In most other national contexts, the term 'Renaissance' can be applied to the 16th and 17th centuries, but it cannot be said of Russia. During this time, the centralised state of the new Tsars achieved military unity under the domination of Moscow and started its expansion eastwards across Siberia and southwards towards Central Asia. Poland-Lithuania and Sweden also proved formidable threats to Russia's security. Despite their exotically Russian appearance, these armies gradually took on a more modern dimension. This book covers the armies 'invented' by Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century, looking at their development through the 17th century.

Illustrated by: Angus McBride