"The Old English Yard is not a name for a landmark one would expect to encounter in the very center of Russian capital. Tucked away, beyond the far side of the Red Square this unimposing building is overlooked by most of the visitors. However, old English yard hides a fascinating history. The story of this place with an unusual name starts with the even more flamboyantly named company. Mystery and Company of Merchant Adventurers for the Discovery of Regions, Dominions, Islands, and Places unknown', of 'Muscovy Company' as it will be known for the most of its long existence, was founded in London in 1551 by three gentlemen of fortune, Richard Chancellor, Sebastian Cabot and Sir Hugh Willoughby, with the intent of establishing a new trade route with the far east. With the assumption that sailing at higher latitudes would mean a shorter rout to China, these gentlemen decided to look for a north eastern sea passage beyond the northernmost tip of Scandinavia and above the coast of Siberia." - Steven Perez from Bookmarklet