The Death Of Ivan The Terrible's Son Explained

On the night of November 16, 1581, Ivan the Terrible was traversing the halls of his palace when he encountered his daughter-in-law in one of the hallways. After surmising that her clothing was far too promiscuous and light fitting, he took it upon himself to chastise and shame her on the spot(via On This Day).

On the night of November 16, 1581, Ivan the Terrible was traversing the halls of his palace when he encountered his daughter-in-law in one of the hallways. After surmising that her clothing was far too promiscuous and light fitting, he took it upon himself to chastise and shame her on the spot (via On This Day). Or, as Sky History tells it, the tsar happened upon his pregnant daughter-in-law "in a state of undress" and beat her so badly she miscarried. 

Whichever the case, after learning of how his father attacked his wife, the younger Ivan, heir to the throne, descended upon the scene in vehement defense of his wife. The altercation quickly escalated and the father, in a fury of rage and petulant frustration, struck his son on the head with his scepter. The blow leveled Ivan Ivanovich immediately and he crashed to the floor, but it wasn't until three days later that he died from head trauma.

The father, stricken with grief and guilt, lived out his remaining years in lonely agony and shame. He died of a stroke while playing chess on March 18, 1584, at 53 years old (per Sky History).

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