Secrets of the Livonian war: duke Magnus of Holstein, the Muscovy company and English smuggling operations across the Russian “little window” to Europe

The article based on sources of little renown examines the role of England in the repartition of spheres of influence in the Baltic region during the Livonian War. Attention is paid to the activities of the English Muscovy Company smuggling English arms across the Strait of Öresund and Narva to the countries in the Baltic region. The author focuses on the plan of Tsar Ivan the Terrible to establish the Kingdom of Livonia with Duke Magnus of Holstein at the head, in the context of the diplomatic war for Livonia. It is also revealed that there is a direct relation between the intention of the Muscovy Company to transfer its trade operations from Narva to Revel and Riga and Russia’s claim for these cities. It is concluded that the secret English arms deliveries to the countries participating in the Livonian War through Narva contributed to the positioning of England as a major sea power.