Andrey Bolshoy

Andrey Vasilyevich Bolshoy, nicknamed Goryai (Russian: Андрей Васильевич Большой; 14 August 1446 – 6 November 1493), was the third son of Vasili II of Russia who transformed his capital in Uglich into a major centre of political power and ensured the town's prosperity for two centuries to come.

In 1479, one displeased boyar, Prince Lyko-Obolensky, left the Moscow Kremlin and settled at the court of his brother Boris, ruler of Volokolamsk.

In order to settle the conflict, Ivan III offered Andrei Bolshoy the cities of Kaluga and Aleksin, but he refused.

As a token of their reconciliation, the grand prince granted Andrei the city of Mozhaisk, the most coveted part of Yury's appanage.

After the death of their mother Maria of Borovsk in 1484, Andrei's situation became perilous because his defiant stance and groundless claims filled Ivan III with misgivings.

He was afraid that, in line with the ancient system of Rurikid succession, Andrey would attempt to usurp the throne of Muscovy after his own death.

Andrey was responsible for construction of the first stone edifices of Uglich – the cathedral, the Intercession cloister, and his own palace. Of these structures, only a section of the latter survives.