Женщины московского великокняжеского дома. Мария Борисовна - отравленная супруга великого князя

The Life and Death of Maria Borisovna

Introduction to Maria Borisovna

• Maria Borisovna, the first wife of Ivan III, is introduced as a significant figure in the 15th century, known for her virtuous character.

• She was noted for her kindness, modesty, and virtuous behavior but met an early and tragic death at the age of 25 in 1467.

Circumstances Surrounding Her Death

• Different chronicles report varying accounts of her death; official Moscow chronicles state she passed away peacefully while opposition chronicles suggest she was poisoned.

• Evidence points towards poisoning, with investigations revealing that her body showed signs consistent with this theory.

Background and Marriage

• Maria came from Tver's princely family; her marriage to Ivan III was politically motivated amidst familial conflicts.

• Their marriage occurred when they were both very young (Ivan at 12 and Maria at 10), which was unusual given medieval norms regarding marriage age.

Family Dynamics and Health Issues

• The couple struggled with infertility for years due to their close kinship (third cousins), which may have contributed to health issues.

• By April 1467, Maria unexpectedly died; chroniclers mention possible foul play surrounding her demise.

Investigation into Poisoning

• Chronicles indicate an investigation into her death implicated individuals close to Maria, including a woman named Natalia Poluektova who had connections with sorcery.

• Despite initial inquiries leading nowhere significant, suspicions lingered about who benefited from her death.

Analysis of Potential Suspects

• Several theories arise regarding motives for poisoning: political tensions with Novgorod due to Ivan III's policies or internal court rivalries involving his mother.

• Another theory suggests that local factions in Tver might have wanted to eliminate Maria due to political pressures on her brother.

Conclusion on Causes of Death

• Personal conflicts within the royal family could also be a factor; jealousy between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law is speculated as a motive for murder.

• Ultimately, it remains unclear who orchestrated the poisoning or if it resulted from medical practices common in that era.