Documents on the Role of Prince Vasily Dolgorukov in the Case of Tsarevich Alexei (1718)

Abstract

Prince Vasilii Dolgorukov was one of the charismatic figures of the Petrine epoch when he came to the fore among the closest associates of Peter I. He proved himself as a talented military commander and an active administrator. He enjoyed a special trust of Peter, who gave him difficult assignments. V. Vl. Dolgorukov’s career was suddenly cut short in 1718, when the case of Tsarevich Alexei, Peter’s heir, began. During the investigation in 1718, Alexei betrayed a lot of people involved in his escape, including Dolgorukov. It turned out that at the time of the aggravation of conflict, when the tsar demanded that his son reject the throne and become a monk, Dolgorukov tried to establish relations with the prince to gain his favor in the case of the death of the tsar. However, this attempt failed as he was an adversary for the circle of Alexei. Therefore, Alexei and his supporter A. V. Kikin tried to discredit Prince Dolgorukov during the investigation. They largely succeeded. Prince Dolgorukov could not refute most of their testimonies. He was saved from the death penalty by the petitions of influential figures and the fact that he was not involved in organizing the escape of the tsarevich. The archival documents published for the first time (materials of the investigative case of Prince V. Vl. Dolgorukov) allow us to consider the whole intrigue around Dolgorukov; the complex tense situation at the court; the relationships between people at the time of the conflict between Peter and Alexei, and during the investigation of the case of Tsarevich Alexei.