Web hosting Custom Email SiteBuilder

Nikolasha's parents were Grand Duke Nikolai Romanov{3rd son of Tsar Nikolai I}, and Alexandra of Oldenburg.

Nikolai married Stana of Montenegro one of the aptly named sisters of Black Peril. He was at the Tsar's side when he visited Sarov on a pilgramige, and for his services to the Tsar was appointed commander of the russian forces in the far east in 1904. He had a good career in the army, culminating in his appointment as Commader in cheif in 1914. He had won the George Cross, and Tsar Nikolai was impressed by this so much he mentioned that very fact in his personal diary.

Tsaritsa Alix became ever more jelous of Nikolasha's power and began to criticize him saying that he was too tsar like, and ought to be put down by the Tsar. As Nikolasha was a competant comander, the Tsar was content to allow him to remain in charge. However after repeated backbiting from the Tsaritsa, he relented and took command of the army much to Nikolasha's surprise and disgust. The Tsar had no experiance in leading an army, where as Nikolasha had plenty. This was a doomed mission from the start. After Rasputin's murder, Nikolasha's name was put forward as a possible regent for Tsarevich Alexei, as the general feeling was that Nikolai II should abdicate. For that he was exiled to his estates in the Caucusus. Both departed at once, and the Grand Duke Nicholas sent his resignation to the emperor, left His Majesty’s suite, and removed his aiguillettes and uniform once and for all. This very able and brilliant man did not reappear in the life of Petrograd until just two months later, when his sentence expired, on the eve of the revolution. During that dangerous period, he held out a helping hand to many a poor Imperialist, saving lives, both in and out of the government, by his influence with the revolutionists. Finally, Nikolasha begged for the Tsar to abdicate:

Adjutunt-General Alexeev has informed me of the unpercidented and fatal situation and has asked me to support his veiw, that a victourious end to the war, so vital for the well being of Russia, as well as the salvation of the dynasty, requires extrodinary measures. As a loyal subject, I feel it is my nessicary duty of alleigance, and in the spirit of my oath, to beg your Majesty on my knees to save Russia and your heir, being aware of your sacred feelings of love for Russia and for him. Make the sign of the cross and hand over to him your heritage. There is no other way. I ardently pray to god as never before in my life to sustain and guide you.

After Nikolai II had abdicated an order to the Grand Duke Nicholas came telling him to go at once to the staff, and a telegram saying he had already left Tiflis; and there was evidence of a “provisional committee” in some orders sent from Petrograd to the local Crimean authorities, but without explanations. In 1918 he left Russia with members of the Imperial family and never returned.