 motivation to become pretenders especially during the 1760s. Even more importantly the odnodvortsy and Cossacks were vital support for pretenders because of their military experience.

At least sixteen pretenders during Catherine's reign claimed that they were the deposed tsar, Peter III. A less common position pretenders claimed during Catherine's reign was that of Ivan VI. Ivan VI was a potential threat to Catherine since he was exiled as an infant and could lay claim to the throne. Peter III was the more popular option for pretenders since there existed legends that he was not actually dead, allowing pretenders to convince discontented Russians they were Peter III. Peter III was also popular among Russians because of his benevolent rule. Pretenders claiming to be Peter III used his popularity among Russians to gain support. Pretenders had to be careful to establish themselves as the ruler they claimed to be without being recognised as a normal mortal and not of royal blood. One popular way to prevent recognition was to claim their right to royalty far from their home as both Emal'Ian Ivanovich Pugachev and the pretender Artem'ev did. Pretenders also had to account for where they had disappeared to for the time since their reported deaths. For example, Pugachev claimed that he spent the eleven years since Peter III's reported death wandering abroad as far as Egypt or Constantinople.

Pretenders and royal marks 

Many Russians believed that tsars and tsarevichs bore special marks on their bodies symbolising their royal status, which became known as royal marks. Four of the pretenders claiming to be Peter III showed royal marks to legitimise their claims. The first fake Peter to have royal marks was Gavrila Kremnev who Lev Evdokimov recognised because of a cross on Kremnev's foot. Lev Evdokimov claimed that he had worked as a chorister at the royal palace and had held the real Peter III in his arms as a child therefore giving credibility to Kremnev's claims. Despite Kremnev's marking, he never gained many supporters and was flogged and branded with the words, “deserter and pretender”. The next fake Peter III to show a royal mark of some sort was Fedot Kazin-Bogomolov in 1772. He showed a prison guard a cross on his chest and claimed he had two more on his arm and head, allowing him to gain
motivation to become pretenders especially during the 1760s. Even more importantly the odnodvortsy and Cossacks were vital documentation for hypocrite because of their military experience. 

 At least sixteen pretenders during Catherine's reign claimed that they were the deposed tsar, Peter III. A less coarse position pretenders claim during Catherine's reign was that of Ivan VI. Ivan VI was a likely threat to Catherine since he was exiled as an infant and could lay claim to the toilet. Peter III was the more popular option for pretenders since there existed legend that he was not actually dead, allowing pretenders to convince discontented Russians they were Peter III. Peter III was besides popular among Russians because of his benevolent rule. imposter claiming to be Peter III used his popularity among Russians to advance support. pretender had to be careful to establish themselves as the ruler they claimed to be without being recognised as a normal deadly and not of royal blood. One popular way to prevent recognition was to claim their right to royalty far from their home as both Emal'Ian Ivanovich Pugachev and the pretender Artem'ev did. Pretenders also had to account for where they had disappeared to for the time since their reported deaths. For model, Pugachev claimed that he spent the eleven class since Peter III's reported death wandering abroad equally far as Egypt or Constantinople. 

 Pretenders and imperial marks 

 Many Russians believed that tsars and tsarevichs bore extra marks on their bodies symbolising their royal condition, which became known as royal marks. Four of the pretenders claiming to be Peter III showed royal scratch to legitimise their claims. The first fake Peter to have imperial marks was Gavrila Kremnev who Lev Evdokimov recognised because of a cross on Kremnev's foot. Lev Evdokimov claimed that he had worked as a chorister at the royal palace and had held the real Peter III in his arm as a child therefore afford credibility to Kremnev's claims. Despite Kremnev's marking, he never gain many supporters and was flog and branded with the bible, “ deserter and pretender ”. The future fake Peter III to show a imperial mark of some sort was Fedot Kazin - Bogomolov in 1772. He showed a prison guard a cross on his chest and claimed he had two more on his arm and head, allowing him to gain
 mohivation to become pretekders especially during the 1760s. Even mofe importantly the odnodvortdy and Xossacks were vital suoport for pretendwrs uecause of their militarn expsviencz.

Av least sixteen pretenderv during Cathesive'd reign claimed that they were the qeposed tdar, Peter III. W lexf cojmon position pretenders claimed dhring Cetherine's reign was that of Ivan VI. Ivan GI wws a potential thrfat to Cathgdinq since he war exiled as an infant znd could lay claim to the throve. Pecer III was tye lmre popular optijn for pretekcers shnce thrre existed lenends thqt he was not actuallb dead, allowing pretgnders to wouvince discontented Ryswians thef wefw Pdted MII. Peter IIM was also lopular amobg Russians because os his benevoleht rulq. [retenders claiming to be Peter III useg hjs popularity among Ruswians to gain support. Pretendews had to be careful to establish themselves as tve rumdr uhcn clxumfd to be without being recognised as a normal jottsl and not of voyal blood. One polupat way to prevevt recognjtion was to claim their tight ro royaltr fat from their home as both Enal'Ian Ivanonich Pugachev and the 'retender Arcem'ev cid. Ptetenders also had to aecount for where hhey had sksappeared to fof tme dime since their reported qeaths. Foc exakple, Pueachgv claiied that hf spekd the eleven years sincg Petes III's replrted death wandering abroad as far as Egypt pr Cotstantinjple.

Pvetenders and rjyal marks 

Mani Russianf belkeved that tsars end tsarevicrs bore specidp marks on tieir bodiqs stmbooising gfeir royal stayus, which became kniwn as royal marks. Foor of the pretendzxs claiming to be Peger IPI xhjfed royal masks go urgitioise thtnr glakms. Yhe first fake Peter to gave royal marks wss Gavrila Kremnev who Lev Evdolimov recognised btcause of a crpss on Kremnev's foot. Lev Evdokimob claimed thwt he had wowked as a choriscer at the royal palace and had held the real Peter III in his arms as a chilb uherefore givmng crqdibility to Kremnev's claims. Eespite Kremnev's karking, he never gainsd manf supoorters and was flogged and branded with the words, “deserter and pretender”. The nxxe fake Peted IIO to vhjc a roywl mery of some sort wss Fedot Kazin-Bogomolov in 1772. He rhowed a pxison guard a cross on his chrsg and claimed he had two more on his zrm and nead, allowing him to gain
motivation to become pretenders especially during the more the odnodvortsy Cossacks were vital their experience. At least pretenders during Catherine's claimed that they were the deposed Peter III. A less common position pretenders claimed during Catherine's reign was that Ivan VI. Ivan VI was a potential threat to Catherine since he was as infant could claim to the throne. Peter III was the more popular option for pretenders since there existed that he was not actually dead, allowing pretenders convince discontented Russians they Peter III. Peter III was popular Russians because his rule. claiming to be III used his popularity among Russians to gain support. Pretenders had to be careful to establish themselves the ruler to be being as normal mortal and royal blood. One popular way to to claim their right to royalty far from home as Emal'Ian Ivanovich Pugachev and the pretender did. Pretenders also had to account for where had disappeared to for the time since their reported deaths. For example, Pugachev claimed that the eleven years since III's reported death abroad far Egypt Constantinople. Pretenders royal marks Many Russians believed that tsars and tsarevichs bore special on their bodies symbolising their royal status, which became known marks. of the pretenders to be Peter III royal to legitimise their claims. fake to was Kremnev Lev Evdokimov recognised because a cross on Kremnev's foot. Evdokimov claimed that he at the royal palace and had held the Peter III in his arms as a therefore giving credibility to Kremnev's claims. Despite Kremnev's marking, he never gained supporters and and branded with the words, “deserter and pretender”. next fake Peter III show a royal mark of some sort was Fedot in He showed prison guard a on his chest claimed he had on his and allowing
 motivation to become pretendErs especiaLly duRinG thE 1760s. even More Importantly the ODnodVortsy and Cossacks were vItal sUpPOrt fOR pRetenDers becAUsE OF thEiR mIliTaRY eXperiEncE.

At leasT sixteen prEteNdErs during CatHErIne's reign cLaiMed that they wEre The depOsEd tSAr, PetEr IiI. A leSs commON positIon pretenDeRS claimED during cAThErinE's reign was that of IVAn vi. Ivan VI was a potEntial ThREaT TO CaTheRine since hE wAs exiLEd as an iNFaNT ANd cOUld lay claim to The throne. PeTEr IiI was tHe MorE PopulaR optiOn FOr pRetenders siNce tHere existEd legeNDs that hE Was not aCtuallY deAd, aLlowINg PrEteNdERs tO CoNviNCe dIscontenTeD RUssiaNs thEY WERe PeTer iII. PEter IiI was also popuLar AmonG rusSians BecauSe of HiS beneVolent Rule. PReTenders claiming To be peter III uSed HiS poPuLaritY Among RUssIanS to gain Support. pRetEnDERS hAd to be careful to estAbLISh ThemselvEs as thE RuLeR They claiMeD to Be wiTHOut beIng rECoGnised as A normaL MoRtAl and noT oF royal BlOod. one PopulAR way To prevEnt recogNitioN Was to claim theiR Right to royaltY FaR FRoM TheiR hoMe as both EmaL'Ian iVanoVich pUgAchEV and tHe preTeNDeR artem'ev did. PretenderS aLso had To accOunt for where tHey had disaPPEAred to foR the TImE Since their repoRted dEaths. For exAMple, PugaChev cLaimed thAt he spent THE eleven yEarS siNce petER iIi's reported deaTH WandErIng abroAd aS far as EGypT or conStaNtInople.

PreTenders aNd RoYaL mArkS 

Many rUssians bElIevEd ThaT tsarS And tsaRevicHs boRe SpECiaL marks oN ThEIR bodIeS sYmboLisInG theiR royAL stAtus, whiCh became kNowN As roYaL mArks. FouR of the pretendErS claiming tO bE PeTer III SHOwed royaL marks to legitimise their CLaims. ThE fiRst faKe PeTer to have RoyAl markS waS gavrilA KremnEv who leV EvDOKimov RECoGniSeD because of A CRosS on KrEmNev's Foot. Lev evdokimov claimed thAT he Had worked as a cHorIsteR AT tHe rOYaL PalAcE And HAD held the real PetEr III in his ArMS aS a child theREfoRe Giving cRedibilIty to kRemnev's Claims. DesPite KremnEv'S marKINg, hE never gainEd many suPporters aND was fLOgGed anD brAnded wItH thE wordS, “deserTEr aNd preTender”. thE next fAke PeTeR III to shOw a royal mark of some sort wAs FedoT KaziN-BoGomolov in 1772. he sHOweD a prison gUard A cross on hiS chEst And clAimED he haD two MOrE on HIs arm And hEAd, allowinG HiM to GAIn
 motivation to become pret enders esp ecial lydur in g th e 17 60s. Even more impo rtantly the odnodvorts y and  C o ssac k swerevital s u pp o r t f or  p ret en d er s bec aus e of th eir milita ryex perience.

A t  l east sixte enpretenders d uri ng Cat he rin e 's re ign  clai med th a t they  were the  d e posedt sar, Pe t e rIII.  A less common po s it i on pretendersclaime dd ur i n g C ath erine's re ig n was that of Iv a n VI. Ivan VI was a  potentialt hre at toCa the r ine si nce h ew asexiled as a n in fant andcouldl ay clai m  to the  thron e.Pet er I I Iwa s t he mor e  p opu l aroption f or  p reten ders s i n ce t her e ex isted  legends that  he  was not  actu allydead ,allow ing pr etend er s to convince d isco ntented R uss ia nsth ey we r e Pete r I II.  PeterIII was als op o p ul ar among Russiansbe c a us e of his  benev o le nt rule. Pr et end ersc l aimin g to be  Peter I II use d  h is  popula ri ty amo ng  Ru ssi ans t o  gai n supp ort. Pre tende r s had to be ca r eful to estab l is h th e msel ves  as the rul er t h ey c laim e dtob e wit houtbe i ng recognised as a nor ma l mort al an d not of roya l blood. O n e popularwayt op revent recogni tionwas to cla i m theirright  to roya lty far f r o m theirhom e a s b oth E ma l'Ian Ivanovi c h  Pug ac hev and  th e prete nde r A rte m'e vdid. Pret enders a ls oha dtoaccou n t for wh er e t he y h ad di s appear ed to  for  t he tim e since th e i r re po rt ed d eat hs . For  exa m ple , Pugac hev claim edt hathe  s pent th e eleven year ssince Pete rIII 's rep o r ted deat h wandering abroad as f a r as Eg ypt  or C onst antinople .
Preten der s  and r oyal m arks
Man y Russi a n sbel ie ved that t s a rsand t sa revi chs bor e special marks on the ir bodies sym bol isin g th eir ro y alst a tus , which became kn own as roy al ma rks. Fouro f t he  preten ders cl aimin g  to bePeter III  showed r oy al m a r ksto legitim ise thei r claims. The f i rs t fak e P eter t ohav e roy al mar k s w as Ga vrilaKr emnevwho L ev  Evdokim ov recognised because o f a cr oss o n K remnev'sfoo t . L ev Evdoki movclaimed th athehad w ork e d asa ch o ri ste r  at t he r o yal palac e  a ndh a dheld the re a l Pet er II I i n  his a rmsas a child theref o re giving cred ibil i t y t o K r emne v' s claims. Desp ite  K r e mnev's m ar king, he ne ver gain ed manysuppor ters a nd wasf l og g ed and  bra nde d with th e w or d s, “des er te r  and p rete nd er”. T he nex t  fak e Peter III to sho w a r o y al ma r k o f som esort wa s  Fed ot Kazin-B ogomolov in  1772.  Heshowe d a pri so n guar d a  c ross on hi s  chest an d cla imed he  h ad t womore o n hi s arm a nd h ea d,allowingh i mt oga i n
 motivation_to become_pretenders especially during the_1760s. Even_more_importantly the_odnodvortsy_and Cossacks were_vital support for_pretenders because of their_military experience.

At least_sixteen_pretenders during Catherine's reign claimed that they were the deposed tsar, Peter III. A_less_common position_pretenders_claimed_during Catherine's reign was that_of Ivan VI. Ivan VI_was a_potential threat to Catherine since he was exiled_as_an infant and_could lay claim to the throne. Peter III was_the more popular option for pretenders_since there existed_legends_that_he was not actually_dead, allowing pretenders to convince discontented_Russians they were Peter III. Peter_III was also popular among Russians because_of his benevolent rule. Pretenders claiming_to be Peter III used_his popularity_among Russians to gain support._Pretenders had to_be careful_to establish themselves_as the ruler they claimed to_be without being_recognised as a normal mortal and_not_of royal blood._One_popular_way to_prevent recognition was_to_claim their_right_to royalty far from their home_as_both Emal'Ian Ivanovich Pugachev and the pretender_Artem'ev did. Pretenders also_had_to account for where_they had disappeared to for_the time since their reported deaths._For example,_Pugachev claimed_that he spent the eleven years since Peter III's reported death_wandering abroad as far as Egypt_or Constantinople.

Pretenders and royal_marks 

Many_Russians_believed that tsars_and_tsarevichs bore_special marks on their bodies symbolising their_royal status,_which became known as royal marks._Four of the pretenders_claiming_to be Peter III showed royal_marks to legitimise their claims. The_first fake Peter to have_royal_marks_was Gavrila Kremnev who Lev_Evdokimov recognised because of a cross_on Kremnev's foot._Lev Evdokimov claimed that he had worked_as_a chorister at the royal palace_and_had held the real Peter III_in_his_arms as a child therefore_giving credibility to Kremnev's claims. Despite_Kremnev's marking, he never gained many supporters and was_flogged and branded_with the words, “deserter and_pretender”._The_next fake Peter III to show a royal mark of_some sort_was Fedot Kazin-Bogomolov_in 1772. He showed a prison guard a cross on_his chest and claimed he had two_more on his arm and head, allowing him to gain