Maria Naryshkina

Maria Antonovna Naryshkina (Russian: Мария Антоновна Нарышкина; 1779–1854), born Princess Maria Czetwertyńska-Światopełk, was a Polish noblewoman who was the mistress of Tsar Alexander I of Russia for 19 years.<ref name=rbth>Template:Cite web</ref>

Early life

Born into the House of Światopełk-Czetwertyński, she was the daughter of the Polish prince Antoni Stanisław Czetwertyński-Światopełk and his wife, Tekla von Kampenhausen (1750–1791).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Biography

In 1795, she married Dmitry Lvovich Naryshkin (1758–1838), a hofmeister. In 1799, with her spouse's approval, she entered into a relationship with Alexander, who became tsar in 1801. She was well-liked by Alexander's family, except by his consort, the empress Elizabeth Alexeievna.

She is described as fascinating and charming, with the ability to attract people, and called "The Aspasia of the North". Phillip Vigel wrote that she had beauty "so perfect that it seemed impossible".<ref name=rbth/> In 1803, she made an attempt to have Alexander divorce his spouse and marry her, but she failed. She accompanied the tsar to the Vienna Congress in 1815, which gave him bad publicity.

She had at least four illegitimate daughters by Alexander. Three of them (two named Yelizaveta and one named Zinaida) died in infancy, and the other, Sofia, lived to aged 16. She also had a son, Emanuel, who wasn't admitted by her husband and was possibly also the tsar's child.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref>

Her children were:

• Marina Naryshkina (1798 – 11 August 1871)
• Yelizaveta Naryshkina (born and died 1803) [The correct year of birth is 1802]<ref>TsGIA SPb. F.19. op.111. d.138-3. With. 246. Metric books of the Church of the Transfiguration in Koltovo</ref>
• Yelizaveta Naryshkina (born and died 1804) [The correct year of birth is 1803 and name is Elena]<ref>TsGIA SPb. F.19. op. 111. d. 133 p. 323. Metric books of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ under the EIV Cabinet.</ref>
• Zinaida Naryshkina (1806 – 18 May 1810)
• Sofia Naryshkina (1808 – 18 June 1824) [The correct year of birth is 1805]<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Emanuel Naryshkin (30 July 1813 – 31 December 1901)

Alexander was persuaded to leave her in 1818 and went back to his wife, Elizabeth. He continued to talk of her as his family.

References

• Mistresses of Russian Royalty, Including: Anna Pavlova, Natalia Brasova, Maria Naryshkina, Catherine Dolgorukov, Pauline de Rothschild, Princess Olga Template:ISBN
• Troyat, Henri Alexander of Russia: Napoleon's Conqueror Dutton Adult; First edition. edition (January 31, 1983) Template:ISBN