Ivan the Terrible
The contemporary of Queen Elizabeth I, Ivan IV was the real founder of modern Russia, and, Jules Menken writes, the originator of the disciplinary system by means of which many Russian rulers since have held, their power.
On October 2nd, 1552, a Muscovite army led in person by Ivan the Terrible captured Kazan, the capital of the Kazan Tartars. The importance of this victory in Russian history can scarcely be overemphasized. Here, Moscow achieved its first major conquest to the east, and opened the way for the immense growth of Russian rule and Russian power in Asia which has continued for four centuries, and has not yet ceased.
The successful campaign against Kazan was the result both of Ivan’s own will and of Muscovite energy and policy. Ivan was then twenty-two years old. The son of Vasiliy, III and grandson of Ivan III (the Great), he had been born on August 25th, 1530. His mother, Helena Glinskaya, was a Lithuanian, the niece and ward of Michael Glinski, a Lithuanian of Tartar descent and Catholic faith, who had a distinguished career in Poland until an unjust accusation of high treason led him to rebel unsuccessfully and flee for safety to Moscow.
To continue reading this article you need to purchase a subscription, available from only £5.
Start my trial subscription now
If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.
Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.
