Palace and Political Intrigue in Russia's War of Succession
If you're like me, you have been fascinated and engrossed in the tales of succession and palace intrigues from Ancient Rome, Elizabeth and Mary, the War of the Roses, etc. Additionally, many people are familiar with the romanticized Romanov's as the last dynasty of Russia. However, have you ever heard of the Time of Troubles in Russia following the death of Ivan IV (the Terrible) and his heir Dmitry shortly thereafter? Not likely, but it may be one of the most fascinating battles of succession in history.
The story reads like several seasons of the Game of Thrones and it would take quite a few seasons as the struggle to find a new Tsar lasted for nearly 30 years. The characters involved range from the classic to the odd including imposter heirs. Kings, princes, generals, and elites both in and out of Russia compete for control and influence. Conflicts of religion mainly between Orthodoxy and Catholicism play roles as do many exotic cultures such as Cossacks and Warrior Monks. Outside influencers include people and places located far away from Moscow such as the Hapsburgs, Ottomans, and Swedes. Then there are the romantic intrigues of arranged marriages, love interests, and affairs.
I will only try to provide a summary of events, but if you become "hooked" as I did, you can check some of the links that I provide at the bottom to learn more.
Summary of Events Leading to the Polish-Muscovite War
In 1598, Feodor Ivanovich, the last of the Rurik Dynasty died. He was replaced by a non-noble named Godunov who was Feodor's acting regent (Feodor was mentally challenged) and his brother-in-law was pronounced as Tsar by the general assembly. Unfortunately, Godunov would encounter extreme difficulties including a famine in 1601-1603 that would kill 2 million people (1/3 the population). The famine was likely caused by a volcanic eruption in South America that affected harvests including sub-zero temperatures in the Summer.
In the Time of Troubles by Sergey Ivanov
The country was in chaos with roving bands of brigands pillaging the countryside and general unrest within the circles of power in Moscow. Many wealthier and powerful individuals on the fringes of Russian territory especially those in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth saw an opportunity to take advantage of the Russian predicament. There hopes were soon answered when a man appeared claiming to be Dmitry, the son of Ivan IV, in Poland.
This Dmitry was able to convince many wealthy and influential Poles and Lithuanians to support him in claiming the Russian throne. Also amongst his supporters were the Papal States that sought to increase their influence in the region of Orthodoxy. He was later known as False Dmitry I, but was successful in leading an army of Poles, expat Russians, German mercenaries and Don Cossacks to Moscow and seizing the throne in 1605 after the death of Godunov. At this point, Poland had still not declared war on Russia and this was a private venture.
Within a year, False Dmitry was killed along with about 2000 Poles by another usurper named Vasily Shuiski and he named himself Tsar. While he did have an army, he didn't enjoy the support of the Russian Boyars (Top Counselors and Russian Elite). This is when False Dmitry II appeared and with the "recognition" of the wife of False Dmitry I, was able to garner support on a massive scale including mercenaries and Poles. This resulted in an intense civil war between Shuiski and Dmitry II.
The Poles were furious at the massacre, but didn't react immediately. However, when Shuiski signed a pact with Sweden, Poland's enemy, Sigismund III of Poland declared war and marched on Moscow. Thus, in 1607, the Polish-Moscovite War had begun and would last until 1618.
The Polish-Muscovite War - A Brief History
A good portion of False Dmitry II's followers were Poles and when the King of Poland, Sigismund III declared war on Russia and invaded, they quickly abandoned Dmitry II. However, things did not go quickly for the invading Poles who were stopped at Smolensk in an extended siege that took 20 months. Even then there for several setbacks including mutinies, but eventually the son of Sigismund III, Prince Vladislav reached Moscow in 1610. Unfortunately, False Dmitry II was not there to greet him having been assassinated by one of his men that he had ordered to be flogged.
The defense of Smolensk from the Poles, by Boris Chorikov
Shuiski, who still maintained the Tsardom and had Swedish support battled Polish forces for more than 2 years. However, he was eventually defeated and many of his supporters abandoned him. He was voted out of the crown and sent to a Monastery, but was later taken to Poland as a trophy of war. Vladislav was allowed to enter Moscow and it was agreed that he would be crowned as Tsar without conflict on the condition that he would not impose Catholicism on the Russian people and give certain concessions to the Russian Boyars.
Once again, this was short-lived. Both King Sigismund III and Charles IX of Sweden were furious over the appointment of Vladislav as Tsar. Sigismund wanted the throne for himself and wouldn't abide by the religious concessions and Charles of Sweden refused to allow a Pole to rule in Russia and even named their own False Dmitry (a 3rd) as the heir to the Russian throne. A new Russian army was formed and the Poles were run out of Moscow with only the garrison left occupying the Kremlin. Eventually, they were starved into submission and abandoned the Kremlin to the Russians.
Conclusion
In 1613, Mikhail Romanov would be named Tsar of Russia at only 16 years of age. He would subsequently order the execution of the son of False Dmitry II who was then only 3 years old and also have Dmitry's wife strangled. The wars would continue for several more years until territorial concessions were given and treaties were signed between Russia and both Poland (1618) and Sweden (1617). Russia conceded a large area, but nearly all of these territories would be regained by Russia over the next 2 centuries.
In the end, the Romanov Dynasty was formed and would last until 1917, Russia had maintained its sovereignty, and it's neighbors had been weakened enough to remove any immediate threat of further invasion. Peter I would go on to extend Russian territory in the Baltics and Eastern Europe and create a Russian Navy to rival the Swedes and other European powers.
The Golden Age of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth would soon come to an end even with the eventual victory at Smolensk and territorial gains in the region, the Polish king had alienated the Russians, the Swedes, the Hapsburgs, and the Ottomans.
Orthodoxy would continue to be the dominate religion in Eastern Europe and even see expansion much to the chagrin of the Papal States and Catholics in Northern Europe.
For us, we are treated to a vivid tale filled with plots and sub plots where one is never sure who our heroes really are or should be. With so many twists and turns there are a plethora of "what if's" that may have shaped Russia in an infinitely different way.
For More Detailed Information:
http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/wars_polish_muscovite_1609-19.html
http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/h20russ2.htm
https://faculty.history.wisc.edu/sommerville/351/351-10.htm
https://www.britannica.com/place/Russia/Ivan-IV-the-Terrible#ref421721
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