Ivan IV, often called by his nickname Ivan the Terrible, ruled from 1533- 1584, the longest reign in Russian history (Carmichael, 41). His nickname "grozny" in Russian actually means "the awesome" not "the terrible" (Milner- Gulland, 65).
Ivan IV was the grandson of Ivan the Great, and the son of Vasily III, who died when Ivan was three years old leaving him the throne (Wallace, 77). His mother, Yelena Glinskaya, ruled as the regent with the boyars' influence until 1538 when she died from poisoning (Miliner Gulland, 65). Boyars feuding over the throne were constantly disturbing the pal…
