Vasili III

 Vasili III of Moscow was the Grand Prince of Moscow after his father, Ivan III.  He reigned from 1503-1533. 

The majority of Vasili’s time spent during reign was consolidating his father’s gains.  One of his greatest personal achievements were the annexation of the last remaining autonomous land areas which included Pskov, Volokoamsk, and Ryazan.  Prior to this annexation these areas had freedom from external authority but now took authority from Vasili III and his country. 

            Vasili III married his wife, Solomonia Saburova, in his early twenties.  In 1526, over twenty years into their marriage, they had still not produced any heirs to the throne.  This prompted his wife to consult sorcerers to help remedy this problem.  This did not work which led Vasili to consult with the boyars.  He told them that he did not trust his brothers to handle Russia’s affairs.  They then suggested he take a new wife.  This is what he did, despite obvious opposition from the clergy.  Vasili then married Princess Elena Glinskaya.  They then proceeded to produce two sons, Ivan IV and Yuri.  It is rumored that just months after their divorce Vasili’s first wife, Solomonia, had a son while in a convent that she had been confined to after the divorce.

          

  While hunting in 1533 Vasili felt a pain in his hip which was a result of abscess.  Doctors were unable to stop the infection which led Vasili to believe his time was short.  He then ordered he be taken to Moscow and asked to be made a monk before his death.  He passed away at midnight on December 4, 1533.