The relations of Ivan with England are fully described in the very
interesting diary of Sir Jerome Horsey, the ambassador from this
country, the manuscript of which is preserved in the British Museum.
He was anxious to have an English wife, and Elizabeth selected one
for him, Lady Mary Hastings, but when the bride-elect had been
made acquainted with the circumstance that Ivan had been married
several times before, and was a most truculent and blood-thirsty
sovereign, she entreated her father with many tears not to send
her to such a man.
The character given of Ivan by Horsey is very graphic, and is valuable
as the narration of a person who had frequently been in intimate
relations with the Tsar. We give it in the original spelling:--
"Thus much to conclude with this Emperor Ivan Vasiliwich. He was a
goodlie man of person and presence, well favoured, high forehead,
shrill voice, a right Sithian, full of readie wisdom, cruell, blondye,
merciless; his own experience mannaged by direction both his state and
commonwealth affairs; was sumptuously intomed in Michell Archangell
Church, where he, though guarded daye and night, remaines a fearfull
spectacle to the memorie of such as pass by or heer his name spoken
of [who] are contented to cross and bless themselves from his
resurrection againe.
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