Mikhail Romanov and the Time of Troubles

Episode 41 of The Romanov Dynasty turns back to the dynasty's origin story. Lucas and Luna explore the Time of Troubles that nearly destroyed Russia, the chaotic interregnum after the death of Tsar Feodor I, and the improbable rise of Mikhail Romanov. They discuss the false Dmitrys, the Polish occupation of Moscow, the heroic defense of the Trinity Lavra, and the national liberation movement led by Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky. The episode details the Zemsky Sobor of 1613 that elected the 16-year-old Mikhail, and the challenges he faced: war with Poland and Sweden, a shattered economy, and the deep divisions left by the Troubles. Lucas highlights key figures like Patriarch Filaret, Mikhail's father who became de facto ruler, and explains how the early Romanovs consolidated power. The conversation closes with reflections on how the trauma of the Time of Troubles shaped the Romanov autocracy for three centuries. #RomanovDynasty #MikhailRomanov #TimeOfTroubles #FalseDmitry #KuzmaMinin #DmitryPozharsky #ZemskySobor #PatriarchFilaret #BorisGodunov #VasilyShuisky #TrinityLavra #PolishOccupation #StenkaRazin #FexingoHistory #RussianHistory #History #EasternEurope #Podcast #TsarNicholasII #PeterTheGreat Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo