having elevated her to the throne, menshikov established the supreme privy council, which he himself eme. privy council, an advisory body of six to eight people that decided the most important state issues. the council subordinated the senates and collegiums and, according to the decree of catherine ii. he had power equal to that of the sovereign. in the competence of the council did not include the question of the order of succession to the throne, but this restriction was also violated by its members. for now, trying to maintain their position. he keenly observed the lives of other contenders for the throne, including anna ioanovna. soon an unexpected guest arrived in courland, the illegitimate son of the polish king, count moritz , came to visit the duchess. he served in the french army and was looking for an opportunity to get at least some title. prone to vantirism, but charming and... witty , the young widow liked the count, and did not putting it on the back burner, he offered her his hand and heart. anna agreed. her faithful assistant bestuzhev ryumin contributed to the electi