Radzinsky on the correspondence between Poland’s King Stephen Bathory and Ivan IV “The Terrible” (actually known as “The Tormentor” in the years following his rule) during the Livonian War.
“Difficult peace negotiations began. Batory demanded not only Livonia, but also Russian cities. The warring parties exchanged sarcastic letters.
Ivan informed Bathory that he, a natural Sovereign, received his throne as an inheritance from his forefathers, by the will of God, and not "by the consent of a multitude of rebellious crowds."
In this way he contemptuously alluded at the election of Bathory as king. But his opponent was also good at sarcasm - he replied to Ivan that it was useless for him to be proud and forget that he was the son of the daughter of a Polish defector, a traitor. So they argued.
Ivan reproached Batory: instead of seeking an agreement, you continues to shed the blood of Christians. And Batory replied to him that he knew a way to immediately end the war: let them come together one-on-one in a knightly battle,
whoever wins the duel will win the war. Ivan ignored the challenge.”
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