In history, the main roles were often played not only by those who occupied the throne, but also by those who were nearby. Among them were outstanding statesmen and clever adventurers, talented politicians and cunning intriguers, Malyuta Skuratov, Fyodor Basmanov, Bogdan Belsky - these and other people who surrounded Tsar Ivan the Terrible managed to reach the heights of power and take a prominent place in the history of the Russian state. In this The volume presents biographical sketches about Malyuta Skuratov, Andrei Kurbsky, Bogdan Belsky and other associates and favorites who made up the entourage of Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible. Written in good language, lively and fascinating, the book will undoubtedly attract the attention of everyone interested in Russian history.