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Xenia Shestova | |
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| Born | 1560 |
| Died | January 27, 1631(1631-01-27) (aged 70–71) |
| Buried | Novospassky Monastery |
| Noble family | Saltykov |
| Spouse | Fyodor Romanov |
| Issue | Michael of Russia |
| Father | Ivan Vasiljevich Shestov |
| Mother | Maria Timofeyevna Shestova |
BoyarinyaKseniya Ioannovna (Ivanovna)Shestova (Russian:Ксения Ивановна Шестова (or Романова); 1560[1]–1631) was a spouse ofFyodor Romanov and the mother ofTsarMichael of Russia.
The origins of Xeniya Ivanovna have been disputed by genealogists for centuries. It is currently accepted that her surname wasShestova (Шестова; rather than Shastunova, as was previously believed) and that her grandfather was Timofey Gryaznoy, a rich landowner fromUglich.
DuringBoris Godunov's repression of the Romanovs, she was forced to take the veil, changing her name toMartha (Russian: Марфа). After several years of exile at Tolvuyskiypogost, she settled with her son inKostroma. It was there that the ambassadors arrived to inform Mikhail about his election to the Russian throne in 1613. As the previous tsars had beeneither killed or disgraced, Martha at first declined to bless her son and let him go to Moscow.
During the first years of his reign, Martha (or the "great nun" as she came to be known) exerted great influence on her moribund and listless son. She placed her relatives, theSaltykovs [ru], at important posts in the government, leading to widespread corruption. Her husband's return from Poland in 1619 put an end to their (and her own) influence in court. She died on 27 January 1631 and was buried in theNovospassky Monastery.
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