Ivan the Terrible. The Beginning of the Journey. Essays on Russian History of the 1530s and 1540s
14.99 €
In stock
Ivan the Terrible. The Beginning of the Journey. Essays on Russian History of the 1530s and 1540s
14.99 €
A new book by Russian historian V.V. Pensky is dedicated to a complex and contradictory period in the history of the Russian state and the man who became its symbol—Ivan the Terrible.
The long reign of Ivan IV essentially summed up the Rurik dynasty's tenure at the pinnacle of Russian political power. The first Russian tsar completed the work begun by his great-grandfather Vasily II and grandfather Ivan III—the consolidation of lands and power. He completed the edifice of the Russian "service state," which was subsequently repeatedly rebuilt, particularly under Peter the Great, and lasted until the second half of the 18th century, when its gradual dismantling began under Catherine II. This process was complex and far from straightforward—after the leap forward achieved under Ivan III, a lull set in under Vasily III, when both the country and the government seemed to be preparing, accumulating strength and energy for a new leap. The unexpected death of Vasily III delayed this process for some time.
The author recounts the years of "boyar rule" that followed the death of Ivan IV's father, the period of "interregnum" and stagnation when the personality and character of the future formidable tsar were shaped, and how his rise to power began.
The author includes numerous quotes from chronicles and charters from Ivan the Terrible's time in his work to best convey the spirit of the era.
The long reign of Ivan IV essentially summed up the Rurik dynasty's tenure at the pinnacle of Russian political power. The first Russian tsar completed the work begun by his great-grandfather Vasily II and grandfather Ivan III—the consolidation of lands and power. He completed the edifice of the Russian "service state," which was subsequently repeatedly rebuilt, particularly under Peter the Great, and lasted until the second half of the 18th century, when its gradual dismantling began under Catherine II. This process was complex and far from straightforward—after the leap forward achieved under Ivan III, a lull set in under Vasily III, when both the country and the government seemed to be preparing, accumulating strength and energy for a new leap. The unexpected death of Vasily III delayed this process for some time.
The author recounts the years of "boyar rule" that followed the death of Ivan IV's father, the period of "interregnum" and stagnation when the personality and character of the future formidable tsar were shaped, and how his rise to power began.
The author includes numerous quotes from chronicles and charters from Ivan the Terrible's time in his work to best convey the spirit of the era.
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