Russian statehood goes through many difficult stages, sometimes one was worse than another.The most eerie and dark period in the history of Russia, most historians called oprichnina years.Oprichnik - is a myth, or is he really existed?About these sovereign's servants went terrible rumor, saying that they are not people at all, the real monsters, "the demons in the flesh."So what can you say about the henchmen who they really were, and why they talk about are really scary stories?
Forced measures
Oprichnina precedes appearance of a number of negative developments for Moscow.Muscovy at that time led a bloody Livonian War.Livonian conflict - this is one of the largest military companies of the XVI century in the region of the Baltic states, which were large, influential in those regions of the state - Muscovy, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Kingdom of Sweden, the Kingdom of Denmark.In January 1558 Moscow invaded Livonia.At the beginning of the Russian troops Ivan the Terrible brought a number of significant victories were conquered Narva, Dorpat and many other towns and villages in the Baltics.
The war
For seven years, Russian state continued to bloody and bitter war with the Livonian state.Not only Emperor Peter I wanted to "open a window to Europe."Ivan the Terrible, too, decided to dot the "i" in the seemingly eternal problems of the Russian economy.Start of the military campaign was quite successful for Russia.After a crushing defeat at Ulla Lithuanians fled to the Chief of the Russian army.In connection with the situation Ivan the Terrible introduced martial law in the country, creating a structure in the State oprichnichestva.
Strict selection
While power in the country was not only the king, on foreign and domestic policy affects the large feudal lords, who were divided into eight slots - on a relative basis and the allotment.None of them worked for the good of his country and, of course, taxes are put in his pocket.On a slave sometimes I had two feudal lord.Only the princes of Yaroslavl, there were at that time about eighty.All of these princes have not put a dime into the treasury than the Russian Tsar was very angry.Since the country have enough problems, especially during the war, the king had to solve the problem of feudal.In 1565, Ivan the Terrible January 3 announced that abdicates because of anger in the nobles.After such a shocking ads, thousands of people gathered and went to the king to beg him to return to the throne and once again lead the country.Already a month later the Russian Tsar announced that he would return to the rule, but the rights of the boyars executed without trial, tax them, deprive them of their property.All the rest of the state was to give zemshchina.To all this he added that enters the country oprichnina.In it, he identified certain boyars, clerks of people and servicemen.Therefore oprichnik - a person who has certain powers and carrying out the orders of the king directly.Keep oprichnina king ordered some of the city: the Great Ustyug, Vologda, Suzdal, Vyazma, Kozelsk, Medyn and others.
essence Oprichnina
Oprichnik - a person who took over the function of a lightning rod, deprived of power of the prince, the lord ina certain region.Ivan the Terrible acted very cleverly, thus killing two birds with one stone.Deprived of arbitrariness nobles and gave the remaining lands conquered in the Baltic States.Oprichnik meaning of the word - "a person who is in the position of the king in the ranks of his supporters."
Black Guards
Oprichnik - a personal guard of the king, which is not only recruited mature men and children boyars, nobles and elected.The main condition under which the selection was carried out, was the lack of kinship, blood ties with notable personalities of the nobility.All that Ivan the Terrible demanded by its people - is unquestioning obedience.The most important domestic policy was oprichnik.Meaning it was narrowly focused and is somewhat similar to the function of the special forces of our time.
clashes
As the princes were under me fighting slaves (detachment of soldiers guarding the interests of the owner), the strip of land of the nobleman was not an easy affair.Here and there are "Black Rider" - oprichnik.Definition of the word we gave a little higher.Hailing his training essentially is to strengthen the unified power of the king and killing those who disagree.They are often described as cowardly and despicable people.But not all were the same among the guardsmen were good commanders and warlords.There was a case: the capture of the Livonian town of troops under the command of Prince Tyufyakina fell near the fortress and the beginning of "arguing" reluctance to go on the attack and constant excuses angered the king, and he sent guardsmen, which showed the royal decree removed from command of the army Tyufyakina andassistants, and he undertook to lead the assault troops.
dog's head and a broom
Modern historians describe the personal protection of the king as follows.A man dressed all in black, with strapped to the saddle pesey head and a broom behind.The head symbolized the fact that young guardsmen will sniff out treason and sweep it with a broom.This is not quite true.Yes, oprichnik was dressed in a black coat, as they were a kind of order and dress accordingly.About carrion - complete nonsense, on a hot day with a severed head is not particularly clear up.For the first time this information came from foreigners who are likely drew an analogy with the monks Dominicans, it was a symbol of the Order of the dog's head that adorned the gates of the monastery.Why is the dog's head?Dominicans call themselves the Lord's dogs.They, like the guardsmen, to investigate crimes (against the faith), and perhaps this was the cause of this analogy.A broom was not exactly a broom.As a sign of their belonging to the caste of the chosen king guardsmen wore woolen belt brush - broom sweeps treason.
Hard facts
During oprichnina killed a lot of people say how much - certainly not possible until now.Oprichnik - it's a killer, the fault which killed at least 6000 people.That is the figure refers to the historian Skrynnikov.
guardsmen
those terrible years are characterized by many as a period of repression and tyranny.And, of course, there are the most famous guardsmen who remember their deeds most.
Basmanov Fedor - the son of guardsmen Alexei Danilovich.About Fedor went the rumor that he was a lover of Ivan the Terrible, in particular, refer to the stories of foreigners.It reflects the Tatar attack on Ryazan.In 1569, he commanded the oprichnina troops in the south.He was awarded.
Malyuta Skuratov - henchmen villain, got its nickname because of small stature.He was the head of the oprichnina.He started his way to the lowest position, but because of their brutality, has reached great heights.He was famous for the fact that he loved to conduct inquiries with a taste.He was a murderer rather than oprichnik.He was killed in battle in 1573.
Athanasius Vyazemsky - another famous oprichnik.Had the special status of the king, they said even that was a favorite of Ivan the Terrible and enjoyed unlimited confidence.It was so strong that the drugs made personal physician Terrible Lenseem king took only hand Athanasius Vyazemsky.In times of brutal repression Vyazemskij with Malyuta Skuratov headed the guardsmen.He ended his earthly existence Vyazemskij during torture, accused of conspiring with the enemies of the Russian and the desire to convey Pskov Lithuania.
Temryukovich Michael Cherkasky - Prince.The Muscovy came in 1556.Obeying the will of his father, he was baptized and became one of the feudal princes.Oprichnik Michael became thanks to his valiant campaign against the Tatars and her sister Mary, and that it is akin to Tsar Ivan the Terrible.After some time the prince Cherkassky gained enough influence at the court of the Moscow tsar.
Officially among guardsmen Michael Cherkasky was referred to in September 1567.He, like all the important figures of the personal guard of the king, actively participated in the torture of Messrs monarch objectionable.In May Cherkassy executed for alleged treason, and one of the popular version is that even had impaled.
