Alexis's son, Peter, born. Alexis had become the center of growing opposition to Peter I. Peter demanded that Alexis support his reforms or renounce the throne. Alexis fled to Austria (1716) but returned in 1718 and died in prison as a result of torture.
Spiritual Reglament. The Holy Synod replaced the system of patriarchs. It consisted of 10 (then 12) clerics with the Ober-Procurator, a layman, appointed to oversee the synod. The Church had been without a patriarch since the death of Hadrian in 1700 because the tsar had left the position vacant.
Creation of Supreme Secret Council. It consisted of six members to advise the tsarina. Following Catherine's death, the council limited Anne's control over the country.
Anne opened a military school for gentry in St. Petersburg and allowed graduates to become officers in the military without serving in the lower ranks.
