Jerome Horsey - at The Court of Ivan's Successors

At The Court of Ivan's Successors

Jerome seems to have spent considerable time at the Russian Court, being invited by Tsar Ivan into the Treasury and attending the coronation of his successor Tsar Theodore. The Russian Court was very divided. Jerome says that "my most implacable enemy" was Vasily Shchelkanov but Boris Godunov was a friend.

Another friend, whom he seems later to have wanted to marry, was Princess Maria Vladimirovna. Maria first became the wife of Magnus the Dane but after Magnus's death Horsey was asked by Boris to persuade her to return to Russia where she was imprisoned. Jerome later said that this was the worst thing he ever did. However, the marriage with Maria was not allowed as he was a commoner, and she was placed in a nunnery.

In late November 1581 Jerome was asked by Ivan to take letters, hidden in a flask, to Queen Elizabeth. He had to travel overland as the sea was frozen. This journey was very difficult and included being arrested at the Danish island of Oesel, but the wife of the governor happened to be Madelyn van Uxel whom he had saved earlier. Jerome also had to pass through Pilten where he met Maria the Russian princess.