“The reign of Alexander III did a great deal to extend the power of the tsar at the expense of liberties taken for granted in Western Europe.”

“The tsar was autocrat by divine right, sustained by the endorsement of the autonomous Orthodox church under its patriarch.”

“In the reign of the Bulgarian tsar Boris I, those territories were incorporated into several komitati.”

“Added to this cocktail were rumours that the tsarina, Alexandra, and her favourite, the infamous Rasputin, were German spies.”

“Then the tsarina told Ivan Tsarevich that a spirit would soon appear, and bade him hide himself in the folds of her cloak.”

“Her brother Nikita's children took the surname Romanov in honour of their grandfather, father of a tsarina.”

“Only the united Balkan peoples can give a real rebuff to the shameless pretensions of tsarism and European imperialism.”

“The most significant aspect of the Russian Revolution was the dominant political role played by the proletariat in the struggle against tsarism.”

“But, in that case, in what do your tactics differ from the tactics of tsarism?”

“Attempts by tsardom to court the reformist intelligentsia were replaced by a military dictatorship.”

“I can find no evidence that any of the tsars are doing this but plenty of evidence that colleagues think it a risk of tsardom.”

“The notion of despotism masquerading as liberation was part of the Victorian liberal stereotype of tsardom.”

“Ivan went to the tsarevna, told her of her brother, and gave her his command.”

“Up high at the window the tsarevna was sitting, adorned with precious stones, clad in velvet and pearls.”

“I will give them to thee for nothing, tsarevna, only let me look on Fenist the bright falcon!”

“The tsarevitch immediately returned with the greatest joy in order to thank God and begin to carry out his solemn promise.”

“When the powerful procession came up to them, the tsarevitch got off his horse and went into the empty temple.”

“With the help and favor of God the tsarevitch carried out many wonders, healing the sick with the water of his little lamp.”

“Nearby is the attractive Mariinsky Palace, built in 1747 55 for the tsaritsa Elizabeth, reconstructed in 1870, and now used for government receptions.”

“Two weeks after his coronation, Ivan married his first wife Anastasia Romanovna, a member of the Romanov family, who became the first Russian tsaritsa.”

“Yet few concrete examples exist of the way in which these German advisors to the tsaritsa interacted with each other and with foreign, especially British, representatives.”