I'm going to get a a Yes, yes,

or ras, if yes or Ross. We're he you can't Hi, this is your Russian rulers podcast host Mark Shouse. I'm interrupting today's

podcast all the way from episode 108 to make a short announcement.

I've created a new blog site for all things having to do with Russian history and far beyond just the rulers. You can find it at

W. W. Russian rulers history.com. I mean there's a lot of content there

already to read about things like the December

revolt of 1825 the life of Sviata Polk the Accursed Nikita Khrushchev and much

much more.

Of course, there's also a small little PayPal donation button there

if you want to help support the podcast.

It would be much appreciated.

Now, on to the podcast. Welcome to the Russian rulers

podcast episode 44 the ascension of Catherine.

Last week we recounted about how the now Russian Grand Duchess Catherine was left alone in a loveless marriage

harassed by a temperamental Empress Elizabeth, and was

biting her time until she could take over the reins of her adopted country.

Elizabeth convinced that Peter and Catherine were plotting against her, her paranoia fueled by Chancellor

Bestruchev had the two young people isolated. Whenever someone close seemed to become friendly with either

of the two, they would be dismissed, sometimes banished to Siberia for nothing more than smiling

too often.

Peter for his part was petrified of his aunt,

knowing what she had done to Ivan the sixth

...