Praskovia Saltykova

Praskovia Fyodorovna Saltykova (; 12 October 1664 – 13 October 1723) was the tsaritsa of Russia as the only wife of joint-Tsar Ivan V of Russia. She was the mother of Empress Anna of Russia. She played an important part as the most senior woman of the Russian court in 1698–1712. Life Praskovia Fyodorovna was by birth member of an old Saltykov family. Born as an elder daughter of and of a certain Yekaterina Fyodorovna or of Anna Mikhailovna Tatischeva Empress The marriage of Ivan V was arranged by his sister, the regent Sophia, who wished to ensure the next heir to the throne through Ivan and his faction of the family rather than from his half brother and co-Tsar, Peter. Sophia was at the time the ruler of Russia in place of the two Tsars: the underage Peter and the mentally challenged Ivan. Reportedly, Prince Vasily Golitsyn advised Sophia that when Ivan V had a son, she could appoint Ivan's son to be his co-regent and place Peter in a monastery, thus securing her regency for a much longer period. Ivan V himself reportedly showed no inclination toward marriage, but did as he was told, and Sophia in fact chose his bride. According to the Swedish diplomat Hildebrandt Horn, Praskovia was not willing to marry Ivan, but was forced to consent. She was selected as the bride of Tsar Ivan V in a traditional parade of potential candidates before him. This was the last use of this method to choose a tsaritsa in Russia. The wedding took place in the cathedral church on 9 January 1684, with the Patriarch John officiating as the ceremony. At the wedding, her father changed his name from Alexander Saltykov to Feodor in order to give Praskovia the patronymic Feodorovna, which was associated with the icon by Romanov and considered suitable for an empress.