradle to Throne", Miechen did the same thing to her daughter Elena, when she discovered that the governess Miss Fox had not only her granddaughters affection but also her daughter's confidence. She fired the governess much to the distress of her daughter's family.

Nowhere in Vorres' book does it say that Olga was her mother's favorite.  On page 28 (2001 edition) it clearly states that Xenia was her mother's favorite.  It's even in the index, on page 260 under the heading Xenia, Grand Duchess - "mother's favourite, 28".  

Thank you so much Ena for checking! It just show's that author can't even get the facts right when quoting sources directly from books! I am hardly surprised!!!! You are an poppet Ena for verifying...thank you! Primrose I will be a humble and loyal admirer of your worthy crusade!!

[Sharon Chicago]

Alixz...Yes, Olga and Eleanor Roosevelt do look very much alike and I also use to work with Ann Roosevelt, Eleanor's
granddaughter and she looks so much like Eleanor.

[Sharon Chicago]

Katmaxoz... What a wonderful picture of Olga and her husband in her later years...they both look regal to me still.  I really like her after reading her two biography books on her life.  She does look so much like her brother the Tsar Nicholas.