Page "Alexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of Russia" Paragraph 4

In 1708 Peter sent Alexei to Smolensk to collect provender and recruits, and after that to Moscow to fortify it against Charles XII of Sweden.

At the end of 1709, Alexei went to Dresden for one year.

There, he finished lessons in French, German, mathematics and fortification.

After his education, Alexei married, albeit greatly against his will Princess Charlotte of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, whose family was connected by marriage to many of the great families of Europe i. e., Charlotte's sister Elizabeth was married to Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI, ruler of the Habsburg Monarchy.

In theory, Alexei could have refused the marriage, and he had been encouraged by his father to at least meet his intended.

" Why haven't you written to tell me what you thought about her?

" wrote Peter ( in a tone that can only be guessed ) in a letter dated 13 August 1710.