Ivan IV's reign as Tsar of Russia

Ivan's Father Dies

1533

Ivan IV's father, Basil III, dies when Ivan is three years old.

Yelena Glinskaya dies

Apr 3, 1538

Ivan's mother, Yelena Glinskaya, dies in 1538. Ivan believed this was due to the boyar families poisoning her, developing a hatred for the boyars.

Ivan marries Anastasia

1547

Ivan IV marries Anastasia Romanovna, belonging to an earlier boyar family.

Ivan fall Ill

1553

In March 1553, Ivan contracts a high fever. Durin his illness, he demanded the princes and boyars to swear allegiance to his baby son, Dmitri, most of which were unwilling to do so. Ivan recovered, but never forgave those who disobeyed him while he was ill.

The death of Anastasia Romanovna

Aug 7, 1560

Ivan's wife, Anastasia Romanovna dies, leading Ivan into paranoia.

Ivan marries again

1561

Ivan IV marries Maria Temryukovna, his second wife, but two years after he is bored, and she and her heir dies for a mysterious reason.

Ivan's eight marriages

Period: 1561 to 1581

Ivan had seven marriages between 1561 and 1581. While Ivan is unwilling to settle, all six of his brides and their heirs become deceased. In 1581, Ivan married is eighth and last wife, Maria Nagaya, whom he lived with until his death in March 1584, preparing to play a game of checkers.

Ivan leaves his post

1564

In1564, Ivan left his post, retreating northeast of Moscow. After being begged to return, he is granted absolute power, attaining the right to punish whomever he wanted, as well as rule over surrounding regions.

Ivan murders his oldest son

1581

Ivan IV murders his oldest son and heir, eventually leaving the nation to be ruled by his weak son, Feodor, and a Time of Troubles for Russia.

Ivan beat his daughter-in-law

1581

In 1581, Ivan beat his daughter-in-law, Yelena Sheremeteva, while pregnant, for wearing flagrant clothes, which is said to have caused a miscarriage