Located in the north - east of Russia in the places of settlement of the Krivichi and Vyatichi. The lands in these places are not rich, podzolic, only at the edge of the forests is the Great Opolye, famous for its black soil.
Vladimir Monomakh handed over the Rostov-Suzdal principality to his son Yuri Dolgoruky (1125 - 1157), so nicknamed for his repeated attempts to seize Kiev. Under him, Moscow was founded (the first mention of Moscow dates back to 1147). In 1155, Yuri Dolgoruky captured Kiev, but was poisoned. His son Andrey Yuryevich Bogolyubsky (1157 - 1174) fortified the Vladimir - Suzdal principality, captured Kiev in 1169, but moved to Vladimir. Not far from Vladimir, in the village of Bogolyubovo, a castle was built, which served as a prince's residence. Hence the nickname of the prince - Bogolyubky.
Unlike Kiev and Novgorod, there were no strong urban communities and stable traditions of veche self-government. The scattering of the population over a vast territory caused the need for constant protection and interest in a strong princely power, which the Vladimir princes embodied in their activities. In Russia, they said that Andrei "although he was an autocratic on the Russian land," which was contrary to the Russian tradition. The princes of the southern principalities reproached him for the fact that he refers to them "not like a prince, but like an assistant and a common man." He was the first to assign himself the title of Grand Duke of Vladimir, which made him a formal leader among the rest and allowed him to play the role of an arbiter. In order to strengthen his power in the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, Andrei fought against the obstinate local boyars. He dismissed the senior squad and began to rely in his power on young, ordinary servants who owed everything to their prince. And he even executed several boyars. The boyars, dissatisfied with the strengthening of the authoritarian power of their prince, conspired and killed Andrei Bogolyubsky.
The strife that lasted two years after his death ended with the victory of Andrey Bogolyubsky's brother Vsevolod, nicknamed the Big Nest (1176 - 1212). The author of the famous "Lay of Igor's Host" wrote about the power of the "bui - tour of Vsevolod". Vsevolod, like his predecessors, continued to fight for the strong power of the prince with the boyars. This time refers to the "Word" (message) to Prince Daniel the Zatochnik, a supporter of a strong princely power.
After the death of Vsevolod, feudal strife resumed in the principality, the principality was split into several appanages - principalities. The power of the Grand Duke began to grow again under Yuri Vsevolodovich (1218 - 1238). The borders of the principality expanded in the east. V In 1221, after a successful campaign against the Kama Bulgarians, Nizhny Novgorod was founded here by Yuri Vsevolodovich... Prince Yuri died along with his retinue in the battle against the Tatar-Mongols on the City River. The new prince, Yuri's brother, Yaroslav Vsevolodovich (father of Alexander Nevsky) took over dependence on the Horde.
Novgorod feudal republic.
The Novgorod land was located in geographical conditions unfavorable for agriculture. However, the abundant forest, fish, and salt lands provided excellent opportunities for hunting fur-bearing animals, fishing, salt production and beekeeping.
Novgorod was founded in the 9th century and was a major craft center. There were many skilled carpenters and potters, as well as gunsmiths, blacksmiths, tanners, jewelers and other craftsmen. With the growth of the social division of labor, the flowering of internal and foreign trade... This was facilitated by a convenient geographical position: the city did not experience the raids of nomads and stood on the way "from the Varangians to the Greeks." The Volkhov River connected the region with the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea, and the Lovat and Dnieper rivers with the Black Sea and Byzantium. Novgorod merchants constantly traveled to the island of Gotland, Sweden, Denmark, and since the second half of the 12th century they have been actively trading with Hanza, the union of German cities. Novgorod colonization of Karelia, Podvina, Prionezhie began in the 11th century. The richest merchants united at the Church of John the Baptist on Opoki. Standards of measures and weights were kept here and litigation was dealt with.
The decisive role of the organization of economic, commercial and political life belonged to the boyars. They owned land holdings in private ownership - fiefdoms. The products of these farms were important export items to the West. These merchants traded in good - the agents of the boyars or the boyars themselves.
Novgorod was one of the first to fight for autonomy from Kiev. In 1136, the Novgorodians expelled Vsevolod Mstislavich, the grandson of Vladimir Monomakh, for his inability to keep the people in check. From that time, until 1478, Novgorod, according to the form of government, was feudal boyar republic. Formally, power in Novgorod belonged to the veche. Veche - supreme body management, which elected the city government. Members of the veche were from 300 to 500 owners of estates, which corresponded to the number of boyar families. In fact, power was in the hands of the Council of Masters (300 "golden belts"), which included the most wealthy and authoritative boyars.
National Assembly- the veche elected the executive branch - posadnik(mayor) in charge of the city economy, tysyatsky, in charge of tax collection. Subordinate to him were the sotsk (10 hundred), who directly collected taxes. The boyar was originally a posadnik, a thousand from merchants, and from the 14th century he also began to be elected from the boyars.
The veche also elected Novgorod bishop, approved by the Kiev Metropolitan. In addition to domination over the church, he was a kind of mediator between the prince and the mayor. In addition to the ecclesiastical authority (headed the ecclesiastical court), he kept the treasury of Novgorod, he had a seal with which he sealed international treaties, represented Novgorod at negotiations, settled trade disputes, controlling the standard of measures and weights. Even his own archbishop's regiment was subordinate to the archbishop.
The ordinary population of Novgorod was represented in Konchansk (5 - by the number of ends) and Ukhodansky veche.
On certain conditions (of a number) the veche invited prince. He could not subject Novgorod husbands to repressions without guilt, interfere in the internal affairs of city government, change officials, he did not have the right to acquire property in Novgorod land and even settle in the city itself. The prince was a symbol of the unity of Novgorod with the rest of Russia. A tribute was sent to his name, the prince was an arbitrator along with the mayor and the archbishop, ensured order in the city and was the leader of the army during the war.
Thus, the power of the prince in the Novgorod land was very limited. It was on such conditions that the greatest of the princes who ever served Novgorod, Alexander Yaroslavovich Nevsky, served.
Galicia-Volyn principality.
It was the oldest center of arable farming. The land was distinguished by rare fertility, favorable climate, convenient geographical location (proximity to the Black Sea, trade routes to Europe). There were more cities here than in other Russian lands. (Vladimir-Volynsky, Przemysl, Lvov, Galich, Berestye, etc.). They were distinguished high level handicraft production.
Since the land in the southwest was distinguished by great fertility, large boyar land tenure developed here earlier than in other parts of Russia. It was the economic basis of the long struggle of the boyars with the princely power for primacy in political power... The boyars had strong positions not only in the economy, but also in management, they were weighed down by a strong princely power, taking an example from strong neighbors - Poland and Hungary, distinguished by the might of the feudal aristocracy. Therefore, unlike the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, where the prince's power was solely, the local princes had to fight for a long time and intensely against the strong boyars.
For a long time Galitskoe and Volyn principality existed separately. Only in 1099, Prince Roman Mstislavovich managed to unite them into a single state by military means, but soon died in a battle with the Hungarians in 2005. His young son, Daniel, became the prince. The boyars took advantage of the prince's early childhood, raising an internal rebellion, and external enemies also came. Prince Daniil Romanovich Galitsky, after wandering and a long fierce struggle before the Mongol-Tatar invasion in 1238, succeeded in short term unite the principality under your rule.
In 1240, the Mongols passed through the northern territories of the principality to conquer Western Europe... But their strength was undermined by the resistance of the Russians. Batu Khan leaves Europe and again plunders the lands of the principality. Daniil Romanovich tries to win the favor of the Tatars and gets a peaceful respite, trying to use it to form an alliance of Christian princes under the auspices of the Pope. But the idea of an alliance was doomed to failure, as the interests of the parties diverged too much. In 1263 Daniil Romanovich died on the territory of Galicia - Volyn principality.
II. Vladimir-Suzdal principality: features of its development and its first princes.
From the end of the IX century. these lands were already inhabited by the Slavs. These lands were located between the Oka and Volga rivers. TO early XII v. here a large boyar land tenure took shape. The main branch of the economy was agriculture. There was a constant influx of people in search of protection from nomads. The principality was located at the intersection of two trade routes: Oksky and Volzhsky. The principality separated from Kiev in the XII century.
At this time, Yuri, the sixth son of Prince Vladimir II, ruled in the Rostov-Suzdal land.
In 1125, Yuri moved the capital from Rostov to Suzdal. -> reign of Yuri Dolgoruky (1125 - 1157)
Yuri Dolgoruky also devoted his whole life to the struggle for the Kiev throne. Under him, the borders of the Rostov-Suzdal principality with Veliky Novgorod and the Chernigov principality were formalized. Yuri Dolgoruky led an active urban development policy. Fortresses Konyatin, Tver, Dubna, Moscow, Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, Yuryev-Polsky, Dmitrov were built.
The date of foundation of Moscow is considered to be 1147. This is the first mention of Moscow in the annals, since on April 4, 1147, a meeting between Yuri Dolgoruky and the Novgorod-Seversky prince Svyatoslav Olgovich took place in Moscow. In 1149, Yuri managed to occupy Kiev, but soon he was defeated by Izyaslav Mstislavich. In 1155, Yuri again managed to seize the throne in Kiev. In 1157, Yuri died. There is a legend that Oleg poisoned him at a feast. After the death of Yuri, an uprising broke out in Kiev.
The throne passed into the hands of Andrei Bogolyubsky (1157 - 1174).
New capital principality Andrew made Vladimir-on-Klyazma. According to legend, the Mother of God dreamed about this place and ordered him to found a city here. From 1159 he fought for the subordination of Novgorod. In 1169 - 1170. Temporarily subjugated Kiev and Novgorod to his power. In 1169, the union of princes headed by Andrei expelled Prince Mstislav Izyaslavich from Kiev and handed Kiev over to his brother Gleb, and after Gleb's death Kiev passed into power to Roman. In 1179, Andrei made a campaign against Novgorod, in order to force the Novgorodians to accept Svyatoslav Rostislavich. However, the army was defeated.
During the reign of Andrei Bogolyubsky, a fierce struggle was waged against the local boyars. Andrew wanted to rule alone. Under Andrew, the culture of the principality continued to flourish. During his reign, many churches were founded, and holidays were introduced. Andrey fought with the Volga Bulgars. The reason for these clashes was the expansion of the borders of the principality.
He was killed on June 29, 1174, at his residence. During the reign of Andrei Bogolyubsky, the Vladimir-Suzdal principality reached significant power and was the strongest in Russia.
After the death of Andrei Bogolyubsky, the question arose of who would take the throne. A meeting was called at which this issue was decided. As a result, Andrey's nephews, Mstislav and Yaropolk Rostislavichi, were invited to reign.
However, the struggle for the throne began. The younger sons of Yuri Dolgoruky, Mikhalko and Vsevolod, also made claims to the throne. They found support among the local population.
In 1177, in the battle of Yuryev-Polsky, the troops of the "senior" squads were defeated by the troops of Vsevolod. And Vsevolod ascended the throne.
The reign of Vsevolod III the Big Nest (1176 - 1212).
After the victory over the princes, Vsevolod confiscated their lands and property. Vsevolod was one of the most powerful princes Udelnaya Rus in the XII - XIII centuries. He received the title of "Grand Duke".
Vsevolod managed to achieve mutual understanding with the boyar elite of Novgorod. Military campaigns subjugated Ryazan, Kiev and Chernigov began to depend on Vsevolod, in 1190 Vsevolod took under the patronage of the Galician prince Vladimir Yaroslavich. He added Pereyaslavl-Yuzhny to his possessions. He carried out campaigns against the Mordovians, the Volga Bulgars.
At the end of the 11th century, centrifugal processes in Kievan Rus and the formation of local political centers accelerated. In northeastern Russia, the Vladimir-Suzdal principality became such a center. In 1097 Lyubech congress princes recognized this principality as the patrimony of Vladimir Monomakh, the last prince, who united all of Russia under his rule. Monomakh's heirs Yuri Dolgoruky and Andrei Bogolyubsky also fought for the great reign, but the possession of Kiev was no longer a primary task for them. The son of Yuri Dolgoruky and the successor of Andrei Bogolyubsky, Vsevolod the Big Nest, began to be titled as the Grand Duke of Vladimir-Suzdal. This meant that in the eyes of the princes of north-eastern Russia, the great reign was no longer associated exclusively with Kiev.
The Mongol invasion dealt a serious blow to all of Russia, including the Vladimir-Suzdal principality. However, in 1243, Prince Yaroslav Vsevolodovich achieved a label in the Horde for his principality. Over time, the Vladimir-Suzdal principality fell into decay, but it was it that became the cradle of the Moscow state.
Prince's name | Years of reign | Basic deeds |
|---|---|---|
Vladimir Monomakh (son of Vsevolod Yaroslavovich) | (since 1113 Grand Prince of Kiev) | The congress of princes in Lyubech (1097) - the assignment of Rostov-Suzdal lands to Vladimir and his descendants. Foundation of Vladimir on the Klyazma (1108). Mass resettlement to the Rostov-Suzdal principality of residents from the Chernigov and Pereyaslavl principalities |
Yury Dolgoruky (son of Vladimir Vsevolodovich Monomakh) | (since 1155 Great Prince of Kiev) | Transfer of the capital of the principality from Rostov to Suzdal (1125). Foundation of Moscow (1147). Expansion of the territory of the principality. Struggle for the Kiev reign |
Andrey Bogolyubsky | Transfer of the capital of the principality from Suzdal to Vladimir on the Klyazma, construction of the prince's castle in Bogolyubov. Capture and destruction of Kiev (1169) |
|
Vsevolod the Big Nest (son of Yuri Vladimirovich Dolgoruky) | The first of the princes of north-eastern Russia took the title of Grand Duke of Vladimir-Suzdal, refusing to fight for the Kiev reign. The highest prosperity of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality |
|
Vsevolodovich | Civil strife between Constantine and Yuri Vsevolodovich, battle on the Lipitsa River (1216). Founding of Nizhny Novgorod (1221). Tatar-Mongol invasion: capture and burning of Vladimir Batu, battle on the City river (1238) |
|
Yaroslav Vsevolodovich (son of Vsevolod the Big Nest) | Establishment Tatar-Mongol yoke, receiving a label for the great reign in the Horde (1243) |
|
Andrey Yaroslavich (son of Yaroslav Vsevolodovich) | Creation of an anti-Horde union with the book. Daniil Romanovich (Galitsko-Volynsky), the ruin of the Vla-Dimiro-Suzdal land by the Nevruevo army (1252) |
|
Alexander Nevskiy (son of Yaroslav Vsevolodovich) | (from 1236 the prince of Novgorod, from 1249 the great prince of Kiev) | Tatar population census (1257), creation of a Basque organization in Russia. Rebellions against the Horde yoke in Rostov, Suzdal, Vladimir, Yaroslavl (all suppressed) |
The power of one person over another destroys, first of all, the ruler.
Lev Tolstoy
Vladimir-Suzdal principality and its history - an important page Russian history, since already at the turn of the 12-13 centuries it was the princes from Vladimir who achieved dominance over other principalities, as a result of which it was the Vladimir-Suzdal land that began to dominate in Russia, and its princes began to exert the greatest influence on the politics and ways of not only their principality, but also to the neighboring ones. In fact, by the 13th century, the political center of Russia was finally transferred from the South (Kiev) to the North-East (Vladimir and Suzdal).
Geographical position
The Vladimir-Suzdal principality was located in the northeastern part of Russia, between the Oka and Volga rivers.
Map of the Vladimir-Suzdal land in the 12-13 centuries
The largest cities in the principality: Vladimir, Suzdal, Uglich, Tver, Moscow, Kostroma, Galich, Beloozero, Veliky Ustyug and others. Most of the cities were located in the southern part of the principality, and the further north - the fewer cities.
The borders of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality passed from: The Novgorod Republic, Smolensk principality, Chernigov land, Ryazan and Murom principalities.
Princes
According to the Lyubesky Congress of Princes, it was decided that the Rostov-Suzdal land (as the principality was originally called) should be transferred to the management of the family of Vladimir Monomakh. Therefore, the first prince here was Yuri Dolgoruky, the son of Monomakh.
Full list of princes:
- Yuri Dolgoruky (reign 1125-1155)
- Andrey Bogolyubsky (1157-1174)
- Vsevolod the Big Nest (1176 - 1212)
- Yuri Vsevolodovich (1218 - 1238)
- Yaroslav Vsevolodovich (1238-1246)
- Alexander Nevsky (since 1252).
It is enough to look at the list to understand that it was these people who enjoyed the greatest influence in Russia. The Vladimir-Suzdal princes mainly pursued the goal of independence from Kiev and the subordination of other principalities to their power.
Peculiarities
The political features of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality were in the strong power of the prince. Unlike most other lands, here the prince was the head and decided everything important questions... Schematically, the political peculiarity of this land can be represented as follows.
The strong power of the prince was possible due to the fact that in these lands there were a large number of new cities, where a strong boyars had not yet had time to form. As a result, only the prince had real power, and Veche was only deliberative.
In general, the features of the development of the principality in specific period(12-13 VKA) are as follows:
- Unlimited princely power.
- Population increase. People moved to these lands because they were relatively safe from the raids of nomads.
- Agriculture was actively developing in the principality. There were many forests that served as natural defenses.
- Rapid urban growth. This applies both to the new cities built during this period (Moscow, Pereyaslavl-Zalessky and others) and to the old cities (Vladimir, Suzdal, Rostov, Yaroslavl and others).
- Geographical location at the intersection of important trade routes along the Volga and Oka.
Economic features
Despite the geographical location, the Vladimir-Suzdal land possessed large quantity arable land, which did Agriculture key aspect economic development region. Also, other trades were actively developing in these lands: fishing, hunting, bee-keeping.
The resettlement of people from the south played a great influence on the economic development of the principality. They not only migrated, but also carried elements of culture with them. Many of them were artisans, as a result of which the craft in the Vladimir-Suzdal land began to develop very quickly.
Development
Around the 30s of the 12th century, the Vladimir-Suzdal (at that time still Rostov-Suzdal) principality got rid of the power of Kiev. This is how the creation of their own principality took place, which was significantly different from others in form. political structure... In Vladimir, the princely power was strong. In many ways, this was the reason for the rise of these lands to others. Suffice it to recall that in other principalities the system of government was different and less effective: in Novgorod, the boyars ruled through Veche, and in the Galicia-Volyn lands, the power of the prince was comparable to the power of the boyars.
Initially, the principality was called Rostov-Suzdal (under Dolgoruk), then the Suzdal land (under Bogolyubsky) and only then Vladimir-Suzdal land (under the Big Nest).
An important event for this principality happened in 1238 - it was invaded by the Tatar-Mongols. Moreover, it was one of the first principalities for the invasion of the Mongols, therefore, the main blow fell on the Vladimir-Suzdal land. As a result, since 1238, the principality recognized Mongol power and was dependent on the Horde.
The culture
The culture of the Vladimir-Suzdal land is multifaceted. The chronicle flourished here. Characteristic chronicles of this principality - emphasizing the greatness of the principality over others, as well as the special position of the city of Vladimir.
Architecture and construction were actively developing in these lands. The builders most often used stone-limestone white... The peak of construction fell on the reign of Andrey Bogolyubsky and Vsevolod the Big Nest.
In the city of Vladimir, stone walls with golden gates were erected, as well as the Assumption Cathedral. It was in this temple that the main religious shrines of the principality were kept. Later, during the reign of Vsevolod the Big Nest, the Dmitrievsky Cathedral was built in the city. In Bogolyubovo was built one of the most unique architectural monuments Ancient Rus- Church of the Intercession on the Nerl. The church was built by order of Andrei Bogolyubsky on the banks of the Nerl River.
The development of painting is also noteworthy. For example, the frescoes of the Assumption and Dmitrievsky Cathedrals are striking in their grace.