With their feudal economy and military strength starting to wane in the era of centralised nation states, the German rulers of Estonia became increasingly worried about their eastern neighbour, Muscovy, whose attention gradually shifted westwards in the late 15th century. In comparison with the 'merchant democracies' of Novgorod and Pskov, the emerging despotism of their conqueror posed a threat in a league of its own.
The fortresses of Narva, Estonia, and Ivangorod, Russia, facing each other across the River Narva
	A woodcut depicting the Muscovites' terror in Livonia. From the Horrifying, gruesome and unheard-of tyranny of Ivan Vasilyevich, regnant Grand Duke of Moscow ... by Georg von Hoff, 1582

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