Topic summary
Vasily III
Extracted from the Wikipedia article Vasili III of Russia.
Domestic policy
Vasily III believed that nothing should limit the power of the Grand Prince. He enjoyed the active support of the church in the fight against the feudal boyar opposition, harshly dealing with all those who were dissatisfied. In 1521, Metropolitan bishopVarlaam was exiled due to his refusal to participate in Vasily's fight against Prince Vasili Ivanovich Shemyachich, princes Rurikovich Vasily Vasilyevich Shuisky and Ivan Vorotynsky were expelled. Diplomat and statesman Ivan Bersen-Beklemishev was executed in 1525 due to criticism of Vasily's policies, namely due to open rejection of Greek novelty, which came to Rus' with Sophia Paleologus.