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1533
Ivan’s Father Vasili III's Death
Ivan’s Father Basil III died when Ivan was only 3 leaving Ivan with no father figure. -
1538
Death of Ivan’s Mother Elena Glinskaya
Ivan’s Mother Elena Glinskaya was killed leaving 8 year old Ivan to care for the starving Boyars. -
Period: 1547 to 1560
Ivan's "Good Period"
when Ivan seized power at age 16 he won great battles, gained land for Russia, and ruled justly. -
Feb 3, 1547
Ivan Marries Anastasia
Anastasia was Ivan's first wife and the his true love and had a great impact on his character. -
1553
Richard Chancellor sailed to Moscow
Richard Chancellor sailed to the White Sea coming across to Moscow, Ivan opened his trading ports to him without standard customs fees. -
1560
Death of Ivan’s wife Anastasia Romanov
Ivan’s wife Anastasia Romanov died, Ivan became extremely paranoid and suspected the Boyars of poisoned her. -
Period: 1560 to
Ivan's "Bad Period"
His first wife’s death sent Ivan into a downward spiral causing to become mentally unstable and paranoid. He tried to avenge her death by having his secret police force kill the boyars he suspected of poisoning her to death. Overall after Anastasia died Ivan did many terrible things. -
1561
Saint Basil's Cathedral
A Legend states that he was so impressed with the structure that he had the architect blinded so he couldn't build anything more beautiful than Saint Basil's Cathedral. -
1562
Ivan's Secret Police force
Due to Ivan's Unstable mental state after his wives death which he suspects the boyars of killing her, Ivan creates his own police force to kill all of the boyars and anyone else he thinks is a traitor. -
Dec 3, 1564
Ivan Leaves Moscow
Ivan left Moscow and Sent two letters back to inform the boyars of his resignation from rule. The boyar court was not able to rule and begged Ivan to come back which he did under the condition that he would have absolute power. -
1570
Sack of Navgorod
A plague that killed 10,000 people in Navgorod and about 1000 daily in Moscow. Ivan ordered the Oprichniki to raid the city, they burned and pillaged Novgorod and the surrounding villages. -
Nov 16, 1581
Ivan kills his Son
Ivan finally snaps and he beats his oldest son to death with a cane.
