grand soleil yacht wiki

Cantiere del Pardo, the new Grand Soleil 72 will be offered in the “Performance and Long Cruise” versions

Made in Italy

As for the Made in Italy that makes Italy great in the yachting world, this Grand Soleil 72-footer is designed by an all-Italian team: the designer is Matteo Polli, who also conceived the Grand Soleil 44. This is a sign that Grand Soleil Yachts wants to give “ continuity and a family feeling to the range. Marco Lostuzzi was in charge of the structures, while the project manager is Franco Corazza , “ who will follow the owners step by step during the construction process.

Maximum eco-sustainable vocation

Last but not least, the introduction of solar panels on board. It will be “ a boat with the highest degree of eco-sustainability ,” explain Cantiere del Pardo’s marketing department.

Grand Soleil 72 Performance

Performance is guaranteed by the particular design of the hull, where “the flared cross sections will make it possible to achieve great form stability and a much increased dynamic length “. As for the sail area (310 square metres), this has been designed with an extremely wide bow triangle . Moreover, a large J makes it easier to manoeuvre with the mainsail and increase performance “ in medium wind and short sea “. The performance that the GS 72 is aiming for is certainly expressed by the waterlines characterized by a “ reduced wetted surface” .

The renderings of the GS 72 that have come into the possession of our editorial staff depict a sailing yacht whose deck is ultra-spacious, especially in the helm station. The GS 72 has a maximum beam of 6.20 meters. And, if you look at the cockpit, it features “ ergonomics and comfort ” typical of luxury sports yachts. “ The highly advanced and highly efficient rudder blade will allow for easy manoeuvring and precise steering. The keel will be an inverted T keel with a weldox blade and lead torpedo, but it will be possible to install either a lifting keel or a telescopic keel”. The draft will be a “ standard ” size of 3.70 meters.

At first glance, the Grand Soleil 72 certainly stands out for its design in the general layout of the exterior, the deck and the interior. Here, “ sweet, clean and elegant ” forms find harmony in a yacht with “very generous volumes” , summed up in a design entrusted to the prestigious Milan-based Nauta Design studio, whose creativity will give “a boat with a distinctly Italian aesthetic “. One more detail: “ ergonomics, stowage, functions and the quality of all the accessories are set to superyacht standards”.

Grand Soleil 72 – Hull no.1

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Grand Soleil 72: the first official pictures in Capri unveiled

Sailing boat

• Yacht industry

Cantiere del Pardo is thrilled to share with the public the first official shots of the brand-new Grand Soleil 72, flagship of the Grand Soleil fleet. The photoshoot took place in Capri, in front of the world- renowned Amalfi Coast, featuring crystal clear waters that further enhance the elegant lines of such an amazing boat. Capri has been carefully selected as the backdrop of this new model, a truly stunning location recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The Capri’s Faraglioni, with plunging sheer cliffs and the Sorrento rocky coastline, offers a variety of breathtaking views.

The debut of the Grand Soleil 72 not only introduces the new model but also intends to announce the launch of a whole new range of sailing yachts above 60 feet. The Grand Soleil 72 represents the first yacht of this segment. These unique projects are developed by Cantiere del Pardo with Franco Corazza as Project Manager, Matteo Polli in charge of the naval architecture and Nauta Design for interior and deck design.

The new flagship of the Grand Soleil fleet was presented as World Première at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2022 getting great interest from international clients and the press. The incredible success of our latest model of the shipyard does not stop here: at the Genoa Boat Show 2022, the Grand Soleil 72 won the Design Innovation Award in the sailboat category above 10 meters in length. Grand Soleil 72 stood out from the crowd thanks to its ability to combine the yard’s 50 years of experience with a balanced yacht in terms of performance, navigation, and interior space refinements.

The new challenge of Cantiere del Pardo starts now: Grand Soleil 72 hits the water A unique project developed by Cantiere del Pardo, in collaboration with some of the most relevant names of the Italian sailing panorama: Franco Corazza, Matteo Polli, Nauta Design, and Marco Lostuzzi. All internationally recognized for outstanding projects in the nautical field signed Made in Italy.

The goal of this project is to create a boat with true Italian aesthetic: elegant and modern design with high comfort ergonomics for both below deck and outside areas. The Shipyard's craftsmanship and experience gained over the last 50 years are not only limited to developing excellent aesthetic lines but also to care about technical details of all those areas where the eye does not normally reach. First, among many, all the composite bulkheads in the interior are weighed one by one while defining the thickness of each ad hoc to optimize strength, lightness and performance. Ensuring the reliability of Grand Soleil boats has always been a strength of Cantiere del Pardo. All construction processes and onboard systems are tested and certified with the strictest quality controls. Great attention to detail and unprecedented meticulousness especially distinguish the Grand Soleil 72 project for every single component.

Alberto Cocchi's latest pictures taken at the production site are meant to capture the developing process right before merging the hull and deck. A true milestone in the assembly process before moving on to interior fittings and hull finishing. For those who love technical details, the Grand Soleil 72 hull lines designed by Matteo Polli are featured by a prominent V-shaped bow. The significant dynamic length, thanks to slips and low wetted surface, allows the stern to be eased for reduced friction of the submerged sections when sailing. This traduces in higher dynamic speed and stability when the boat is heeled, promising not only better performance in light wind conditions, typical of the Mediterranean area, but also excellent sailing ease and safety.

The hull is made through an epoxy-based vacuum infusion process of vinylester resin into biaxial fiberglass and unidirectional carbon fabrics, resulting in a light and strong hull. In addition, the most stressed hull sections,such as longitudinal and transversal structures are laminated in fiberglass and stiffened by carbon reinforcements to boost strength and rigidity. The Interiors design developed by the highly appreciated Nauta Design perfectly connects with the geometries of the deck. Nauta conceived, designed and refined the volumes and details of the deck to make the most out of every single space, achieving a coherent and holistic relationship among them. The interiors, dimensions, ergonomics, storage, functions and quality of all accessories are up to super yacht standards. The design and colors used in the interiors translate into a tasteful, elegant, and welcoming mood.

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From the World Premiere to the first test at sea, the new 44-footer built entirely by Cantiere del Pardo confirms the perfect balance between cruising and racing performance. Always without sacrificing elegance and comfort onboard, which have continuously been distinctive elements of the Grand Soleil family feeling. The new Grand Soleil 44 represents the brilliant design intuition and the unique positioning on the market, anticipating the requests of increasingly demanding owners interested in a yacht with a double purpose; cruising, and racing. After the World Premiere at the Genoa Boat Show, which received a huge amount of attention by the media and the international public, the new 44-footer exceeded the most ambitious expectations during its first trials at sea.

Matteo Polli «With the helm in my hands, I was able to savor the characteristics of the boat in different wind conditions. The GS 44 sailed well at all speeds, both upwind and downwind, confirming my expectations as a pleasant and fun hull to be at sea with, especially thanks to the ability to make careful and precise adjustments on the sails and the well-designed deck layout. Even in windier conditions, with close points to the wind and high skidding, the helm responds well. You can even afford some handling errors: her stability allows you to use the sail plan even in strong winds, an interesting aspect for a boat that does not necessarily rely on having a crew on the gunwale. The 44 stems from a specific request from Cantiere del Pardo: bring to the sea a boat built to win races, but at the same time being an easy cruising solution manageable by a small crew. We will soon see the results on the racing fields and the market response, which I am sure will not disappoint».

Enrico Zennaro «It is a well-balanced boat, spacious on the deck where we find the generous walkway towards the bow, the ergonomically-designed cockpit, and wide stern lines, all adding an extra advantage when cruising. On the racing side, the hull with its narrow waterline runs off very well with little air, a feature also confirmed by the upwind angles and acceleration in the restarts. After the first few manoeuvres, you realize that everything is very balanced. The presence of B&G instrumentation, a leading brand in the sailing sector since 1956, offers even more guarantees in navigation».

The Making of Grand Soleil 44 is the new challenge of Cantiere del Pardo facing the performance world. To rise to this challenge, Cantiere del Pardo has turned to the designer who, in recent years, more than anyone has known how to interpret the concept of performing hull: Matteo Polli. Many call him the “Wizard of ORC” thanks to the numerous titles won in recent years with the boats he has designed: three world championships and two Italian championships in the ORC category from 2015 to date, as well as finishing on the podium in many other important European regattas.

This new 44-footer completes the Grand Soleil Yachts Performance range dedicated to the more sporty owners in search of a boat that offers high performance able to give results also in regattas, inserting itself among the GS 34, GS 48 and GS 58. As already seen on board the Grand Soleil 48, the GS 44 will also be available in a double version: one layout will be more indicated for cruising, with a different sail plan set-up and deck to simplify manoeuvres, the other will be more suited to racing to give the best in regattas. Style and elegance complete the DNA of this new 44-footer which resumes the family feeling of the other models of the range.

Gigi Servidati, head of new model development at Cantiere del Pardo, explains the philosophy of this new hull: «Performance, style, elegance, navigability and safety. It has been a great stimulus to think up this new Grand Soleil 44 Performance, because we wanted to design a boat with all these characteristics. I asked Matteo Polli to realise a hull with good shape stability, which could win regattas but not too extreme in the lines to avoid penalising volumes». As always, the protagonists of this new project also include Nauta Design (Exterior and Interior Design) and the Technical Department of Cantiere del Pardo.

Vincenzo Candela, chief engineer of the Technical Department at Cantiere Del Pardo, comments the birth of the new GS44 as follows: «This new model has allowed us to achieve the great target of completing the new Grand Soleil Performance range. The GS 44 is the only boat on the market to offer the possibility of the double layout of the deck to satisfy both owners with racing ambitions and owners who prefer cruising and appreciate an aggressive but elegant design, a distinctive feature of every Grand Soleil. An extremely clean- cut layout, three cabins and two bathrooms both with separate walk-in shower complete the boat.

Particularly stimulating for the entire Technical Department was the new collaboration with Matteo Polli: we found ourselves immediately on the same wavelength in terms of the goal and achieved our target, the most beautiful and fastest cruiser on the market in its category is about to be born. And now we will apply our maximum concentration to make it win on the first regattas».

Massimo Gino of Nauta Design speaks of this new hull as follows: «The collaboration between Nauta (Exterior and Interior Design), the Technical Department of Cantiere del Pardo and Matteo Polli (Naval Architecture) has led to the development of the 44 Performance, the most performance oriented model of the entire Grand Soleil range. The deck, with resumes the family feeling of the big sisters is, if possible, even more streamlined and sporty with the addition of several important new touches of styles on the geometries of the deckhouse, on the sheer line and on the transom. Despite a light and sporty hull, the interior liveability is astounding for the volume that can be used and perceived. Following the trend of the latest Grand Soleil Performance models, the on-deck space available on the 44’ to race in a regatta and to enjoy the boat in cruise mode is truly remarkable, with cockpit dimensions that have been increased significantly,compared to previous models».

The soul of the new Grand Soleil 44 is that of a performance cruiser which knows how to be competitive on the IRC and ORC regattas: a boat that is easy to use for both cruising and racing in regattas. The lines of the hull are modern and aesthetically delightful with no particular forcing. The distinctive features of the boat include the positioning of the mast further to the rear to allow a greater sail area for the bow sails to maximise performance considering the average Mediterranean conditions. This choice has also allowed to move the position of the cabins forward and have a larger cockpit compared to preceding models. Matteo Polli explains this decision as follows: «The position of the mast on the new GS44 is more rearward to benefit the dimensions of the fore triangle. The larger size of the jibs not only improves the performance in light air but also makes the boat more agile in coming out of turns. Furthermore, this feature allows the use of self- tacking sails for cruising that maintain very respectful area and proportions. A large fore triangle also allows to make the best use of rollable sails (foresail, jib, Code 0), ideal on cruises and in regattas, because they always allow to have the right sail at the right moment without the need for conventional demanding sail changes».

Deck: From Performance to Race The maximum beam of four metres is essential to maximise the stability of shape, but also to ensure large volumes both on deck and in the interiors. Simple technical solutions have been integrated with the aesthetics of the deck that can be equipped with six winches (race set-up) or four winches within reach of the helmsman if cruising and easy sailing is preferred. The self-tacking jib is standard, to allow easy management of the boat, but transverse rails can be mounted on request to regulate the jib lead. The result is a deck level that guarantees excellent performance and speed in manoeuvres during a regatta and when cruising.

Appendages and Sail Plan As already seen on board the Grand Soleil 48, the 44 also foresees the possibility of choosing between two different sail plans: standard, with aluminium mast intended more for the cruise sector and race, in carbon (larger) for the competitive sector. As regards the appendages, there is the possibility to choose between three different drafts: the standard one of 2.50 metres while options are available with drafts at 2.40 metres and 2.80 metres.

Amazing Interior Liveability To note is the interior layout, which includes three cabins and two bathrooms (both with separate walk-in shower). The liveability of the space is astounding, considering the sporty nature of the hull. The volumes perceived are truly remarkable. The space below deck enjoys a generous beam which provides large and comfortable volumes: the L-shaped kitchen is positioned to the left, the dinette is composed of a comfortable U-shaped sofa with a dining table at the centre which can seat up to 8 people and, on the right, of the walled in sofa for three with chart table positioned against the bow bulkhead. The master cabin, with a comfortable double bed, small sofa and dedicated bathroom is generous in size for a sporty 44-foot hull. The considerable natural light that enters through the various hull windows and on deck makes the interior space even more comfortable.

The New Grand Soleil 44 in the Regatta World This new model does not intend to conceal its racing soul. Matteo Polli has done an excellent job ofoptimisation to achieve a hull that would allow to maximise absolute performance and performance/rating ratio. The clear goal is to maintain balanced hull lines to simplify navigation even for the less experienced owners. The fundamental parameters of the hull were chosen based on an in-depth study: four different hulls were subjected to CFD and VPP analysis to achieve the best optimisation in the real performance of the boat and in the performance/rating ratio.

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First look: Grand Soleil 72 Performance

• August 4, 2021

Rupert Holmes takes a look at the new Grand Soleil 72 Performance, which picks design characteristics from top racers to improve performance

The gorgeous new Italian designed Grand Soleil 72 Performance blends excellent performance that’s optimised for Mediterranean sailing with a very spacious and comfortable interior.

The sleek lines and low-profile coachroof have a timeless elegance, yet the hull shape embodies the latest design knowledge, without unnecessary nods to temporary fashion.

“The target was to take advantage of as many aspects of today’s hull shapes as possible to improve performance and also to create a yacht with lots of volume for very comfortable accommodation,” Grand Soleil 72 Performance designer Matteo Polli tells us.

“The hull shape is different to what we’ve seen in the past,” he adds. “It’s very wide, which gives enough volume for the interior of this boat to be a key feature, but the waterline beam is narrow.”

In conjunction with rounded underwater sections this gives the least possible wetted surface area for the target displacement of 30 tonnes. Performance in light airs is therefore optimised, which reduces time spent on passage under engine.

In stronger winds, once the boat starts to heel the high form stability generated by the wide maximum beam comes into play. Polli adds: “there’s a huge amount of stability at 20° of heel.”

Despite the Grand Soleil 72 Performance being optimised for lighter conditions he expects it to sail efficiently to windward with three reefs in the mainsail and a small staysail in 40 knots of true wind. This heavy weather ability should prove reassuring, whether sailing in the strong winds of the Bonifacio Strait between Corsica and Sardinia, or crossing oceans.

The mast is positioned further aft than is traditional, which allows for an efficient and easily handled choice of headsails, including two sizes of heavy weather staysail, in the same manner as for IMOCA 60s.

The decision to draw a plumb bow, rather than a fashionable reverse bow, was a design choice driven by a desire to maximise the length of the foretriangle. “A longer J measurement reduces the centre of effort for a given sail area,” Polli explains. This allows the boat to be pushed harder when racing or sailed at more comfortable angles of heel when cruising.

The in-demand Italian designer, who previously worked with Maurizio Cossutti and Italia Yachts, was also keen that this boat should have a single rudder. It’s placed well forward, as with TP52s, so operates clear of the disturbed water near the transom, and won’t tend to lift out of the water when the boat heels. Its efficiency is therefore maintained even when the boat is well pressed. A useful bonus is that this also allows for a larger tender garage on the Grand Soleil 72 Performance.

Construction is of advanced composites with the aim of producing a very light but stiff structure. This allows for the unavoidable weight of the systems and tankage that are needed to make life on board comfortable, without creating a yacht that’s too heavy for good performance. Lifting and telescopic keel options are available in addition to the conventional standard keel that has a potentially unwieldy 3.7m draught.

As standard Nauta Design has produced an owner forward four cabin/four heads arrangement with an open full-width saloon and large galley aft on the port side. Customisation is possible, while build quality and the standard of fit-out are intended to match superyacht standards.

Grand Soleil 72 Performance specifications

LOA: 23.75m / 77ft 10in Hull length: 22.00m / 72ft 2in LWL: 19.84m / 65ft 0in Maximum beam: 6.20m / 20ft 4in Draught (standard keel): 3.70m / 12ft 1in Price: €POA Builder: grandsoleil.net

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• Digital edition

Grand Soleil 34.1 review

• David Harding
• October 4, 2023

Fast, tough, stylish and easy to handle, the Grand Soleil 34.1 is an impressive alternative to some of the the better-known performance cruisers in this size range, says David Harding

Product Overview

Price as reviewed:.

Getting to know a boat you haven’t met before can be a true voyage of discovery. And in the case of Andy Iyer and his family, with their Grand Soleil 34.1, Bella Donna , it has been a most agreeable voyage.

Many of us have long known of Grand Soleil’s reputation as ‘the poor man’s Swan’. It’s not a bad reputation to have. Like Swans, Grand Soleils have never been slow, small or basic; always performance-orientated designs from the mid-30ft range upwards, and nicely finished too. The more recent models have been even sportier than their predecessors and perhaps rather more minimalistic below decks, whereas the earlier ones are more in the mould of the cruiser-racer as we used to know it.

The classic cruiser-racer appeal of the Grand Soleil 34.1 is one of the features that attracted Andy and his wife Milena when they were looking to move down from their Beneteau First 40.7. They had raced in the highly competitive 40.7 circuit in the Solent, where most of the top crews included professional sailors and the fleet often boasted more than 25 boats on the start line.

After competing for several years, winning a good many major events and also using the boat for holidays in the Channel Islands and elsewhere from time to time, Andy and Milena decided the time had come to buy something smaller for family cruising.

‘Having had a 40-footer, I knew we didn’t need another boat of that size for sailing in the Solent’, Andy explained. ‘For a start, having a draught of 2.6m (8ft 6in) is quite a restriction.

‘A boat of 33-35ft would be big enough for the three of us (the couple along with their son, Gus). It’s easier to handle and a draught of 2m or less would let us go pretty well anywhere we want to go.’

With plenty of performance potential, the 34.1 was often bought for racing, but makes an equally good, quick cruising boat. Photo: David Harding

Exploring the options

The question, of course, was what to buy. Andy and Milena did a lot of research and looked at a plethora of boats, including Dufour 34s and Elan 333s . Their favourite, the Maxi 1050, cost a good deal more than they wanted to spend.

Then they stumbled across Bella Donna in a rather run-down state, but Andy instantly recognised her potential and could see she was a boat that would sail nicely. The fading blue gelcoat, worn-out running rigging, green growth on deck and sails that were well past it didn’t put him off.

It turned out that Bella Donna had been bought new 15 years earlier, in 2000, and raced by an owner who had then had to stop sailing. She had been left for some time on a Hamble River mooring, which explained her run-down condition.

The cockpit is narrow enough for comfortable leg-bracing when heeled. Photo: David Harding

Not being familiar with the Grand Soleil, Andy did some research and it all tallied with his own assessment of the boat as a thoroughbred performer. A deal was done. ‘We couldn’t believe our luck’, he said. ‘Some people have to go a long way to find a boat and we found this one on our doorstep.’

Reviving and restoring this Grand Soleil 34.1

Bringing Bella Donna ‘back to full fitness’ took a few years. Strangely she didn’t have an anchor roller, or even navigation lights, and it looked as though she had never been slept on. Andy and Milena had all the essentials fitted, together with an anchor windlass, Webasto heater, new seacocks and canvaswork and, of course, new sails.

‘The first time we took her out, we had quite a blow and couldn’t make the boat go upwind,’ explains Andy. ‘She just went sideways.’ New sails from Rolly Tasker put that to rights and allowed Bella Donna to show what she was capable of.

Long genoa tracks along the inboard edge of the side decks reflect the use of the original large overlapping headsails. Photo: David Harding

When you look at the Grand Soleil 34.1, both in the flesh and on paper, it’s clear that, as Andy recognised, she’s designed to sail. The designer, Alessandro Vismara, made her relatively light and gave her a high aspect-ratio lead keel with a slight swelling rather than a bulb at the tip. Combined with a generous spread of sail supported by a keel-stepped mast, this contributes to her reputation as a boat that goes well in light airs. She’s known to power up quickly and heel readily, though she doesn’t run out of grunt when the breeze picks up.

Several features of her design give you a clue as to her age. For example, she has a masthead rig and a slight rake to the stem. The chainplates are set well inboard and she’s designed to carry an overlapping headsail of around 140%.

She’s among the last generation of designs to sport a rig and sail plan like this, many designs from the late 1990s onwards having moved towards high-fractional rigs with outboard rigging and close-sheeting, minimal-overlap headsails. These changes happened in northern Europe sooner, whereas the Grand Soleil 34.1 was designed with the IMS (International Measurement System) rating in mind.

A folding wheel keeps it as big as possible while still allowing the cockpit lockers to be opened. Photo: David Harding

Regardless of any technical analysis, the Grand Soleil 34.1 is a pretty boat. Like Andy, I had never met one before seeing Bella Donna , and without the Grand Soleil logo on the quarter following the hull-wrap, there were no signs of her identity. From a distance I would only have identified her as a late-1990s performance cruiser.

One thing she is without question is a delight to sail. She needs only about eight knots of apparent wind to get up and go, even with the new 120% headsail. Andy chose to go down from the original 140% when ordering the new sails because the boat is so easily driven, and rolling down a smaller sail compromises the shape less, especially with a foam luff.

Light and sprightly

So easily does the Grand Soleil 34.1 start moving that Andy often takes in a few rolls once the apparent wind reaches 12-15 knots, as it did during our photo session. We were back to full sail when I hopped aboard again afterwards, and that’s when the breeze started to freshen further.

What surprised me was how the boat remained beautifully light and with almost neutral helm even with the gunwale kissing the water from time to time. She seemed happy in gusts of more than 20 knots, showing no signs of losing speed at angles of heel that would see plenty of boats struggle.

The inner forestay is taken to the chainplates when not in use. The purchase is led aft to the starboard coachroof winch. Photo: David Harding

Most of the time we kept her flatter despite having the boom practically on the centre line. ‘That’s how she likes it’, explained Andy, ‘with a little back-winding in the luff of the mainsail.’

With an overlapping headsail like this, there’s a danger that easing the traveller would choke the slot. Then you would need to wind in some headsail and end up changing down a couple of gears.

As long as we feathered into the fresher gusts, we could keep her tramming along happily at between 5.5 and 6 knots through the water. Of course this was with no weight on the rail. In racing mode with a full crew she would achieve a good deal more.

Another way she differs from many beamy cruisers is that the helm balance changes little in the gusts. So often you need to apply big corrections to compensate for changes in heel angle.

The coamings make a comfortable perch outboard of the cockpit. Photo: David Harding

Life was much more relaxing on the Grand Soleil 34.1, even though we were pushing her harder than cruising owners might typically choose to. Progressively rolling in the headsail and taking a couple of slabs in the main will keep her happy up to 25 knots or so, after which the No.4 headsail hanked to a removable Dyneema inner forestay is the best solution. Andy sets this up before leaving port if he knows he’s in for a breezy beat.

Efficiency on deck

Once the headsail is within the area of the foretriangle, the sheets are re-roven inside the shrouds and taken to cars moved to the forward end of the long tracks.

The biggest change on deck from the original is the wheel steering. Grand Soleil 34s were built with a tiller, but Andy says it was so short that it made the helm uncomfortably heavy. Coming from a big-boat background he prefers wheel steering anyway. Grand Soleil recommended the Jefa system for the conversion, which was carried out by Hamble Yacht Services.

Neatly finished joinery in light mahogany includes decent amounts of solid trim. Photo: David Harding

It works well, giving a light and precise feel. It did, however, call for the use of a folding wheel, because the biggest wheel that would fit between the cockpit seats would otherwise make it impossible to open the lockers.

There’s a locker each side: full-depth to starboard, housing the fuel tank and with enough capacity to swallow a good deal of cruising kit, and a half-depth locker to port.

Between the seats is a leg-bracing width if you’re sitting inboard. Outboard, you can sit on the coamings and lean back against the guardwires, bracing one foot against the pedestal if you’re at the wheel.

Perfect arrangement

As on the Dehler 33 and SJ 320, the mainsheet traveller runs across the stern. It’s an excellent arrangement on a tiller-steered boat, placing the mainsheet trimmer abaft the helm. It’s less efficient with a wheel if you’re fully crewed. For short-handed sailing, on the other hand, it works well.

It was good to be able to play the main on the breezy reach back across the Solent as we charged along at eight knots-plus, with the helm remaining light and the deep rudder keeping us on track except for one minor spin-out. Andy had the rudder replaced and made much lighter after the heavy original was found to have osmosis.

When a boat feels as taut as the Grand Soleil 34.1, it gives you reassurance in the way it’s built. Some boats feel loose and floppy and change shape as the breeze picks up, but not this one. When you look at the substantial stringers in the topsides, and the matrix in the floor pan, it’s clear that the builders meant the boat to be rigid.

A 120% overlapping genoa is smaller than the 140% original, but more than powerful enough. Photo: David Harding

Bella Donna is a dry boat, too. Even the cockpit locker stays dry, while the ‘bilge’ (such as it is) beneath the sole boards in the saloon is more prone to dust than it is to damp. Most unusually with a keel-stepped mast, no water comes down either inside or outside.

Andy sensibly checked the keel bolts with a calibrated torque wrench when he bought Bella Donna , only to find they were still exactly to the settings recommended by the yard.

Below decks

In terms of layout, the Grand Soleil 34.1 is conventional, with a generous chart table opposite the galley. Andy and his family find this useful as a desk when working aboard.

The interior is nicely finished in light mahogany, with plenty of neatly dovetailed solid trim. A few parts of the stiffening matrix project above the sole; otherwise there are no mouldings below the headliner.

Headroom is over 6ft, the berths are a generous length and the settee berths in the saloon have lee-cloths for use at sea. Tankage is aft, so the space beneath the rest of the berths is available for stowage.

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Well-mannered performance cruisers like this, as the Iyer family have discovered, are highly versatile boats. ‘I like the size,’ says Andy. ‘She’s not massively expensive to run because she’s not huge, but still big enough to allow us to go away on holiday for two weeks.’ With help when needed from friends and specialists around the Hamble, Andy has done a lot to turn Bella Donna into a fast, smart and eye-catching family cruiser. He makes sure he keeps her this way, too, with a leave-nothing-to-chance maintenance regime that includes mousing, removing and washing the running rigging every year. If any lines don’t come out soft and supple, he replaces them immediately. A boat like Bella Donna is worth it, says Andy. ‘We’ve had her since 2015 and she’s done everything I have asked of her and then some – she has never let us down. She really is a great little boat.’

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Grand Soleil Yachts Unveils Zero-Impact Weekender Sailboat

• By Cruising World Staff
• January 22, 2024

Grand Soleil Yachts has announced its Blue concept, a 33-foot weekender conceived for sustainability and efficiency underway. Conceived by Cantiere del Pardo, Grand Soleil Blue gets its exterior and interior design by Nauta Design, with naval architecture by Matteo Polli.

Underscoring the builder’s commitment to sustainability and environmentally conscious cruising, Grand Soleil Blue, which is capable of hosting up to four guests overnight, promises both zero environmental impact during sailing and complete recyclability at the culmination of its life cycle.

According to the builder, the Blue concept marks a turning point in boat construction by employing thermoplastic resin to address end-of-life recycling, one of the more significant complications in eco-conscious construction methods. Traditionally, composite boats have been built using thermosetting resins, which are very difficult if not impossible to recycle. Thermoplastic resin allows for easier separation of the resin and glass or carbon fibers for re-use or eco-responsible disposal.

This smart design approach allows simpler separation of boat accessories and components, similar to end-of-life practices currently being explored in the automotive industry. The process ensures that every part of the Grand Soleil Blue can be effectively disassembled and recycled, minimizing environmental impact.

Grand Soleil Blue will feature a lithium battery bank and electric propulsion for zero-emission cruising, contributing to a more sustainable future by reducing emissions. Renewable energy autonomy will be provided through the use of solar panels, which will recharge the battery bank to feed the electric motor. The proposed standard battery pack will allow for a range of approximately 30 nautical miles at around five knots, which translates to six hours of continuous engine operation, or 12 hours with the dual battery pack, in total silence and with zero emissions. The sails are also crafted from thermoplastic materials, further minimizing environmental impact. While underway, the Grand Soleil Blue concept can recharge its batteries through hydrogeneration, converting energy to electricity as the propeller spins in response to the water flow generated by the boat’s speed.

The world premiere of the Grand Soleil Blue concept is slated for the 2024 Cannes Yachting Festival.

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The Development of Russia

The grand duchy of moscow, the formation of russia.

Ivan III became Grand Prince of Moscow in 1462 and proceeded to refuse the Tatar yoke, collect surrounding lands, and consolidate political power around Moscow. His son, Vasili III, continued in his footsteps marking an era known as the “Gathering of the Russian Lands.”

Learning Objectives

Outline the key points that led to a consolidated northern region under Ivan III and Vasili III in Moscow

Key Takeaways

• Moscow had risen to a powerful position in the north due to its location and relative wealth and stability during the height of the Golden Horde.
• Ivan III overtook Novgorod, along with his four brothers’ landholdings, which began a process consolidating power under the Grand Prince of Moscow.
• Ivan III was the first prince of Rus’ to style himself as the Tsar in the grand tradition of the Orthodox Byzantine Empire.
• Vasili III followed in his father’s footsteps and continued a regime of consolidating land and practicing domestic intolerance that suppressed any attempts to disobey the seat of Moscow.
• Muscovite Sudebnik : The legal code crafted by Ivan III that further consolidated his power and outlined harsh punishments for disobedience.
• Novgorod : Moscow’s most prominent rival in the northern region.
• boyars : Members of the highest ruling class in feudal Rus’, second only to the princes.

Gathering of the Russian Lands

Ivan III was the first Muscovite prince to consolidate Moscow’s position of power and successfully incorporate the rival cities of Tver and Novgorod under the umbrella of Moscow’s rule. These shifts in power in the Northern provinces created the first semblance of a “Russian” state (though that name would not be utilized for another century). Ivan the Great was also the first Rus’ prince to style himself a Tsar, thereby setting up a strong start for his successor son, Vasili III. Between the two leaders, what would become known as the “Gathering of the Russian Lands” would occur and begin a new era of Russian history after the Mongol Empire’s Golden Horde.

Ivan III and the End of the Golden Horde

Ivan III Vasilyevich, also known as Ivan the Great, was born in Moscow in 1440 and became Grand Prince of Moscow in 1462. He ruled from this seat of power until his death in 1505. He came into power when Moscow had many economic and cultural advantages in the norther provinces. His predecessors had expanded Moscow’s holdings from a mere 600 miles to 15,000. The seat of the Russian Orthodox Church was also centered in Moscow starting in the 14th century. In addition, Moscow had long been a loyal ally to the ruling Mongol Empire and had an optimal position along major trade routes between Novgorod and the Volga River.

Ivan III: He held the title of Grand Prince of Moscow between 1462 and 1505.

However, one of Ivan the Great’s most substantial accomplishments was refusing the Tatar yoke (as the Mongol Empire’s stranglehold on Rus’ lands has been called) in 1476. Moscow refused to pay its normal Golden Horde taxes starting in that year, which spurred Khan Ahmed to wage war against the city in 1480. It took a number of months before the Khan retreated back to the steppe. During the following year, internal fractures within the Mongol Empire greatly weakened the hold of Mongol rulers on the northeastern Rus’ lands, which effectively freed Moscow from its old duties.

Moscow’s Land Grab

The other major political change that Ivan III instigated was a major consolidation of power in the northern principalities, often called the  “Gathering of the Russian Lands.” Moscow’s primary rival, Novgorod, became Ivan the Great’s first order of business. The two grand cities had been locked in dispute for over a century, but Ivan III waged a harsh war that forced Novgorod to cede its land to Moscow after many uprisings and attempted alliances between Novgorod and Lithuania. The official state document accepting Moscow’s rule was signed by Archbishop Feofil of Novgorod in 1478. Any revolts that arose out of Novgorod over the next decade were swiftly put down and any disobedient Novgorodian royal family members were removed to Moscow or other outposts to discourage further outbursts.

In addition to capturing his greatest rival city, Ivan III also collected his four brothers’ local lands over the course of his rule, further expanding and consolidating the land under the power of the Grand Prince of Moscow. Ivan III also levied his political, economic, and military might over the course of his reign to gain control of Yaroslavl, Rostov, Tver, and Vyatka, forming one of the most unified political formations in the region since Vladimir the Great. This new political formation was in contrast to centuries of local princes ruling over their regions relatively autonomously.

Palace of Facets pillar: This decadent pillar resides in the Palace of Facets built by Italian architects in stone in the mostly wooden Moscow Kremlin. This banquet hall was only one of many major architectural feats Ivan III built during his reign in Moscow.

Ivan the Great also greatly shaped the future of the Rus’ lands. These major shifts included:

• Styling himself the “Tsar and Autocrat” in Byzantine style, essentially stepping into the new leadership position in Orthodoxy after the fall of the Byzantine Empire. These changes also occurred after he married Sophia Paleologue of Constantinople, who had brought court and religious rituals from the Byzantine Empire.
• He stripped the boyars of theirlocalized and state power and essentially created a sovereign state that paid homage to Moscow.
• He oversaw the creation of a new legal code, called Muscovite Sudebnik in 1497, which further consolidated his place as the highest ruler of the northern Rus’ lands and instated harsh penalties for disobedience, sacrilege, or attempts to undermine the crown.
• The princes of formerly powerful principalities now under Moscow’s rule were placed in the role of service nobility, rather than sovereign rulers as they once were.
• Ivan III’s power was partly due to his alliance with Russian Orthodoxy, which created an atmosphere of anti-Catholicism and stifled the chance to build more powerful western alliances.

Vasili III was the son of Sophia Paleologue and Ivan the Great and the Grand Prince of Moscow from 1505 to 1533. He followed in his father’s footsteps and continued to expand Moscow’s landholdings and political clout. He annexed, Pskov, Volokolamsk, Ryazan, and Novgorod-Seversky during his reign. His most spectacular grab for power was his capture of Smolensk, the great stronghold of Lithuania. He utilized a rebellious ally in the form of the Lithuanian prince Mikhail Glinski to gain this major victory.

Vasili III: This piece was created by a contemporary artist and depicts Vasili III as a scholar and leader.

Vasili III also followed in his father’s oppressive footsteps. He utilized alliances with the Orthodox Church to put down any rebellions or feudal disputes. He limited the power of the boyars and the once-powerful Rurikid dynasties in newly conquered provinces. He also increased the gentry’s landholdings, once more consolidating power around Moscow. In general, Vasili III’s reign was marked by an oppressive atmosphere; he carried out harsh penalties for speaking out against the power structure or showing the slightest disobedience to the crown.

Ivan the Terrible

Ivan IV, or Ivan the Terrible, reigned from 1547 to 1584 and became the first tsar of Russia. His reign was punctuated with severe oppression and cultural and political expansion, leaving behind a complex legacy.

Outline the key points of Ivan IV’s policies and examine the positive and negative aspects of his rule

• Ivan IV is often known as Ivan the Terrible, even though the more correct translation is akin to Ivan the Fearsome or Ivan the Awesome.
• Ivan IV was the first Rus’ prince to title himself “Tsar of All the Russias” beginning the long tradition of rule under the tsars.
• Lands in the Crimea, Siberia, and modern-day Tatarstan were all subsumed into Russian lands under Ivan IV.
• The persecution of the boyars during Ivan IV’s reign began under the harsh regulations of the oprichnina.
• Moscow Print Yard : The first publishing house in Russia, which was opened in 1553.
• boyar : A member of the feudal ruling elite who was second only to the princes in Russian territories.
• oprichnina : A state policy enacted by Ivan IV that made him absolute monarch of much of the north and hailed in an era of boyar persecution. Ivan IV successfully grabbed large chunks of land from the nobility and created his own personal guard, the oprichniki, during this era.

Ivan IV Vasileyevich is widely known as Ivan the Terrible or Ivan the Fearsome. He was the Grand Prince of Moscow from 1533 to 1547 and reigned as the “Tsar of all the Russias” from 1547 until he died in 1584. His complex years in power precipitated military conquests, including Kazan and Astrakhan, that changed the shape and demographic character of Russia forever. He also reshaped the political formation of the Russian state, oversaw a cultural Renaissance in Russia, and shifted power to the head of state, the tsar, a title that had never before been given to a prince in the Rus’ lands.

Rise to Power

Ivan IV was born in 1530 to Vasili III and Elena Glinskaya. He was three when he was named the Grand Prince of Moscow after his father’s death. Some say his years as the child vice-regent of Moscow under manipulative boyar powers shaped his views for life. In 1547, at the age of sixteen, he was crowned “Tsar of All the Russias” and was the first person to be coronated with that title. This title claimed the heritage of Kievan Rus’ while firmly establishing a new unified Russian state. He also married Anastasia Romanovna, which tied him to the powerful Romanov family.

18th-century portrait of Ivan IV: Images of Ivan IV often display a prominent brow and a frowning mouth.

Domestic Innovations and Changes

Despite Ivan IV’s reputation as a paranoid and moody ruler, he also contributed to the cultural and political shifts that would shape Russia for centuries. Among these initial changes in relatively peaceful times he:

• Revised the law code, the Sudebnik of 1550, which initiated a standing army, known as the streltsy. This army would help him in future military conquests.
• Developed the Zemsky Sobor, a Russian parliament, along with the council of the nobles, known as the Chosen Council.
• Regulated the Church more effectively with the Council of the Hundred Chapters, which regulated Church traditions and the hierarchy.
• Established the Moscow Print Yard in 1553 and brought the first printing press to Russia.
• Oversaw the construction of St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow.

St. Basil’s Cathedral: This iconic structure was one cultural accomplishment created under Ivan IV’s rule.

Oprichnina and Absolute Monarchy

The 1560s were difficult with Russia facing drought and famine, along with a number of Tatar invasions, and a sea-trading blockade from the Swedes and Poles. Ivan IV’s wife, Anastasia, was also likely poisoned and died in 1560, leaving Ivan shaken and, some sources say, mentally unstable. Ivan IV threatened to abdicate and fled from Moscow in 1564. However, a group of boyars went to beg Ivan to return in order to keep the peace. Ivan agreed to return with the understanding he would be granted absolute power and then instituted what is known as the oprichnina.

1911 painting by Apollinary Vasnetsov: This painting represents people fleeing from the Oprichniki, the secret service and military oppressors of Ivan IV’s reign.

This agreement changed the way the Russian state worked and began an era of oppression, executions, and state surveillance. It split the Russian lands into two distinct spheres, with the northern region around the former Novgorod Republic placed under the absolute power of Ivan IV. The boyar council oversaw the rest of the Russian lands. This new proclamation also started a wave of persecution and against the boyars. Ivan IV executed, exiled, or forcibly removed hundreds of boyars from power, solidifying his legacy as a paranoid and unstable ruler.

Military Conquests and Foreign Relations

Ivan IV established a powerful trade agreement with England and even asked for asylum, should he need it in his fights with the boyars, from Elizabeth I. However, Ivan IV’s greatest legacy remains his conquests, which reshaped Russia and pushed back Tatar powers who had been dominating and invading the region for centuries.

His first conquest was the Kazan Khanate, which had been raiding the northeast region of Russia for decades. This territory sits in modern-day Tatarstan. A faction of Russian supporters were already rising up in the region but Ivan IV led his army of 150,000 to battle in June of 1552. After months of siege and blocking Kazan’s water supply, the city fell in October. The conquest of the entire Kazan Khanate reshaped relations between the nomadic people and the Russian state. It also created a more diverse population under the fold of the Russian state and the Church.

Ivan IV also embarked on the Livonian War, which lasted 24 years. The war pitted Russia against the Swedish Empire, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and Poland. The Polish leader, Stefan Batory, was an ally of the Ottoman Empire in the south, which was also in a tug-of-war with Russia over territory. These two powerful entities on each edge of Russian lands, and the prolonged wars, left the economy in Moscow strained and Russian resources scarce in the 1570s.

Ivan IV also oversaw two decisive territorial victories during his reign. The first was the defeat of the Crimean horde, which meant the southern lands were once again under Russian leadership. The second expansion of Russian territory was headed by Cossack leader Yermak Timofeyevich. He led expeditions into Siberian territories that had never been under Russian rule. Between 1577 and 1580 many new Siberian regions had reached agreements with Russian leaders, allowing Ivan IV to style himself “Tsar of Siberia” in his last years.

Ivan IV’s throne: This decadent throne mirrors Ivan the Terrible’s love of power and opulence.

Madness and Legacy

Ivan IV left behind a compelling and contradictory legacy. Even his nickname “terrible” is a source for confusion. In Russian the word grozny means “awesome,” “powerful” or “thundering,” rather than “terrible” or “mad.” However, Ivan IV often behaved in ruthless and paranoid ways that favors the less flattering interpretation. He persecuted the long-ruling boyars and often accused people of attempting to murder him (which makes some sense when you look at his family’s history). His often reckless foreign policies, such as the drawn out Livonian War, left the economy unstable and fertile lands a wreck. Legend also suggests he murdered his son Ivan Ivanovich, whom he had groomed for the throne, in 1581, leaving the throne to his childless son Feodor Ivanovich. However, his dedication to culture and innovation reshaped Russia and solidified its place in the East.

The Time of Troubles

The Time of Troubles occurred between 1598 and 1613 and was caused by severe famine, prolonged dynastic disputes, and outside invasions from Poland and Sweden. The worst of it ended with the coronation of Michael I in 1613.

Outline the distinctive features of the Time of Troubles and how they eventually ended

• The Time of Troubles started with the death of the childless Tsar Feodor Ivanovich, which spurred an ongoing dynastic dispute.
• Famine between 1601 and 1603 caused massive starvation and further strained Russia.
• Two false heirs to the throne, known as False Dmitris, were backed by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth that wanted to grab power in Moscow.
• Rurikid Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and Novgorod merchant Kuzma Minin led the final resistance against Polish invasion that ended the dynastic dispute and reclaimed Moscow in 1613.
• Feodor Ivanovich : The last tsar of the Rurik Dynasty, whose death spurred on a major dynastic dispute.
• Dmitry Pozharsky : The Rurikid prince that successfully ousted Polish forces from Moscow.
• Zemsky Sobor : A form of Russian parliament that met to vote on major state decisions, and was comprised of nobility, Orthodox clergy, and merchant representatives.

The Time of Troubles was an era ofRussian history dominated by a dynastic crisis and exacerbated by ongoing wars with Poland and Sweden, as well as a devastating famine. It began with the death of the childless last Russian Tsar of the Rurik Dynasty, Feodor Ivanovich, in 1598 and continued until the establishment of the Romanov Dynasty in 1613. It took another six years to end two of the wars that had started during the Time of Troubles, including the Dymitriads against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Famine and Unrest

At the death of Feodor Ivanovich, the last Rurikid Tsar, in 1598, his brother-in-law and trusted advisor, Boris Godunov, was elected his successor by the Zemsky Sobor (Great National Assembly). Godunov was a leading boyar and had accomplished a great deal under the reign of the mentally-challenged and childless Feodor. However, his position as a boyar caused unrest among the Romanov clan who saw it as an affront to follow a lowly boyar. Due to the political unrest, strained resources, and factions against his rule, he was not able to accomplish much during his short reign, which only lasted until 1605.

Tsar Boris Godunov: His short-lived reign was beset by famine and resistance from the boyars.

While Godunov was attempting to keep the country stitched together, a devastating famine swept across Russian from 1601 to 1603. Most likely caused by a volcanic eruption in Peru in 1600, the temperatures stayed well below normal during the summer months and often went below freezing at night. Crops failed and about two million Russians, a third of the population, perished during this famine. This famine also caused people to flock to Moscow for food supplies, straining the capital both socially and financially.

Dynastic Uncertainty and False Dmitris

The troubles did not cease after the famine subsided. In fact, 1603 brought about new political and dynastic struggles. Feodor Ivanovich’s younger brother was reportedly stabbed to death before the Tsar’s death, but somepeople still believed he had fled and was alive. The first of the nicknamed False Dmitris appeared in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1603 claiming he was the lost young brother of Ivan the Terrible. Polish forces saw this pretender’s appearance as an opportunity to regain land and influence in Russia and the some 4,000 troops comprised of Russian exiles, Lithuanians, and Cossacks crossed the border and began what is known as the Dymitriad wars.

Vasili IV of Russia: He was the last member of the Rurikid Dynasty to rule in Moscow between 1606 and 1610.

False Dmitri was supported by enough Polish and Russian rebels hoping for a rich reward that he was married to Marina Mniszech and ascended to the throne in Moscow at Boris Godunov’s death in 1605. Within a year Vasily Shuisky (a Rurikid prince) staged an uprising against False Dmitri, murdered him, and seized control of power in Moscow for himself. He ruled between 1606 and 1610 and was known as Vasili IV. However, the boyars and mercenaries were still displeased with this new ruler. At the same time as Shuisky’s ascent, a new False Dmitri appeared on the scene with the backing of the Polish-Lithuanian magnates.

An Empty Throne and Wars

Shuisky retained power long enough to make a treaty with Sweden, which spurred a worried Poland into officially beginning the Polish-Muscovite War that lasted from 1605 to 1618. The struggle over who would gain control of Moscow became entangled and complex once Poland became an acting participant. Shuisky was still on the throne, both the second False Dmitri and the son of the Polish king, Władysław, were attempting to take control.

None of the three pretenders succeeded, however, when the Polish king himself, Sigismund III, decided he would take the seat in Moscow.

Russia was stretched to its limit by 1611. Within the five years after Boris Godunov’s death powers had shifted considerably:

• The boyars quarreled amongst themselves over who should rule Moscow while the throne remained empty.
• Russian Orthodoxy was imperiled and many Orthodox religious leaders were imprisoned.
• Catholic Polish forces occupied the Kremlin in Moscow and Smolensk.
• Swedish forces had taken over Novgorod in retaliation to Polish forces attempting to ally with Russia.
• Tatar raids continued in the south leaving many people dead and stretched for resources.

The End of Troubles

Two strong leaders arose out of the chaos of the first decade of the 17th century to combat the Polish invasion and settle the dynastic dispute. The powerful Novgordian merchant Kuzma Minin along with the Rurikid Prince Dmitry Pozharsky rallied enough forces to push back the Polish forces in Russia. The new Russian rebellion first pushed Polish forces back to the Kremlin, and between November 3rd and 6th (New Style) Prince Pozharsky had forced the garrison to surrender in Moscow. November 4 is known as National Unity Day, however it fell out of favor during Communism, only to be reinstated in 2005.

The dynastic wars finally came to an end when the Grand National Assembly elected Michael Romanov, the son of the metropolitan Philaret, to the throne in 1613. The new Romanov Tsar, Michael I, quickly had the second False Dmitri’s son and wife killed, to stifle further uprisings.

Michael I: The first Romanov Tsar to be crowned in 1613.

Despite the end to internal unrest, the wars with Sweden and Poland would last until 1618 and 1619 respectively, when peace treaties were finally enacted. These treaties forced Russia to cede some lands, but the dynastic resolution and the ousting of foreign powers unified most people in Russia behind the new Romanov Tsar and started a new era.

The Romanovs

The Romanov Dynasty was officially founded at the coronation of Michael I in 1613. It was the second royal dynasty in Russia after the Rurikid princes of the Middle Ages. The Romanov name stayed in power until the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II in 1917.

Explain the rise of power of the House of Romanov and the first major Russian Tsars of this dynasty

• The Romanovs were exiled during the Time of Troubles but brought back when Romanovs Patriarch Philaret and his son Michael were politically advantageous.
• Michael I was the first Romanov Tsar and began a long line of powerful rulers.
• Alexis I successfully navigated Russia through multiple uprisings and wars and created long-lasting political bureaus.
• After a long dynastic dispute, Peter the Great rose to power and changed Russia with the new capital of St. Petersburg and western influences.
• Old Believers : Followers of the Orthodox faith the way it was practiced before Alexis I convened the Great Moscow Synod and changed the traditions.
• Duma chancellory : The first provincial administrative bureau created under Alexis I. In Russian it is called Razryadny Prikaz.
• Rurikid : A descendent of the Rurik Dynasty, which dominated seats of power throughout Russian lands for over six centuries before the Romanov Dynasty began.

The House of Romanov

The House of Romanov was the second major royal dynasty in Russia, and arose after the Rurikid Dynasty. It was founded in 1613 with the coronation of Michael I and ended in 1917 with the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II. However, the direct male blood line of the Romanov Dynasty ended when Elizabeth of Russia died in 1762, and Peter III, followed by Catherine the Great, were placed in power, both German-born royalty.

Roots of the Romanovs

The earliest common ancestor for the Romanov clan goes back to Andrei Kobyla. Sources say he was a boyar under the leadership of the Rurikid prince Semyon I of Moscow in 1347. This figure remains somewhat mysterious with some sources claiming he was the high-born son of a Rus’ prince. Others point to the name Kobyla, which means horse, suggesting he was descended from the Master of Horsein the royal household.

Whatever the real origins of this patriarch-like figure, his descendants split into about a dozen different branches over the next couple of centuries. One such descendent, Roman Yurievich Zakharyin-Yuriev, gave the Romanov Dynasty its name. Grandchildren of this patriarch changed their name to Romanov and it remained there until they rose to power.

The Romanov Dynasty proper was founded after the Time of Troubles, an era between 1598 and 1613, which included a dynastic struggle, wars with Sweden and Poland, and severe famine. Tsar Boris Godunov’s rule, which lasted until 1605, saw the Romanov families exiled to the Urals and other remote areas. Michael I’s father was forced to take monastic vows and adopt the name Philaret. Two impostors attempting to gain the throne in Moscow attempted to leverage Romanov power after Godunov died in 1605. And by 1613, the Romanov family had again become a popular name in the running for power.

Patriarch Philaret’s son, Michael I, was voted into power by the zemsky sober in July 1613, ending a long dynastic dispute. He unified the boyars and satisfied the Moscow royalty as the son of Feodor Nikitich Romanov (now Patriarch Philaret) and the nephew of the Rurikid Tsar Feodor I. He was only sixteen at his coronation, and both he and his mother were afraid of his future in such a difficult political position.

Representation of a young Michael I: He rose to power in Moscow when he was just sixteen and went on to become an influential leader in Russian history.

Michael I reinstated order in Moscow over his first years in power and also developed two major government offices, the Posolsky Prikaz (Foreign Office) and the Razryadny Prikaz (Duma chancellory, or provincial administration office). These two offices remained essential to Russian order for a many decades.

Michael I ruled until his death in 1645 and his son, Alexis, took over the throne at the age of sixteen, just like his father. His reign would last over 30 years and ended at his death in 1676. His reign was marked by riots in cities such Pskov and Novgorod, as well as continued wars with Sweden and Poland.

Alexis I of Russian in the 1670s: His policies toward the Church and peasant uprisings created new legal codes and traditions that lasted well into the 19th century.

However, Alexis I established a new legal code called Subornoye Ulozheniye, which created a serf class, made hereditary class unchangeable, and required official state documentation to travel between towns. These codes stayed in effect well into the 19th century. Under Alexis I’s rule, the Orthodox Church also convened the Great Moscow Synod, which created new customs and traditions. This historic moment created a schism between what are termed Old Believers (those attached to the previous hierarchy and traditions of the Church) and the new Church traditions. Alexis I’s legacy paints him as a peaceful and  reflective ruler, with a propensity for progressive ideas.

Dynastic Dispute and Peter the Great

At the death of Alexis I in 1676, a dynastic dispute erupted between the children of his first wife, namely Fyodor III, Sofia Alexeyevna, Ivan V, and the son of his second wife, Peter Alexeyevich (later Peter the Great). The crown was quickly passed down through the children of his first wife. Fyodor III died from illness after ruling for only six years. Between 1682 and 1689 power was contested between Sofia Alexeyevna, Ivan V, and Peter. Sofia served as regent from 1682 to 1689. She actively opposed Peter’s claim to the throne in favor of her own brother, Ivan. However, Ivan V and Peter shared the throne until Ivan’s death in 1696.

This portrait was a gift to the King of England and displays a western style that was rarely scene in royal portraits before this time. He is not wearing a beard or the traditional caps and robes that marked Russian nobility before his rule.

Peter went on to rule over Russia, and even style himself Emperor of all Russia in 1721, and ruled until his death in 1725. He built a new capital in St. Petersburg, where he built a navy and attempted to wrest control of the Baltic Sea. He is also remembered for bringing western culture and Enlightenment ideas to Russia, as well as limiting the control of the Church.

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• Boyar. Provided by : Wikipedia. Located at : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyar . License : CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
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