The Time of Troubles (Russian: Смутное время, romanized: Smutnoye vremya
), or Smuta (Russian: Смута), was a period of political crisis in the
Tsardom of Russia which began in 1598 with the death of Feodor I, the last of
the Rurik dynasty, and ended in 1613 with the accession of Michael I of the
House of Romanov.
It was a period of deep social crisis and lawlessness following the death of
Feodor I, a weak and possibly intellectually disabled ruler who died without
an heir. His death ended the Rurik dynasty, leading to a violent succession
crisis with numerous usurpers and false Dmitrys (imposters) claiming the title
of tsar.