This novel by Alexei Nikolayevich Tolstoy is historical, but a simple chronology of events cannot express it even the most brief content. "Peter 1" Tolstoy is filled with events from the life of not only real historical figures - Tsar Peter, Menshikov, Lefort, Charles XII, etc.
On its pages are characters endowed by the writer with typical features of representatives of the most diverse sections of the population of a huge country. They live and die, they speak in a language whose expressiveness can be appreciated only by reading the book page by page.
General structure
The novel consists of three volumes or books. At the center of the story is the autocrat of the Romanov family, who became the first to be called the All-Russian Emperor - Peter 1. The summary of the novel is the initial period of his tumultuous reign, from the time of the joint marriage to the kingdom with his half brother Ivan to the first victories in the war with Sweden for going to To the Baltic Sea.
The events of the first book take time from 1682 to 1698. Summary “Peter 1” Alexey Tolstoy, book one: The young Tsar Peter Alekseevich understands the need for reforms of the European type, wins the struggle for power with his sister Sophia, which relies on the archery regiments.
"Peter 1": a summary of the chapters
Book I. The first volume contains 7 chapters.
A.N. Tolstoy, "Peter 1", a summary of the chapters of the first book:
Chapter 1, parts 1-5: Ivashka Brovkin - a cunning and strong man, on the orders of the master - Vasily Volkov - sends his son Aleshka with a convoy to Moscow. There Alyoshka is robbed, he is lost in the capital's settlements.
Part 6. Tsar Fedor Alekseevich dies of scurvy. His sister Sofya, one of the daughters of the first wife of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, Maria Miloslavskaya, claims to the kingdom. Nearby boyars choose the kingdom of a healthy and lively Peter, son of the second wife of Alexei Mikhailovich - Natalia Naryshkina.
Parts 7-18. Aleshka Brovkin meets his peer - the adventurous and quick-witted, precocious Alexashka Menshikov, who escaped from home from the beating of his father. They are hired by the merchant to sell pies, and then they witness the armed action of the archers, instigated by supporters of Sophia, who shouted that the Naryshkins killed the tsar’s heirs. Patriarch Joachim shows the living Peter and Ivan, but the demands of the crowd are fulfilled: a joint wedding on the throne of Ivan and Peter, above them - Sophia.
Book I. Chapter 2. Summary of "Peter 1" Tolstoy AN:
Parts 1-3. The schismatics are trying to raise the archers to a riot "for the old faith", Sophia collects the nobles and quenches the turmoil. Aleksashka gets acquainted with the boy Peter, and fleeing from his father by chance, he finds himself in the German settlement - Kukuy, where he is taken by Franz Lefort. On Kukui, Peter also appears hiding from boring nannies. Lefort shows a curious king a lot of new and interesting.
Parts 4-6. Vasily Vasilievich Golitsyn - a man of progressive views, can not resist the demands of his mistress - Sophia - to go "to fight the Tatars." There are no opportunities for war.
Parts 7-11. Peter, with the help of foreigners, is engaged in the training of a "funny army". Kukuytsam impressed with the energy and curiosity of the young Russian monarch.
Peter likes the attitude of the inhabitants of the German settlement to work and to fun. He is dizzy by the young beauty Anna Mons. Aleksashka was able to become necessary for Peter and he is appointed royal imperial prisoner.
Book I. "Peter 1", a summary. Chapter 3:
Parts 1-2. Inglourious trip to the south of Vasily Golitsyn. Suffering from starvation and intense heat, the Russian army finally stops the steppe fire. The Ukrainian hetman Samoilovich is accused of arson. The author of this denunciation - Mazepa - himself becomes the ruler of Ukraine.
Parts 3-5. In Preobrazhensky, where Peter and his mother live, the fighting efficiency of the amusing regiments — Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky — intensifies, which causes concern for Sophia. Alexashka enjoys growing confidence with Peter and recommends him a new drummer - Alyosha Brovkin. The behavior of the young tsar is condemned by mother Natalya Kirillovna and her boyar environment. The tsarina wants to marry Peter to Evdokia Lopukhina. The cousin of Vasily Golitsyna Boris supports Peter's initiatives in word and money.
Part 6. Vasily Golitsyn offers the Boyars Duma mutually beneficial cooperation with French merchants to meet the needs of the troops, and receives a swaggering refusal.
Parts 7-8. The father of Anna Mons dies. Peter agrees to get married.
1689 year. Marriage
Book I. A.N. Tolstoy "Peter the First", summary. Chapter 4
Parts 1-5. Alyosha Brovkin with the help of Menshikov escapes from the beating of his father, who brought grocery dues to his master - Volkov. At first Ivan does not recognize his son, then by pretense he asks for a huge amount - more than three and a half rubles.
The wedding of Peter and Evdokia is played according to the ancient rite, but on the eve the young king escapes to Anna Mons at night, and a month later he leaves for the shipyard in Pereslavl. The second Crimean campaign of Golitsyn ends with heavy losses on both sides.
Parts 6-10. With the money of his son, Ivan Brovkin raised his household and began to grow rich. After the war with the Tatars, poverty, robbery and robbery intensify. Everyone wants the matter to be decided sooner in someone’s favor: Sophia or Peter. Streltsy bosses, at the direction of the ruler, organize a conspiracy to kill Peter and his mother. An uncle, Lev Kirillovich Naryshkin, comes to Peter, talks about Sophia’s conspiracy, awakening childhood fears in him and provoking a convulsive seizure.
Parts 11-15. During the church service, Peter enters into open conflict with Sophia, who, during the procession, undertook to carry the icon, which should be done only by the royal male. Golitsyn’s entourage prompts him to take decisive action against the inhabitants of Preobrazhensky, but he hesitates. Tsar’s captain Vasily Volkov, sent by Peter for reconnaissance, was captured by archers and brought to Sophia for interrogation. Fulfilling the king’s order to be silent, he aroused the anger of Sophia, who ordered that his head be chopped off. But there was no executioner volunteer among the archers, and Volkov was secretly released. The streltsy leaders appoint a speech at midnight, and a group of guardsmen, not believing in success, decide to send two messengers to Peter to warn of danger.
Part 16. Peter and his entourage understand that if the entire streltsy army rises, the forces of the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments will not be enough. It was decided to go to Trinity Lavra under the protection of the monastery walls and the patriarch. Peter's nerves are at the limit. As soon as the archers enter with a warning about the impending alarm, in a panic, the naked man jumps to Trinity.
Parts 17-19. Sophia is unable to strike the alarm. Almost all of her supporters go to the side of Peter, and she herself is not allowed into the Trinity. Following the instructions of Lefort, Peter behaves in accordance with the wishes of his mother, evoking the approval of Natalya Kirillovna and her entourage.
Parts 20-23. Sophia is completely defeated. She was transferred from the Kremlin to the Novodevichy Convent, her most ardent supporters are executed and tortured. Vasily Golitsyn, whom his brother Boris saved from execution, was sent to exile to the north. Peter's associates are granted money and land. Everyone is waiting for executions, but the young autocrat did not chop heads.
Beginning of sole rule
Book I. A.N. Tolstoy "Peter the First", a summary of the chapters. Chapter 5
Parts 1-5. Lefort becomes a true friend and chief adviser to Peter. In the Lefortovo palace, Peter hears from foreigners about the inability of the Russians to conduct business, about the savagery of their customs.
Parts 6-7. Patriarch Joachim demands that Peter protect the Orthodox faith from foreign heretics and expel the Germans from Russian soil. The king surprises him with his firmness and asks not to interfere with his plans. Evdokia reproaches her husband with a relationship with Anna Mons, they quarrel.
Parts 8-12. The runaway servant Gypsy and the blacksmith Kuzma Zhemov asked "to the artel" to the same homeless sufferers - Ovdokim and Judah, in order to get food by right or wrong thing. Like them, many people went into the woods to rob or hid from the authorities, holding on to the old faith like schismatics.
Parts 13-16. Peter not only indulges in revelry, but continues to build a new country. In Arkhangelsk, where settlements of overseas merchants have long been, he personally sees the difference in the living standards of foreigners and Russians, and starts a serious conversation with Lefort about the main goals for the future. He hears from him about going beyond the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, about the war with Sweden for going to the Baltic. In everyday affairs: complaints of robbery, bribery and the first Russian "komertsienrat" - the organization of merchants for international trade.
Part 17. Natalya Kirillovna, mother of Peter, dies. Having quarreled with his wife, he seeks solace from Anna Mons.
Parts 18-21. Artel Ovdokima, having robbed on the Tula roads, broke up, and Gypsy and Zhemov went to hard labor at an arms factory. The war in the south becomes inevitable - it was pushed by foreign allies and internal forces. The Duma called for collecting the militia.
Part 22. The life of Ivan Brovkin has changed dramatically: former relatives and villagers fell into dependence on him, he was given a row for oats and hay for the army, his daughter Sanka came to marry for the former gentleman - Vasily Volkov - Tsar Peter himself.
Book I. Summary, “Peter 1” by A. Tolstoy: Chapter 6.
In February 1695, a campaign began to the lower reaches of the Dnieper and to the Azov fortress. At the head was the governor Boris Petrovich Sheremetyev, and the tsar went with the army as a scorer Peter Alekseev. In the capital, Prince Caesar Fedor Romodanovsky remained to rule, whom they feared. The army went down to the lower Volga, where it was supposed to replenish supplies. Due to the theft of contractors, this was difficult - only Brovkin fulfilled his obligations as needed. Azov could not be taken from a swoop, the Russians suffered heavy losses. A long siege with trenches began. The Turks received support from the sea, where they hosted - troops and supplies were brought in, so the siege failed. An open assault was also repulsed. Lefort and other military advisers considered it necessary to transfer the military company to next year. But Peter insisted on another assault from land and from the sea. Only when he was recaptured and lost two third of the troops, it was decided to retreat - so ingloriously ended the first Azov campaign.
1696 year. Capture of the fortress of Azov
Book I. Summary, “Peter 1”, A. Tolstoy: Chapter 7.
Part 1. Two years later, much has changed in the country, but the main thing is that the king matured. After the “Azov’s failure”, he immediately left near Voronezh, where the construction of new ships began. At a great price, a fleet was built. In May, Azov was besieged and taken two months later. After Peter's triumphant return to the capital of the boyar Duma, it remained only to meekly approve the new royal decrees on the construction of the fleet, on the digging of the Volga-Don canal, on the education of noble children abroad, etc.
Part 2. Peter decides to go to Europe for the support of his policy and for new knowledge. He travels as part of a large embassy under the name of Peter Mikhailov. The departure was delayed by the rout of the Cossack conspiracy led by Sophia's former ally, Colonel Zykler.
1697-1698. Great embassy
Parts 3-7. As part of the embassy, Peter visits Koenigsberg, where he makes an alliance with the Brandenburg elector, inspects iron factories and workshops, and receives a certificate of artillery training. He is struck by a reasonable and tidy lifestyle, he dreams of introducing such a safe lifestyle in Russia.
Part 8. Peter and his companions make a strong impression on the reception, organized by the Elector's wife and his daughter. They strike Germans with their energy, curiosity and rude manners.
Parts 9-11. In Holland, Peter works at a shipyard in the town of Saardam, lives with a carpenter whom he knew from Voronezh, leads the simplest way of life, although he does not stay incognito for long. He is interested in everything, happens everywhere - both in the tavern and in the anatomical theater. In England, he studies mathematics, learns to draw ship plans, and hires specialists in maritime affairs. A lot of money is spent on weapons, tools and various curiosities. Meanwhile, rumors appear in Moscow about the death of the king abroad and his substitution. In the streltsy regiments, standing on the northern and southern borders, there are letters from Sophia demanding to go to the capital to place her in the kingdom.
Parts 12-13. Peter realizes the duplicity of European politics, and in Moscow Ivan Brovkin brings to Prince Caesar Romodanovsky the news of the archery regiments coming up to the capital.
Parts 14-17. Sagittarius, having no unity in plans, were shot from cannons by battalions loyal to the king. Peter, interrupting the voyage, returns to the capital.
1698 year. Streletsky riot
Parts 18-21. After returning, Peter arranges a demonstrative shaving of boyar beards, without meeting his wife, goes to the German settlement to Anna Mons. For a long time the terrible tortures and executions of the participants of the Streltsy turmoil last. Byzantine Russia ended.
In 1698 - 1703, the second book, Peter the Great, takes place. Summary of the second volume.
With the help of numerous supporters of people of simple origin, Peter is building a new industry, a new fleet, a new trade. The war for access to the Baltic begins with severe defeats.
Book II. "Peter the First," a summary of the chapters: Chapter 1.
Parts 1-2. It’s gloomy in Moscow, there is no trade, dissenters prophesy troubles, they call to go north to the monastery or to the Don, to prepare a new confusion.
Parts 3-4. Prince Buinosov of those who do not like new customs, new clothes, new nobles - without a clan and tribe.
Sanka Brovkina - Alexandra Ivanovna Volkova - teaches his daughters a politeness, and they envy her.
1699 year. Death of Lefort
Parts 5-7. Peter lost a true friend: Franz Lefort died. At a magnificent funeral, some are sad, others are gloating.
Parts 8-9. Peter teaches merchants how to set up a trading business in a new way; schismatics want to live in the old way.
Parts 10-12. At the Voronezh shipyards, the construction of a large fleet is being completed. Peter works as a blacksmith apprentice and a carpenter. The idea of the need for peace with the Turks and the inevitability of war in the Baltic are getting stronger. The conclusion of peace with the Sultan is helped by the appearance, unexpected for the Turks, of the Russian fleet on the Black Sea, passing through the shallow waters of Azov.
A.N. Tolstoy, “Peter the Great,” a summary of the volumes: Book II. Chapter 2
Part 1. Lieutenant Alexei Brovkin with a detachment gathers people at the sovereign’s service in the White Sea monasteries.
Part 2. At a social reception at Anna Mons Petra talk about the young Swedish king Karl. They assure him of an easy victory.
Part 3. The house of Ivan Brovkin is arranged in a foreign manner. The gathered guests discuss secular news and rumors about a future war with the Swedes.
Part 4. The Swedish ambassadors did not wait for Peter to confirm the peace treaty. The Russian tsar, however, sends a secret proposal for a military alliance against Charles to the Polish king.
Part 5. Young Karl sends his mistress Ataly to spy on the Polish king Augustus.
Part 6. Peter marries the younger Brovkin for Princess Buinosova from an ancient noble family. He is surprised at Artamon's education. Alexandra Volkova with her husband goes to Europe, experiencing the attack of robbers along the way.
Part 7. In Moscow, from the recruited peasants, foreign officers are preparing a regular army.
Part 8. Alexey Brovkin collects recruits along the northern hermitages. The schismatic elders are ready to burn people, if only they would not serve the anti-christ king.
Entering the Julian calendar
Part 9. By the decree of Peter, a new chronology is introduced, the beginning of the new 1700 is celebrated.
A.N. Tolstoy, “Peter 1,” a summary in parts and chapters: Book II. Chapter 3
Part 1. The whole courtyard and noble people go to Voronezh on the solemn descent of the new huge ship "Predestination" and the whole flotilla. At the height of the holiday, news came of the start of the Polish-Swedish war.
Part 2. The wolves on their way to Paris are delayed visiting first at the Polish gentry, then at King Augustus. Alexandra is a great success. The Polish king begins the war and asks Volkov to convey a request for military assistance to Peter. Volkov goes to the king. Alexandra remains to wait at the Polish court.
Part 3. Atalia informs Karl of the difficult situation of the Polish king and calls on him to military exploits. Karl enthusiastically begins the war: with the support of the Anglo-Dutch fleet attacking Copenhagen.
Part 4. Peter reads petition on the widespread bribery and theft of government officials. For poor-quality cloth for uniforms Menshikov is beaten. It gives Demidov the Ural plants, demanding in return high-quality and inexpensive weapons.
Northern war with Sweden
Book II. A.N. Tolstoy, "Peter the Great," a brief summary in parts. Chapter 4
Parts 1-2. The world with the Turks was signed with the loss of some Azov conquests, and in Moscow a royal decree was announced on the war with Sweden.
Part 3. The war began with the siege of Narva. During the campaign, poor preparation became visible. Only the soldiers of the company of Alexei Brovkin treated the commander well. Foreign commanders and soldiers hated each other. A long shelling of the fortress did not bring success. Soon a large army came up, led by Karl. Peter leaves the commander in his place and goes to Novgorod to prepare the rear. The Swedes are winning.
Part 4. Peter learns about embarrassment, demands money from merchants for new guns and equipment for troops, from monasteries and parishes - people to defend Novgorod, severely punishes negligent and bribe takers.
Part 5. The king wants to take bells from the monasteries for guns and money for the war. Prince Caesar Fyodor Romodanovsky instead opens up a secret vault with treasures collected by Peter's father, Alexei Mikhailovich. They were kept in case of military need. “But I’ll take the bells anyway ...”
Book II. A.N. Tolstoy, “Peter the Great,” a summary in parts and chapters. Chapter 5
Part 1. Karl was dizzy with success, his army became one of the best in Europe. He defeated the troops of Augustus. He left the Schlippenbach corps on the Russian border. Peter fortified the fortresses, armed and trained the army all winter. The new fortress in Arkhangelsk in the summer rebuffed the Swedish fleet, the ship was captured. Sheremetyev at the head of the new army defeated Schlippenbach in winter apartments near Derpt, and six months later at Gummelshof, and there was no one to guard the Swedish coastal cities.
Part 2. After the capture of the fortress of Marienburg, Field Marshal Sheremetyev bought the girl Katerina, captured by that, from the officer and made him his housekeeper.
Parts 3-4. There is a confusion among the people — some hid from conscription and military recruitment over the hermitages and in the forests, while other schismatics themselves suggested that Peter organize ore mining and iron production. Canals are being built connecting rivers and seas for the passage of ships. After a fierce battle, Russian troops captured the fortress at the source of the Neva - Noteburg-Oreshek. Koenigsec, Anna Mons’s lover, accidentally died, and Peter found evidence of treason from him.
Part 5. Ivan Brovkin rejoices at the success of children. In Moscow, another fire. Peter plans to build a new capital on the banks of the Neva. He finally breaks with Mons. Menshikov tells him about Katerina, which he bought from Sheremetyev.
1703 year. The foundation of St. Petersburg
Parts 6-7. Factories are developing, the work of which is heavy bondage. The construction of a new capital begins. Peter meets Katerina.
The events of the final book of the novel cover the period from 1703 to 1704. Summary of Tolstoy, "Peter 1", the third book.
The young Russian autocrat shows extraordinary leadership talent and wins a number of victories over the best army of that time - the army of Charles XII.
Book III. "Peter 1" is a summary of the chapters. Chapter 1.
Parts 1-5. Peter's beloved sister - Natalya Alekseevna - is supporting her brother with all her might. She is engaged in the formation of his favorite Katerina, wants to make the royal court truly European. Other sisters of the tsar - Masha and Katka - dishonor his brother with stupidity and immorality. Prince Caesar Romodanovsky found their connection with the main enemy of Peter - Sophia.
Book III. Summary. Tolstoy "Peter 1". Chapter 2
Parts 1-4. Alexei Brovkin in St. Petersburg gathered all three brothers Brovkin. They command the construction of a new capital and a new fleet. Brothers talk about different things. Gavrila talks about a meeting with the royal sister Natalia. The fact that Karl, taking advantage of the European civil strife, ruins Poland and threatens Russia. Menshikov arrived and invited him to his governor's palace, where Peter soon arrived. At the table where the associates gathered, the king spoke of the need for a new assault on Narva.
Parts 5-6. Peter goes to the workers, sees how hard they live, how poorly they eat. One of them - Andrei Golikov - shows his work - an image of coal battle made by coal. The king decides to order him a portrait of Katerina and then send him to study abroad.
Book III. A.N. Tolstoy, “Peter the Great,” a summary of the chapters. Chapter 3
Parts 1-3. The Russian army, led by the tsar, comes to Narva. King Charles is chasing King Augustus all over Poland, hears compliments about his invincibility and learns about the Russian offensive from the envoy of the Polish king, who is waging a strange war between feasts and love pleasures, with the goal of pitting Karl and Peter.
Book III. Summary "Peter 1", Alexey Tolstoy. Chapter 4
Parts 1-3. The commandant of Narva Horn is not going to give up, hoping for a suitable detachment of Schlippenbach and the Swedish fleet. But the Swedes' ships were swept by a strong storm and the supply of the fortress ceased. Menshikov tricked him out of the fortress and destroyed about a third of the troops.
Parts 4-6. King Augustus, using the reinforcement of the Russian army, goes to Warsaw against Stanislav - the new king appointed by the Sejm. Karl chases. The main thing for both kings is to seize the treasury.
Book III. A.N. Tolstoy, “Peter the First,” a summary. Chapter 5
Parts 1-6. Gavrila Brovkin jumps to Moscow with a letter from Peter to Prince Caesar and with artist Andrei Golikov. In the house of Brovkin, they see a portrait of Alexandra Volkova in the form of Venus. Prince Romodanovsky, looking for a conspiracy, tortures a former priest who met with dissolute royal sisters Katka and Masha. Natalya Alekseevna asks Katerina about her life. They meet with Gavrila and have a fun feast with the mummers. After the feast, Natalya and Gavrila are left alone.
Book III. Summary of "Peter 1" Tolstoy. Chapter 6
Parts 1-7. Another victory was won - Yuryev was taken. The assault was difficult, the Sheremetev who commanded it suddenly lost energy, and came to life again when the tsar himself arrived. Peter calls Katerina to him. Menshikov is defeated by the Schlippenbach detachment, which was going to help Narva.
1704 year. The capture of Narva
Commandant Gorn and his family, and the starving inhabitants of Narva, are calling for surrender, but he wants to fight. The disposition for the capture of the fortress was written by Field Marshal Ogilvy, who, in a conversation with the Tsar, calls the Russian soldier an uncouth man with a gun. Peter does not mind, but says that the Russian peasant is both dexterous and smart. He makes amendments to the battle plan, which lead to a quick victory. Peter reproaches the surrendered commandant for stupid stubbornness and extra sacrifice.
Unfinished Epic
For about 15 years, Alexei Tolstoy worked on the book Peter the Great. The summary of his working materials spoke of grandiose plans to create an even larger-scale chronicle of that era. But what the master managed to do has become a real classic of Russian literature.