Imperial Court

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IMPERIAL COURT, Russian Emperors' court personnel, organized by Emperor Peter the Great according to French and Prussian courts, finally brought under strict regulations during Emperor Nikolas I's reign. The Imperial Court consisted of people having special court ranks divided into 1st and 2nd court, court cavaliers (Gentlemen-in-Waiting, Gentleman of the Monarch's Bedchamber), and ladies (Maids of honour). In the first quarter of the 18th century, the number of court ranks did not exceed more than several dozen people; by 1917 it roses up to 1600 people. Their main duties were to participate in court ceremonies (Imperial Entrances, weddings, christening, burials of Emperors and members of the Imperial Family). From the early 19th century, court occupations no longer corresponded with real duties, and became a way to reward civil servants and individuals favoured by the court. Many officials and important art figures received them, including Alexander Pushkin (Gentleman of the Monarch's Bedchamber), Prince P.A. Vyazemsky (Chief Cupbearer, Oberschenk), P.A. Valuev (Gentleman-in-Waiting), and P.A. Stolypin (Chamberlain). Only the Empress' Maids of Honour's duties were preserved during the 19th century, and they lived in the Winter Palace. All of the Imperial Court business was managed by the Ministry of the Imperial Court.

References: Шепелев Л. Е. Чиновный мир России, XVIII – начало XX в. СПб., 1999; Волков Н. Е. Двор русских императоров в его прошлом и настоящем. М., 2003.

Y. A. Kuzmin. Nicholas I, Emperor
Peter I, Emperor
Pushkin Alexander Sergeevich
Stolypin Peter Arkadievich
Valuev Peter Alexandrovich
Vyazemsky Peter Andreevich, Duke
Волков Н. Е. Двор русских императоров в его прошлом и настоящем. М., 2003
Шепелев Л. Е. Чиновный мир России, XVIII - начала XX в. СПб., 1999 Winter Palace
Ministry of the Imperial Court