Belsky (Russian: Бельский, pl. Бельские), also spelled Bielski, was the name of two long-extinct princely families of Muscovite Russia. One of them was a Rurikid family from the House of Yaroslavl; another (and by far the more celebrated) was of Gediminid stock. What follows below is an account of the latter. After the extinction of Princes Belsky, there appeared a third family, of lowly origin, represented by Malyuta Skuratov and Bogdan Belsky. This article is about Muscovite Russia. ... Rurik Dynasty ... Yaroslavl (Jaroslavl, Russian: ) is a city in Russia, an administrative center of Yaroslavl Oblast, located 250 km NE of Moscow at 57°37′N 39°51′E The historical part of the city, a World Heritage Site, is located at the confluence of Volga and Kotorosl. ... ... Grigory Lukyanovich Skuratov-Belsky, better known as Malyuta Skuratov (Григорий Лукьянович Скуратов-Бельский, Малюта Скуратов in Russian) (? - January 1, 1573) was one of the organizers and leaders of the oprichnina during the reign of Ivan the Terrible. ... Bogdan Yakovlevich Belsky (Богдан Яковлевич Бельский in Russian) (? - 1611) was a Russian statesman and a close associate of Ivan the Terrible. ...

First princes

The first Prince of Biely about whom anything certain is known was Olgierd's grandson, Prince Ivan Vladimirovich, who married a certain Princess Holszanska in 1422 and was invited by the Novgorodians to govern their city in 1445. He had three sons - Ivan (married to Princess Worotynska), Simeon (married to Princess Patrikeyeva), Feodor - and three daughters, married to Prince Boleslaw II Cieszynski, to Prince Ivan Ostrogski, and to the Kievan voivod Ivan Chodkiewicz, respectively. Of all three sons, only Feodor Ivanovich Belski is known to have left issue. Bely (meaning white in Russian), also spelled Belyy, Belyi, and Beliy, may refer to: Andrei Bely, pseudonym of Boris Bugayev, a Russian novelist, poet, and literary critic Bely Island, an island in the Kara Sea, a part of Yamalia Autonomous District, Russia Bely, Belarus, a town in Belarus Bely, Russia... Pillars of Giedymin Algirdas (known as Olgierd in Slavic languages), b. ... Events August 31 - Henry VI becomes King of England. ... Velikiy Novgorod (Russian: ) is the foremost historic city of North-Western Russia, situated on the M10(E95) federal highway connecting Moscow and St. ... Events Discovery of Senegal and Cape Verde by Dinas Diaz Births March 1 - Sandro Botticelli, Italian painter (died 1510) March 16 - Johann Geiler von Kaisersberg, Swiss-born preacher (died 1510) Albert Brudzewski, Polish astronomer (died 1497) Nicolas Chuquet, French mathematician Deaths June 5 - Leonel Power, English composer June 11 - Henry... Vorotynsky was one of the most eminent Rurikid princely houses of Muscovite Russia. ... Peter I permitted the Galitzines to take an emblem of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania as their coat of arms The Galitzines, more correctly the Golitsyns (Russian: Голицын), are one of the largest and noblest princely houses of Russia. ... Duchy of Cieszyn (Teschen) (Polish KsiÄ™stwo cieszyÅ„skie) was an independent duchy in the area of Cieszyn Silesia. ... A monument to St. ... Voivod or (more common) voivoda is a Slavic term initially denoting first in command of a military unit. ... Nobel Family Chodkiewicz Coat of Arms Chodkiewicz Parents Jan Hieronim Chodkiewicz Krystyna Zborowska Consorts Zofia Mielecka Anna Alojza Ostrogska Children with Zofia Mielecka Hieronim Chodkiewicz Anna Scholastyka Chodkiewicz Date of Birth 1560 Place of Birth  ? Date of Death September 24, 1621 Place of Death Chocim Castle, Poland Jan Karol Chodkiewicz...

In 1482, this prince and several other Lithuanian nobles decided to break into insurrection against Casimir IV and defect to Muscovy. Their plans were divulged, however, and the most quarrelsome lords were apprehended. Nevertheless, Ivan succeeded in escaping from Casimir's ire to Moscow, leaving at home a young wife, Princess Kobrynska, who he had married but several months before that. Feodor Belski lived at the Muscovite court until 1493, when he was implicated in the Lukomsky Conspiracy and banished to Galich. A year later, he asked and obtained the forgiveness of Ivan III, who promptly demanded from Alexander of Lithuania to hand over Belski's wife to him. Seeing no prospect of success, the Russian sovereign consulted the metropolitan and they declared Feodor's previous marriage null and void. Belski was at once proposed to marry Ivan's own niece, Princess Anna of Ryazan, in order to preclude the Belski family from becoming extinct. At the wedding, Feodor was rewarded with extensive votchinas along the Volga River, which would remain with his family until the Oprichnina. In 1499, he was involved in the politics of the Khanate of Kazan, hoping to install a khan backed up by Moscow. He was last mentioned in the Russian chronicles in 1506, and it seems likely that he died shortly thereafter. Events Portuguese fortify Fort Elmina on the Gold Coast Tizoc rules the Aztecs Diogo Cão, a Portuguese navigator, becomes the first European to sail up the Congo. ... Reign From 1446 until June 7, 1492 Coronation On June 25, 1447 in the Wawel Cathedral, Kraków, Poland Royal House Jagiellon Parents Władyslaw II Jagiełło Zofia Holszańska Consorts Elżbieta Rakuszanka Children with Elżbieta Rakuszanka Władysław II Jagiellończyk Jadwiga Jagiellonka Kazimierz Swięty Jan I Olbracht Aleksander Jagiellończyk Zofia Elżbieta Zygmunt I... Muscovy (Moscow principality (княжество Московское) to Grand Duchy of Moscow (Великое Княжество Московское) to Russian Tsardom (Царство Русское)) is a traditional Western name for the Russian state that existed from the 14th century to the late 17th century. ... Moscow (Russian: Москва́, Moskva, IPA: (help· info)) is the capital of Russia and the countrys principal political, economic, financial, educational and transportation center, located on the river Moskva. ... 1493 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Galich, Галич is a town in Kostroma Oblast, Russia. ... Albus rex Ivan III Ivan III Vasilevich (Иван III Васильевич) (January 22, 1440 - October 27, 1505), also known as Ivan the Great, was a grand duke of Muscovy who first adopted a more pretentious title of the grand duke of all the Russias. Sometimes referred to as the gatherer of... Reign December 12, 1501 - August 19, 1506. ... Ryazan (Ряза́нь) is a city in Central Russia federal district, the administrative center of the Ryazan Oblast. ... Votchina (Russian: ) or otchina (о́тчина) was a land estate that could be inherited. ... The Volga river in Western Russia, Europes longest river, with a length of 3,690 km (2,293 miles), provides the core of the largest river system in Europe. ... The Oprichnina (Russian: Опричнина) formed a section of Russia ruled directly by the Tsar under Ivan the Terrible. ... 1499 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Map of Kazan Khanate, early 1500s The Kazan Khanate (Tatar: Qazan xanlığı; Russian: Казанское ханство) (1438-1552) was a Tatar state on the territory of former Volga Bulgaria with its capital in Kazan. ... 1506 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Feodor's elder brother, Prince Simeon Ivanovich Belski, left Lithuania for Moscow in his brother's wake in 1500, citing the persecution of Orthodox dissenters as his reason. His defection sparkled Russia's new conflict with Lithuania, which ended in the latter power renouncing its claims not only to Biely but also to adjacent areas, including Chernigov, Starodub, and Homel. Moscow (Russian: Москва́, Moskva, IPA: (help· info)) is the capital of Russia and the countrys principal political, economic, financial, educational and transportation center, located on the river Moskva. ... 1500 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Bely (meaning white in Russian), also spelled Belyy, Belyi, and Beliy, may refer to: Andrei Bely, pseudonym of Boris Bugayev, a Russian novelist, poet, and literary critic Bely Island, an island in the Kara Sea, a part of Yamalia Autonomous District, Russia Bely, Belarus, a town in Belarus Bely, Russia... Chernihiv (Чернігів in Ukrainian) is an ancient city in northern Ukraine, the central city of Chernihivska oblast. Some common historical spellings of the name are Polish: Czernichów, and Russian: Чернигов, Chernigov. ... Starodub (Стародуб in Russian; could be translated as old oak), a town in the Bryansk Oblast in Russia. ... Categories: Towns in Belarus | Belarus-related stubs ...

Kazan campaigns

Feodor's three sons by Princess of Riazan, being Vasily III's cousins, took a key part in the events of his reign and the following regency. Vasili III Ivanovich (Russian: Василий III Иванович, also Basil) (March 25, 1479–December 3, 1533) was the Grand Prince of Moscow from 1505 to 1533. ... Regency may have several meanings: A regency may be a period of time when a regent holds power in the name of the current monarch, or in the name of the Crown itself, if the throne is vacant. ...

Prince Dmitry Feodorovich Belsky (1499-1551) was first recorded in 1519, when he enthroned Shahgali as the khan of Kazan. Two years later, the Crimean khan had Shahgali replaced with his own brother, defeated Belsky's army on the banks of the Oka River and devastated the area between Moscow and Kolomna. While Belsky retreated to the stronghold of Serpukhov, his absence from the capital left the field free for mutual jealousies and accusations. Although the majority of boyars vociferated about Belsky's pusillanimity, the monarch spared both Belsky and his own brother and put the blame for defeat on Prince Vorotynsky. Events March 4 - Hernán Cortés lands in Mexico. ... Shahgali (Shah Ghaly, Shah Ali, Tatar: Şahğäli or Şäyex Ğäli, [shah-gha-LEE]) (1505-1567) was khan of Qasim in 1516-1519, 1535-1546, 1546-1551, 1552-1567 and Kazan in 1519-1521, 1546, 1551-1552. ... Kazan (Tatar Qazan, Казан; Russian Казань) is the capital city of Tatarstan and one of Russias largest cities. ... Motto: Процветание в единстве - Prosperity in unity Anthem: Нивы и горы твои волшебны, Родина - Your fields amd mounts are wonderful, Motherland Capital Simferopol Largest cities Simferopol, Eupatoria, Kerch, Theodosia, Yalta Official language Ukrainian. ... Oka (Russian: Ока́) is a great river in Russia, the biggest right confluent of the Volga. ... Moscow (Russian: Москва́, Moskva, IPA: (help· info)) is the capital of Russia and the countrys principal political, economic, financial, educational and transportation center, located on the river Moskva. ... Kolomna (Russian: Коломна) is an ancient Russian city, founded in 1177 on the Moskva River and Oka River. ... Serpukhov (Russian: ) is an old town in Moscow Oblast, Russia, which is situated at the confluence of the Oka and the Nara Rivers. ... Vorotynsky was one of the most eminent Rurikid princely houses of Muscovite Russia. ...

Dmitry's younger brother, Prince Ivan Feodorovich Belsky, while still in his early 20s, led the 150,000-strong Russian army against Kazan in 1524. This campaign is described in detail by a foreign witness, Herberstein. Belsky's huge army spent 20 days encamped at the island opposite Kazan, awaiting the arrival of Russian cavalry. Then the news came that part of cavalry had been defeated, and the vessels loaded with provisions had been captured by the Tatars. Although the army suffered from hunger, Belsky at once laid siege to the city and soon the Tatars sent their envoys proposing terms. Belsky accepted them and speedily returned to Moscow. Herberstein and many boyars proceeded to accuse him of treason, but modern historians agree there was little he could achieve without provisions, being pressed to repel continuous attacks by Tatar and Udmurt cavalry. Kazan (Tatar Qazan, Казан; Russian Казань) is the capital city of Tatarstan and one of Russias largest cities. ... Events March 1, 1524/5 - Giovanni da Verrazano lands near Cape Fear (approx. ... Siegmund (Sigismund) Freiherr von Herberstein, (or Baron Sigismund von Herberstein), (b. ...

Matters then remained quiet until 1530, when Ivan Belsky, still eager to revenge himself, returned with the Russian army to the walls of Kazan. On July 10, the fortress was taken and the Tatars sued for peace, promising to accept any khan appointed from Moscow. Events June 25 - Augsburg confession presented to Charles V of Holy Roman Empire. ... July 10 is the 191st day (192nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 174 days remaining. ... Moscow (Russian: Москва́, Moskva, IPA: (help· info)) is the capital of Russia and the countrys principal political, economic, financial, educational and transportation center, located on the river Moskva. ...

Heyday and regency

During Vasily III's fatal illness, Dmitry Belsky remained at his deathbed until the final hour. He was present when Vasily signed a testament proclaiming Mikhail Glinsky and himself tutors to young Ivan IV. In the events that followed he played a less conspicuous role than his younger brothers, however. GliÅ„ski Coat of Arms Mikhailo Lvovich Hlinski (known as Mikhail Lvovich Glinsky in Russian and Michal GliÅ„ski in Polish, ca. ... Ivan IV (August 25, 1530–March 18, 1584) was the first ruler of Russia to assume the title of tsar. ...

In 1534, Ivan III's son Yury of Dmitrov, with whom the Belskys were on friendly terms, was executed on charges of treason, while Ivan Belsky was thrown into prison. Anticipating further repressions, the youngest of brothers, Prince Simeon Feodorovich Belsky, escaped to Lithuania. He was warmly welcomed by Sigismund the Old, at once joining the king's hostilities against Russia. When the war turned unsuccessful, the Lithuanian generals put the blame on Belsky and other Russian defectors. On this event, Simeon Belsky fled to Constantinople. In 1537, he appeared in the Crimea, with the purpose of escalating military tensions with Russia. Not only he failed in his designs, but was kidnapped by a ruler of the Nogai Horde, from whom he was later ransomed by the khan. Events February 27 - Group of Anabaptists of Jan Matthys seize Münster and declare it The New Jerusalem - they begin to exile dissenters and forcible baptize all others May 10 - Jacques Cartier explores Newfoundland while searching for the Northwest Passage. ... Reign From December 8, 1506 until April 1, 1548 Coronation On January 24, 1507 in the Wawel Cathedral, Kraków, Poland Royal House Jagiellon Parents Kazimierz IV Jagiellończyk Elżbieta Rakuszanka Consorts Katarzyna Telniczanka Barbara Zapolya Bona Sforza Children with Katarzyna Telniczanka Jan Regina Katarzyna with Barbara Zapolya Jadwiga Anna with Bona... Map of Constantinople. ... Events January 6 - Alessandro de Medici assassinated August 25 - The Honourable Artillery Company, the oldest surviving regiment in the British Army, and the second most senior, was formed. ... Motto: Процветание в единстве - Prosperity in unity Anthem: Нивы и горы твои волшебны, Родина - Your fields amd mounts are wonderful, Motherland Capital Simferopol Largest cities Simferopol, Eupatoria, Kerch, Theodosia, Yalta Official language Ukrainian. ... The Nogai Horde was the Tatar horde that controlled the Caucasus Mountain region after the Mongol invasion. ...

In 1538, the regent Elena Glinskaya died, probably poisoned by the Shuiskys. They at once liberated Ivan Belsky from his prison, restituting him in the Boyar Duma. Thenceforward the history of Russia becomes a story of sordid intrigues between Belsky and the Shuiskys. In 1540, Ivan Belsky was again thrown into prison, only to be released several months later, on petition from Metropolitan Joasaphus. Events Treaty of Nagyvarad. ... Elena Vasilyevna Glinskaya (Елена Васильевна Глинская in Russian) (? - April 4(13). ... Shuisky (Шуйские) was a Rurikid family of boyars descending from Grand Dukes of Vladimir-Suzdal. ... A Duma (Ду́ма in Russian) is any of various representative assemblies in modern Russia and Russian history. ... Events January 6 - King Henry VIII of England marries Anne of Cleves, his fourth Queen consort. ... Joasaphus (Russian: Иоасаф; real name - Скрипицын, or Skripitsyn) (? - 1555 or 1556, Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra) was Metropolitan of Moscow in 1539-1542. ...

Belsky's power reached its peak in 1541, when he was installed as Ivan IV's "prime advisor" (первосоветник). Among his first enterprises was a letter to the Crimean khan asking him to bring Simeon Belsky to Moscow. The khan, persuaded by Simeon that Moscow stood completely unfortified and desiring to profit from the attendant disorder, advanced with his guards towards the Russian capital. His hope of putting Moscow to the sword proved ill-founded, however, and he retreated on espying the first contingent of the Russian soldiers and taking Simeon Belsky back with him. Simeon's subsequent fate remains a mystery. Events The first official translation of the entire Bible in Swedish February 12 - Pedro de Valdivia founds Santiago de Chile. ... Ivan IV (August 25, 1530–March 18, 1584) was the first ruler of Russia to assume the title of tsar. ...

In the meantime, Prince Ivan Shuisky and his adherents plotted Belsky's downfall. Shuisky boycotted the royal palace and the Boyar Duma until January 3, 1542, when his soldiers broke into Belsky's house at night and took Ivan Belsky into custody. This time Belsky was immured in the distant Kirillov Monastery, where the Shuiskys had him strangled in May 1542. Writing several decades later, Prince Kurbsky described Ivan Belsky as the boldest commander and the cleverest politician of Muscovy. Princes Shuisky (Шуйские) were a Rurikid family of boyars descending from Grand Duke Dmitry Konstantinovich of Vladimir-Suzdal. ... A Duma (Ду́ма in Russian) is any of various representative assemblies in modern Russia and Russian history. ... January 3 is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events War resumes between Francis I of France and Emperor Charles V. This time Henry VIII of England is allied to the Emperor, while James V of Scotland and Sultan Suleiman I are allied to the French. ... Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, properly translated in English as The Assumption monastery of St Cyril, has always rivalled the Solovetsky Monastery as the strongest fortress and the richest landowner of the Russian North. ... Knyaz Andrey Mikhailovich Kurbsky (Андрей Михайлович Курбский in Russian) (1528-1583) was an intimate friend and then a leading political opponent of the Russian tsar Ivan the Terrible. ...

The last Belskys

As Ivan left no children by his wife, Daniil Shchenya's granddaughter, the Belsky family was to be continued by his brother Dmitry. Not only did the latter manage to eschew repressions that befell his brothers, but he even increased his influence in the Boyar Duma. After the regency was abolished, Ivan IV at once resumed military operations against the Khanate of Kazan. In 1547, Dmitry Belsky was commanded to reinstate Shahgali as the khan. Two years later, the tsar and Belsky led the Russian armies to take Kazan. After some wearisome maneuvres and half-hearted warfare, they were forced to retreat, suffering heavy casualties. Belsky was again accused by fellow boyars of poor leadership but his unexpected death (January 13, 1551) saved the old general from disgrace. Prince Daniil Vasiliyevich Shchenya (Даниил Васильевич Щеня in Russian) (? - no later than 1519) was a Russian military leader during the reigns of Ivan III and Vasili III. In 1489, Shchenya and his army of 64,000 men sieged and captured the city of Khlynov, the inhabitants of which had often... Ivan IV (August 25, 1530–March 18, 1584) was the first ruler of Russia to assume the title of tsar. ... Map of Kazan Khanate, early 1500s The Kazan Khanate (Tatar: Qazan xanlığı; Russian: Казанское ханство) (1438-1552) was a Tatar state on the territory of former Volga Bulgaria with its capital in Kazan. ... Events January 16 - Grand Duke Ivan IV of Muscovy becomes the first Tsar of Russia. ... January 13 is the 13th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events Russia, Reforming Synod of the metropolite Macaire, Orthodoxy: introduction of a calendar of the saints and an ecclesiastical law code ( Stoglav ) Major outbreak of the sweating sickness in England. ...

By his wife, Ivan Chelyadnin's daughter, Dmitry had two daughters, Eudoxia and Anastasia. They were married to the boyars Mikhail Morozov and Vasily Zakharyin-Yuriev, respectively. Eudoxia, although renowned for her pious ways, was executed with her husband and children during the Oprichnina purges. Dmitry also had one son, Prince Ivan Dmitrievich Belsky. When the Oprichnina was instututed, the tsar had his two noblest boyars, Ivan Belsky and Fyodor Mstislavsky, appointed to run the lands of the state, or zemshchina. In 1571, when khan Devlet I Giray of Crimea assaulted Moscow and set the city on fire, Prince Belsky was suffocated to death by smoke in his own mansion. With his death, the Belsky princely family became extinct. Chelyadnins (Челядины) is an old Russian boyar family of Radsha (Радша) lineage via Akinfovs (Акинфовы), extinct in 16th century. ... The House of Romanov (Рома́нов, pronounced ) was the second and last imperial dynasty of Russia, which ruled Muscovy and the Russian Empire for five generations from 1613 to 1762. ... The Oprichnina (Russian: Опричнина) formed a section of Russia ruled directly by the Tsar under Ivan the Terrible. ... Events January 11 - Austrian nobility is granted Freedom of religion. ... Devlet I Giray (Crimean Tatar: I Devlet Geray) (1512–1577) — a khan of the Crimean Khanate in 1551–1577. ... Motto: Процветание в единстве - Prosperity in unity Anthem: Нивы и горы твои волшебны, Родина - Your fields amd mounts are wonderful, Motherland Capital Simferopol Largest cities Simferopol, Eupatoria, Kerch, Theodosia, Yalta Official language Ukrainian. ...

On November 8, 1555 the last Prince Belsky married Marfa, a posthumous daughter of Prince Vasily Shuisky-Nemoy by Anastasia of Kazan, herself a granddaughter of Ivan III and Sophia Paleologue. Ivan Belsky and Marfa Shuiskaya had five children but they all died in minority and were interred in the family sepulchre, Tikhon's Hermitage near Kaluga. November 8 is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 53 days remaining. ... Events Russia breaks 60 year old truce with Sweden by attacking Finland February 2 - Diet of Augsburg begins February 4 - John Rogers becomes first Protestant martyr in England February 9 - Bishop of Gloucester John Hooper is burned at the stake May 23 - Paul IV becomes Pope. ... Shuisky (Шуйские) was a Rurikid family of boyars descending from Grand Dukes of Vladimir-Suzdal. ... Albus rex Ivan III Ivan III Vasilevich (Иван III Васильевич) (January 22, 1440 - October 27, 1505), also known as Ivan the Great, was a grand duke of Muscovy who first adopted a more pretentious title of the grand duke of all the Russias. Sometimes referred to as the gatherer of... Zoe Palaiologina (Greek Ζωή Παλαιολόγου, Russian Софья Фоминична Палеолог, around 1455 - April 7, 1503), Grand Duchess of Moscow, was a niece of the last Byzantine emperor Constantine XI and second wife of Ivan III of Russia. ... Konstantin Tsiolkovsky State Museum of the History of Cosmonautics in Kaluga, built in 1967 Kaluga (Калу́га in Russian) is a city in central Russia on the Oka River 188 km southwest of Moscow, administrative center of Kaluga Oblast. ...