Who is in love with Catherine. Favorites of Catherine II

The conspiracy is revealed! We are dead! - with such an exclamation, Princess Vorontsova-Dashkova burst into Catherine’s bedroom and froze on the threshold. The Empress washed her lace cuffs in a tub.

- Empress, what are you doing?!

Don't you see, I'm doing the laundry. What surprises you? I was not being prepared to be a Russian empress, but, God willing, to be the wife of some German prince. That’s why they taught us how to wash and cook.

The future empress of the vast Russian empire, Catherine the Great, was born not in a luxurious palace, but in an ordinary German house and received a bourgeois education: she was actually taught to clean and cook. Her father, Prince Christian Augustus, was the younger brother of the sovereign German prince, but due to a constant lack of money he was forced to hire a job. And Sophia-Augusta-Frederica-Emilia, as Catherine was called in childhood, despite her royal origins, played in the city square with the children of the burghers, received slaps from her mother for poorly polished cauldrons and respectfully kissed the hem of the dresses of the wives of rich townspeople if they entered the house. Catherine's mother, Joanna Elisabeth, was a powerful and riotous woman. It was even rumored that Catherine's real father was none other than Frederick the Great himself. It was he who proposed the candidacy of the young Princess Sophien as a wife to the Russian heir to the throne, Peter, when he heard a rumor that Empress Elizabeth Petrovna was looking for a bride for her nephew, to whom she intended to leave the throne.

So the little German princess came from the dirty city streets to the glittering gold Russian imperial palace. Having received the name Catherine in baptism, the future wife of the heir to the throne began studying with the best court teachers and fabulously succeeded not only in the Russian language, but also in the art of flirting. Having inherited an irrepressible sexual temperament from her mother, Catherine used her seduction at the Russian court. Even before the wedding, she flirted so openly with the court Don Juan Andrei Chernyshev that, in order to avoid rumors, Elizabeth was forced to send the poor count abroad.

As soon as Catherine turned sixteen, Elizaveta Petrovna hastened to marry the German princess to Peter, making it clear to her that her only duty was to give birth to an heir. After the wedding and a magnificent ball, the newlyweds were finally taken to the wedding chambers. But Catherine woke up just as she went to bed - a virgin. Peter remained cold towards her both on their wedding night and for many months after. Some look for the reasons for such an attitude towards his wife in Peter’s infantility and dementia, others in his tragic love.

Peter fell in love with the maid of honor Natalya Lopukhina, whose mother was Elizabeth’s personal enemy. Lopukhina Sr. was Anna Ioannovna’s favorite lady of state and pleased the Empress in every possible way, humiliating her hated daughter-in-law, Tsarevna Elizabeth. A historical anecdote has been preserved. Balls were often held in the Lopukhins' house. Elizabeth was also invited there. One day Lopukhina bribed Elizabeth’s maids and offered them a sample of yellow brocade with silver, from which the princess sewed herself a dress for the ball. When Elizabeth entered the living room, there was a burst of laughter. The walls, chairs, armchairs and sofas in the room were upholstered in the same yellow and silver brocade. The humiliated princess rushed out of the palace and sobbed for a long time in her bedroom. When Peter asked his reigning aunt for permission to marry Lopukhina’s daughter, Elizabeth decided to take revenge. She accused Lopukhina of treason, and the court sentenced the unfortunate countess to death. Elizabeth, with her “great mercy,” commuted the punishment. Lopukhina Sr. was shamefully flogged on Trinity Square, her tongue was cut out and she was exiled to Siberia. After this tragic story with the mother of his beloved, Tsarevich Peter lost his mind. But Catherine did not strive to please her husband: she quickly found solace in the arms of the Swedish envoy Count Polenberg. Empress Elizabeth turned a blind eye to the young couple's relationship: she needed an heir, but Catherine still could not get pregnant.

Meanwhile, in the bed of the eighteen-year-old crown princess, one favorite replaced another: Kirill Razumovsky, Stanislav Poniatovsky, Zakhar Chernyshev (brother of Andrei exiled abroad), Lev Naryshkin and the Saltykov brothers, who knew a lot about love. Their mother, nee Golitsyna, was famous throughout St. Petersburg for drunkenness and debauchery in the soldiers' barracks - there were rumors that she had three hundred lovers among the empress's grenadiers.

After a few years of marriage, a miracle happened - Catherine became pregnant. Sergei Saltykov openly boasted that he was the father of the future heir, and was expelled from St. Petersburg. Later in Sweden, he spread terrible rumors about the debauchery of the Russian princess and assured that she herself hung on his neck, made appointments, and he allegedly deceived and did not come, which made Catherine suffer unspeakably.

Elizaveta Petrovna was so happy about the good news that she gave her pregnant daughter-in-law one hundred thousand rubles and a lot of jewelry. The poor German princess, who came to Russia with three dresses and half a dozen handkerchiefs, began to waste money in the Russian treasury. The born baby was named Pavel and was immediately taken away from the young mother. However, Catherine was not interested in her son and never loved him. It is still unknown who was Pavel’s real father - they name Zakhar Chernyshev, Lev Naryshkin, and other lovers of the crown princess. Among the guesses, an amazing fact is noted: Pavel is unusually similar to his official father, Pyotr Fedorovich - history does not joke...

After the death of Elizabeth, Peter III ascended the throne and declared that he would send Catherine to a monastery for her dissolute behavior, and that he would marry Elizaveta Vorontsova, his mistress. But by that time, with the help of her favorites, Catherine had woven a huge network around Peter. Chancellor Panin, Prince Baryatinsky, Catherine's lover Grigory Orlov and four of his brothers organized a conspiracy against the emperor. But then one of the conspirators got cold feet and decided to warn the emperor - Peter did not attach any significance to his words, for which he paid not only with the throne, but also with his life.

At the court of Catherine II in Russia, favoritism became a new position, as at the court of Louis XIV in France, and bed careerists were recognized as people who served the fatherland and the throne. For their loving efforts they received palaces and considerable financial resources from the Russian treasury. But Catherine was a passionate woman and could not live without a man. In her palace there was a special room with a huge bed. If necessary, a secret mechanism divided the bed into two parts by a wall - the favorite remained on the hidden half, and on the second the empress, not cooled down from love pleasures, received ambassadors and ministers. Catherine had a weakness for huge, gigantic men with a sensual face. Potential lovers were introduced to the empress by Chancellor Panin and Countess Bruce, who was called the “assay lady” at court. Panin was Catherine's constant lover - he was smart, not demanding, not jealous. He came to the empress's bedroom no more than once a week, and in his free time in his harem, consisting of serf concubines - every day he acquired a new girl, and gave away the tired ones to friends or sold them. For Catherine, he chose tall soldiers who were not distinguished by intelligence, so as not to create rivals for himself. One day Panin and Countess Bruce recommended the handsome Potemkin.

Catherine was embarrassed by the fact that the lieutenant general only had one eye (the second one was once knocked out by Grigory Orlov in a fit of jealousy), but the countess convinced Catherine that Potemkin was going crazy with love for the empress. After a night of love, Catherine promoted Potemkin to lieutenant general, gave him a magnificent palace and a million rubles for its improvement. This is how bed careers were made overnight under Catherine. But the imperial gifts seemed not enough to Potemkin - one day at dinner he demanded that Catherine make him a member of the State Council. Catherine was horrified:

But my friend, this is impossible!

Wonderful! Then I go to the monastery. The role of your kept woman does not suit me!

Catherine began to cry and left the table. Potemkin did not come to the room of favorites. Catherine cried all night, and the next morning Potemkin was appointed senator.

Once Potemkin went to St. Petersburg for several days on business. But the empress could not be left alone for long. Once in the Tsarskoye Selo Palace, Catherine woke up at night from the cold. It was winter, and all the wood in the fireplace burned out. She slept alone - Potemkin was on business in St. Petersburg. Not finding a servant behind the screen, Catherine went out into the corridor, along which the stoker was just walking with a bundle of firewood on his shoulders. The sight of this huge young Hercules, carrying firewood like a feather, took Catherine’s breath away.

Who are you?

Court stoker, Your Majesty!

Why haven't I seen you before? Light the fireplace in my bedroom.

The young man was delighted with such mercy from the empress and lit a huge fire in the fireplace. But Catherine remained dissatisfied:

Don't you understand how to keep the Empress warm?

And the stoker finally understood. And the next morning he received an order granting him hereditary nobility, ten thousand peasants, an order never to return to St. Petersburg and change his surname to Teplov - in memory of how he warmed the empress.

In her old age, Catherine reached the point of complete debauchery. Hefty men were no longer enough for her - and she turned her passion to a young gypsy girl given to her by Potemkin. There were rumors at court about how the empress treated her maids and young peasant women. At the final exam at the Smolny Institute, the Empress drew attention to the beautiful graduate, who turned out to be the daughter of Suvorov.

Give your daughter to me as a favorite.

Having heard about the adventures of the Empress, Suvorov replied:

Mother, if I die for you, I will die, but I won’t give you my Suvorochka!

The angry empress sent the old man and his daughter to their estate, forbidding him to appear at court - which was what Suvorov needed.

In Potemkin's absence, Catherine had many lovers: Ambassador Bezborodko and his secretaries Zavadovsky and Mamonov, the midwife's nephew Zorich, guard officers Korsakov and Khvostov, and finally, the provincial youth Alexander Lanskoy.

Twenty-year-old Lansky was accidentally seen by Potemkin and introduced to the empress. The young man had an angelic appearance: huge blue eyes filled with sadness, blond curls, a light blush on his cheeks and coral lips. He would have looked like a girl if not for his enormous height and broad shoulders. He accepted Catherine's attention as the care of a mother, and besides, he was too loyal to his state to refuse the empress anything. He was ashamed of his position as an imperial concubine, but over time he became attached to Catherine with all his heart. The Empress was touched by such reading love from an innocent young man who had never known women before her. Her aging heart was so jealous of Sashenka that Catherine locked her lover in several rooms, surrounding him with unheard-of luxury. The Empress awarded Lansky the title of count, vast lands, and tens of thousands of peasants. But the young man in love did not need ranks and wealth - he was probably the only favorite who loved the empress as a woman. And the Empress said to Potemkin:

My soul, I am going to marry Lansky.

What did he do to deserve such an honor?

He never cheated on me.

Potemkin lowered his eyes. He himself cheated on Catherine almost every day with different women.

A month later, Lanskoy fell ill in bed. And not a single court doctor could make an accurate diagnosis. Catherine knew that her lover was poisoned on Potemkin's instructions. Catherine wrote to her friend: “I, sobbing, have the misfortune to tell you that General Lansky is gone... and my room, which I loved so much before, has now turned into an empty cave.” After the death of her lover, the empress walked around the palace like a shadow. She abandoned all government affairs and did not receive anyone. It was so unlike her... Apparently, love, which she did not know in her youth, overtook her in old age. The only topic on which the empress kept up the conversation was about Alexander Lansky, the only place she visited was his grave. She spent many hours at Lansky's grave in anguish and tears. Potemkin was furious. Was he jealous - and of whom, of the dead man? In fits of anger, Potemkin circled like a kite among the guards officers. Finally, he chose Pyotr Ermolov, made him his adjutant and sent him to Catherine. His calculation was justified: Ermolov occupied the room of the favorites, which had been empty for almost six months. Still, Catherine was a woman, and the desire to love overpowered her grief over loss. Noticing that one of the ladies-in-waiting was secluded with Eromlov, Catherine ordered the soldiers to whip the aristocrat until she bled in the presence of the other eleven ladies-in-waiting - so as not to be disgraced. Ermolov was too stupid, arrogant and narcissistic, besides, he loved to play and often ran away from the empress to gaming houses and to prostitutes. His place was soon taken by another Potemkin adjutant, Alexander Mamonov.

“Priceless Sasha” - that’s what the Empress called Mamonova. But Sasha began to disappear somewhere more and more often. He was not there that ill-fated night when tired Catherine returned from the Council meeting. She waited for him half the night, but greeted him playfully:

Where, my dear sir, have you disappeared?

Mother Empress... - his tone and facial expression did not bode well. - You have always been kind to me, and I am frank with you. I can no longer carry out my duties at Your Majesty's side.

Catherine's face changed:

What's the matter, are you joking?

No way, Your Majesty. I fell in love with another and ask your gracious permission to marry her. Her name is Princess Shcherbatova.

What can an aging woman who has lost her former attractiveness answer when a young lover says that he fell in love with another, good and young woman?

I give you permission to get married. Moreover, I will arrange your wedding myself.

Lizanka Shcherbatova kissed the empress’s hands for her kindness. Catherine gave the newlyweds wedding rings with diamonds, three thousand souls of peasants, ten thousand rubles in gold. For some reason, the young bride was crying all the time under the aisle... Perhaps the empress forgave Count Mamonov’s betrayal, but the offended woman could not forgive her. Two weeks later, soldiers broke into the newlyweds' home. Mamonov was tied to a chair and gagged, and the soldiers abused the young countess, after which they whipped her until she was completely deformed. Lizanka miraculously survived. Count Mamonov took his sick wife abroad, never to return to Russia again.

Meanwhile, a new and final favorite reigned in the palace - twenty-four-year-old Platon Zubov. He inherited the room of favorites from his brother, Valerian Zubov, who was the empress’s lover for only a short time. Platon Zubov was arrogant, arrogant and loved only one thing in the world - money. Having received unlimited power, he mocked Tsarevich Paul, completely confident that he would not get the throne. Potemkin planned to kill his new favorite, but did not have time - he died. The Empress wept for a long time and inconsolably, gave her former favorite a magnificent funeral and ordered two monuments to be erected to him. During Catherine's reign, palaces and jewelry worth nine million rubles and forty thousand peasants passed from the Russian treasury into Potemkin's pocket.

Catherine herself died not at all like an emperor: in the outhouse. Has she experienced the love she longed for in her life? It’s unlikely... True love cannot be bought for titles and palaces - Great Catherine never understood this.

The Russian Empress Catherine the Second, also known as the Great, reigned from 1762 to 1796. Through her own efforts, she significantly expanded the Russian Empire, significantly improved the administration system and energetically pursued a policy of Westernization, which implied the process of transition to Western ideas and traditions. During the time of Catherine the Great, Russia became a fairly large country. It could compete with the great powers of Europe and Asia.

The childhood of the future great empress

Catherine the Second, born Sophia Frederike Auguste, was born on April 21, 1729 in the small German principality of Stettin, Prussia (now Szczecin, Poland). Her father, Christian August of Anhalt-Zerbst, was the prince of this tiny domain. He made a military career under Frederick William the First.

Catherine's mother is Princess Elisabeth of Holstein-Gottorp. The girl's parents really hoped for an heir, and therefore did not show much affection for their daughter. Instead, they devoted most of their time and energy to their son Wilhelm, who sadly later died at the age of twelve.

Receiving an education and intimacy with the governess

As a child, the future Catherine the Second was very close to her governess Babette. Subsequently, the empress always spoke warmly of her. The girl's education consisted of those subjects that were necessary for her status and origin. This is religion (Lutheranism), history, French, German and even Russian, which will be very useful later. And, of course, music.

This is how Catherine the Great spent her childhood. Briefly describing her years in her homeland, we can say that nothing unusual could happen to the girl. Life seemed very boring to the growing Catherine, and she did not know then that an exciting adventure awaited her - a journey to a distant, harsh land.

Arrival in Russia, or the beginning of family life

As soon as Catherine grew up, her mother saw in her daughter a means of moving up the social ladder and improving the situation in the family. She had many relatives, and this helped her to conduct a thorough search for a suitable groom. At the same time, Catherine the Great's life was so monotonous that she saw in this upcoming marriage an excellent means of getting away from her mother's control.

When Catherine turned fifteen, Empress Elizabeth Petrovna invited her to Russia so that she could become the wife of the heir to the throne, Grand Duke Peter the Third. He was an immature and unpleasant sixteen-year-old boy. As soon as the girl arrived in Russia, she immediately fell ill with pleurisy, which almost killed her.

Elizabeth survived thanks to frequent bloodletting, which she insisted on. But her mother was against this practice, and because of this she fell into disgrace with the empress. However, as soon as Catherine recovered and accepted the Orthodox faith, despite the objections of her father, a devoted Lutheran, she and the young prince married. And along with the new religion, the girl received another name - Katerina. All these events took place in 1745, and this is how the story of Catherine the Great began.

Years of family life, or How a spouse plays toy soldiers

Having become a member of the royal family on August 21, Catherine began to bear the title of princess. But her marriage turned out to be completely unhappy. Catherine the Great's husband was an immature youth who, instead of spending time with his own wife, preferred to play with soldiers. And the future empress spent her time entertaining herself with other pastimes and reading.

The Earl, who was Catherine's chamberlain, knew the memoirist James Boswell well, and he informed the Earl of the details of the monarch's intimate life. Some of these rumors contained information that shortly after his marriage, Peter took Elizaveta Vorontsova as his mistress. But after that I didn’t remain in debt. She was seen in relationships with Sergei Saltykov, Grigory Orlov, Stanislav Poniatovsky and others.

The appearance of the long-awaited heir

Several years passed before the future empress gave birth to an heir. Catherine the Great's son, Pavel, was born on September 20, 1754. The paternity of this child has been the subject of endless debate. There are many scientists who believe that in fact the boy's father is not the husband of Catherine the Great, but Sergei Saltykov, a Russian nobleman and member of the court. Others claimed that the baby looked like Peter, who was his father.

In any case, Catherine did not have time for her first-born, and soon Elizaveta Petrovna took him into her care. Despite the fact that the marriage was unsuccessful, this did not overshadow Catherine’s intellectual and political interests. The bright young woman continued to read a lot, especially in French. She loved novels, plays and poetry, but was most interested in the works of major figures of the French Enlightenment, such as Diderot, Voltaire and Montesquieu.

Catherine soon became pregnant with her second child, Anna, who would live only four months. The children of Catherine the Great, due to various rumors about the debauchery of the future empress, did not evoke warm feelings in Peter the Third. The man doubted that he was their biological father. Of course, Catherine rejected such accusations from her husband and preferred to spend most of her time in her boudoir to hide from his obnoxious character.

One step from the throne

After the death of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, who died on December 25, 1761, Catherine's husband ascended the throne, becoming Peter the Third, while Catherine herself received the title of Empress. But the couple still lived separately. The Empress had nothing to do with the reign. Peter was openly cruel to his wife. He ruled the state together with his mistresses.

But Catherine the Great was a very ambitious woman with enormous intellectual abilities. She hoped that over time she would eventually come to power and rule Russia. Unlike her husband, Catherine tried to demonstrate her devotion to the state and the Orthodox faith. As she correctly assumed, this helped her not only take a place on the throne, but also gain the necessary support of the Russian people.

Conspiracy against your own spouse

Within just a few months of his reign, Peter the Third managed to get a bunch of enemies in the government among the military and especially church ministers. On the night of June 28, 1762, Catherine the Great entered into an agreement with her lover Grigory Orlov, left the palace and went to the Izmailovsky regiment, where she gave a speech to the soldiers in which she asked to protect her from her own husband.

This is how a conspiracy was carried out against Peter the Third. The ruler was forced to sign a document of abdication, and Catherine the Great's son, Paul, ascended the throne. The empress was supposed to remain with him as a regent until he came of age. And Peter, soon after his arrest, was strangled by his own guards. Perhaps it was Catherine who ordered the murder, but there is no evidence of her guilt.

Dreams Come True

From this time on, the reign of Catherine the Great began. In the first years, she devotes maximum time to ensuring the firmness of her position on the throne. Catherine understood perfectly well that there were people who considered her a usurper who had seized someone else’s power. Therefore, she actively used the slightest opportunities to win the favor of the nobles and military.

In terms of foreign policy, Catherine the Great understood that Russia needed a long period of peace in order to concentrate on domestic problems. And this peace could only be achieved through a cautious foreign policy. And to conduct it, Catherine chose Count Nikita Panin, who was very knowledgeable in matters of foreign affairs.

The unsettled personal life of Empress Catherine

The portrait of Catherine the Great shows us her as a woman of rather pleasant appearance, and it is not at all surprising that the personal life of the empress was very varied.

Catherine could not remarry because it would have jeopardized her position.

According to most researchers, the history of Catherine the Great includes about twelve lovers, whom she often presented with various gifts, honors and titles in order to win their favor.

Favorites, or How to ensure your old age

After Catherine’s affair with adviser Grigory Alexandrovich Potemkin ended, and this happened in 1776, the Empress chose a man who had not only physical beauty, but also excellent mental abilities. It was Alexander Dmitriev-Mamonov. Many of the empress's lovers treated her very kindly, and Catherine the Great always demonstrated generosity towards them even after all relationships were completed.

So, for example, one of her lovers - Pyotr Zavadovsky - received fifty thousand rubles, a pension of five thousand and four thousand peasants after their relationship ended (this happened in 1777). The last of her many lovers was Prince Zubov, who was forty years younger than the Empress.

What about the children of Catherine the Great? Is it really possible that among so many favorites there was no one who gave her another son or daughter? Or did Paul remain her only descendant?

Children of Catherine the Great, born from favorites

When Empress Elizaveta Petrovna died, Catherine was six months pregnant with Grigory Orlov's child. The baby was born in secret on April 11, 1762 in a remote part of the palace. Her marriage to Peter the Third was completely destroyed at that time, and he often showed off at court with his mistress.

Catherine's chamberlain Vasily Shkurin and his wife took the child into their house. The reign of Catherine the Great began when the boy was only a few months old. He was returned to the palace. The baby began to enjoy a normal childhood under the control of his parents - Empress Catherine and Gregory. Orlov began to use the child, trying to push Catherine towards marriage.

She thought very long and hard, but still accepted Panin’s advice, who said that Mrs. Orlova would never be allowed to rule the Russian state. And Catherine did not dare to marry Grigory Orlov. When Alexey became a teenager, he went to travel abroad. The journey continued for ten years. After returning to Russia, the son received an estate as a gift from his mother and began studying in the Holy Cadet Corps.

The influence of favorites on state affairs

According to other historical data, the empress gave birth to a boy and a girl from Poniatowski, but these children of Catherine the Great lived only about sixteen months. They were never publicly acknowledged. Most came from noble families and managed to build distinguished political careers. For example, Stanisław Poniatowski became King of Poland in 1764.

But none of Catherine’s lovers used their status enough to influence public policy. With the exception of Grigory Potemkin, with whom Catherine the Great had very deep feelings. Many experts even claim that a secret marriage took place between the Empress and Potemkin in 1774.

Catherine the Great, whose years of reign brought significant benefits to the Russian state, remained a loving and beloved woman throughout her life.

Main services to the Russian state

And although love was an important part of Catherine’s life, feelings never overshadowed political interests. The Empress always worked hard to master the Russian language to the point of completely eliminating her accent, absorbed Russian culture and customs, and meticulously studied the history of the empire. Catherine the Great indicates that she was a very competent ruler.

During her reign, Catherine expanded the borders of the Russian Empire to the south and west by almost 520,000 square kilometers. The state became the dominant force in southeastern Europe. Numerous victories on the military front allowed the empire to gain access to the Black Sea.

Moreover, in 1768, the Bank of Assignation was entrusted with the task of issuing the first government paper money. Similar institutions opened in St. Petersburg and Moscow, and then bank branches were created in other cities.

Catherine paid great attention to the education and upbringing of young people of both sexes. The Moscow Orphanage was opened, and soon the Empress established Smolny. She studied pedagogical theories in the practice of other countries and initiated many educational reforms. And it was Catherine who laid down the commitment to open schools in the provincial parts of the Russian Empire.

The Empress constantly patronized the cultural life of the country, and also demonstrated devotion to the Orthodox faith and the state. She paid maximum attention to expanding educational institutions and increasing the economic power of the country. But who ruled after Catherine the Great? Who continued her path in the development of the state?

The last days of the reign. Possible heirs to the throne

For several decades, Catherine II was the absolute ruler of the Russian state. But all this time she had a very strained relationship with her own son, the heir Pavel. The Empress understood perfectly well that it was impossible to transfer power into the hands of her son.

Catherine the Great, whose reign ended in mid-November 1796, decided to make her grandson Alexander her successor. It was in him that she saw the future ruler and treated him very warmly. The Empress prepared her grandson for the reign in advance, engaging in his education. Moreover, she even managed to marry Alexander, which meant reaching adulthood and the opportunity to take a place on the throne.

Despite this, after the death of Catherine the Second, with the help of the next son of the Empress, Paul the First, took the place of heir to the throne. Thus, he became the one who ruled after Catherine the Great for five years.

The list of Catherine II's men includes men who figured in the intimate life of Empress Catherine the Great (1729-1796), including her spouses, official favorites and lovers. Catherine II has up to 21 lovers, but how can we object to the empress, then of course they had their own methods.

1. Catherine’s husband was Peter Fedorovich (Emperor Peter III) (1728-1762). They had a wedding in 1745, August 21 (September 1). The end of the relationship was June 28 (July 9), 1762 - death of Peter III. His children, according to the Romanov tree, Pavel Petrovich (1754) (according to one version, his father is Sergei Saltykov) and officially - Grand Duchess Anna Petrovna (1757-1759, most likely the daughter of Stanislav Poniatovsky). He suffered from a form of impotence, and in the first years he did not have marital relations with her. Then this problem was solved with the help of a surgical operation, and in order to perform it, Peter got Saltykov drunk.

2. While she was engaged, she also had an affair, Saltykov, Sergei Vasilyevich (1726-1765). In 1752 he was at the small court of the Grand Dukes Catherine and Peter. The beginning of the novel in 1752. The end of the relationship was the birth of a child, Pavel, in October 1754. After which Saltykov was expelled from St. Petersburg and sent as envoy to Sweden.

3. Catherine's lover was Stanisław August Poniatowski (1732-1798) who fell in love in 1756. And in 1758, after the fall of Chancellor Bestuzhev, Williams and Poniatowski were forced to leave St. Petersburg. After the affair, her daughter Anna Petrovna (1757-1759) was born; Grand Duke Pyotr Fedorovich himself thought so, who, judging by Catherine’s Notes, said: “God knows how my wife gets pregnant; I don’t know for sure whether this child is mine and whether I should recognize him as mine.” In the future, Catherine will make him King of Poland, and then annex Poland and annex it to Russia.

4. Likewise, Catherine 2 was not upset and continued to fall in love. Her next secret lover was Orlov, Grigory Grigorievich (1734-1783). The beginning of the novel In the spring of 1759, Count Schwerin, the aide-de-camp of Frederick II, who was captured in the Battle of Zorndorf, arrived in St. Petersburg, to whom Orlov was assigned as a guard. Orlov gained fame by wresting his mistress from Pyotr Shuvalov. The end of the relationship in 1772, after the death of her husband, even she wanted to marry him and then she was dissuaded. Orlov had many mistresses. They also had a son, Bobrinsky, Alexey Grigorievich was born on April 22, 1762, a few months after the death of Elizaveta Petrovna. They report that on the day she went into labor, her faithful servant Shkurin set fire to his house, and Peter rushed off to watch the fire . Orlov and his passionate brothers contributed to the overthrow of Peter and the accession of Catherine to the throne. Having lost favor, he married his cousin Ekaterina Zinovieva, and after her death he went crazy.

5. Vasilchikov, Alexander Semyonovich (1746-1803/1813) Official favorite. Acquaintance in 1772, September. He often stood guard in Tsarskoe Selo and received a golden snuffbox. Took Orlov's room. 1774, March 20, in connection with the rise of Potemkin, he was sent to Moscow. Catherine considered him boring (14 years difference). After retirement, he settled in Moscow with his brother and did not marry.

6. Potemkin, Grigory Alexandrovich (1739-1791) Official favorite, husband since 1775. In April 1776 he went on vacation. Catherine gave birth to Potemkin's daughter, Elizaveta Grigorievna Tyomkina. Despite the gap in her personal life, thanks to her abilities, she maintained Catherine's friendship and respect and for many years remained the second person in the state. He was not married, his personal life consisted of “enlightening” his young nieces, including Ekaterina Engelgart.

7. Zavadovsky, Pyotr Vasilyevich (1739-1812) official favorite.
The beginning of the relationship in 1776. November, presented to the empress as an author, interested Catherine. In 1777, June did not suit Potemkin and was removed. Also in May 1777, Catherine met Zorich. He was jealous of Catherine 2, which did the damage. 1777 recalled by the empress back to the capital, 1780 engaged in administrative affairs, married Vera Nikolaevna Apraksina.

8. Zorich, Semyon Gavrilovich (1743/1745-1799). In 1777, June became Catherine's personal guard. 1778 June caused inconvenience, expelled from St. Petersburg (14 years younger than the Empress) Was dismissed and sent into retirement with little remuneration. Founded the Shklov School. Enmeshed in debt and suspected of counterfeiting.

9. Rimsky-Korsakov, Ivan Nikolaevich (1754-1831) Official favorite. 1778, June. Noticed by Potemkin, who was looking to replace Zorich, and distinguished by him due to his beauty, as well as ignorance and lack of serious abilities that could make him a political rival. Potemkin introduced him to the empress among three officers. On June 1, he was appointed aide-de-camp to the Empress. 1779, October 10. Removed from the court after the Empress found him in the arms of Countess Praskovya Bruce, sister of Field Marshal Rumyantsev. This intrigue of Potemkin had as its goal the removal not of Korsakov, but of Bruce herself. 25 years younger than the empress; Catherine was attracted by his announced “innocence.” He was very handsome and had an excellent voice (for his sake, Catherine invited world-famous musicians to Russia). After the loss of favor, he first stayed in St. Petersburg and talked in living rooms about his connection with the empress, which hurt her pride. In addition, he left Bruce and began an affair with Countess Ekaterina Stroganova (he was 10 years younger than her). This turned out to be too much, and Catherine sent him to Moscow. Stroganova’s husband eventually gave her a divorce. Korsakov lived with her until the end of her life, they had a son and two daughters.

10 Stakhiev (Strakhov) Beginning of relations 1778; 1779, June. End of relationship 1779, October. According to the description of contemporaries, “a jester of the lowest order.” Strakhov was a protégé of Count N.I. Panin Strakhov may be Ivan Varfolomeevich Strakhov (1750-1793), in which case he was not the empress’s lover, but a man whom Panin considered insane, and who, when Catherine once told him that he could ask her for some favor, threw himself on his knees and asked for her hand, after which she began to avoid him.

11 Stoyanov (Stanov) Beginning of relations 1778. The end of relations 1778. Potemkin’s protégé.

12 Rantsov (Rontsov), Ivan Romanovich (1755-1791) Beginning of the relationship 1779. Mentioned among those who participated in the “competition”; it is not entirely clear whether he managed to visit the empress’s alcove. End of relationship 1780. One of the illegitimate sons of Count R.I. Vorontsov, half-brother of Dashkova. A year later he led a London mob in riots organized by Lord George Gordon.

13 Levashov, Vasily Ivanovich (1740(?) - 1804). Beginning of relations 1779, October. End of relationship 1779, October. Major of the Semenovsky regiment, a young man protected by Countess Bruce. He was distinguished by his wit and cheerfulness. Uncle of one of the subsequent favorites - Ermolov. He was not married, but had 6 “pupils” from a student of the theater school Akulina Semyonova, who were granted the dignity of nobility and his surname.

14 Vysotsky, Nikolai Petrovich (1751-1827). Beginning of relationship 1780, March. Potemkin's nephew. End of relationship 1780, March.

15 Lanskoy, Alexander Dmitrievich (1758-1784) Official favorite. Beginning of relationship 1780 April He was introduced to Catherine by Chief of Police P.I. Tolstoy, she paid attention to him, but he did not become a favorite. Levashev turned to Potemkin for help, he made him his adjutant and supervised his court education for about six months, after which in the spring of 1780 he recommended him to the empress as a warm friend. The end of the relationship was 1784, July 25. He died after a five-day illness with toad and fever. 29 years younger than the 54-year-old at the time the empress began her relationship. The only one of the favorites who did not interfere in politics and refused influence, ranks, and orders. He shared Catherine’s interest in science and, under her guidance, studied French and became acquainted with philosophy. He enjoyed universal sympathy. He sincerely adored the Empress and tried his best to maintain peace with Potemkin. If Catherine began to flirt with someone else, Lanskoy “wasn’t jealous, didn’t cheat on her, wasn’t insolent, but so touchingly […] lamented her disfavor and suffered so sincerely that he won her love again.”

16. Mordvinov. Beginning of relationship 1781 May. Relative of Lermontov. Probably Mordvinov, Nikolai Semyonovich (1754-1845). The admiral's son, the same age as Grand Duke Paul, was brought up with him. The episode did not affect his biography and is usually not mentioned. He became a famous naval commander. Relative of Lermontov

17 Ermolov, Alexander Petrovich (1754-1834) February 1785, a holiday was specially organized to introduce the Empress to him. 1786, June 28. He decided to act against Potemkin (the Crimean Khan Sahib-Girey was supposed to receive large sums from Potemkin, but they were detained, and the khan turned to Ermolov for help), in addition, the empress also lost interest in him. He was expelled from St. Petersburg - he was “allowed to go abroad for three years.” In 1767, traveling along the Volga, Catherine stopped at his father’s estate and took the 13-year-old boy to St. Petersburg. Potemkin took him into his retinue, and almost 20 years later proposed him as a favorite. He was tall and slender, blond, gloomy, taciturn, honest and too simple. With letters of recommendation from the Chancellor, Count Bezborodko, he left for Germany and Italy. Everywhere he behaved very modestly. After retirement, he settled in Moscow and married Elizaveta Mikhailovna Golitsyna, with whom he had children. Nephew of the previous favorite - Vasily Levashov. Then he left for Austria, where he bought the rich and profitable Frosdorf estate near Vienna, where he died at the age of 82.

18. Dmitriev-Mamonov, Alexander Matveevich (1758-1803) In 1786, June was presented to the empress after the departure of Yermolov. 1789 fell in love with Princess Daria Fedorovna Shcherbatova, Catherine’s understanding was complete. asked for forgiveness, forgiven. After the wedding, he was forced to leave St. Petersburg. Future married people in Moscow. He repeatedly asked to return to St. Petersburg, but was refused. His wife gave birth to 4 children, and eventually they separated.

19.Miloradovich. The relationship began in 1789. He was among the candidates proposed after Dmitriev’s resignation. Their number also included retired second major of the Preobrazhensky regiment Kazarinov, Baron Mengden - all young handsome men, behind each of whom stood influential courtiers (Potemkin, Bezborodko, Naryshkin, Vorontsov and Zavadovsky). End of relationship 1789.

20. Miklashevsky. The beginning of the relationship was 1787. The end was 1787. Miklashevsky was a candidate, but did not become a favorite. According to evidence, during Catherine II’s trip to Crimea in 1787, a certain Miklashevsky was among the candidates for favorites. Perhaps it was Miklashevsky, Mikhail Pavlovich (1756-1847), who was part of Potemkin’s retinue as an adjutant (the first step to favor), but it is unclear from what year. In 1798, Mikhail Miklashevsky was appointed governor of Little Russia, but was soon dismissed. In biography, the episode with Catherine is usually not mentioned.

21. Zubov, Platon Alexandrovich (1767-1822) Official favorite. Beginning of relationship 1789, July. A protege of Field Marshal Prince N.I. Saltykov, the chief educator of Catherine’s grandchildren. End of relationship 1796, November 6. Catherine's last favorite. The relationship ended with her death. The 22-year-old at the time of the start of a relationship with the 60-year-old empress. The first official favorite since Potemkin, who was not his adjutant. N.I. Saltykov and A.N. Naryshkina stood behind him, and Perekusikhina also worked for him. He enjoyed great influence and practically managed to oust Potemkin, who threatened to “come and pull out a tooth.” Later he participated in the assassination of Emperor Paul. Shortly before his death, he married a young, humble and poor Polish beauty and was terribly jealous of her.

Memory of Catherine 2. Monuments dedicated to her.

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………2

Catherine's lovers I …………………………………………...3

List of references………………………………………………………..12

Introduction

Empress Catherine the Second loved making love and never hid it: according to the most conservative estimates, the number of more or less permanent partners of the great woman ranged from 18 to 23. The amounts that Catherine’s carnal pleasures cost the treasury are colossal! 92 and a half million rubles were spent on ten main favorites alone. In addition, each bedfellow invariably received titles, estates, and thousands of serfs.

B Most contemporaries did not see anything unnatural in the empress’s hobbies: similar morals flourished in the 18th century in many European royal houses. So in the city of Petrov, the mechanism for attracting young people to the royal alcove was debugged. At some reception, the Empress paid favorable attention to, say, an unknown lieutenant. The next day, she dictated a decree to appoint the lieutenant to Her Majesty's aide-de-camp and immediately summon him to the palace. But here he did not end up in the commandant’s office, but for an appointment with physician Rogerson, a well-known specialist in venereal diseases. Having examined the new patient and found him healthy, the physician handed over the ward from hand to hand to Countess Bruce or maid of honor Protasova, whose duties piquantly balanced on the fine line of the art of pimping and testing the subject for sexual “quality.” Having successfully passed all the exams, even intimate ones, and having received the last instructions from the charming ladies, the recruit headed to a special room.

Luxurious apartments and crowds of livery servants were already ready to receive a new guest. Out of curiosity, opening a desk drawer, he discovered one hundred thousand rubles - an advance of love. In the evening, at a ball or reception, Catherine appeared leaning on the hand of a new temporary worker. At ten o'clock they left...

From now on, a new life awaited the empress's lover. His every wish was strictly fulfilled. Except for one thing - he had no right to leave his rooms on his own.

Catherine's lovers I

Grand Duke Pyotr Fedorovich
(Emperor Peter III)

(1728-1762) Beginning of relationship 1745 August 21 (September 1) - wedding - end of relationship: June 28 (July 9) 1762 - death of Peter III. Legal spouse. His children, according to the Romanov tree: Pavel Petrovich(1754) (according to one version, his father is Sergei Saltykov) and officially - Grand Duchess Anna Petrovna(1757-1759, most likely the daughter of Stanisław Poniatowski). He suffered, according to rumors, from some kind of impotence associated with deformation of the penis - possibly phimosis, and in the early years he did not have marital relations with her. Then this problem was solved with the help of a surgical operation, and in order to perform it, Peter got Saltykov drunk.

2 Saltykov, Sergey Vasilievich
(1726-1765)

1752 Since this period, he has been at the “small court” of the Grand Dukes Ekaterina Alekseevna and Pyotr Fedorovich. The beginning of the novel is probably the spring of the same year. 1754, October. 2 weeks after the birth of Grand Duke Paul, he was hastily sent as an envoy to Sweden. A few months earlier, when signs of Catherine's pregnancy became noticeable, he was no longer allowed to see her and she suffered from separation anxiety. Secret lover The only known man of the empress older than her in age. Catherine II, wanting to discredit her son Paul, did not refute rumors that Saltykov was his father. After the story with Catherine, he remained at foreign courts almost his entire life.

3 Stanislav August Poniatowski
(1732-1798)

1756-1758. Catherine, having recovered from childbirth and separation from her beloved Saltykov, fell in love again with a young Pole who came to Russia in the retinue of the English Ambassador Williams. After the fall of Chancellor Bestuzhev, Williams and Poniatovsky were forced to leave St. Petersburg. Secret Lover Officially recognized Grand Duchess Anna Petrovna(1757-1759), most likely, was the daughter of Poniatovsky, as Grand Duke Peter Fedorovich himself believed, who, judging by “Notes of Catherine,” said: “God knows how my wife gets pregnant; I don’t know for sure whether this child is mine and whether I should recognize him as mine.” In the future, Catherine will make him King of Poland, and then annex Poland and annex it to Russia. The only foreigner on the list of lovers of Catherine, a German-born princess: such a passion for Russian beauties pleased her subjects, who remembered the “German dominance” of the favorites Anna Ioannovna and Anna Leopoldovna.

4 Orlov, Grigory Grigorievich
(1734-1783)

1759 or 1760. In the spring of 1759, Count Schwerin, the aide-de-camp of Frederick II, who was captured in the Battle of Zorndorf, arrived in St. Petersburg, to which Orlov was assigned as a guard. Orlov gained fame by wresting his mistress from Pyotr Shuvalov. In total, the couple was together for 12 years; after the death of her husband, Catherine even wanted to marry him, but she was dissuaded. At the same time, he had many mistresses, about whom Catherine knew. Finally, at the beginning of 1772, he left for a peace congress with the Turks in Focsani, and in his absence the favorite’s star sank, as Catherine turned her attention to Vasilchikov. Secret lover, then official favorite (from 1762). Bobrinsky, Alexey Grigorievich- son of Catherine and Orlov, born on April 22, 1762, a few months after the death of Elizaveta Petrovna. It is reported that on the day she went into labor, her faithful servant Shkurin set his house on fire, and Peter rushed off to watch the fire. Orlov and his passionate brothers contributed to the overthrow of Peter and the accession of Catherine to the throne. Having lost favor, he married his cousin Ekaterina Zinovieva, and after her death he went crazy.

5 Vasilchikov, Alexander Semenovich
(1746-1803/1813)

1772 -1774, September. In the spring and summer of this year, he often stood guard in Tsarskoe Selo, where he attracted the attention of the Empress and soon received a golden snuffbox “for maintaining the guard.” Then he occupied the rooms in the palace in which Orlov lived, and out of fear of the sudden return of the former favorite, a guard was posted at the doors of his premises. Such a change in the favorite, after the Oryol decade, was new and caused a great stir at court on March 20. In connection with the rise of Potemkin, Vasilchikov was sent the highest order to go to Moscow. Official favorite The first of Catherine's favorites was much younger than her in age (14 years difference), and was distinguished by beauty. He was unselfish and made little use of his position. Catherine, however, felt his emptiness and lack of education and considered him boring. After retirement, he settled in Moscow with his brother, but did not marry.

6 Potemkin, Grigory Alexandrovich
(1739-1791)

1774, spring. A longtime acquaintance of Catherine, who took part in the coup of 1776. In April 1776, he went on vacation to inspect the Novgorod province, at which time Zavadovsky, on whom the Empress had her eye, took his place. The official favorite, apparently, has been a morganatic spouse since 1775 (see Wedding of Catherine II and Potemkin) Catherine gave birth to Potemkin’s daughter - Elizaveta Grigorievna Tyomkina. Despite the gap in his personal life, thanks to his abilities, he maintained the friendship and respect of Catherine and for many years remained the second person in the state. He was not married, his personal life consisted of “enlightening” his young nieces, including Ekaterina Engelgart

7 Zavadovsky, Pyotr Vasilievich
(1739-1812)

1776-1777, November. He was under Rumyantsev and was introduced to the empress as the author of dispatches and reports on the affairs of Little Russia in the summer of 1775 during her stay in Moscow. She was interested in him as a “quieter and more humble” person than Potemkin., July. He joined the party of the Orlovs and Count Rumyantsev, did not suit Potemkin and was removed through his efforts. In May 1777, after Catherine met Zorich, Zavadovsky was given a 6-month official leave. Official favorite Little Russian by birth. After his resignation, he held prominent positions in the administration. He loved the empress “like a woman” and was truly jealous of her, which harmed him in her eyes. I couldn’t forget her even after the breakup. He went to the Lyalichi estate granted to him, in 1777 he was recalled by the empress back to the capital, and since 1780 he has been engaged in administrative activities on her behalf. Became the first Minister of Public Education. He married Vera Nikolaevna Apraksina, daughter of S. O. Apraksina, niece and mistress of Kirill Razumovsky. Considered next in ability after Potemkin among Catherine's favorites; the only one besides him whom she allowed to return and assigned to engage in government activities.

8 Zorich, Semyon Gavrilovich
(1743/1745-1799)

1777-1778, June. Potemkin, wanting to remove Zavadovsky, looked for a replacement for him and took Zorich as his adjutant, and then appointed him commander of the Life Hussar Squadron - Catherine’s personal guard. He displeased the Empress with his immoderate card game, and displeased Potemkin with his unwillingness to take into account his interests; in a fit of temper, he said a bunch of insolence to the prince. He was expelled from St. Petersburg. Official favorite A handsome hussar of Serbian origin, 14 years younger than the Empress. Catherine was dissatisfied with his poor education and the fact that he did not share her cultural interests, always expecting that he could “do something dirty.” As a result, he was dismissed with a large reward, granted 7 thousand peasants and settled in the town of Shklov, given to him by Catherine II, where he founded the Shklov Noble School at his own expense. Enmeshed in debt and suspected of counterfeiting.

Plan
Introduction
1 Characteristics
2 Chronological lists
2.1 Husbands, lovers and favorites
2.2 Children

3 In books, films and propaganda
4 See also
5 Bibliography
Bibliography

Introduction

The list of Catherine II's men includes men who figured in the intimate life of Empress Catherine the Great (1729-1796), including her spouses (legal and possibly morganatic; highlighted in purple in the table), official favorites and lovers.

Catherine enjoys notoriety because of her connections with numerous lovers, however, the number of names actually known from the memoirs of contemporaries reaches only 23 (according to the list of Catherine scholar P. I. Bartenev with additions by Ya. L. Barskov; there are discrepancies). Only 10 of them officially held the post of favorite with all its privileges and responsibilities, and therefore information about the others is quite vague, in particular, it is not always clear to what stage their relationship with the empress reached and how long it lasted, and for several it is not known exact surnames (highlighted in green in the table).

The most famous of her favorites were Grigory Orlov, Grigory Potemkin and Platon Zubov. After the death of her husband Peter III in 1762, she planned a marriage with Orlov, but on the advice of those close to her, she abandoned this idea, and with Potemkin, most likely, Catherine was secretly married in 1775 (see The wedding of Catherine II and Potemkin) - with these two She had the strongest feelings with men, as well as with the early deceased Alexander Lansky. Catherine bore three or four children, and two or three more are attributed to her (see separate table).

1. Characteristics

In 1778, the Frenchman Corberon reported to his government that “in Russia, from time to time, a kind of interregnum in affairs is noticed, which coincides with the displacement of one favorite and the emergence of a new one. This event outshines all others. It concentrates all interests on itself and directs them in one direction; even the ministers, to whom this general mood responds, suspend affairs until the final choice of a temporary worker brings everyone back to normal and gives the government machine its normal course.”

Usually (with the exception of a short period in 1778-1780, when she was nearing fifty, and she changed several lovers in a short period of time), Catherine spent several years with her favorites, usually parting with them due to incompatibility of characters, poor education of her favorites, their betrayals or unworthy behavior (problems for the favorites arose due to the large age difference with the empress, her strict daily routine and control over their schedule, and the need to show respect to Potemkin). Catherine’s surviving correspondence with her lovers reveals “her unbridled sensuality,” but “as far as we know, she never entered into a loveless relationship. There is no evidence that she ever approached a man without believing that she was entering into a long-term, serious relationship.” There were probably “transitional occasions” and “one-night stands” in search of a suitable companion, but they were inevitably rare, since it was practically impossible to bring someone in and out of the palace without bypassing the numerous servants, guards and courtiers who invariably noticed and commented any actions of the empress (information about a potential future favorite was valuable - letters from foreign diplomats to their homeland indicate that they carefully collected rumors of this kind).

Catherine's relationship with her favorites was the warmest; she actually fell passionately in love with each of them, surrounding each with care and attention. The romance usually began "with a flash of her maternal love, German sentimentality and admiration for the beauty of her new lover." She admired her current favorite when communicating with others, and when the need arose to part with him, she became depressed and sometimes abandoned her work for several weeks. None of the lovers who lost her favor, even those who cheated on her, were subjected to serious disgrace; they were usually sent from the capital with large gifts to the granted estates. Contemporaries and historians (especially Soviet ones) calculated the amounts that Catherine spent on gifts to her lovers during the period of favor, and named colossal figures.

Potemkin shortly before his death, April 1791

Almost all of her favorites after Potemkin were introduced to Catherine personally by him (except for Zubov) and defended his interests. Apparently, after the crisis caused by the appearance of Zavadovsky’s next favorite after Potemkin, an “unspoken agreement” was concluded between Catherine and Potemkin: each favorite must protect the interests of the prince at court. She demanded unquestioning obedience to Potemkin from her favorites, and if this rule was violated, the favorite received resignation. The empress's favorites were young people who had neither wealth nor influential relatives, who owed their rise entirely to Potemkin and Catherine and subsequently did not play an independent role. Potemkin's biographer writes that historians often lost sight of the triangle “Catherine - Potemkin - young favorite,” but it was precisely this triangle that made up the “family” of the empress. Potemkin's rooms were still connected to the empress's apartments, he had the right to enter without reporting, and the current favorite at any moment could be faced with the need to endure his company or even leave. Apparently, Catherine and Potemkin did not interrupt their “marital relationship” until the end of their lives. Some memoirists call it "favorite-chief", and the rest - "non-commissioned favorites".

2. Chronological lists

2.1. Husbands, lovers and favorites

№	Name	Portrait	Start of a relationship	End of a relationship	Status	Note
1	Grand Duke Peter Fedorovich (Emperor Peter III) (1728-1762)	1745, August 21 (September 1) - wedding	June 28 (July 9) 1762 - death of Peter III	Legal spouse	His children, according to the Romanov tree: Pavel Petrovich(1754) (according to one version, his father is Sergei Saltykov) and officially - Grand Duchess Anna Petrovna(1757-1759, most likely the daughter of Stanisław Poniatowski). He suffered, according to rumors, from some kind of impotence associated with deformation of the penis - possibly phimosis, and in the early years he did not have marital relations with her. Then this problem was solved with the help of a surgical operation, and in order to perform it, Peter got Saltykov drunk.
2	Saltykov, Sergey Vasilievich (1726-1765)	1752 Since this period, he has been at the “small court” of the Grand Dukes Ekaterina Alekseevna and Pyotr Fedorovich. The beginning of the novel is probably the spring of the same year.	1754, October. 2 weeks after birth led. book Paul was hastily sent as envoy to Sweden. A few months earlier, when signs of Catherine's pregnancy became noticeable, he was no longer allowed to see her and she suffered from separation anxiety.	Secret Lover	The only known man of the empress older than her in age. Catherine II, wanting to discredit her son Paul, did not refute rumors that Saltykov was his father. After the story with Catherine, he remained at foreign courts almost his entire life.
3	Stanislav August Poniatowski (1732-1798)	1756 Catherine, having recovered from childbirth and separation from her beloved Saltykov, fell in love again with a young Pole who came to Russia in the retinue of the English Ambassador Williams.	1758 After the fall of Chancellor Bestuzhev, Williams and Poniatovsky were forced to leave St. Petersburg.	Secret Lover	Officially recognized Grand Duchess Anna Petrovna(1757-1759), most likely, was the daughter of Poniatovsky, as Grand Duke Peter Fedorovich himself believed, who, judging by “Notes of Catherine,” said: “God knows how my wife gets pregnant; I don’t know for sure whether this child is mine and whether I should recognize him as mine.” In the future, Catherine will make him King of Poland, and then annex Poland and annex it to Russia. The only foreigner on the list of lovers of Catherine, a German-born princess: such a passion for Russian beauties pleased her subjects, who remembered the “German dominance” of the favorites Anna Ioannovna and Anna Leopoldovna.
4	Orlov, Grigory Grigorievich (1734-1783)	1759 or 1760. In the spring of 1759, Count Schwerin, the aide-de-camp of Frederick II, who was captured in the Battle of Zorndorf, arrived in St. Petersburg, to which Orlov was assigned as a guard. Orlov gained fame by wresting his mistress from Pyotr Shuvalov.	1772 In total, the couple was together for 12 years; after the death of her husband, Catherine even wanted to marry him, but she was dissuaded. At the same time, he had many mistresses, about whom Catherine knew. Finally, at the beginning of 1772, he left for a peace congress with the Turks in Focsani, and in his absence the favorite’s star sank, as Catherine turned her attention to Vasilchikov.	Secret lover, then official favorite (from 1762).	Bobrinsky, Alexey Grigorievich- son of Catherine and Orlov, born on April 22, 1762, a few months after the death of Elizaveta Petrovna. It is reported that on the day she went into labor, her faithful servant Shkurin set his house on fire, and Peter rushed off to watch the fire. Orlov and his passionate brothers contributed to the overthrow of Peter and the accession of Catherine to the throne. Having lost favor, he married his cousin Ekaterina Zinovieva, and after her death he went crazy.
5	Vasilchikov, Alexander Semenovich (1746-1803/1813)	1772, September. In the spring and summer of this year, he often stood guard in Tsarskoe Selo, where he attracted the attention of the Empress and soon received a golden snuffbox “for maintaining the guard.” Then he occupied the rooms in the palace in which Orlov lived, and out of fear of the sudden return of the former favorite, a guard was posted at the doors of his premises. Such a change in the favorite, after the Oryol decade, was new and caused a great stir at court.	1774, March 20. In connection with the rise of Potemkin, Vasilchikov was sent the highest order to go to Moscow.	Official Favorite	The first of Catherine’s favorites was much younger than her in age (14 years difference) and was distinguished by her beauty. He was unselfish and made little use of his position. Catherine, however, felt his emptiness and lack of education and considered him boring. After retirement, he settled in Moscow with his brother, but did not marry.
6	Potemkin, Grigory Alexandrovich (1739-1791)	1774, spring. A longtime acquaintance of Catherine, who took part in the coup	1776 In April 1776, he went on vacation to inspect the Novgorod province, at which time Zavadovsky, on whom the Empress had her eye, took his place.	The official favorite, apparently, has been the morganatic spouse since 1775 (see Wedding of Catherine II and Potemkin)	Catherine gave birth to Potemkin's daughter - Elizaveta Grigorievna Tyomkina. Despite the gap in his personal life, thanks to his abilities, he maintained the friendship and respect of Catherine and for many years remained the second person in the state. He was not married, his personal life consisted of “enlightening” his young nieces, including Ekaterina Engelgart (see).
7	Zavadovsky, Pyotr Vasilievich (1739-1812)	1776, November. He was under Rumyantsev and was introduced to the empress as the author of dispatches and reports on the affairs of Little Russia in the summer of 1775 during her stay in Moscow. He interested her as a “quieter and more humble” person than Potemkin.	1777, July. He joined the party of the Orlovs and Count Rumyantsev, did not suit Potemkin and was removed through his efforts. In May 1777, after Catherine met Zorich, Zavadovsky was given a 6-month official leave.	Official Favorite	Little Russian by birth. After his resignation, he held prominent positions in the administration. He loved the empress “like a woman” and was truly jealous of her, which harmed him in her eyes. I couldn’t forget her even after the breakup. He went to the Lyalichi estate granted to him, in 1777 he was recalled by the empress back to the capital, and since 1780 he has been engaged in administrative activities on her behalf. Became the first Minister of Public Education. He married Vera Nikolaevna Apraksina, daughter of S. O. Apraksina, niece and mistress of Kirill Razumovsky. Considered next in ability after Potemkin among Catherine's favorites; the only one besides him whom she allowed to return and assigned to engage in government activities.
8	Zorich, Semyon Gavrilovich (1743/1745-1799)	1777, June. Potemkin, wanting to remove Zavadovsky, looked for a replacement for him and took Zorich as his adjutant, and then appointed him commander of the Life Hussar Squadron - Catherine’s personal guard.	1778, June. He displeased the Empress with his immoderate card game, and displeased Potemkin with his unwillingness to take into account his interests; in a fit of temper, he said a bunch of insolence to the prince. He was expelled from St. Petersburg.	Official Favorite	A handsome hussar of Serbian origin, 14 years younger than the Empress. Catherine was dissatisfied with his poor education and the fact that he did not share her cultural interests, always expecting that he could “do something dirty.” As a result, he was dismissed with a large reward, granted 7 thousand peasants and settled in the town of Shklov, given to him by Catherine II, where he founded the Shklov Noble School at his own expense. Enmeshed in debt and suspected of counterfeiting.
9	Rimsky-Korsakov, Ivan Nikolaevich (1754-1831)	1778, June. Noticed by Potemkin, who was looking to replace Zorich, and distinguished by him due to his beauty, as well as ignorance and lack of serious abilities that could make him a political rival. Potemkin introduced him to the Empress among three officers (including Bergman, Rontsov). On June 1, he was appointed aide-de-camp to the Empress.	1779, October 10. Removed from the court after the Empress found him in the arms of Countess Praskovya Bruce, sister of Field Marshal Rumyantsev. This intrigue of Potemkin was aimed not at removing Korsakov, but at Bruce herself.	Official Favorite	25 years younger than the Empress; Catherine was attracted by his announced “innocence.” He was very handsome and had an excellent voice (for his sake, Catherine invited world-famous musicians to Russia). After the loss of favor, he first stayed in St. Petersburg and talked in living rooms about his connection with the empress, which hurt her pride. In addition, he left Bruce and began an affair with Countess Ekaterina Stroganova (he was 10 years younger than her). This turned out to be too much, and Catherine sent him to Moscow. Stroganova’s husband eventually gave her a divorce. Korsakov lived with her until the end of her life, they had a son and two daughters.
The year 1778/1779 was chaotic in Catherine’s personal life; she could not choose a permanent lover. Perhaps this was due to the blow from Korsakov's betrayal. Information about men of this period is contradictory .				Chronology of the “interregnum” (according to Kazimir Waliszewski):· 1778, June - rise of Korsakov · 1778, August - rivals try to take away the Empress' favor from him, they are supported by Potemkin (on the one hand) and Panin and Orlov (on the other) · 1778, September - Strakhov gains the upper hand over his rivals · 4 months later - the rise of Levashev. A young man, patronized by Countess Bruce, Svejkovsky (or Svikhovsky), pierced himself with a sword in despair that this officer was preferred to him. · Rimsky-Korsakov briefly returns to his previous position · Rimsky-Korsakov fights Stoyanov
10	Stakhiev (Strakhov)	1778; 1779, June.	1779, October.	According to the description of contemporaries, “a jester of the lowest order.” Strakhov was a protégé of Count N.I. Panin Strakhov may be Ivan Varfolomeevich Strakhov(1750-1793), in this case, he was not the empress’s lover, but a man whom Panin considered insane, and who, when Catherine once told him that he could ask her for some favor, threw himself on his knees and asked her hands, after which she began to avoid him.
11	Stoyanov (Stanov) Possibly two separate people.	1778	1778	Potemkin's protégé
12	Rantsov (Rontsov), Ivan Romanovich (1755-1791)	1779. Mentioned among those who participated in the “competition”; it is not entirely clear whether he managed to visit the empress’s alcove	1780	One of the illegitimate sons of Count R.I. Vorontsov, half-brother of Dashkova. A year later he led a London mob in riots organized by Lord George Gordon.
13	Levashov, Vasily Ivanovich (1740(?) - 1804)	1779, October	1779, October	Major of the Semenovsky regiment, a young man protected by Countess Bruce. He was distinguished by his wit and cheerfulness. Uncle of one of the subsequent favorites - Ermolov. He was not married, but had 6 “pupils” from a student of the theater school Akulina Semyonova, who were granted the dignity of nobility and his surname.
14	Vysotsky, Nikolai Petrovich (1751-1827)	1780, March. Potemkin's nephew	1780, March
15	Lanskoy, Alexander Dmitrievich (1758-1784)	1780, April. He was introduced to Catherine by Chief of Police P.I. Tolstoy, she drew attention to him, but he did not become a favorite. Levashev turned to Potemkin for help, he made him his adjutant and supervised his court education for about six months, after which in the spring of 1780 he recommended him to the empress as a warm friend.	1784, July 25. Died after a five-day illness with toad and fever	Official Favorite	29 years younger than the 54-year-old at the time the empress began her relationship. The only one of the favorites who did not interfere in politics and refused influence, ranks, and orders. He shared Catherine’s interest in science and, under her guidance, studied French and became acquainted with philosophy. He enjoyed universal sympathy. He sincerely adored the Empress and tried his best to maintain peace with Potemkin. If Catherine began to flirt with someone else, Lanskoy “wasn’t jealous, didn’t cheat on her, wasn’t insolent, but so touchingly […] lamented her disfavor and suffered so sincerely that he won her love again.”
16	Mordvinov	1781, May. For a short time, Catherine drew attention to the young man, which almost cost the Empress’s favorite A.D. Lansky the resignation.	1781, June	Probably, Mordvinov, Nikolai Semenovich(1754-1845). The admiral's son, the same age as Grand Duke Paul, was brought up with him. The episode did not affect his biography and is usually not mentioned. He became a famous naval commander. Relative of Lermontov
17	Ermolov, Alexander Petrovich (1754-1834)	1785, February. The officer, Potemkin's adjutant, was introduced to them. Gelbig reports that Potemkin specially arranged a holiday to introduce Yermolov to the empress. Only 9 months after the death of Lansky, whose loss hit her hard, did Catherine resume her personal life. Before he got into the “accident,” he had to fight a difficult battle with other rivals, of whom the most serious was 22-year-old Pavel Mikhailovich Dashkov, Dashkova’s son.	1786, June 28. He decided to act against Potemkin (the Crimean Khan Sahib-Girey was supposed to receive large sums from Potemkin, but they were detained, and the khan turned to Ermolov for help), in addition, the empress also lost interest in him. He was expelled from St. Petersburg - he was “allowed to go abroad for three years.”	Official Favorite	In 1767, traveling along the Volga, Catherine stopped at his father’s estate and took the 13-year-old boy to St. Petersburg. Potemkin took him into his retinue, and almost 20 years later proposed him as a favorite. He was tall and slender, blond, gloomy, taciturn, honest and too simple. With letters of recommendation from the Chancellor, Count Bezborodko, he left for Germany and Italy. Everywhere he behaved very modestly. After retirement, he settled in Moscow and married Elizaveta Mikhailovna Golitsyna, with whom he had children. Nephew of the previous favorite - Vasily Levashov. Then he left for Austria, where he bought the rich and profitable Frosdorf estate near Vienna, where he died at the age of 82.
18	Dmitriev-Mamonov, Alexander Matveevich (1758-1803)	1786, July. A distant relative of Potemkin and his adjutant. Presented to the Empress the day after Yermolov's departure.	1789, November. He fell in love with the maid of honor, Princess Daria Fedorovna Shcherbatova, which was reported to Catherine. “...Before the evening exit, Her Majesty herself deigned to betroth Count A.M. Mamonov to Princess Shcherbatova; they, on their knees, asked for forgiveness and were forgiven.” The groom was given gifts and ordered to leave St. Petersburg the very next day after the wedding, July 12.	Official Favorite	28 year old at the start of the relationship. He was distinguished by his tall stature and intelligence. He wrote poetry and plays. Did not interfere in government. Being married in Moscow, he repeatedly turned to Empress Catherine II with a request to allow him to return to St. Petersburg, but was refused. As Golovkin noted: “He was neither this nor that, nor anything at all; he had only one entertainment - to torment his wife, whom he endlessly accused of being the culprit of his complete insignificance.” She bore him 4 children and eventually separated.
19	Miloradovich	1789 He was among the candidates proposed after Dmitriev’s resignation. Their number also included retired second major of the Preobrazhensky regiment Kazarinov, Baron Mengden - all young handsome men, behind each of whom stood influential courtiers (Potemkin, Bezborodko, Naryshkin, Vorontsov and Zavadovsky).	1789	Probably, Miloradovich, Mikhail Andreevich(1771-1825). The famous general was killed on Senate Square by the Decembrist Kakhovsky. The episode of Catherine’s possible favor is usually not mentioned in biography. According to the instructions of Ya. L. Barskova, he is included in Catherine’s Don Juan list.
20	Miklashevsky	1787	1787 Miklashevsky was a candidate, but did not become the favorite.	According to evidence, during Catherine II’s trip to Crimea in 1787, a certain Miklashevsky was among the favorite candidates. Perhaps it was Miklashevsky, Mikhail Pavlovich(1756-1847), who was part of Potemkin’s retinue as an adjutant (the first step to favor), but it is unclear from what year.. In 1798, Mikhail Miklashevsky was appointed Little Russian governor, but was soon dismissed. In biography, the episode with Catherine is usually not mentioned.
21	Zubov, Platon Alexandrovich (1767-1822)	1789, July. A protege of Field Marshal Prince N.I. Saltykov, the chief educator of Catherine’s grandchildren.	1796, November 6. Catherine's last favorite. The relationship ended with her death.	Official Favorite	22-year-old at the time of the beginning of a relationship with the 60-year-old empress. The first official favorite since Potemkin, who was not his adjutant. N.I. Saltykov and A.N. Naryshkina stood behind him, and Perekusikhina also worked for him. He enjoyed great influence and practically managed to oust Potemkin, who threatened to “come and snatch tooth" Later he participated in the assassination of Emperor Paul. Shortly before his death, he married a young, humble and poor Polish beauty and was terribly jealous of her.