Vladimir of Staritsa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vladimir of Staritsa |
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| Prince of Staritsa | |
| Reign | 1541–1566 |
| Monarch | Ivan IV |
| Prince of Dmitrov | |
| Reign | 1566–1569 |
| Monarch | Ivan IV |
| Born | 9 July 1535 Moscow, Russia |
| Died | 9 October 1569 (aged 34) Alexandrov, Russia |
| Spouse | Eudoxia Romanovna Odoevskaya |
| House | Rurik |
| Father | Andrey of Staritsa |
| Mother | Yefrosinya Staritskaya |
Vladimir Andreyevich (Russian: Владимир Андреевич; born July 9, 1535 – died October 9, 1569) was the last prince of a special region in Russia called an appanage. He was a cousin of Ivan the Terrible. Their complicated relationship was even shown in a 1944 movie called Ivan the Terrible.
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Early Life of Prince Vladimir
Vladimir was the only son of Andrey of Staritsa and his wife Yefrosinya Staritskaya. He spent his early years under close watch in Moscow.
In 1541, Vladimir and his mother were set free. The Grand Prince Ivan Vasilyevich, who was the ruler of all Russia, allowed this. Vladimir was then able to live in his father's lands, Staritsa and Vereya. He got married and lived peacefully there for a while.
A Tricky Relationship with Ivan the Terrible
In 1553, Tsar Ivan became very sick. Many important noblemen, called boyars, did not want to promise loyalty to Ivan's baby son. Instead, they wanted Vladimir to become the new ruler.
But Tsar Ivan quickly got better. After this, his behavior changed a lot. He called Vladimir to Moscow and they made an agreement. Vladimir was to live in Moscow with only a small group of followers. He also had to avoid contact with Ivan's boyars. If the Tsar died, Vladimir would become the regent, meaning he would rule until Ivan's son was old enough.
Vladimir's mother was later forced to become a nun. His boyars were sent away. In April 1555, Ivan allowed Vladimir to marry Eudoxia Romanovna Odoevskaya.
However, when Ivan started a new system called the oprichnina, he became suspicious of Vladimir again. The Oprichniki were Ivan's special police. In 1564, they burned Vladimir's palace in Moscow. Most of his lands were taken away.
The End of a Royal Line
In 1569, Ivan accused Vladimir of betraying him. Vladimir and his children were forced to take poison at Ivan's home in Alexandrov. A few days later, Vladimir's mother and wife, who were living at the Goritsy Convent, were tragically killed near the Sheksna River.
The death of Vladimir's family led to the end of the royal family line in Moscow. This also caused a big problem for the royal family known as the Time of Troubles.
Vladimir's only daughter who survived was Maria of Livonia. In 1573, she married Magnus of Livonia. After her husband died, she was called back to Russia. She was then forced to become a nun. Later, in 1609, Maria wrote letters to someone who pretended to be her cousin and claimed to be the Tsar. What happened to her after that is not known.
See also
