Alexei Romanov and Rasputin

Alexei was a hemophiliac, a death sentence before hemoglobin. Contemporary doctors could do nothing at the onset of an attack. The disease was passed down through women on the family tree. Alexei's originated with Queen Victoria, grandmother of his mother, Alexandra. It was called the "Royal Disease". The charismatic and certainly enigmatic Rasputin, with his mesmerizing eyes and demeanor, CALMED Alexei during these attacks. One can imagine that one's emotions and ergo heart rate, blood pressure increases when one is on the brink of death and in excruciating pain. Blood flow increases throughout the body. Rasputin calmed Alexei and therefore staunched the flow of the rushing blood.
Alexandra, a very spirtual and religious individual, believed Rasputin's power came from God. She would not hear of it that the latter was anything but a saint when, in his presence, he was saved from certain death by these ministrations.

Alexei Romanov

ALEXEI & ME - historical novel for 9-14 year olds. 14 year old Alexei had two impossible burdens; heir to the 300 yr. Romanov dynasty AND hemophilia. The "Royal Disease" in the early 1900's had no cure (before the invention of hemoglobin) and was a death sentence by the early twenties.
The Tsar was in power by Divine Right and therefore the public could not be informed of this 'human' frailty. Only the Siberian peasant monk, Rasputin, had the mesmerizing power to staunch the flow of blood during Alexei's hemophilia attacks. The assassination of the entire family was the executed by Lenin, months after the Russian Revolution. Books are available at www.BestofBroadwayProductions. Author Greer Firestone firestone@delaware.net