The Ambassador’s Report of Zakharia Meyer on the Trip to Moscow

The article contains a translation and an original text of the report Ratmann Lübeck, Zhachariah Meyer, about his diplomatic trips to Moscow in 1586–1587. document is stored Archives Hanseatic City Lübeck (Archiv der Hansestadt Lübeck) has not been published so far. On behalf magistrate Meyer visited court Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich Novgorod Pskov. In context transformation League, which took place second half 16th century, order retain status its head, needed take leading position supply Russian export products Western European market. To achieve this goal, it was necessary reject commercial mediation cities Livonia, during Livonian War fell under foreign rule, carry out own program set pamphlet “Kürtzer Bericht…” 1571. Meyer’s report, includes German letters patent from 1586, translations tsar`s governors Pskov, Meyer`s petitions, testifies successful start program. among other things, information situations trading courtyards particular, their relations with city administration. Their lack self-government administrative dependence on authorities distinguished offices heyday.