And so great was his grief over the death of his only son, that he ordered the physicians who had attended him to be publicly beheaded! The art of healing seems to have been a dangerous calling at that time.
A learned German physician, named Anthony, in whom Ivan placed much confidence, was sent by him to attend a Tatar Prince who was a visitor at his court.

When the Prince died after taking a decoction of herbs prepared by the physician, Ivan gave him up to the Tatar relatives of the deceased, to do with him as they liked.

They took him down to the river Moskwa under the bridge, where they cut him in pieces like a sheep.
Ivan III.

was not a warrior Prince like his great progenitors at Kief.
It was even suspected that he lacked personal courage.

He rarely led his armies to battle.