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Catherine I of Russia

Krustpils, 1684 – Saint Petersburg, 5 May 1727

15 facts3 sources

Animated by AI

About Catherine I

Catherine I: from consort to ruler of Russia

AI-assisted · edited

The collection records 1684 as Catherine I’s probable birth year in Krustpils, although the dating is disputed. It identifies Samuel Skowroński as her father and Dorothea Skowrońska as her mother. 123

Catherine served as empress consort from 1721 to 1725. The collection’s summary describes her as Peter the Great’s second wife; a separate relationship record also links her to Johann Kruse. 45678

Catherine ruled as Empress of Russia from 1725 until her death in 1727. The collection records her death in Saint Petersburg, while noting a dispute over the precise date. 591011

Drafted with AI and edited against the collection. Open a citation to see the record, its sources and how certain it is.

Facts and their sources

  • Born1684, KrustpilsRecords disagree1 source
  • MarriedPeter the Greatnot verified1 source
  • MarriedJohann Krusenot verified1 source
  • Titleempress consortor Emperor of all the Russias, 1725–1727not verified1 source
  • TitleEmperor of all the Russias, 1725–1727or empress consortnot verified1 source
  • Died5 May 1727, Saint Petersburgor 17 May 1727Records disagree1 source
  • FatherSamuel Skowrońskinot verified1 source
  • MotherDorothea Skowrońskanot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 1684

    Born in Krustpils

  2. 1707–1718

    8 children are born

  3. 1725–1727

    Emperor of all the Russias

  4. 5 May 1727

    Dies in Saint Petersburg

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partners

Children · 8

During her lifetime

She lived through 5 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Krustpils.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1680s · Catherine I is born in Krustpils

In the news1685

New postal service in Courland

Duke Frederick Casimir organized a separate, independent postal service through Courland in 1685, sparking fierce competition with the existing Swedish-run mail service.

Getting around

Travel speeds and common transport methods

Ordinary people mostly traveled on foot, covering 20–25 kilometers per day, or used simple carts drawn by one or more horses, which traveled 25–30 kilometers daily.

In the news1686–1690

Church Law transforms regional literacy

The Church Law of 1686, extended to Livonia in 1690, mandated that parish priests monitor households to ensure they could read the Bible and participate in catechism.

Daily life

Schooling and Discipline for Children

Schooling for peasant children included reading, writing, and religion, often supervised by local pastors. In Liepāja, teachers were permitted to use a rod for discipline, though striking children with fists or sticks was prohibited by law.

What people wore

Traditional handmade accessories and footwear

Women covered their heads with linen scarves that were decorated with colorful threads and needle embroidery. People also skillfully made everyday shoes from linden or willow bark.

Music

Traditional musical instruments in villages

Traditional instruments during this era included bagpipes, which were widely known in villages, alongside shepherd instruments like whistles, horns, and trumpets.

At the table

Home-brewed beer was standard drink

Beer was the most common drink, and while guilds controlled commercial brewing, individuals frequently brewed their own for home use.