Feodor I of Russia

Infobox Monarch
name =Feodor I
Feodor the Bellringer
title =Tsar of all Russia


caption =
reign = 18 March 1584 - 16/17 January (NS), 1598
coronation =31 May 1584
othertitles =
predecessor =Ivan IV
successor =Boris
suc-type =
heir =
consort =
spouse 1 =Irene Godunova
spouse 2 =
spouse 3 =
spouse 4 =
spouse 5 =
spouse 6 =
issue =
royal house =
dynasty =Rurik
royal anthem =
father =Ivan IV
mother =Anastasia Romanovna
date of birth =birth date|1557|5|31|df=y
place of birth =Moscow
date of death =16/17 January (NS), 1598 (aged 40)
place of death =Moscow
date of burial =
place of burial =|

Fyodor I Ivanovich ( _ru. Фёдор I Иванович) (31 May 1557 - 16/17 January (NS), 1598) was the last Rurikid Tsar of Russia (1584 - 1598), son of Ivan the Terrible and Anastasia Romanovna. He is known as Feodor the Bellringer in consequence of his inclination to travel the land and ring the bells at churches. He was born in Moscow and crowned Tsar and Autocrat of all Russia at Assumption Cathedral, Moscow, on 31 May 1584.

Feodor, reputedly mentally retarded, took little interest in politics, and was never considered a candidate for the Russian throne until the murder of his elder brother Ivan Ivanovich. He was of pious character and spent most of his time in prayers. Having inherited a land devastated by the excesses of his father, Ivan the Terrible, he left the task of governing the country to his able brother-in-law, Boris Godunov.

He married in 1580 Irina (Alexandra) Feodorovna Godunova (1557 – 26 October/23 November 1603), sister of Boris Godunov. In 1588 he added on to St. Basils Cathedral in the Red Square. Constructed between 1555-1561 by his father Ivan IV (or Ivan the Terrible), he built more towers on the eastern side of the cathedral over the grave of St. Basil the blessed.

After almost twelve years of marriage, The Tsarevna Irina gave birth a daughter, Feodosia, in 1592. When she died in 1594 aged two, the Tsar approached a state of mental breakdown. His failure to procreate other children brought an end to the centuries-old Rurik dynasty and led Russia into the Time of Troubles. He died in Moscow and was buried at Archangel Cathedral, Kremlin.

ee also

*Tsars of Russia family tree