Why did Ivan the terrible kill his son?
On November 19, 1581, Ivan beat his son’s pregnant wife, angry with her because of the clothes she wore. She miscarried the baby as a result of the beating. His son argued with Ivan about this beating. In a fit of rage, Ivan struck his son on the head with an iron-tipped staff. The son lay in a coma for several days before he died of the festering wound. Ivan had always had a good relationship with his eldest son, and was overcome by grief, beating his head againt his son’s coffin. He did later show some remorse over his son’s death.
