Dmitry Pozharsky after the Time of Troubles: public service under Romanov

After the liberation of Moscow from Polish invaders in October 1612, Prince Dmitry Pozharsky continued his active state and military activities under the first tsar of the Romanov dynasty. For almost three decades, the national hero served the Fatherland in various guises — as a military commander, administrator and diplomat. For more information, see the Izvestia article.

Awarding the boyar rank: recognition of the merits of the Savior of the Fatherland

In February 1613, at the Zemsky Sobor, which decided the fate of the Russian throne, Pozharsky played a key role by proposing a candidate for the kingdom. As a result of the election of Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov, he himself was rewarded for his selfless service to the Fatherland. As a sign of his highest appreciation for his "service and purification of Moscow," Dmitry Mikhailovich was awarded the rank of boyar, bypassing the rank of constable, which was extremely rare. On the day of the new tsar's coronation, July 11, 1613, Mikhail Fyodorovich confirmed Pozharsky's boyar dignity, again conferring dignity on him and endowing him with land possessions.

The promotion began with the events where Pozharsky, together with Kuzma Minin, formed and led the Second People's Militia. Pozharsky's charisma and military talent became the key to success in the battle, after which he turned into one of the most influential statesmen in the country. In 1613, he already signed as a boyar, and on the letter of election of the tsar his signature was the tenth on the list, which in the conditions of the then "localism" spoke of his political weight. As a sign of special respect, during the tsar's wedding ceremony, Dmitry Pozharsky was awarded the high honor of carrying the state.

Diplomatic activity: negotiations with British ambassadors

During the period of restoration of international relations after the Time of Troubles, Dmitry Pozharsky was involved in higher diplomacy. In 1617, he conducted official negotiations with the British ambassador and agent of the Moscow Company, John Merick, who was one of the key figures in Anglo-Russian relations at that time. These negotiations were aimed at strengthening economic and political ties between Russia and Britain, which was especially important for the restoration of the economy destroyed by the Troubles. Pozharsky was awarded the post of governor of Kolomenskoye.

His diplomatic activity was not limited to relations with England. In 1635, he participated in negotiations with the Polish-Lithuanian ambassadors A. Pesochinsky and K. L. Sapega, which ended with the ratification of the Peace of Polyanovsky, which confirmed the borders of the Deulin Truce of 1618. In 1640, shortly before his death, Prince Pozharsky again acted as a negotiator in diplomatic meetings with Polish ambassadors M. Stahorsky and K. Raetsky.

Military campaigns of 1615-1618: the struggle against Polish troops

Despite the victory of the militia and the election of the tsar, the external threat to the Russian state did not disappear, and Prince Pozharsky continued to participate in military campaigns to repel new attacks. In 1615, he led a detachment to combat the ruinous raids of Colonel A. I. Lisovsky, one of the most dangerous Polish adventurers, who besieged Bryansk and captured Karachev. In the battle of the Oryol hillfort, with 600 men under his command against 2,000 Polish soldiers, Pozharsky withstood the onslaught of the "foxhounds" and pursued the retreating enemy, proving himself to be a talented tactician. During these fights, he became seriously ill.

In 1617-1618, the threat to Russia increased when Prince Vladislav, the son of Sigismund III, again marched on Moscow. At this time, Pozharsky was appointed the first governor of Kaluga at the request of the residents of the city, which had been under siege for six months. He managed to free Kaluga from the siege, after which he was transferred to help the Russian militia near Mozhaisk and Borovsk, from where flying detachments inflicted damage on Vladislav's troops. In one episode, on October 1, 1618, during the decisive assault on Moscow, Pozharsky personally led the defense in the most dangerous place — at the Arbat Gate of the White City, where the soldiers under his command successfully repelled the attacks of the Zaporozhian Cossacks led by Hetman Sagaidachny. Pozharsky became seriously ill again, and at the behest of the tsar he was forced to return to Moscow, which marked the end of his participation in field battles.

The death and legacy of Prince Pozharsky: the memory of a national hero

Prince Dmitry Mikhailovich Pozharsky died on April 30, 1642 in Moscow at the age of 65. His death was a tragedy for the country. Pozharsky was buried in the ancestral tomb at the Spaso-Evfimiev Monastery in Suzdal, next to his father and sons, where his ashes rest to this day.

Prince Pozharsky's legacy goes far beyond his military and political achievements. He became an icon who embodied the image of a Russian patriot, an honest and selfless servant of the Fatherland, who, in a time of great turmoil, managed to unite the people and regain the dignity of Russia. Monuments have been erected in his honor, including the famous monument to Minin and Pozharsky on Moscow's Red Square, and an icebreaker, a nuclear submarine, streets in dozens of cities, and even an asteroid discovered by a Soviet astronomer bear his name.

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