Tsar : Tzar

Tsar (Russian царь, from Latin Caesar, cognate with German Kaiser; also spelt Czar in English) was the title used for the rulers of Russia from 1546 to 1917. It was adopted by Ivan IV as symbolic of a change in the nature of the Russian monarchy. In 1721 Peter I adopted the title Emperor (Imperator), by which he and his heirs were recognised, and which came to be used interchangeably with Tsar.

The word tsar is from the Latin "Caesar" by way of the 11th century Russian tsisari (later tsari), from Old Slavonic[?] tsesari.

Tsaritsa is the term used for an empress, though in English contexts this seems invariably to be altered to tsarina. Tsarevna is the term for a daughter of a Tsar or Tsarina, and tsarevich for a male heir apparent. (Sons who are not heirs are called Grand Dukes.)

The Patriarchs, heads of the Russian Orthodox Church, acted as leaders of Russia at times, as during the Polish occupation and interregnum of 1610 - 1613.

A note on spelling and pronunciation

The spelling tsar is the closest possible transliteration of the Russian using standard English spelling. It has been accepted in English for the last century as correct usage. French adopted this form during the 19th century, and it became frequent in English towards the end of that century, following its adoption by the Times newspaper in Britain. (see the Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd edition).

The spelling czar originated with the Austrian diplomat Baron Sigismund von Herberstein, whose Rerum Moscoviticarum Commentarii (1549) (literally Notes on Muscovite Affairs) was the main source of knowledge of Russia in early modern western Europe. It isn't found in any of the Slavic languages.

List of Russian rulers

(For pre-Muscovite Russia see Rulers of Kievan Rus)

Muscovite Princes and Grand Princes

Russian Tsars

Tsar was also the title of the rulers of Bulgaria in 893 - 1014, 1085 - 1396 and 1908 - 1946, and of Serbia in 1346 - 1371.

See also History of Russia, History of Finland, History of Belarus, History of Ukraine, and Lists of incumbents.

Footnote

1 When Nicholas II abdicated in 1917 he abdicated not just on his own behalf but also on behalf of his teenage son, who was too ill to take up the throne. He named as his heir his own brother Michael. Michael initially accepted the throne and was proclaimed as Tsar Michael II. He subsequently declined it. Historians and lists of tsars differ as to whether to regard Michael or Nicholas II as the last tsar. Nicholas II was undoubtedly the last tsar to rule Russia and so was the last effective tsar. Michael, if he can be said to be tsar at all, exercised no governmental functions and merely reigned nominally for a short time before himself abdicating. Michael, like his brother Nicholas, was executed in 1918.

Common misspelling and questions (FAQ)

zar  tar  tzr  tza  ztar  tazr  tzra  tza  ttzar  tzzar  tzaar  tzarr  5zar  rzar  fzar  6zar  gzar  6zar  yzar  gzar  taar  tsar  tsar  txar  tzqr  tzwr  tzzr  tzwr  tzsr  tzzr  tza4  tzae  tzad  tza5  tzaf  tza5  tzat  tzaf  yzar  tyzar  tzars 


exultingly exclaimed, in the Danish tongue, "Leit loup," let him Anglesey. In our times, also, when Henry II. was leading an army a narrow, woody pass near Coleshulle, he sent a fleet into Anglesey, But the divine vengeance pursued him, for the inhabitants rushed having slain great numbers, and taken many prisoners, gained a most testifies, that the Welsh and Irish are more prone to anger and countries appear to be of a more vindictive nature. Two noble persons, and uncles of the author of this book, were sent to king Henry II., by Nest, daughter of Rhys, prince of South Wales; shewing the way to others, first attacked Ireland, and whose fame is valour, and ill supported, was pierced by a lance, and fell amongst despairing of being able to defend himself, was badly wounded, and inhabited by hermits, living by manual labour, and serving God. It discord arises among them, all their provisions are devoured and but when the discord ceases, they are no longer molested. Nor is it Jacob and Esau contended in the womb of Rebecca, and Paul and them should be the greatest, for these are the temptations of human is increased by tribulations. This island is called in Welsh, Ynys .

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Licence of article: GNU FDL.
Original source @ wikipedia.