Boris Fyodorovitch Godunov (Бори́с Фёдорович Годуно́в) (c. 1551 - April 13, 1605) was a tsar of Russia (1598 - 1605). Boris Godunov began his career of court service under tsarIvan the Terrible and became virtual ruler of Russia during the reign of Ivan's imbecile son Fedor (1584-1598). In 1598 Fedor died without an heir, ending the Rurik Dynasty. Boris Godunov then convened a Zemsky Sobor, a national assembly of boyars, church officials, and commoners, which proclaimed him tsar on January 6, 1598. He conducted a successful war against Sweden (1590-1595), promoted foreign trade, and dealt ruthlessly with those boyar families which opposed him. In 1604 boyar animosity combined with popular dissatisfaction ushered in the 'Time of Troubles' _ a confused eight_year dynastic and political crisis. Boris Godunov died suddenly in 1605.
On his deathbed Ivan appointed Boris, together with the Romanovs, one of the guardians of his son and successor; for Theodore, despite his seven-and-twenty years, was of somewhat weak intellect.
Boris, however, would only accept the throne from a Zemsky Sobor, or national assembly, which met on the 17th of February, and unanimously elected him on the 21st.
Boris died suddenly (April 13, 1605), leaving one son, Theodore II, who succeeded him for a few months and then was foully murdered by the enemies of the Godunovs.
Feeds |
Contact