The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation — Volume 03

"The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation" by Richard Hakluyt is a historical compilation from the late 1500s, chronicling the journeys of English sailors, their trade missions, and their findings, especially when it came to passages to the Orient and North America, while emphasizing the resources and possibilities discovered during those voyages. Initially, the extensive document examines the lineage of the Grand Duke of Muscovy, tracing his ancestors back to historical characters, even asserting a connection to Roman Emperors, using ancient documented records. The beginning establishes a formal atmosphere, addressing the propensity of countries to exaggerate their origins, while setting the stage for an examination of Russia's history and its interactions with foreign countries. The text meticulously details historical assertions and occurrences that led to Muscovy's rise as a major political power in northeastern Europe, and portrays the spirit of exploration from that time.