Yaacov, you clearly have a thing about Cossacks. <g> But I still must disappoint you: Maria Timryukovna was indeed a Kabardin Princess, the daughter of Prince Temruk Idarov. Granted, her name was originally Kuchenei; it was changed to Maria after she was christened.
Bear in mind that the Kabardins at that time (and later as well) had a very relaxed idea about religion, and they would adopt one or another depending on political considerations. It was not uncommon in princely families to have several Muslim members and several Christian members. The Muslims were thus equipped to deal with the Crimean Tatars and the Turks, while the Christian members could deal with the Russians.
I never said that the Kabardins lived around the Azov Sea; if they had, they could have built a fort there themselves. They wanted Ivan IV to build it (because the Turks had penetrated into the area), which is why they were willing to swear allegiance to the Russian Tsar (for the time being, of course) if he would do it.
I thought I had heard of all the languages spoken in the Caucasus, but I know them only through their Russian names. What is "Chakobsa" supposed to be? Kabardin?
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