Vasili III

MedievalEmperorRussia1479 — 1533

Completed the unification of Russian lands.

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Quick Facts

Born

1479

Died

1533

Country

Russia

Era

Medieval

Occupation

Emperor

Score Overview

Military (10%)53

Political (20%)68

Influence (20%)59

Legacy (20%)52

Leadership (15%)72

Strategy (15%)60

Total Score60.0

Vasili III — Complete Timeline

1510 AD

Annexation of PskovWar◆ Major

Vasili III annexed the Pskov Republic, abolishing its veche and deporting leading families to central Russia. This completed the absorption of the last independent Russian city-state into Moscow.

PskovAnnexationMoscow

Impact: regional

1514 AD

Annexation of SmolenskWar◆ Major

Vasili III captured Smolensk from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania after a long siege. The city remained under Russian control despite a failed Lithuanian counterattack later that year.

SmolenskLithuaniaSiege

Impact: regional

1521 AD

Annexation of RyazanWar◆ Major

Vasili III annexed the Grand Principality of Ryazan, the last semi-independent Russian principality. The Ryazan prince Ivan Ivanovich was forced to flee to Lithuania, ending Ryazan's autonomy.

RyazanAnnexationUnification

Impact: regional

1526 AD

Divorce and Remarriage to Elena GlinskayaPolitical Action

Vasili III divorced his barren wife Solomonia Saburova and married Elena Glinskaya. This marriage produced Ivan IV, but the divorce caused controversy with the Orthodox Church and some clergy.

MarriageSuccessionChurch

Impact: national