Welcome to the Russian rulers podcast. I'm your host Mark Shouse.

episode number 8, Dimitri Dunsquay.

At the end of last week's podcast, I mentioned that I was going to replay the lives of three of the

Russian rulers. Dimitri, his son Vassili the first, and his grandson Vassili the second.

But after researching Dimitri I found there was so much information about him that I

wanted to just focus on him for this episode. So let's go on. Tell a Russian you've heard about Dimitri Danskoy and watch the chest puff.

A proud smile come out and a nod of their head and be prepared for a big Russian hug as you have just told them that you know

the story of a true Russian hero.

While Grand Prince Dimitri did not rid his country of the Mongols.

He was the one who showed the Russian people that they could stand up to their

supposed invincible overlords.

And yes, the Russians can be a proud and independent people someday.

When Ivan the Meek, Dimitri's father died in 1359, his nine-year-old son was expected to be given the title of Grand Prince of Moscow without dispute.

But as had happened many times in the past, the old Kievian Apanage system reared its ugly head, which gave rise to an older uncle claiming his right to

the throne over the young boy.

The claimant Dimitri of Susdahl.

Both were direct descendants of Visphalad the Big Nest, but then again who wasn't a descendant of

this prolific father?

Here we finally have a clash of two systems, one of Kiev, which influenced early Russia and

followed the schizophrenic and debilitating opinage system, and Moscow, where rule went from

father to son, a direct lineage.

Dimitri of Susdahl tried to gain control of Moscow and briefly garnered the title of

...