How the Dynasty Begun With Michael I – The First Romanov
12th July was the birthday of Michael (Михаил) Romanov of Russia. Michael was the first Tsar of the house of Romanov in 1613. The dynasty lasted for 300 years on the Russian throne. Nicholas II and his family celebrated its tercentenary in 1913, but it was to come to an end just four years later with the Russian revolutions of 1917.
Ascension to the Throne
Michael was just 16 when he became Tsar. Historians say that he only took the position reluctantly, out of a desire to prevent the power struggles from continuing. He was elected to be Tsar at the end of the ‘Time of Troubles’ in Russia, which lasted from 1598 until his coronation in 1613. Michael was the nephew of the last Tsar and was related to Ivan the Terrible.
Michael’s family and legacy
Michael married twice, as his first wife died just a few weeks after they married. He had 10 children with his second wife, but only three survived to adulthood. His son Alexey went on to become Tsar of Russia aged 16 when Michael died, as Michael had done. His reign saw the schism in the Orthodox Church and the the 1649 code which wrote serfdom into Russian law. The Romanov family produced some of the most notable Tsars in Russian history – Peter I, Alexander I and II were all descendants of Michael Romanov. The final Romanov was the ill-fated Nicholas II, who died in 1918 along with his family following the Bolshevik Revolution.
Megan Beddoe, currently studying Russian at Liden & Denz Moscow
