315 years ago began the Great Embassy of Peter I. It was after this voyage was born the famous phrase: "Peter I opened a window to Europe".



However, until now, the events that occurred during the diplomatic mission, cause many questions, and some of its episodes, and did could form the basis for action-detective. To separate the truth from fiction to "Steps" agreed the famous historian, writer, author of several books on alternative history of Russia Andrei Sinelnikov.

- Andrey, tell us, how the alleged official historians goals Great Embassy coincided with his true task?

- Let's first review the terms. The great Embassy is usually called a diplomatic mission of Peter the great and his associates in Western Europe in 1697-1698. The Embassy had to complete several important tasks: to enlist the support of the European countries in the struggle against the Ottoman Empire and the Crimean khanate; receive, thanks to the support of the European powers, the Northern coast of the Black sea; to raise the prestige of Russia in Europe messages about the victory in the Azov campaigns; to enlist the support of European States in the forthcoming Northern war; to invite the Russian service of foreign specialists; to order and to buy military materials, armament; to acquaint the king's life and the rules of European countries.

- Do list, awe-inspiring...

- Undoubtedly. But scientists, both Russian and Western - everything is turned on its head in this story. From history textbooks we know that Peter the great in the role of the king of the dense ignorant of the country have gone to the greatest monarchs of the time to ask knowledge and learn from the experience. But a huge number of historical sources of those years are told: actually, Peter I went to the Embassy to familiarize participants with lower global coalition of countries in which he had a role of the chief arbiter of the destinies. And by the way, after the Embassy, he changed the king's title at the Imperial.

- Sounds fantastic. Than you can prove your assertion?

- Just look at the environment of the sovereign to understand that all the sovereigns of Europe were compared with him petty gentry impoverished provinces. Great Plenipotentiary ambassadors were appointed: Franz Lefort Yakovlevich - General-Admiral, Novgorod Governor, former General of the Swiss guard; Golovin Bogomolov - State Chancellor, President of Ambassadorial Affairs, head of the naval order, the head of the Armory, Gold and Silver chambers, Siberian Governor, managing Mint, Askim order, count the Roman Empire and pillar boyar; Voznesen Prokofy Bogdanovich - the Duma clerk, Belevsky Governor, a professional spy. And among the twenty nobles, who took part in the mission, were James Bruce - Scottish Prince and Grand master of the Knights Templar, Fedor Stepanovich Saltykov - son Tobolsk magistrates, towers boyar, head of the artillery Department order, boyar Peter Alekseevich Tolstoy - honorary master of the Maltese Order, and many other noble titles. According to the commandment of the king, directed the Embassy in Austria, Saxony, Brandenburg, Holland, England, Vienna, Venice and to the Pope.

- Representation certainly impressive, but that does not prove that it was Peter conducted the review of the European lords, and not Vice versa ...

- Perhaps. But let's see who took the "Russian bear". While taking where it was convenient to Peter, and not Vice versa. In Koenigsberg is elector Friedrich III, who later became the Prussian king Friedrich I. In the Netherlands Peter Lefort visited Utrecht for a meeting with the Dutch stadtholder William of Orange, the future king of England and the king of Scotland. In England Peter was at the session of the Parliament, visited Greenwich Observatory, Mint, Royal society, University of Oxford. Met with Isaac Newton. The return journey was through the Embassy Leipzig, Dresden and Prague to Vienna. on July 14, 1698 met Peter I, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (the ruler of Austria) Leopold I. on July 31 rave Peter I met the king of Poland Augustus II. But to the Pope, he did not go, not giving to their attention. Note: all who met Peter, or his associates, were subsequently crowned heads!

- How do you explain it?

- The fact that Peter in Europe, they brought the Grand Master of the knights Templar James Bruce and Master Neptunian society Franz Lefort - they organized the Great Embassy. These people are exercising their voyage, had two objectives. First, to present in Europe, the new Russian authorities and to attract investment to Russia. Second, to establish informal contacts with representatives of the previous financial Russian authorities - Rurik, being in exile.

A new state structure - an absolute monarchy, tested by the time only in Russia responded to the needs and expectations of all the Royal and ruling houses. And the Great Embassy was among other things the "advertising exit action" to Europe. And if in the capital of England, built after the fire in the centre of Peter lays the Orthodox Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, if the street from the Cathedral, Westminster Abbey called "street North lords"and crossing her -- "street of Peter the Great", that means, the advertising campaign was a success!

- Do you think that the Great Embassy was brought Russia more harm or good? Besides Western specialists, technologies and some political arrangements Peter I brought to Russia tobacco, Freemasonry and even, it is said, her new story...

- First of all, Peter brought from the Grand Embassy the idea of a global society, in which Russia has been playing a leading role, supported by the major players in Europe -- the kings of England, Prussia, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Holy Roman Emperor. Moreover, this idea was agreed with the main puppeteers or gray cardinals of the world: the head of the hill of Zion Isaac Newton, the Order of the Templars, Maltese and Masonic.

Peter I was so confident in their abilities, and able to support his secret world structures that had not even agreed on this idea with the Pope of Rome, Venice and France, believing that they come to him.

- Come from?

Is not the word! In August 1716 Peter I appointed commander of joint fleet of Russia, Holland, Denmark and England. This, from the point of view of Europe, "educated at sea receives the title of the Admiral! In 1717, he went to Europe the head of the United squadron, in which Russia had 21 frigate, and in England - Queen of the seas - just 9. The second departure of Peter I in Europe was a kind of summing up the Great Embassy. At this time in France, the Sun King was succeeded on the throne of Louis XV. On arrival there, Peter was elected to the French Academy of Sciences on December 22, 1717. According to oral tradition, the king, climbing stairs, took the 7-year-old king on his hands, saying: "All of France on themselves".

- And Peter himself said about his trip?

- Wife Catherine, he wrote: "I Declare to you, that last Monday was wikitravel me here Coralie that finger for two more Luke our (Royal dwarf, who was in the king's retinue - A. S.), child exceedingly fair way and encamped, and at his age is quite reasonable that seven years". Twice (may 12 and June 5) Peter was present at the review of troops. 5 June Regent ordered to arrange in honor of the king of the review of the troops on a big Avenue of the Champs Elysees. Took part in the parade French and Swiss guards, heavy and light cavalry, as well as the Musketeers ("black" and "grey"). After the Peter said to the Prince Kurakina: "I have seen dressed dolls, not soldiers. They guns findout, while in March only dance." Judging by such little things, we can see that during his second journey Peter came as a Great monarch, equal among equals. So, the efforts of the Grand Embassy was a success.