A fresh, unbiased and systematic view of the events and facts of medieval Russian history distinguishes the original work of the Yaroslavl researcher A. Maksimov from already published publications of this kind. Based on the analysis of various historical documents, the author, despite the canons and authorities, puts forward his own alternative interpretation of the most important historical events. The book covers the period from the time the Mongols appeared in Russia to the erection of Mikhail Romanov to the kingdom.