“Russian Emigres in Volynia during the Reign of Ivan IV”

Abstract In this superb monograph, based upon monumental archival and manuscript research, Konstantin Erusalimskii explores the lives and cultural contributions of Muscovite emigres during the reign of Ivan IV to Volynia, part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and then the Kingdom of Poland. Through case studies of the most prominent emigres, above all Prince Andrei Kurbskii, Erusalimskii examines their social consciousness and cultural contributions, both literary compositions and translation projects. The emigres did not think of themselves as traitors. They remained and were treated by indigenous subjects of Poland-Lithuania as outsiders, “Muscovites.” Among numerous original conclusions Erusalimskii argues that publicist Ivan Peresvetov and printer Ivan Fedorov were one and the sane man, introduces an original, signed letter in Polish from Kurbskii to Herzog Albrecht von Hohenzollern of Brandenburg, and portrays Kurbskii as a Renaissance historian.