In 1612, in November, the throne being vacant, the nobles met in council and dispatched letters to every town in the empire, summoning the clergy, nobility and citizens to send delegates to Moscow to meet in a national assembly and proceed with the election of a czar. This was necessary because the direct line of the house of Rurik having run out, there was no recognized heir to the throne. There were many claimants, not only within Russia, but candidates from neighboring kingdoms, and indeed the King of Poland was ready, and did subsequently, in spite of the action of the National Congress, declare himself Czar of Russia.
A fast of three days was appointed throughout the country that the people might invoke God's blessing on the choice of a new sovereign. This fast was most devoutly observed by the nation.
The day of election finally arrived in Lent, in the year 1613, and the choice, fortunately for Russia, fell upon Michael Romanoff, destined to become the head of the dynasty of able rulers, distinguished warriors and, usually, estimable men who have composed the royal family of Russia from that day to the present time. It thus happens that the Russian Empire as a whole, as we know it, has never had but two ruling houses, namely, the dynasties of Rurik and Romanoff.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
