Among all the rulers of Russia, one of the most controversial can be called Ivan the Terrible, who earned himself such a nickname for a reason. Being a strong diplomat who ensured the respect of his contemporaries for Russia, he was, according to the testimony of those years, quick-tempered, unpredictable and prone to cruelty. It is not surprising that the courtiers feared him like fire.
While Ivan was a young prince, the Shuiskys’ dynasty ruled on his behalf, but at the age of 13 he took power into his own hands, subsequently executing his guardians. Ivan the Terrible created the first in the history of the regular army, consisting of archers. According to the decree of this king, the serfs could change the owner once a year – on St. George’s day. In 1550, Ivan the Terrible organized the Rada, the ruling body, which included both the boyars and people of simple origin. Under the rule of Ivan the Terrible, various schools were organized in Moscow and other cities.
One of the decrees of this king, military service, beginning with 15 years, became lifelong. However, she enjoyed success with the poor and landless landowners. The reign of Ivan the Terrible was marked by bloody and troubled years of oprichnina. By imperial decree in Moscow in taverns the guardsmen poured alcohol for free. Ivan the Terrible himself was descended from the Rurik dynasty, like many other well-known Russian aristocrats, for example, Prince Odoyevsky. The king had six legitimate children, but only two of them survived.
He ruled a record long term – more than 50 years. The famous library of Ivan the Terrible was so huge that it is not even known exactly how many books were in it. The favorite royal hobby was hunting. The nickname “Grozny” Ivan Vasilyevich earned in his youth. The common expression of the “literacy letter” went to the people from this particular king, because this is how he called the messages received from Metropolitan Philip. Ivan the Terrible forbade his entourage to drink alcohol.
