Will the Real Tsar Dmitri Please Stand Up? (Part 2) - Noble Blood

Noble Blood: "Will the Real Tsar Dmitri Please Stand Up? (Part 2)" - Detailed Summary

Episode Release Date: March 4, 2025

Introduction

In the second installment of the "Will the Real Tsar Dmitri Please Stand Up?" series, host Dana Schwartz delves deeper into the tumultuous era of Russia's Time of Troubles, focusing on the enigmatic figure of Tsar Dmitri and the myriad of impostors who sought to claim his throne. This episode unpacks the intricate web of deception, loyalty, and power struggles that defined early 17th-century Russia.

Mikhail Molkhanov and the Legend of Tsar Dmitri

The episode opens with a recounting of a covert operation led by courtier Mikhail Molkhanov on May 16, 1606. Tasked by Tsar Dimitri Molkanov himself, Molkhanov and his accomplices executed a daring plan to secure 25 horses from the Tsar's private stable—a crucial element for Dimitri's escape amid looming assassination threats.

Dana Schwartz narrates, “After Dmitri learned of a post-wedding assassination plot against him that was set to kick off in mere hours, Molkhanov had tasked an experienced stable hand with gathering the horses” (02:15). This strategic move enabled Dimitri to flee Moscow under the cover of darkness, aiming to test his subjects' loyalty while traveling incognito.

However, the situation took a dramatic turn when Vasily Shuisky initiated a plot to display Tsar Dimitri’s supposed body, igniting rumors of his survival. Molkhanov capitalized on these events, spreading a narrative that Dimitri had indeed escaped, bolstered by the disappearance of the 25 horses and the disappearance of Dimitri’s favorite Turkish horse and state seal.

Vasily Shuisky's Ascendancy and Propaganda War

With Tsar Dimitri seemingly vanishing, Vasily Shuisky maneuvered to seize power, albeit with rocky reception. Schwartz explains, “Vasily's transition to the throne was rocky, though” (10:45), highlighting his lack of respect among Moscow's nobility compared to his predecessor Dimitri. Vasily's reign was marred by attempts to discredit Dimitri through relentless propaganda, portraying him as a dark sorcerer aligned with satanic forces.

Vasily’s efforts included staging macabre incidents, such as the appearance of Dimitri’s corpse in a churchyard and the anomalous burning of his remains, which Schwartz notes “had Dimitri's remains burned in one of the forts Dmitri had commissioned” (18:30). Despite these frantic measures, Vasily’s strategies often backfired, alienating segments of Russian society and fueling further dissent.

The Emergence of False Dmitri II

Amid the chaos, Mikhail Molkhanov's impersonation of Tsar Dimitri set the stage for subsequent impostors. By early 1607, False Dmitri II emerged, equally enigmatic and claiming legitimate descent from the original Tsar. Schwartz describes his rise, “False Dmitri II arrived to town under an alias and asks around as to what people thought of Tsar Dimitri and if they'd want him back in power again” (25:10), culminating in a flamboyant public revelation of his true identity.

False Dmitri II garnered significant support by presenting himself as a legitimate heir, leading to bloody conflicts and the establishment of a rival capital in Tashino. This period saw Russia effectively split, with two competing tsars and armies vying for control. The episode highlights the chaos with Schwartz's observation, “For over a year, Russia had two tsars, two capitals and two armies” (28:50).

The Proliferation of Impostors and the Decline of False Dmitri II

The success of False Dmitri II inadvertently spawned a proliferation of impostors—approximately ten more False Dmitris emerged, each attempting to capitalize on the first's narrative. Schwartz humorously equates this to “Russian American Idol,” emphasizing the rampant pretenderism.

As the number of Dimitri impostors grew, public trust diminished. False Dmitri II faced internal strife, including executing fellow impostors to assert his authenticity. Despite these efforts, his rule was short-lived. Schwartz recounts, “False Dmitri II fled Toshino as his forces turned on him, but soon mistreated those around him so egregiously that the captain of his own bodyguard killed him on December 11, 1610” (31:00).

Vasily Shuisky's Downfall and the Rise of the Romanovs

The downfall of False Dmitri II significantly weakened Vasily Shuisky’s position. In the wake of prolonged conflict and mounting dissatisfaction, Vasily was eventually ousted, forced into monastic seclusion, and died a few years later. This power vacuum facilitated the ascension of the Romanov dynasty in 1613, marking the end of the Time of Troubles.

Analysis: The Psychology Behind the Belief in Dimitri

Schwartz delves into the societal factors that allowed multiple False Dmitris to gain traction. She posits that widespread illiteracy and the central role of the Russian Orthodox Church made the populace susceptible to charismatic figures promising stability and divine favor. “It's understandable for them to put their faith in a hopeful battle-tested legend supposedly capable of near Christ-like miracles” (35:20).

Moreover, the desperate desire for stability amidst chaos made the enticing rags-to-riches narrative of Tsar Dimitri particularly appealing. This collective yearning for order over tyranny, despite skepticism, underscored the populace’s willingness to embrace impostors who could restore perceived legitimacy and tradition.

Vasily Shuisky: The Antagonist's Contradictions

In a nuanced examination of Vasily Shuisky, Schwartz portrays him as a complex antagonist whose hypocritical actions ultimately contributed to his downfall. While he relentlessly demonized Dimitri, Vasily resorted to sorcery himself in attempts to undermine his rival. “After spending years promoting falsehoods about how Dimitri was a dark sorcerer in league with Satan, when Vasily feared that he was losing the war to False Dimitri II, he allegedly looked into dark sorcery himself” (38:45).

This irony not only highlights Vasily’s desperation but also illustrates the multifaceted nature of political power struggles, where moral ambiguity often pervades the actions of those in power.

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Tsar Dimitri

The episode concludes by reflecting on the enduring fascination with the False Dmitris. Schwartz remarks, “Dimitri was both a person or series of people, but also an enduring idea” (40:30), emphasizing how the legend transcended individual impostors to become a symbol of hope and resistance.

The Time of Troubles, characterized by political fragmentation and social upheaval, underscored the profound impact of leadership legitimacy on societal cohesion. The eventual establishment of the Romanov dynasty brought stability, but the legacy of Tsar Dimitri and his impostors continued to inspire cultural and historical discourse.

Final Thoughts

Dana Schwartz masterfully intertwines historical facts with engaging narrative techniques, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the False Dmitris' pivotal role in Russian history. By highlighting the interplay between personal ambition, societal needs, and the precarious nature of power, "Noble Blood" offers a compelling exploration of a fascinating yet tragic chapter in the annals of monarchy.

Notable Quotes

“After Dmitri learned of a post-wedding assassination plot against him that was set to kick off in mere hours, Molkhanov had tasked an experienced stable hand with gathering the horses.” (02:15)
“Vasily’s transition to the throne was rocky, though.” (10:45)
“For over a year, Russia had two tsars, two capitals and two armies.” (28:50)
“It's understandable for them to put their faith in a hopeful battle-tested legend supposedly capable of near Christ-like miracles.” (35:20)
“After spending years promoting falsehoods about how Dimitri was a dark sorcerer in league with Satan, when Vasily feared that he was losing the war to False Dmitri II, he allegedly looked into dark sorcery himself.” (38:45)
“Dimitri was both a person or series of people, but also an enduring idea.” (40:30)

Additional Information

"Noble Blood" is a production of iHeartRadio and Grim & Mild from Erin Menke. For more insightful episodes, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform.

Transcript

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Noble Blood, a production of iHeartRadio and Grim and Mild from Erin Menke. Listener discretion advised. Just before midnight on May 16, 1606, a courtier and several of his accomplices nervously waited in the palace shadows. With traitors potentially lurking in every corner of the Kremlin, speed and stealth were vital, but also nearly impossible considering the Group's mission sneaking 25 horses out of the Tsar's private stable. This was no theft, however, no devious horse heist. The courtier Mikhail Molkhanov had been tasked with securing this royal herd by their owner himself, Tsar Dimitri Molkanov was one of the Emperor's closest associates and had helped hatch this escape plan. After Dmitri learned of a post wedding assassination plot against him that was set to kick off in mere hours, Molkhanov had tasked an experienced stable hand with gathering the horses. But was that man trustworthy? Could this risky getaway possibly work? The tense moments ticked past until at last the stable hand delivered the horses as covertly as he could. Molkanov and his men met up with a disguised Tsar Dimitri and successfully helped him flee Moscow under cover of darkness so that he could then travel incognito and daringly test the true loyalty of his subjects and purportedly devoted lords. Or so goes this alternate version of events. After Vasily Shuisky initiated his murderous plan and grotesquely paraded Tsar Dimitri's supposed body through the streets, Molkanov began to spread his dramatic tale. Within days, the Tsar, he said, actually escaped, and a few details did add a sniff of plausibility. For example, 25 horses did go missing from Tsar Dimitri's stables. Molkanov also had Dimitri's favorite Turkish horse and state seal to back up his claim. And Vasily reportedly had that skillful stable hand tortured, hoping to make him reveal that he had not actually helped Dimitri survive. But that poor stable hand, apparently deeply loyal to Dmitri after all, died without admitting a thing. Molkanov gradually headed for Poland, Lithuania, and has been credited by some historians as having done more to keep the legend of Tsar Dimitri alive than any other individual. Molkanov achieved this by not only spinning his yarn, but that the Tsar and his horses had artfully escaped their enemies, but by also pretending to be Dimitri himself. Molkanov did not bear much resemblance to Dimitri, but he knew him so well that he could deftly imitate him while traveling among less familiar townsfolk. In spite of these efforts, Molkanov is typically not even included by scholars as one of the main quote false Dmitries because although he elicited considerable Dmitri loyalty in certain localities, Molkanov was already too well known in Moscow and other power circles to continue to play the role. Since the original Tsar Dimitri was seemingly never seen or heard from again. Molkanov essentially served as a stand in for who stoked the fires of rebellion until eventually, you guessed it, the time came to debut a new Dimitri. I'm Dana Schwartz and this is Noble Blood. How was yet another man, and eventually more after that, able to somewhat successfully assume the same Dimitri identity? Much like franchise movie sequels or knockoff Rolexes, the market for them was clearly there. And to fully understand how Russia's impersonator supply kept up with the Dmitri demand, we must first look at the unstable situation in Moscow. Following the death of the man who had seized power under the name Tsar Dimitri, Vasily quickly finagled his way into becoming the new Tsar. Vasily's transition to the throne was rocky, though. Many accounts have pegged Vasily as a cunning strategist, particularly accounts he commissioned and or those that conveniently ignore his less cunning plans that backfired in farcical ways. But compared to his predecessor, Vasily was less respected in the capital, where many nobles reportedly saw him as a detestable traitor, and he was far less well liked than Dimitri. Within the larger realm, Vasily has been unfavorably depicted as a stocky, balding and exceedingly nearsighted man who apparently looked fairly ridiculous, yet still intimidated his opponents through tireless scheming and betraying. This is by no means to say that a ruler's overall effectiveness hinges on their looks or benevolence or reluctance to fear monger. There are plenty of historical cases that prove otherwise, but unfortunately for Vasily, when it came to winning broad support, he also did not have many other common image enhancing factors to help his case. Among either the noble classes or the wider population, Vasily was of a royal background. But even putting aside the whole committing regicide issue, any assertion of him being a proper heir was murky at best. Vasily also did not naturally come off as a battle tested hero or military mastermind. And unlike Tsar Dimitri with his Jesus esque resurrection, Vasily lacked a compelling origin story that was anywhere near as interesting or easy to sell to the masses. Throughout his time in power, Vasily tried to boost his own legitimacy and combat wild rumors about his popular predecessor in numerous ways. Ways which often involved spreading wild rumors about his popular predecessor. He eagerly picked up where Tsar Boris had left off by launching a dramatic propaganda campaign to discredit Dimitri. Remember Grigory Otropov, the defrocked monk, the supposed alter ego of the supposed Tsar? Vasily incessantly endorsed the idea that the pretender Dimitri had undoubtedly been that dabbler in the dark art all along and went to great lengths with his related scare tactics. For example, Vasily allegedly staged a ghoulish incident where Dimitri's corpse suddenly appeared at a churchyard far from where it had been buried the week prior, so that spooky stories would spread. Then, claiming that the earth was clearly refusing to accept the body of an evil sorcerer, Vasily had Dimitri's remains burned in one of the forts Dmitri had commissioned and according to an apocryphal sounding legend, ordered his ashes to be fired from a cannon aimed in the direction from which the so called Tsarevich and his army had marched into Moscow. Along the way, Vasily continued to promote correlated notions that the heretic Dimitri was a tool of the devil, had impregnated 30 nuns, was maybe even the actual Antichrist, and so on. Sure, this strategy hadn't worked the first time around, but doubling down on thoroughly demonizing the former Tsar would surely release people from their sacred obligation to support him as a monarch, right? Far from it. Vasily's macabre displays and scary accusations seemingly just confused or alienated sizable portions of Russian society. Many citizens were stout in their Russian Orthodox beliefs, and some presumably bought Vasily's stories. But many others were just fatigued by Vasily's rumor mill and skeptical of his desperate copying of Boris talking points. Again, it's worth noting that the whole painting your political adversary as a demon gambit had been so frequently deployed by that point that an average Russian on the street might have been hard pressed to name a former ruler who hadn't maybe had a chat or two with Satan. But a more important factor is that Dmitri had made many promises to towns, soldiers and exiled families in order to gain their support during his civil war crusade back before he died. And he had started to deliver on those debts once he became Tsar. Vasily on the other hand had not specifically promised these groups nearly as many legal or financial rewards. So when Mikhail Molkhanov, AKA Stand In Dmitri, and his associates traveled throughout the countryside building up the myth of Dimitri's miraculous escape, many of Dimitri's ambitious supporters quickly backed the cause once again and revived their civil war fighting. As this rebellion neared critical mass in early 1607, an individual emerged in dramatic fashion, claiming yet again to be the true Tsar Dimitri. Russia had not even had to wait a full year to get their exciting, if somewhat slapdash sequel. The origins of the man who would later be referred to by many as False Dimitri II or Second False Dimitri, are similarly foggy to those of Tsar Dimitri, who we will now refer to as false dimitri1, not because we're fully upholding the arguments of various detractors, but for the sake of historians, naming conventions and basic clarity just to keep all of the Dimitri's straight. Apparently False Dimitri number two was a similar height to False Dmitri I, but only vaguely resembled him. Most accounts described False Dimitri II as well educated, having been able to write in Russian as well as Polish, which, similar to the Prior Dmitri, would have helped him gain support in both countries. His handwriting apparently even looked like False Dimitri I's, although this could have been thanks to help from Stand In Dimitri, who could have closely modeled the First Dimitri's penmanship for the second Dimitri. Regarding the background of False Dmitri ii, consistent facts are hard to come by. Some sources pinpoint him as a Jew named Bogdan. This is largely based on the fact that Hebrew writings and a copy of the Talmud were reportedly posthumously found in his belongings. Many other accounts also represent him as someone far less refined or from a low socioeconomic class, possibly the son of a coach driver or blacksmith. Maybe he was an apprentice himself, or a Cossack, or maybe a teacher, according to many contemporary sources fals Dimitri II also had some association with the church, since he was knowledgeable when it came to certain Russian Orthodox traditions. So he was probably, they say, the son of a priest or maybe a priest's servant. But he was also seemingly a beggar when determined rebel agents were out looking for lookalikes, or if you were sympathetic to their spin, when they were out trying to locate the true Tsar, who was certainly alive and had in no way been cremated and shot out of a cannon. So that would make False Dimitri II a priest's servant turned beggar. Some accounts explained this progression through a salacious story about how he was a priest's servant, but how he had been turned out into the street when he was caught in bed with the wife of the priest he had been serving. Whatever this man's pre Dimitri identity, the general consensus among many historians seems to be that False Dimitri II did not want to be Czar Dimitri at all. But after being found jailed and threatened with execution, he agreed that yes, he definitely was the real Dimitri. That said, having only just remembered that he was Dimitri, he needed training. And then a big unveiling in May 1607. The Town of Stardub was chosen by rebel leaders as a good place for this because of the helpful fact that the people there were not remotely familiar with what Tsar Dimitri had been like in person. In a carefully engineered event surprisingly similar to an episode of Undercover Boss, False Dimitri II arrived to town under an alias and asks around as to what people thought of Tsar Dimitri and if they'd want him back in power again. And then, aha. In a flashy public display, he revealed himself to be Tsar Dimitri. All along he had been hiding as a test to judge their loyalty and they'd passed. The whole spectacle supposedly really stirred up the town and won over its occupants. False Dimitri II then continued to gain support, but his rise also came at a great cost. His military forces slogged through bloody battles, sieges and starvation as they fought against Tsar Vasily's army, facing steep obstacles preventing them from sweeping into Moscow. False Dmitri II and his rebel group set up a rival capital in the village of Tashino, which led to a messy, confusing and wide ranging conflict that split the country in a sense. For over a year, Russia had two tsars, two capitals and two armies. Along the way, false Dimitri II's political alliances became extremely fraught since for various reasons, he had to accept into his circle several other impostors who were also pretending to be the sons of powerful men, some of whom themselves were imposters. It's difficult to avoid being hyperbolic in parts of the story like this, but it basically got to the point that had you been sitting in a war planning meeting with False Dmitri II and looked to the person on your left and then to your right, at least one of them would have been an impostor, if not all three of you. During this time, Tsar Vasily tried to speed up peace negotiations by releasing key prisoners to appease Fals Dmitri II's Polish supporters, including the wife and father in law of False Dimitri I. Vasily strictly ordered False Dimitri I's widow Marina and her father stick directly with their convoy and after reaching Poland, Lithuania, that they were under no circumstances to Go join False Dmitri ii, where they could declare him to be Marina's miraculously surviving husband. So naturally, after getting captured by rebels, Marina, Marina and her dad met up with False Dmitri ii, and after some negotiations about her future, she declared that he truly was Tsar Dimitri, her husband. He had survived after all. What a miracle. This boosted the legitimacy of false Dmitri II, and by 1608, more than half of Russia recognized him as Tsar Dimitri. But this upswing also brought many more Dmitries. Given how the story of Dimitri surviving assassination attempts clearly captivated people, Russia became a hotbed for pretenders hoping to use the same formula for themselves. During the later stages of the Civil War, about 10 more copycats claimed to be Tsar Dimitri. These fellows do not typically even make it into the top tier of scholars False Dimitri lists, since many of them barely scratched the surface of plausibility or garnered any traction at all. Still, all this Dimitri duplication led many Russians to lose faith in False Dmitri ii. Desperate to curry favor with certain lords and rejuvenate his public support, False Dmitri II reportedly began offering rewards to those who found Pseudo Tsareviches roaming around and brought them to him. He even resorted to executing other impostors in his own circle, some who he'd previously claimed were his close relatives, to prove that he was real and he would not tolerate fakes. However, false Dmitri II's influence was unraveling too fast for him to stop. Unlike the more open and forward thinking ruling style of the First Dimitri, the Second Dimitri's court was by most accounts the opposite. It was guarded, paranoid, snobbish, and cruel. False Dimitri II lost the support of his advisors, and by letting his soldiers looting and pillaging go unchecked, he lost the support of townsfolk. False Dmitri II fled Toshino as his forces turned on him, but soon mistreated those around him so egregiously that the captain of his own bodyguard killed him on December 11, 1610, while they were out sleigh riding. In addition to costing False Dmitri II his life, this bloody chapter of Russian history also sealed Tsar Vasily's fate. Plagued by backlash over his handling of this civil war, Vasily was ousted, forced to be a monk, and imprisoned. He died a couple years later. What a grim and tragic end to the time of troubles, huh? Nope. Hold onto your fur hats, because it's time for False Dimitri 3. Don't worry. Within the, ahem, tsar studded cast of False Dimitris, False Dimitri III's time in the spotlight is the briefest and least complicated. Who was he? Possibly A deacon or a traitor, he purportedly ended up as a beggar in Novgorod when sometime in 1611, he, or purportedly those who put him up to it, revealed his identity to be Dimitri, and he attracted some broader support. Like the first false Dimitri, the Third was said to be a great speaker and gained popularity among Cossack groups who had backed prior Dmitri iterations. The Third's popularity actually grew to the point that several higher up nobles in the agitated political scene in Moscow once again had to publicly back him. This time though, their hearts just weren't that in it. In secret, several of the men trying to seize power at the Kremlin saw the Third as a nuisance and worked together to have him captured and hanged in 1612. But that only paved the way for false Dmitri IV. Kidding? Mostly. There were a few rumors over the years about Dimitri resurrections, but some of these might have been due to erroneous reporting or accounting and we have now covered the most influential branches of our dense Dmitri tree. After several more years of fighting and fierce political jostling, the time of the troubles essentially came to an end in 1613 when Russia started to accept the Romanov dynasty as legitimate and citizens went about trying to rebuild their war torn country. Although the odd and tragic period of the false Dimitris was relatively brief, their collective story continues to fascinate. Why? In addition to having served up numerous uniquely absurd details, the procession of imposters brings up intriguing questions of identity on an individual scale and for Russia as a whole. It's important to remember that at this time the Russian population was extremely widespread and largely illiterate. Accurate, salient news was hard to come by. So two institutional constants that citizens put their trust in were the sovereignty of Russia and the Russian Orthodox Church. At various points, the figure of Tsar Dimitri offered them a chance to actively fight for both. So to say Russian people were repeatedly embarrassingly duped is perhaps not giving them enough credit given the information and resources available. Combined with the fact that so many of them were ingrained grave debt and or starving, it's understandable for them to put their faith in a hopeful battle tested legend supposedly capable of near Christ like miracles. Beyond these loftier motivations, it's possible that some Russians support of Tsar Dimitri revealed a very practical desire for stability. Power struggles meant bloodshed and steep taxes. Even for those skeptical of the rumors of miraculous escapes, the regal and righteous seeming Tsar Dimitri, whoever he was, may have been significantly preferable to lesser known usurpers, if only for the sake of having a semblance of order, stability and tradition. As for Dimitri, he was both a person or series of people, but also an enduring idea. As a symbol, Dimitri galvanized the masses and for centuries to come inspired creative works of fiction, theater, music and poetry. In some ways, Dmitri was also an aspirational fantasy. For a brief period in Russia, there was basically an open casting call for an emperor. You could be a peasant, a beggar, an alleged demon accommodating for former monk and be plucked from obscurity and given the keys to the Kremlin. It's basically Russian American Idol. Tsar Dimitri's narrative was a classic rags to riches tale so enticing that it begged to be repeated again and again. And can we fully scoff at those involved, considering we've all probably fantasized about sitting on a throne at some point? Maybe deep down we all have a little Dimitri in us. That's the end of the second part of the deja vu filled story of the false Dimitris. But stick around after a brief sponsor break to hear about one more supposed Dimitri who baffled Russia Noble Blood is proudly sponsored by Ameca Insurance. As Amica says, empathy is our best part policy. That's why they'll go above and beyond to tailor your insurance coverage to best fit your needs. Whether you're on the road at home or traveling along life's journey, their friendly and knowledgeable representatives will work with you to ensure that you have the right coverage in place. Amica will provide you with peace of mind. Go to amica.com and get a quote today. Nobleblood is proudly sponsored by Amica Insurance. As Amica says, empathy is our best policy. That's why they'll go above and beyond to tailor your insurance coverage to best fit your needs. Whether you're on the road at home or traveling along life's journey, their friendly and knowledgeable representatives will work with you to ensure that you have the right coverage in place. Amica will provide you with peace of mind. Go to ameca.com and get a quote today in these false Dimitri chronicles. The Dimitris are all intriguing, but just like in any decent series of comic books or action movies, every legendary hero needs a worthy foil. And in Vassily, this story has a fascinating antagonist and case study in contradiction. In analyzing Vasily's battles against various Dimitri incarnations, it's hard not to picture Vasily as everything from a cunning schemer to a ridiculous arch villain shrieking at his underlings for failing to dispatch his death defying rival. The time of the Troubles may have been a pinnacle for pretenderism, but it was also a heyday for hypocrites, perhaps none bigger than Vasily. For instance, after spending years promoting falsehoods about how Dimitri was a dark sorcerer in league with Satan, when Vasily feared that he was losing the war to False Dimitri ii, he allegedly looked into dark sorcery himself. In an even wilder turn of events, there is actually one more type of false Dimitri we have not yet discussed, one whose inclusion is debatable since he never sought to rule, but whom Vasily had no one but himself to blame for creating. After usurping the throne, Vasily sought to further discredit False Dimitri I by having the body of the young boy Dimitri, the one who died when he was 8 years old, dug up under the guise of honoring him as a martyr. He had the exhumed tsarevich paraded around while spreading propaganda that the amazingly well preserved body of this true Dimitri could perform miracles and emitted a sublime fragrance. The only problem with this plan, every part of it accounts claim that the spectacle fooled no one. Not only did the body smell like a dead body, but everyone was almost certain that Vasily had actually ordered a boy of the same age to be killed and used as a replacement. In other words, the man who had spent an extraordinary amount of time playing a game of whack a Dimitri perplexingly created a retroactive false Dimitri himself, although allegedly this one was already dead. And not only did Vasily keep trying to pass off this false dead Dimitri as legitimate, he made him a saint, which technically also made him the first canonized but now mostly non canonical Dimitri. As much as Vasily hated his zombie like nemesis, having dealt with him at every stage from boy to boy, saint to man to tsar to stand in tsar to reluctant tsar to quickly multiplying hoard of cheap knockoff czars, perhaps we should credit Dimitri's clearly obsessed opposite number as having actually done more to immortalize the Dimitri Persona than any other person in history. Noble Blood is a production of iHeartRadio and Grim and Mild from Erin Menkey. Noble Blood is hosted by me, Dana Schwartz, with additional writing and research by Hannah Johnston, Hannah Zwick, Courtney Sender, Amy Hite and Julia Milani. The show is edited and produced by Jesse Funk, with supervising producer Rima Il Kayali and executive producers Aaron Menke, Trevor Young and Matt Frederick. For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.