Vsevolod Yurievich Big Nest(in baptism Dmitry, 1154 - April 15, 1212) - Grand Duke Vladimir from 1176, for five weeks (from February to March 24, 1173) was the Grand Duke of Kyiv. The tenth son of Yuri Dolgoruky, half-brother of Andrei Bogolyubsky, Byzantine by mother. He had a large offspring - 12 children (including 8 sons), so he received the nickname "Big Nest". In Russian historiography it is sometimes called Vsevolod III.
Rostov and Suzdal did not have sympathy for Andrei Bogolyubsky, for he did not honor oldest cities North-Eastern Rus', giving preference to the young city of Vladimir-on-Klyazma. Vladimir was predominantly populated ordinary people who lived in the construction industry.
“These are our serfs, masons,” the arrogant residents of Rostov and Suzdal spoke of Vladimirians. After Andrei's death, they gave the grand-ducal "table" not to his son Yuri, who then ruled in Novgorod, but to his nephews Yaropolk and Mstislav Rostislavich. The residents of Vladimir invited the younger brother of Andrei Bogolyubsky, Mikhail Yuryevich, to their place.
This immediately caused enmity between the old and new cities. Rostislavichi, having attached to their squads the regiments of Murom, Pereyaslav, Ryazan, laid siege to Vladimir. The people of Vladimir could not resist for a long time and, having survived the seven weeks of the siege, they asked Prince Michael to leave the city. So Yaropolk established himself on the Vladimir table, and Mstislav became the prince of Rostov and Suzdal.
The new princes behaved like conquerors in the northeastern capital. Yaropolk, for example, on the very first day of his stay in Vladimir, took possession of the keys to the sacristy of the Assumption Cathedral, took away from the cathedral the lands granted by Andrei Bogolyubsky, and in the end gave the main shrine of the city - the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God - to the Ryazan prince Gleb. The squad did not lag behind the prince in the matter of profit.
Insulted by the incessant robberies, the inhabitants of Vladimir again called for the reign of Mikhail Yurievich. His army managed to defeat the squad of the Rostislavichs, and Grand Duke Michael "with honor and glory" entered the capital city ..
The first thing he did, having entered the Vladimir throne, was to return to the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin all the property and privileges taken by Yaropolk. The miraculous icon was also returned to Vladimir. Thus, the prince won the sincere sympathy of the townspeople.
But the rejoicing of the Vladimirites did not last long: in 1176 Mikhail died. The inhabitants of the city unanimously swore allegiance to his brother Vsevolod Yurievich.
The fate of Vsevolod at first was unenviable. Exiled by his brother Andrei Bogolyubsky to Byzantium, he roamed with his mother and two brothers in a foreign land for several years, then returned to his homeland and reigned, according to some reports, in Gorodets.
Having taken the throne of Vladimir, Vsevolod Yurievich ruled for 36 years, all these years continuing the policy of his brother Andrei, expanding and strengthening the Vladimir-Suzdal principality. He also had to pacify his own subjects, because, unlike Southern Rus', where the princely families were at enmity with each other (with the indifferent attitude of the urban population), in the northeast there was a struggle between the old cities of Rostov and Suzdal against the young ones: Vladimir, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Yuriev-Polsky, Moscow and others.
Immediately after the reign of Vsevolod, the Rostovites called Mstislav Rostislavich to their side, proclaimed him a prince and demanded that Vladimir be subjugated. The cautious Vsevolod was ready to settle the matter amicably. But the negotiations reached an impasse, we had to fight. In the battle near Yuryev, the Vladimirians defeated the army of Mstislav. Thus, Rostov the Great was finally conquered.
Mstislav could not accept this and turned to Gleb, the Ryazan prince, for help. And again Vsevolod Yurievich defeated the recalcitrant relatives, capturing Mstislav himself, Gleb and his son Roman. The joy of victory did not cool the bitterness that had accumulated among the inhabitants of Vladimir against the captive princes. “Judgment without mercy to those who themselves did not know mercy,” they pronounced the verdict.
To reassure the townspeople, Vsevolod imprisoned the captives and forced the people of Ryazan to give him Mstislav's brother Yaropolk. But he did not want to shed the blood of the Ruriks. Moreover, Svyatoslav, the prince of Chernigov, and the bishop of Chernigov, and the Ryazan princess asked for the prisoners. For two years Vsevolod delayed the decision of the fate of the captured princes. During this time, the Ryazan prince Gleb died, and his son was allowed to go home on condition of complete obedience to the Grand Duke.
With the Rostislavichs - Yaropolk and Mstislav - it turned out differently. The people of Vladimir, having learned that negotiations were underway for their release, approached the princely court with a demand to blind the hated destroyers of shrines. The prince had to fulfill the will of the rebellious inhabitants, after which the Rostislavichs were released to Smolensk. (According to other sources, the peaceful Vsevolod only imitated blindness, because former prisoners soon "saw the light", praying in the church of Saints Boris and Gleb.)
Thus, Vsevolod Yurievich managed to establish his power in the northeast and finally consolidate the supremacy of Vladimir-on-Klyazma. Vsevolod was the first to take the title of Grand Duke of Vladimir. At the end of the 12th century, he founded the cities of Tver and Khlynov (Vyatka) and forced the Ryazan princes to submit. In order to avoid internecine unrest, Vsevolod, following the example of Andrei Bogolyubsky, expelled his nephews from their volosts and became "autocracy" in North-Eastern Rus'.
Boris Chorikov. Grand Duke Vsevolod frees Roman from prison. 1177.
Without leaving the banks of the Klyazma, Vsevolod also ruled South Russia. There, after the death of Bogolyubsky new force the enmity of the Monomakhoviches and the descendants of Oleg Gorislavich flared up, complicated by strife within these dynasties. The Kiev "table" continued to be considered great, but not a single ruler felt confident on it without the favorable attitude of the prince of Vladimir. In 1194, the prince of Smolensk, Rurik Rostislavich, was placed on the "golden table" "from the hand" of Vsevolod, unconditionally recognizing the seniority of the prince of Vladimir.
Strengthened, Vsevolod imperiously treated the Lord Veliky Novgorod. With his will, he imprisoned and dismissed princes there, violated the Novgorod "old times", innocently executed the Novgorod " the best people". In 1210, the Novgorodians did not recognize the son of the Grand Duke Vsevolod, Svyatoslav, as the ruler, and plundered his court. Vsevolod, in retaliation, cut off Novgorod's communications with the grain regions and left the city without food. Then Prince Mstislav Mstislavich Udaloy, the grandson of the Smolensk prince Rostislav, the great-grandson of Monomakh, helped the Novgorodians. He was already ready to oppose Vsevolod, but he did not bring the matter to war and limited himself to the exchange of prisoners.
Even in distant Galician Rus', they felt the hand of the Vladimir "autocrat". When the son of Yaroslav Osmomysl, Prince Vladimir, with the help of foreign mercenaries, expelled the son of the Hungarian king from Galich, then, in order to gain a foothold in the city, he asked Vsevolod Yuryevich: “Keep Galich under me, and I am God and yours with all Galich and always in your will” .
The authority of the powerful Vsevolod was supported by the valor of his troops and the luck of the brave ruler in battles. Usually he tried to settle the conflict peacefully, but if it came to swords, the prudent prince did not rush, like Bogolyubsky, headlong at the head of the squad into the battle "without time and place." Vsevolod selected in advance a convenient, dominant position and patiently waited for the enemy on it. It was very difficult to get him out of that position. No wonder the author of The Tale of Igor's Campaign complained about the absence of Vsevolod in Southern Rus' during the time of princely strife and Polovtsian raids: “Grand Duke Vsevolod! Is it possible that you can’t even mentally fly from afar to observe your father’s golden table? After all, you can splash the Volga with oars, and scoop out the Don with helmets!
The years of the reign of Vsevolod the Big Nest turned out to be beneficial for North-Eastern Rus'. There were no raids from outside, but the prince overcame internal strife. It was a period when the economy and culture of the Zalessky land were intensively developed. An excellent monument of that era is the Dmitrievsky Cathedral in Vladimir, “wonderfully decorated” with stone carvings. Strict and majestic, the temple resembles a fairy-tale hero guarding the borders of his native land. And if the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl can be compared with a lyrical poem, then the Dmitrievsky Cathedral is an epic about a harsh and heroic time.
Ordered by Demetrius Vsevolod, the icon depicting the saint named after him
Not only temples were built of stone, but also civil structures. Under Vsevolod, stone fortifications were surrounded by Vladimir, Suzdal, Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, Chernigov Oster. The “architects” were mostly Greeks, but masters gradually began to appear among the Russian people: it was no coincidence that the inhabitants of Rostov and Suzdal called the Vladimirians skillful in architecture “masons”. When it was necessary to renovate the Church of the Virgin in Suzdal, then in this city there were both architects and stone craftsmen.
Vsevolod Yurievich was nicknamed the "Big Nest" for his large family. He had twelve children. And he tried to endow all his sons with estates. From the Vsevolodovichs came the dynasties of Moscow, Suzdal, Tver princes. And again dividing the lands into destinies, Vsevolod sowed discord between the brothers. The disastrous shoots of this enmity began to sprout even during his lifetime.
In 1212, the Grand Duke, already seriously ill, called the eldest son Konstantin, who reigned there, from Rostov the Great. Vsevolod read him as his heir and ordered Rostov to be ceded to his brother Yuri. Konstantin was stubborn, as he was afraid not to keep seniority for Vladimir-on-Klyazma, and asked his father to leave both cities behind him. Enraged Vsevolod, on the advice of the bishop, deprived his eldest son of the grand prince's table, and appointed Yuri Vsevolodovich as his successor. In April of the same year, Vsevolod the Big Nest died.
But only in 1218, Prince Yuri managed to take power over his elder brother and seize the bequeathed throne. This finally violated the old tradition of succession of power by seniority. From now on, the will of the “one-holder” began to mean more than the age-old “old times”.
Family and Children
1st wife - Yasskaya Princess Maria Shvarnovna, sister of the wife of Mstislav of Chernigov.
Maria Shvarnovna (c. 1171 - March 19, 1205 (1206), Vladimir) - the wife of the Grand Duke of Vladimir Vsevolod the Big Nest, the Yasskaya princess (in later sources, she is erroneously called a Czech).
Married to Grand Duke Vsevolod Yuryevich (Georgievich), she gave birth to 12 children, including 8 sons (of which four (Konstantin, Yuri (George), Yaroslav, Svyatoslav), later were, in different time, Grand Dukes of Vladimir) and 4 daughters.
The last years of his life grand duchess Maria was seriously ill and vowed to found a monastery, and in 1200, at her insistence, the Assumption Monastery was founded in Vladimir, which later became known as the Assumption (Knyaginin) Monastery in her honor. Thanks to her efforts and patronage, the monastery was quickly built and developed. Mary herself took the tonsure and in monasticism received the name Martha. She died and was buried in the Assumption Cathedral of the monastery. The monastery later served as the ancestral burial vault of the princesses and princesses of the Grand Duchess of Vladimir's house.
2nd wife - Lyubava, daughter of Vasilko Bryachislavich of Polotsk-Vitebsk.
Konstantin (1186-1218) - Prince of Novgorod, Prince of Rostov and Grand Duke of Vladimir;
Boris (†1188);
Gleb (†1189);
Yuri (1188-1238) - Grand Duke of Vladimir;
Yaroslav (1191-1246) - Grand Duke of Vladimir;
Vladimir (1193-1227) - Prince of Starodub;
Vladimir (Dmitry) Vsevolodovich (October 26, 1192 - January 6, 1227), prince of Pereyaslavsky (1213-1215), Starodubsky (1217-1227), son of Grand Duke Vladimir Vsevolod the Big Nest and Princess Maria Shvarnovna.
At the age of 15, he accompanied his father on a campaign against Chernigov, after the death of Vsevolod the Big Nest (1212) he remained in Yuryev-Polsky. By the will of the situation after the death of his father, he was forced to take part in the internecine war of his older brothers: Konstantin and Yuri (George).
In 1213, he left Yuryev (since Yuryev-Polsky was received as an inheritance from his father by his brother Svyatoslav), first to Volok Lamsky, and then to Moscow and occupied it, taking it away from Yuri (George) Vsevolodovich. Later, together with his squad and Muscovites, he went to the city of Dmitrov (the city of his brother Yaroslav Vsevolodovich). The Dmitrovites burned down all the settlements, shut themselves up in the fortress and fought off all the attacks. Vladimir, having received news of the approach of Yaroslav's squad, left the city back to Moscow, having lost part of his squad, which was killed by the Dmitrovites, who were chasing the retreating. Yaroslav, together with Yuri (George), went to Moscow, and Prince Yuri (George) Vsevolodovich sent to tell Vladimir: ... "Come to me, do not be afraid, I will not eat you, you are my brother." Vladimir accepted the offer and during the negotiations, the brothers decided that Vladimir would give Moscow back to Yuri (George), and he himself would go to reign in Pereyaslavl-South. Here Vladimir married Princess Efimiya, the daughter of Prince Gleb Svyatoslavich of Chernigov, and reigned until 1215, when he was captured in a battle with the Polovtsy, from which he was released in 1218. After being released from captivity, Starodub received inheritance, where he reigned until his death.
According to the Laurentian Chronicle, in 1224, Vladimir, together with his nephew Vsevolod Konstantinovich, was sent by his brother Yuri on a military campaign, however, the chronicle does not indicate the purpose of the campaign, placing the event between the appointment of Metropolitan Kirill in Kiev (which occurred on January 6, 1225) and the large-scale invasion of Lithuanians into Novgorod land and the principality of Smolensk, which ended in the battle of Usvyat (until the spring of 1225). The Novgorod chronicles report that Vladimir and his son participated in the campaign against the Lithuanians led by Yaroslav, but nothing is known about Vladimir's children. Perhaps we are talking about the brother of Mstislav Udatny Vladimir Mstislavich and his son Yaroslav.
Vladimir died, having accepted the schema, in 1227. The Principality of Starodub again became part of the lands of the Grand Duchy of Vladimir.
Svyatoslav (1196-1252) - Grand Duke of Vladimir;
Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich (March 27, 1196 - February 3, 1252) - Grand Duke of Vladimir (1246-1248), son of Vsevolod Yurievich, baptized Gabriel. During his life, Prince Svyatoslav reigned in Novgorod, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Suzdal, and Vladimir.
As a four-year-old child, he was appointed to reign in Novgorod, and then was replaced by his older brother, Konstantin, in 1206 and returned to Novgorod again in 1208.
In 1212, after the death of his father, Svyatoslav received the city of Yuryev-Polsky as an inheritance. During his reign in 1230-1234, on the foundation of the white-stone church of the Holy Great Martyr George, the St. George Cathedral was built, “wonderfully, decorate with a carved stone from the sole to the top of the saints the faces and holidays, and he himself would be a master.” In the cathedral there is a relief composition, traditionally called the "Svyatoslav Cross", at the base of which there is a stone with an inscription-dedication of Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich.
In 1220, Svyatoslav, at the head of the Vladimir army, was sent by his elder brother Yuri against the Volga Bulgarians. The expedition was by river and ended with the victory of the Russian troops at Oshel.
In 1222, Svyatoslav, at the head of the Vladimir army, was sent by Yuri to help the Novgorodians and their prince Vsevolod, Yuri's son. The 12,000-strong Russian army, in alliance with the Lithuanians, invaded the territory of the order and devastated the surroundings of Wenden.
In 1226, Svyatoslav, together with his younger brother Ivan, at the head of the Vladimir army, was sent by Yuri against the Mordovians and won.
In 1229, Svyatoslav was sent by Yuri to Pereyaslavl-Yuzhny.
In 1234, Svyatoslav founded the church of St. George in Yuryev-Polsky.
In 1238 he took part in the Battle of the City. From his brother Yaroslav, who occupied the throne of Vladimir, he received the Suzdal principality as an inheritance.
Yaroslav died in 1246, and Svyatoslav occupied the grand prince's throne according to the old right of succession. He distributed to his nephews, the seven sons of Yaroslav, throughout the principality, but the Yaroslavichi were dissatisfied with this distribution. In 1248, he was expelled by his nephew Mikhail Yaroslavich Khorobrit, who soon died in battle with the Lithuanians on the Protva River. Then Svyatoslav himself defeated the Lithuanians at Zubtsov. The reign of Vladimir, by the will of Yaroslav and by the will of Guyuk, went to Andrey Yaroslavich.
In 1250, Svyatoslav and his son Dmitry traveled to the Horde. According to the historian A. V. Ekzemplyarsky, it was an unsuccessful trip with an attempt to return the Grand Duke's throne. The historian V. A. Kuchkin notes that although the annals do not explicitly speak about the purpose of this trip, such trips of Russian princes with their sons-heirs to the khans were usually made when it was a question of securing their principalities-fatherlands for the Rurikovich. Given that the grandson of Svyatoslav already bore the nickname Yuryevsky, Kuchkin makes the assumption that by that time Svyatoslav owned the Yuryevsky principality.
After a short reign in Vladimir, Prince Svyatoslav returned to Yuryev-Polsky. Here he founded a male princely monastery in honor of the Archangel Michael.
The last days of his life the holy prince lived pleasing to God, in fasting and prayer, purity and repentance. He died on February 3, 1252. His body was laid in the Cathedral of the Holy Great Martyr George built by him. The relics of the holy noble Grand Duke Svyatoslav were again found in 1991 and laid in the Holy Intercession Church in the city of Yuryev-Polsky "where to this day God's dishes and healing gifts with faith are served by those who come."
Marriage and children
Wife - Princess Evdokia Davydovna Muromskaya, daughter of Prince Davyd Yuryevich of Murom and his wife Princess Fevronia (in monasticism Euphrosyne), who are revered saints Peter and Fevronia, patrons of the family in Russia.
Prince Svyatoslav released his wife Evdokia in 1228 to the Murom Borisoglebsky Monastery, where she was tonsured a monk on July 24 on the feast of Boris and Gleb. The princess lived in the monastery until her death and was buried there, the remains are there now.
Son: Dmitry, according to the ancient calendar, he was revered as a saint
Ivan (1198-1247) - Prince of Starodub.
Ivan Vsevolodovich (August 28, 1197/1198 - 1247) - the specific prince of Starodub from 1238 to 1247. Nickname, according to some genealogies, Kasha, the youngest of the sons of Vsevolod Yuryevich (Big Nest).
After the death of his father, he took part in the struggle of his older brothers, Konstantin and Yuri, for the grand prince's table, holding the side of the second (1212-1213).
In 1226, together with his elder brother Svyatoslav, he led the successful campaign of the Vladimir troops against the Mordovians.
After the invasion of Batu, Grand Duke Yaroslav Vsevolodovich gave Ivan Starodub, which had just been devastated by the Tatars, as inheritance. In 1246 Ivan traveled with Yaroslav to the Horde.
He had an only son (wife not established) - Michael.
***
History of Russian Goverment
Descendant of the Byzantine kings
Little is known about the mother of Vsevolod Yuryevich, since in 1161 Andrei Bogolyubsky, who came to power, expelled his stepmother and her children from the principality. It is believed that she could come from the ancient royal Byzantine family of Komnenos, who ruled at that time. It was believed that she could simply be a relative of the Byzantine emperor, but Yuri Dolgoruky would have chosen a wife only equal to himself. Therefore, there is every reason to believe that Princess Olga, as she is usually called, was a Byzantine princess. After the exile, she went to Constantinople to the Emperor Manuel. Only at the age of 15 Vsevolod returned to Rus' and reconciled with his brother.
Birth of Prince Vsevolod, son of Yuri Dolgoruky. Front Chronicle
big nest
Vsevolod received his nickname for his fertility. From his first wife, Maria Shvarnovna, he had 12 children - 8 sons and 4 daughters. The children were named Sbyslav, Verkhuslav (she became the wife of her second cousin Rostislav), Konstantin ( Prince of Novgorod), Vseslav, Boris, Gleb, Yuri (Prince of Vladimir), Elena, Yaroslav (Prince of Pereyaslav), Vladimir, Svyatoslav (Prince of Vladimir and Novgorod) and Ivan (Prince of Starodub). After the birth of her youngest son, Mary fell ill and vowed to build a monastery. In 1200, the Assumption Monastery was founded in Vladimir, which began to be called Knyaginin. 18 days before her death, she took the tonsure, and Vsevolod and her children escorted her to the monastery. “Preparing to die, she called on her sons and conjured them to live in love, reminding them of the wise words of the Great Yaroslav that civil strife destroys the Princes and the fatherland, exalted by the labors of their ancestors; advised children to be pious, sober, generally friendly, and especially to respect the elders. After her death, Vsevolod married Lyubava, the daughter of the Vitebsk prince Vasilko, but they had no joint children.
Don slammed to scoop
The reign of Vsevolod was marked by the rise and strength of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality. The power of the prince and his troops is mentioned in the "Word of Igor's Campaign": "You can splash the Volga with oars, and scoop out the Don with helmets." In his reign, he relied on new cities such as Vladimir and Pereslavl-Zalessky, which had a weak boyars, and on nobles. He even reigned for five weeks in Kyiv, where his elder brother Mikhail planted him and Yaropolk Rostislavich in 1173. However, soon the Smolensk princes captured the city, and Vsevolod was captured. Mikhail Yurievich had to redeem his brother.
Mstislav is preparing an army for the battle with Suzdal
After the death of Andrei, Vsevolod entered into a struggle for power in the Vladimir-Suzdal land with his nephews Mstislav and Yaropolk. With the support of Mikhail and the Chernigov prince, he managed to defeat his opponents. In 1176, he defeated Mstislav near the Lipitsa River, and soon defeated Gleb of Ryazan and the Rostislavichs. In addition, Vsevolod had interests in the south of the state, which led to a new internecine war. He achieved recognition as the eldest in the Manomakhovich family and demanded for himself the land of his son-in-law Rurik in the Kiev region. True, after the conclusion of peace with the Olgovichi, Vsevolod lost these lands, but in 1201 he managed to plant Ingvar Yaroslavich, who pleased himself, in Kyiv. Unleashed in 1205 new war due to the fact that the son of Vsevolod wanted to occupy Galich and quarreled with the Olgovichs because of this. During the civil strife, Vsevolod went to the Ryazan principality, planted his son there, and in response to the uprising burned Ryazan. Soon the Olgovichi offered peace to Vsevolod, divided the principalities, and as a sign of the strength of the union, they gave the Chernigov princess to Yuri Vsevolodovich.
Greedy son
Vsevolod always aspired to have his sons rule in the lands and follow the precepts of their parent. Sending his eldest son Konstantin to Novgorod, he said: “My son, Konstantin, God has placed eldership on you in all your brothers, and Novgorod the Great has eldership in the whole of the Russian land.” But when in 1211 the question of succession to the throne arose, the eldest son, blinded by greed, demanded for himself both senior cities - Vladimir and Rostov, and offered Yuri to give Suzdal. Then Vsevolod called for help boyars, priests, merchants, nobles and people from his other lands to help judge. At the council, the prince's decision to deprive Constantine of the right to a great reign in favor of Yuri was confirmed.
Grand Duke Vsevolod appoints his second son Yuri as heir, 1212. Lithography based on drawings by B. A. Chorikov
Yuri became Prince of Vladimir, while Konstantin, despite his seniority, got Rostov. After the death of Vsevolod the Big Nest, a new feud broke out because of this. The sons will not be able to preserve the integrity and power of the Vladimir-Suzdal land, it will fall apart into specific principalities, and the Vladimir princes will never again have influence on southern Russian affairs.
Greetings to dear readers of the site, and in this post I will continue the conversation on historical portraits!
Today, 6 author's historical portraits from Yuri Dolgoruky to Dmitry Donskoy will be presented. By the way, I recommend bookmarking this site so as not to miss anything interesting 🙂
Yuri Vladimirovich Dolgoruky — historical portrait C6
Life time: end 11 century - middle 12th century (~ 1091-1157)
Years of government: 1125-1157
He lived at the end of the XI - the middle of the XII century. Ruled in Suzdal, Rostov, Peryaslav, Kyiv from 1125 to 1157. He received the nickname "Dolgoruky" for frequent intervention in foreign lands. The following areas of activity can be distinguished under his leadership.
1.1. The beginning of Yuri's domestic policy was the struggle for the great reign of Kiev. On the way to Kiev, he transferred the center of the principality from Rostov to Suzdal, became the first independent prince of North-Eastern Rus', subjugated Mur, Ryazan, seized lands along the banks of the Volga, conquered Volga Bulgaria, defeated the troops of the Kiev prince Izyaslav and illegally captured Kiev, as a result which he returned back to Suzdal, because. violated the rule of Yaroslav the Wise - a ladder. By the middle of the XII century. Yuri Dolgoruky seized the throne of Kyiv.
1.2. Having become the prince of Kyiv, Yuri took up urban planning: he built several fortresses; founded such cities as Dmitrov, Zvenigorod, Moscow.
- Foreign policy:
2.1. Yuri, according to the tradition started by Vladimir the Red Sun, strengthened ties with Byzantium by concluding a second marriage with a relative of the Byzantine emperor.
2.2. As already mentioned earlier, before becoming the Grand Prince of Kyiv in 1120, Yuri led a successful campaign against the Volga Bulgaria.
As a result his activities, Yuri Vladimirovich, achieved the title of Grand Duke of Kiev, pursued a successful policy of urban planning, became the prince who laid the foundation for the dynasty of Vladimir-Suzdal and Moscow rulers, was remembered as the organizer of North-Eastern Rus'. The activity of Yuri, in comparison with other rulers of our state, was rather insignificant, but in historical science he is associated as the founder of the capital - the city of Moscow.
Andrey Yurievich Bogolyubsky - historical portrait.
Life time: 1st quarter of the 12th century. - the end of the 3rd quarter of the XII century.
Years of government: 1157-1174
He was the son of Yuri Dolgoruky. He received his nickname "Bogolyubsky" for the foundation of his western residence in Bogolyubovo, where he spent all his free time. After the death of his father, Andrei inherited the throne of Kiev, but renounced it in favor of ruling in Rostov, Suzdal and Vladimir. The main activities of Andrei Bogolyubsky.
- Domestic policy:
1.1. Destruction of Kyiv. Andrei Yurievich stubbornly fought for the conquest of his power in Novgorod and led a complex military policy in the south of Rus'. In 1169 Kyiv rebelled against its prince. As a result, Andrei punished Kyiv by defeating it. After conquering Kyiv to his power, he nevertheless forced to recognize himself as the Grand Duke, without leaving his cities of Suzdal, Rostov and Vladimir. Kyiv lost its age-old seniority and was plundered. After the defeat of Kyiv, he moved the center of the Orthodox capital - he took one of the most revered shrines from Vyshgorod to Vladimir - the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God. By his actions, Andrey Yuryevich tried to create the Metropolis of Vladimir isolated from Kyiv, but the Church of Constantinople did not allow this.
1.3. Construction of temples. During the reign of Andrei Bogolyubsky, the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl and the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir were erected.
- Foreign policy:
2.1. In 1164, Andrei organized his first military campaign against the Volga Bulgaria, which ended very successfully.
2.2. In 1172, the second military campaign against the Volga Bulgaria was carried out, which, like the first one, ended in success.
Results of activity:
The results of the foreign policy of Andrei Yurievich Bogolyubsky were successful campaigns against the Volga Bulgaria. The results of these two campaigns were the capture of the Bulgar city of Bryakhimov, the complete burning of three other cities, and their complete plunder. This ruler during the years of his reign, led a very successful domestic policy. He turned the Vladimir lands into a powerful Vladimir-Suzdal principality, which became one of the most influential in Rus'. The Prince of Vladimir left behind a huge cultural heritage. Churches, temples, holidays, cathedrals, the main residence of the prince - an invaluable contribution to Russian culture.
Historical portrait of VsevolodIII Big Nest
Life time: middle12th century – 1st quarter13th century
Years of government: 1176-1212
After the death of Prince Andrei, his brother continued his policy Vsevolod III The Big Nest, who got his nickname because he had so many sons. Vsevolod cruelly avenged the death of his brother, and defeated the boyars. In fact, in the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, a monarchical form of government was becoming. The main activities of Vsevolod the Big Nest.
- Domestic policy:
1.1. Under Vsevolod, his principality became the strongest in Rus'. He tried to subjugate Novgorod to his power, expanding the territory of his principality at the expense of the Novgorod lands. He was also able to subjugate Kyiv, Chernigov, Ryazan, Novgorod, Pereyaslavl-South to his power. The reasons for Vsevolod's success are reliance on new cities, such as Vladimir, Dmitrov, Kostroma and Tver, where the boyars were relatively weak, and Vsevolod also tried to rely on the nobility.
1.2. Construction of temples. Vsevolod also erected and reconstructed cultural monuments. During his reign, the Assumption Cathedral was reconstructed, the Dmitrievsky Cathedral, the Nativity Cathedral, and the Vladimirsky Detinets were built.
- Foreign policy:
2.1. Vsevolod, like his father and brother, successfully fought with the Volga Bulgaria.
2.2. Also, Vsevolod very successfully repelled the raids of the Polovtsy, thereby protecting the southern borders of Rus' from attack along with the princes of Vladimir, Ryazan and Suzdal.
Results of activity:
During the reign of Vsevolod, the Vladimir-Suzdal principality became the strongest in Rus'. He concluded two profitable trade agreements with the Volga Bulgaria, participated in successful campaigns against the Polovtsians. He expanded his possessions, subjugated Novgorod and Ryazan. Also, like his brother Andrei, he made an invaluable contribution to Russian culture.
Alexander Yaroslavovich Nevsky С6
Life time: 1 quarter13th century – 3rd quarter13th century
Years of government: 1252-1263
Alexander Yaroslavovich Nevsky - Prince of Novgorod, Kiev. famous Russian commander, famous for his rich foreign policy. The main activities of Alexander Nevsky.
- Domestic policy:
1.1. Alexander Nevsky during his reign visited the Horde several times, collaborating with it. After helping in the census, he received a label for the Great reign. On the other hand, the prince went against the Mongol-Tatars, preventing their raids on Rus', pursuing the policy of "The sword in the West, peace in the East."
1.2. Alexander Yaroslavovich, as well as his predecessors, pursued a construction policy. He reconstructed and created temples, cathedrals, cities.
- Foreign policy:
Results of activity:
He laid the foundation for cooperation between the Russian princes and the Horde. He made a small but important contribution to Russian culture, and as a result of foreign policy, he saved Rus' from crushing raids by the troops of the Mongol-Tatars and Swedes.
Ivan Danilovich Kalita - historical portrait С6
Life time: 4th quarter13th century – 2 third14th century
Years of government: 1328-1340
Prince of Vladimir, Novgorod, Moscow - Ivan Danilovich Kalita, son of Daniil Alexandrovich - the founder of the dynasty of Moscow princes. Ivan I made a huge contribution to the strengthening of the Moscow principality. The main activities of Ivan Kalita.
Domestic policy:
1.1. He transferred the residence of Metropolitan Peter to Moscow, thereby increasing the influence of the Moscow principality in Rus'.
1.2. Strengthened the autocratic power, a number of reforms - established new order succession to the throne, introduced an agricultural law, extended his influence to the lands of North-Eastern Rus'.
1.3. Construction of temples and cathedrals. Under Ivan Kalita, the Assumption Cathedral, the Cathedral of the Savior on Bor, the Archangel Cathedral, the Church of St. John of the Ladder were built.
Foreign policy:
2.1. Ivan the First, through his policy, created a strong relationship with the Golden Horde. Fixed the collection of tribute from the Russian princes. They spoke of him as the "collector of the Russian land"
2.2. He received a label for the Great reign, for helping the Horde in the punitive operation of Tver.
Results of activity:
Ivan Kalita made a great contribution to the unification of Russian lands, elevated Moscow above other principalities of Rus', established strong peaceful relations with the Golden Horde, and also made a great contribution to Russian culture of the XIII-XIV centuries.
Historical portrait of Dmitry Ivanovich Donskoy
Life time: middle14th century -IV quarter14th century
Years of government: 1363-1389
Dmitry Ivanovich Donskoy, Prince of Vladimir and Moscow, son of Ivan the Red. He received the nickname "Donskoy" for a brilliant victory at the Battle of Kulikovo. The main activities of Dmitry Donskoy.
Domestic policy:
1.1. He continued the policy of "collecting Russian lands" of Ivan I Kalita.
1.2. He retained the right of the Moscow prince to the great reign of Vladimir. As a result of this struggle, Dmitry Ivanovich, with the support of the Church, retained the right of the Moscow princes to a great reign in Vladimir.
Foreign policy:
2.1. The battle on the Vozha River in 1378 is the victory of the Russian troops.
2.2. The Battle of Kulikovo in 1380 is the victory of the Russian troops.
2.3. Reflection of the raids of the Lithuanian troops (Lithuanian-Moscow war) - the victory of the Russian troops.
Results of activity:
As a result of his reign, Dmitry Donskoy was able to unite the Moscow and Vladimir principalities, led an extremely active foreign policy with the Golden Horde, Lithuania, and Tver. After the battle on the Kulikovo field, he destroyed the belief that the Golden Horde was invincible, strengthened the grand ducal power and Moscow authority.
These are historical portraits, dear friends! I hope they helped you finally repeat the period Ancient Rus'. Also for a successful solution USE tests and the GIA recommend memorizing a number of terms, the link to which is given below. See you in the next post))
Also for writing cool historical portraits on maximum points I recommend that you purchase Roman Pazin's book "150 historical figures: materials for preparing for the exam. This book contains all the necessary materials for preparing for the exam in history, and separately, for writing task 40 / C6 (historical portrait)
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A) the relevance of the chosen topic
The reign of Vsevolod III is certainly an important milestone in the history of the Russian land, a bright moment, a flash of light in the gloomy conditions of fragmentation. This topic as a theme of power, of course, has always been very relevant and remains relevant to this day. It is interesting in that the prince stands at the origins of the formation of the monarchical idea. Vsevolod is one of the first rulers who embodied the features of an autocratic ruler. Although Andrei Bogolyubsky is given unequivocal preference in Russian literature, the figure of his brother closes Vsevolod. Some researchers believe that the prince did nothing new, that he only consolidated his brother's successes, and on the contrary, contributed to the strengthening and continuation of fragmentation (referring to the civil strife of his sons after his death). Therefore, we need in this, to try to see the traits of an autocrat in the prince, to understand what Vsevolod actually did.
B) goals and objectives of the study
Based on this problem, the purpose of the work will be to show the formation of the idea of an autocratic ruler, while taking into account that the Vladimir-Suzdal principality is the heir to Kievan Rus.
To achieve this goal, it is necessary to highlight those features of Vsevolod as a ruler that were inherent in the Kievan tradition, and highlight innovations. To do this, you need to consider and analyze the domestic and foreign policy of Vsevolod. Here it is necessary to make a reservation that “internal policy” refers to relations with neighboring principalities, since for Vsevolod they remained parts of one state, which he needed to assemble into one whole. In this policy, the most indicative are relations with Kiev (as with the former center of the great reign) and with Novgorod (as with an independent republic). And "foreign policy" is relations with the Volga Bulgaria and the Polovtsian steppe, since the sources do not mention other areas of Vsevolod's policy. The last task will be to consider the image of the “ideal prince” in the Teachings of Vladimir Monomakh and compare this image with the image of Vsevolod III the Big Nest in order to trace how the character of the prince changes with increased centralization, what new qualities appear and help this process.
C) characteristics of sources
Four sources were used to work on the topic. The first and most important is the Laurentian Chronicle.
The Laurentian Chronicle, one of the oldest chronicle monuments that have come down to us, is part of the Vladimir-Suzdal Chronicle and therefore much attention is paid to the period described there. The monument got its name after the monk Lavrenty, who rewrote the chronicle in 1377 by order of the Suzdal and Nizhny Novgorod prince Dmitry Konstantinovich. The chronicle begins with The Tale of Bygone Years and ends in 1305. The monument was bought in 1792 by Count Musin-Pushkin, a collector of ancient manuscripts. Now the manuscript is stored in the Public Library of St. Petersburg. The first edition was undertaken in 1804 by the Society of Russian History and Antiquities at Moscow University.
The source supplementing the first one is the Ipatiev Chronicle. It breaks down into three main parts. The first part contains The Tale of Bygone Years, third edition. The second part covers the events of 1118-1199. The third part brings its narrative to 1292 and is mainly the Galicia-Volyn chronicle.
There are two main copies of the chronicle: Ipatiev and Khlebnikov. Both of these lists date back to the South Russian annals of the late 13th century. The Ipatiev copy of the beginning of the 15th century was found by N.M. Karamzin. It was first published in 1842.
The third source is the Novgorod I chronicle, the oldest chronicle of the Novgorod feudal republic. It quite clearly covers the events that characterize the relations between Novgorod and Vladimir. The chronicle is known in two editions. The older edition is represented by the parchment Synodal List of the 13th-15th centuries. He brings his presentation to the 1330s and has postscripts reaching the middle of the 14th century. The younger edition of the Novgorod Chronicle is close to the Synodal list, but continues it until the 40s of the 15th century. Two main lists of the annals of the younger version are known: Academic and Commission. Other lists of the Novgorod I chronicle of the younger edition represent a further complication of the Commission list.
The fourth source is "Teachings of Vladimir Monomakh". This work is a prototype of those house-buildings that we will see in subsequent centuries. In addition, the “Instruction” is the only example of instruction in ancient Russian literature created not by a clergyman, but by a secular person, statesman. The structure of the work: Instruction itself, a message to Oleg Svyatoslavich (Monomakh's nephew), autobiography.
It is believed that the "Instruction" was finally completed by the author in 1117, when he was able to sum up his life. The “Instruction” has come down to us in the only list of the XIV century as part of the Laurentian Chronicle, where it stands under the year 1096, moreover, the text itself turned out to be without some parts (in particular, there is no beginning of the instruction).
D) literature review
The reign of Vsevolod III the Big Nest, as a period in the history of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality and the Russian land, was little studied and practically not studied, especially by modern historians. Soviet authors paid a little more attention to him. But the main works are the works of pre-revolutionary scientists.
Of the pre-revolutionary researchers, the works of Myatleva T.P., Solovyov S.M., Klyuchevsky V.O. are used here. and others. All of them highly appreciate the activities of Vsevolod and his personality.
Klyuchevsky V.O. in the "Course of Russian History" points to the harsh nature of Vsevolod and says that he "forced" to recognize himself as the Grand Duke of the entire Russian land.
Historian Ilovaisky D.I. says that the prince is prudent, capable of a cruel course of action, that is, he possesses precisely those features "on which the state building of Great Russia was built."
Karamzin N.M. says that Prince Vsevolod “reigned happily, prudently from his very youth and strictly observed justice. Not the poor, not the weak trembled him, but the mercenary nobles ... ".
Myatleva T.P. he considers Vsevolod fair, but cruel: "... nevertheless, brought up in Byzantium, he learned cruel revenge there, ruthlessly showing it sometimes on his enemies."
The largest historian of the XIX century S.M. Solovyov in his "History of Relations between the Russian Princes of the Rurik House" calls Vsevolod III not just a Grand Duke, but compares him with the sovereign, calling him "the favorite of the people and the winner", and says: "In a word, he was born to reign ...".
Presnyakov A.E. in his work “The Formation of the Great Russian State” he says that the success of the prince is the result of the natural desire for the northern Russian rulers to subjugate other princes.
Another Soviet historian Tolochko A.P. completely unreasonably believes that Vsevolod did not play leading role in the political history of the country, and says that he was under the influence of Byzantium.
Kuchkin.V.A. dwells only on the territorial successes of the prince's policy: "... under Vsevolod the Big Nest, the territory of the region expanded significantly, its administrative structure became more complicated." Krivosheev Yu.V. speaks of Vsevolod's coming to power and believes that he came to power with the help of the townspeople, who immediately found in the prince "an ally, not an opponent of their actions."
However, over time, the characteristics of the prince become more specific.
Sverdlov M.B. speaks of the political primacy and power of the prince. And the researcher Perkhavko V.B. calls Prince Vsevolod a sovereign "close to the ideal", that is, in literature, the idea that the reign of Vsevolod is the time of the heyday of the entire Russian land is more and more affirmed, this is a period of temporary centralization of power, a temporary increase in the role of the Grand Duke to the scale of the sovereign .
Chapter I. Internal policy of Vsevolod III
1. Relations with the Kyiv principality
Vsevolod III the Big Nest took the throne of Vladimir as a result of civil strife that lasted more than a year. The time of Vsevolod is the time when the real power was not in the Kyiv prince, but in the hands of the prince of Vladimir-Suzdal. This is the heyday of the Vladimir principality. After all, it was Prince Vsevolod who first introduced the term “great” into his title and justified it. Assessing the internal policy of the prince, his relations with neighboring principalities, with neighboring peoples, one can agree with this title. Vsevolod III forced to recognize himself as the Grand Duke of the Russian land.
Vsevolod spent his childhood first in Byzantium, where he was exiled with his mother by his brother Andrei Bogolyubsky, who sought to get rid of possible rivals and contenders for the throne, and then in South Rus', in particular, in Chernigov. This helped him a lot in the future. Having become a prince, he saw and understood the differences between Northern and Southern Russia and, using his knowledge, managed to distribute his forces and achieve the desired results. It turned out that all his interference in the affairs of Kyiv took place without grandiose expenses.
Vsevolod's "southern politics" is relations with Kiev and the Russian land (that is, the land around Kyiv). This is one of the most important aspects of the principality's policy at the end of the 12th - beginning of the 14th century. These relations began with a clash between Prince Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich of Kyiv and Vsevolod Yurievich: “Prince Vsevolodich Svyatoslav came from Novgorodtsy, and from Polovtsy filthy, and from Chernigovtsy, against Vsevolod Yurgevich; Vsevolod, go against him and sleep on the Vlen, on the river, and stand between you for two weeks. Considering the policy of Vsevolod in relation to Kyiv, we must first talk about the internal political situation of the principality. What was it? It consisted in the relationship between the prince and the boyars, since the boyars always played an important role in the principality and represented a rather powerful force. Vsevolod III did not enter into an open struggle with the boyars, on the contrary, he even used his advice: “As soon as the Suzdal land calmed down under the firm, intelligent rule of Vsevolod III, the northern boyars became his zealous assistant.” However, sometimes in the source we find the phrase “his boyars”, which may indicate that the prince actually subjugated the Vladimir boyars, managed to curb him, establishing sole power in his principality. And here popular assembly- veche - was not always satisfied with the actions of the prince. However, the prince almost always yielded to him. “After a few days, all the people and the boyars got up again, and having come to the prince’s court, a lot of people with weapons, saying: why keep them? We want to blind and. Prince Vsevolod was a sad former, who could not hold back a multitude of people for the sake of their cry "; “He, having listened to his boyars, told him to say: your brother went to Volodimer, but he betrayed you, and open the gates.” An important indicator of the correlation of forces between the Kievan and Vladimir principalities is the case of the appointment of a bishop. Vsevolod himself chooses a candidate and does not take into account the opinion of the Metropolitan of Kyiv. The most important thing is that Kyiv yields to Vsevolod: “Prince Vsevolod sent an ambassador to Kiev, to Svyatoslav, to Vsevolodich and to Metropolitan Nikifor, asking the bishop to appoint Luke ...; the metropolitan did not want to put him in, for heaven's sake he put Nikola Grechn on the bridle ... Metropolitan Nikifor commanded Nikola Grechnu to unsubscribe to the land of Rostov, and put this Luke bishop of Rostov and Volodimer and Suzhdal and all the land of Rostov.
From the annals it is known that there were no such cases before. From time immemorial, the Metropolitan of Kiev himself appointed bishops to all dioceses (with the exception of Novgorod; however, Novgorod has always been an exception), as a bishop whose metropolis was in the center of the great reign, which is important. It is interesting that if the first time the metropolitan hesitated, then the second time he appointed the bishop whom Vsevolod wanted without objection: “The blessed Christ-loving Grand Duke Vsevolod sent ... to Kiev Svyatoslav to Vsevolodich and to Metropolitan Nikifor his spiritual father John for the bishopric. This is reminiscent of independent Novgorod, in which a bishop was chosen without the participation of Kyiv, and only then a request was sent to Kyiv for his consecration. From this we can conclude that the power of the Vladimir-Suzdal prince did not weaken and did not even stand still, but, on the contrary, strengthened and strengthened.
In the Kyiv civil strife under Rurik Rostislavich, Vsevolod outwardly supported the Rostislavichs, however, as soon as the war began, he immediately accepted the peace proposals of the Olgovichi. This is because he needed the enmity and impotence of the princes of Southern Rus'. He did not pay attention to his obligations. the great prince, seeing their subjugation to himself, did not remember their malice, kissed the cross to them ... ". And he needed the cities of Rurik only in order to weaken his rivals in this way. Vsevolod put things in order in the Russian land not always in worthy ways. Sometimes, to keep power, he had to be cunning. It is known how cleverly he quarreled, "played off" Rurik Rostislavich with Roman Volynsky. Nevertheless, despite the ways to achieve the goal, he succeeded in his plans: Rurik did not even dare to enter into his rights without the will of Vsevolod III, thereby recognizing his seniority: to Kiev, and plant Rurik Rostislavich in Kiev." Although some researchers, in particular, Tolochko A.P., in his work “Prince in Ancient Rus': Power, Property, Ideology” says that Vsevolod’s power was small, the title “great” was honorary and no more. As we can see, after our little research, this statement is not stable and is not substantiated in any way.
Any actions of the prince have always been for the sake of achieving just goals. He wanted the unity of Rus' and did not want violence as such at all. Karamzin N.M. says that "he was born to reign ... although he could not be called the autocratic Sovereign of Russia." After conducting this small study, we see that thanks to the activities of Vsevolod, in fact (unofficially) the Grand Duke's throne was transferred to Vladimir.
2. Relations with Novgorod
Relations between Vsevolod III and Novgorod were even more complicated and unusual. Novgorod feudal republic - this is how many researchers call this political formation. Throughout almost the entire history of the existence of this principality, there was no such prince who, at least to some extent, would have succeeded in subordinating it. This public education all the time was self-sufficient and independent. The supreme body of power in Novgorod at that time was the veche, and not the prince, as in North-Eastern Rus'. The veche had the right to invite the prince he liked, and could also expel him if he did not suit him for some reason. That is, the prince had practically no power there. He ruled only under the guidance of a posadnik.
And so, Prince Vsevolod did what no one before him could do, even Andrei Bogolyubsky, who dreamed about it. To some extent, he subdued Novgorod for several years: “Novgorodtsy who kissed the cross to Vsevolod Yurgevich ...”.
However, of course, this submission was not complete. Novgorodians are trying to resist Vsevolod, violate the kissing of the cross. Old traditions continue to exist, no matter how obedient Novgorod land was not. Already after the Novgorodians kissed the cross, the chronicle tells us about the calling of a new prince: “In the same summer Yaroslav Volodimerich of Novgorod was driven out, and Davydovich Mstislav girded himself to reign Novgorod: so be their custom.” This happened because the freedom-loving citizens of Novgorod, accustomed to independence, felt it a burden to feel the mighty, imperious hand of Vsevolod III or someone else over them. However, Vsevolod did not claim complete dominion over Novgorod. He tried to maintain stability and relative calm in the Russian land. As a wise prince, Vsevolod understood that for this he needed to reckon with the opinions and desires of the Novgorod boyars, who were "used to participate in social processes." However, calm submission was also not easy. It was mercenary on the part of the Novgorod nobility. Most likely, a close relationship with the Grand Duke was simply beneficial for the Novgorodians in terms of domestic and foreign trade.
And yet, Vsevolod led the Novgorodians to the fact that they themselves began to ask him for princes: “The same autumn, the Novgorodians came, molded men, Miroshchina Gad, to the Grand Duke Vsevolod with a bow with the prayer of all Novgorod, recursively: you are Mr. Prince Great Vsevolod Gyurgevitch, we ask your son to reign Novgorod, for your fatherland and grandfather Novgorod. “Idosha a man with a mayor and with Mikhalk to Vsevolod; and accept it with great honor and give them son Svyatoslav ... ".
Thus, we see the obedience of the Novgorodians to Vsevolod. No wonder they call him the "Grand Duke". Although Novgorod was finally subordinated only in the 15th century (the time of the rise of the Moscow principality). And yet the power of Vsevolod III over Novgorod is an exceptional phenomenon. He was able to subdue the insubordinate. This speaks of the real power of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality at that time, of the wisdom, strong and imperious character of Vsevolod the Big Nest. The prince justifies his name, which is on Old Russian means "to own everything".
So, Vsevolod behaves authoritatively towards the boyars; chooses the bishop himself; strengthening personal power, in every possible way supports the enmity of the princes in southern Rus'; as in the old days, in Kievan Rus, Vsevolod puts his prince in Novgorod. That is, we see that in relations with other lands, Vsevolod asserted his power and political primacy, and he uses the means taken from the era of fragmentation (arranging enmity between the princes).
Chapter II. Vsevolod's foreign policy
1. Relations with Volga Bulgaria
The foreign policy of the Vladimir-Suzdal prince is relations with the Polovtsians and Volga Bulgaria. In general, foreign policy did not differ in particular dynamism in these centuries. For example, the sources do not touch on relations with Byzantium. Perhaps because it was calm in this direction and no important actions were taking place on either side.
In general, the eastern (in relation to the Volga Bulgaria) policy is not conquest. It is connected with the tasks of Vladimir trade.
The first campaign of 1184 is grandiose in size. The Bulgarians were defeated in two battles, as, indeed, in the subsequent campaign of 1185: “And the God of Rus' will help, and I won, beating them half a third thousand, and the rest went to the boats, not leading the former, even the boats before them, defeated the Bulgarian regiment ... » . Participation in this campaign testifies to the great importance for the Vladimir-Suzdal land of the “Volga route down from Yaroslavl to Gorodets Radilov”. That is, although these relations were important, they were purely commercial in nature. And the conquests were only for this purpose. We see nothing new in this policy of Vsevolod.
We can say that these conquests brought considerable success, as the territory of the principality was actively expanding to the east.
However, the composition of the army is important for us in this campaign, since it shows us the sphere of influence of the Vladimir prince. What is he? It was a joint campaign of several Russian princes under the command of Vsevolod III, including the Murom-Ryazan and Smolensk princes: : with Roman, and with Igor, and with Vsevolod, and with Volodimer, and with Muromsky Volodimer; and came to the land of Bolgar. That is, again we see the desire to subjugate other princes. After all, most likely - these are not voluntary actions; most likely, the princes serve Vsevolod under compulsion, send their regiments on his orders. And if he subjugated the Ryazan princes, it means that he had complete control over their territories, respectively, he took upon himself the defense of the Muromo-Ryazan limits.
In addition, here we can talk about the ability of Vsevolod to unite with other princes against a common enemy, while pursuing common interests in terms of trade, which remotely resembles the fight against the Polovtsy of Vladimir Monomakh.
2. Vsevolod and Polovtsy
Campaigns against the Polovtsy Vsevolod III the Big Nest had a completely different meaning for him and for the Russian land, in contrast to the campaigns against Volga Bulgaria.
For several centuries, the Polovtsians have been harassing the borders of Rus' with their raids. Many princes of Kyiv, including Vladimir Monomakh, defended their lands from these dangerous neighbors.
Despite the fact that the Polovtsy served Vsevolod (for example, they participated in the campaign against the Bulgarians in 1184), they periodically disturbed the southern borders of his possessions. In particular, in order to defend the Muromo-Ryazan lands, Prince Vsevolod organized a campaign against the Polovtsians in 1199: “... go the noble and Christ-loving prince, the great Vsevolod Gyurgevitch, the grandson of Volodimer Monomakh, to Polovtsi, with his son Kostyantin; The Polovtsi, who heard his campaign, ran and with the veils to the sea ... ". "As a Grand Duke, taking to heart the grievances of the entire Russian land ... he wanted to protect the borders of the Ryazan region from the Polovtsian raids." The campaign was again carried out by the combined forces of the princes of Vladimir, Suzdal and Ryazan.
In addition, this campaign was carried out in order to ensure peace, reconciliation with the Chernigov prince. Thus, Vsevolod's desire to resolve disputes by peace is revealed, that is, his preference for military, but indirect actions. Wanting to unite the entire Russian land under his command, he understands that there is no need for unnecessary bloodshed here and tries to look for an alternative to military, internecine actions.
Assessing the foreign policy of Vsevolod, one can understand what an outstanding military leader and just a ruler he was. He managed to collect huge military resources and direct them in the right direction. As a result: “Only on behalf of his trembling country everything, and throughout the whole earth the rumor about him passed ... and God subdued him under the feet of his enemies.”
So, Vsevolod's foreign policy is a policy no less purposeful than domestic, always active, energetic. By its nature, it met the interests of the Vladimirites, since it was mainly of economic importance. Sometimes it became cruel, but it is precisely such a policy that characterizes Vsevolod as the Grand Duke, “great” in every sense of the word.
We see that Vsevolod unites with other princes in campaigns, that is, he sets himself, in a sense, all-Russian tasks. He differs from the usual specific prince in that he has interests that are not limited to his own court and his own well-being. He, like a real politician, looks around him and into the distance.
Chapter III. Vsevolod III and "Instruction" by Vladimir Monomakh
1. The image of the “ideal prince” in Vladimir Monomakh’s Teachings
“Have the fear of God in your heart, and doing alms is not scarce, that is, the beginning of every good.”
In his work, Vladimir Monomakh covers a wide range of problems, life situations, provides answers to questions of political, moral and social life of his time.
So, what should be the ideal prince according to Vladimir Monomakh?
Through all the "Instruction" there is a call to take care of the Russian land. Considerable space is occupied by the thought of sympathy and help for the weak and oppressed. He says: “... do not forget the poor, but feed the one who is powerful in strength, and give to the orphan, and justify the widow yourself, and do not let the strong destroy a person.” He reinforces this appeal with his own example: "... I also didn’t let the strong offend the poor widow and the wretched widow ...".
Monomakh urges his readers to be brave and at the same time unpretentious warriors: “Go to war, do not be lazy. Do not look at the governors; neither drink, nor eat, nor sleep; and dress up the watch yourself, and the night, dressed up around the howl from everywhere, also climb, and get up early ... ". He speaks of the need for constant labor and again refers to his experience: “Even if it was for my child to do, then I myself did things in war and fishing, night and day, in heat and winter, not giving myself rest ... ". In addition, the ideal prince must show military prowess and be resolute in battle. At the same time, do not rely only on yourself, but show respect for the squad, consult with it.
Each prince should be God-fearing, philanthropic, should honor the elders, take care of the younger ones: “honor the old like a father, and the young like a brother.” A very important quality of a prince is justice: “Do not kill either right or crooked, nor command to kill him; if he is guilty of death, and do not destroy the soul of any peasant.
The prince should not be a perjurer - from this both the well-being of the principality and the state of the prince himself, because the kiss of the cross is the only way to keep the world of the feudal "brethren" in balance.
The work is dominated by the idea that a person (prince) should never deviate from the right path and in all cases should rely on God: "... praise God, who gave us his mercy, and this is punishment from my bad madness ..."
Vladimir Monomakh considers laziness to be the main vice, the cause of all evils: “Laziness is the mother of everything: if you know how, then forget, but if you don’t know how, don’t teach it ...”
Monomakh ends his teaching with a call not to be afraid of death either in battle or in hunting, valiantly doing his job. That is, courage, courage, dedication, etc. - these are the features that an ideal prince, a true trustee of his fatherland, should possess.
2. Comparison of Prince Vsevolod with the image of the "ideal prince"
In the previous paragraph, we examined ideas about the ideal prince of the times of Kievan Rus. Vsevolod is a representative of a new era, but the ideal of the prince remained the same, because the country is still Christian, the same moral laws and norms still apply. Therefore, it is necessary to compare, constantly referring to the Kyiv past. The ideal princes in it are Yaroslav the Wise, Vladimir Monomakh himself, and others. So, what is characteristic of these princes and what is characteristic of Prince Vsevolod III?
Let's start in order. Vsevolod's domestic policy: the brightest moment in it is the conquest of Novgorod. Novgorod has always, starting with Rurik, been in the zone of influence of the Kievan princes. Therefore, the subjugation of Novgorod corresponded to the image of the ideal prince of Kievan Rus.
If we talk about foreign policy, it is important to note here that the struggle against the nomadic Polovtsy was traditional for the Kyiv princes, this is one of their main merits. Therefore, here, too, the personality of Vsevolod in the eyes of the chroniclers intersects with the princes of Kyiv, perhaps with Vladimir Monomakh, as with a man who did a lot for Rus' in this field. After all, most likely the northeastern chronicler wrote a description of Vsevolod the Big Nest, having before his eyes the chronicle description of Monomakh and partly copying it verbatim: Vsevolod judged “evil executions, but kindly merciful ones: the prince bo does not carry a sword in revenge as a villain, but in praise of good creating ... ”Vladimir Monomakh says almost the same thing.
Another illustrative case is the independent appointment of Bishop Luke by Vsevolod. One can draw a parallel with the fact that it was under the ideal Kiev prince Yaroslav the Wise that the first Russian (not Greek!) Metropolitan Hilarion was installed in 1051.
All these comparisons allow us to call Vsevolod the Big Nest an ideal prince from a political point of view. However, as a ruler, he has those features that the Kyiv princes did not know. Until now, the prince was par excellence the leader of the squad. When meeting with the enemy, he was always ahead of the troops, that is, until now, personal courage and courage were required from the prince, which Vladimir Monomakh says in his Teaching. But Vsevolod has a completely different character. Now he does not climb on rampage. That is, "... Vsevolod is the first who stopped relying on battles only as the judgment of God ..." He, unlike the Kyiv princes, was the first to prefer caution in battles to their inherent decisiveness.
This trait of his is important, but there is another one that significantly distinguishes Vsevolod from the Kievan princes. This is characteristic of him despotism, inherent in him a strongly expressed desire for the centralization of power.
In a word, Vsevolod is not at all a successor to the work of the Kievan princes. He is an example of a new prince, namely a northern Russian prince, active, prudent, capable of steadily pursuing his goal. That is, it has those features, "... on which the building of Great Russia was built ..."
Conclusion
So, having finished the work, we come to the conclusion that Vsevolod III the Big Nest cannot be put on the same level with the Kyiv princes. This is a different era, different ideals. But even in his era, Vsevolod is a unique personality. And you can't underestimate this prince. After all, his goal was not to imitate the princes of Kievan Rus or to return the Kievan tradition. He created a new image of a prince with a strong character, a true autocrat. We saw that he felt himself the sovereign master of the entire Russian land. And he not only felt it, but also proved it with his actions to all the Russian princes, who recognized him as the elder. He subjugated Novgorod, starting to give him princes, he changed his attitude towards the boyars, becoming more powerful. He chose his own bishop. He, not tormented by remorse, sowed enmity between the specific princes to strengthen his own power. He began to be called the “Grand Duke” without leaving the throne of Vladimir, he amazed everyone with his strict and intolerant foreign policy, which at the same time testified to his concern for the entire Russian land, and not just for his own principality. That is, Vsevolod had enormous power.
In addition, since Vsevolod is the successor of the work of his father (Yuri Dolgoruky) and brother, since he followed the path indicated by Andrei Bogolyubsky, he can rightfully be considered the founder of the formation of the monarchical idea, the idea of autocracy in Rus'. He laid the foundation for that reign, as a result of which the new Moscow principality subsequently grew from the strong Vladimir principality and the Muscovite state arose.
The political situation of Rus' was ultimately to form a new image of a ruler, a politician concerned with far-reaching goals, a person who thinks and sees two steps ahead. The transition to a new political phase is characterized by certain transitional periods in which seeds are planted, which later sprout. Vsevolod was the person who managed to feel new era and give some sort of answer to her challenge.
Bibliography
List of sources
1. Hypatiev Chronicle. Ryazan, 2001.
2. Laurentian Chronicle. Ryazan, 2001.
3. Novgorod I chronicle. Ryazan, 2001.
4. "Teachings of Vladimir Monomakh". // Laurentian Chronicle. Ryazan, 2001.
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VSEVOLOD (baptized DMITRY) YURIEVICH, nicknamed BIG NEST(October 19, 1154 - April 13, 1212), Grand Duke of Vladimir (since 1176).
The younger son of the Prince of Suzdal, later the Grand Duke of Kyiv, Yuri Vladimirovich Dolgoruky († 1157); was born in the second marriage of the prince (presumably with a Greek princess from the Komnenos family). He is the only one of the sons of Yuri Dolgoruky, whose birth is reported in chronicles: it happened on the Yakhroma River, during the autumn season of his father, and in honor of this event, Yuri founded the city of Dmitrov. The exact date of Vsevolod's birth is given only in the late Tver Chronicle.
In 1161/62, Vsevolod, together with his mother and half-brothers Mstislav and Vasilko, was expelled from Suzdal by his elder brother Andrei Bogolyubsky; the princess and princes found shelter in the Greek land, where they were received with honor by the emperor Manuel Comnenus.
Upon returning to Rus', Vsevolod takes an active part in the wars waged by Andrei Bogolyubsky. At the beginning of 1169, as part of an army of eleven princes sent by Andrei, he took part in the campaign against Kyiv and the capture of the city (March). After the dissolution of the rati, he remains in Kyiv with his brother Gleb Yurievich, who became the prince of Kyiv. In the winter of 1170/71, at the behest of the already ill Gleb Yuryevich, Vsevolod, together with his other brother Mikhail (Mikhalk), goes against the Polovtsians who invaded the Kievan land and defeats them. In the future, for the most part, he apparently stayed with his older half-brother Michael, who reigned in Torchesk (on the Ros river). For a short time (the beginning of the spring of 1172 or 173) he even occupies the throne of Kiev, where he was sent by Michael, but the princes Rostislavich, who had disobeyed Andrei Bogolyubsky, again captured Kiev, so that Vsevolod was captured. Soon, however, the Rostislavichs make peace with Vsevolod's brother Mikhail and free Vsevolod and his squad.
In 1173, Vsevolod and his brother joined the huge army sent by Andrei Bogolyubsky to Kyiv against the Rostislavichs. The princes occupy Kyiv, and then besiege Vyshgorod (September 8), but in the end they suffer a crushing defeat.
After the death of Andrei Bogolyubsky (June 29, 1174), Vsevolod, together with Mikhail, takes part in the internecine war that began in the Vladimir-Suzdal principality. He fights on the side of his brother against the nephews of Mstislav and Yaropolk - the sons of the eldest of the Yuryevich brothers Rostislav († 1151).
The war ended with a decisive victory for Mikhail (June 15, 1175), but a year later (June 20, 1176) he dies, and the people of Vladimir proclaim Vsevolod their prince. Rostovites, however, start a war against Vsevolod and invite Mstislav Rostislavich to reign. Mstislav with a large army opposes Vsevolod to Vladimir. Vsevolod offers peace to his nephew so that he reigns in Rostov, “and Suzdal, wake us up more often,” but Mstislav replies with a decisive refusal. June 27, 1176 near the city of Yuryev-Polsky on the river. Kze, a battle takes place in which Vsevolod's troops win a decisive victory. In the autumn of the same year, Ryazan prince Gleb Rostislavich, son-in-law and ally of Mstislav Rostislavich, opposed Vsevolod; he approaches Moscow and "burn the whole city and villages." For the winter of 1176/77, Vsevolod opposes Gleb and Mstislav Rostislavich and on March 7, 1177, on the river. Kolakshe at the Pruska Mountain defeats them, and Gleb, and his son Roman, and Mstislav Rostislavich are captured and brought to Vladimir. At the request of Vsevolod, the people of Ryazan hand him over to another of his nephews, Yaropolk Rostislavich. According to the annals, the Rostislavich brothers were blinded by the people of Vladimir, and against the will of Vsevolod himself, but then they miraculously received their sight in the Borisoglebsky monastery on Smyadyn; Gleb Ryazansky died in captivity.
During his thirty-seven-year reign, Vsevolod became by far the strongest prince in all of Rus'; his authority and "seniority" were recognized by all other Russian princes. He reigned supreme in the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, subordinated Novgorod to his influence, and the Ryazan and Murom princes were dependent on him. Vsevolod firmly held in his hands Pereyaslavl-South (where his son Yaroslav reigned, who was forced to leave the city only in 1206), and this gave him the opportunity to influence events in Kiev and throughout South Rus'. so, in February 1203, when the warring princes Rurik Rostislavich and Roman Mstislavich could not resolve their dispute about Kiev (just sacked by Rurik, united with the Olgovichi and Polovtsy), they decide to resort to the authority of Vsevolod, calling him "father" and " Mr Grand Duke." At the request of the princes, Vsevolod gives Kyiv to Rurik and in the same year, as the eldest of the Monomashichs, makes peace with the Olgoviches.
When in 1206 the head of the Olgovich family, Vsevolod Svyatoslavich Chermny, took the Kiev throne and expelled the son of Vsevolod Yuryevich Yaroslav from Pereyaslavl, Vsevolod began a war with the Chernigov princes. The chronicle cites his words: “That qi is the fatherland of the Russian land alone, but isn’t it the fatherland for us?” Peace between the princes was concluded only in 1210 through the mediation Metropolitan of Kyiv Matthew, and Vsevolod Chermny “and all the Olgovichi” sent him to Vladimir to Vsevolod the Big Nest, “asking for peace and repenting in everything,” in other words, recognizing the Suzdal prince as the eldest among the Russian princes. Vsevolod Yuryevich, "seeing their subjugation to himself ... kiss the cross to them, and having established the metropolitan, let him go and with honor." Vsevolod Chermny, in agreement with his namesake, occupies Kiev, and the next year peace between the princes is sealed by the marriage of Vsevolod the Big Nest's son Yuri and Vsevolod Chermny's daughter Agafia (April 10, 1211).
The authority of the Prince of Vladimir was also recognized outside Rus'. So, for example, the German emperor Frederick I Barbarossa, having learned in 1189 that the exiled Galich prince Vladimir Yaroslavich, who had come to him, was the “sister” (nephew) of Vsevolod Yuryevich, “received him with love and with great honor.”
Vsevolod successfully fought against the Volga Bulgarians. In 1183, he went to them himself, along with his nephew Izyaslav Glebovich and other princes, this campaign ended with the conclusion of peace. In 1185, Vsevolod sent his governor against the Volga Bulgarians; they "took many villages and returned full of many."
A vivid description of the military power of Vsevolod is given by the author of The Tale of Igor's Campaign. “Grand Duke Vsevolod! - he mentally addresses him and is amazed at the large number of his troops. - ... You can scatter the oars on the Volga (splash. - A.K.), and Don pour out the helmets (scoop out. - A.K.)". Enthusiastic praise of the prince is also read in the Laurentian Chronicle: “... having had a lot of courage and insolence, having shown braneh, adorned with all good morals, evil executions, and merciful good-thought ... This name only trembles all over the country and all over the earth from abroad his hearing, and all his evil thoughts Yes, God is under his hand, not puffed up, nor magnified about himself, but you place everything on God, all your hope, and God is under his nose all his enemies ... ". At the same time, the chronicler also noted the peacefulness of Vsevolod, who "is kind-hearted, not even to shed blood."
Prince Vsevolod Yuryevchi did a lot to decorate his capital city of Vladimir and other cities of his land. He rebuilt the main cathedral of Vladimir - the Assumption (consecrated on August 14, 1188); built the Dmitrovsky Cathedral and the main temple of the monastery of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Vladimir, renovated the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Suzdal. In the first half of the 90s. 12th century new fortresses were erected in Vladimir, Suzdal, Pereyaslavl-Zalessky. It is believed that the portrait image of Prince Vsevolod Yuryevich was preserved on the icon of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica from the Assumption Cathedral in Dmitrov (beginning of the 13th century). In addition, the alleged image of Prince Vsevolod with his sons is found on one of the reliefs of the Vladimir Dmitrovsky Cathedral.
Vsevolod received his nickname because of the large number of offspring. All his children were born in the same marriage - with Princess Maria, who, according to some sources, was a "yasnya" (Ossetian), and according to others - a Czech, the daughter of the Czech prince Shvarn. (However, it is also possible Russian origin Princess.) Maria died on March 19, 1205, having lain before that for seven years in illness and took tonsure a few days before her death. She also left a noticeable mark in the history of the city of Vladimir, founding a convent in the name of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos (the so-called Knyaginin). After the death of his first wife, Vsevolod married twice more: in 1209, the daughter of the Vitebsk prince Vasilko Bryachislavich, unknown by name, and then, in 1211, a certain princess Sophia (from South Rus').
Vsevolod had eight sons: Konstantin, Boris (his father died during his lifetime), Yuri, Yaroslav, Gleb, Vladimir, Ivan and Svyatoslav, as well as four daughters: Vseslav, Verkhuslav, Sbyslav and Elena (later sources also name his other children).
Shortly before his death, Vsevolod made a will, according to which the great reign and the city of Vladimir were to go to his eldest son Konstantin, who reigned in Rostov, while Rostov went to Yuri. Constantine did not agree with this and demanded both cities for himself. An angry Vsevolod changed his will: now Yuri was to receive Vladimir and the great reign, and Rostov remained for Konstantin. This decision of the father suited Konstantin even less, who eventually quarreled with both his father and his brothers and did not even attend his father's funeral in Vladimir.
Vsevolod died on April 13, 1212 and was buried in the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir. “And his sons cried for him with a great cry, as well as all the boyars and men and all the land of his parish,” writes the chronicler.
SOURCES:
Annals: Lavrentievskaya, Ipatievskaya, Novgorodskaya First, Chronicler of Pereyaslavl of Suzdal, Moscow Chronicle of the end of the 15th century, Nikonovskaya, Tverskaya (everywhere under 1154, 1162-1212). "The Tale of Igor's Campaign".
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