In what year did Vsevolod Big Nest die? Prince big nest

Reigns: 1176-1212

From the biography

• Vsevolod the Big Nest is the youngest son of Yuri Dolgoruky, brother of Andrei Bogolyubsky.
• He got his nickname because he had 12 children, 8 of them were sons.
• He was a smart, far-sighted politician, a talented military leader.
• Vsevolod the Big Nest was distinguished by religiosity, mercy to the poor and the destitute. He judged with a true and unfeigned judgment, which testifies to his justice.
• He continued the policy of his brother and father to strengthen the principality and establish a feudal absolute monarchy.

Historical portrait of Vsevolod the Big Nest

Activities

1. Domestic policy

Activities	results
Strengthening of princely power	He dealt with the boyars - conspirators who opposed his brother and father. During his reign, the feudal monarchy was strengthened. The influence of the nobility increased.
The spread of the power of the Prince of Vladimir throughout the territory of Russia.	His reign is the rise of Russia. The power of the prince extended to its entire territory. He was the de facto ruler of the country. He put his sons as governors in large cities. Kiev, Ryazan, Chernigov, Novgorod and many other cities were under the rule of Vsevolod. In his reign, the title appeared Grand Duke Vladimir.
He continued the further construction of cities, their strengthening.	Many new cities were built. All cities are well strengthened, including the capital Vladimir. Under Vsevolod, stone construction was actively carried out, especially religious buildings (for example, the Demetrius Cathedral in Vladimir).

2. Foreign policy

Activities	results
Protection of the southeastern borders of Russia. Establishment of trade relations with the Volga Bulgaria.	1183 - a successful campaign in the Volga Bulgaria, as a result of which the border of Bulgaria was moved beyond the Volga. Strong trade relations were established with her. 1184-1186 - successfully fought with the Mordovians.
Reflection of the Polovtsian raids.	Successfully fought with the Polovtsy. 1199 - a joint campaign against the Polovtsy was organized, in which the Vladimir, Ryazan and Suzdal princes participated.
Expansion of the territory in the south.	1184, 1186 - successful campaigns against the Bulgarians, as a result of which the territory in the south of the country significantly expanded and profitable trade relations were established, new trade routes were opened.

RESULTS OF ACTIVITIES

• The reign of Vsevolod the Big Nest is the period of the highest prosperity of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality.
• The princely Vladimir power was strengthened, extending to all of Russia.
• Viceroyalty became widespread. The prince put his sons to rule in large cities.
• Active urban planning was carried out, many white-stone buildings appeared.
• The prince had a large and strong army. It was about him that the ancient chronicler wrote in the Tale of Igor's Campaign that it « The Volga can be splashed with oars, and the Don can be scooped out with helmets.
• A successful foreign policy was carried out - campaigns against the Bulgars and Polovtsians were carried out. The border of the Volga Bulgaria was moved beyond the Volga.

Thus, Vsevolod the Big Nest for 37 years of his reign strengthened the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, making it the strongest in Russia. His authority and "seniority" were recognized by all the princes of Russia. Under him, the process of centralization of power became irreversible. He was a talented ruler and military leader.

Chronology of the life and work of Vsevolod the Big Nest

1176-1212	Board in the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality of Vsevolod the Big Nest.
1182	The city of Tver was founded - the future rival of Moscow.
1183	A successful trip to the Volga Bulgaria, the border was moved beyond the Volga.
1184, 1186	Successful trips to the Bulgarians.
1184-1186	Successfully fought with the Mordovians.
1185-1189	The Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir was reconstructed.
1208	Kyiv, Chernigov were subordinated. Ryazan.
1188-1211	Subjugated Novgorod.
1183-1197	Dmitrovsky Cathedral was built in Vladimir (sculptural decoration was used for the first time).
1192-1195	The Nativity Cathedral was built in Vladimir.
1194-1195	The magnificent Vladimirskiy detinets-Kremlin was built.

Karpov A. Yu.

VSEVOLOD (baptized DMITRY) YURIEVICH, nicknamed THE 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 Kiev, 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 Russia, 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 Kiev. 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 Kyiv, where he was sent by Michael, but the princes Rostislavich, who had disobeyed Andrei Bogolyubsky, again captured Kyiv, 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 Russia; 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 Kyiv and throughout South Russia. so, in February 1203, when the warring princes Rurik Rostislavich and Roman Mstislavich could not resolve their dispute over Kyiv (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 Kyiv 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 of the Kiev Metropolitan 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 Russians 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 Kyiv, 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 Agafya (April 10, 1211).

The authority of the Prince of Vladimir was also recognized outside Russia. 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 pour out the Don helmets (scoop out. - A.K.) ”. Enthusiastic praise for 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, the Russian origin of the princess is not ruled out.) Maria died on March 19, 1205, having lain in illness for seven years before taking vows 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 Russia).

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.

Bibliography

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). "A word about the regiment Igorev

Russia was called Patriarch Photius, who died around 867, and Michael was named the first metropolitan. In other words, the names of figures who lived more than a century before Vladimir are mentioned. In the early 60s of the XII century, the church-political conflict continued in the Rostov-Suzdal land. The exiled Bishop Nestor was replaced by Leonty, also a Greek, and also a graduate of the Kiev Caves Monastery. In 1162...

After the death of the local prince Vladimir Yaroslavich, it was ruled by the deputies of the Grand Duke of Kiev; Tmutarakan depended on Chernigov, Rostov and Suzdal on South Pereslavl. At the beginning of the 12th c. The Russian land broke up into 15 lands and principalities: Kiev, Pereslavl, Turov-Pinsk, Smolensk, Chernigov, Ryazan, Murom, Vladimir-Suzdal, Galicia, Vladimir-Volynsk. To this list...

Headed by their princely families. On the other hand, after 1157, the isolation of different centers increased, which 30 years later the author of The Tale of Igor's Campaign will say with great concern. If Kyiv and Kyiv land reached the highest political significance after Vladimir Monomakh and Mstislav under Izyaslav Mstislavich, then under Yuri Dolgoruky there was a sharp separation of the southern Russian lands from North-Eastern Russia, ...

Volyn principality into several destinies, i.e. even smaller principalities that were part of the Principality of Volyn. By the end of the XII century. and in this principality, as well as in other large Russian principalities-states, the desire for unification, for the centralization of power, began to be seen. This line manifested itself especially clearly under Prince Roman Metislavich. Relying on the townspeople, on small landowners, he ...

Acquaintance with the name of Vsevolod Yuryevich the Big Nest, the Grand Duke of Kiev from 1176 to 1212, is better to start not with a brief reference from Wikipedia, but with a work. This is a chronicle story that will help not only to plunge into the atmosphere of the military spirit that reigned on the Kayala River, but also to delve into the bitter consequences that arose due to the fragmentation of the Russian principalities.

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The tocsin in the work sounds a call to Prince Vsevolod to come to the rescue, fight for the Russian land and "observe the father's throne." The power of Prince Vsevolod seems to be enormous and victorious, because he can “sprinkle the Volga with oars”, and “scoop out the Don with helmets”.

But "The Word ..." is a work of art. Was the Grand Duke really so strong, responsive and influential in the domestic and foreign policy of Russia in his time? What is his portrait as a historical figure? The annalistic pages of his biography will answer these questions.

Brothers Vsevolod Yurievich and Andrey Bogolyubsky

Vsevolod Yurievich in the baptismal tablets it is mentioned not at all as Vsevolod, but as Dmitry. That is how he was named by the church shortly after his birth on October 22, 1154, which happened during a tour of the Suzdal possessions by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky and his second wife, the Greek princess. The event became so important for the couple that it was decided to rebuild the city on this site in honor of the newborn - Dimitrov.

Vsevolod became the eleventh, the youngest, son of Yuri. At the age of three, he lost his father, and at the age of seven, his princely possession, which was taken over by the son of Yuri Dolgoruky from his first marriage . This was Andrew's first step along the path of unification of scattered Russian allotments. Not wanting to have a handful of principalities on a patch of land, he stubbornly sought to consolidate power in single hands, and as a result, he managed to centralize Suzdal and Vladimir under his command. But he did not want to have competitors in the face of Vsevolod and other paternal heirs.

Vsevolod, his mother and older brothers, along with their retinues and boyars, were expelled from the lands of Suzdal. They were sheltered by the Greek emperor Manuel I, having provided the exiles with Byzantine Constantinople on the Danube River for residence.

Life away from home did not last long. The chronicles of 1169 already speak of the military campaigns of the Russian princes against Kyiv, in which the young Vsevolod also participated. It was a period of instability in his life. For five years of living in the southern lands, he managed to visit the princely throne in Kyiv, take part in the battle with the Polovtsians on the Southern Bug River, see the evil of the internecine squabbles of the princes, and be captured by the Smolensk prince.

The activities of Prince Vsevolod to unite the Russian principalities

Since then, Vsevolod actively supported Andrei Bogolyubsky in matters of the unity of the Russian lands. After the martyrdom of Andrew he, along with another brother - Mikhail - is pursuing a policy of uniting the scattered Russian principalities. Soon Vsevolod occupies the Grand Duke's throne in fulfillment of the will of Yuri Dolgoruky, who bequeathed the powerful Vladimir-Suzdal Principality to his younger sons from his second marriage.

Fight with nephews Mstislav and Yaropolk

But this state of affairs is not liked by his nephews Mstislav and Yaropolk Rostislavovich. Less than a month has passed since the reign of Vsevolod, as he has to enter into battle with them, thirsting for power and the throne.

The decisive battle between the warring parties took place on June 27, 1176 on the fields near the city of Yuryev. On the eve of Vsevolod there was a sign with the face of the Mother of God of Vladimir, who blessed him for exploits for the Russian lands. The army of Mstislav suffered a crushing defeat, the Mother of God of Vladimir was declared a seer, and the victory brought Vsevolod the first glory and new land allotments.

But the internecine battles did not stop there. The defeated Mstislav took refuge in Ryazan, from where he soon attacked Moscow. Next up was Vladimir. At this time, Mstislav and Prince Gleb of Ryazan staged a series of attacks on the city, burning fields and houses, capturing hundreds of people and selling them into slavery to nomads.

Confrontation on the Koloksha River

Vsevolod called on his compatriots to hit Mstislav. In the winter of 1177, the famous confrontation took place on the Koloksha River. It lasted over a month. Thin ice made it impossible to attack, but as soon as a solid crust formed, Vsevolod's army went on the attack and defeated the remnants of the Mstislav rati. Mstislav himself was taken prisoner.

With the army of Yaropolk, who held the defense in the Ryazan lands, there was no need to fight. The inhabitants, not wanting to be subjected to devastation and military attacks, surrendered it themselves and brought it to Vladimir.

The people demanded cruel punishment for the rebels, and it happened against the will of Vsevolod Yurievich. The chronicle says that Mstislav and Yaropolk were blinded and released on a free journey, but after some time they were seen sighted and combat-ready in other northern volosts.

The transition of the northern principalities into the subordination of Prince Vsevolod

Further successes of Prince Vsevolod in matters of domestic policy and the results of his achievements in the unification of the lands are summarized in the table below.

Year	Event	Result
1178	Siege and assault on the city of Torzhok. Hike to Volok Lamsky.	Both cities, almost burned to the ground, submitted to the power of Vsevolod.
1181	The capture of Kolomna, Borisoglebsk and a trip to Ryazan.	Vsevolod showed Svyatoslav of Kiev who was the master of these lands.
1182	Rebuff to Prince Svyatoslav of Kiev, who invaded Pereslavl-Zalessky in order to strike at the Vladimir principality.	Kyiv could not become powerful again, just as it could not prevent the growing influence of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality.
1182	Opposition on the river Vlena. It lasted several weeks until the spring flood, but it did not get beyond the lone arrows of the archers.	Prince Vsevolod blocked the path of Svyatoslav's army to the lands of his principality. The attempt of the southern princes to take the northern Russian principalities failed miserably.
1201	Prince Igor Svyatoslavovich of Novgorod died.	Lord Veliky Novgorod, after many years of resistance, came under the rule of Vsevolod.
1207	Campaigns to the Chernihiv lands.	Further expansion of the zone of influence of the Prince of Vladimir.

Thanks to the victories won on the internal battlefield, the power of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality increased, and the authority of the Grand Duke Vsevolod strengthened. But not only successes in the internecine struggle influenced the growing glory of Vsevolod the Big Nest. The defense of the southern borders of the principality from external enemies brought him no less sweet fruits.

Military campaigns as part of Vsevolod's foreign policy

The inhabited lands of the Russian principalities have always been a tasty morsel for many foreign conquerors. From the west they were attacked by entire Crusades. Viking tribes tried to conquer it from the north. From the south, the endless raids of the Khazars, Polovtsians and Pechenegs ravaged the fragile Russia. From the east, the Mongols attacked, united with the Tatars.

Do not bypass enemy raids and the period of the reign of Vsevolod Yurievich. He had to speak out against the Volga Bulgarians, who had settled their khanate at the confluence of the Volga and Kama, and against the Polovtsy, who considered attacks on Russia an easy and habitual thing. The chronicle has preserved for us the dates, causes and results of those campaigns.

• 1183 year. Campaign against the Volga Bulgarians. Vsevolod undertook it in order to punish the khan's subjects for attacks on the Ryazan lands. And although the root cause of the contention was initially the attacks of the Ryazan residents on the river boats of the Bulgarian merchants, the prince stood up to protect his people and lands, organizing a military campaign and winning an undeniable victory in it. The laurels of the winner Vsevolod went to thanks to the combined efforts of a number of Russian principalities.
• 1198 year. The campaign against the Polovtsy was caused by the "great insult to the Russian land" inflicted by the barbarians. The Suzdal and Ryazan regiments of Vsevolod, in response to the constant attacks of the Polovtsians, reached their warehouses on the banks of the Don, where they showed the heat, completely ruining all the enemy's stocks. The Polovtsy with the remaining belongings were thrown back to the sea coast.
• 1205 year. Another trip to the Volga Bulgarians. Historian V.N. Tatishchev believes that the Bulgarians, who reached their peak by the beginning of the 12th century, greatly annoyed the Russian possessions located in the vicinity of the Volga and its tributaries. Ruining the Murom, Ryazan, Novgorod, Vladimir allotments, they did not know pity for the people. Therefore, this campaign was only a response to the great devastation.

In this way, all foreign policy activities of Vsevolod Yurievich was built on response to the raids of foreigners. Considering the scattered Russian lands as easy money, they became impudent and crossed the line of permissibility. Vsevolod, having united the troops of several principalities under his command, was able not only to repulse the barbarians, but also to prove the correctness of his ideas about a strong Russia under a strong ruler.

father of a large family

Vsevolod Yurievich entered the annals of Russian history not only as a wise ruler, but also as the father of a large family. He received his nickname "Big Nest" for the birth and upbringing of his 12 children. All of them were born from marriage with the Czech princess Maria. Among them are 8 sons and 4 daughters. During the life of Vsevolod, Boris and Gleb died. Two subsequent marriages, concluded after the death of Mary, did not bring children to the prince.

Shortly before Vsevolod's death bequeathed land to his sons:

• Constantine was destined for the Grand Duchy of Vladimir-Suzdal;
• Yuri - the Rostov kingdom;
• Yaroslav - leadership over Pereslavl, Tver and Volok;
• Svyatoslav - the cities of Yuryev and Gorodets;
• Vladimir - reign in Moscow;
• John - possessions in Starodub.

Konstantin quarreled with his father over the terms of the will, believing that both the Rostov principality and Vladimir should belong to him. And he did not even come to the funeral of his father, who died on April 13, 1212 at the 58th year of his life. They said goodbye and buried the Grand Duke in the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir. Weeping for him was great. As the chronicler notes, everyone cried: "both the boyars, and the peasants, and the whole land of his parish."

Konstantin, deprived by his father of the right to a great reign in Vladimir, was extremely dissatisfied with the results of the distribution of power . This dissatisfaction led to further internecine disputes between all the brothers, which systematically grew into a war.

The results of the reign of the great reign of Vsevolod the Big Nest

Prince Vsevolod Yuryevich the Big Nest received the Grand Duchy of Vladimir in 1176 and ruled in it for more than 36 years until the day of his death in 1212.

Drawing a historical portrait of Vsevolod the Big Nest and summing up his activities, biographers highlight the following positions:

Unfortunately, after his death, the sons who entered into inheritance rights could not maintain this status quo. The Vladimir-Suzdal principality, with new volosts attached, so carefully created by Vsevolod, broke up into a dozen separate territories, power in each of which was obtained by blood and wars. As a result of civil strife, Russia lost its cohesion and strength, enabling the Golden Horde in 1237 to easily invade its lands and remain on them for 300 long years.

Vsevolod Yurievich, the son of Yuri Dolgoruky and the younger brother of Andrei Bogolyubsky, entered the people's memory under the name Vsevolod the Big Nest. And the most popular, and also, the simplest version that explains this "title" is that, de, this prince had a lot of children. More precisely, as many as 12, eight of which were sons.

By the way, two of these sons became the first Russian canonized saints, they were the martyrs Boris and Gleb. This is where the popular explanation ends. But here's the question: in Russia, yes, by the way, all over the world then there were large families. Six, eight, and even ten children - it was not uncommon for peasants, and for princes, and for boyars.

It is clear that many children at the then level of medicine died. But large families were not uncommon, and in this regard, the offspring of Vsevolod Yuryevich in itself was not something so outstanding as to give him a nickname on this occasion.

Landgatherer's younger brother

The reasons lie, rather, in politics. Vsevolod the Big Nest, like his older brother, Andrei Bogolyubsky, was one of the many princes in a series of collectors of Russian lands. And in this regard, the nickname Big Nest refers not only to his family, but also to the ever-growing territories that he controlled.

In 1162, at the age of eight, he, along with his mother and two brothers, was expelled by Andrei Bogolyubsky, eventually ending up in Constantinople at the court of Emperor Manuel Komnenos.

However, Vsevolod returned to Russia after seven years, reconciled with his older brother, and together with him began an aggressive activity, including subjugating Kyiv. True, not for long. As a result, Vsevolod the Big Nest reigned in Kyiv for about five weeks.

In 1174, Andrei Bogolyubsky was killed in the course of a conspiracy, and another princely civil strife broke out in North-Eastern Russia. Actually, against the background of this internal strife, Vsevolod begins his political ascent.

North and South

In fact, by 1177 Vsevolod already controlled the Vladimir-Suzdal land, and actively strengthened his power on the periphery of this territory. He was primarily interested in the south, for example, the Ryazan principality, the Volga Bulgaria and the Mordovians, with whom he actively fought. However, he did not forget about the North either and actively used his notorious “Big Nest”, that is, heirs, to control the northern territories.

For example, in 1205 he sent his son Konstantin to Novgorod to reign with the following words: “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.”

In 1207, after the defeat of the Ryazan princes, another son of Vsevolod, Yaroslav, was placed on the throne there. Ryazan, however, rebelled, and in 1208 was burned.

Civil strife in the "Big Nest"

In 1211, a dispute broke out between the sons of the prince about the seniority and inheritance of cities in Russia. Konstantin, the eldest son, laid claim to Vladimir and Rostov.

However, Vsevolod decided otherwise, Vladimir, as well as the title of Grand Duke went to another son, Yuri. Konstantin received only the Rostov lands, and this did not satisfy his ambitions. Already after the death of Vsevolod, a war broke out between Yuri and Konstantin.

In general, the notorious "Big Nest" of the prince caused such a strife that the relatively unified Vladimir-Suzdal land was split into Suzdal, Pereyaslav (with Tver, Dmitrov), Rostov (with Beloozero, Ustyug), Yaroslavl, Uglich, Yuriev and Starodub specific principalities. So, a large number of ambitious heirs is not always good.

With the death of Vsevolod, the influence of North-Eastern Russia on the southern territories also ceased; the children of the Big Nest were not up to the Bulgars and Mordovians. They found out who the Grand Duke is here, and who should own and rule everything.

Historians note that the reign of Vsevolod is the period of the highest flowering of North-Eastern Russia, as well as the beginning of the Russian nobility's policy, on which Vsevolod staked, continuing Bogolyubsky's policy of infringing on the rights of the boyars.

Well, the military successes of Vsevolod would not have been possible without a powerful army, which was described in the annals of that time as follows: “The Volga can be splashed with oars, and the Don can be scooped out with helmets.” And all this, as well as a large family, and eight heirs, were those parts of the reputation that led to the fact that Vsevolod was nicknamed the Big Nest.

After death Andrey Bogolyubsky strife arose. On the Vladimirsky the throne was claimed by the sons of the eldest son of Yuri Dolgoruky Rostislav (long dead) and the younger sons of Yuri Dolgoruky - Mikhail and Vsevolod. (See diagram "Rurik Dynasty")

The Rostislavichs were supported by the old veche cities (Rostov and Suzdal), and Mikhail and Vsevolod were supported by Vladimir. In 1176, Mikhail and Vsevolod won a victory, which further weakened the beginning of the veche in the north-east of Russia. Vsevolod, who after the imminent death of Mikhail, became the sole ruler of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, ruled until 1212 and continued the policy of Andrei Bogolyubsky, aimed at strengthening and centralizing Vladimir-Suzdal Rus. The time of his reign is considered the heyday Vladimir-Suzdal Principality.

Vsevolod proclaimed himself "Grand Duke of Vladimir". Thus, in Russia there were two great principalities: Kiev and Vladimir. In fact, Vsevolod was the master of the entire Russian land, arbitrarily placing princes on the throne of Kyiv and interfering in the affairs of individual principalities. One of his sons ruled Novgorod. Other Russian princes repeatedly sought his protection and patronage.

The author of "The Tale of Igor's Campaign" wrote about Vsevolod as the most powerful prince in Russia, whose numerous regiments "could scatter the Volga with oars, and scoop water from the Don with helmets," from whose name alone "all countries trembled" and the rumor about which "filled the whole earth."

Vsevolod received a "nickname" - "Big Nest", associated with his large family. N.M. Karamzin wrote about this prince: “Honored inside and outside of Russia, he wanted the sincere mutual friendliness of the princes and tried to establish it with a new property, marrying his daughter to his nephew Svyatoslav, another named Verkhuslav, to Rurikovich, the courageous Rostislav, and his son Konstantin, still ten years old marrying the granddaughter of the deceased Roman Smolensky.

Vsevolod Yurievich ruled for 37 years. He died in 1212. After him, Vladimir-Suzdal Rus began to disintegrate into specific principalities. (See in the anthology the article “ Grand Duke Vsevolod Georgievich 1176-1212 »).

Daniel Romanovich Galitsky(1211-1264)- son of Prince Roman Mstislavich.

In 1211 he became the prince of Galicia, but a year later he was expelled by the boyars. For over 30 years, Danil fought for the championship in the Galicia-Volyn land (See the article in the anthology "Features of the development of the Galicia-Volyn principality in the period of political fragmentation”) and only by 1238 finally established himself on the Galician table.

During his life he made many trips. Successfully fought with the Polovtsians, Hungarians, Poles, Lithuanians, Yotvingians, knights Teutonic Order, Czechs, as well as with Russian grand and specific princes. In 1223 he participated in the battle with the Tatars on river Kalka.

Just before the invasion of the Mongols, Daniil Romanovich managed to capture Kyiv, where he planted the thousandth Dmitri as his governor, who led the defense of the city in 1240. Kyiv was taken by the Tatars, and they went to Volhynia and Galicia. Daniil Romanovich was then in Hungary. His land was deserted. Returning home after the departure of the Mongol-Tatars, Daniil Romanovich found the once flourishing land completely devastated. Danil was forced to go to the headquarters of Batu Khan to bow, where, after humiliation, he received a label on the Galicia-Volyn principality.

However, unlike Alexander Nevsky, he took a different position in relation to the Horde, focusing on open struggle and opposition to the Mongol-Tatars.

Trying to get real help from Pope Innocent IV in the fight against the Mongols, he accepted the royal crown from him. However, there was no help from the Papal Curia, so Danil refused to obey Rome.

Having retained the royal title, Daniil Romanovich stopped relations with the papal court and began to prepare for resistance on his own: he fortified his cities, entered into an alliance with the Lithuanian prince Mindovgo and the Vladimir-Suzdal prince Andrey Yaroslavich.

The time was favorable: after the death of Batu, unrest began in the Horde. The governor of the khan in this part of South Russia was the weak Kuremsa. Daniil Romanovich managed to liberate the cities in Volyn occupied by the Mongol-Tatars.

After the appointment of the enterprising governor of Burundai to South Russia, the affairs of Daniil Romanovich deteriorated sharply. The Mongol-Tatars again captured the Galician-Volyn lands. Following this, the Mongol-Tatars forced the Galician detachments to take part in the campaign against Poland and Lithuania. The result of the campaign against Lithuania was the attack of the Lithuanians on the Galician land and the murder of Daniil Romanovich.

Mindovg (Mindaugas)- (from the end of the 1230s - 1263) - Grand Duke of Lithuania.

He united the Lithuanian lands under his rule (Aukstaitia (upper Lithuania), Samogitia (lower Lithuania), etc.) and subjugated the Russian cities of Novgorodok, Slonim, Volkovysk.

In 1244 he undertook a campaign against Livonian Order. The Order teamed up with Lithuanian feudal lords hostile to Mindovg and defeated him. After that, Mindovg went to a compromise agreement with the order, accepted in 1251. Catholicism and was crowned on behalf of the pope, but was preparing for a new fight with the order. In 1253, Mindovg concluded an agreement with the Galician prince Daniel and gave his daughter to his son. He renewed and strengthened ties with the Vladimir-Suzdal Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky.

In 1260, the Lithuanian army at Lake Durbe defeated the united army Livonian And Teutonic Orders and their allies. Mindovg renounced Catholicism. He was killed in 1263 as a result of a conspiracy of the feudal nobility.

Yuri Vladimirovich Dolgoruky(1155-1157). Younger son Vladimir Monomakh.

He could only claim a specific principality . IN destiny he received the Rostov principality, which became prosperous under Yuri. Many settlements arose here. He received his nickname "Dolgoruky" for his constant desire to seize foreign lands. He annexed the cities of Murom, Ryazan, part of the lands along the banks of the Volga to the Rostov principality.

In 1125, Yuri moved the capital of the principality from Rostov to Suzdal. He is known in history and as the founder of new cities. By his order, the cities were founded: Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, Yuryev Polsky, Dmitrov, Zvenigorod, Gorodets. At the same time, the newly formed cities were immediately placed under strict princely control, thereby Yuri ruled out the possibility of the formation of opposition in the cities, and contributed to the strengthening of princely power in this region.

The first annalistic mention of Moscow is also connected with the name of Yuri Dolgoruky. (On April 4, 1147, in the small town of Moscow on the border of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality, two allies met - Prince Yuri Vladimirovich Dolgoruky and Prince Novgorod-Seversky Svyatoslav Olgovich. "Come to me, brother, to Moscow," called Yuri. Moscow “Ipatiev Chronicle.” The date of recording is conditionally considered the date of foundation of Moscow.

Along with the seizure of new territories and the founding of cities, Prince Yuriy irresistibly sought to seize the throne of Kyiv. The struggle for a great reign with his nephew Izyaslav Mstislavich was long. Three times Yuri entered Kyiv as the Grand Duke. The third time he remained with him until the end of his days. The people of Kiev did not like Prince Yuri. This was due to the fact that Yuri had resorted to the help of the Polovtsy more than once and was almost always a troublemaker during periods of struggle for the throne. Yuri Dolgoruky was a "newcomer" for the people of Kiev, from the North. According to the chronicler, after the death of Yuri in 1157, the people of Kiev plundered his rich mansions and killed the Suzdal detachment that came with him.

Yuri II Vsevolodovich. (1212-1216, 1216-1238) - a son Vsevolod Big Nest .

Shortly before his death, Vsevolod the Big Nest bequeathed the throne to his eldest son Konstantin, but he did not want to part with the Rostov Principality. As a result Vladimir-Suzdal Principality Vsevolod gave it to his second son, Yuri.

The first period of Yuri's reign was accompanied by a number of civil strife among the sons of Vsevolod and ended with the Battle of the Lipitsa River in 1216. As a result, Constantine became the Grand Duke of Vladimir.

After the death of Konstantin, Yuri Vsevolodovich again became the Grand Duke.
Prince Yuri waged successful wars with Mordovians and Kama Bulgarians (1220-1221). To strengthen the northeastern borders of the principality, he founded the city of Nizhny Novgorod.

During the reign of Yuri Vsevolodovich, the first battles of Russian troops with hordes of Mongol-Tatars took place. In 1223, Russian princes and Polovtsian detachments met on river Kalka with a huge army Genghis Khan. Due to internecine strife among the princes, the Russian forces suffered a complete defeat. In 1237, the united army led by Batu entered the Ryazan lands. After the capture of Ryazan (1237), Batu went to the Suzdal principality, and then to Vladimir.

Grand Duke Yuri Vsevolodovich only now realized what danger awaits the Russian land. He entrusted the defense of Vladimir to his sons - Vsevolod and Mstislav, and he himself went to collect a squad.

On February 2, the Mongol-Tatars approached Vladimir and laid siege to it. The inhabitants of Vladimir, having heard about the atrocities of the Tatars, were preparing to defend the city. The princes and some boyars took the monastic vows and prepared for death.

On February 7, the assault on the city began. The Tatars broke into the city in the Golden Gate area, many citizens with the family of the Grand Duke took refuge in the main cathedral church - the Assumption Cathedral. But that didn't save them. Having knocked out the church door, the Tatars broke into the Assumption Cathedral. The robbery began: expensive icon frames, ancient princely clothes - everything fell into the hands of the invaders. The cathedral was set on fire, and everyone who took refuge in it died. At this time, Grand Duke Yuri "stood on the City." Upon learning of the death of his people and family, wife and children, he shed bitter tears ... and prayed to God to grant him the patience of Job. "(Karamzin)

4 March 1238 on the River City a decisive battle took place between Batu's army and the united detachments of the Russian princes, as a result of which the Russians were again defeated. Grand Duke Yuri died. "The Russians fought courageously and for a long time; finally they turned the rear." ( N.M. Karamzin)

Genghis Khan (1162 - 1227).).

Originally bore the name Temujin (according to another transcription - Temujin). His father, Yesugei-bagatur, apparently had some influence among the Mongols, but after his death (about 1168) his followers immediately left his widow and children; the family wandered in the forests for several years, eating roots, game and fish.

Having matured, Temujin gradually gathered around an army of representatives of the steppe aristocracy. In 1206, Temujin defeated his enemies and united all of Mongolia under his rule. Then he took the title of Genghis Khan (the exact meaning of this title has not yet been established, but it can be translated approximately as "the great khan of all Mongols").

Pursuing the nomads who fled from Mongolia, the Mongols conquered the Uighurs in East Turkestan in 1209, and in 1211 a war with China began. In 1215, Genghis Khan took Beijing.

In 1216, campaigns were resumed against the nomads who had fled to the west; in the same year, an accidental clash occurred between the Mongolian detachment and the army of the Khorezmshah Muhammad, who united Muslim Central Asia and Iran under his rule. Beginning around the same time, on the basis of commercial interests, diplomatic relations between Genghis Khan and Mohammed ended in 1218 with the plunder of a trade caravan sent by Genghis Khan. This forced Genghis, without completing the conquest of China, to send troops to the west.

In 1219 - 1220. they fell upon the cities - states - Samarkand, Bukhara, Khorezm. The cultural and economic experience of Central Asia was also put at the service of the Mongols. Then the Mongols went to Asia Minor: Iran, Syria. At this, the onslaught of the Mongols into Asia Minor stopped. It was decided to return back to Mongolia. So it was formed Empire of Genghis Khan .

In 1227 Genghis Khan died. Before his death, he divided his empire into uluses. Western ulus went to his grandson Batu Khan (Batu). According to the will of Genghis Khan, the Mongols were to conquer the whole world up to the "sea of ​​the Franks" in the West.

Yaroslav II Vsevolodovich. - prince Kyiv in 1236 - 1238, Grand Duke Vladimirsky in 1238 - 1246

Younger son Vsevolod the Big Nest, (personalities) who received Pereyaslavl-Zalesky as an inheritance, he was invited to Novgorod by the prince three times, and became famous for his victories over the Lithuanians and German knights who attacked Pskov and Novgorod.

“In 1225, the Lithuanians devastated the villages near Torzhok, not reaching Novgorod only three miles, killed many merchants and captured the entire Toropets volost. Yaroslav caught up with them near Usvyat, defeated, killed 2000 people and took away the booty. In 1227, Yaroslav went with the Novgorodians to the pit, fought the whole land and brought it without number. The next year he went to Pereyaslavl, leaving his sons in Novgorod. In 1230, the Novgorodians sent again for Yaroslav; Yaroslav arrived immediately, swore to fulfill all the letters of Yaroslavov, but still did not permanently live in Novgorod, where his sons Fedor and Alexander took his place.

In 1234, Yaroslav with his regiments and Novgorodians opposed the Germans near Yuryev and stopped not far from the city, releasing his people to fight the surrounding areas to collect food supplies. The Germans made a sally from Yuriev, others from Odenpe, but the Russians beat them; some of the Germans fell in battle, but more died in the river when the ice broke under them; the Russians, taking advantage of their victory, devastated their land, destroyed their bread; then the Germans bowed to the prince, and Yaroslav made peace with them on favorable terms for himself.

After the capture of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality by the Mongol-Tatars and death in 1238 on the river. City of his brother Yuri Vsevolodovich, Yaroslav, received the title of Grand Duke of Vladimir. He inherited a heavy legacy. Almost all lands, with the exception of Novgorod, were devastated by the Mongol-Tatars, the cities of the Ryazan and Vladimir-Suzdal principalities were in ruins. Yaroslav Vsevolodovich sent his main forces to restore the destroyed economy.

However, the most important thing for Yaroslav was to settle relations with the Mongol-Tatars.

In 1242, Batu summoned the Russian princes to himself in order to choose the "oldest" and set the amount of tribute for the conquered lands. The princes gathered at Batu's headquarters. Yaroslav understood perfectly well that only obedience to the Mongol-Tatars would save Russia, which was not yet strong, from a new invasion. He performed all the necessary, from the point of view of Batu, rituals. The Khan was very pleased and gave Yaroslav Vsevolodovich a label for the Great reign, setting a clear amount of tribute. Yaroslav Vsevolodovich died in 1246 during his return from Hordes.