Will Kürlich Kerl
Banned
What happens if Anastasia Romanovna, wife of Tsar Ivan IV, doesn't become sick and die in 1560?
WI: Anastasia Romanovna doesn't die
- Thread starter Will Kürlich Kerl
- Start date
MarshalBraginsky
Banned
There were two Anastasia Romanovas though: one that is the OTL wife of Ivan IV and the other is the Grand Duchess Anastasia Pavlovna.
Well, given that he specifically stated Ivan's wife...
It's hard to tell. Ivan undoubtedly got worse after her death--however, from what we can tell he was always a rather unstable individual, so it's hard to be certain that something else wouldn't set him off. (For example, the death of his brother, which happened shortly thereafter.) And Anastasia was quite sickly, something Ivan frequently made worse by dragging her off on pilgrimages in hopes of a miracle cure. Still, this might get rid of the Oprichnina, causing Ivan's reign to be somewhat less destructive.
It's hard to tell. Ivan undoubtedly got worse after her death--however, from what we can tell he was always a rather unstable individual, so it's hard to be certain that something else wouldn't set him off. (For example, the death of his brother, which happened shortly thereafter.) And Anastasia was quite sickly, something Ivan frequently made worse by dragging her off on pilgrimages in hopes of a miracle cure. Still, this might get rid of the Oprichnina, causing Ivan's reign to be somewhat less destructive.
Well, if we assume that her and her children's poor health was due to mercury poisoning (her remains were tested in the 20th century and showed high levels of mercury), then if we butterfly that out, their second surviving son, Feodor (Theodore) I, could have been at least a moderate ruler - at the very least, he would not have needed a regent (IOTL, he was mentally retarded). If the relief during the famine of 1601-1603 came directly from a tsar who was also more effective at governing, Poland would have had a much harder time invading.
A MUCH more conservative, less pro-western 18th-19th century Russia, and probably less absolutist. The second is less certain, but autocracy would not have developed in the same way as IOTL.
As a bit of a constitutional Russia wank, perhaps a Zemsky Sobor is called to deal with the famine, and the beginnings of a parliament develop? I admit, it's quite a stretch.
No IOTL Romanov dynasty, that's for sure.
A MUCH more conservative, less pro-western 18th-19th century Russia, and probably less absolutist. The second is less certain, but autocracy would not have developed in the same way as IOTL.
As a bit of a constitutional Russia wank, perhaps a Zemsky Sobor is called to deal with the famine, and the beginnings of a parliament develop? I admit, it's quite a stretch.
No IOTL Romanov dynasty, that's for sure.
OK if Anastasia lives and we have a healthy Feodor, how can that lead to a constitutional Russia or harder Polish invasion. Apparently the Oprichnina was an idea of Ivan's 2nd wife, without an organization terrorizing, looting and pillaging countryside, we could have a stronger Russia. Although what would Anastasia's survival mean for Ivan mentally, some people that Anastasia's death was the the start of the"black" period of Ivan. Alexander Yanov wasn't one to believe that, We would still have to deal with an arrogant Ivan IV who still viewed himself as better than all monarchs. There won't be a sacking of Muscovy and he might not have Prince Kurbsky betray him as a bonus.
If there isn't any Time of Troubles I doubt the Polish would invade, and with no looting from the above Oprichniki, there no might be a famine or a greatly lessened famine with potentially no need for a Zemsky Sobor.
If there isn't any Time of Troubles I doubt the Polish would invade, and with no looting from the above Oprichniki, there no might be a famine or a greatly lessened famine with potentially no need for a Zemsky Sobor.