We take a closer look at the tragic life of Alexei Nikolaevich Tsarevich of Russia, the Romanov Tzar Russia never had.
If you have a particular interest in the monarchy of various countries, you’ll no doubt be aware that Russia has some of the most interesting stories to ever be told.
Today, we’re looking at the eye-opening, yet tragic, story of Alexei Nikolaevich Tsarevich of Russia.
Who was Alexei Nikolaevich Tsarevich of Russia?
Alexi Nikolaevich was a former Tsarevich of Russia, who, in 1918, was murdered, along with the rest of his family.
Born in St Petersburg at the beginning of the 20th century to Tsar Nicholas II, who was the last monarch of Russia, his birth which had been long anticipated was celebrated with great revelry all across the country.
To mark his birth, amnesty was granted, along with shorter prison sentences, cash rewards, and even medals.
Sadly, the golden child was diagnosed with haemophilia B, which was a life-threatening health condition causing excessive bleeding, that plagued him from just two months of age.
Because of this, he was protected as best he could be, but as children will be children, he would occasion trip over, bump himself, and scrape himself. The difference here is that, whereas these would cause a child to cry, experience pain for a short while, and make a full recovery, poor Alexi could potentially bleed to death from a minor scrape to the knee.
His mother actually contacted Rasputin, a mystic healer with close ties to the royal family. As a result of this, Alexi’s family also became close to the royal family, though this unfortunately created discontent.
Rasputin
On the 5th of September, 1912, whilst visiting the royal’s hunting retreat, Alexi bumped himself on an oarlock of one of the family’s rowing boats, which resulted in a vicious hematoma that slowly began to heal.
A month later, whilst driving through the woods, Alexi’s hematoma ruptured and it was feared he would bleed to death.
His mother contacted Rasputin who replied right away, telling them to ensure that doctors didn’t bother the child too much.
The child recovered, and it is believed that Rasputin helped him by stopping him from using aspirin for the pain, which is a notorious blood thinner.
Death
Alexei Nikolaevich Tsarevich of Russia joined his father at Stavka in 1915 during WW1.
He took to military life and began to play with the soldiers and eat the same meals as they did, despite being from a privileged background.
During the February Revolution of 1917, the Imperial Family was imprisoned and Alexi often complained of being bored and some say he would even tempt fate by injuring himself on purpose whilst playing.
In 1918, just one month before his 14th birthday, Alexi and his family were murdered by the Bolsheviks.
Alexi was shot and stabbed multiple times in the torso, but nothing seemed to kill the child.
Unbeknownst to the Bolshevik Secret Police, he wore a shirt made of rare gems under his clothing, which protected his torso.
Sadly, he was shot twice in the head at point-blank range before being thrown into an abandoned mineshaft with the bodies of the rest of his family.
Feature Image: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons