Irina Godunova facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Irina Godunova
Forensic facial reconstruction by S. Nikitin
Tsarina-consort of Russia
Reign	28 March 1584 – 17 January 1598
Predecessor	Maria Nagaya
Successor	Maria Skuratova-Belskaya
Tsarina-regnant of Russia (disputed)
Reign	17 January 1598 – 21 February 1598
Predecessor	Feodor I of Russia
Successor	Boris Godunov
Born	1557
Died	27 October 1603(1603-10-27) (aged 45–46) Novodevichy Monastery
Burial	Ascension Convent, Kolomenskoye Archangel Cathedral, Kremlin (1929)
Spouse	Feodor I of Russia
Father	Feodor Ivanovich Godunov
Mother	Stepanida Ivanovna
Religion	Eastern Orthodox

Irina Feodorovna Godunova (1557–1603) was a powerful woman in Russian history. She became the Tsarina of Russia when she married Tsar Feodor I in 1584. Irina was also the sister of Boris Godunov, who later became Tsar himself. For a short time after her husband's death in 1598, Irina held a lot of power as the ruler of Russia. She later became a nun and was known as Alexandra.

Life as a Royal

Irina Godunova's life began in 1557. The exact date of her marriage to Feodor is not fully clear. Most historians believe she was chosen by Ivan the Terrible to marry his son, Feodor, around 1580 or 1581. At 23 or 24, she was considered older for a bride in Muscovy. Most girls married in their mid-teens during that time.

Her marriage was arranged by her brother, Boris Godunov. This marriage helped Boris gain a powerful position in the Tsar's inner circle. It also gave him the important title of boyar, which was a high-ranking noble.

Irina was known to be very smart and well-educated. She was also more sophisticated than her husband, Feodor. She quickly gained influence over him and learned how to handle royal court matters. Feodor was said to be not very strong or healthy. Their marriage did not have any children for a long time. However, Tsar Ivan the Terrible did not interfere with their marriage.

When her husband Feodor became Tsar in 1584, Irina became the Tsaritsa.

The Tsaritsa's Role

As Tsaritsa, Irina was expected to have a son. This was very important for the future of Russia. Feodor was not strong, and if he died without a male heir, there could be problems. His half-brother, Dmitry, might not be seen as a rightful heir. This was because Dmitry's mother was Ivan the Terrible's seventh wife. The Orthodox Church only recognized up to four marriages as proper.

Because of this pressure, Irina tried to have a child. In 1585, she visited the Trinity-St. Sergei Monastery. She hoped for a miracle to help her have a child. Finally, in 1592, she gave birth to a daughter named Feodosia Fedorovna. Sadly, the little girl died less than two years later in January 1594.

The lack of a male heir caused some trouble in the royal court. In 1585, a church leader named Metropolitan Dionysius suggested that Feodor should divorce Irina. He blamed her for not having children. He argued that the Tsar should remarry to have a son for the good of the country. This idea was seen as an attempt by other noble families, like the Shuiskies, to weaken the Godunov family.

In response, Irina's brother, Boris Godunov, had Metropolitan Dionysius removed from his position. He was sent away to a monastery. In 1587, other noble families also told Feodor to divorce Irina for the same reason. Feodor agreed to the punishment suggested by Irina and Boris for these nobles. The daughters of these nobles, who were suggested as new wives for Feodor, were forced to become nuns.

When Dmitry died under strange circumstances in Uglich in 1591, the pressure on Irina grew even more. If she did not have a son and Feodor died, the Rurikid dynasty would end. This family had ruled Russia for centuries. It would likely lead to a big fight over who would rule next. However, the couple remained without a son. It is not clear if this was because of Feodor's poor health or Irina's inability to have more children.

Tsaritsa Irina had a lot of power during Feodor's rule. She took part in state affairs. At first, she did this quietly. But soon, she became more directly involved in the government. She often put her name on Feodor's official orders. Irina also became well-known in other countries. She wrote letters to Queen Elizabeth I of England and other important leaders. Feodor trusted Irina very much. He relied on her advice and let her handle many state matters. To show her authority, the Tsar even named a new fortress, Tsaritsyn (now Volgograd), after her.

Life After the Tsar

When her husband Feodor died on January 17, 1598, the male line of the Rurikid family ended. A few days before his death, Feodor had asked Irina to become a nun after he passed away. He made her promise to do this.

However, after his death, Irina decided to take power herself for a short time. She wanted to protect the country from chaos. No woman had ever ruled Russia on her own before. The Godunov family convinced the head of the Russian Orthodox Church to agree to Irina ruling. The Boyar Duma, a council of nobles, also promised to be loyal to her as "Great Sovereign."

But the situation was difficult. Irina had never been crowned, so she didn't officially have the right to rule. Even though the church and nobles accepted her, the people in Moscow were not happy. They protested the idea of her ruling. For nine days after Feodor's death, Irina was the ruler in charge. Her first act was to free prisoners to gain public support. But this plan failed because it released dangerous criminals, which made people even more upset.

Nine days after her husband's death, Irina gave up her power. She did this to prevent a big uprising. She gave the formal power to the Boyar Duma and the real power to her brother, Boris Godunov. She then retired to the Novodevichy Monastery in Moscow. There, she became a nun and took the name Aleksandra. It was at this monastery that Boris Godunov was asked to become the new Tsar. At her brother's wish, Irina's name was always mentioned first in church prayers for the royal family until she died.

Irina died on October 27, 1603, at the Novodevichy Monastery.

Irina's Legacy

Several beautiful embroideries made by Irina are kept in the collection of the State Historical Museum in Moscow. These works are displayed alongside similar pieces made by other important royal women in Russian history.

See also

In Spanish: Irina Godunova para niños