Elizabeth of Russia, in Russian spelled Yelizaveta Petrovna, was the youngest daughter of Tsar Peter the Great and Martha Skaronska, later styled as Empress Catherine I, his wife. Following the old calendar, she was born on the December 18th 1709 (or December 29th, according to the new calendar) nearby Moscow, in Russia.
Her legitimacy would be questioned throughout her life, as her mother was not a high born lady by the time she married to Tsar Peter. Nevertheless, Elizabeth was "officially proclaimed a princess (tsarevna) on 6 March 1711 and crown princess (tsesarevna) on 23 December 1721", turning the princess a good match to her suitors.
During her childhood, she would be raised according the French culture, learning its language and habits, as it was believed she'd be Louis XV's Queen consort. But this legitimacy on her mother's side was questioned so the marriage never happened. However, others suitors came to propose: from Prince George of England until the King of Spain, but she declined them to the fondness she kept to Prince Carl August of Holstein-Gottorp, but, before they'd marry, the prince died.
With her education placed under foreigner tutors, Elizabeth found in music and dancing a passion that would last her lifetime. Another habit of hers was riding, by which she proved to be an excellent horsewoman. As for her appearance, it was said she was tall and beautiful, with ash-blonde hair. Below, we can have an idea of how she was seen through other's eyes thanks to the writings of the Duke of Liria, an Spanish ambassador that stayed at Peter's court that time:
"Princess Elizabeth... is a beauty the like of which I have never seen. The colour of her face is remarkable. She has flaming eyes, a perfect mouth, the whitest neck and a remarkable body. She is tall and extremely lively. She dances well, rides without the smallest fear and is intelligent and pleasant in conversation."
With the abolishment of the law of succession, signed by Tsar Peter, Supreme Council could choose the heir to Russia's crown. Elizabeth would not become Empress until years later. In a paralell with the English Queen Elizabeth Tudor, the tsarevna would have to wait until she was crowned Tsarina herself. Her lifestyle was one very carefree, often being the centre of attentions in balls, being very popular with the army and a major part of Russians, who were complaining that, compared to Tsar Peter the Great's reign, Empress Anna's lost all of its prestigeous to the Germans she favoured. Despite the threats Anna did to Elizabeth, especially by exiling this latter's lover, the tsarevna would not bow down. In this fragment, it is better perceptible their relationship and how the late beloved tsar's daughter had caused its impression with the Russians.
"By 1740, however, Elizabeth had matured; she was frustrated by her cousin, Empress Anne's, vindictiveness as a political leader and the perpetual threats of banishing Elizabeth to a nunnery. As Empress Anne lay on her deathbed, the people hoped that Elizabeth would take the throne. Instead, she was passed over in favor of Prince Anton and Anna Leopoldnovna’s newly born son, Ivan VI, on whose behalf his mother, served as regent. Secret agents acting on the orders of the Regent Anna watched Elizabeth day and night. Anna was worried that Elizabeth would incite a revolt against her, because Anna recognized that as a foreigner, the Russian populace distrusted her, while Elizabeth was a favorite of the guards and loved by the people.
On November 25, 1741, Elizabeth was ready to take her place among the annals of Russian political leaders. She began her coup d’état by praying in a private chapel with a silver cross in hand. Then, with the help of her political supporters, Elizabeth arrested Regent Anna's husband, advisors, and person, consequently establishing herself as Empress."
Apparently, when she seized the throne, "Elizabeth Petrovna addressed three hundred grenadiers. Holding up the cross, she asked the men: "Who do you want to serve? Me, the natural sovereign, or those who have stolen my inheritance?"
By the promise of not executing anyone, this princess became Empress Elizabeth of all the Russias. Her twenty years reign is remembered for the opening of universities, advancement in culture and her fair rule. Indeed, she kept the promise of not executing any person whilst she lived by suppressing death penalty from the justice system. She was also proudly welcomed by her subjects. As the daughter of her father, she tried to bring back his reforms and the glory of his days. She banished Empress Anna's favourites back to Germany, and turned the official language spoken at court to French. To the positions in her government, only Russians were appointed, as well as dismissing "the Cabinet of Ministers and restoring the Senate". Basically, "her guideline was to keep a foreigner at his post only if no Russian could do the job".
In the meantime, she used her skills in diplomacy, much against popular belief she disliked politics (although it is true Empress Elisabeth was not very fond of managing her government, rather leaving to her favourites this task, she was not an incompetent ruler herself and never ran from duties), and resolved frictions Russia had with Sweden long before her reign, and as well chiefed the Alliance of France, Russia and Austria against Prussia in the Seven Years's War. She donated much to Ortodoxe Church and opened Universities too. Another benefict she brought to Russia back to those days can be atested in the following fragment:
"The development of industry and commerce led to an economic boom during the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna. European demand for Russian iron equalled 100% of its production. The abolition of internal customs in 1754 increased trade and the national income."
But even so, the diminishment of an active rule she displayed previously in government was set aside to her enormous enjoyment in parties and fashion. Music, gowns, balls... all of this held her attention. St Petersburg became the centre of an enlighted culture. Many ambassadors were found there, either from Western Europe or not.
In the meantime, her personal life did not go unnoticed however successful she was as the Empress of Russia, committing to bring back the glory her predecessors lost. As Elizabeth Tudor was in life, Elizabeh Petrovna officially never married. She had countless favourites and lovers, perhaps a man by the name of Oleksa Rozum, with whom it is said she secretly married and had children with. Oleksa was a musician at court and, due to his favoured position before the Empress, held many titles and positions. But, unlike Elizabeth Tudor and her Robert Dudley, their love did not last long.
The reason of why both women remained unmarried and went through to achieve their goals as Empress and Queen of distant kingdoms and different ages are related to family. Although Elizabeth Tudor had an unhappy childhood, unlike Elizabeth Petrovna, those women were prosecuted by relatives afraid to lose their crown. And to keep it, they would share it with no one else.
Empress Elizabeth I of Russia had a life that many also compared to Marie Antoinette in matters of lifestyle, but her character was unique and so were the events she brought Russia. Unfortunately, as many other rulers, she is forgotten by time and not many people are aware of her deeds, especially with the rule of Catherine the Great in the next generation. Elizabeth died then single and childless on December 25, 1761, leaving to her beloved country a Tsar that ruined many of her achievements, her inconvenient nephew Peter II.
Sources:
http://departments.kings.edu/womens_history/elizabethtsar.html
http://russiapedia.rt.com/prominent-russians/the-romanov-dynasty/elizaveta-petrovna/
http://www.rusartnet.com/biographies/russian-rulers/romanov/tsaritsa/elizabeth-petrovna
http://www.biography.com/people/elizabeth-of-russia-38006#early-life
http://www.grayareasymposium.org/blog/580
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