Smuta

In 1582 Ivan IV died, leaving a distraught Empire.

During the power struggles over the succession, the boyar Boris Godunov became regent.

Duke Jedrek of Mieczyslaw rejected his selection and advised the other members of the Assembly of the Empire to reconsider the choice.

Duke Jedrek was sadly confirmed in his opinon of regent Boris as in 1591 the Tsar's son Demetrius was murdered.

Between 1598 and 1605 Boris Godunov became elected Tsar, Duke Jedrek of Mieczyslaw, withdrew from the Assembly of the Empire over this selection and was bullied by those in Moscow, saying that he and his lands would pay for their traitorous attitude.

Boris Godunov was de-throned by another invasion and investiture of Moscow by Polish troops; this time Duke Jedrek of Mieczyslaw was not connected to the invasion directly, but rather supported the move to oust the evil regent/Tsar by means of supplies and turning a blind eye to those young men whom did join the columns moving east across the boundaries of Ducal lands.

1609 Treaty of Vyborg. This sparked further conflicts over the Russian Throne, now also claimed by Polish interests. Duke Jedrek of Mieczyslaw attempted to keep the Duchy out of the negotiations, however his illness and death in 1611, predisposed The Duchy of Mieczyslaw to fall under the Polish influences as they held on to many lands out to Smolensk.

In 1612, the same year as an Assembly of the Empire selected Michael as the new Tsar, Baron Stefanik was named as the new Duke of Mieczyslaw by the szlachta Diet of Mieczyslaw. This was confirmed in Warsaw by Sigismund III Vasa and accepted by The League of Augsburg and MOSCOW.