Vladimir-Suzdal principality geographical location. Geographical location of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality. Description of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality
Princely civil strife and constant raids by nomads exhausted the strength of the ancient Kievan Rus. The state was losing its former power, and in the middle of the 12th century it broke up into independent principalities. The center of political and economic life began to gradually shift to the northeast, to the Upper Volga region, where the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality was formed.
Characteristic
Until the 10th century, the lands of the future principality were occupied by the Merya and Ves tribes. Having retreated into the forests from the sunny Dnieper region, the Russians began to live on the same lands with the Finno-Ugric tribes. The Krivichi and Novgorodians who arrived here Russified the local people and brought the beginnings of cultural and administrative formations. The entire Zalesskaya Rus, or Suzdal region, was developed by the Russians in the middle of the 10th century, but for a long time this territory remained only a distant outskirts of the huge Rurik power.
The peculiarities of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality were based on the fact that, occupying lands between the Oka and Volga rivers, it was away from the raids of nomads and internecine raids. By the 12th century. an established system of boyar land ownership was established here. Each fertile piece of land was blocked off by a forest belt and was called an opole. Despite the scarcity of land and the severity of the climate, the peasants managed to obtain crops, engage in forestry, cattle breeding, and fishing. Pottery and blacksmithing developed in the cities. The economic and administrative structure passed to them from the Kyiv lands and made it possible to form an independent specific territory called the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality.
Geographical location
The isolated position occupied by the Vladimir-Suzdal principality was explained, first of all, by the natural barriers that surrounded its borders on all sides. In addition, the path of hordes of nomads to these places was blocked by principalities located to the south.
Features of the development of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality in economic and political terms are briefly described below:
A continuous flow of labor arriving here from Kievan Rus: people were tired of enduring the unbearable extortions of the princely gridniks and the constant paramilitary situation, so they arrived in the principality with their families and all their household belongings;
Branched trade routes connecting Northern Europe with the Eastern Khanates;
The territorial remoteness of the principality from the paths of nomads - this land was not subjected to raids and destruction.
It was these factors that explained the peculiarities of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality and its strong economic position. The strong and wealthy boyars did not want to share with Kiev and pushed the local rulers towards independence. It called on the people to separate from the rulers of Rus' and make the Vladimir-Suzdal principality independent.
Princes
The Zalessk region was unattractive for the princes of the Rurik family - the places were distant, the lands were scarce. This principality was usually given to the younger sons of princely houses; the ruling heirs rarely visited these places; they were considered unattractive, relatively poor and very distant.
Notable is the revolt of the Magi in 1024, when Yaroslav the Wise came to Principality of Suzdal and pacified the rioters. The situation changed in the 12th century, when Prince Vladimir Monomakh, having visited the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, placed his sons on the throne in Suzdal - first Yaropolk, and then Yuri. For a short time, Suzdal became the capital of the principality. Later, convinced of the need to build a modern fortified city, the elder Monomakh founded a city on the Klyazma River and named it after himself - Vladimir.
Thus, against the backdrop of the decline of Kievan Rus, a slow, unhurried rise of the land began, which began to be called the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality. Princes from the Monomakhovich family successfully occupied the Suzdal throne for a long time, and the population of the northeastern lands unconditionally accepted their power.
Yuri Dolgoruky
After the death of the Kyiv ruler of all Rus', Vladimir Monomakh, the Vladimir-Suzdal principality separated from Kievan Rus. Monomakh's son, Yuri Dolgoruky, became its first independent ruler. The peculiarities of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality during the reign of this prince were the active annexation of nearby territories. Thus, the principality annexed the Ryazan and Murom lands.
The development of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality has moved to a new stage. Yuri built up his possessions with fortified, wonderful cities, but still did not give up hope of seizing the Kiev throne. The Suzdal ruler constantly fought long, grueling wars for distant Kyiv and was confident that only the princely throne in the capital city would give him the right to “be the eldest” in Rus'. Due to the constant reaching out of the greedy " long hands"to distant cities and foreign possessions of the prince and was nicknamed Dolgoruky.
The chronicle has conveyed to this day the message that in 1147 Yuri invited one of his allies - the younger princes: “Come to me, brother, in Moscow.” These words are the first mention of Moscow. Dolgoruky took the territory of the future city, along with the adjacent lands, from his boyar Stepan Kuchka. During his reign, the cities of Yuryev-Polsky, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Kostroma grew, and the city of Vladimir flourished and strengthened.
Consolidation of power
In 1149, taking advantage of civil strife and disagreements between the southern princes, Dolgoruky went on a campaign to the southern lands of Kievan Rus and, having entered into an alliance with the Polovtsians, near the city of Pereyaslav, on the Dnieper, he defeated the squad of the Kyiv prince Izyaslav II. Yuri Dolgoruky captured Kyiv, but did not stay there for long, and in 1151, after another military defeat, he was forced to return to Suzdal. The last time Yuri Dolgoruky seized the Kiev throne in 1155 and remained there until the end of his days. To gain a foothold in the southern lands, he distributed appanage principalities to his sons.
Yuri also paid attention to his eternal rivals - the Galicia-Volyn principality. It was located on the outskirts of Kievan Rus, like the Vladimir-Suzdal principality; the geographical location of these lands saved this territory from constant raids by nomads. These “shards” of Kievan Rus rose and flourished at the same time. Yuri Dolgoruky preferred to put up with wealthy distant relatives and even gave his daughter Olga as a wife to Prince Yaroslav Osmomysl, who at that time controlled the Galicia-Volyn principality.
The Vladimir-Suzdal invasion did not last long - Olga soon ran away from her husband due to the fact that he openly lived with his mistress. In the end, the fugitive was returned to her husband, but this marriage did not become happy. Dying, Yaroslav gave the throne not to his legal heirs, but to the son of his mistress, Oleg.
The ruler of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality was not loved among the people of Kiev. He was poisoned in 1157 at a feast at the boyar Petrila. After his death, the rebels of Kiev liquidated the power established by Yuri. During the reign of Yuri Dolgoruky, the long-standing rivalry between the two peoples came to light for the first time and intensified; a protracted struggle began between Kiev and Suzdal, which took on extreme forms during the reign of Yuri Dolgoruky’s son.
Andrey Bogolyubsky
When Yuri Dolgoruky tried to take Kyiv once again, his son Andrei returned to Vladimir without permission. After the death of his father, he, contrary to the traditional order of succession to the throne, moved the princely throne here. Andrei came to Suzdal, apparently, at the secret invitation of the local boyars. He took with him and famous icon Vladimir Mother of God. Twelve years after the death of his father, Andrei went on a campaign to Kyiv, took it and subjected it to almost complete ruin. It was then, in 1169, that Andrei Bogolyubsky first called himself the Grand Duke of Vladimir-Suzdal, thereby effectively erasing his lands from Kievan Rus. The Vladimir-Suzdal principality, in short, usurped the power of the Kyiv princes in the northeastern lands. In the XIII-XIV centuries, only the supreme rulers of these lands had the right to call themselves Grand Dukes of Vladimir-Suzdal.
Andrei Bogolyubsky made attempts to subjugate the lands adjacent to the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, for example Veliky Novgorod. Features of the development of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality during this period were characterized primarily by the intensification of the struggle against the local boyars. Disobedient heads flew from their shoulders, and the lands of the grumbling boyars were irrevocably confiscated. Relying on the support of the townspeople and his squad, Andrei established sole power in his lands. To strengthen his independence, Andrei moved the capital from ancient Rostov to Vladimir-on-Klyazma. New city was well fortified, information about the strong Golden Gate, made according to the example of Kyiv, has been preserved, and the famous Assumption Cathedral was erected.
At the confluence of the Klyazma and Nerl rivers, in the neighboring village of Bogolyubovo, Andrei built luxurious mansions and loved living there, so during his lifetime he received the nickname Bogolyubsky. Here Andrei met his death. He later became a victim of a boyar uprising and died in his chambers in 1174.
Vsevolod Big Nest
After the death of Andrei, Vsevolod, the younger brother of the murdered man, began to head the Vladimir-Suzdal principality. The princes, and later the chronicles, called Vsevolod the “Big Nest” because of the large number of his family. The new ruler of the principality had eight sons alone. It was Vsevolod who was the first to strive for autocracy in his own separate state and put a lot of effort into implementing this idea. It cannot be denied that during the reign of Vsevolod the Big Nest, the prince’s own patrimony, the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality, reached its peak.
Briefly about domestic and foreign policy
Basically, Vsevolod’s political maneuvers boiled down to pitting the princes ruling the southern lands of Kievan Rus against each other and strengthening his Vladimir-Suzdal principality. The characteristic of this prince’s policy was that by depleting the resources of his opponents, he strengthened his power. Thanks to his innate diplomatic gift, he managed to unite the Vladimir boyars around himself and establish his personal power in all corners of the principality. Vsevolod obtained a decision from the church that the prince had the right to appoint bishops. But Vsevolod's greatest achievement was that he achieved the consolidation of his power over the willful Novgorod.
In those days, Novgorod was governed by the people's council and had the right to both appoint and expel its princes from the throne. Each street of the city and each end of it had its own administration. The People's Assembly had the power to appoint governors, summon princes and elect bishops. With the help of bribery and intrigue, the Novgorod and Vladimir-Suzdal principalities began to obey the decisions of one person. Vsevolod tamed the rebellious Novgorodians and received a number of beneficial and important political and economic decisions for himself.
Foreign policy
Vsevolod the Big Nest in foreign policy paid close attention to the problems of trade, for which the Vladimir-Suzdal principality was famous. The position of this land among half-friends and half-enemies forced the prince to look for ways to expand and secure the trade routes under his control. For this purpose, the warriors of the Suzdal prince carried out campaigns of conquest in Volga Bulgaria in 1184 and 1185. Constant diplomatic efforts led to the fact that other Russian princes also took part in these campaigns; chronicles bring to us the names of Murom, Ryazan and Smolensk rulers. But complete military power in these campaigns, of course, belonged to Vsevolod; all important decisions were made by him alone. The defeat of the Volga Bulgars led to control over the most important trade routes and the conquest of new lands.
Sunset of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality
At the beginning of the 13th century, Vsevolod convened representatives from all the cities of his principality, and at this meeting it was decided, after the death of the prince, to give power to his son Yuri. But the Rostov boyars and the Kiev prince Mstislav placed Vsevolod’s eldest son, Constantine, on the throne. To avoid accusations of usurpation of power and prevent civil strife, Constantine divided the lands between his relatives. This is how the Rostov, Pereyaslavl, and Yaroslavl principalities were formed. In 1218, Constantine dies, and the Vladimir throne again goes to Yuri. The son of Vsevolod began strengthening his authority with a successful raid on the Volga Bulgarians and with the founding of Nizhny Novgorod at the mouth of the Oka River. But the fragmentation of his own principality prevented him from being such an authoritative politician as his father was.
Mongol-Tatar yoke
At the beginning of 1238, the Russian princes suffered a crushing defeat from the Tatar-Mongol conquerors. The Vladimir-Suzdal principality was destroyed, fourteen large cities, such as Vladimir, Moscow, Suzdal, Rostov and others, were burned and plundered. In March 1238, a detachment of Mongol-Tatars led by Temnik Burundai was able to completely defeat the Vladimir army, which was recruited by the Vladimir prince Yuri Vsevolodovich. Yuri himself died in the battle. After his death, Yaroslav Vsevolodovich began to be nominally considered the ruler of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality.
The new prince of the northeastern land was forced to go to the Horde for a label to reign. Yaroslav Vsevolodovich was recognized as the oldest, and therefore the most revered, Russian prince. This act marked the beginning of the dependence of the principalities of the Russian north on the Mongols.
After Yaroslav, the title of Prince of Vladimir was borne by Alexander Nevsky. The beginning of his reign was quite successful, including the defeat of the crusaders at the Battle of the Ice, and the victory over the Swedes at the Battle of the Neva. But in 1262, Mongol tax collectors were killed. To prevent another devastating Mongol raid, Alexander personally goes to the Horde. From there he returns already mortally ill. After his death, the Vladimir-Suzdal principality ceased to exist, and the territories of North-Eastern Rus' broke up into many dwarf appanage principalities.
Lecture 9.
Three centers of Russian statehood in the era of political fragmentation.
VLADIMIRO-SUZDAL PRINCIPALITY
The VSZ was located on Northeast Rus', in the interfluve Oka and Volga, it was separated from the Dnieper region by a powerful strip of forest - ZALESSKY REGION(city - Pereyaslavl Zalessky). Most the territory was covered with forest - ABUNDANCE OF FORESTS.
Developed AGRICULTURE -- in Zalessk region had fertile soils suitable for farming. Plots of fertile land were named OPOLY(from the word "field"). One of the cities of the principality even received the name Yuryev-Polskoy(i.e. located in the field).
POPULATION North-East accounted for Krivichi and Vyatichi.
The territory of the VZZ land was WELL PROTECTED from external invasions, primarily by NOMADS, by natural barriers - forests, rivers. In addition, on the way of the nomads to Rostov-Suzdal Rus' lay the lands of other southern Russian principalities, which took the first blow. The economic rise of the northeast of Rus' was facilitated by a CONSTANT INFLOW OF POPULATION: in search of protection from attacks by enemies and normal conditions for farming:
-- population southern Russian lands(Kievians, Chernigovites, etc.) - from the raids of nomads;
-- from the north-west, Novgorodians- in search of new fishing lands.
Among the factors that contributed to the rise of the economy and the separation of the Rostov-Suzdal land from the Kyiv state, one should mention the presence of profitable TRADE ROUTES passing through the territory of the principality. The most important of them was Volga trade route, connecting northeastern Rus' with the countries of the East. It was possible to pass through the upper reaches of the Volga and the system of large and small rivers to Novgorod and further to the countries of Western Europe.
2. LAND OWNERSHIP.
By the beginning of the 12th century. happened at VSZ LARGE BOYAR LAND OWNERSHIP. The main source of land ownership was PRINCE'S AWARD. Thus, the landowners of the Russian Northeast were are much more connected with the princely power than with their land holdings.
3. CITIES.
Cities played an important role:
Old: Rostov, Suzdal. Vladimir, Yaroslavl.
New fortified cities: Dmitrov, Yuryev-Polskoy, Zvenigorod, Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, Kostroma, Moscow, Galich-Kostromskoy, etc. In 1221, at the confluence of the Oka and the Volga, it was founded Nizhny Novgorod - the largest support and trading center in the east of the principality.
4. POLITICAL HISTORY
4.1. Reign of Yuri Dolgoruky ()
According to the division of Rus' by Yaroslav the Wise, the North-East went to Vsevolod, then - Vladimir Monomakh, before the prince moved to Kyiv, the capital of the principality was ROSTOV .
The first independent prince of the Rostov-Suzdal land was son. Under him, the capital of the principality, instead of the oldest city in the Northeast, Rostov became SUZDAL .
Yuri: 1) stubbornly fought for the Kyiv grand-ducal throne with his nephew Izyaslav and with the Chernigov princes. Exactly for his desire to extend his power to distant Kyiv, he received the nickname "Dolgoruky". In 1155, Yuri became the prince of Kyiv and remained so until his death in 1157.
2) With Yuri The first chronicle mention of Moscow is associated (1147), built on the site of a former estate boyar Kuchka, confiscated by Yuri Dolgoruky. Here, on April 4, 1147, negotiations between Yuri and the Chernigov prince Svyatoslav took place, who brought Yuri a pardus (leopard) skin as a gift. (Scientists do not recognize Yuri as the founder of Moscow, believing that a settlement on the site of Moscow existed back in the 10th century.)
4.2. The reign of Andrei Bogolyubsky ().
Yuri's heir in the North-East was his son Andrey Bogolyubsky . He returned to the north while his father was still alive, trying to avoid the constant strife in the south.
Andrey: 1) On the dark night of 1155, Andrei and his entourage fled from Kyiv. Capturing the “shrine of Rus'” - the icon of Our Lady of Vladimir, he hurried to the Rostov-Suzdal land, where he was invited by the local boyars. The father, who tried to reason with his rebellious son, soon died. Andrey never returned to Kyiv. Icon of Our Lady of Vladimir, written according to legend by St. Luke - the author of one of the four Gospels, later became the most important religious shrine of Moscow Rus'.
2) Andrey moved the capital from Suzdal to VLADIMIR , which he built with extraordinary pomp. White stones were built Golden Gate, erected majestic Assumption Cathedral.
The transfer of the capital was explained by the fact that in the old cities - Rostov and Suzdal - the power of the prince was limited by the veche, and there was no party in the young “suburb” of Vladimir. 6 km from the capital of the principality at the confluence of the Nerl and Klyazma rivers, Andrei founded his country residence - Bogolyubovo. Here he spent a significant part of his time, for which he received the nickname “Bogolyubsky”. Here, in the Bogolyubsky Palace, on a dark July night in 1174, Andrei was killed as a result of a conspiracy by the boyars. What is the reason for the conspiracy?
3) Striving strengthen your own power, Andrei expelled his father’s senior warriors from the Vladimir-Suzdal land and began to rely on the younger squad personally devoted to him. This led to significant changes in the relationship between the prince and the squad. If during the period of Kievan Rus there were combatants vassals of the prince, then now the boyars of the Northeast, who received their land holdings from the prince, become his servantsBas-relief" href="/text/category/barelmzef/" rel="bookmark">bas-relief Dmitrievsky Cathedral in Vladimir, which was erected under him).
Vsevolod: 1) brutally dealt with the conspiratorial boyars who killed his brother. THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN THE PRINCE AND THE BOYARRY ended in favor of the prince. Power in the principality was finally established in the form of an Autocratic Monarchy.
2) proclaimed himself the GRAND PRINCE of Vladimir - he was the STRONGEST IN Rus'. In fact, Vsevolod was the master of the entire Russian land, at his own will placing princes on the Kiev throne and interfering in the affairs of individual principalities. Author of "The Tale of Igor's Campaign" spoke about the power of Vsevolod: “He can splash the Volga with oars, and scoop up the Don with helmets.”
3) Under Vsevolod, white stone construction was continued on a large scale in Vladimir and other cities of the principality.
After the death of Vsevolod the Big Nest, strife began between his sons. In 1217, the eldest of the Vsevolodovichs, Konstantin, with the support of the Smolensk prince Mstislav the Udal, defeated the younger brothers Yuri and Yaroslav in the Battle of Lipitsa and became the Grand Duke of Vladimir. But after his death, Yuri Vsevolodovich regained the reign of Vladimir. Under him, control was established over Veliky Novgorod. In 1221, he founded Nizhny Novgorod, the largest Russian city in the east of the principality. In 1238 - killed by the Mongol-Tatars on the Sit River. The process of further economic growth of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality was interrupted by the Mongol invasion.
CONCLUSION : Vladimir-Suzdal land played special role in the history of our country, making up the basis of future Russian statehood. Features of the political system VSZ were the dominance of the autocratic power of the prince with the weakness of the city veche and the boyars.
GALICY-VOLYNSK
PRINCIPALITY
1. NATURAL CONDITIONS, GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION, DEVELOPMENT FACTORS
GVZ -- southwestern outskirts of Rus'. Southwestern Rus' was different fertile soils and favorable climate. There were rich black soils in wide river valleys, as well as vast forested areas, favorable for fishing activities, and significant rock salt deposits, which was exported to neighboring countries.
Convenient geographical location(neighborhood with Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic) made it possible to conduct an active foreign trade: river TRADE ROUTES were connected to the Black Sea(Southern Bug, Dniester, Prut) and with the Baltic Sea(San and Western Bug, flowing into the Vistula). They also passed through Galicia and Volyn overland trade routes to Poland and Hungary.
In addition, the lands of the principality were in relative safety from NOMADS. However, border position, making Galicia and Volyn the center of trade routes, at the same time turned them into object of constant territorial claims of neighboring - Western - states.
2. LAND OWNERSHIP.
Arable farming appeared early in the GVZ, and after it - PRIVATE LAND OWNERSHIP. Extensive BOYAR DOMAINS given to local boyars POWER TO FIGHT the princely authorities for their privileges.
If on Northeast -- the princely power completely subjugated the boyars, in the North - in Novgorod the boyars practically became independent, reducing the role of the prince to a minimum, then in Southwestern Rus' lasted a long time the rivalry of these two forces, which did not give a final advantage to either side.
3. CITIES.
Large cities arose on the territory of the GVZ: Galich, Vladimir-Volynsky, Kholm, Berestye (Brest), Lvov, Przemysl, etc..
4. POLITICAL HISTORY
Initially, Galicia and Volyn were independent principalities. During the strife that followed the death of Yaroslav the Wise, his grandson Davyd Igorevich began to rule in Volyn, and his great-grandsons Vasilko and Volodar began to rule in Galicia. The Galician principality reached its greatest power under the grandson of Volodar Yaroslav Osmomysl (1The Galician borders expanded beyond the Carpathians. Highly appreciating the power of the prince and his power, author of "The Tale of Igor's Campaign" wrote, addressing Yaroslav: “You sit high on your gold-plated throne, you have propped up the Hungarian mountains with your iron regiments... you open the gates of Kyiv.” (in 1159, the Galician and Volyn squads actually took possession of Kiev for a while).
However Already under Osmomysl, a conflict arose between the princely power and the boyars. The boyars intervened in resolving the issue of succession to the throne, forcing Osmomysl to recognize his unloved son as heir Vladimir. When Vladimir ascended the throne, the boyars expelled him too.
Under the Volyn prince Roman Mstislavich () 1) in 1199 g. happened unification of the Galician and Volyn principalities Roman Mstislavich 2) led a stubborn struggle with the local boyars, which ended in his victory. The phrase about the boyars is attributed to him: "If you don't kill the bees, you can't eat honey". 3) In 1203 he captured Kyiv and took the title of Grand Duke. According to legend, The Pope offered Roman the royal crown, but the prince rejected it.
In 1205 Roman died during a campaign in Poland. His eldest son - Daniil Romanovich Galitsky () was only four years old. Daniel had to endure a long struggle for the throne with both Hungarian, Polish, and Russian princes. Only in 1238 did Daniil Romanovich assert his power over the Galicia-Volyn land. In 1240, having occupied Kyiv, Daniel managed to unite Southwestern Rus' and the Kyiv land. However, in the same year Kyiv and the Galicia-Volyn principality were ravaged by the Mongol-Tatars, A after 100 years - in the middleXIV century - these lands ended up being part of Lithuania (Volyn) and Poland (Galich).
CONCLUSION: As a result of the unification of Galicia and Volyn on the southwestern outskirts of Rus', a powerful a state that later became part of not Moscow, but Lithuanian Rus'. Reasons: 1) less close contacts with the Horde, 2) closeness with Western countries (primarily with the Polish-Lithuanian state), as well as 3) different, compared to Moscow Rus', model political development . Its essence is constant rivalry between princely power, boyars and urban population for political dominance.
NOVGOROD LAND
Novgorod land or the Novgorod boyar republic was located in the North-West of Rus' and occupied a huge territory from the Arctic Ocean to the upper Volga, from the Baltic to the Urals.
1. NATURAL CONDITIONS, GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION, DEVELOPMENT FACTORS
NZ is characterized by an abundance of swamps and poor soil. Conditions for farming are unfavorable. I had to BUY BREAD, most often in North-Eastern Rus'. Extensive FOREST SPACE, a lot fur-bearing animal.
The rise of Novgorod was facilitated solely by favorable geographical location: the city was at the crossroads of trade routes, linking Western Europe with Russia, and through it - with the East and Byzantium. It is especially important that Novgorod is located on the river. Volkhov, directly on the path "From the Varangians to the Greeks"(Gulf of Finland - Neva - Lake Ladoga - Volkhov), this created favorable conditions for development trade with Western Europe.
NZ was far from nomads and did not experience the horror of their raids.
2. ROLE OF THE BOYARDS
Decisive role in Novgorod belonged TO THE BOYARBY.
Novgorod boyars, unlike the boyars of Vladimir-Suzdal Rus' - not princely warriors, but descendants of the local pre-princely tribal nobility. They were a closed caste, a certain circle of families. One could not become a Novgorod boyar, one could only be born one. The boyars owned vast possessions in the territories subject to Novgorod. Initially, they collected tribute from the subject population in favor of the city treasury, and then took possession of the lands on the basis of private property, turning them into their fiefs. Thus, private land ownership in Novgorod, unlike the North-East, was not based on a princely grant. From the estates, the boyars received not only agricultural products, but also salt and (mainly) forestry and marine products: furs, honey, wax, leather, walrus ivory. It was these goods that formed the basis of Novgorod exports to Western Europe.
The wealth and power of the boyars was thus based on land ownership and trade.
3. CITY GOVERNANCE.
Novgorod consisted of two sides(Sofia and Trade), divided into ends. Initially there were ends three(Slavensky, Narevsky, Lyudin), later - five. Initially, the ends were independent settlements of different tribes, which later merged into a single city.
Novgorod differed sharply from all other Russian lands in its political structure.
Power in Novgorod belonged to EVENING. Modern data indicate that the Novgorod the evening consisted of people - uh This corresponds to the number of boyar families. Apparently the meeting was attended by boyars and, possibly, some of the richest merchants.
Chief Executive Officer was in the Novgorod administration POSADNIK(from the word “to plant”; usually the Grand Duke of Kiev “planted” his eldest son as governor of Novgorod). The mayor was the head of the government, in his hands were administration and court. Actually boyars from the four largest Novgorod families were elected as posadniks.
The Veche chose the head of the Novgorod church - ARCHBISHOP. The ruler managed the treasury, controlled the external relations of Veliky Novgorod, trade measures, etc.
The third important person in city government was TYSYATSKY, who was in charge of the city militia, the commercial court, and the collection of taxes.
The veche invited PRINCE, who controlled the army during military campaigns; his squad maintained order in the city. It's like he symbolized the unity of Novgorod with the rest of Russia. Otherwise The prince's powers were limited he was warned: “Without a mayor, prince, you should not judge the court, you should not hold the volosts, you should not give charters.”. Even prince's residence was located outside the Kremlin on Yaroslav's Dvorishche - Trade Side, and later - a few kilometers from the Kremlin on Gorodishche. With the invited prince the meeting concluded a "row" - an agreement. The prince who broke the line could have been expelled. The prince could not interfere in the affairs of city government, appoint and remove mayors and mayors, or buy land on the outskirts of Novgorod territory. As a rule, Novgorodians invited princes from the most powerful princely family at that moment. However, Novgorod never tried to do without a prince completely.
This position of the prince was associated with a number of events. In 1015 Yaroslav the Wise, then reigning in Novgorod, in exchange for support from Novgorodians in the fight for Kyiv agreed to the non-jurisdiction of the Novgorod boyars to the princely court. In 1136 Novgorodians rebelled and expelled Prince Vsevolod(grandson of Monomakh) . After that Novgorod itself began to invite the prince. This is the year - 1136 is considered the date of the beginning of the Novgorod Republic.
Thus, Novgorod was governed by elected authorities, representing the top of the population. It is on this basis that Novgorod is considered aristocratic republic. However, by the 15th century. republican statehood has undergone changes from relative democracy to frank oligarchic system reign in the XIII century. A council was formed from representatives of the five ends of Novgorod from which mayors were selected. In n. XV century The decisions of the meeting were almost entirely prepared by the council. In January 1478, Novgorod submitted to Moscow - this ended the history of the Novgorod Republic.
The Vladimir-Suzdal principality (or Rostov-Suzdal land, as it was called before) occupied the territory between the Oka and Volga rivers, rich in fertile soils. Here at the beginning of the 12th century. A system of large boyar land ownership had already developed. The fertile lands were separated from each other by forests and were called opoly (from the word “field”). On the territory of the principality there was even a city of Yuryev-Polsky (located in Opole). Despite the more severe climate in comparison with the Dnieper region, it was possible to obtain relatively stable harvests here, which, together with fishing, cattle breeding, and forestry, ensured subsistence.
The Slavs appeared here relatively late, encountering mainly the Finno-Ugric population. From the north to the Volga-Oka interfluve in the 9th – 10th centuries. the Ilmen Slovenes came, the Krivichi came from the west, and the Vyatichi came from the southwest. Remoteness and isolation predetermined a slower pace of development and Christianization of the local areas.
Due to its geographical location, the Vladimir-Suzdal principality was protected on all sides by natural barriers - large rivers, marshy swamps and impenetrable forests. In addition, the nomads’ path to the Rostov-Suzdal lands was blocked by the southern Russian principalities, which bore the brunt of enemy raids. The prosperity of the principality was also facilitated by the fact that there was a constant influx of population into these lands, fleeing into the forests either from Polovtsian raids or from the unbearable exactions of the princely gridniks. It was also important that the lands of North-Eastern Rus' contained profitable trade routes, the most important of which – the Volzhsky – connected the principality with the East. Exactly economic forces First of all, they contributed to the emergence of a strong boyars here, which pushed local princes to fight for separation from Kyiv.
The princes turned their attention to the Zalessk region quite late - the thrones in the local cities were of low prestige, reserved for the younger princes in the family. Only under Vladimir Monomakh, at the end of the unity of Kievan Rus, did the gradual rise of the North-Eastern lands begin. Historically, Vladimir-Suzdal Rus' became the hereditary “fatherland” of the Monomakhovichs. Strong ties were established between the local volost lands and the descendants of Vladimir Monomakh; here, earlier than in other lands, they got used to perceiving the sons and grandsons of Monomakh as their princes.
The influx of heritage, which has caused intense economic activity, the growth and emergence of new cities predetermined the economic and political rise of the region. In the dispute for power, the Rostov-Suzdal princes had significant resources.
Yuri Dolgoruky
The ruler of North-Eastern Rus' was the son of Vladimir Monomakh, Yuri, nicknamed Dolgoruky for his constant desire to expand his possessions and subjugate Kyiv. Under him, Murom and Ryazan were annexed to the Rostov-Suzdal land. He had a tangible influence on the politics of Novgorod. Taking care of the security of his possessions, Yuri Dolgoruky actively built fortified fortress cities along the borders of the principality. Under him, the Rostov-Suzdal principality became vast and independent. It no longer sends its squads to the south to fight the Polovtsians. For him, much more important was the fight against the Volga Bulgaria, which tried to control all trade on the Volga. Yuri Vladimirovich went on campaigns against the Bulgars, fought with Novgorod for small, but strategically and commercially important border lands. This was an independent policy, without regard to Kyiv, that turned Dolgoruky in the eyes of the residents of Rostov, Suzdal and Vladimir into their prince.
His name is associated with the founding of new cities in the region - Dmitrov, Zvenigorod, Yuryev-Polsky and, in 1147, the first mention of Moscow, founded on the site of the confiscated estate of the boyar Kuchka.
Having joined the struggle for the Kiev throne, Yuri Dolgoruky did not forget about his northeastern possessions. His son Andrei, the future Prince Bogolyubsky, also strove there. While his father was still alive in 1155, he fled from Kyiv to the Rostov-Suzdal land, probably invited to reign by the local boyars, and took with him the famous icon of Vladimir mother of god. 12 years after the murder of his father in 1169, he made a military campaign against Kyiv, captured it and subjected it to brutal robbery and destruction. Andrei tried to subjugate Veliky Novgorod to his power.
The chronicle calls Bogolyubsky an “autocrat” for his lust for power and desire to rule with absolute authority. The prince began by expelling his brothers from the Rostov-Suzdal tables. Subsequently, his dependent relatives ruled under his supervision, not daring to disobey anything. This made it possible for the prince to temporarily consolidate North-Eastern Rus'.
Center political life Rus' moved to the northeast. But during the reign of Andrei Bogolyubsky over the Vladimir-Suzdal principality (1157 - 1174), the struggle against the local boyars intensified. First of all, the prince moved the capital of the principality from rich Rostov to the small town of Vladimir-on-Klyazma. The impregnable white stone Golden Gate, as well as the Assumption Cathedral, were erected here. Not far from the city, at the confluence of two rivers - the Nerl and Klyazma, he founded his country residence - the village of Bogolyubovo, from the name of which he received his famous nickname. In the Bogolyubsky residence, as a result of a boyar conspiracy, Andrei was killed on a dark June night in 1174.
Vsevolod the Big Nest
The policy of centralization of Russian lands around the Vladimir-Suzdal principality was continued by Andrei’s brother, Vsevolod the Big Nest. He brutally dealt with those who participated in the conspiracy against his brother, and the final victory in the struggle between the prince and the boyars was in favor of the prince. From now on, princely power acquired the features of a monarchy. Following his brother, Vsevolod tried to subjugate Novgorod and managed to push the border of Volga Bulgaria beyond the Volga.
“He can splash the Volga with oars, and scoop up the Don with helmets,” wrote the author of “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign” about Vsevolod in 1185. At that time, this prince was the most powerful ruler in Rus'. It was during his years that the title of Grand Duke of Vladimir appeared.
More than two decades after the death of Vsevolod the Big Nest (1212), the lands of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality were a prosperous and rich possession, until in 1238 the economic recovery was interrupted by a new danger - the Mongol-Tatar invasion, under the blow of which the lands broke up into several small possessions .
In the 12th century. Slavic colonization continued. As before, it went in two directions: from the north-west from Veliky Novgorod and the regions subject to it, and from the south from the “Russian Land,” as Kiev and its lands were then called. As a result of the influx of settlers, forest areas were cleared for arable land. Under the influence of the Slavs, the importance of agriculture in the cattle-breeding and fishing economy of the aborigines increases. In turn, the settlers learn the economic experience of local cattle breeders, hunters and fishermen. Old cities are growing, new urban trade and craft centers are appearing.
The Rostov-Suzdal principality went to the youngest son of Yaroslav the Wise, Vsevolod of Pereyaslavl, and was assigned to his descendants as a family possession. In the XII - first half of the XIII century
The Rostov-Suzdal land was experiencing an economic boom. Fertile lands, huge forests, numerous rivers and lakes created the opportunity for the development of agriculture and cattle breeding.
Deposits available for extraction iron ores contributed to the development of handicraft production. The most important trade routes to the south, east and west ran in the Rostov-Suzdal land, which determined the strong development of trade here. The northeastern lands of Rus' were well protected by forests and rivers from Polovtsian raids, which attracted residents of the southern lands, who suffered from frequent attacks by nomads. Population growth in the Rostov-Suzdal principality had great value for its economic development. The number of cities grew. Before Batu’s invasion, cities such as Vladimir, Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, Kostroma, Tver, Nizhny Novgorod and others arose. In the 11th-12th centuries, large princely, boyar and church land ownership developed here. The feudal lords seized the lands of rural neighboring communities and enslaved the Smerds.
Yuri Dolgoruky began the fight against Novgorod and Volga Bulgaria, trying to expand the lands of his principality. Ryazan and Murom came under the influence of the Rostov-Suzdal prince. For many years, Yuri Dolgoruky waged a grueling and completely unnecessary struggle for his principality for the Kiev grand-ducal table. After the death of Yuri Dolgoruky, his son Andrei Yuryevich Bogolyubsky, who ruled until 1174, became the prince of the Rostov-Suzdal principality. He, like his father, continued the fight against Novgorod and Volga Bulgaria, and sought to expand the borders of his principality.
It was Andrei Bogolyubsky who began the struggle for the hegemony of the Rostov-Suzdal princes in the Russian lands. He, claiming the title of Grand Duke of all the lands of Rus', captured Kyiv in 1169 and carried out a complete defeat there, surpassing the Polovtsians in this. But, having seized the title of Grand Duke of Kyiv, Andrei Bogolyubsky, unlike his father, did not remain to reign in Kyiv, but returned to his principality. The attempts of the ambitious and power-hungry prince to subjugate Novgorod, the princes of all Russian lands, and unite them around the Rostov-Suzdal principality failed. It was in these actions of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky that the idea of unifying the lands was manifested, i.e. establishing state unity. But not all princes realized it. Andrei Bogolyubsky pursued a policy of power in his principality. Strengthening his power, he attacked the rights and privileges of the boyars. A serious struggle unfolded between them and the prince. Andrei Bogolyubsky dealt with the rebellious boyars, expelled them from the principality, and deprived them of their estates. In the fight against the boyars, he relied on the trade and craft population of the cities, on service people - vigilantes. In an effort to further separate himself from the boyars and rely on the townspeople, Andrei moved the capital from boyar Rostov to the young trade and craft city of Vladimir. The prince set up his residence in Bogolyubovo near Vladimir, for which he received the nickname Bogolyubsky. The powerful prince failed to break the boyars. A boyar conspiracy arose as a result of which Andrei Bogolyubsky was killed in his residence in 1174. After this, boyar strife raged in the Vladimir-Suzdal principality. In 1176, the princely throne was occupied by Andrei's brother Vsevolod the Big Nest, who ruled until 1212. He received this nickname for his large family. Under Vsevolod, the Vladimir-Suzdal principality reached its greatest power and prosperity.
The prince continued his brother's policies. He spoke with the Ryazan princes by force of arms, and resolved the issue with the South Russian princes and Novgorod using political methods. The name of Vsevolod was known in all Russian lands. The author of “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign” wrote about the power of the Prince of Vladimir, noting that Vsevolod’s numerous regiments could splash the Volga with oars and scoop up the Don with their helmets. After the death of Vsevolod the Big Nest, strife began between his sons over the most profitable reign for the princes and their warriors to receive taxes in the Vladimir-Suzdal land. In the second quarter of the 12th century, there were 7 principalities on its territory. All of them eventually united politically under the leadership of the Vladimir prince.
Social order Vladimir-Suzdal Principality:
The ruling class was the feudal class, which included boyars, boyar children and free servants. The clergy, who had large land holdings, played a major role. In documents of the 12th century. Nobles are also mentioned, who were the prince's servants who received compensation for their service in the form of a cash or land grant.
Since there were many large cities on the territory of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality, the urban population had significant political influence.
The feudal-dependent population consisted of peasants living on lands owned by princes, boyars and other feudal lords.
The Vladimir-Suzdal principality was headed by the Grand Duke, who had great political influence. In his activities he relied on a council consisting of boyars and clergy, princely squad and feudal congresses. To resolve important issues, a national assembly could be convened - a veche.
In the Vladimir-Suzdal principality there was a palace-patrimonial system of government. It is characterized by the following features: at the head of the system was a butler; local representatives of the princely power were posadniks (governors) and volostels, who exercised the functions of administration and court; instead of a salary for their service, they received “food” - part of what was collected from the population.
Russian Truth operated in the Vladimir land. At the end of the XIII - beginning of the XIV century. Metropolitan Justice was compiled, which included a number of norms of Russian Pravda and new provisions.
Galicia-Volyn Principality
The Galicia-Volyn principality with its fertile soils, mild climate, steppe space interspersed with rivers and forests, was the center of highly developed agriculture and cattle breeding. The fishing industry was actively developing in this land. A consequence of further deepening social division labor was the development of crafts, which led to the growth of cities. Largest cities The Galicia-Volyn principality were Vladimir-Volynsky, Przemysl, Terebovl, Galich, Berestye, Kholm. Numerous trade routes passed through the Galich and Volyn lands. The waterway from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea passed along the Vistula - Western Bug - Dniester rivers, overland trade routes led to the countries of South-Eastern Europe. There was a land trade route with the countries of the East along the Danube. In the Galicia-Volyn land, large princely and boyar land ownership developed early.
To mid-XII century, the Galician land was divided into small principalities. In 1141, Prince Vladimir Volodarevich of Przemysl united them, moving the capital to Galich. The Galich principality reached its highest power under his son Yaroslav Osmysl (1151-1187), who received this nickname for his high education and knowledge of eight foreign languages. Yaroslav Osmysl had unquestioned authority, both in domestic Russian affairs and in international ones.
Social order
A feature of the social structure of the Galicia-Volyn principality was that a large group of boyars was created there, in whose hands almost all land holdings were concentrated.
There was a constant struggle within the boyars for lands and power. Already in the 12th century. “Galician men” oppose any attempts to limit their rights in favor of princely power and growing cities. The other group consisted of service feudal lords, whose sources of land holdings were princely grants, boyar lands confiscated and redistributed by the princes, as well as unauthorized seizures of communal lands. In the vast majority of cases, they owned land conditionally while they served, that is, for service and under the condition of service. Serving feudal lords supplied the prince with an army consisting of feudal-dependent peasants. The Galician princes relied on them in their fight against the boyars. The ruling class of the Galicia-Volyn principality also included large church nobility in the person of archbishops, bishops, abbots of monasteries and others, who also owned vast lands and peasants. Churches and monasteries acquired land holdings through grants and donations from princes. Often, like princes and boyars, they seized communal lands, and turned peasants into monastic or church feudal-dependent people. The bulk of the rural population in the Galicia-Volyn principality were peasants. Both free and dependent peasants were called smerds. The predominant form of peasant land ownership was communal, which later received the name “dvorishche”. Gradually the community broke up into individual households.
The process of the formation of large land holdings and the formation of a class of feudal lords was accompanied by an increase in the feudal dependence of the peasants and the emergence of feudal rent. Labor rent in the 11th - 12th centuries. gradually replaced by product rent. The amount of feudal duties was set by the feudal lords at their own discretion. The brutal exploitation of peasants intensified the class struggle, which often took the form popular uprisings against the feudal lords. Such a mass uprising of peasants was, for example, the uprising in 1159 under Yaroslav Osmomysl. Serfdom in the Galicia-Volyn principality was preserved, but the number of serfs decreased, many of them were planted on the land and merged with the peasants.
There were over 80 cities in the Galicia-Volyn principality. The largest group of the urban population were artisans. Jewelry, pottery, blacksmithing and glass-making workshops were located in the cities. They worked both for the customer and for the market, internal or external. The salt trade brought great profits. Being a major commercial and industrial center. Galich quickly acquired the importance of a cultural center. The famous Galician-Volyn chronicle was created there.
State system
The peculiarity of the Galicia-Volyn principality was that for a long time it was not divided into appanages. After the death of Daniil Romanovich, it split into Galician and Volyn lands, and then each of these lands began to split up in turn. Another special feature was that power was essentially in the hands of the large boyars. Since the Galician-Volyn princes did not have a broad economic and social base, their power was fragile. It was passed down by inheritance. The place of the deceased father was taken by the eldest of the sons, whom his other brothers were supposed to “honor in their father’s place.” The widow-mother enjoyed significant political influence under her sons. Despite the system of vassalage on which relations between members of the princely house were built, each princely domain was politically largely independent. Although the princes expressed the interests of the feudal lords as a whole, they nevertheless could not concentrate the fullness of state power in their hands. The Galician boyars played a major role in the political life of the country. It even controlled the princely table - it invited and removed princes. The history of the Galicia-Volyn principality is full of examples when princes who lost the support of the boyars were forced to leave their principalities. The forms of struggle of the boyars against unwanted princes are also characteristic. They invited Hungarians and Poles against them, put to death unwanted princes (this is how the princes Igorevich were hanged in 1208), and removed them from Galicia (in 1226). There is a known case when the boyar Volodislav Kormilchich, who did not belong to the dynasty, proclaimed himself in 1231. prince Often, representatives of the ecclesiastical nobility were at the head of boyar revolts directed against the prince. In such a situation, the main support of the princes were the middle and small feudal lords, as well as the city elite.
The Galician-Volyn princes had certain administrative, military, judicial and legislative powers. In particular, they appointed officials in cities and towns, allocating them with land holdings under the condition of service, they were formally the commanders-in-chief of all armed forces. But each boyar had his own military militia, and since the Galician boyars’ regiments often outnumbered the prince’s, in case of disagreement, the boyars could argue with the prince using military force. The supreme judicial power of the princes in case of disagreement with the boyars passed to the boyar elite. Finally, the princes issued letters concerning various issues of government, but they were often not recognized by the boyars. The boyars exercised their power with the help of the boyar council. Its members included the largest landowners, bishops and persons holding the highest government positions. The composition, rights, and competence of the council were not determined. The boyar council was convened, as a rule, on the initiative of the boyars themselves. The prince did not have the right to convene a council at his own request, and could not issue a single state act without his consent. He zealously guarded the interests of the boyars, even interfering in the prince’s family affairs. This body, without being formally supreme body power, actually ruled the principality.
In the Galicia-Volyn principality, palace-patrimonial administration arose earlier than in other Russian lands. In the system of this administration, the courtier, or butler, played a significant role. He was basically in charge of all issues relating to the prince's court, he was entrusted with the command of individual regiments, and during military operations he protected the life of the prince. Among the palace ranks, mention is made of a printer, a steward, a cup keeper, a falconer, a hunter, a stable keeper, etc. The printer was in charge of the princely office and was the custodian of the princely treasury, which at the same time was also the princely archive. In his hands was the princely seal. The steward was in charge of the prince's table, served him during meals, and was responsible for the quality of the table. Chashnichiy was in charge of the side forests, cellars and everything related to the supply of drinks to the princely table. The falconer was in charge of bird hunting. The hunter was in charge of hunting the beast. The main function of the groom was to serve the princely cavalry. Numerous princely keykeepers acted under the control of these officials. The positions of butler, printer, steward, groom and others gradually turned into palace ranks.
The territory of the Galicia-Volyn principality was initially divided into thousands and hundreds. As the thousand and sotskys with their administrative apparatus gradually became part of the palace-patrimonial apparatus of the prince, the positions of governors and volostels arose in their place. Accordingly, the territory of the principality was divided into voivodeships and volosts. The communities elected elders who were in charge of administrative and minor judicial matters. Posadniks were appointed and sent directly to the cities by the prince. They had not only administrative and military power, but also performed judicial functions and collected tributes and duties from the population.
The territory of the northeast of the Old Russian state was occupied by the vast Vladimir-Suzdal principality. These lands were unique. Geographically they were separated from the main trade routes and from the largest centers Ancient Rus' a large number swamps and dense forests. Accordingly, the development of these territories was slow. The most valuable on this land were opoles - areas of fertile land between forests. The boyar estates were small and undeveloped.
Settlement of the territory of the principality
Before coming here Eastern Slavs , the area was inhabited by Finno-Ugric tribes:
- All;
- Merya;
- Muroma;
- Vyatichi;
- Krivichi.
The first Slavs appeared here at the end of the 9th century. They moved to escape the raids of nomads . Due to the large territory, the resettlement proceeded peacefully. The main activities were:
- agriculture;
- cattle breeding;
- fishing;
- salt mining;
- beekeeping;
- hunting.
Development of cities and forms of economy
At the end of the 10th and beginning of the 11th centuries, noticeable changes began to occur here. By decision of the famous Lyubechsky Congress, the territories were transferred to the younger line of descendants of Vladimir Monomakh. Cities and economies begin to grow. Rostov the Great, Suzdal, Yaroslavl, and Vladimir-on-Klyazma are founded.
The growth of cities was not slow to affect the economic development of the area. The lands began to grow richer and were among the most significant within the Old Russian state.
From the mid-12th century, the growth of migrants from the south and southwest of Rus' increased sharply due to the Cuman threat. The largest cities during this period were Rostov and Suzdal. The new population was exempt from taxes for some time. As settlement progressed, the territory began to turn into Slavic territory. Moreover, the southern settlers brought with them developed forms of farming: plowed arable farming under bipoly, new fishing skills, and crafts.
Unlike in the south, cities in the northeast were founded by princes. If in the south cities first arose and only then princely power appeared, then in the north it was completely the opposite. For example, Yaroslavl was founded by Yaroslav the Wise. Vladimir-on-Klyazma, as you might guess, is Vladimir Monomakh.
This situation allowed the princes to declare the lands their property, distributing them to warriors and the church . Thus limiting political power population. As a result, a patrimonial system began to form here - a special type of social system, when the prince is not only the political head, but also the supreme owner of all the land and resources of the territory.
History of government
The first prince to glorify the northeastern lands of Rus' was a descendant of Vladimir Monomakh. Under him, active development of these territories began.
Much attention was paid to the founding of new villages and cities. He is credited with the creation of such urban centers as Dmitrov, Yuryev and Zvenigorod. During the reign of Yuri Dolgorukov, the current capital of our state, the city of Moscow, was first mentioned.
Much attention Yuri paid foreign policy . Under him, the regiments went on campaigns to different lands of both the Old Russian state and neighboring countries. It was possible to make successful campaigns on the territory of Volga Bulgaria. Three times he managed to capture the capital city of Kyiv.
His father's work was continued by his son, Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky. Reigned from 1157 to 1174. Andrei was a man who considered the principality his home. He also went to Kyiv and was able to take this city. Bogolyubsky did not try to establish himself in it, but used the territories of southern Rus' for plunder. He successfully went on campaigns against many Russian principalities. Of particular note is the prince's victory over Novgorod. More than once the Vladimir-Suzdal princes fought with the Novgorodians and were defeated. It was Andrei who was able to cut off the supply of Volga grain to Novgorod, thereby forcing the Novgorodians to surrender.
An important part of Prince Andrey's reign was the problem of his relations with the boyars. The fact is that the boyars dreamed of their own power. Bogolyubsky did not accept this. He moved the capital to the city of Vladimir. Thus, he deprived the boyars of the opportunity to actively influence themselves.
This seemed to him not enough. Andrei was afraid of conspiracies. He created his own residence in the village of Bogolyubovo, from the name of which he received his nickname. The village was set up in the place where the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God, stolen by him from Kyiv, was brought. Legend says that this icon was painted by the Apostle Luke himself.
The boyars' hatred of the prince was great. Despite the fact that he hid in Bogolyubovo, he was overtaken there too. With the help of traitors, the boyars managed to kill Andrei. Twenty people entered into a conspiracy. None of them was personally insulted by the prince; on the contrary, many enjoyed his trust.
The death of Bogolyubsky in 1174 did not significantly affect the life of the principality. His policy was continued by his younger brother Vsevolod, who received the nickname “Big Nest” in history. Vsevolod had big family. He managed to plant his descendants in all the cities and significant villages of the Vladimir-Suzdal land. Thanks to this position, he was finally able to suppress the obstinate boyars of northeastern Rus'. He was able to establish his firm, sole power in these territories. Gradually, Vsevolod begins to actively dictate his will to the rest of the princes of the Russian land.
During the reign of Vsevolod, the “Big Nest” principality received the status of great, that is, the first among other Russian lands.
The death of Vsevolod in 1212 provoked a new strife. Since his second son Yuri was declared heir, the eldest son Konstantin of Rostov did not agree with his father’s decision and from 1212 to 1216 there was a struggle for power. Konstantin won it. However, he did not rule for long. In 1218 he died. And the throne passed to Yuri, who later founded Nizhny Novgorod.
Yuri Vsevolodovich turned out to be the last prince independent Vladimir-Suzdal Rus'. He ruled until 1238 and was beheaded in a battle with the Mongols on the City River.
During the period of the 11th–12th centuries, the principality strengthened, grew to one of the leaders of the Old Russian space and declared its claims to a great political future. It was this that ultimately became the winning side, on the basis of which the Moscow Principality, the unified Moscow State, and then the Russian Kingdom subsequently arose.
Culture of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality
The Principality is one of the most important cultural centers Ancient Rus'. Architecture flourished here. Under princes Andrei and Vsevolod, various buildings were created. They were made of white limestone and decorated with intricate carvings. To this day, many buildings from this period that have reached us are considered masterpieces of Old Russian art. Particularly worth highlighting are the Golden Gates of Vladimir, Dmitrievsky and Assumption Cathedrals.
Among literary works can be called “The Word” and “Prayer” by Daniil Zatochnik. These works are a compilation of sayings from the Bible and the thoughts of the author.
The culture of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality is in many ways the basis for cultural tradition, which later became basic in modern Russia.
