Slavic colonization Suzdal Principality

The Rostov-Suzdal (later Vladimir-Suzdal) principality was located between the middle and lower reaches of the Oka, on the one hand, and the upper and middle reaches of the Volga, on the other. Finno-Ugric tribes originally lived in this area: Merya, Muroma. The weak development of these tribes has long allowed the Slavs to penetrate into their country and establish several colonies in it. In the VIII - IX centuries, two main streams of colonizers - Slavs - were sent to the interfluve of the Oka and Volga: from the west (Krivichi) and south-west (Vyatichi), as well as from the north-west, from Novgorod lands. There are several reasons for Slavic colonization. First, it's relative. favorable conditions for economic activity: the presence of arable land, water meadows, a temperate climate, forests rich in furs, berries and mushrooms, rivers and lakes abounding in fish. Secondly, there was no external threat and internal strife. And although the northeastern princes in the XII century took an active part in princely strife, however, the lands of Vladimir-Suzdal Rus themselves rarely became the scene of these wars. Favorable climate and geographical conditions, presence of deposits iron ore, the proximity of river trade routes contributed to the fact that in the XII - early XIII centuries, the Rostov-Suzdal land was experiencing an economic boom. The number of cities grew, Vladimir, Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, Kostroma, Tver, Nizhny Novgorod appeared. In XI - XII centuries large princely, boyar and church land tenure is taking shape here.

Thus, we can say that for Vladimir Suzdal land was typical comprehensive development economy. Another feature of this region was the weak development of patrimonial land ownership here.

Socio-political system

The economic condition of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality reached its peak in the second half of the 12th - early 13th centuries. under the Grand Dukes Andrei Bogolyubsky and Vsevolod the Big Nest. The power of Vladimir-Suzdal Russia was symbolized by two magnificent temples erected in Vladimir in the second half of the 12th century - the Assumption and Demetrius Cathedrals, as well as the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl, built on the eastern approaches to Vladimir. The erection of such architectural structures was possible only with a well-established economy. Russian people who moved from the south settled on the land that had long been inhabited by Finnish tribes. However, they did not replace ancient population edges, mostly peacefully coexisted with him. The matter was facilitated by the fact that the Finnish tribes did not have their own cities, and the Slavs built fortress cities. In total, in the XII - early XIII centuries. about a hundred cities were erected, which became centers of a higher culture. AT social development Russia quite clearly shows the hierarchical structure feudal tenure and, accordingly, seignioral-vassal relations within the class of feudal lords. The Vladimir-Suzdal principality was an early feudal monarchy with strong grand ducal power. Already the first Rostov-Suzdal prince - Yuri Dolgoruky - is characterized as a strong monarch who managed to conquer Kyiv in 1154, where he planted his son Andrei, who fled, however, from there a year later. In 1169, Andrei Bogolyubsky again conquered Kyiv, but did not remain on the throne of Kiev, but returned to Vladimir. He managed to subdue the Rostov boyars, for which he received in the Russian chronicles the characteristic of the "autocrat" of the Vladimir-Suzdal land. After the death of Vsevolod the Big Nest, the Vladimir-Suzdal principality began to be divided into a number of smaller ones, but the Vladimir table during the XIII-XIV centuries. nevertheless, it was traditionally regarded as the grand princely, the first throne, even at the time of the Mongol-Tatar yoke. The Mongol-Tatars left intact the inner state structure and the law of the Russian people, including the tribal order of the succession of grand ducal power.

As if predicting that Northeast Russia destined to serve as a link between the pre-Mongol period of Russian history and the entire subsequent history of Muscovite Russia, the author of The Tale of Igor's Campaign speaks enthusiastically and with inspiration about the powerful Suzdal prince Vsevolod the Big Nest (1176-1212):

Grand Duke Vsevolod!
I don’t think you fly from afar
Take away the gold of the table to observe?
You can scatter the oars on the Volga,
And Don pour out the helmets!
Even if you were, it would be chaga on the leg,
And koshchey in cut(i.e., Polovtsian captives would cost pennies. - B.R.).

His vast principality covered the ancient lands of the Krivichi, partly the Vyatichi, and those areas where Slavic colonization was directed from time immemorial: the lands of Meri, Muroma, Ves, that is, the interfluve of the Volga and Oka with the fertile Suzdal Opole and the Beloozero region. Over time, the borders of the Rostov-Suzdal land moved further into the taiga forests - to the Northern Dvina, to Ustyug the Great and even to the White Sea, touching here with the Novgorod colonies.

The relations of the Slavs who came here with the local Finno-Ugric population were, on the whole, undoubtedly peaceful. Both peoples gradually merged, enriching each other with elements of their culture.

The geographical position of the Rostov-Suzdal land had its advantages: there was no threat of Polovtsian raids, since the steppe was far away, here, behind the impenetrable forests of the Vyatichi, the Kyiv princes, their tyuns and Ryadovichi could not host as boldly as around Kyiv. Varangian detachments penetrated here not directly by water, as in Ladoga or Novgorod, but through a system of portages in the Valdai forests. All this created the relative security of North-Eastern Russia. On the other hand, in the hands of the Suzdal princes there was such a main route as the Volga, flowing "seventy bellies into the Khvalis Sea", along the banks of which lay the fabulously rich countries of the East, willingly buying furs and Slavic wax. All Novgorod routes to the East passed through the Suzdal land, and this was widely used by the princes, forcibly influencing the economy of Novgorod.

In the 11th century, when the Volga region and the Oka were part of Kievan Rus, uprisings took place here: in 1024 - in Suzdal; around 1071 - on the Volga, Sheksna and Beloozero, suppressed by Jan Vyshatich.

By this time, the cities of Rostov, Suzdal, Murom, Ryazan, Yaroslavl, and others already existed. In the black earth regions of the Suzdal region, the local boyars grew rich, which had the opportunity to supply even Novgorod with bread.

The real reign of these regions began with Vladimir Monomakh, who, as a boy, had to pass "through Vyatiche" in order to get to distant Rostov. Those long years, when Monomakh, being a prince of Pereyaslavl, also owned the Rostov inheritance, affected the life of the North-East. Here such cities arose as Vladimir on the Klyazma, Pereyaslavl, named in contrast to the southern Zalessky, even the names of the southern rivers were transferred here. Here Vladimir built cities, decorated them with buildings, here he waged war with Oleg “Gorislavich”, here, somewhere on the Volga, he wrote his “Instruction”, “sitting on a sleigh”. The connection between Suzdal and Pereyaslavl Russian (now Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky) continued throughout the 12th century.

Rostov-Suzdal land separated from Kyiv simultaneously with other Russian lands in 1132-1135. Here reigned one of the younger sons of Monomakh - Yuri, who received the characteristic nickname Dolgoruky, apparently for his irrepressible craving for distant foreign possessions. His foreign policy was determined by three directions: wars with Volga Bulgaria, a trade rival of Russia, diplomatic and military pressure on Novgorod, and exhausting useless wars for Kyiv, which filled the last nine years of his reign.

Yuri Dolgoruky was gradually drawn into his southern adventures. It began with the fact that Svyatoslav Olegovich, expelled from Kyiv in 1146, his feudal neighbor in the principalities, turned to Yuri for help. Yuri Vladimirovich, having sent an army from the distant Beloozero to an ally, first of all started wars with his neighbors: he himself successfully fought with Novgorod, and sent Svyatoslav to the Smolensk lands. When Svyatoslav Olegovich began successful operations and “filled up” in the upper reaches of the Protva, a messenger from Yuri arrived to him, inviting him to the border town of Suzdal, obviously, to celebrate the victories: “Come to me, brother, to Moscow.” No one thought then that this town in the Vyatichi forests would be destined to become one of largest cities peace.

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From the banks of the Protva, Svyatoslav's son first came to Moscow and brought Dolgoruky as a gift a hunting cheetah, the fastest animal, from which not a single deer could escape. Then, on April 4, 1147, Svyatoslav arrived in Moscow with his son Vladimir and a retinue, which included a ninety-year-old boyar who had also served his father, Oleg "Gorislavich". The next day, Yuri gave a solemn feast. “Command Gyurgi to arrange a dinner for the strong and do great honor to them and give Svyatoslav many gifts.” So Moscow was first mentioned, first the castle of the boyar Kuchka, in 1156 - a border fortress, in the XIII century. - specific princely town, and in the XV century. - the capital of the vast Russian state, which foreigners called it Muscovy by name.

In addition to Moscow, Yuri Dolgoruky built or fortified here the cities of Yuryev-Polskaya, Dmitrov, Kosnyatin, Kideksha, Zvenigorod, Pereyaslavl and others.

In his southern affairs, conquering Kyiv from his nephew Izyaslav Mstislavich or from his older brother Vyacheslav, Yuri either won battles and reached almost the Carpathians with his troops, then quickly fled from Kyiv in a boat, leaving his squad and even secret diplomatic correspondence. V.N. Tatishchev preserved the following description of Yuri Dolgoruky, apparently going back to Kyiv sources hostile to him: “This great prince was of considerable height, fat, with a white face; the eyes are not very large, the nose is long and crooked; a small brada, a great lover of wives, sweet food and drink; more about fun than about reprisal and hostility, but all of this consisted in the power and supervision of his nobles and favorites.

Yuri died in Kyiv in 1157.

The real master of North-Eastern Russia, tough, power-hungry, energetic, was the son of Dolgoruky - Andrei Yuryevich Bogolyubsky (1157-1174).

Even during the life of his father, when Yuri firmly reigned in Kyiv, Andrei, violating his father's orders, left in 1155 for the Suzdal land, apparently invited by the local boyars. After the death of Yuri Dolgoruky, Andrei was elected prince. "Rostovites and Suzdalians, having thought of everything, girded Andrei." Rostov and Suzdal, the ancient boyar centers that influenced the entire course of events, wanted to acquire their own prince, their own dynastic branch, on an equal basis with all other lands, in order to stop the movement of princes who were not connected with the interests of this land. Andrei, who from his youth had made himself famous for his chivalrous exploits in the south, seemed like a suitable candidate. And he himself, probably, gladly exchanged the unstable happiness of a vassal warrior, who received one city or another for service, for the lasting possession of a huge country, already put in order under his father and grandfather.

However, the new prince immediately resolutely placed himself not next to the boyars, but above them. He made the relatively new city of Vladimir his capital, and his residence was a magnificent white-stone castle in Bogolyubovo near Vladimir, built by his craftsmen. The first act of the prince was the expulsion of his younger brothers (they could eventually turn into his rivals) and his father's old squad, which always interfered in management in such situations. “Behold, create, although the autocratic being of the entire Suzdal land.” From that time on, Andrei had to beware of the boyars; according to some reports, he even forbade the boyars to take part in princely hunts - after all, we know cases when princes did not return from hunting ...

In the struggle for power, Andrei sought to rely on the church, using the episcopal chair. He wanted to see Fyodor as bishop of Rostov, who supported the prince in everything, but the Kyiv and Tsaregrad church authorities did not support him, and in 1168 "Fedorets, the false lord" was executed as a heretic.

In the field of foreign policy, Andrei continued to act in the same three directions that had been outlined by Dolgoruky: campaigns against Volga Bulgaria, campaigns against Novgorod and Kyiv. Novgorod successfully repulsed the “Suzdalians”, and Andrey’s troops managed to take and plunder Kyiv in 1169. It should be repeated that this robbery, vividly described by a contemporary from Kyivian, did not lead to either the economic or political decline of the former capital, where the princely lines were soon entrenched , not subject to the northeastern prince. When the conqueror of Kyiv Andrey, “filled with arrogance, becoming proud of the velmi”, tried to dispose of the South Russian princes in 1174, his ambassador, the swordsman Mikhn, had his head and beard cut off and sent back in such a disfigured form. When Andrey Bogolyubsky saw the shorn boyar and heard from him the princes' firm refusal to obey, then "the image of his face became empty" and he "destroyed his meaning with intemperance, becoming irritated."

The undertaken second campaign against Kyiv brought together an unheard of number of princes and troops, but ended in a fruitless two-month siege of Vyshgorod. “And so all the strength of Andrei Prince Suzhdalsky returned ... for they came high-minded, and the humble departed to their homes.”

The too broad military plans of Prince Andrei, not caused either by the needs of defense or by the interests of the boyars, were supposed to aggravate relations within the principality. In all likelihood, conflicts with the boyars were caused and internal politics Andrey Bogolyubsky, who tried to get his hands on the boyars. Here, in North-Eastern Russia, the writer Daniil Zatochnik advised the boyar to set up his court and villages away from the princely residence so that the prince would not ruin it.

Legends about the beginning of Moscow, telling that the prince took this castle from the boyar Stepan Ivanovich Kuchka, lead us to Andrey. Although in the annals the construction of the princely fortress in 1156 is associated with the name of Yuri, we know that this year Yuri was in Kyiv, reconciled with the Polovtsy at Zarubinsky ford, met the metropolitan from Constantinople and prepared a campaign against Volyn.

The prince who built the fortress on the site of Kuchkov's yard is, obviously, Andrey Bogolyubsky. The boyars could not calmly look at the reign of their castles.

In 1173 Andrei conceived a new campaign against Volga Bulgaria; in the campaign, in addition to the main forces of Vladimir, Murom and Ryazan troops participated. In "Gorodets" on the Volga at the mouth of the Oka (Nizhny Novgorod, the modern city of Gorky), a collection was appointed for all squads. For two weeks, the princes unsuccessfully expected their boyars: they “didn’t like” the path, and they, without showing direct disobedience, found a clever way to evade an unwanted campaign - they “went not walking”.

All these events testified to the extreme tension in the relationship between the “autocratic” prince and the boyars, tension that reached the same degree as the princely-boyar conflicts reached at that time on the opposite edge of Russia, in Galich. In the same year, 1173, the Galician boyars burned the prince's mistress, the mother of the heir to the throne, at the stake, and the Suzdal boyars freed themselves from military service by inventing a way not to go while walking.

The year 1174, the year of the unsuccessful and inglorious campaign against the Kiev region, hastened the tragic denouement. A group of boyars led by the Kuchkovichi plotted against Andrei in 1174 (according to other chronicles, in 1175). Twenty conspirators, among whom were Yakim Kuchkovich, Peter, Kuchkov 8yat, the housekeeper Anbal, feasted at Peter's in Bogolyubovo, next to the prince's palace. The gathering should not have aroused any particular suspicion, since it took place on June 29, the day of the boyar Peter's name day. Yakim Kuchkovich, who received the news that the prince planned to execute his brother, made a speech: “The day he executed him, and us tomorrow; but providential about this prince! At night, armed conspirators, having drunk wine in a medusa, went up to the prince's bedroom and broke down the doors. Andrei wanted to take the sword hanging in the bedroom, but it turned out that the conspirators prudently removed it; the prince, physically very strong, fought for a long time in the dark with a crowd of drunken boyars armed with swords and spears. Finally, the killers left, and the prince, who was considered dead, went downstairs. Hearing his groans, the boyars lit candles, found Andrei and finished him off. The part of the palace where this bloody tragedy took place has been preserved to this day in Bogolyubovo.

An anthropological study of the skeleton of Andrei Bogolyubsky confirmed the words of the chronicle about the physical strength of the prince and the wounds inflicted on him. According to the skull from the tomb of Andrei, the famous anthropologist M.M. Gerasimov restored the appearance of this outstanding ruler, who was both a commander, a writer, and a customer of excellent architectural structures. Information V: N. Tatishchev describes Andrei Bogolyubsky as follows: firstly, he, like Solomon, created a magnificent temple (Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir), secondly, “expand the city of Vladimir and multiply all the inhabitants in it, like merchants, cunning needleworkers into different artisans inhabited. He was brave in the army and few of the princes like him were, but peace was more than war, and he loved the truth more than a great acquisition. He was small in stature, but broad and strong, his hair was black and curly, his forehead was high, his eyes were large and bright. Lived 63 years.

The day after the assassination of the prince, the townspeople of Bogolyubov, the masters of the palace workshops and even the peasants of the surrounding villages rose in revolt against the princely administration: the houses of the posadniks and tiuns were plundered, and the princely stewards themselves, including the "children" and swordsmen, were killed. The uprising also swept Vladimir.

What were the pros and cons of the reign of Yuri Dolgoruky and Andrei Bogolyubsky?

Undoubtedly positive was the extensive construction of cities, which were not only fortresses, but also the focus of crafts and trade, important economic and cultural centers of the feudal state. The prince, who was temporarily sitting on an inheritance, ready to jump to other lands at any moment, could not build cities. Yuri and Andrei (continuing the policy of Monomakh) linked their main interests with the Rostov-Suzdal land, and this was objectively positive. According to some sources, an influx of colonists began to new cities and newly developed lands, and the boyars approved such a policy of Yuri in the 1140s, during a period of relative harmony between princely and boyar interests.

The construction of cities, on the one hand, was the result of the development of productive forces, and on the other, a powerful factor in their further growth, which received a new, expanded base.

The growth of productive forces was not slow to affect the development of culture. The buildings of the era of Andrei Bogolyubsky that have survived to this day testify to the deep understanding by Russian architects of the tasks of their art. Subtle and deep mathematical analysis of proportions, the ability to foresee the optical distortions of the future building, the careful thoughtfulness of details that emphasize the harmony of the whole - these qualities of the architects of Andrei Bogolyubsky are the result of a general high development of culture. The Church of the Intercession on the Nerl, the complex of the Bogolyubsky castle, resurrected by the Soviet researcher N.N. Voronin, the Golden Gates of Vladimir are all unfading works of art that allowed the chronicler to compare Andrei with the biblical Tsar Solomon, and for us to comprehend the amazing beauty of Russian architecture on the eve of the creation of the Tale of Igor's Campaign. At the court of Andrei Bogolyubsky, literary activity also developed; Andrei himself was a writer. Fragments of the annals of Andrei's reign have been preserved.

Positive should be considered in the activities of Yuri and Andrei and the centralization of power, which came at the expense of infringing on the interests of the princes-kinsmen and boyars. In ordinary, peacetime, this could, in all likelihood, remain within reasonable limits, when the power of the Grand Duke restrained the centrifugal forces and directed them along some single channel.

The disadvantages of "autocracy" within the framework of the principality-kingdom were conflicts that were born from the growth of the princely domain at the expense of boyar estates, and the fragmentation of the principality into appanages allocated to the sons of the prince. It led to the dismemberment of such an organism that had developed over the centuries as the “land” or “prince” of the 12th century, which, as we have seen, goes back to the ancient tribal unions 6th-8th centuries It was extremely irrational to destroy, dismember what even a tribal society could achieve. However, this reproach is not applicable to Andrei - he did not divide his principality among the children; two of his sons died while still under him, and the only son who survived his father, Georgy Andreevich, who later became the king of Georgia, was not taken into account during the dynastic redistribution of the Vladimir (in the old boyar terminology, Rostov-Suzdal) principality. The danger of such fragmentation came to light later, when the "Big Nest" of Prince Vsevolod wanted to spread to all the cities of North-Eastern Russia.

The negative side of the activities of Andrei Bogolyubsky was, of course, his desire for Kyiv, for the "Russian land", that is, for the forest-steppe part of the Dnieper region. This desire was in no way connected with the daily interests of the Suzdal boyars; these were the personal ambitious plans of Andrei, the grandson of Monomakh.

The economy of the South Russian boyars and princes, over the 200 years of the struggle against the Pechenegs and Polovtsians, has adapted to the needs of constant defense, constant readiness for sitting in a siege and campaigns. This may have been associated with the widespread development of purchasing (with the maintenance of purchases inside the fortified boyar yards), the increase in the use of servile labor in the 12th century, which made it possible to quickly create food supplies necessary in such conditions, and the creation of peculiar "peasant cities", the prototype of military settlements. , like the border Izyaslavl on Goryn. The main burden of constant military service in the south was by this time shifted to the many thousands of Berendey cavalry in Porosye.

None of this was in the Vladimir land, firmly fenced off by the Bryn, Moscow and Meshchersky forests from the Polovtsian steppe. Each campaign caused a sharp disruption of the feudal economy, not to mention its extreme ruin for the people. In the five years preceding the Kuchkovichi conspiracy, Andrei Bogolyubsky organized five distant campaigns: against Novgorod, against the Northern Dvina, against the Bulgarians, and two against Kyiv. According to the most conservative estimates, the troops had to cover about 8000 km during this time under the banner of Andrei (through forests, swamps and watersheds), that is, spend at least a year only on one movement to the target, not counting lengthy sieges and maneuvers. We add that three trips ended unsuccessfully. It is not surprising that this reign ended with an armed uprising by the boyar elite and a manifestation of popular anger against representatives of the princely administration that did not depend on it.

The uprising in 1174 in Bogolyubovo and Vladimir resembles the Kiev uprising of 1113, which also arose after the death of the prince, who overstretched the string of people's patience.

After the death of Andrei, Rostov and Suzdal, the center of the old local boyars, applied the system of princely duumvirate invented by the Kyiv boyars: they invited two of Andrei's nephews, minor princes, not dangerous for the local nobility.

However, here a new city appeared on the scene, which grew under Andrei into a large craft and trade center - Vladimir. The people of Vladimir accepted Mikhail Yurievich, brother Andrei. A war broke out between Rostov and Vladimir; the Rostovites, outraged by the rise of Vladimir, threatened: “Let's burn him! Or we will send our posadnik there again - after all, these are our serfs, masons! In this phrase, the aristocrats' disregard for the democratic strata of the city, for artisans, masons, those "workers" who not long before this decisively cracked down on swordsmen and "children", and now want to have their own prince, objectionable to Rostov and Suzdal, is evident in this phrase. Rostov temporarily won - Mikhail left Vladimir, and the boyars' chosen ones began to reign there, "listening to the boyar, and I will learn the boyar for many estates." Their "children's" "many hardships are created by people with sales and virami."

It ended up that the townspeople of Vladimir, the "new smaller people", again invited Mikhail and decided to stand firmly for him. Mikhail defeated the army of his nephews and became the Prince of Vladimir. His brother Vsevolod Yurievich was with him. The victory of the citizens of Vladimir had great consequences - there was a social split in the old Suzdal. The townspeople of Suzdal also invited Mikhail to their place (1176), saying that they, ordinary Suzdalians, did not fight with him, that only the boyars supported his enemies, “but don’t hold a dashing heart on us, but come to us!”

During these years, Moscow (Moskov, Kuchkovo) is often mentioned as a city standing at the crossroads of the border of Vladimir land by a well-trodden route from Chernigov to Vladimir.

In 1177, Mikhail Yurievich, who had been ill for a long time, died. The Rostov boyars again began the struggle for political hegemony, supporting their former candidate Mstislav Rostislavich Bezokoy against Vsevolod Yurievich, nominated by such cities as Vladimir, Pereyaslavl Zalessky and Suzdal. The arrogant Rostov boyars imperiously interfered in the affairs of the prince: when Mstislav was about to reconcile with his uncle, the boyars declared: “If you give him peace, we will not give him!” The matter was resolved by the battle near Yuriev on June 27, 1177, which brought victory to Vsevolod. The boyars were captured and tied up; their villages and herds are taken by the conquerors. After that, Vsevolod defeated Ryazan, where his enemies took refuge. Ryazan prince Gleb (from Olgovichi) and Mstislav Bezokiy with his brother Yaropolk were captured.

The townspeople of Vladimir, boyars and merchants, were supporters of decisive reprisal; they came to the princely court "many with weapons" and insistently demanded execution. Despite the intercession of Svyatoslav of Chernigov, a friend of Vsevolod, the captured rivals were blinded, and Gleb died in captivity.

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Thus began the reign of the “great Vsevolod”, who could splash the Volga with oars and scoop up the Don with helmets. The strength of the new prince was given by his alliance with the cities, with wide sections of the urban population.

In addition, by this time, another force was being created that was the backbone of the princely power - the nobility, that is, the service, military layer, which depended personally on the prince, who received either land for temporary possession for service, or monetary payment in kind, or the right collecting some princely income, part of which was intended for the collectors themselves. There was no single term yet, but in this category of junior members of the squad and princely ministerials, we must include “children”, “lads”, “grids”, “stepsons”, “mercifuls”, “swordsmen”, “virniki”, “birichs” , "tiuns", etc. Some of them were almost slaves, others rose to the position of boyars; this stratum was numerous and varied. In the fate of these people, much depended on their personal qualities, on chance, on the generosity or stinginess of the prince. They knew princely life, carried out palace service, fought, judged, galloped messengers to foreign lands, accompanied embassies, traveled around distant graveyards, stabbed princely rivals from around the corner, put them in chains, attended fights, organized dog or falconry hunting, led accounting for the princely economy, perhaps even wrote chronicles. In peacetime, they all had a business in a vast principality, where the state was intertwined with the personally princely, domain, and during the war they could already form the main core of the princely army, the “young” cavalry.

With one of these people, looking at the prince as the only patron, we get to know him through his own petition, written in an intricate language, but with great skill and erudition. This is Daniil the Sharpener ["Pseudo-Daniel". Around 1230], who wrote a letter of petition to the Pereyaslav prince Yaroslav Vsevolodich in the 13th century. He comes from serfs, but he is brilliantly educated, well-read and, in his own words, not so much brave in battle as smart, "strong in plans." He curses the rich boyars and asks the prince to accept him into his service:

“My prince, my lord! As the oak is fastened with many roots, so is our city with your power ... The head of the ship is a feeder, and you, prince, with your people ...

Spring adorns the earth with flowers, and you, prince, adorned us with your Grace ...

It would be better for me to drink water in your house than to drink honey in the boyars' yard ... "

Clever, but poor, educated, but rootless, young, but unfit for military service, which would immediately open a wide road for him, he wants to find his place in life close to the prince. He is not going to get rich by marrying a rich bride, he does not want to go to a monastery, he does not rely on the help of friends; all his thoughts are directed to the prince, who does not accumulate treasures, but distributes his “mercy” not only to household members, but also “from other countries ... flowing” to him.

This "Daniel" is a spokesman for the interests of that growing during the XII century. a layer of service people, who for the most part went, of course, to the army, to the "young squad" of the prince, but as an exception they also asked for a service that required, above all, "wisdom". The anti-boyar sentiments of these people allowed the princely power to rely on them in their struggle against the proud and independent boyars.

Under Vsevolod the Big Nest, the Vladimir principality strengthened, grew, internally strengthened thanks to the support of cities and the nobility and became one of the largest feudal states in Europe, widely known outside of Russia. Vsevolod could influence the politics of Novgorod, received a rich inheritance in the Kiev region, sometimes intervened in South Russian affairs, but without the grandiose expenses that his brother Andrei had to do. Vsevolod almost completely controlled the Ryazan principalities; six Glebovich brothers reigned there, constantly at enmity with each other. In the “Lay of Igor’s Campaign” it is said about Vsevolod: “You can shoot the shereshirs alive on dry land, the daring sons of Glebov,” that is, he can throw the “daring sons of Glebov” like incendiary shells with Greek fire. This meant the victorious campaign of 1183 against the Volga Bulgaria, in which, on the orders of Vsevolod, four Gleboviches took part. In 1185 they broke out of obedience, but the author of the Lay did not yet know this when he wrote this part of his poem. The Vladimir principality was also connected with the Pereyaslav-Russian principality. Vsevolod here planted his sons to reign.

Vsevolod died in 1212. Last year In his life, a conflict arose over the succession to the throne: the Grand Duke wanted to leave the principality still under the leadership of the city of Vladimir, the new capital, and his eldest son Konstantin, a learned scribe and friend of the Rostov boyars, wanted to return to the old days of Rostov's primacy.

Then Vsevolod convened something like a Zemsky Sobor: “The Great Prince Vsevolod called all his boyars from cities and townships and Bishop John, and abbots, and priests, and merchants, and nobles, and all the people.” This congress of representatives swore allegiance to the second son, Yuri. However, after the death of his father, he managed to reign only in 1218. Yuri Vsevolodich died in 1238 in a battle with the Tatars on the river. City.

At the beginning of the XII century. Vladimir-Suzdal Rus was divided into several destinies between the numerous sons of Vsevolod the Big Nest.

The Vladimir-Suzdal principality, the core of the future Muscovite state of the 15th century, is a bright page in Russian history, and those solemn lines that are dedicated to it in the Tale of Igor's Campaign are not accidental.

The multifaceted culture of North-Eastern Russia is quite in tune with this remarkable poem: white-stone architecture, sculpture imbued with a peculiar medieval philosophy, chronicles, polemical literature, painting and “patterning” of gold and silver craftsmen, folk epics about local and all-Russian heroes.

An interesting reflection of the all-Russian culture of the X-XII centuries. is the Vladimir chronicle of 1205/6, created, possibly with the participation of the eldest son of Vsevolod - Konstantin the Wise, about whom contemporaries said that he "was a great hunter for reading books and was taught many sciences ... collected many deeds of the ancient princes and he himself wrote, so did others work with him.

The original vault has not come down to us, but a copy of it, made in the 15th century, has been preserved. in Smolensk and first introduced into scientific circulation by Peter the Great ("Radziwill" or "Kenigsberg" chronicle). The vault presents the "cases of the ancient princes" from Kiy to Vsevolod the Big Nest.

A precious feature of the Radziwill Chronicle is the presence of 618 colorful miniatures, aptly called "windows to the vanished world".

A.A. Shakhmatov and A.V. Artsikhovsky established that the drawings, like the text, repeat the original - the code of 1205/6. Further analysis made it possible to determine that the compilers of the Vladimir code were not the first authors and artists - they had at their disposal a whole library of illustrated ("face") annals, which included both the code of 997, and the code of Nikon 1073/76, and the Tale of Bygone Years by Nestor, and the Kievannals of the era of Monomakh and his sons, and various annals of the second half of the 12th century. In the hands of Vladimir archers there were even such facial annals, from which they took more drawings than text. So we can judge that the Kyiv Chronicle of Peter Borislavich was illustrated, since the Radziwill Chronicle contains miniatures depicting events that are not described in the text of this chronicle and are available only in the Kiev code of 1198 (Ipatiev Chronicle): Izyaslav Mstislavich's meeting with the Hungarian king, the embassy of the boyar Pyotr Borislavich to Vladimir Galitsky (1152), etc. Nowhere in the text of the Radziwill Chronicle does it say about the participation of the princess in the murder of Andrei Bogolyubsky, and in the figure we see, in addition to the murderous boyars, the princess carrying the severed hand of her husband. Other sources confirm the participation of the princess in the conspiracy.

The presence of illustrations in the vault of 997 is proved by the shape of the swords, characteristic of the middle of the 10th century, and the shape of the korchags, also of the 10th century, preserved in all redrawings.

Of great interest are the sketches of the original view of the ancient architecture of Kyiv, Pereyaslavl, Vladimir. The tithe church in Kyiv (996) was destroyed by Batu in 1240 and the copyists of the 15th century. was unknown, and on the miniature it is depicted as it was restored only according to the results of excavations of the 20th century.

The source illustrative materials of the code of 1205/6, relating to various chronicles of the 11th and 12th centuries, introduce us to the field of the literary and political struggle of that time, perhaps even to a greater extent than the chronicle text, since the selection of plots for illustration is especially boldly expressed the subjective tendency of the illustrator. In the miniatures of Nikon of Tmutarakansky (1073-76), sympathy for Mstislav Tmutarakansky and hostility towards Yaroslav the Wise and his eldest son Izyaslav are clearly visible. The artist, who painted miniatures for the annals of Izyaslav, showed unheard of impudence - he took revenge on Nikon by depicting him in the form of a donkey (!) On the abbot's place in the church.

The editorial processing of Nestor's work by Prince Mstislav was reflected in the abundant illustration of all (even small) episodes from the early period of Mstislav's life. A curious feature of the art school of the era of Monomakh and Mstislav is ironic drawings in the margins: a snake (victory over the Polovtsians), a dog (quarrels of princes), a cat and a mouse (a successful campaign in 1127), a monkey (frightened Torks), a lion being beaten with a club ( the defeat of Yuri Dolgoruky, who had a lion in his coat of arms), etc. One of these additions is of particular interest: when in 1136 the Chernigov Olgovichi began one of those bloody strife, about which they said then - “almost destroy ourselves?” , an artist from Kiev painted in the margins a deeply symbolic figure of a suicidal warrior stabbing a dagger into his chest. It was like an epigraph to the story of the collapse of Kievan Rus.

The Vladimir chronicle of 1205/6 was not only a model of the luxurious state chronicle of one principality - it reflected the artistic culture of Russia over several centuries.

Notes

. Tatishchev V.I. Russian history. M.; L., 1964, vol. III, p. 206.

(or Rostov-Suzdal land, as it was called before) occupied the territory between the Oka and Volga rivers, rich fertile soils. Here, by 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 the city of Yuryev-Polsky (located in the field). Despite the harsher climate in comparison with the Dnieper region, it was possible to obtain relatively stable crops here, which, together with fishing, cattle breeding, and forestry, ensured their existence.

The Slavs arrived here relatively late, having encountered mainly the Finno-Ugric population. From the north to the Volga-Oka interfluve in the 9th - 10th centuries. Ilmenian Slovenes came, from the west - Krivichi, from the south-west - Vyatichi. Remoteness and isolation predetermined the slower pace of development and Christianization of these areas.

In my own way geographic location The Vladimir-Suzdal principality was protected from all sides by natural barriers - major rivers, swampy swamps and impenetrable forests. In addition, the path of the nomads to the Rostov-Suzdal lands was blocked by the southern Russian principalities, which bore the brunt of the enemy raids. The prosperity of the principality was also facilitated by the fact that there was a constant influx of people into these lands, who fled to the forests either from the Polovtsian raids, or from the unbearable extortions of the princely Gridniks. It was also important that profitable trade routes ran in the lands of North-Eastern Russia, the most important of which, the Volga, connected the principality with the East.

The princes rather late turned their attention to the Zalessky region - the thrones in the local cities were of little prestige, prepared 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-Easternlands begin. Historically, Vladimir-Suzdal Rus became the hereditary "fatherland" of the Monomakhoviches. Strong ties were established between the local lands-volosts and the descendants of Vladimir Monomakh, here, earlier than in other lands, they got used to perceive the sons and grandsons of Monomakh as their princes.

The influx of heritage, which caused intensive 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 at their disposal.

The ruler of North-Eastern Russia 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 possessions, Yuri Dolgoruky led the active construction of fortified cities-fortresses along the borders of the principality. Under him, the Rostov-Suzdal principality turned into a vast and independent. It no longer sends its squads to the south to fight the Polovtsians. For him, the struggle with the Volga Bulgaria, which tried to control all trade on the Volga, was much more important. Yuri Vladimirovich went on campaigns against the Bulgars, fought with Novgorod for small, but important in the strategic and trade relations border lands. This was an independent, without regard to Kyiv, policy that turned Dolgoruky in the eyes of the inhabitants of Rostov, Suzdal and Vladimir into his 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.

Involved in the struggle for the throne of Kyiv, Yuri Dolgoruky did not forget about his northeastern possessions. His son Andrei, the future Prince Bogolyubsky, also rushed there. Even during the life of his father 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 cruel robbery and ruin. Andrei tried to subjugate Veliky Novgorod to his power.

The chronicle calls Bogolyubsky "autocratic" for his lust for power, the desire to rule autocratically. The prince began by driving his brothers from the Rostov-Suzdal tables. Subsequently, relatives dependent on him ruled under his supervision, not daring to disobey anything. This made it possible for the prince to temporarily consolidate North-Eastern Russia.

The center of the political life of Russia moved to the northeast. But during the reign of Andrei Bogolyubsky in the Vladimir-Suzdal principality (1157 - 1174), the fight against the local boyars intensified. First of all, the prince transferred the capital of the principality from rich Rostov to the small town of Vladimir-on-Klyazma. The impregnable white-stone Golden Gates, as well as the Assumption Cathedral, were erected here. Not far from the city, at the confluence of two rivers - the Nerl and the Klyazma, he founded his country residence - the village of Bogolyubovo, from whose name he received his famous nickname. In the Bogolyubskaya residence, as a result of a boyar conspiracy, Andrei was killed on a dark June night in 1174.

The policy of centralization of the 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, managed to push back the border of the Volga Bulgaria from the Volga.

“The Volga can be splashed with oars, and the Don can be scooped out with helmets,” wrote about Vsevolod in 1185 the author of “The Tale of Igor's Campaign”. At that time, this prince was the most powerful ruler in Russia. It was during his years that the title of Grand Duke of Vladimir appeared.

For more than two decades after the death of Vsevolod the Big Nest (1212), the lands of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality were prosperous rich possessions, until in 1238 the economic recovery was interrupted by a new danger - the Mongol-Tatar invasion, under the impact of which the lands fell apart into several small possessions.

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In preparing the report, data from books were used:

1. Textbook for grade 10 "History of Russia from ancient times to the end of the 17th century" (N.I. Pavlenko, I.L. Andreev)

2. "History of Russia from ancient times to the present day" (A.V. Veka)

Geography of the Suzdal Principality

Initially, the principality was called the Rostov-Suzdal land, covering the ancient lands of the Krivichi, partly the Vyatichi, the lands of the Merya, All, and Murom tribes.

Vladimir princes in the XII-XIII centuries achieved dominance over others, and the Vladimir-Suzdal land began to dominate in Russia. The territory of the principality was vast and was located between the Oka and Volga rivers and the area of ​​Beloozero.

Rich fertile lands separated forest areas from each other. The colder climate compared to the Dnieper region did not interfere with getting good harvests. The population was engaged in fishing, cattle breeding, forestry.

The territory of the principality gradually expanded to the northeast and north, to where the Northern Dvina, Ustyug, where the White Sea was located, carried its waters.

The borders passed with Novgorod land, Smolensk principality, Chernigov land, Ryazan and Murom principalities. From a geographical point of view, the position of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality was quite favorable.

This is explained, first of all, by the fact that on all sides the territory was protected by natural barriers - impenetrable forests, swampy swamps, large rivers. On the way of the nomads, in addition to a natural barrier, there were the southern Russian principalities, which were the first to take on enemy raids.

An important fact was the fact that there was a constant influx of people into these lands - some tribes fled here from the Polovtsian raids, others from the heaviest requisitions of the princely Gridniks.

Trade routes passed through the lands of North-Eastern Russia, connecting the principality with the East. One of these routes was the Volga. Thanks to all these factors, a strong boyars were formed in the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, pushing the local princes to fight for secession from Kyiv.

A single large center, as it were, the capital of the principality, was absent at that time, which was its peculiarity. For a long time there were two centers here - Rostov and Suzdal, and in the XII century Vladimir was added to them.

These three cities were the most important cities of the principality. The cities were famous for their artisans, each city had its own Kremlin.

Remark 1

Thus, the Vladimir-Suzdal principality is an example of the Russian principality of the period feudal fragmentation. Its territory stretched from the Northern Dvina to the Oka and from the sources of the Volga to the confluence with the Oka. Over time, Vladimir-Suzdal Rus united the Russian lands around itself, becoming their center. The Russian centralized state was formed here, and the future capital of Russia, Moscow, was founded on the territory.

Natural conditions of the Principality

Of all the lands where they settled East Slavs, North-Eastern Russia for many centuries remained the most remote place.

A number of cities in the Middle Dnieper and north-west, taking advantage of their geographical position, in the X-XI century rapidly developed economically and politically. These were cultural centers that managed to enter the international arena and became the basis for the creation of a single state.

Among them are Kyiv, Novgorod the Great, Chernihiv. And very close to them, in the interfluve of the Oka, Volga, Klyazma, primitive customs still reigned. Here, in the interfluve, there was an old trade road from the Novgorod lands to the Volga. The road was used not only by merchants, but also by the settlers following, and in the interfluve there were many lands suitable for plowing, which later made Agriculture the basis of economic development.

Suzdal Russia was especially distinguished by these lands, where beautiful water meadows stretched for hundreds of kilometers. In conditions temperate climate both agriculture and cattle breeding could be developed. Dense, almost untouched forests abounded in furs, berries, mushrooms. Wide rivers, calmly flowing through the flat terrain, deep and full-flowing lakes provided fish.

Unpretentious nature itself made sure that a person was able to feed himself here, put on shoes, clothe, build his own housing. The population was mainly engaged in fishing, hunting, beekeeping.

The geographical position of North-Eastern Russia saved her from foreign invasions, which she almost did not know. They did not know here the furious invasions of the steppes, the sword of the Baltic conquerors - the Varangians did not reach these places, the Polovtsian cavalry could not penetrate here, on the way of which impenetrable thickets of the forest stood.

Vladimir-Suzdal Rus lived calmly and thoroughly. Of course, she also took part in internecine battles, but later, and she herself led her squads to the south, even to Vladimir-Galician Rus.

This slow rhythm, however, contributed to the development and development of new lands, trading posts appeared, cities were built. By the middle of the 12th century, the Vladimir-Suzdal principality already occupied a vast territory of East Slavic, Finno-Ugric, Baltic lands and expanded its borders from the taiga forests of the north, the lower reaches of the Northern Dvina and the coast White Sea to the Polovtsian steppes in the south, from the upper Volga in the east to the Smolensk and Novgorod lands in the west and northwest.

The economy of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality

Slavic colonization continued in the 12th century, with settlers populating the river valleys and elevated watersheds of the rivers. Forest tracts were cleared for arable land. In the pastoral and commercial economy of the aborigines, under the influence of the Slavs, the role of agriculture increases, and the settlers from local pastoralists learn their experience.

The main arable implements were at first the plow, then the plow appeared, and the ax also belonged to the agricultural implements. Cutting down the forest, clearing the roots, and loosening the dried clay could not do without an ax.

The population was engaged in the cultivation of:

• wheat,
• barley,
• millet,
• flax
• cannabis,
• lentils.

Harvest, as a rule, was harvested with sickles. Farming is a very complex and hard work, which does not always reward the farmer.

Adverse weather led to frequent crop failures. Cattle breeding also played a significant role in the economy. The main domestic animals were sheep, goats, pigs, horses, and cattle.

Remark 2

Gardening has been practiced since the 12th century. New tools of labor appear - a wooden shovel, and a little later an iron hoe. At the same time, gardening began, which was the business of urban residents.

Woodworking crafts are developing in the cities, as evidenced by carpentry tools - saws, adzes, chisels, drills, chisels, etc. Pottery and stone-cutting craft are developing, and in the 40s of the XII century, an artel of stonemasons appears in Suzdal.

Blacksmithing is gaining strength and spreading widely, and among them a special category stands out - gunsmiths, for example, the helmet of Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, is the work of their hands. Worked in the principality and masters in the manufacture of shields. Already at that time, Russian blacksmiths knew 16 different specialties and could make up to 150 types of products from iron and steel.

Weaving and spinning were widespread throughout the principality, and Russian embroiderers mastered 50 sewing techniques. They made beautiful things from leather, fur, linen and silk fabrics.

Leather production developed in a number of cities - yuft and morocco were cultivated for the production of boots. Rougher leather was used for belts, wallets, bast shoes, etc.

It was known to the population that bone carving and jewelry craftsmanship was made by craftsmen. A special group consisted of goldsmiths.

Trade relations of the principality were established with the German lands, as well as with Lorraine and Limoges in France.

The Vladimir-Suzdal Principality (or the Rostov-Suzdal Land, as it was called earlier) occupied the territory between the Oka and Volga rivers, rich in fertile soils. Here, by the beginning of the 12th century. a system of large boyar landownership had already taken shape. 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 the city of Yuryev-Polsky (located in the opolye). Despite the harsher climate in comparison with the Dnieper region, it was possible to obtain relatively stable crops here, which, together with fishing, cattle breeding, and forestry, ensured their existence.

The Slavs arrived here relatively late, having faced mainly the Finno-Ugric population. From the north to the Volga-Oka interfluve in the 9th - 10th centuries. Ilmenian Slovenes came, from the west - Krivichi, from the south-west - Vyatichi. Remoteness and isolation predetermined the slower pace of development and Christianization of the local areas.

Geographical position.

According to its geographical position, the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality was protected from all sides by natural barriers - large rivers, swampy swamps and impenetrable forests. In addition, the path to the nomads in the Rostov-Suzdal lands was blocked by the southern Russian principalities, which took the brunt of the enemy raids. The prosperity of the principality was also facilitated by the fact that there was a constant influx of people into these lands, who fled to the forests either from the Polovtsian raids, or from the unbearable extortions of the princely grids. It was also important that profitable trade routes lay in the lands of North-Eastern Russia, the most important of which, the Volga, connected the principality with the East. It was economic factors that primarily contributed to the emergence of a strong boyars here, which pushed the local princes to fight for secession from Kyiv.

The princes rather late turned their attention to the Zalesky region - the thrones in the local cities were of little prestige, prepared 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 Monomakhoviches. Strong ties were established between the local lands-volosts and the descendants of Vladimir Monomakh, here, earlier than in other lands, they got used to perceive the sons and grandsons of Monomakh as their princes.

The influx of heritage, which caused intensive 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 at their disposal.

Yury Dolgoruky

The ruler of North-Eastern Russia 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 possessions, Yuri Dolgoruky led the active construction of fortified fortress cities along the borders of the principality. Under him, the Rostov-Suzdal principality turned into a vast and independent. It no longer sends its squads to the south to fight the Polovtsians. For him, the fight against the Volga Bulgaria, which tried to control all trade on the Volga, was much more important. Yuri Vladimirovich went on campaigns against the Bulgars, fought with Novgorod for small, but strategically and commercially important border lands. This was an independent, without regard to Kyiv, policy that turned Dolgoruky in the eyes of the inhabitants of Rostov, Suzdal and Vladimir into his 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.

Involved in the struggle for the throne of Kyiv, Yuri Dolgoruky did not forget about his northeastern possessions. His son Andrei, the future Prince Bogolyubsky, also aspired there. Even during the life of his father 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 the 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 cruel robbery and ruin. Andrei tried to subjugate Veliky Novgorod to his power.

The chronicle calls Bogolyubsky "autocratic" for his lust for power, the desire to rule with autocracy. The prince began by driving his brothers from the Rostov-Suzdal tables. Subsequently, relatives dependent on him ruled under his supervision, not daring to disobey anything. This made it possible for the prince to temporarily consolidate North-Eastern Russia.

The center of the political life of Russia moved to the northeast. But during the reign of Andrei Bogolyubsky in 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 Gates and the Assumption Cathedral were erected here. Not far from the city, at the confluence of two rivers - the Nerl and the Klyazma, he founded his country residence - the village of Bogolyubovo, from whose name he received his famous nickname. In the Bogolyubskaya residence, as a result of a boyar conspiracy, Andrei was killed on a dark June night in 1174.

Vsevolod 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, managed to push the border of the Volga Bulgaria beyond the Volga.

“The Volga can be splashed with oars, and the Don can be scooped out with helmets,” wrote about Vsevolod in 1185 the author of The Tale of Igor's Campaign. At that time, this prince was the most powerful ruler in Russia. 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 a new danger interrupted the economic recovery - the Mongol-Tatar invasion, under the impact of which the lands fell apart into several small possessions .

In the XII century. continued Slavic colonization. As before, it went in two directions: from the northwest 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 tracts 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 pastoralists, hunters and fishermen. Old cities are growing, new urban trade and craft centers are emerging.