1598-1605 Tsar of Russia.
One of the most controversial rulers in the history of Russia. He began his rule peacefully as a regent and then tsar, but his reign ended in the chaos and anarchy of the Time of Troubles.
Background
Lived: 1551-1605.
Boris Godunov was from a noble family of Tatar origin. He began his career as a prominent Oprichnik.
Regency
Boris was married to the daughter of the infamous Malyuta Skuratov. His own daughter became the tsarina, as the wife of Fyodor I. As Fyodor was intellectually incapable of ruling, Boris Godunov became his regent.
Tsardom
When Fyodor’s illegitimate younger half-brother, a possible heir to the throne, Dmitry mysteriously died (he allegedly cut his own throat while having an epileptic seizure), there were many who believed Boris Godunov was behind it.
After Fyodor’s natural death, the Zemsky Sobor elected Godunov as the new tsar. He proved to be a wise and capable ruler, a geat reformer and westernizer.
Decline
The catastrophic 3-year famine led to a popular uprising against the tsar. Rumours spread that the people were being punished for Godunov’s murder of Dmitry. Some believed that Dmitry was still alive.
In 1605, the so-called False Dmitry set off from Poland to depose the cursed tsar. Boris Godunov unexpectedly died before he could gather an army against him.
Boris Godunov
1598-1605 Tsar of Russia.
One of the most controversial rulers in the history of Russia. He began his rule peacefully as a regent and then tsar, but his reign ended in the chaos and anarchy of the Time of Troubles.
Background
Lived: 1551-1605.
Boris Godunov was from a noble family of Tatar origin. He began his career as a prominent Oprichnik.
Regency
Boris was married to the daughter of the infamous Malyuta Skuratov. His own daughter became the tsarina, as the wife of Fyodor I. As Fyodor was intellectually incapable of ruling, Boris Godunov became his regent.
Tsardom
When Fyodor’s illegitimate younger half-brother, a possible heir to the throne, Dmitry mysteriously died (he allegedly cut his own throat while having an epileptic seizure), there were many who believed Boris Godunov was behind it.
After Fyodor’s natural death, the Zemsky Sobor elected Godunov as the new tsar. He proved to be a wise and capable ruler, a geat reformer and westernizer.
Decline
The catastrophic 3-year famine led to a popular uprising against the tsar. Rumours spread that the people were being punished for Godunov’s murder of Dmitry. Some believed that Dmitry was still alive.
In 1605, the so-called False Dmitry set off from Poland to depose the cursed tsar. Boris Godunov unexpectedly died before he could gather an army against him.
False Dmitry