Источник: "Жены русских царей. От Рюриковичей до Романовых", Издательство "Медный всадник", 2017

"Women... make history, although the historian knows only the names of men"

Heinrich Heine

In the course of Russia's over 1,000 years of history the wives of the rulers have quite often played a very important role assuming responsibility for the fate of the nation. The names of most tsarinas do not occur so frequently in the pages of the chronicles as Princess Olga, Yelena Glinskaya and Catherine The Second, although they are no less remarkable personalities.

Their characters shaped the atmosphere in the royal apartments and at court. It was under their influence that the heirs to the throne formed their view of the world. They played a key part in dynastic marriges with other states. They set fashion at court, ect.

The tsarinas were the people who, in the shadow of their crowned husbands qietly determined the course of the country's life.

responsibility for the fate of the nation - ответственность за судьбы государства

tsarina - царица

to occur in the pages of the chronicles - появляться на страницах исторических хроник

frequently - часто

remarkable personality - выдающаяся личность

character - характер, нравственные качества

to shape the atmosphere - формировать атмосферу

the royal apartment - царские покои

at court - при дворе

heir to the throne - наследник престола

under influence of smb. - под влиянием к.-л.

to form the view of the world - формировать мировоззрение

to play a key part in sth. - играть ключевую роль

dynastic marriage - династический брак

to set fashion - диктовать моду

crowned husband - венценосный супруг

to determine quietly - исподволь определять

XVI century

Rurikids

The Russian tsars chose their wives at bride-shows. This is the Byzantine ritual at which the ruler chose a wife among the most beautiful maidens in his realm. The bride-shows were introduced into Russia by Sophia (Zoe) Palaeologus in the late 15th century and continued in use until the late 17th. Ivan the Terrible's best known bride-show took place in 1571 when the tsar chose Maria Sobakina from among 2,000 contenders. 

Rurikids - Рюриковичи

bride-show - смотр невест

the Byzantine ritual - византийский обряд

the ruler - властитель, правитель

maiden - девушка

realm - государство

to introduce into - вводить, внедрять

to be continued in use - просуществовать

until - вплоть до

best known - самый знаменитый

to take place - состояться

contender - претендент(ка)

Tsar

IVAN IV Vasilyevich (Ivan the Terrible)

Ivan the Terrible (1530 - 1584) was the first Russian ruler to assume the title of tsar. He was one of the most outstanding and sinister figures in mediaeval Russia. An enormous number of legends are attached to his name and a special place among them is taken by stories of the tsar's many marriages. This have earned him the reputation of being "a Russian Bluebeard".

Ivan the Terrible - Иван Грозный

outstanding - незаурядный

sinister - зловещий

mediaeval - средневековый

enormous number  - огромное количество

to be attached to smb's name - его имя овеяно, ассоциируется, связано с ч.-л.

many marriages - многочисленные браки

to earn smb the reputation - снискать к.-л. репутацию ч.-л.

Bluebeard - "Синяя Борода"

(to be continued)