History of Russia from Ancient Times. Volumes 9, 10

45 hrs. 41 min.

Language Russian

Author Sergey Solovyov

Narrator Evgeny Ternovsky

Volume 9. The Reign of Mikhail Fyodorovich Romanov, 1613–1645.

Volume 9. Contents

Book contents 5
Chapter 01. The Reign of Mikhail Fyodorovich
An embassy from the cathedral to the newly elected tsar. — Instructions to the envoys. — Negotiations of the envoys with Mikhail and his mother. — Reasons why the new tsar could not fear the fate of his predecessors. — Mikhail’s departure from Kostroma to Yaroslavl. — Correspondence with the cathedral and the boyars from Yaroslavl, and on the road from that city to Moscow. — Mikhail’s entry into Moscow. — His royal coronation. — The dire condition of the state at the beginning of Mikhail’s reign. — Royal and cathedral charters to the cities and to the Stroganovs. — The Shulgin case. — War with Zarutsky. — Correspondence between the government and the Cossacks. — Zarutsky’s quarrel with the Astrakhans and the Terek town. — The actions of the streltsy head Khokhlov against Zarutsky. — The capture of Zarutsky. — His execution, the death of Marina’s son and Andronov’s death, Marina’s death. — Movements of rogue Cossacks in the north. — Actions against them by Prince Lykov. — The uprising of Tatars and Cheremis in the lower cities. — Relations with Poland. — The embassy there of Aladin. — Military actions: the taking of Bely by Moscow forces, the unsuccessful siege of Smolensk. — War with Lisovsky. — Operations and death of Circassians in the north. — A charter of the panov radnyh to the boyars. — Zhelyabuzhsky’s embassy to Poland and his meeting with Philaret Nikitich. — Unsuccessful negotiations near Smolensk. — Relations with Austria, Turkey, Persia, and the Crimea. — Embassy to Holland and England. — The arrival of the English envoy John Merrick with the goal of helping conclude peace between Russia and Sweden. — The position of Veliky Novgorod under Swedish rule. — Military actions against the Swedes. — The defense of Tikhvin. — The failure of Trubetskoy and Meseztsky. — The capture of Gdov by Gustavus-Adolphus. — Unsuccessful siege of Pskov. — Dederin negotiations via the mediation of English and Dutch envoys. — The Stolbovo peace. — Clearing Novgorod. — Negotiations with Merrick, rewards for him. — Gustavus-Adolphus’s view of the Stolbovo peace. — The embassy of Prince Boryatinsky to Sweden to finally confirm the peace (1613–1617).
Chapter 02. Continuation of the reign of Mikhail Fyodorovich
Military actions against Lithuania. — The difficult situation of Russian commanders near Smolensk. — The actions of the princes Suleshov and Prozorovsky. — Preparations of the prince Vladislav for a march on Moscow. — His relations with the Don Cossacks. — The speech of the archbishop-primate. — Vladislav’s entry. — Shein and Novodvorskoy in Smolensk. — Occupation of Dorogobuzh and Vyazma. — Vladislav’s charter to the residents of Moscow. — Prince D. M. Pozharsky in Kaluga; his actions against Chaplinsky. — Prince D. M. Pozharsky’s actions. — Unsuccessful dealings regarding peace negotiations. — The unsuccessful assaults of the Poles on Borisov. — Movements of commanders: Cherkassky and Lykov in Mozhaysk, Pozharsky in Borovsk. — The retreat of Cherkassky and Lykov from Mozhaysk to Moscow. — Decision in the Polish camp. — Vladislav’s second charter to Moscow. — The cathedral in Moscow. — The approach of Hetman Sahaydachny. — Pozharsky’s illness. — The unsuccessful actions of Prince Volkonshky against Sahaydachny. — The Cossacks’ theft. — The prince in Tushino. — Sahaydachny near the Don Monastery and his unimpeded joining with the prince. — Horror in Moscow. — The comet. — Peace negotiations. — The unsuccessful assault on Moscow. — Chaplinsky’s and Kony Murtzin’s deaths. — Negotiations on Presnya. — The prince’s movement along the Pereyaslav road and Sahaydachny’s toward Kaluga. — The victory of Prince Tyufyakin. — Deulin negotiations and truce. — Exchange of prisoners at Polyanovka. — Philaret Nikitich’s return to Moscow (1616–1619).
Chapter 03. Continuation of the reign of Mikhail Fyodorovich. 1619–1635
Dual power. — Different reports of contemporaries about Philaret Nikitich. — The fate of the tsar’s bride, Marya Khlopeva. — Embassies to Denmark and Sweden with proposals for marriage. — The initiation of the Khlopeva case. — The exile of the Saltykovs. — The tsar’s marriage to Princess Dolgorukova and the death of the tsaritsa. — The tsar’s marriage to Yevdokiya Lukyanovna Streshneva. — Relations with the Crimea and the Nogais. — Swedish matters; royal instructions to commanders regarding church affairs and defectors; relations with Gustavus-Adolphus regarding Poland; the Russian man Rubtsov as envoy from the Swedish king; the first Swedish resident Meller in Moscow; sending Swedish envoys through Moscow territories to the Zaporozhian hetman. — Relations with England; aid provided by the English king to the tsar in the war with Poland; Merrick’s arrival and negotiations with him; opinions of Moscow guests about English trade; ending the question of travel permits for English merchants to Persia via the Volga. — The first French ambassador in Moscow. — Embassies: Dutch, Danish, Hungarian, Persian. — Polish matters: the reasons for the new war, stemming from the Deulino truce itself; insulting charters for Tsar Mikhail from border Polish officials; the return to Russia of Prince Ivan Shuysky; quarrels between Russian commanders and Polish dignitaries— the Poles threaten the impostor; the Turks urge the tsar to war against Poland; the cathedral of 1621 and preparations for war; their stopping due to the failure of Sultan Osman; the raid of the Crimeans and a blunder by Russian commanders; unsuccessful negotiations with Poland; hiring foreign soldiers and training Russian troops in the foreign system; the death of King Sigismund; the break of the truce; localism among the chief commanders, Princes Cherkassky and Lykov; appointment of Shein and Izmaylov; instructions to these commanders; gathering money and food supplies for the army; a happy start to the war; Shein’s siege of Smolensk; the arrival of King Vladislav to help the besieged; the agreement between Shein and Vladislav; the surrender of the Russian convoy to the king; events in Moscow during the Smolensk misfortune; the death of Philaret Nikitich; the cathedral and its decisions; the trial of commanders and their execution; the chronicler’s view of the Shein affair; stubborn defense of Bely; the king’s constrained situation; the pans offer peace to the boyars; negotiations at Polyanovka; the eternal peace; the embassy of Prince Lvov to Poland to seal the peace; the case of the hetman’s contract; the oath ceremony; royal entertainment; the return of the body of Tsar Vasily Shuysky to Moscow (1619–1635).
Chapter 04. Continuation of the reign of Mikhail Fyodorovich. 1635–1645
Embassies of Pesochinsky and Sapega to Moscow; displeasure toward Poland regarding border matters, diminishing the title, and unlawful actions by Lithuanian merchants; the boyars’ opinions on the actions of the Polish government; the transfer of Little Russian Cossacks to the Moscow side. Relations with Sweden; the first Moscow resident, Francbekov, in Stockholm; the Moscow government’s view of residents. An unfulfilled agreement with the Compagnie of Holstein regarding Persian trade. Relations with Turkey: the embassy of Kondyrev and Bormosov, their difficult position regarding the Don Cossacks; the second embassy of Foma Cantacuzino to Moscow and the record given to them; the embassy of Yakovlev and Yevdokimov to Constantinople; the third embassy of Cantacuzino to Moscow; the embassy of Sovin and Alfimov to Constantinople; the killing of Commander Caramyshev by Don Cossacks; the danger to the envoys from them; robbery by Don Cossacks in the Caspian Sea; the embassy of Pronchishchev and Bormosov, Dashkov and Somov, Korobyin and Matveyev to Constantinople; a royal letter to the sultan with Bukolov; Cantacuzino’s arrival to the Don; the gathering of the Cossacks near Azov; an embassy to Moscow by ataman Katorzhny; an assault under Azov; Cantacuzino’s death; Azov’s capture by the Cossacks and its defense against the Turks; a cathedral in Moscow due to the Cossacks’ request that the ruler take Azov from them; the Cossacks abandon Azov by the ruler’s order; the embassy of Miloslavsky and Lazorevsky to Constantinople. Displeasure of the Don Cossacks; their intention to leave for the Yaik. Relations with Persia and Georgia. The ruler’s intention to call a bridegroom from Denmark for Tsarevna Irina Mikhailovna; an embassy and translator Fomin to find out about the king’s sons; the embassy of the prince Valdemar to Moscow; the embassy of Proestyev and Patrikeev to Denmark for matchmaking; their failure; the embassy to Denmark of Peter Marselis, who resolves the matter; the marriage conditions; the arrival of Prince Valdemar to Moscow; his presentation to the ruler; the articles submitted by Danish envoys to the boyars; the prince’s conversation with the ruler; exhortation to accept Orthodoxy: the patriarch’s letter to the prince and Valdemar’s reply; an unsuccessful attempt by the prince to leave Moscow secretly; Marselis’s conversation with Valdemar; the Basistov case; Valdemar’s letter to the tsar and the Polish envoy Stempkovsky. News from Turkey about the impostor Ivan Dmitrievich. The embassy of Prince Lvov to Poland and the matter of the two impostors. The illness and death of Tsar Mikhail (1635–1645).
Chapter 05. The internal condition of the Moscow state during the reign of Mikhail Fyodorovich
The significance of the new tsar. — Consequences of the Time of Troubles for the magnates of Moscow. — Localism. — The fate of the Godunovs, Shuysky, Trubetskoy, Lyapunovs, Pozharsky, Minin, Tomila Lugovskoy, Gramotin. — Military organization. — The state of cities; trade and industry. — The state of the rural population. — Expansion of Russian holdings in Northern Asia. — The state of the church. — Legislation. — The state of justice. — Popular law. — Education and literature. — Olear’s journey.
On the article by Mr. Kostomarov “Ivan Susanin”

Volume 10. The Reign of Aleksei Mikhailovich. (1645–1676)

Volume 10. Contents

Chapter 01. The state of Western Russia at the end of the 16th century and in the first half of the 17th century
The significance of religious struggle in Eastern Europe. — The idea of union. — The Jesuits: Skarga and Possevin. — Western Russian archbishops, aristocracy, fraternities. — The conduct of the archbishops in Vladimir, Lutsk, Lvov. — The Lvov fraternity. — The arrival of the Patriarch of Constantinople, Jeremiah, in Western Russia. — The Kyiv Metropolitan Onysifor; his overthrow and appointment of Mikhail Ragoza. — The exarch Terletsky. — Tumults caused by Jeremiah’s orders. — The Brest Cathedral of 1590. — Terletsky’s break with Prince Ostrozhsky; his sad situation. — Terletsky begins the union case. — Correspondence of the Lvov fraternity with the Patriarch of Constantinople. — Ipaty Potey, bishop of Vladimir; letter to him by Prince Ostrozhsky about the union. — Terletsky and Potey act together in favor of the union. — The Brest Cathedral of 1594. — Ragoza’s conduct regarding the union; correspondence with Skumin. — Correspondence between Prince Ostrozhsky and Potey. — The circular message of Prince Ostrozhsky against bishops. — The Lvov bishop Balaban separates from Terletsky and Potey, who go to Rome and, on behalf of all the Western Russian clergy, recognize the pope as the head of the church. — The king tries to support the work of Terletsky and Potey in Rus’. — The Brest Cathedral of 1596. — The division of the Western Russian church into Orthodox and Uniats, and the struggle between them. — The message of Ioann Vishensky. — Stepan Zizanius and writings directed against him. — Polemics regarding the Brest Cathedral. — The Apocryphone and its main theses; the “Perestroga.” — In the king’s circular charter he sets out his view on the Brest Cathedral. — The movement of Cossacks: Kosinsky and Nalivayko. — The case of the patriarchal exarch Nikiphor. — Correspondence of Prince Ostrozhsky with the pope. — The Orthodox demand the trial of Uniate bishops. — An attempt by the Orthodox to unite with Protestants in order to defend themselves together from Catholics. — Potey is appointed metropolitan after Ragoza and tries to historically prove the legitimacy of the union. — Meletius Smotrisky and his writings. — Speech of Deputy Drevinsky in the Sejm. — The appointment of Orthodox bishops and the “Advice on piety.” — Intensification of the struggle as a result of appointing Orthodox bishops. — Josafat Kuncevich and letter to him from Lev Sapieha. — Kuncevich’s murder. — The pope’s message against the Orthodox. — Punishment of the residents of Vitebsk for Kuncevich’s death. — The Cossacks. — Hetman Sahaydachny. — Palchevsky’s work about the Cossacks. — The metropolitan Iov Boretsky raises the Cossacks to defend Orthodoxy. — Iov’s appeal to Moscow. — The triumph of the Poles over the Cossacks and the commission at Bear’s Groves. — Adventures of the seeker for the Turkish throne, Alexander Ahia. — The uprising of the Cossacks under Taras. — Kisel and his relations with the Cossacks. — The uprising of Pavlik and Skidan. — The uprising of Ostranin and Guni. — The Kyiv school. — The Lutsk fraternity and school. — Petro Mohyla. — Smotrisky’s retreat from Orthodoxy. — Death of Sigismund III. — The demands of the Cossacks. — Prince Vladislav tries to settle the matter between the Orthodox and Uniats. — Continuation of polemics between them. — Petro Mohyla, metropolitan, and his conduct. — Continued persecution of the Orthodox. — Resettlement into the Moscow state.
Chapter 02. The reign of Aleksei Mikhailovich
The character of the young tsar. — Morozov and Chisty. — The end of the affair of Prince Valdemar and Luba. — The release of Stempkovsky. — An accusation against Natsokhin. — Impostors: Ivashka Vergunenok and Timoshka Akundinov. — Order regarding the Crimea. — Negotiations with Poland about an alliance against the Crimea. — Embassies of Streshnev to Poland and Kisel to Moscow. — The sad condition of the people in the Moscow state; the burden of taxes; the desire to evade paying dues. — The tsar’s marriage to Miloslavskaya. — Grumbling against the father of the tsaritsa, Miloslavsky, and against Trakhaniotov and Pleshcheev. — Rebellion in Moscow. — The fate of Morozov. — Nikon. — Government activity after the rebellion. — The code (Ulozhenie). — Measures against pawn-givers; against tobacco; expelling English people from the interior regions. — Rebellion in Solvychegodsk, in Ust’yug. — Plots by dissatisfied people in Moscow; new accusations against Morozov. — Rebellions in Pskov and Novgorod. — Nikon in Moscow; he leaves for the Solovki to get the relics of St. Philip. — A letter to him from the tsar. — Nikon—the patriarch.
Chapter 03. Continuation of the reign of Aleksei Mikhailovich
Bohdan Khmelnytsky. — His quarrel with Chaplinsky; his relations with King Vladislav and his flight to Zaporozhye. Khmelnytsky in the Crimea and receives help from the khan. — The Rada in Zaporozhye; Khmelnytsky as hetman. — The movement of Hetman Pototsky; his letter to the king. — Battles at Zhovti Vody and at Korsun. — Kisel’s letter. — Khmelnytsky’s universals and the uprising of the “hops” (peasants) in Little Russia. — Vladislav’s death. — Kisel’s fears concerning Moscow. — Khmelnytsky’s first contacts with Moscow commanders. — His relations with the Polish government. — Correspondence with Kisel. — Prince Yeryemiy Vishnevetsky rages against the uprising Russians. — Prince Dominik Ostrozhsky; his letters, and those of the Kyiv commander Tyszkewicz and Kisel. — The failures of the latter regarding peace negotiations. — The battle at Pil’yavtsi. — Khmelnytsky retreats from Zamość at the request of the new king, Jan Kazimierz. — Khmelnytsky’s solemn entry into Kyiv. — His conduct during celebrations. — The Pereiaslav negotiations with the royal commissioners. — Preparation for war on both sides. — Zbarazh and Zboriv. — Peace. — Khmelnytsky’s relations with Moscow. — Neronov’s embassy to Ukraine. — The scribe Vyhovsky. — The embassy of the boyar Pushkin to Poland. — Timoshka Akundinov with Khmelnytsky. — His relations with Prince Prozorovsky, the commander of Putyvl. — The embassy of Protasyev and Unkovsky to Khmelnytsky demanding the surrender of the impostor. — The fragility of the Zboriv peace. — Moscow’s indecision. — Poland tries to set Moscow against the Cossacks. — A new war of Poland with the Cossacks. — The battle of Berestechko. — Lithuania in Kyiv. — Efforts to push Moscow into a decisive step. — The Bila Tserkva peace. — Sympathy for the cause of the Cossacks in Belarus. — New attempts by Poland to set Moscow against the Cossacks. — The embassy of Pronchishchev to Poland and of Pentslavsky to Moscow. — The pretext for a break remains. — Khmelnytsky considers the Bila Tserkva peace only a truce. — Resettlement of Little Russians into Moscow “ukraines.” — A proposal from the tsar to Khmelnytsky to settle with his entire army within Moscow’s territories. — Events at Batoha. — Khmelnytsky’s difficult position: he begs the tsar to accept Little Russia as a subject. — The embassy of Prince Repnin to Poland for final negotiations. — The tsar announces to Khmelnytsky that he accepts Little Russia as a subject. — A cathedral convened on this occasion. — Khmelnytsky’s third war with the Poles. — The affair near Zhvanets. — Buturlin’s embassy to Little Russia. — The Pereiaslav Rada. — Buturlin in Kyiv; Metropolitan Sylvester Kossov. — Points from the petition of the Zaporozhian Host approved by the tsar. — A report by Prince Kurakin from Kyiv about Kossov’s conduct. — The arrival of the abbot Hysel to Moscow. — An overview of relations between the Moscow state and European powers before the start of the Polish war.
Chapter 04. Continuation of the reign of Aleksei Mikhailovich
Preparation for war. — The release of Prince Trubetskoy. — The ruler’s departure on a campaign. — The tsar’s charter to the Orthodox inhabitants of Lithuania. — The tsar’s letter to his sisters and to Prince Trubetskoy. — Achievements of Russian troops. — The taking