When the bell tolls three times, it will announce that I have been killed. If I am killed by common men, you and your children will rule Russia for centuries to come; if I am killed by one of your stock, you and your family will be killed by the Russian people! Pray Tsar of Russia. Pray. – Rasputin

At the turn of the 20th century, Rasputin rose to prominence in Russia. He was a self-proclaimed holy man who had been befriended by the Tsar of Russia. By the late 1906 the Russian royal family was availing Rasputin's services to heal the young prince Alexi. Alexi was suffering from hemophilia ans it was feared that the only heir to the throne would die. Very quickly, Rasputin was able to gain control over the royal family. He played a significant role in shaping the policies enforced by the royal family while the Tsar was away  overseeing his armies in WW1. It is said that Rasputin's flawed policies exposed the monarchy to the possibility of the revolution. Of course there are many other, more significant, reasons behind the fall of the Russian royal family; many still attribute its ultimate demise to this maverick healer.