Family history Baron von Poscharski

Baron of Poscharski

The history of the Poscharski family begins as a branch of the princes of Starodub. Through them, the lineage led to Wsevolod „the Great Nest“ and further into the Rurikid dynasty. The family received its name after a manor that was affected by a fire: The word „poschar“ in Russian evolved into the name Poscharski.

The most famous member, Dmitry Mikhailovich Poscharski, was born in 1578 as the son of Prince Mikhail Fyodorovich and Mariya Fyodorovna Beklemischeva. His mother came from an ancient noble family and took over the leadership of the family after the early death of her husband. At the age of fifteen, Dmitry entered the court service and proved himself as a determined voivode.

During the „time of turmoil“ in 1610 he defended Saraiysk and fought in Moscow the following year. In the process he was seriously wounded. While still recovering, envoys from Nizhny Novgorod asked him to lead a people's army together with the merchant Kusma Minin. Minin organized resources and troops; Poscharski assumed the military leadership. In 1612 the army liberated Moscow, thus laying the foundation for the renewal of the country.

At the Reichstag of 1613, Poscharski participated in the election of Mikhail Romanov and carried the imperial scepter at his coronation. The new Tsar appointed him a boyar and entrusted him with important military and administrative duties. The little influential family branch became a highly respected princely house.

Dmitri had several children with his two wives. His sons Pjotr, Fjodor, and Iwan continued the immediate line; through daughters and granddaughters, the house later became associated with families such as Golizyn, Naryschkin, Repnin, and Wolkonski. Thus, his legacy passed on to further important noble families. The monument to Minin and Poscharski on the Red Square still stands today as a reminder of courage, common sense, and responsible leadership.

Sources: Moscow Kremlin museums (kreml.ru), State Historical Museum (shm.ru), State Archive of the Ivanovo Region (ivarh.ru), Encyclopedia of Nizhny Novgorod (nnov.ec)

Family coat of arms Baron von Poscharski

This Coat of arms follows the heraldic symbol of the Starodub dynasty, from which the Poscharski descend: the ancient green oak in the silver field. The golden acorns highlight the symbol of permanence and grown-up rule.

In silver is an old, broken-off green oak tree with a brown trunk and golden acorns. Above the shield is a Russian baron's crown and a steel helmet with green-silver covers; as a decorative element on the helmet is a green oak branch with golden acorns. Behind the shield are two jagged Russian command sticks crossed by a cross.

The Poscharski were a branch of the Rurikid princes of Starodub. The retrospectively kept record therefore Coat of arms includes the Starodub sign.

Sources: Russian Velvet Book, Genealogy of the Princes Starodub and Poscharski, Alexander Lakier, Russian Heraldry, Union for the Revival of Genealogical Traditions, Coat of arms the Princes Poscharski, State Historical Museum of Moscow