Sophia Alekseevna, the half-sister of Peter the Great, was the first woman to tule Russia. In 1682, ten-year-old Peter and his mentally retarded brother Ivan were declared joint tsars with 25 year old Sophia as their regent. The regency lasted for seven years until Sophia was ousted by Peter and dispatched to a convent for the last 15 years of her life. This biography describes Sophia's life and rise to power, setting her against the background of a traditional society on the eve of major reform. Hughes examines the developments in foreign policy, and domestic, cultural, and religious affairs within Russia during the regency, and traces Sophia's influence over them.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In a revisionist work, Hughes, historian at the University of London, reassesses the manipulating Sophia, who served as regent 1682-1689 for the dual reign of her brother, the physically and mentally handicapped Ivan, and underage half-brother Peter (the Great). The author disentangles the interlocking power structures of court, state and church in his vibrant canvas, showing us the marvel of Sophia's escape from the isolated terem life of Romanov women and her "very substantial" achievements in foreign policy, particularly the 1686 treaty with Poland whereby Moscovy won hegemony over the Slavonic nations. Campaigns against the Tartars and Turks, however, were disastrous and provided the opportunity for 17-year-old Peter to depose his sister and banish her to a convent. Hughes, credibly arguing against accepted scholarship, maintains that Sophia's piousness was sincere, that she and her adviser Vasily Golitsyn were not lovers and, more significantly, that her rule heralded the Petrine era. Illustrations.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
During Peter the Great's minority (1682-89), his half-sister Sophia Alekseevna became the "first woman effectively to rule Russia." Her success in actively attaining and capably wielding power within the context of a rigidly male-dominated society is a remarkable story. The author achieves his stated aim of helping Sophia and her era "emerge from the shadow cast over them by Peter" by delineating in learned detail the events of her life and rule, demonstrating that receptiveness to European ties and influence did not commence with Peter. This scholarly biography is highly recommended for academic libraries.
- William F. Young, Univ. at Albany, N.Y.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- William F. Young, Univ. at Albany, N.Y.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Sophia Alekseevna revisited,
This review is from: Sophia, Regent of Russia: 1657-1704 (Hardcover)
Prurient attention by Sophia as Regent and de facto ruler of Russia in the minority of her two younger brothers: Ivan and Peter for seven years. Fascinating time ably retold by the scholar Hughes. Helping to provide the background leading up to the Petrine era. There is another player to learn about; his name is Vasily Golitsyn, he is also in this book, of course. This is a book about the extraordinary achievement of an exceptional woman. Highly recommended! Dag Stomberg
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