Alexis I of Russia

Alexey Mikhailovich Romanov (In Russian ??????? ?????????? ???????) (March 9, 1629 (O.S.) - January 29, 1676 (O.S.)) was a Tsar of Russia during some of the most eventful decades of the mid-17th century.

Early life and reign

The son of Tsar Mikhail I and Eudoxia Streshneva, he was sixteen years old at the time of his father's death on July 23, 1645. Acceding to the throne, he was committed to the care of the boyarin Boris Morozov, a shrewd and sensible guardian, sufficiently enlightened to recognize the needs of his country, and by no means inaccessible to Western ideas.

Related Topics:
Mikhail I - Eudoxia Streshneva - July 23 - 1645 - Boyar - Boris Morozov

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Morozov's foreign policy was pacificatory. He secured a truce with Poland and carefully avoided complications with the Ottoman Empire. His domestic policy was severely equitable, and aimed at relieving the public burdens by limiting the privileges of foreign traders and abolishing a great many useless and expensive court offices. On the 17th of January 1648 he procured the marriage of the tsar with Maria Miloslavskaya, himself marrying her sister, Anna, ten days later, both daughters of Ilya Danilovich Miloslavsky (1594 - 1668).

Related Topics:
Poland - Ottoman Empire - 17th of January - 1648 - Maria Miloslavskaya - Ilya Danilovich Miloslavsky - 1594 - 1668

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Morozov was very unpopular however, regarded as a typical self-seeking 17th century boyar and was generally detested and blamed for sorcery and witchcraft. In May 1648 the people of Moscow rose against them, and the young Tsar was compelled to dismiss them and exile Boris to the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery. Suffering from the forced separation, Alexis sent many tender letters to his mentor, and urged the guards to treat him as civilly as possible.

Related Topics:
17th century - 1648 - Moscow - Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery

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