# False Dmitry II

> pretender to the Russian throne

**Wikidata**: [Q469791](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q469791)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_Dmitry_II)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/false-dmitry-ii

## Summary
False Dmitry II was a pretender to the Russian throne during the early 17th century, claiming to be the rightful heir to the Tsardom of Russia. He is primarily known for his role in the chaotic period known as the Time of Troubles, where multiple claimants vied for power amid political instability. His identity and legitimacy were disputed, and he was ultimately killed in 1610.

## Biography
- Born: January 1, 1600
- Nationality: Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
- Education: Unknown
- Known for: Claiming to be the rightful Tsar of Russia during the Time of Troubles
- Employer(s): Supported by Polish nobility and military forces
- Field(s): Political imposture, pretenderism

## Contributions
- **Claimed Identity as Tsar**: False Dmitry II presented himself as the legitimate successor to the Russian throne, leveraging support from Polish–Lithuanian nobles and military factions.
- **Military Campaigns**: He led or was associated with military efforts supported by Polish–Lithuanian forces aiming to install him as ruler in Russia.
- **Political Instability**: His claim contributed to the ongoing unrest during the Time of Troubles, further destabilizing the Muscovite state.

## FAQs
**Who was False Dmitry II?**  
False Dmitry II was an impostor who claimed to be the rightful Tsar of Russia during the early 1600s. He was supported by factions within the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth seeking to influence Russian politics.

**What was his real name?**  
His real name is unknown, as he assumed the identity of Tsar Dmitry Ivanovich, a deceased member of the Rurikid dynasty.

**How did he die?**  
False Dmitry II was killed on December 21, 1610, during political upheaval in Russia, likely by forces opposed to his rule.

**What role did the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth play in his rise?**  
The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth provided military and political support to False Dmitry II, seeing an opportunity to extend their influence over Russia.

**Why is he significant in Russian history?**  
He was part of the broader Time of Troubles, a period of intense political crisis in Russia marked by civil war, foreign intervention, and contested claims to the throne.

## Why They Matter
False Dmitry II played a pivotal role in the Time of Troubles, a period of political instability in Russia. His claim to the throne, backed by Polish–Lithuanian forces, exemplifies the foreign interventions and internal chaos that characterized early 17th-century Russia. His actions and ultimate death underscore the fragility of political legitimacy during this era and the broader geopolitical tensions between Russia and its neighbors.

## Notable For
- Claiming to be Tsar Dmitry Ivanovich, a figure from the Rurikid dynasty
- Being supported by Polish–Lithuanian military and political factions
- Contributing to the political instability of the Time of Troubles
- Being killed during a revolt in Moscow in 1610

## Body

### Identity and Origins
False Dmitry II was a pretender who claimed to be Tsar Dmitry Ivanovich, the youngest son of Ivan the Terrible. His true identity remains unknown, and he was likely a commoner or minor noble from the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. He emerged during the Time of Troubles, a period of intense political and social upheaval in Russia following the death of Boris Godunov.

### Political Maneuvering and Support
He was supported by Polish nobility and clergy, particularly members of the szlachta (Polish nobility) and the Jesuit community, who saw an opportunity to extend Polish influence into Russia. His claim was part of a broader strategy by the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth to install a puppet ruler in Moscow.

### Military Campaigns
False Dmitry II was involved in or associated with military expeditions into Russia, often supported by Polish–Lithuanian forces. These campaigns aimed to place him on the Russian throne, leveraging his claimed identity as a legitimate heir.

### Death and Legacy
He was killed on December 21, 1610, in a revolt in Moscow, likely orchestrated by Russian boyars and military leaders who opposed his rule. His death marked the end of his brief and contested claim to the throne, but his actions contributed to the ongoing instability in Russia during the Time of Troubles.

### Historical Context
The Time of Troubles was a period of civil conflict, foreign intervention, and dynastic disputes in Russia. False Dmitry II's claim to the throne was one of several attempts by pretenders to seize power, reflecting the broader political fragmentation of the era. His story illustrates the intersection of imposture, foreign influence, and internal conflict in early 17th-century Eastern Europe.

### Connections to the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth played a central role in supporting False Dmitry II, both politically and militarily. This involvement reflected the Commonwealth's broader ambitions to expand its influence into neighboring territories, particularly during a period when Russia was vulnerable to external pressures.

### Cultural and Political Impact
False Dmitry II's claim and subsequent death became emblematic of the chaos and uncertainty that defined the Time of Troubles. His story has been interpreted in various historical narratives as a cautionary tale about the dangers of imposture and foreign intervention in state-building processes.

### Modern Recognition
False Dmitry II is recognized in historical records and databases, including Wikidata, where he is identified by identifiers such as Q1413522 (impostor) and Q172107 (Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth). His life and death are documented in multiple historical sources, including encyclopedias and academic references.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. Faceted Application of Subject Terminology
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Virtual International Authority File