An Englishman in the Court of the Tsar: The Spiritual Journey of Charles Syndney Gibbes [Hardcover]

Christine Benagh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 2000

Set against the turbulent backdrop of the early twentieth century, this fascinating true-life account reads almost like a novel. Demoralized by the encroaching liberalism of the Anglican Church, Englishman Charles Sydney Gibbes travels abroad in a crisis of faith. Finding work as a tutor to the Russian aristocracy, his world is changed forever when he receives a personal invitation from Empress Alexandra Fedorovna to become a tutor to her children. His intimate connection with the Imperial Family for the next ten years carries him into their mesmerizing world of elegance and nobility, then is shattered by their brutal murders at the hands of the Red Army. Following them to Siberia and later continuing on to China, Gibbes eventually returns full circle to Great Britain, there dedicating his life as an Orthodox priest to the memory of the Imperial Family, and the faith he discovered in their distant homeland.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Out of the dampness of a Lond morning steps an elderly, white-bearded man in a threadbard cassock. He carries a walking stick in his right hand, and a tattered black shopping bag on his left arm. His name is Father Nicholas Gibbes.

Warm and affable, yet intensely private, he seldom speakes of the incredible journey which carried him from the hallowed halls of St. John's College in Cambridge to the court of the last Russian Tsar, Nicholas II. As one of three tutors to the Imperial Family, he had gained entrance to the inner world of the ill-fated Family. First as teach, but soon as trusted friend and confidant, he walked with them through the dark days of their exile and eventual murder at the hands of the Bosheviks. These ten years would change the course of his life, eventually leading him back to Great Britain, where he would devote himself the rest of his days in service to the Faith he had discovered in the midst of the court of the Tsar.

Centering her research around actual letters and documents from the Gibbes collections in England and numerous personal interviews with the late George Gibbes, adopted son of Father Nicholas, as well as other surviving acquaintances and friends, the author has carefully documented this fascinating story as Gibbes journeys from Great Britain to Russia, Siberia, China, the Philippines, Jerusalem, and finally back again to England. Benaugh's account profits from newly uncovered evidence regarding the murders of the Imperial Family and offers details which were unknown during the lifetime of Fr. Nicholas. She carefully documents hitherto unpublished events of his life in England as an Orthodox priest and his foundational role in establishing the Orthodox Church in Oxford as well as his pioneering role in the development of British Orthodoxy.

About the Author

Christine Benagh makes her home in Nashville, TN. After earning her degree from Vanderbilt University, she began serious writing while overseeing the household for her husband and four lively children. As their demands on her time and attention diminished, she took up a career in editing and continued writing, publishing two books, several journal articles, and numerous reviews.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Conciliar Press (July 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888212195
• ISBN-13: 978-1888212198
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,916,869 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than a spiritual journey; an intimate look at the Tsar, April 23, 2001

By 

Volkert Volkersz (Snohomish, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Englishman in the Court of the Tsar: The Spiritual Journey of Charles Syndney Gibbes (Hardcover)

American author, Christine L. Benagh, has written a moving biographical and historical journey of an Englishman who went to Russia in 1901 to escape the disillusionment of his faith-shattering theological education. As Charles Sydney Gibbes' reputation as an English tutor in St. Petersburg grows, he comes to the attention of the royal family, whom he eventually serves for ten years until their tragic demise. Through Gibbes' letters and papers, we catch an intimate view of the Tsar, the Empress and their children in their home or on vacation, having tea, doing their studies, playing games and going to Russian Orthodox services. Their lives are placed into historical context with quotes from the biographies, letters and papers of people who knew them.

Sadly, Gibbes is among the first to investigate the fateful Ipatiev house in Ekatarinburg, where the Romanovs and their entourage were murderously slaughtered by the Bolsheviks. Due to his intimate knowledge of the Romanovs, as well as his command of the Russian language, Gibbes continues working in Russia for a time for the British High Command. He eventually ends up in Manchuria, working for the Chinese Maritime Service, during which time he adopts a teenaged Russian orphan and studies firsthand various Eastern religions.

At the age of 52, Gibbes decides to return to his Christian roots, but he is once more shattered by politics in the Anglican Church. After a much soul searching, he embraces the Orthodox Church, where, back in England, he is tonsured as a monk and then ordained into the priesthood.

As Father Nicholas Gibbes, he spends the remaining years of life devoted to the Orthodox faith in England, and to preserving the memory of the Romanov family with the many artifacts and relics he personally collected.

While this outstanding book is called a "spiritual journey," the spiritual journey is actually a pretty slender thread through these turbulent times until the last two chapters. It works as an interesting biography within this period of history, as an intimate portrait of the royal family, as a small slice of Russian (and English) history, and finally as a spiritual odyssey. I'd recommend this to those interested in the Romanovs, the Bolshevik Revolution, spiritual journeys or the Orthodox Church.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Different View of Nicholas II and His Family, August 26, 2001

By 

Ferne Squiers (Hartford City, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Englishman in the Court of the Tsar: The Spiritual Journey of Charles Syndney Gibbes (Hardcover)

Although this book is one of many written about the tragic deaths of Tsar Nicholas II and his family, it is different than those which often appear explotive. Gibbes's relationship with the Tsar and his family provides us with a deeper insight into the family life, and the unshakable rich faith of this noble family. The book is one of a kind, and an "easy" read. As one who has read many books on the subject of Russian hsitory, I could not recommend it more highly.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, April 4, 2001

By 

"frnick" (savannah, ga. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Englishman in the Court of the Tsar: The Spiritual Journey of Charles Syndney Gibbes (Hardcover)

If you would like a good, honest, brief explination of the events leading to the fall of the Romanovs, this is a great source. Nicholas II is one of the most misunderstood and misrepresented historical figures. Written from the perspective of Mr. Gibbes we have an insider's view of the events discribed. This book is well written, and presented in an interesting manner that keeps the reader turning the pages. Having read many books on the subject of Tsar Nicholas II and his family, I find this to be one of the better ones. Read this and Massie's "Nicholas and Alexandra" and you will have a good picture of what really happened. Thank you Chiristine for this excellent study!