Introduction
Tsar Peter the Great’s attempt to bring Russia into the modern world of the West began with a ‘Grand Embassy’, touring the capitals of Europe to drum up support for his country, and acquire scientific and artistic knowledge. The tour included four hectic months in England.
IN January 1698, John Evelyn lent his house at Sayes Court to the Government for the impending ‘Grand Embassy’ of Tsar Peter of Russia, then a young man of twenty-six.*
Peter’s plan was to forge a European alliance against Turkey, and acquire vital ship-building technology for Russia’s navy. He spent some time working incognito as a shipwright in The Hague, and then came on to England where King William III, who was still also King of the Netherlands, received him warmly.
In theory, the Tsar remained incognito, but the secret was poorly kept and his melodramatic attempts to preserve it - for example, perching on a rooftop to watch a session of the House of Lords through a window - raised a few strained royal smiles. He spent many happy hours at Deptford watching the shipwrights build the yacht ‘Royal Transport’, a gift from William, but also travelled to Oxford and Manchester to study urban design for the building of St Petersburg, his capital from 1712.
The Embassy marks the start of modern Anglo-Russian relations, but cordial relations had been established by Tudor merchant-adventurer Richard Chancellor, and if Scandinavian tradition is to be believed, the bonds of kinship and faith go back to the very beginnings of Rus’. See Gytha and Vladimir and our three-part series Britain and the Tsars.
Précis
Twenty-six year old Peter I of Russia embarked on a European tour which brought him to England in January 1698. He met with royalty, hoping to secure support against the Ottoman Turks, received instruction in ship-building to help the Russian navy, and toured England’s cities learning about urban design for his planned new capital at St Petersburg. (57 / 60 words)
Twenty-six year old Peter I of Russia embarked on a European tour which brought him to England in January 1698. He met with royalty, hoping to secure support against the Ottoman Turks, received instruction in ship-building to help the Russian navy, and toured England’s cities learning about urban design for his planned new capital at St Petersburg.
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Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: although, just, not, or, otherwise, ought, until, whether.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Why was Peter in England during the Winter and Spring of 1698?
Suggestion
To acquire dimplomatic support and naval technology. (7 words)
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Peter visited England in January 1698. He came incognito. Most people knew about the visit.