The reception given to Skopin had a strong effect on the Shuiskys. Book Dm. Shuisky, who, due to his unsuccessful actions, was not entrusted with command over the army, hoped that Skopin would fail in his enterprise and return home the same way he himself returned from Kaluga. But, seeing that Skopn was favored by happiness and that, thanks to his prudent and careful management, he was respected by everyone, he began to hate him and envy him. This was revealed already during the entry of Skopin and Delagardie into Moscow: standing on the ramparts of the city and seeing Skopin from afar, D. Shuisky loudly exclaimed: “here comes our rival.” Many boyars standing near Shuisky heard these words, paid attention to them and assumed what happened next. From here you can see to what extent the heart of Dm. Shuisky was consumed by malicious envy. He not only had well-known ambitious intentions, but even expressed them openly in the presence of those around him. This is how the Dutchman Gerkman, who was in Russia under Mikhail Fedorovich and collected information from eyewitnesses, recounts this incident (ed. Archeogr. commission. 313 - 314). There is also news that the tsar himself was so amazed by the scene of Skopin’s meeting that he even sent him to tell him that before he went home, he stopped by the fortress, where, thanking him for the service rendered to him, he reproached him for plotting to deprive him of the throne. They also say that, having abandoned such a thought, in the heat of explanation, Skopin still advised Vasily to leave the kingdom; since happiness does not favor his rule, and therefore it is necessary to elect another king - of royal blood, and Tsar Vasily apparently agreed with him (Diary. Pokh. Cor. Sigism. 583-84).
Under such circumstances, a series of celebrations and feasts began in Moscow in honor of the winners. The Tsar, his brothers and boyars, hastened to show them, some sincere and some imaginary gratitude (Videk. 131; Vskov. Let. 58). For this, the Muscovites expressed genuine joy (Tale of Palitsyn, 230-31), which stemmed both from the recognition of Skopin’s merits and from the general dislike in the royal family. Antipathy towards the king is quite understandable. Shouted out in the square at a critical moment of anarchy by a crowd of his followers, he did not have time to establish order and reconcile the warring parties. Nondescript-
V. S. IKONNIKOV,
tough in appearance, he could not soften his opponents even with his harsh treatment. Suspicious by nature, he easily succumbed to outside slander. Deceitful in his words (such are his solemn assurances about the death of Tsarevich Dmitry and the first Pretender), he naturally could not arouse trust in himself. But by now giving access to knowledge of Skopin, he damaged his own business at what might be said to be the happiest moment of his reign. True, he observed at least outward decency towards his nephew. But his brother, Cp. Dmitry did not know how to restrain his struggle with envious feelings. Meanwhile, due to his character, he could not arouse respect for himself either in those around him or in his subordinates. Arrogant in his relations with the latter, cowardly on the battlefield, he drowned in luxury and pleasures, which at that time were completely at odds with the painful situation of the people’). The third of the Shuisky brothers, Prince. Ivan Ivanovich, together with them, participated in previous intrigues, was also hostile to Skopin and, together with them, shared the dislike of the people.
After this, it is quite clear how Skopin should have won in the eyes of the people and troops.
According to Russian news, he was handsome in face; friendly in manner; caring in his treatment of his subordinates; kind to foreigners (Addition to the Pskoi. Let. 59; Rikop. Filar.; Klyucharev’s Chronograph in Karamz., XII, p. 528). Of course, in this image one can hear the ornateness characteristic of historical legends of the late 19th and 19th centuries; we already know how Videkind spoke about Skopin; and here is Hetman Zholkiewski’s review of him: “Skopin-Shuisky, he notes, although he was young, but, as people who knew him say, he was endowed with excellent gifts of soul and body, intelligence beyond his age, a courageous spirit and a beautiful appearance” (Zap. 41 -
') “Howl I hate his pride, for this reason he is unkind in their eyes” (Tale of Avr. Pyalitsyn, 232).
“The governor of the heart is not brave, but with women he is surrounded by things, who loves beauty and food, and who does not want to pull bows and a copy of misrule” (Another tale about the self-proclaimed Times. Moscow General History XII, 66).
KOPIN-SHUISKY.