Part 4, On the European Stage, Chapters 48-52 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 48, "The Second Journey West," covers Peter's travels in 1716-17 as a victorious, influential monarch. It has three goals: 1) to recover his health, 2) to witness his niece Catherine's wedding, and 3) to bolster his allies' support for an invasion of Sweden at Scania to force Charles to make peace. The marriage pleases Peter but the prospects of a Russian military presence in Mecklenburg worry the allies and cause procrastination that makes Peter unilaterally call off the campaign. To spare Catherine a winter trip home, Peter goes ahead of her to Holland. She gives birth but the baby dies the next day; Catherine reaches Amsterdam to find Peter in bed with fever. When he recovers, Peter shows Catherine the sights and plans a trip to Paris.

Chapter 49, "The King Is a...