Ivan III
Ivan III, known as Ivan the Great (1440-1505). Russian ruler and Grand Prince of Moscow. He succeeded his father in 1462 and considerably extended his Muscovite territory. He finally freed Russia from her Tartar overlords (1480) by stopping payment of the customary tribute to the Golden Horde, the Mongol warriors of Batu Khan. He subsequently claimed, the title of ‘Ruler of all Russia’, and is regarded by some as the first tsar.”
