Read The Romanovs 1613–1918 Summary Online

Scene 1: The Brideshows

The first scene, titled "The Brideshows", opens Act I by spotlighting the chaotic birth of the Romanov dynasty in 1613, amid Russia’s Time of Troubles. It underscores key historical and personal elements that shaped the dynasty’s early foundations:

• The Time of Troubles:
  Following Ivan the Terrible’s death, Russia descended into civil war and foreign invasion. With no clear ruler, this period of anarchy saw rival factions and foreign powers vying for control, leaving the nation vulnerable and leaderless.

• Michael Romanov’s Rise:
  At just 16 years old, Michael Romanov, a frail boy with weak legs and a facial tic, was thrust onto the throne. Chosen by a desperate assembly of nobles, clergy, and Cossacks at the Ipatiev Monastery, his election marked the end of turmoil and the start of Romanov rule.

• The Brideshow Tradition:
  To secure legitimacy, the early Romanovs relied on brideshows—elaborate beauty contests where noble Russian girls were presented to the tsar. This custom, overseen by Michael’s formidable mother, Nun Martha, aimed to forge strategic marital alliances and stabilize the fledgling dynasty.

This scene sets the stage for understanding how the Romanovs emerged from desperation, intertwining personal frailty with political necessity in a land scarred by chaos and ambition.