Old Russian versionAs a result of the great “turmoil” of the early 17th century. land relations turned out to be extremely complicated. Land litigation was the most common legal case under the first Romanovs. In this situation, “The Tale of Ersha Ershovich” appeared, using the form of a court case. Despite the obvious wrongness of Ruff, the story does not condemn him at all. Moreover, in later editions this sympathetic attitude intensifies. Ruff attracts with his courage and enterprise, which distinguishes him favorably from dull, clumsy plaintiffs, judges and witnesses. “The Tale of Ersha Ershovich” is one of the most popular satirical monuments of the 17th century. More than 30 copies of the story are known; it is also accompanied by a rhyming buffoon joke about Ruff. In the 18th century Ruff became the hero of popular prints, from where the story became a fairy tale.