It was a difficult time. I had to look through a bunch of girls and choose the most desirable one. It is now possible to conduct various auditions and shows. And before, everything depended on the sovereign, because if he was out of sorts, then they sent almost something wrong to Siberia. How did the most important bride show go?
In the 15th-17th centuries, the tsars of the Muscovite kingdom had an unusual way of choosing their future spouse - a review of brides. Its participants were sure to be distinguished by their beauty, excellent health and virgin purity. There was fierce competition among the families of the boyars, so that the final choice fell on their daughter. The results of these medieval castings influenced not only the fate of one or another eminent family, but also the historical and political development of Russia.
"The choice of a bride by Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich" Painting, 1882 - by artist Grigory Semyonovich Sedov
In these centuries, the marriage of a Russian tsar to a representative of Europe from the royal family was incredibly problematic. The first is her life far from her homeland, in isolation in some unknown and wild lands. Second, the kings opposed the adoption of Orthodoxy by their beloved daughters.
"Boyarsky wedding feast". Painting, 1883, author artist Makovsky Konstantin Egorovich
It was also not easy to become relatives of noble Russian families. Despite the apparent omnipotence of the tsars of the Moscow kingdom, in reality they depended on the boyars. Wanting to put their daughter on the throne, each boyar family engaged in murky intrigues and fought for influence.
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"Choosing a Grand Ducal Bride". Painting by artist Repin Ilya Efimovich, 1884 - 1887
For the first time such a choice was made by Vasily Ivanovich, who later became Tsar Vasily III. He borrowed this tradition from Byzantium and from 1505 for two centuries it was used in Russia.
First, the sovereign sent his ambassadors to all corners of the kingdom to announce a special royal decree. It said that every young girl of the boyar family was to appear at the "regional bride". Among the numerous selection parameters for brides were tall height, beauty and health. Candidates from large families were especially singled out. And, of course, they checked how politically reliable the bride's family was.
"Down the aisle". Painting, 1884, author artist Makovsky Konstantin Egorovich
The number of participants reached 500 - 1500 beauties. The screening took place over several rounds. The judges were doctors and courtiers. It was here that the time of intrigue began to promote his child and drag him to the final. More promising candidates were removed from the competition by organizing collusion among boyar families.
The selection can be compared to the TV show "The Bachelor". Only a few beauties made it to the finals - only a few dozen.
They were all dressed in fine clothes and lived in a huge, beautiful house. Entering the royal chambers, each of the pretenders bowed to the king at the feet. With his own hands, he presented the girl with a scarf embroidered with gold or silver thread and pearls.
"The future bride of Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich." Engraving of the early 1670s by Maria Khlopova
"Choosing a Bride". Painting, author artist Nikitin Sergey
While dining and talking privately with the girls, the Emperor watched them closely. This helped him choose the most worthy wife for himself. Having finally decided on the choice, he presented the narrowed with a gold ring. It was in 1505 that Vasily III made a choice in favor of Solomonia Saburova.
"The first meeting of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich with the noblewoman Maria Ilinichna Miloslavskaya." Painting by artist Nesterov Mikhail Vasilievich, 1887
The remaining finalists either became the wives of influential boyars or went back home with money and expensive gifts with them. Someone was exiled to the Siberian lands as punishment. It depended on the mood of the sovereign.
"The wedding of Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna." Painting by artist Repin Ilya Efimovich, 1894
Bride shows ceased to be fashionable in the last years of the 17th century. The Romanov family often liked to marry European princesses. Thus, the Russian state gradually influenced the policy of the West, and more specifically of Europe.