Dmitry of Tver facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dmitry of Tver |
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Dmitri avenging the death of his father in the ordo (palace) of Özbeg Khan and killing Yury, illustration by Boris Chorikov
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| Grand Prince of Vladimir | |
| Reign | 1322–1326 |
| Predecessor | Yury of Moscow |
| Successor | Aleksandr Mikhailovich of Tver |
| Prince of Tver | |
| Reign | 1318–1326 |
| Predecessor | Mikhail of Tver |
| Successor | Aleksandr Mikhailovich of Tver |
| Born | 1298 Tver |
| Died | 15 September 1326 (aged 28) Sarai |
| Burial | Tver |
| House | Yaroslavichi of Tver |
| Father | Mikhail of Tver |
| Mother | Anna of Kashin |
| Religion | Russian Orthodox |
Dmitry Mikhailovich (born in 1298) was an important prince from the city of Tver in old Russia. He was also known as "the Fearsome Eyes" or "the Terrible Eyes" because of his intense look. Dmitry became the Prince of Tver in 1318. Later, in 1322, he became the Grand Prince of Vladimir. This was a very important title, almost like being the main ruler of many Russian lands. Dmitry was the son of Mikhail of Tver and Anna of Kashin.
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Dmitry's Life and the Fight for Power
Dmitry's life was shaped by a big competition for power. He continued a struggle that his father, Mikhail of Tver, had started. This fight was with Grand Prince Yury Danilovich of Moscow. They were both trying to get a special document called a yarlik.
What Was the Yarlik?
The yarlik was like a special permission slip or a royal order. It was given by the Khan of the Golden Horde, who was a powerful Mongol ruler. This yarlik allowed a prince to be the Grand Prince of Vladimir. Being the Grand Prince was a huge deal! It meant you were the Khan's main tax collector in Rus'. This gave the Grand Prince a lot of authority and real power over all the other princes. Everyone wanted this title because it made them the most important ruler in the land.
A Dangerous Rivalry for Control
The rivalry between Dmitry and Yury was very intense. Yury had used clever plans to get the yarlik for Moscow. Sadly, these plans also led to Dmitry's father being executed by the Golden Horde in 1318. This made Dmitry and his brother, Alexander, even more determined. They fought many battles against Yury.
Dmitry finally won against Yury at the Horde. In 1322, Dmitry received the yarlik and became the Grand Prince. But the bad feelings between them didn't end. Three years later, in 1325, Dmitry confronted Yury at the Horde's capital, Sarai. During this confrontation, Yury died.
The End of Dmitry's Reign
After Yury's death, Dmitry was arrested. The powerful Uzbeg Khan ordered Dmitry's execution in Sarai in 1326. Yury's body was sent back to Moscow and buried by the leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church. Dmitry's body was also brought back to Tver and buried in the main cathedral there.
