Marina Mniszek

Marina Mniszek (towards 1588 - 1614) is an adventurous policy, of Polish nobility, which tried by all the means of girding the crown of the tsars.

With the first Dimitri forgery

It is the girl of the voiévode Georges Mniszek, which had many contacts with the Polish king Sigismond III Vasa. Residents with Sambor, it is there, in 1604, that their relative, Constantin Wisniewicki introduces a strange character to them stating to be prince Dimitri, brother of the late tsar, Fédor Ier, which would have escaped little with died in 1591.

Actually, it is about an impostor, a défroqué monk of the name of Grigori Otrepiev. The true Dimitri really died accidentally in Ouglitch, where the regent of the time, Boris Godounov, had relegated it with his mother. Since, Boris succeeded Fédor, but its authority is disputed and several suspect it of having assassinated Dimitri truth.

Mniszek they really believed; impostor? In any case, they acted like tel. Indeed, it fell in love with Marina and, if he became tsar, of the tempting prospects would open for them. A contract of engagement is signed. If it succeeds in girding the crown, Marina will receive a million zlotys and the town of Pskov. On his side, Georges will obtain the grounds of Novgorod and Severski. Advised by Georges, the Polish king agrees to raise and finance the army of the Dimitri forgery.

This one seizes Moscow in June 1605 after having reversed Godounov and takes the name of Dimitri II. In November, it sends to Marina her official request for marriage which is done by procuration with the cathedral of Cracow. Sigismond III assists to with it just as hundreds of foreign diplomats. Even the pope sent a representative there.

In spring 1606, Marina share to find her husband. It is accompanied by her father and a succession of 4000 people. It makes an conspicuous entry in Moscow the April 24th. Crowning and the official marriage take place the May 8th. It is not known if it then converted with orthodoxy or if it remained catholic.

Its reign as tsarina does not last a long time. Less than ten days later, it is the coup d'etat. Entreated enter of force to the the Kremlin. The Dimitri forgery is run away by the window but breaks a leg while falling. It is caught up with, carried out, burned and its ashes drawn with the gun towards Poland. The Zemski sobor chooses then Vassili IV Chouiski like tsar, and its first gesture is to imprison the partisans of the deposed tsar. Among them, are obviously Marina and her father.

With the second Dimitri forgery

In 1608, a Second forgery Dimitri Moscow threat. It settled with Touchino, a few kilometers of the capital, and prepares to besiege it. Like the first impostor, it is supported by Sigismond III. Vassili IV takes fear and negotiates an agreement with the Polish king. This one grants retiter its support with the applicant against the release of all the Polish prisoners. Mniszek can thus leave Moscow.

Whereas Georges flees towards Iaroslavl, Marina moves slowly towards Poland. It is caught up with and removed by a detachment of the second Dimitri forgery which brings back it to Touchino. Surprised! She says " reconnaître" its husband, the tsar Dimitri II, who has escaped miraculeusement with his attackers. Obviously, it is not him but this recognition makes disappear certain doubts and brings many supports to him.

Unfortunately for it, the second Dimitri forgery is assassinated in his turn in December 1610 in doubtful circumstances. One month later, the January 16th, is born the son whom it had of him. The Hermogène patriarch, who had affublé the Dimitri forgery of the nickname of Brigand of Touchino , gives that of Petit Brigand to his heir.

With Ivan Zarucki

Marina , it, was a new guard (and a new lover) in the person of Ivan Zarucki, ataman of the Cosaques of the Don. In 1612, its troops undertake the head office of Moscow. The other Russian cities, which want to put an end to this period of interminable disorders, mobilize an army and push back the Cossacks of Zarucki towards the south. Part of the Cossacks joint to their militia. The others, under the control of the ataman, move towards Astrakhan, carrying with them Marina and the Petit Brigand .

In 1613, Marina Mniszek sees the end of its hopes when Zemski Sobor elects Michel III Romanov like new tsar. The population, which does not want to undergo the lightnings of the new Master, obliges them, it and Zarucki, to leave the city. In June 1614, close to the Yaik river, in the the Ural, they are encircled, captured and brought back to Moscow. Zarucki undergoes the torment of the stake. The Small Brigand , a three year old older child, is hung. Marina dies little of month after in prison.

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