Prince Volynsky - a victim of Biron or a social brawler?
Among professional historians there is a controversial, but not unreasonable view of history States as a series of descriptions of the fate of individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of society. The opinion is, of course, one-sided and limited, but, nevertheless, it is not without a share of objective truth, therefore today we suggest turning to the biography of one of the representatives of the Petrine era and his destiny in the times of “Bironism”. The life story of this person is a reflection of the change of epochs, and its analysis allows us to draw concrete conclusions about the atmosphere that prevailed in Russia during the period of palace coups.
Artemy Petrovich Volynsky belonged to an ancient noble family, was born in 1689 year, although the exact date is not known. Due to the loss of reliable information about the specific age of this person, some historians indicate different years. The childhood of a future statesman and a brawler was spent in a typical pre-Petrine home. This circumstance, coupled with the severe God-fearing upbringing, left a deep imprint on the personality of Artemy Petrovich. However, the strict disposition of his father, as well as daily humble prayer, did not cool the ardor of young Volyn. Artemy had not only a difficult character, he was a clever man, but sharp and even explosive.
Having barely reached 15 years, Volynsky went to serve in the dragoon regiment and already in 1711, he participated in the Prut campaign in the rank of captain. A brave, talented young man quickly stands out from the crowd, as a result of which he notes Peter Alekseevich. Attempts to portray Artemy Petrovich as a stupid and rude man made by some historians are unfounded. The mere fact that Volynsky was particularly marked by the emperor is evidence to the contrary. Peter I could not stand the fools, considering them one of the worst woes of the state. The location of the royal person was obtained largely due to the fact that in the 1712 year, having been captured together with his commander Shafirov in Constantinople, Volyn remained loyal to Russia and the sovereign.
In addition, Artemy Pavlovich was sent by the emperor to Persia as an ambassador. The essence of the order was to study the state structure and conclude important trade agreements on providing Russia with certain advantages in trade. For his diligence and intelligence, Volynsky received the rank of adjutant general, which was a high honor even for a high-born court prince. In 1719, Artemy Pavlovich expects a new post of governor in Astrakhan. The energetic and young governor put in order administrative affairs, held a number of economic events. Volynsky's activities were aimed at securing and organizing the Persian campaign.
Trust in Artemy Pavlovich grew with each new business and enterprise. In 1722, his brilliant career, as well as his favor on the part of the imperial house, allowed him to ask for the hand of Peter Alekseevich’s cousin, and to receive blessings for that. The wedding took place with all the luxuries, but the elevation of Volyn did not suit everyone. Soon the "well-wishers" whispered to the emperor that Artemiy Pavlovich had considerable wine in the failures of the campaign against Persia. The king for a long time rejected such versions, but soon the fact of bribery was confirmed, and luck turned away from a successful dignitary.
According to contemporaries, Pyotr Alekseevich was furious and even beat the greedy subject with his club. It should be said that the love of profit was peculiar to Volyn, it was a defect ineradicable in its nature. After such a shameful punishment, Artemy Pavlovich was removed from the thick of political events, but he did not stop taking bribes. However, it was possible to avoid a strict court, since Ekaterina, who ascended the throne, was merciful to the guilty, but honored official. The Empress remembered his wife Alexander Lvovich Naryshkina and appointed the outraged Volynsky Governor of Kazan and the head of the local Kalmyks. Experience in the administration of Artemy Pavlovich was enormous, and he coped well with the tasks. However, even during this period, due to his quick-tempered and even somewhat violent nature, he was removed from his post, which Cherkassy and Dolgoruky helped him to return to.
The lack of restraint and frequent fits of anger nevertheless forced the government to remove Volynsky from the post of Kazan governor in 1730. Alas, a very intelligent and talented administrator could not control his behavior and often got involved in ugly skirmishes and even fights, and bribery began to take on the character of robbery. The amazing property of thinking and analyzing was combined in this person with a complete lack of tact and any self-control.
Again, Artemy Pavlovich was attracted to the state by the patronage of his longtime benefactor Saltykov, who, in all likelihood, recommended his candidacy to Biron. Levenvold, Biron and Minich were for Volynsky only a means to achieve a prestigious and profitable position, but he shared his political views completely different. Tatishchev, Khrushchev and other secret opponents of the "German clique" who criticized the dominance of foreigners and offered their own projects to transform the country, were frequent guests of his simple home. To call Artemy Pavlovich a fool was a big mistake on the part of the famous historian Shishkin. The keen mind of this man helped to endeavor first to himself the whole German elite, surrounding Anna Ioannovna, and then the empress herself. Respect for the intellectual level, experience and merit of the prince was so significant that he was forgiven for harsh statements and excessive straightforwardness even in relation to very influential persons. For some time, Munnich considered him his loyal servant and the “bright head” of Russia. The prince deserved the special love of the capricious empress for the skilfully prepared wedding in the Ice Palace, which later was legendary.
Simultaneously with the development of plans for internal changes, which are so necessary, according to Volynsky and his associates, in Russia, Artemy Pavlovich participates in the siege of Danzig in 1733 as commander of the detachment in the year, in 1736 receives the title of Obermegermeister, and in 1737 is the second minister in Nemirov. Volynsky’s trouble was only in that he became Biron’s weapon in the struggle against Osterman, and the weapon was very unpredictable and narcissistic. Prim and restrained Germans could not accept the hot temper and vices of the Russian prince, despite his bright head. Soon he became burdensome and even dangerous for the powerful Biron.
The fact is that among other things Volynsky suffered and excessive ambition. Approaching the empress and understanding her, to put it mildly, lack of education, which was especially noticeable when solving matters of state importance, the prince began to claim the role of the first person in the country. In 1739, he made, perhaps, his main mistake - he handed a letter to Anna Ioannovna, exposing his patron. An attempt to report on Biron was harshly suppressed, and Volynsky fell into disfavor. Biron belonged to the politicians vindictive and vindictive, and he did not forgive the attempt to betray his protege.
From this moment on, an influential German begins to actively provoke Volynsky's hot temper, in which the court jester Trediakovsky helps him. Early next year, the provocation succeeds. Trediakovsky publicly called Artemy Pavlovich a hare, hinting at his political views and a quick disgrace. The sharpness of the joke was expressed in the fact that, associating the prince with one of the favorite types of hunting prey of the empress, Trediakovsky expressed his assumption about the future fate of the prince, emphasizing his small importance for the imperial court. The selfish prince could not remain calm and, apart from swearing words, according to some data himself, and on others, through his servants, beat the joker. The fight took place in the chambers of the Duke of Biron of Courland, which became the basis for his fair indignation and complaint to the empress. In his address, Biron pointed out that Artemy Petrovich had become not only unbearably rude, but shamelessly pugnacious, as a result of the latter he was removed from work.
However, the duke did not intend to stop at what he had achieved, since Anna Ivanovna, according to unverified information, still had some sympathy for his wayward rival. Biron decided to take advantage of the empress's discontent and reminded her of attempts at moralizing and even the instructive tone of the guilty subject, but the ruler was still in doubt. Then, at the request of the German, audits and inspections of the post of Volyn were carried out, as a result of which numerous thefts were immediately identified. The crime was obvious, and according to the imperial laws in force it was supposed to perpetrate the trial of the guilty. The prince was placed under house arrest, but he behaved as before, trying to denounce his enemies.
However, Artemy Pavlovich, as has already been said more than once, was never a fool and soon realized that the situation was developing in the most unfavorable direction. He could no longer influence the development of events, and there was no way to expect help. Soon the torture began. One of the prince's servants, a certain Vasily Kubanets, apparently bribed, gave testimony about a certain conspiracy and that the organizer was precisely his lord. Soon, many of the inner circle also admitted under the most severe torture of their guilt and intention to overthrow the empress. The testimony even appeared information that Volynsky himself decided to ascend to the Russian throne. As evidence, the works of the prince, based on the utopia of T. Mora, were used. Despite the fact that the prince himself did not admit the conspiracy, he was found guilty. The sentence was very harsh. Artemy Petrovich was decided to impale, after cutting out the tongue.
The Empress hesitated at the time of the approval of the verdict, which once again indicates that she was supportive of the unfortunate. Her decision was made under pressure from Biron and only on the third day. Anna Ivanovna still softened the punishment, replacing the count by cutting off the arms and head. Some historians say that replacing one type of death penalty with another is not at all a favor, but in this case it was just condescension. Putting a criminal on a stake was the most brutal murder, and the executioners so captured this kind of torture that they could delay the process for several hours. Particularly valued were executioners who were able to insert a wooden stake in such a way that the victim remained alive for a longer time. The empress knew that the powerful Biron would be able to find the craftsmen of such a terrible act, so the replacement was just grace.
The execution took place in public on the Square of the Nourishing Market. Artemy Pavlovich went to his death with his head held high, but already cut out the language, so he did not have to ask people for forgiveness according to the ancient Russian custom. The head was cut off on a memorable day of the Battle of Poltava, in which 27 was executed on June 1740. The bright head of the Russian devotee, but the absurd prince with a dull thud fell on a wooden platform. It was the moment of the celebration of “Biron” at the Russian land.
Artemy Petrovich Volynsky at a cabinet meeting
Artemy Petrovich Volynsky belonged to an ancient noble family, was born in 1689 year, although the exact date is not known. Due to the loss of reliable information about the specific age of this person, some historians indicate different years. The childhood of a future statesman and a brawler was spent in a typical pre-Petrine home. This circumstance, coupled with the severe God-fearing upbringing, left a deep imprint on the personality of Artemy Petrovich. However, the strict disposition of his father, as well as daily humble prayer, did not cool the ardor of young Volyn. Artemy had not only a difficult character, he was a clever man, but sharp and even explosive.
Having barely reached 15 years, Volynsky went to serve in the dragoon regiment and already in 1711, he participated in the Prut campaign in the rank of captain. A brave, talented young man quickly stands out from the crowd, as a result of which he notes Peter Alekseevich. Attempts to portray Artemy Petrovich as a stupid and rude man made by some historians are unfounded. The mere fact that Volynsky was particularly marked by the emperor is evidence to the contrary. Peter I could not stand the fools, considering them one of the worst woes of the state. The location of the royal person was obtained largely due to the fact that in the 1712 year, having been captured together with his commander Shafirov in Constantinople, Volyn remained loyal to Russia and the sovereign.
In addition, Artemy Pavlovich was sent by the emperor to Persia as an ambassador. The essence of the order was to study the state structure and conclude important trade agreements on providing Russia with certain advantages in trade. For his diligence and intelligence, Volynsky received the rank of adjutant general, which was a high honor even for a high-born court prince. In 1719, Artemy Pavlovich expects a new post of governor in Astrakhan. The energetic and young governor put in order administrative affairs, held a number of economic events. Volynsky's activities were aimed at securing and organizing the Persian campaign.
Trust in Artemy Pavlovich grew with each new business and enterprise. In 1722, his brilliant career, as well as his favor on the part of the imperial house, allowed him to ask for the hand of Peter Alekseevich’s cousin, and to receive blessings for that. The wedding took place with all the luxuries, but the elevation of Volyn did not suit everyone. Soon the "well-wishers" whispered to the emperor that Artemiy Pavlovich had considerable wine in the failures of the campaign against Persia. The king for a long time rejected such versions, but soon the fact of bribery was confirmed, and luck turned away from a successful dignitary.
According to contemporaries, Pyotr Alekseevich was furious and even beat the greedy subject with his club. It should be said that the love of profit was peculiar to Volyn, it was a defect ineradicable in its nature. After such a shameful punishment, Artemy Pavlovich was removed from the thick of political events, but he did not stop taking bribes. However, it was possible to avoid a strict court, since Ekaterina, who ascended the throne, was merciful to the guilty, but honored official. The Empress remembered his wife Alexander Lvovich Naryshkina and appointed the outraged Volynsky Governor of Kazan and the head of the local Kalmyks. Experience in the administration of Artemy Pavlovich was enormous, and he coped well with the tasks. However, even during this period, due to his quick-tempered and even somewhat violent nature, he was removed from his post, which Cherkassy and Dolgoruky helped him to return to.
The lack of restraint and frequent fits of anger nevertheless forced the government to remove Volynsky from the post of Kazan governor in 1730. Alas, a very intelligent and talented administrator could not control his behavior and often got involved in ugly skirmishes and even fights, and bribery began to take on the character of robbery. The amazing property of thinking and analyzing was combined in this person with a complete lack of tact and any self-control.
Again, Artemy Pavlovich was attracted to the state by the patronage of his longtime benefactor Saltykov, who, in all likelihood, recommended his candidacy to Biron. Levenvold, Biron and Minich were for Volynsky only a means to achieve a prestigious and profitable position, but he shared his political views completely different. Tatishchev, Khrushchev and other secret opponents of the "German clique" who criticized the dominance of foreigners and offered their own projects to transform the country, were frequent guests of his simple home. To call Artemy Pavlovich a fool was a big mistake on the part of the famous historian Shishkin. The keen mind of this man helped to endeavor first to himself the whole German elite, surrounding Anna Ioannovna, and then the empress herself. Respect for the intellectual level, experience and merit of the prince was so significant that he was forgiven for harsh statements and excessive straightforwardness even in relation to very influential persons. For some time, Munnich considered him his loyal servant and the “bright head” of Russia. The prince deserved the special love of the capricious empress for the skilfully prepared wedding in the Ice Palace, which later was legendary.
Simultaneously with the development of plans for internal changes, which are so necessary, according to Volynsky and his associates, in Russia, Artemy Pavlovich participates in the siege of Danzig in 1733 as commander of the detachment in the year, in 1736 receives the title of Obermegermeister, and in 1737 is the second minister in Nemirov. Volynsky’s trouble was only in that he became Biron’s weapon in the struggle against Osterman, and the weapon was very unpredictable and narcissistic. Prim and restrained Germans could not accept the hot temper and vices of the Russian prince, despite his bright head. Soon he became burdensome and even dangerous for the powerful Biron.
The fact is that among other things Volynsky suffered and excessive ambition. Approaching the empress and understanding her, to put it mildly, lack of education, which was especially noticeable when solving matters of state importance, the prince began to claim the role of the first person in the country. In 1739, he made, perhaps, his main mistake - he handed a letter to Anna Ioannovna, exposing his patron. An attempt to report on Biron was harshly suppressed, and Volynsky fell into disfavor. Biron belonged to the politicians vindictive and vindictive, and he did not forgive the attempt to betray his protege.
From this moment on, an influential German begins to actively provoke Volynsky's hot temper, in which the court jester Trediakovsky helps him. Early next year, the provocation succeeds. Trediakovsky publicly called Artemy Pavlovich a hare, hinting at his political views and a quick disgrace. The sharpness of the joke was expressed in the fact that, associating the prince with one of the favorite types of hunting prey of the empress, Trediakovsky expressed his assumption about the future fate of the prince, emphasizing his small importance for the imperial court. The selfish prince could not remain calm and, apart from swearing words, according to some data himself, and on others, through his servants, beat the joker. The fight took place in the chambers of the Duke of Biron of Courland, which became the basis for his fair indignation and complaint to the empress. In his address, Biron pointed out that Artemy Petrovich had become not only unbearably rude, but shamelessly pugnacious, as a result of the latter he was removed from work.
However, the duke did not intend to stop at what he had achieved, since Anna Ivanovna, according to unverified information, still had some sympathy for his wayward rival. Biron decided to take advantage of the empress's discontent and reminded her of attempts at moralizing and even the instructive tone of the guilty subject, but the ruler was still in doubt. Then, at the request of the German, audits and inspections of the post of Volyn were carried out, as a result of which numerous thefts were immediately identified. The crime was obvious, and according to the imperial laws in force it was supposed to perpetrate the trial of the guilty. The prince was placed under house arrest, but he behaved as before, trying to denounce his enemies.
However, Artemy Pavlovich, as has already been said more than once, was never a fool and soon realized that the situation was developing in the most unfavorable direction. He could no longer influence the development of events, and there was no way to expect help. Soon the torture began. One of the prince's servants, a certain Vasily Kubanets, apparently bribed, gave testimony about a certain conspiracy and that the organizer was precisely his lord. Soon, many of the inner circle also admitted under the most severe torture of their guilt and intention to overthrow the empress. The testimony even appeared information that Volynsky himself decided to ascend to the Russian throne. As evidence, the works of the prince, based on the utopia of T. Mora, were used. Despite the fact that the prince himself did not admit the conspiracy, he was found guilty. The sentence was very harsh. Artemy Petrovich was decided to impale, after cutting out the tongue.
The Empress hesitated at the time of the approval of the verdict, which once again indicates that she was supportive of the unfortunate. Her decision was made under pressure from Biron and only on the third day. Anna Ivanovna still softened the punishment, replacing the count by cutting off the arms and head. Some historians say that replacing one type of death penalty with another is not at all a favor, but in this case it was just condescension. Putting a criminal on a stake was the most brutal murder, and the executioners so captured this kind of torture that they could delay the process for several hours. Particularly valued were executioners who were able to insert a wooden stake in such a way that the victim remained alive for a longer time. The empress knew that the powerful Biron would be able to find the craftsmen of such a terrible act, so the replacement was just grace.
The execution took place in public on the Square of the Nourishing Market. Artemy Pavlovich went to his death with his head held high, but already cut out the language, so he did not have to ask people for forgiveness according to the ancient Russian custom. The head was cut off on a memorable day of the Battle of Poltava, in which 27 was executed on June 1740. The bright head of the Russian devotee, but the absurd prince with a dull thud fell on a wooden platform. It was the moment of the celebration of “Biron” at the Russian land.
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