8 The morning of March 13: Benckendorff, 3. “Owing to the state of her children’s health”: ibid., 5. “When a house is burning”: Gilliard, 211. The railway lines would be cut: Benckendorff, 5.
9 “We could not leave”: Gilliard, 211.
10 “Lili, they say that a hostile mob”: Dehn, 155. The troops defending the palace: Benckendorff, 6–7.
11 “It’s just like being on the yacht”: Dehn, 153. The rebels were on their way: Gilliard, 212.
12 “The scene was unforgettable”: Buxhoeveden, 255. Benckendorff displeased: Benckendorff, 8. “Some inward exaltation”: Dehn, 156.
13 Extra blankets: Benckendorff, 9.
14 “How astonished Papa will be”: Dehn, 158.
15 “Perhaps the blizzard detains him”: ibid., 158. “Address of person mentioned unknown”: Vyrubova, 209; Bykov, 32.
16–17 White handkerchiefs: Benckendorff, 14–15. “In the hands of the Duma”: Dehn, 160. “Why, Madame? In the name of God, why?”: ibid., 162.
18 Electricity and water: ibid., 67, 160; Buxhoeveden, 256. “I must not give way”: Dehn, 163.
19 The leaflets: Benckendorff, 16–17.
20 “Abdiqué!”: Dehn, 165. “I saw her in Alexis’s room”: Gilliard, 213. “She was deadly pale”: Buxhoeveden, 261–2.
21 State of siege lifted: Benckendorff, 18.
22 “The Emperor is on the phone”: Dehn, 174. “You know?”: Buxhoeveden, 264.
23 Guchkov’s visit: Benckendorff, 20–2. “Bloodsuckers!” Buxhoeveden, 266.
24 Queen Victoria’s letters: ibid., 91. “A fierce fire”: Dehn, 176.
25 Troops electing officers: Benckendorff, 25. Chevalier Guards: Buxhoeveden, 267–8.
26 Kornilov arrests Alexandra: Benckendorff, 30–5. Sitting together at a table: Bulygin, 190.
27 Kornilov addresses the suite: Benckendorff, 31. “Lackeys!”: Bulygin, 191.
28 “The soldiers of the new guard:” Benckendorff, 38.
29 Gilliard’s explanation to Alexis: Gilliard, 214–15.
30 Killing the deer: Benckendorff, 39.
31 “I went quietly downstairs”: Dehn, 185–7.
32 Nicholas’s arrival at the station: Kobylinsky, 170. “This offensive comedy”: Benckendorff, 43. “Nicholas Romanov”: Buxhoeveden, 271.
33 “His Majesty, the Emperor”: Dehn, 188.
34 Nicholas wept: Vyrubova, 212.
CHAPTER 30 CITIZEN ROMANOV
1 “The Emperor was deathly pale”: Dehn, 189.
2 Arrangements for outdoor exercise: Benckendorff, 33, 48.
3 “You can’t go there, Gospodin Polkovnik”: Vyrubova, 213.
4 “The crushing grip of the Revolution”: Dehn, 190.
5 Three armored cars at Tsarskoe Selo: Kerensky, Murder, 110.
6 “I found the Emperor with his sick children”: Benckendorff, 50.
7 Burning of Rasputin’s body: Paléologue, III, 266; Kerensky, Murder, 105; Kobylinsky, 172.
8 “Like the survivors of a shipwreck”: Vyrubova, 218.
9 “The roads too dirty”: Botkin, 142.
10 Letters, telephone calls, toothpaste tubes and chocolate bars: Benckendorff, 34; Buxhoeveden 285–6.
11 Soldiers at the sickroom door: Benckendorff, 52.
12 “The man only wanted cushions”: Buxhoeveden, 284.
13 “He was dozing”: Dehn, 192.
14 Stealing gold trinkets: Buxhoeveden, 285.
15 “Where is Alexei?”: Vyrubova, 211. “Don’t hang about here”: Gilliard 222.
16 “Derevenko … bawled at the boy”: Vyrubova, 222.
17 The film performances: Benckendorff, 95–6.
18 Lessons resumed: ibid., 78–9.
19 “Good morning, dear colleague”: Gilliard, 228.
20 “The Tsar accepted all these restraints”: ibid., 216.
21 Nicholas followed military and political events: Kobylinsky, 179. “The Soldiers’ Committee refused. What humiliation!”: Gilliard, 229. “Our love of exaggeration”: ibid., 229.
22 Easter service: ibid., 221, 225; Benckendorff, 68; Buxhoeveden, 296–7; Paléologue, III, 319.
23 “Luxuries unnecessary for prisoners”: Buxhoeveden, 286.
24 “I’m only an Ex”: Dehn, 199. Alexandra believes the country still loyal: Buxhoeveden, 275.
25 Prince Lvov’s letter and Grand Duke Nicholas’s reply: Hanbury-Williams, 179, 182.
26 “Citizen Romanov” and “Alexandra the German”; Paléologue, III, 257.
27 The menu: Almedingen, 209. “If Nicky killed a few more”: ibid., 209–10.
28 Kerensky’s speech to the servants: Benckendorff, 54; “He was dressed in a blue shirt”: ibid., 55. “His manner was abrupt and nervous”: ibid., 55–6.
29 Kerensky and Vyrubova: Vyrubova, 223–4.
30 “Everything is going well”: Benckendorff, 59.
31 “A state of feverish agitation”: ibid., 59.
32–33 Kerensky’s first meeting with the Imperial family: Kerensky, Murder, 122–3.
34 “The white hand of the Empress”: Vyrubova, 225.
35 “By suffering we are purified”: Dehn, 215.
36 “A group of white-clad figures,” Anna Vyrubova and Lili Dehn leave Tsarskoe Selo for the last time: Vyrubova, 226; Dehn, 215.
37 Inhuman to separate a mother from her sick children: Benckendorff, 66.
38–39 Kerensky’s interview with Alexandra: ibid., 75–6. “Your wife does not lie”: ibid., 76.
40 Kerensky’s interview with Nicholas: ibid., 77.
41 “Kerensky’s attitude toward the Tsar is no longer what it was”: Gilliard, 227. “The confidence which the Emperor felt in Kerensky increased”: Benckendorff, 77. “He is a man who loves Russia”: Pares in the Introduction to Kerensky, Murder, 15.
42–43 Bayonet in the bicycle spokes: Buxhoeveden, 299. “Not for anything in the world”: Kobylinsky, 177. “What have you got against me?”: Benckendorff, 71.
44 The crowds whistle and jeer: Kerensky, Murder, 114; Bulygin, 192.
45 Alexandra talks to the soldier: Buxhoeveden, 300, Benckendorff, 80.
46 Colonel Kobylinsky: Kobylinsky, 167–8; Benckendorff, 91; Bulygin, 189–90. “My last friend”: Bulygin, 190.
47 The toy-gun episode: Benckendorff, 83; Gilliard, 230–1; Kobylinsky, 177.
48 The kitchen garden and cutting firewood: Benckendorff, 79–80; Gilliard, 229–31.
49 Red and green lights: Benckendorff, 87; Gilliard, 232; Kerensky, Murder, 114–15.
50 “Our Captivity at Tsarskoe Selo”: Gilliard, 217–18.
CHAPTER 31 “HIS MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INSIST”
1 “Simply human beings”: Kerensky, Murder, 112.
2 “It’s a mistake”: Buchanan, II, 73.
3 “I will not be the Marat of the Russian Revolution”: Kerensky, Crucifixion, 161.
4 “He should lose no time in getting away”: Paléologue, III, 253.
5 “It’s the last chance”: ibid., III, 258.
6 Lloyd George’s speech: quoted by Pares, 260; by Paléologue, II, 43.
7 Lloyd George’s telegram: Lloyd George, 507. The decision to invite the Russian Imperial family: Nicolson, 300.
8 Buchanan’s conversations with Miliukov: Buchanan, II, 104–6.
9 “The Republic must be safeguarded”: Bykov, 33. One scornful Bolshevik writer, ibid., 35.
10 Provisional Government pledges to the Soviet that the sovereigns will remain in Russia: Paléologue, III, 268. Miliukov cannot deliver
11 King George V’s telegram: Buchanan II, 103; Paléologue, III, 278. Text of the telegram: Nicolson, 299.
12 The King and Queen … were asking for news of their Russian relatives: Gilliard, 222.
13 “Nothing has yet been decided”: Lloyd George, 512.
14 “His Majesty’s Government does not insist”: Kerensky, Murder, 117.
15 “An excuse for rousing public opinion against us”: Buchanan’s message quoted by Lloyd George, 512.
16 Bertie’s letter: quoted by Lloyd George, 514.
17 The plan suspended until early summer: Kerensky, Murder, 116–17.
18 “The British Government’s final refusal”: ibid., 118.
19 “Not masters in their own house”: Buchanan, II, 106. Meriel Buchanan’s account of the episode: Meriel Buchanan, 195–7. Lloyd George “probably would have given such advice”: quoted by Meriel Buchanan, viii a.
20 “An unseaworthy Ark”: Lloyd George, 480. “A crown without a head”: ibid., 483. “This country cannot be … held responsible”: ibid., 516.
21 “His Majesty cannot help doubting”: Nicolson, 301. The King suggests that Britain withdraw its offer: ibid., 301.
22 The Duke of Windsor’s recollection: Windsor, 131.
23 “We older ones …”: Payne, 252.
24 “Our tactics”: Fischer, 108. “Ilyich did not sleep”: ibid., 108.
25 “A plague bacillus”: Churchill, World Crisis: The Aftermath, 71.
26 Lenin’s return: Trotsky, I, 295–8; Moorehead, 184–7.
27 Lenin’s initial failure: Trotsky, I, 309–11; Florinsky, 1401–3; Fischer, 128. “Why, that is raving”: Trotsky, I, 310. “Lenin was a hopeless failure”: Paléologue, III, 302.
28–29 Trotsky in America: Kennan, 31–2. The Root Mission, ibid., 19–23.
30 The Kerensky offensive: Florinsky, 1409–10. Nicholas’s happiness: Benckendorff, 94. The “July Uprising”: Florinsky, 1431. “More than a demonstration but less than a revolution”: ibid., 1432.
31 “The Bolsheviks are after me”: Pares in Introduction to Kerensky, Murder; Benckendorff, 98.
32 Kerensky’s search for a haven: Kerensky, Murder, 119. “I chose Tobolsk”: ibid., 120.
33 “I have no fear”: ibid., 121.
34 The suite: Benckendorff, 99.
35 “The ceremony was poignant”: ibid., 103.
36 The family’s departure a secret: Kerensky, Murder, 128.
37 “No hitting a man when he is down”: Kobylinsky, 183; Bykov, 40; Kerensky, Murder, 128.
38 “Colonel Kobylinsky’s orders”: Bulygin, 194. The soldiers refuse to work: Benckendorff, 105–6.
39 Grand Duke Michael: Benckendorff, 107. “How is Alix? How is Mother?”: Kerensky, Murder, 129.
40 “Is that Uncle Misha?”: Kobylinsky, 184.
41 “Weeping like any ordinary woman”: Kerensky, Murder, 130.
42 The soldiers cursed and grumbled: Benckendorff, 108. The officers would not sit with Nicholas Romanov: ibid., 110.
43 Nicholas could freely return: ibid., 107.
44 Departure from Tsarskoe Selo: ibid., 111–12; Gilliard, 234–5.
CHAPTER 32 SIBERIA
1 The train to Siberia. Stocked with wines: Benckendorff, 121. Gems worth a million roubles: Wilton, 74. Suite and servants: Bykov, 40, and Kobylinsky, who lists them by name, 187–8.
2 Train routine: Kerensky, Murder, 131. Walks by the track: Benckendorff, 121.
3 Heat, shades drawn: N’s Diary, quoted by Kerensky, Murder, 134.
4 Stopped at Perm: Kobylinsky, 185.
5 The boat trip: Kerensky, Murder, 135. Pokrovskoe and Rasputin’s house: Gilliard, 239–40; Yussoupov, Rasputin, 28–9.
6 Arrival in Tobolsk: Kerensky, Murder, 132–3; Gilliard, 240; Benckendorff, 121; Botkina, 37.
7 Tobolsk and the governor’s house: Botkin, 156; Botkina, 39; Gilliard, 240.
8 Kornilov house: Benckendorff, 122; Bulygin, 194.
9 Enclosed yard: Gilliard, 240. Suite has free access: Gibbs, in Wilton, 244.
10 Attitude toward the Imperial family. Townspeople: Gilliard, 242. Soldiers: Bykov, 60.
11 Pankratov and Nikolsky: Kobylinsky, 190–1; Bulygin, 196; Botkina, 42.
12 “Not wishing to infringe the rules of politeness”: Pankratov, With the Tsar in Tobolsk, quoted by Bykov, 43–4.
13 Pankratov’s tales: Wilton, 61.
14 “We were once ordered by the police”: Kobylinsky, 191.
15 Case of wine: Bykov, 45; Botkina, 43.
16 Political education of the soldiers: Bulygin, 196. “The result of these lectures”: Kobylinsky, 192.
17 The Kornilov affair: Florinsky, 1436–42.
18 “History will not forgive us”: Florinsky, 1445.
19–20 The October/November Revolution. There are innumerable accounts of the Bolshevik coup d’état. Most draw heavily on John Reed’s vivid eyewitness account, Ten Days That Shook the World. I also consulted Trotsky, III, 200–75; Florinsky, 1447–50; and Kennan, 4–6, 71–3. “The Provisional Government appeals”: Reed, 103;
21 “Kerensky … merely hung around the revolution”: Trotsky, I, 183.
22 “The Tsar regret his abdication”: Gilliard, 243.
23 “Lessons began at nine”: Vyrubova, 311.
24 “One by one all earthly things”: ibid., 313.
25 “It is bright sunshine”: ibid., 314–16.
26 “A real ice house”: Gilliard, 253.
27 “Today there are 29 degrees of frost”: Vyrubova, 325.
28 “You never know when they might be useful”: Gibbs, in Wilton, 256.
29 “We often sit in the windows”: Vyrubova, 309.
30 The plays: Botkina, 49. “I want to talk to you”: ibid., 50.
31 “In this atmosphere of family peace”: Gilliard, 243.
32 Christmas. “The children were filled with delight”: Gilliard, 246. Ribbons and waistcoats: Vyrubova, 302. The church service: Kobylinsky, 194–5; Bykov, 48, 53.
33 “I heard an extraordinary noise”: Bykov, 54. “They have weapons”: Kobylinsky, 196.
34 The epaulets. 100 votes to 85: Gilliard, 251. “After dinner”: ibid., 252. “I felt I could bear it no more”: Kobylinsky, 197–8.
35 “All the old soldiers … are to leave us”: Gilliard, 253.
36 The snow mountain: Gilliard, 252–5. The Soldiers’ Committee disapproves: Kobylinsky, 196. “The soldiers with a hang-dog look”: Gilliard, 255.
37 Obscene words: Kobylinsky, 198; Gilliard, in Wilton, 229.
38–39 Money. Kobylinsky arrived entrusted with a large sum: Benckendorff, 127. The sums stopped coming: Kobylinsky, 197. An anonymous offer of enough for six months: Benckendorff 129. An advance of 20,000 roubles: Kobylinsky, 197. “Nicholas Romanov … must be put on soldier’s rations”: ibid., 199; Bykov, 57. “Since everyone is appointing committees”: Gilliard, 255. Eggs, sweetmeats and delicacies: Bykov, 44–5.
40 “The strange thing about the Russian character”: Vyrubova, 318.
41 “Today is Carnival Sunday”: Gilliard, 256.
CHAPTER 33 GOOD RUSSIAN MEN
1 “From there … via Japan”: Kerensky, Murder, 118.
2 The family not be separated: Gilliard, 256.
3 Mysterious visitors with fine-combed beards: Botkina, 45; Bykov, 47.
4 Margaret Khitrivo: Kerensky, Murder, 138–9; Bulygin, 195–6.
5 “My lord, you bear the name of St. Hermogen”: Bykov, 48.
6 Benckendorff’s efforts: Pares, 486. Soloviev’s leadership; ibid., 486.
7 Who was Soloviev?: Bulygin, 197; Bykov, 50–1; Pares, 486.
8 “I went to Anya’s house last night”: Bulygin, 198.
9 “Gregory’s family and his friends are active”: Bulygin, 198. “The
10 Brotherhood of St. John of Tobolsk”: ibid., 199. “Three hundred faithful officers”: Bykov, 57.
11–12 Soloviev in Tyumen: Bulygin, 199–201. Soloviev arrested by the Bolsheviks, ibid., 211. Siberia to Berlin: ibid., 211, 216. Petrograd banker: ibid., 216. Romanova marries a Bolshevik: ibid., 215. A German agent?: ibid., 217. Released: ibid., 207.
13 “The royalists were captained by the traitor Soloviev”: Kerensky, Murder, 27. Agreement that Soloviev was a Bolshevik agent and possibly also a German agent: Wilton, 131–3.
14 Alexandra dreamed of English gardens: Vyrubova, 340. “God will not leave it like this”: ibid., 336.
15 The wooden sled on the stairs: Botkina, 56. Wor
st since Spala: Gilliard, 258–9. “He is frightfully thin and yellow”: Vyrubova, 338. “Yesterday, for the first time …”: ibid., 339.
16 “The atmosphere is … electrified”: ibid., 341.
17 Loss of territory at Brest-Litovsk: Fischer, 287. One Russian general shot himself: Botkin, 172.
18 “Suicide,” “a disgrace for Russia”: Gilliard, 257. “To think that they called Her Majesty a traitor”: Bulygin, 202. “I should never have thought the Emperor William …”: Gilliard, 257.
19 “After what they have done to the Tsar”: ibid., 257.
20 The Red Urals: Bykov, 61. Bring the family to Ekaterinburg, ibid., 62–3.
21 The Omsk detachment: Bulygin, 203. “Good Russian Men”: ibid., 201, 203, 205; Bykov, 58. “His Majesty tells me”: Gilliard, 258.
22 Zaslavsky: Kobylinsky, 202.
23 Yakovlev: ibid., 202; Bulygin, 206–8. Had tea with the Tsar: Gilliard, 259.
24 “Your Majesty” and “Bonjour, Monsieur”: Bulygin, 208. “Everyone is restless and distraught”: Gilliard, 259.
25 “The first document was addressed to me”: Kobylinsky, 203. Yakovlev visits the Tsarvich: ibid., 204; Gilliard, 259. “We feel we are forgotten by everyone”: Gilliard, 260.
26–27 “I have received an order”: Kobylinsky, 205. “After lunch at two o’clock”: ibid., 205. “I refuse to go”: Bulygin, 208.
28 “They want to force me to sign”: Kobylinsky, 206; Bulygin, 209, 222. “I shall also go”: Kobylinsky, 206. “The commissar says that no harm will come”: Gilliard, 260.
29–30 “But Mother, if Father has to go”: ibid., 261.
31 “Doctors demand immediate departure”: Bulygin, 221; Bykov, 67. “Unfortunately we have no data”: Bulygin, 221; Bykov, 67; Benckendorff, 135. “Had to submit”: Bulygin, 221.
32 Yakovlev nervous: Koblinsky, 207. “It makes no difference to me”: Bulygin, 209.
33–34 “Mama, Mama!”: Gibbs, in Wilton, 249. “I am convinced the river will overflow”: Bykov, 68.
35 The last evening in Tobolsk: Gibbs, in Wilton, 250. “This splendid serenity”: Gilliard, 262.
36 The tarantasses: Gilliard, 262; Gilliard’s deposition in Wilton, 234. The Empress sends Gilliard to Alexis: Gilliard, 263. Yakovlev’s courtesy: Kobylinsky, 209; Bulygin, 209.
Nicholas and Alexandra: The Tragic, Compelling Story of the Last Tsar and his Family Page 75
