Tsarevich Ivan Ivanovich of Russia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ivan Ivanovich |
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|---|---|
| Tsarevich of Russia | |
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| Born | 28 March 1554 |
| Died | 19 November 1581 (aged 27) Alexandrovskaya Sloboda, Russia |
| Cause of death | Blunt force trauma to the head with a sceptre |
| Burial | Cathedral of the Archangel, Moscow |
| Spouse |
Eudoxia Saburova
(m. 1571; div. 1572)Praskovia Solova
(m. 1574; div. 1579)Yelena Sheremeteva
(m. 1581) |
| Dynasty | Rurik |
| Father | Ivan IV of Russia |
| Mother | Anastasia Romanovna |
| Religion | Russian Orthodox |
Ivan Ivanovich (Russian: Иван Иванович; 28 March 1554 – 19 November 1581) was the second son of Ivan the Terrible, a powerful Russian ruler. His mother was Ivan the Terrible's first wife, Anastasia Romanovna. Ivan Ivanovich was the tsarevich, which means he was the heir apparent and next in line to become tsar. However, he died suddenly, and many historians believe his father caused his death during an argument.
Early Life of Tsarevich Ivan
Ivan was the second son of Ivan IV of Russia. His older brother was Feodor, who later became tsar after their father.
When Ivan was about 15 years old, he went with his father during the Massacre of Novgorod. This was a time when Ivan the Terrible's special police, called the oprichniki, punished people in the city of Novgorod. For five weeks, Ivan and his father watched these events.
Ivan was a smart and educated young man, much like his father. In his free time, he even wrote a biography about a religious figure named Antony of Siya. There is a story that Ivan once saved his father from an attack. A prisoner from Livonia, named Bykovski, tried to attack the tsar with a sword, but Ivan quickly stepped in and stopped him.
Ivan's Marriages
When Ivan was 12, there was a suggestion for him to marry Virginia Eriksdotter, a princess from Sweden. However, this marriage never happened.
At 17, Ivan was engaged to Eudoxia Saburova. She had been considered as a possible wife for the tsar himself in a "bride-show," where many young women were presented for the ruler to choose from. The tsar didn't choose Eudoxia for himself, but he later approved her marriage to his son.
The tsar wanted his daughter-in-law to have a child quickly to ensure an heir to the throne. When Eudoxia did not become pregnant, the tsar sent her away to a convent, which was a way to end the marriage.
Ivan then married a second wife, Praskovia Solova. She faced the same fate as Eudoxia and was also sent to a convent.
Finally, Ivan married a third wife, Yelena Sheremeteva. In October 1581, it was known that Yelena was pregnant.
The Death of Tsarevich Ivan
Most historians believe that Ivan Ivanovich was killed by his father, Ivan the Terrible. While there isn't a direct written record from that time confirming it, many accounts suggest this tragic event.
Some stories say that Ivan Ivanovich and his father's relationship became difficult during the later parts of the Livonian War. Ivan was upset with his father's military failures and wanted to lead troops to help the city of Pskov, which was under attack.
Their relationship reportedly got even worse on November 15, 1581. The tsar saw his pregnant daughter-in-law, Yelena, wearing clothes he thought were too light. He became very angry with her and hurt her. When Ivan heard his wife's cries, he rushed to defend her. He argued with his father, reminding him that he had sent his previous wives away and was now hurting Yelena.
The argument then shifted to Ivan's earlier request to lead troops to Pskov. Ivan the Terrible accused his son of trying to rebel. Ivan denied this but strongly insisted that Pskov needed to be saved. In a fit of rage, Ivan's father struck him on the head with his sceptre, a royal staff. Boris Godunov, a nobleman who was present, tried to help but was also hit.
Young Ivan fell, seriously injured and barely conscious. His father immediately rushed to him, kissing his face and trying to stop the bleeding. He cried out, "I've killed my son! I've killed my son!" Ivan briefly woke up and is said to have told his father that he was a loyal son and servant. For the next few days, Ivan the Terrible prayed constantly for his son to recover, but it was too late. Tsarevich Ivan died on November 19, 1581.
Ivan's death had serious effects on Russia's future. It meant there was no strong heir ready to take the throne. After Ivan the Terrible died in 1584, his less experienced son, Feodor I, became tsar. However, Boris Godunov largely ruled the country in Feodor's place. After Feodor's death, Russia went through a difficult time of political instability known as the Time of Troubles.
Images for kids
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Ivan IV, tsareviches Ivan and Feodor with the Our Lady of Kazan icon
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Ivan the Terrible meditating at the deathbed of his son by Vyacheslav Schwarz (1861)
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Shlem (helmet) of Ivan Ivanovich, before 1557
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The wounded Ivan being cradled by his father in Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan, 1885 painting by Ilya Repin (Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow)
