In 1554, English maritime adventurer Chansler was commissioned by the Royal Family to sail northeastward to Arkhangelsk, and then traveled overland to Moscow to meet Tsar Ivan IV, being granted permission to trade with Russia.
The following year, the Moscow Company, established by Chansler and other adventurers, received the royal charter from Queen Elizabeth, officially obtaining the monopoly rights for Britain's trade with Russia.
The establishment of the Moscow Company also marked the formal entry of Britons into this undeveloped wilderness.
In order to appease the Tsar and maintain the company's trade privileges in Russia, the Moscow Company brought many British craftsmen, doctors, pharmacists, and architects to Russia at the Tsar's request. Although these individuals did not ultimately settle permanently in Russia, leaving after their service period ended, it became a customary practice from the 16th century to dispatch technical workers to Russia through the Moscow Company.
