New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-20
DAVID HIS FOREBEAR
Cars Cousin to Wed Noble OF
Jewish Biblical Descent.

brentwood
Emperor Nicholas has given his consent
10 the marriage of his cousin. Princess
Tstiana Constantinova, daughter of the
Grand Duke Constantine Constantinovitch,
70 Prince Constantine Bsgration Muchran-
.kv lieutenant of the Chevalier Gardes
Regiment and scion of one Of the most
sncieut houses OF the Russian aristocracy.
which prides itself or its lineal descent
from the Biblical King David. The Russian
counterpart Of the "Almanach de Gotha,
nuhushed by the government a. St Peters
hprg. laws particular stress on the jewish
origin Of the Bagration family. insists on
,ts descent from King David and states
,bst there Is no other house. either royal
or noble. that can show so ancient an
origin.
The Basrations' descent from King David
ssures in documents still in existence or
,hs reign OF the Byzantine Emperor Con-
stantine VII, who occupied the throne at
constantinople in the ninth century OF me
christian era Twelve hundred years be-
,ore Christ the Bagrations were already
eolrishing as princes and chiettains OF AL
,hsr big Jewish colony that was settled IN
the Caucasus at the time OF the invasion
If Palestine by the Assyrian ruler T1glath
PYsser /. the founder Of the Assyrian En-
Miro and who. in accordance with the
custom in those days. drove most OF the
i,babitants OF the Holy Land from their
co,.ntrv into Caucasian captivity These
laws Of the Caucasus retained their Jewish
oath until conquered by the Russians. who
compelled them TO adopt Christianity in its
Greek orthodox form
The Prince Ba grafton who is engaged TO
Princess Tatiana Of Russia, though stli
vounc I'm years. mas seen quite 5000 oedl
81 active service. not only in the war
AGAINST Japan but likewise IN South Africa
Cor he volunteered for service with the
pos-s in their struggle against Great
britain and was the adjutant Of that dis
,inruished French retired cavalry ofncer
Genera the Marquis de Villebois. who fell
3, the conflict. and who included among
,,A members OF his staff Prince Louis OF
uorrbon- Bra CANA one Of the sons OF
pr,nco CASTOR Of Orleans. Count Eu, and
=, the ex-Crown Princess of Brazil Louis
~ Bourbon lighting under the name OF
.I1ui- de Mercy"
Prince Bagration was captured ano' nav
,rr refused 10 give his parole was neld as
rrisouer Of war on the island OF 81
Ieiena along with General Cronje. until
,bs restoration Of peace. The prince, II
NAV he added. has nothing but appreci-
anon for the friendly and courteous man.
,a- IN which ne was treated by the Eng
lsb authorities at St Helena. where. owing
70 the Intervention in his behalf OF the
,y,5ored Czarina. he was the object of par
tcular consideration.
His eanc6e Princess Tatiana. is not
grand duchess. nor Vet an imperial high
ness. for she represents the fourth gener-
alton m descent from the throne. being
Tho rreat-eranddaughter Of Emperor Nicho-
las l. and according 70 the laws Of Rus
sis. the imperia. status. with the title of
grand duke and grand duchess. only eX-
tends % the third generation. This being
the case. and since her fanck's family is
regarded as one Of the mediatized. or for
merly sovereign houses of the Caucasus.
there can he no question of any such
uesalliance as took place when Nicholas
Is favorite daughter. the Grand Duchess
Marie. married Count Nicholas Stroganoff.
With regard to the Jewish ancestry OF
the Bagrations. II may he timely to recall
tina, King George Of Great Britain. and
consequently also the Kaiser. boast Of
lneal descent from King David. Genoa
logical trees showing this descent are in
existence az Windsor Castle and at the
New Palace a Potsdsm. They are Of mod
ern fabrication. But among the treasures
az Hatfield. the country seat Of the Mar
ouis Of Salisbury, and which was once the
favorite home Of Queen Elizabeth. there is
4 genealogical tree dating from her time
measuring forty-fve feet in length and
showing her ancestry back through every
generation 70 the Biblical King David. II
Is believed 20 he the largest genealogical
tree IN eyistence