Tsar Nicholas II dressed as Tsar Alexi, the second Romanov Tsar.

Medieval Ball, Winter Palace, February 1903 

The dressmakers were busy

adorning the lucky few who held a golden ticket.

Medieval was the theme this year;

A costume ball to celebrate.

The anniversary of Autocracy.

Empress Alexandra Feodorovna

Boyar and boyarina

Streletski and cossack

Footman or lady in waiting

Nobles of the middle ages.

Countess Marie Kleinmihkel

So dressed in their medieval finery

the Grand Dukes and Duchesses

sped through the frozen streets

to the palace ablaze in light.

Snow, numbing cold and ice crystals

charcoal braziers at the gates

to warm the coachmen.

Frozen breath.

Troikas for the young at heart.

Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna

Inside was music and dancing

French wine and vodka.

Pounds of caviar.

Laughing and greeting

Kissing and embracing.

The best of everything.

No one heard the people

"Bread and land"

They danced and took pictures

to commemorate the night.

And then they were gone

to Paris, London or the grave.

and now we gaze at them and wonder

How could they have been so deaf?