Add
Private Notes
Oh boy another figure in history steeped in more myth and legend than anything else huh? Who exactly was the Mad Monk of Russia? Why did he become so famous? And how many hands did he have in the fall of tzarist Russia?
Rasputin was known to the royal family but how exactly did he manage to get so close to them? There was a lot at work, and the royals were not in the best position. They married for love, but neither was exactly suited for the throne at the time. And their only male heir had hemophilia. How could they refuse this holy man who seemed to work wonders not only for their son but also eased Alexandra's anxiety? Unfortunately, the comfort he brought would be short-lived.
With Rasputin's reputation worsening by the day, the public had a single burning question: why did the royals refuse to get rid of him? Completely unaware of the real reason, Alexei Romanoff's hemophilia, the public started to speculate on further reasons. Hypnotism? Blackmail? Weak-willed rulers? This escalated conflicts between the crown and the new governing body after the revolution. And then, Gregori Rasputin had an attempt on his life... and survived.
Things are rapidly growing worse. While Rasputin recovers from the assassination attempt, Archduke Ferdinand has been shot. Rasputin writes to the Tzar to avoid getting involved in the Balkans to no avail. But this does not diminish Rasputin's influence. In fact, while Emperor Nicholas is away leading the army, Rasputin is one of the few close friends Empress Alexandra has left. Her popularity is quickly falling due to her own German heritage and the stress of being hounded by the press, police, and now assassins are causing Rasputin to crack.
