Ivan the Terrible was born in 1530
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I had moments where I wondered just how he became known as "terrible" ... if it was a very deserved moniker or just something attached to him frivolously.
His father Vasil died when he was but 3 years old and his mother when he was 8. This in and of it self could cause a severe personality but to make things worse he was the object of power struggles between various contemporary members of the Shuisky and Belesky families — who were nobility out to self aggrandize and assume wealth and power for themselves.
So there was widespread murder and intrigue while Ivan and his brother Lurii were continually mistreated and used as pawns.
Two primary events have been identified in history which "sent him over the edge" so to speak.
The first was betrayal by his good friend Prince Kurbsky who defected to the Lituainians and participating in a defeat of Russia with Poland and Sweden. The second was the death of his wife whom he believed had been poisoned by his enemies. This belief was corroborated by lab tests done upon her bones in the 20th century.
So Ivan went from a reasonable ruler to a tyrant. When the ruling council found it impossible to maintain order they begged him to resume control. He did so under the conditions that he could seize the lands of those who had betrayed him and execute anyone he suspected of treason
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Execution methods of the day included boiling alive, impalement, being roasted over an open fire or being torn limb from limb.
The use of the word "Terrible" in his nickname really wan't much of a misnomer. The actual Russian word meant "inspiring fear or terror; dangerous; powerful". Close enough for government work.
Be all of this as it may Ivan was terrible if you crossed him. I personally feel the title to be appropos.