History of the Russian State, Vol. 9

A.D. 1560 — 1561.

Ivan sincerely loved his spouse, but he possessed a lightness of character that did not accord with deep impressions of sorrow. He listened to the comforters without anger—and eight days after the passing of Anastasia, the Metropolitan, the Prelates, and the Boyars high-ranking aristocrats solemnly proposed that he seek a bride (22): the laws of propriety were not strict at that time. Having distributed several thousand rubles to churches and the poor in memory of the deceased, and having sent generous alms to Jerusalem and Greece (23), the Sovereign announced on August 18 that he intended to marry the sister of the King of Poland (24).

From this time the weeping in the palace ceased. They began to amuse the Tsar, at first with pleasant conversation and jests, and soon with bright feasts; they reminded one another that wine gladdens the heart; they laughed at the old custom of moderation; they called fasting hypocrisy (25). The palace already seemed cramped for these noisy gatherings: the young Princes, Ivan's brother Yury and the Tsar of Kazan Alexander, were moved to separate houses (26). Every day new amusements and pastimes were invented, at which sobriety, and even seriousness and propriety themselves, were considered indecency. Many Boyars high-ranking aristocrats and dignitaries still could not change their customs all at once; they sat at the bright table with gloomy faces, avoided the chalice, did not drink, and sighed: they were mocked, humiliated, and had wine poured over their heads (27).