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The Princess Tarakanova: A Dark Chapter of Russian History by G. P. Danilevski (Author)

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The 'pretender princess' who tried to steal a throne

Princess Tarakanova was a pretender to the Russian throne. She styled herself, among other names, Princess of Vladimir, Fräulein Frank, and Madame Trémouille.

Tarakanova claimed to be the daughter of Alexei Razumovsky and Elizabeth of Russia, reared in Saint Petersburg. Even her place of birth, however, is not certain, and her real name is not known. She is known to have traveled to several cities in Western Europe; she became a mistress of Philipp Ferdinand of Limburg Stirum and lived off his money in the hope that the count would marry her.

To protect her reign, Catherine the Great set a clever trap for Princess Tarakanova—a royal impostor whose true identity remains a mystery.

She was eventually arrested in Livorno, Tuscany by Alexei Grigoryevich Orlov, who had been sent by Empress Catherine II to retrieve her. Orlov seduced her, then lured her aboard a Russian ship, arrested her, and brought her to Russia in February 1775. She was imprisoned in the Peter and Paul Fortress, where she died of tuberculosis that December. She was buried in the graveyard of the Peter and Paul Fortress.












A popular theory postulates that her death was faked and she was secretly forced to take the veil under the name "Dosifea." This mysterious nun was recorded as living in Ivanovsky Convent from 1785 until her death in 1810.
An 1864 painting by Konstantin Flavitsky depicts the legend that this impostor was killed by a 1777 flood. In reality, she had died in 1775.
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Comments

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Bib, Thank you for your thoughtful responses. I am an inveterate bibliophile too. My husband, also a 3rd generation American of Russian heritage, has been known to
proclaim that we live in a library. I willingly read almost anything in six languages
and I do enjoy creative writing , but I have never aspired to writing a novel. I, too, worked as a librarian in college , but my assignment was librarian for the Mathematics Department, where I came to a profound understanding of he word, "ennui." I would love to see pictures of your wonderful library that you lovingly described." Pepperpot/
Lisa.

Bibliophile

Bjresh/Barb, You are quite welcome, If you were directing you
question to me, about being a librarian, I can answer that easily.

Before attending the University, while I was working on my Associates in Science at a local Jr. college, I did work-study in the library, this was thrilling, as I was able to view the new books that
had arrived before they were put on the shelves, I cataloged and labeled them. Really built up the muscles in my arms, not all were
light weight novels.

To me a Library is like a treasure chest, full of knowledge and adventures, I have felt that way since I was in grade school. I even wrote a paper on that subject, while in college, the University library
was built in 1903, so lovely, architectural style is Gothic including
Gargoyles, inside and out.

The great reading room has vaulted ceiling with quite a few wooden angels holding up the wooden beams on either side of the room. The
aisle floors in the old section are of lights encased between
section of glass. I have seen only one other library like it. I could go
on and one but I will send you a puzzle of the library architecture
and interior of the reading room.

So that is my experience with the library, probably should have
stayed in that field, but I didn't.

Hugs my friend, Bib

I would like to make mention of Pepperpot's writing style, plus
her creative imaginings. Do you agree, that it is very impressive?
I hope to see more of it, and surely Pepperpot has made use of this writng talent in her life time, I would not be surprised in the least if she has written a novel or two or three, she certainly has the talent for it.

I would be thrilled to have had even a couple of pink rejection
slips in my life time, seems as though my children's father had a
couple of those years back.

Bibliophile

PWH, I find your postings, entertaining and enjoy them as well.
Keep up the good findings. Take care, and keep safe. Bib

Bibliophile

Pepperpot, I am truly honored that you have chosen to visit and
make a comment, and that you as the new Empress of Russia will allow me the position to be the Royal Court Librarian, I will certainly make every attempt to fulfill your expectations.

My maternal and paternal ancestors, have direct ascendency to
Russia, my paternal ancestors came from there in 1874, making
me a third generation American. Theirs was not the most memorable
of times spent there, I hope that things are a lot different now, but
I doubt they are any better. However, the time of which you speak
is much earlier, but still dangerous, so that is yet to be seen.

I hope that will be thoroughly entertained while reading in
Russian the book you have ordered from Amazon, and that
you will find that your learned knowledge from years past
will enable to you freely skim thru the pages in a an orderly
fashion. Bib :-)

Bibliophile

karenmaxine, thank you for the visit, comment and I am glad you enjoyed the story and the puzzle. Bib

Bjresh

Wow, @Pepperpot, wish I could do that, but am very tempted to get a reprint!!
Thanks so much for the smaller option, Dollfriend, you are very Kind. I too enjoy the backgrounds. Were you a librarian perchance ;-))). ??

In Russian tradition, I hereby announce my direct descent from Princess Tarakanova's secret son and proclaim myself the rightful Empress of Russia. When I take residence in the wonderful Summer Palace at St. Petersburg, (assuming that I won't already have been assassinated ) one of my first official acts will be to name Bibliophile the Royal Court Librarian with impressive remuneration. In reality, you inspired me to look the book up on Amazon and find a variety of editions and even of named and anonymous
authors. I have decided to bite the bullet and order what appears to be the original book in Russian by Danilevskij. It has been a number of years since I last read a book in Russian (Anna Karenina) so it will be a good challenge while we sequester. Thanks!.

Thanks for the interesting story about this puzzle! I enjoyed reading about the princess and solving The puzzl.

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