Ivan IV. nursed his vengeance, waiting for an opportunity to strike a blow which should be felt.  Elizabeth was now Queen of England, and her embassador at the court of Russia was in high favor with the emperor.  Probably through his influence Ivan showed great favor to the Lutheran clergy, who were gradually gaining followers in the empire.  He frequently admitted them to court, and even listened to their arguments in favor of the reformed religion.  The higher clergy and the lords were much incensed by this liberality, which, in their view, endangered the ancient usages, both civil and religious, of the realm, and a very formidable conspiracy was organized against the tzar.

Ivan IV. was apprised of the conspiracy, and, with singular boldness and magnanimity, immediately assembled his leading nobles and higher clergy in the great audience-chamber of the Kremlin.  He presented himself before them in the glittering robes and with all the insignia of royalty.  Divesting himself of them all, he said to his astonished auditors,

“You have deemed me unworthy any longer to occupy the throne.  I here and now give in my abdication, and request you to nominate some person whom you may consider worthy to be your sovereign.”

Without permitting any reply he dismissed them, and the next day convened all the clergy of Moscow in the church of St. Mary.  A high mass was celebrated by the metropolitan, in which the monarch assisted, and he then took an affecting leave of them all, in a solemn renunciation of all claims to the crown.  Accompanied by his two sons, he retired to the strong yet secluded castle of Caloujintz, situated about five miles from Moscow.  Here he remained several days, waiting, it is generally supposed, for a delegation to call, imploring him again to resume the crown.  In this expectation he was not disappointed.  The lords were unprepared for such decisive action.  In their councils there was nothing but confusion.  Anarchy was rapidly commencing its reign, which would be followed inevitably by civil war.  The partisans of the emperor in the provinces were very numerous, and could be rallied by a word from him; and no one imagined that the emperor had any idea of retiring so peacefully.  It was not doubted that he would soon appear at the head of an army, and punish relentlessly the disaffected, who would all then be revealed.  The citizens, the nobles and the clergy met together and appointed a numerous deputation to call upon the emperor and implore him again to resume the reins of power.

“Your faithful subjects, sire,” exclaimed the petitioners, “are deeply afflicted.  The State is exposed to fearful peril from dissension within and enemies without.  We do therefore most earnestly entreat your majesty, as a faithful shepherd, still to watch over his flock; we do entreat you to return to your throne, to continue your favor to the deserving, and not to forsake your faithful subjects in consequence of the errors of a few.”