Warsaw Court of the Viceroy of the Kingdom of Poland Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich. 1862–1863

Abstract

Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich (1827–1892) was the governor of the Kingdom of Poland from June 1862 to October 1863, that is, on the eve and during the Polish uprising. Despite the high degree of knowledge of this crisis period in the history of Russian-Polish relations, the Warsaw Grand Duke’s court remained outside the research focus of historians. The court of the Grand Duke-viceroy was a unique space where symbolic relations between the dynasty and the subjects were built. In Warsaw Konstantin Nikolaevich implemented his own «scenario of power». The key ceremonial mode was the image of the unity of the empire. The viceroy faced difficulties in finding Polish courtiers loyal to the empire and widely involved his subordinates from the Naval Ministry. Based on a wide range of documents from the GA RF, OR RGB, OR RNB, RGIA, RGA VMF and sources of personal origin, the genesis and functioning of the court of the Grand Duke, as well as the everyday life of the august family in several Warsaw residences are considered. The introduction of new sources into scientific circulation made it possible to establish the circle of courtiers, the financial support of the court and practices peculiar for the court. Despite the long absence of the emperor’s brother in the northern capital, the main function of maintaining his state activity continued to be executed by the staff of the Marble Palace.