TIL about Ivan VI of Russia, named emperor in 1740 when he was two months old, deposed in a coup thirteen months later, then kept a prisoner in solitary confinement for 20 years until his murder.

Flying Squid@lemmy.world · 11 hours ago

TIL about Ivan VI of Russia, named emperor in 1740 when he was two months old, deposed in a coup thirteen months later, then kept a prisoner in solitary confinement for 20 years until his murder.

jpreston2005@lemmy.world · 6 hours ago

Upon the accession of Peter III in 1762, Ivan’s situation seemed about to improve, for the new emperor visited him and sympathised with his plight, but Peter was deposed just a few months later. New instructions were sent to Ivan’s guardian to place manacles on his charge, and even to scourge him should he become unmanageable.

Dang. Upon the doorstep of deliverance, a new emperor visiting your cell, empathizing with your position, only to have him deposed just as ruthlessly, and your situation made all the worse. How is this a real story and not some terrible ancient Greek tragedy?

TIL about Ivan VI of Russia, named emperor in 1740 when he was two months old, deposed in a coup thirteen months later, then kept a prisoner in solitary confinement for 20 years until his murder.

TIL about Ivan VI of Russia, named emperor in 1740 when he was two months old, deposed in a coup thirteen months later, then kept a prisoner in solitary confinement for 20 years until his murder.

Ivan VI of Russia - Wikipedia