Feodor I of Russia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Feodor I |
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| Tsar of Russia | |||||
| Reign | 28 March 1584 – 16 January (NS), 1598 | ||||
| Coronation | 31 May 1584 | ||||
| Predecessor | Ivan IV | ||||
| Successor | Irina Godunova | ||||
| Born | 31 May 1557 Moscow, Tsardom of Russia |
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| Died | 16 January (NS), 1598 (aged 40) Moscow, Tsardom of Russia |
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| Burial | Archangel Cathedral, Kremlin | ||||
| Spouse | Irina Feodorovna Godunova | ||||
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| Dynasty | Rurik | ||||
| Father | Ivan IV of Russia | ||||
| Mother | Anastasia Romanovna | ||||
| Religion | Russian Orthodox | ||||
Fyodor I Ivanovich (Russian: Фёдор I Иванович) or Feodor I Ioannovich (Russian: Феодор I Иоаннович; 31 May 1557 – 16 January 1598) was the last Rurikid ruler of Russia. He was the Tsar of Russia from 1584 to 1598. People also knew him as Feodor the Bellringer (Russian: Феодор Звонарь).
Feodor's mother passed away when he was only three years old. He grew up under the shadow of his powerful father, Ivan the Terrible. Feodor was a very religious and quiet person. He did not care much about politics. Because of this, his country was mostly run by Boris Godunov. Boris was the brother of Feodor's wife, Irina.
Feodor and Irina did not have any children who lived to adulthood. His death meant the end of the Rurikid dynasty, a very old ruling family. This event helped start a difficult time in Russian history called the Time of Troubles. In some Russian writings, Feodor is called blessed (Russian: Блаженный). He is also honored as a saint in the Orthodox Church.
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Early Life and Family
Feodor was born in Moscow. His father was Ivan IV, and his mother was Anastasia Romanovna. He was his mother's sixth and youngest child. However, most of his older brothers and sisters died very young. Only his older brother, Ivan, lived past Feodor's first birthday.
Feodor's mother died when he was three. Her death deeply affected his father. Ivan the Terrible became even more harsh and earned his nickname during Feodor's childhood. Feodor also had a younger half-brother, Dmitry of Uglich. Dmitry was twenty-five years younger than Feodor.
Growing up, Feodor was often sick and had a shy personality. He was very religious and spent many hours praying. He loved visiting churches and would often ring the bells in a special way. This is why he became known as Feodor the Bellringer. Some people thought he might have had a learning difficulty. However, this might have been a misunderstanding of his quiet and religious nature.
His Marriage to Irina
In 1580, Feodor married Irina (Alexandra) Feodorovna Godunova. She was the sister of Boris Godunov, a powerful minister to Tsar Ivan. Their marriage was arranged by the Tsar. Feodor and Irina did not know each other before their wedding day.
Despite this, they had a very strong and loving marriage. Feodor, who had often felt lonely, became very close to his wife. This kind of close relationship was unusual for rulers at that time. Their bond was a great support for Feodor throughout his life.
For many years, they did not have children. Then, in 1592, after almost twelve years of marriage, Tsaritsa Irina gave birth to a daughter. They named her Feodosia, after her father. Feodor and Irina loved their daughter very much. Sadly, Feodosia died when she was only two years old in 1594. They did not have any other children.
Becoming Tsar of Russia
In November 1581, Feodor's older brother, Ivan Ivanovich, was accidentally killed by their father. This tragic event meant that Feodor became the next in line to the throne. He had never expected to be Tsar and felt quite overwhelmed by the idea.
His father, Ivan the Terrible, passed away in March 1584. Feodor then became the new Tsar. Two months later, on May 31, 1584, he was crowned Tsar of all Russia. The ceremony took place at Dormition Cathedral in Moscow.
Feodor was the Tsar in name, but he was not the one truly ruling. His wife's brother, Boris Godunov, was a trusted minister. After Ivan IV died, Boris Godunov became the real leader, acting as a regent for Feodor. Feodor's gentle nature and his lack of children meant that Boris Godunov held most of the power.
Feodor's death without a surviving child brought an end to the main line of the Rurik dynasty. This ancient ruling family had led Russia for centuries. The end of this dynasty was one of the main reasons for the difficult period known as the Time of Troubles. Feodor died in Moscow and was buried at Archangel Cathedral in the Kremlin.
Russia's Relations with Other Countries
Feodor had different ideas about foreign trade than his father. His father, Ivan the Terrible, preferred to trade only with the Kingdom of England. Feodor, however, wanted Russia to be open to traders from all countries. He even sent away the English ambassador, Sir Jerome Bowes. Bowes had been very proud and demanding, but Ivan the Terrible had put up with him.
Queen Elizabeth I of England sent a new ambassador, Giles Fletcher, the Elder. She wanted him to convince Boris Godunov to make the Tsar change his mind. But the talks did not go well. Fletcher did not use all of Feodor's official titles, which was seen as disrespectful. Even after this problem, Queen Elizabeth kept writing to Feodor. She asked him to reconsider and even suggested an alliance between Russia and England. This was something she had refused when Feodor's father asked for it. However, Feodor still said no to her offer.
See also
In Spanish: Teodoro I de Rusia para niños
