Russian Rulers History Podcast

Ivan the Terrible is dead replaced by his feeble minded son Feodor. Boris Godunov sits and waits for his turn at being Tsar.

Ivan nearing the end of his life strikes out at his own son causing the eventual end of the Rurik line of rulers.

What was the Oprichnina? Was it the musings of a madman or a brilliant measure to centralize power?

Ivan the Terrible was known for his cruelty but should have been equally known for his many wives, eight.

His wife dead, his mentors banished or murdered, Ivan begins his reign of terror, first aimed at the boyar class. Nothing was left ot hold Ivan back.

Ivan IV, fresh from the victory at Kazan, endures two tragic events in the coming years, the death of his son Dmitri and his wife Anastasia.

Ivan, fresh off his wedding and coronation, sets off the rid himself of the Tartar menace in Kazan.

Ivan IV, now rid of his antagonists, gets ready to ascend to the throne and get married. Then crisis strikes the young Tsar.

Ivan, left to fend for himself is largely ignored by his supposed protectors. Traumatic events were to follow his youthfull years.

Young Ivan IV, Grand Prince of Moscow, serves as a figurehead ruler with his mother as Regent.

Vasilli III, son of Ivan the Great continues his fathers expansionist policies. We also answer the question why Moscow?

The final episode of Ivan the Great's life discusses the many issues he dealt with towards the end of his reign.

Ivan deals with both a new wife and the end of the dominance of the Golden Horde this week as well as finishing of pesky Tver.

Ivan the Great, gatherer of Russian lands, defeats and brings into the fold the pesky city state of Novgorod. Don't forget to follow Russian Rulers on Facebook.

In this short podcast, I discuss the life and enormous influence of St. Sergius of Radonezh.