The Boyars and the Grand Prince of Moscow

Ivan was named Grand Prince of Moscow as a toddler. His mother Elena ruled for him, with such power and ambition that she actually inspired a rebellion against her in 1537. Ivan felt himself and his little brother mistreated by the grown-ups who were left behind. It was the start of a grudge against the boyars that he would hold for the rest of his life. On January 16th, 1547, 17-year-old Ivan was crowned not only Prince of Moscow but Tsar of all Rus.