Rebels and Heroes: The History of the Grenadier Regiment’s Life Guards in 1814–1831

The article examines the service of the Grenadier Regiment of the Life Guards in the period after the end of the Napoleonic Wars. The author of the article concludes that the participation of the Grenadier Regiment in the Decembrist uprising was due to the exceptionally difficult conditions of service in this regiment in 1821–1822. The author proves that the conditions of service in the Grenadier Regiment were heavier than in most other parts of the guard. The author explores the guards policy of Emperor Nicholas I. The author concludes that Emperor Nicholas pursued a more flexible policy towards the Guard units. This policy helped restore the reputation of the Grenadier Regiment and its combat capability. The author analyzed the combat service of the Grenadier Regiment in the Russian-Turkish War of 1828–1829. According to the author, the Grenadier Regiment demonstrated high combat capability and suffered heavy losses. The good combat results of the Grenadier Regiment led to the fact that Emperor Nicholas I gave this unit the status of the Old Guard in 1831. Such a decision by Emperor Nicholas I meant his confidence in the loyalty of the Grenadier Regiment.