← Explore on the interactive map

False Dmitry I

Type Figure Region Russia Time c. 1582–1606 Also known as Grigory Otrepyev

False Dmitry I was the most controversial usurper of Russia's Time of Troubles, claiming to be Ivan IV's young son Dmitry Ivanovich and briefly reign…

Timeline

  1. 1591–1604Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth · Polish-Lithuanian CommonwealthAfter the young Rurikid prince Dmitry was murdered at Uglich, this man claimed to be the survivor, gaining noble shelter and military support in Poland, rallying followers under the banner of restoring legitimacy and safeguarding Orthodoxy and noble privileges.
  2. 1604–1605Russia's western border to Moscow · RussiaFrom 1604 he led troops eastward from the Polish border; after Boris Godunov's death he exploited popular unrest and noble divisions, entering Moscow in 1605 and being recognized as tsar by some factions.
  3. 1605–1606Moscow · RussiaDuring his reign he granted favors and religious promises, but his pro-Polish policies, favoritism toward Catholics, and seizure of church property provoked a fierce backlash from nobles and commoners; in 1606 Vasily Shuisky launched a coup and False Dmitry was killed in Moscow.

Sources