Prince Vsevolod the Big Nest, short biography which is in all textbooks on the history of Russia, is best known for the fact that it was under him that the north-east of Russia became the most important and influential political center of the East Slavic world. Therefore, this ruler earned a good reputation among grateful descendants.
Childhood and youth
Vsevolod was born in 1154 in the family of the founder of Moscow - Yuri Dolgoruky. He was the youngest son of the prince, who died a few years after the birth of the child. After Yuri, Vsevolod's elder brother Andrei Bogolyubsky began to rule. He was the son of Yuri from his second wife. In 1162, Andrei expelled Vsevolod (still a child), his mother, and two other brothers, Mstislav and Vasilko, from his lands.
The Rurikovichs went to Constantinople, where they found shelter at the court of Emperor Manuel Komnenos. At the age of fifteen, Vsevolod the Big Nest, whose brief biography can tell about many unexpected turns in his fate, returned home, reconciled with his older brother. As a young man, he participated in a campaign against Kyiv in 1169. It was a war of northern princes against the old southern capital. For several decades, Russia has been divided into several independent states, each of which argued for leadership. Rurikovich ruled in every city, which turned into a family squabble. When in 1169 Kyiv nevertheless fell, it lost even a ghostly chance of being called the capital of Russia.
Viceroy in Kyiv
A few years later, the young Vsevolod the Big Nest was sent to rule the Mother of Russian Cities as a governor. A brief biography of the prince says that he did not last long on the banks of the Dnieper. In 1173, a few weeks after appearing in Kyiv, he was defeated by the children of the Smolensk ruler Rostislav, who also claimed the local throne. Vsevolod was captured, but was ransomed by his elder brother Mikhail.
The struggle for the Vladimir principality
All this time Andrey Bogolyubsky ruled in Vladimir. However, in 1174 he was killed by a group of conspirators (his own boyars). His death caused an internecine war for power over the north-east of Russia. Andrew had no children. Therefore, on the one hand, the brothers Mikhail and Vsevolod declared their rights to the throne, and on the other, the nephews and children of Rostislav's older brother, who died many years ago, Mstislav and Yaropolk. The conflict also flared up between the cities. In the principality, which was once owned by Yuri Dolgoruky, several political centers were formed (Vladimir, Suzdal, Rostov). The aristocracy tried to make their city the main one in the north-east of Russia.
First, Mikhail Yurievich established himself in Vladimir. He was supported by Vsevolod the Big Nest, whose brief biography tells of various political alliances with relatives. However, Mikhail died unexpectedly in 1176, and the Rostislavichi still wanted to take possession of Vladimir-on-Klyazma. They ruled in Rostov and Suzdal. In addition, they were supported by the Ryazan prince Gleb.
Union with Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich
To help Vsevolod, who replaced his older brother in Vladimir, Chernigov ruler came. In 1176-1177. one by one they defeated the troops of Mstislav (the battle of Lipitsk) and Gleb (the battle on Koloksha). All enemy princes were captured. Gleb soon died in captivity. Rostislavichi were blinded and set free. After these events, Vsevolod Yurievich Big Nest, whose brief biography was marked by an important success, became sole ruler northeastern Russia. He made Vladimir-on-Klyazma his capital.
Having become the sole ruler, Vsevolod organized campaigns against the eastern neighbors (Mordovians and the Volga Bulgars). He also fought for influence in Kyiv and Novgorod, which tried to defend its republican political system. The struggle went on with varying success for both sides. Over the years of his reign, Vsevolod the Big Nest became known for his wisdom and balance. His biography (it is almost impossible to briefly talk about any of the princes of Russia, too much will be missed) is well described in the multi-volume History of the Russian State by Nikolai Karamzin.
Question of succession
IN last years life Vsevolod the Big Nest, whose biography we are considering, was concerned about the problem of succession to the throne in his possessions. He had many children (8 sons and 4 daughters). That is why he, in fact, received the historical nickname of the Big Nest.
Between his two eldest sons - Konstantin and Yuri (also known as George) - a dispute broke out regarding the right to the inheritance. In order to reconcile the children, Vsevolod convened a council. Konstantin, who was his father's viceroy in Rostov, was to receive Vladimir, and Rostov was to be given to Yuri. However, the eldest son refused to obey this order of his father, because he believed that he had the right to both senior cities in the principality. Vsevolod did not forgive Konstantin such defiant behavior and deprived him of Vladimir, giving the capital to Yuri. While the father was alive, the brothers somehow resigned themselves and lived quietly. However, with the death of Vsevolod in 1212, an internecine war broke out in northeastern Russia.
Board results
However, it was at this time that the principality prospered. Vsevolod strengthened central government, depriving the influence of the Rostov boyars. He did a lot of decorating and arranging Vladimir, in which temples and other buildings important for people's lives were regularly built.
Vsevolod became the last sole ruler of northeastern Russia. After the death of the prince, his numerous sons divided the state. The invasion of the Mongols a few years later further aggravated this split. Also, Prince Vsevolod the Big Nest, whose brief biography is full of information about wars in various parts of Russia, became the last ruler of Vladimir, who still had influence on the southern principalities. After him, throughout the 13th century, they gradually moved into the orbit of Lithuanian interests.
Vsevolod Big Nest
After the death of Andrei Yurievich Bogolyubsky, the place of the ruler of the most powerful Russian principality remained vacant. Who should take it? decided the veche of representatives of Rostov, Suzdal, Pereyaslavl, which met in Vladimir. Note that there has not even been an attempt to resolve this issue on the basis of predetermined legal principles.
As in the old days, representatives of the junior and senior lines entered the struggle. The nephews began to fight with their own uncles.
As studies by Yu.A. Limonov, at the first stage there were three contenders: Andrei's nephews, the brothers Yaropolk and Mstislav Rostislavichi, and Andrei Bogolyubsky's brother, Mikhail Yurievich. After trying to resolve the dispute by force of arms, Mikhail was forced to leave Vladimir, whose inhabitants supported him at first.
However, the Rostislavich brothers “thought about self-interest much more”, appropriating state values and striving to enrich themselves and their relative, Gleb Ryazansky. The greedy Rostislavichs were expelled, and on June 15, 1175, Michael "traveled into the city with triumph." There is conflicting information about whether he punished the murderers of Andrei Bogolyubsky, his brother. Even if this happened, then retribution came to them only a year (!) After the crime.
It is customary to regard the princes as the culprits of internecine wars. However, the change of princes on the Vladimir table after the death of Andrei Bogolyubsky shows that it was not only the militant envy of Rurik's descendants. The boyar elite of the cities was no less greedy and power-hungry. Often it was the boyars who dictated to the princes what to do.
The cities of North-Eastern Russia were divided in their opinions regarding the contenders for the great reign. Rostov gave preference to Yaropolk Rostislavich, inviting him from Chernigov. Vladimir? Mikhail Yurievich. For seven weeks, the army, gathered by the Rostov boyars (and not the Chernigov warriors of Yaropolk!), Besieged Vladimir. In the end, Rostov, proud of its antiquity, forced the “masons” (as the Rostovites contemptuously called the inhabitants of Vladimir) to submit.
A few months later, the situation repeated itself exactly the opposite. Having seen enough of the greedy Rostislavichs, the people of Vladimir sent an embassy to Mikhail: “Go to the throne of Bogolyubsky; and if Rostov and Suzdal do not want you, we are ready for anything and, with God's help, we will not yield to anyone.
This time, the arrogant Rostov and Suzdal boyars submitted to the Vladimir "masons" and the whole principality was united under the rule of Mikhail.
In 1176 Mikhail Yurievich died. Again, strife began between the two lines of inheritance: the older and the younger. The senior line was represented by Vsevolod Yurievich, the brother of the late Andrei and Mikhail, who previously reigned in Vladimir. junior line? these are the same Yaropolk and Mstislav Rostislavichi, who had previously tried to sit on the table.
Rostov gave preference to Mstislav Rostislavich. The inhabitants of Vladimir summoned Vsevolod Yurievich. The first fight ended in favor of Vsevolod.
"The nobles of Rostov ... told Mstislav ... we will deal with the blackness of Vladimir with weapons." This, of course, was not about the artisans of Vladimir. The simply proud Rostov nobility could not recognize themselves as equals to the Vladimir boyars. It turned out, however, not the way the Rostov elite had hoped. After the battle on June 27, 1176 near the Kzy River, in his native city“Vladimirites led the bound nobles of Rostov, the perpetrators of civil strife ... Suzdal, Rostov submitted to Vladimir.” By force of arms, it was not princes who fought for primacy, but cities, using princes as military leaders in their disputes.
The rivalry between uncle and nephews, between Vsevolod Yurievich and Yaropolk and Mstislav Rostislavich, continued further.
The nephew fled to Novgorod, the Vladimir squad in response laid siege to Torzhok. The inhabitants of Torzhok wanted to give a ransom, Prince Vsevolod was inclined to conclude peace, but the squad demanded decisive action from the prince. The city was taken by storm and burned, the property was plundered, the inhabitants were captured.
The captives were then sold into slavery. The unbearably long road to the eastern slave markets ended in an equally unbearably long life without rights in a foreign land.
The situation of that time was such that the words of the poet about the prince's combatants: "jump like gray wolves in the field"? do not look like a figurative epithet, not a metaphor, but an accurate and merciless characterization.
In the struggle against his uncle, Mstislav entered into an alliance with the Ryazan prince Gleb Vladimirovich. As a result, both allies ended up in Vladimir, only not on the princely throne, but in prison. Soon Vsevolod's second nephew, Yaropolk Rostislavich, was also brought to them.
All applicants gathered in one city, only in a different capacity: uncle? on the throne, nephews? in captivity. This state of affairs lasted for about a year. The question arose of how to ensure peace in the highest spheres of power.
Historians explain this decision in different ways. One thing is clear that he was preceded by fierce disputes between Vsevolod and the boyar elite of Vladimir. The boyars demanded the execution of the Rostislavichs, or at least blinding. Vsevolod resisted.
V.M. Kogan and V.I. Dombrovsky-Shalagin believe that both nephews were blinded. Does the nickname of Mstislav, under which he remained in the annals, tell us about this? Eyeless, that is, “without eyes”, “without eyes”.
At the same time, there are reports that the brothers then miraculously received their sight in the Smolensk church of Boris and Gleb. K.V. Ryzhov cites the opinion of V.N. Tatishchev, that Vsevolod ordered that the executioner only incised the skin on the eyelids, in order to calm the Vladimir townspeople, who were eager for the execution of his nephews. A number of other historians adhere to the same opinion. This assumption is supported by the fact that both brothers later reigned in Novgorod and Torzhok.
Be that as it may, since 1178 no one has threatened Vsevolod's position on the Vladimir throne. He ruled until his death in 1212. The poet enthusiastically wrote about his power: “You can splash the Volga with oars, and scoop out the Don with helmets.” The Vladimir prince had 12 children, for which his contemporaries called him Vsevolod the Big Nest.
The prince's wife was "yaska"? Ossetian, like the last wife of Andrei Bogolyubsky.
Vsevolod fought a lot and successfully, forcing all other princes in all Russian lands, from Novgorod to Galich, to reckon with him. Intensive stone construction was carried out in Vladimir, Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, Suzdal. The Dmitrievsky Cathedral, which still amazes us today with its grandeur and elegant stone carvings, was built in Vladimir in just four years and completed in 1197. It is named in honor of the heavenly patron Vsevolod, who had the Christian name Dmitry.
At one time, Vsevolod was expelled by his brother, Andrei Bogolyubsky, from the Rostov-Suzdal land in 1162. He was forced to leave for Constantinople, to Emperor Manuel, where he stayed until 1169.
Now the fate of the exile was to be tested by the son of Andrei Bogolyubsky, Yuri, who was a Novgorod prince. He was forced to leave Russia under the pressure of his uncle Vsevolod, who became the Grand Duke. Their contemporary was the great Shota Rustaveli, who dedicated his poem "The Knight in the Panther's Skin" to Queen Tamar.
Yuri Andreevich, under the name of the Georgian king George, thus turned out to be the first Russian prince to rule in the Caucasus. He was one of the leaders of the Georgian-Armenian army, which liberated the Caucasus from the Turks. True, as the husband of the famous Georgian Queen Tamar, he was replaced by the Ossetian prince David Soslani two and a half years later. Against the prince, who had gained too much popularity among the Georgians with his military exploits, Queen Tamar plotted. The arrest was followed by a divorce and expulsion from the country. Yuri Andreevich's attempt in 1191 to regain his lost power, at first successful, ended later in failure. Quite transparent allusions to these events, suggest Valery and Svetlana Ryzhov, are contained in Rustaveli's poem, which led to the persecution of the poet by the one he called the "merciless tigress":
Historians suggest that the poem calling for the unification of the Russian princes was written by a person close to the "powers that be" in Kyiv. Even the most probable names are called. On the other hand, Rusudan, Queen Tamar's aunt, was married to the Kiev prince Izyaslav Mstislavich, who came to the Kyiv throne from Vladimir-Volynsky. The marriage, however, lasted only a few months. In 1154, the sister of the Georgian king George became a widow and returned to her homeland. In Kyiv, she and the future author of The Word... could see each other. It is also very likely that the author of the Lay also met with the son of Andrei Bogolyubsky, the future prince of Novgorod, the future husband of Queen Tamar and, in this capacity, the Georgian king George.
If speak about creative people of that time, it is necessary to mention the Icelandic warrior and skald Snorri Sturlusson (years of life 1179–1241). Viking was gifted with a literary talent. Secluded in 1220-1230. in his castle with the meaningful name "Valhalla", he compiled a collection of Scandinavian sagas called "Circle of the Earth", which is one of the main sources for literary critics and historians studying the Viking Age. In addition, he wrote the rules of versification for skalds.
Around the same time, the creation of the German Nibelungenlied (circa 1200) is attributed. Somewhat earlier (in the middle of the 12th century) did the most significant work of the Spanish epic appear? "Song of Sid Campeador". Not only heroic plots excited poets. From the middle of the 12th century, numerous versions of the novel about the unearthly love of Tristan and Isolde appeared in Brittany.
Is it accidental that the appearance at about the same time in Russia and in Europe literary works that have survived the ages?
During the reign of Vsevolod, in 1187, Salah ad-Din (or, as the Europeans called him, Saladin) conquered Jerusalem from the crusaders, captured by them almost 100 years ago. In response, the European monarchs, the German emperor Frederick Barbarossa, the French king Philip II Augustus and the English king Richard the Lionheart organized the most grandiose of all crusades. However, Jerusalem was never returned to the Christians. Barbarossa did not reach Palestine, drowning while crossing one of the many mountain rivers. The king of France considered it good to return to his homeland. The hero of chivalrous ballads, Richard the Lionheart, turned out to be the most persistent.
However, his former ally, the King of France, Philip Augustus, not in vain in his letter to the brother of the English king called the wayward and unbridled Richard the devil. A special piquancy to this circumstance is given by the fact that in his youth, when Richard was visiting Philip in Paris, according to the chronicler, they "ate at the same table and slept in the same bed."
An example can be given of how Christian morality can be combined with barbaric cruelty.
Richard was able to carry through the council of crusader leaders the decision to execute the prisoners captured during the storming of Acre. About three thousand inhabitants of the city who surrendered to the mercy of the winner were hacked to death in 1191.
However, there is a similar example of European mercy and the fulfillment of their promises towards prisoners of war in a more civilized era. Napoleon in 1799 ordered the execution of 4,000 Turkish soldiers who had surrendered to the French after being promised life. By the way, this happened near Jaffa, not far from the already mentioned Acre.
The violation by Western aliens of all the rules of warfare adopted at that time and the knightly code of honor convinced the Arab rulers of other states of the need for joint action against the crusaders. Salah ad-Din finally received reinforcements in people and money. Jerusalem remained in Muslim hands. From those years to the present day, there has been a tradition according to which the keys to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem are in the same Muslim family. In it, the position of gatekeeper and keeper of the keys of the temple is hereditary.
The three-year epic of this campaign, having glorified the name of the English warrior king, did not give him any political and financial benefits. Moreover, having learned closer to his unbridled temper, almost all European rulers hated Richard. He decided to return home, accompanied by two (or even one, as some historians point out) companions, disguised as a wandering pilgrim knight. As the sequel showed, Richard knew what to fear. In Austria, his incognito was revealed, and he was imprisoned for two years? first in an Austrian prison, then in the fortress of the German Emperor Henry VI, son of Barbarossa. Only a huge ransom of 150 thousand marks of silver (30 tons!) Gave him freedom again.
During the reign of Vsevolod Yurievich, the fourth crusade(1202-1204), who clearly showed the predatory nature of these European enterprises. The crusaders did not plan to liberate the Holy Sepulcher, heading against Christian Byzantium. Constantinople was sacked. Here is just one example of the understanding by Europeans at that time of what honor and dignity are. The multi-figure equestrian sculptural composition that adorned the Constantinople Hippodrome, which is believed to have been created in the 4th century BC, was taken to Venice. The stolen quadriga (four horses) has become a symbol of the city of St. Mark (as Venice is often called). George Byron dedicated the lines to them:
Let the horses of Mark with a golden harness
And bronze shine in clear weather ...
In 1797, Napoleon ordered this work of ancient art to be sent to Paris, where the quadriga was installed on the Arc de Triomphe. But in 1815, the Venetians were able to return the twice stolen sculpture.
A revolutionary event in mathematics took place unnoticed in Russia. However, its importance was not immediately appreciated in Europe. His father's assistant in trading affairs, Leonardo Fibonacci (Leonardo of Pisa), while in North Africa around 1200, learned from the Arabs their form of writing numbers. He realized that they were much more convenient to use than Roman numerals. Fortunately, Leonardo had a penchant for writing treatises. His "Book of the Abacus" (Liber abaci) on Arabic numerals was published in 1202. The advantage of Arabic numerals over Roman numerals is not in writing. The genius of the invention of the Indians (from whom the Arabs took this system) lies in the positional number system. The value of a digit in a number entry is determined by its position. The same digit can mean units, tens, hundreds, etc. An introduction to zero? this is another revolution in mathematics. Now it is possible to operate with numbers from infinitely small (0.000...) to infinitely large (1000...). Subsequently, zero allowed the use of the binary number system, which is the basis for the operation of computers and the development of information technology. Arabic numerals came to Russia in the 17th century. Interestingly, the modern style of Arabic numerals does not correspond to either the Arabic version or the Indian original.
10 years after Andrei Bogolyubsky's brother Vsevolod the Big Nest became the Grand Duke of Vladimir, an event took place in the distant Mongolian steppe in the valley of the Onon River, which largely determined the fate of many peoples of the Euro-Asian continent.
At a general meeting of representatives of the Mongolian tribes (kurultai) in 1206, one of the leaders named Temuchin (Temujin) was chosen as the great khan. He went down in history under his title as Genghis Khan. By his death in 1227, vast territories from the Sea of Okhotsk to the Caspian were under the rule of the Mongols. Soldiers were supplied to the army of Genghis Khan and tribute was paid to him by Northern China, the states of Central Asia and Transcaucasia. This was only the first stage of the Mongol conquests. The Mongols would subsequently manage to create the largest empire in the entire history of the world.
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From the book Russia and its autocrats author Anishkin Valery GeorgievichVSEVOLOD YURYEVICH THE BIG NEST (b. 1154 - d. 1212) Grand Duke of Vladimir (1176–1212), son of Yuri Dolgoruky. Nickname received for having many children (8 sons, 4 daughters). In 1162, together with his mother and brother, he was expelled by his brother Andrei Bogolyubsky and went to Constantinople to the emperor
Reigns: 1176-1212
From the biography
- § Vsevolod the Big Nest -- younger son Yuri Dolgoruky, brother of Andrei Bogolyubsky.
- § He received the nickname because he had 12 children, of which 8 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 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.
Domestic policy
|
Activities |
Result |
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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. |
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The spread of the power of the Prince of Vladimir throughout the territory of Russia. |
His reign is the heyday 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 Grand Duke of Vladimir appeared. |
|
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). |
Foreign policy
|
Activities |
Result |
|
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 period of 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 great and strong army. It was about him that the ancient chronicler wrote in the Tale of Igor's Campaign that it "can splash the Volga with oars, and the Don can scoop it out with helmets."
- § A successful foreign policy was carried out - campaigns against the Bulgars and Polovtsians were carried out. Border 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.
Domestic and foreign policy of Vsevolod the Big Nest
The reign of Grand Duke Vsevolod the Big Nest is an era marked by the political heyday of the Vladimir-Suzdal land, and the weakening of the power of the prince of Kiev. It was Vsevolod III, with his desire for autocracy, that laid the foundation for the formation of the monarchist idea. Some historians still do not single out Prince Vsevolod as an innovator in matters of government. Researchers believe that he only consolidated the successes of his brother Andrei Bogolyubsky, without praising anything new. In addition, Vsevolod the Big Nest is called the ruler, who increased fragmentation, speaking of the civil strife of his sons. Nevertheless, some features of the prince's domestic and foreign policy deserve careful study.
Domestic politics
The internal policy of Prince Vsevolod III is aimed at interacting with Kiev and the lands around it. Acting as a provocateur, he pushed the princes of Southern Russia against each other, thereby strengthening his power and winning political primacy. Vsevolod the Big Nest achieved the opportunity to personally choose a bishop, although previously the princes did not have such a right. Thanks to special tactics, he was able to manage the powerful Vladimir boyars and establish sole power in his principality. But this was not the most unusual success of the prince, as a wise politician. Vsevolod managed to do what no other Russian prince had been able to do before him - to subjugate Novgorod. At that time, in Novgorod, the veche was recognized as the highest authority (in contrast to North-Eastern Russia, which was dominated by princes). The Novgorod prince ruled only under the control of the posadnik. The strong and domineering character of Vsevolod the Big Nest helped to influence internal politics Russian lands.Foreign policy
As for foreign policy, the Prince of Vladimir-Suzdal focused on the problems of trade. It was for this purpose that Vsevolod III organized aggressive campaigns against Volga Bulgaria in 1184 and 1185. Some Russian princes (Muromo-Ryazan, Smolensk and other rulers) participated in these campaigns. All of them acted under the leadership of Vsevolod the Big Nest, which once again speaks of the wisdom and power of this prince. The defeat of the Bulgarians and the conquest of their lands made it possible not only to open new trade routes, but also to actively expand the territory of the principality of the eastern side.In addition to trade, the foreign policy of Prince Vsevolod III was connected with the Polovtsy, who for several centuries in a row disturbed the southern borders of Russia with their raids. In this connection, Vsevolod organized a campaign against the Polovtsy in 1199, again uniting several rulers (Vladimir, Ryazan and Suzdal princes). In addition to security, this campaign was carried out with the aim of reconciliation with the Chernigov prince and ensuring peace.
Assessing the internal and foreign policy Prince Vsevolod the Big Nest, it becomes clear that this man possessed the extraordinary qualities of a ruler and military leader. It is not surprising that it was under him that the Vladimir-Suzdal land reached its highest prosperity.
The nickname of this Grand Duke of Russia is not accidental: despite the relatively short (only 58 years) life (1154-1212), this ruler of Russia rightfully occupies a worthy place in the Russian Book of Records, not to mention the Guinness Book. He was married twice, but he left behind a rich demographic legacy - 12 (!) Children. Today, such large families in our country are a huge rarity: a maximum of 1-2, or even 3 children. The population of today's Russia fluctuates around the mark of 147 million people. (taking into account the annexation of Crimea, where the population is about 2.5 million). Demography in Russia is a very slippery and complex issue. With such a territory as our country, this figure is catastrophically low! In the same Russian Empire, the population was about 185 million, and large families were a completely normal and natural phenomenon. The norm was to have from 5 to 10 children in a family. The USSR shortly before its collapse consisted of 290 million people, 160 (about 60%) of which were Russians. But you won’t go far on maternity capital: you need it in principle new approach so that the number of ITS population (and not imported) begins to grow by leaps and bounds. In China, for example, since the time of Qin Shi Huang, the following practice has been used: the more children you give birth to, the faster you will be exempted from paying taxes and come under the guardianship of the state. This system looked like this: 1 child - 20 years of taxes, 2 - 15, 3 - 10, 4 - 5, 5 or more - lifelong tax exemption. And I must say that this approach not only benefited China, but also played a cruel joke on it: the state was not able to feed such a hefty anthill, numbering almost 1.5 billion (!!!) people. As a result, this led to the fact that the Chinese began to disperse en masse in all directions, and the government of the country decided to reduce its population by adopting the "one child per family" program. During the Second World War, China's losses amounted to 40 million people - more than those of the USSR (27-30 million), and during the years of the Cultural Revolution, the victims became even more - 60 million. Today, the results of the "one child in the family" program have led to that 400 (!!!) million people are rapidly turning into pensioners, in connection with which the authorities of the Celestial Empire have already gone for some mitigation, allowing them to raise no more than 2 children.
So I'm thinking: will the Chinese experience really pull Russia out, or will there still be people who will solve the demographic problem without outside help? .jpg)
Birth of Prince Vsevolod, son of Yuri Dolgoruky. Front Chronicle
Vsevolod Yurievich Big Nest (baptized Dmitry, 1154 - April 15, 1212) - Grand Duke Vladimir since 1176. The tenth son of Yuri Dolgoruky, younger brother Andrei Bogolyubsky. Under him, the Grand Duchy of Vladimir reached its highest power. He had a large offspring - 12 children (including 8 sons), so he received the nickname "Big Nest". For five weeks (from February to March 24, 1173) he reigned in Kyiv. In Russian historiography it is sometimes called Vsevolod III.
The reign of Vsevolod is the period of the highest rise of the Vladimir-Suzdal land. The reasons for the success of Vsevolod are reliance on new cities (Vladimir, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Dmitrov, Gorodets, Kostroma, Tver), where the boyars before him were relatively weak, as well as reliance on the nobility.
Princely strife after the death of Andrei Bogolyubsky
The riots that followed the murder of Andrey aroused in the best, most prosperous part of the population a desire to quickly end anarchy, i.e. to call upon the princes, without whom Ancient Russia could not even imagine the existence of any social order, and especially any external security. Boyars and combatants from Rostov, Suzdal, Pereyaslavl gathered in Vladimir and, together with the Vladimir squad, began to report about which of the descendants of Yuri Dolgoruky should be called to reign. Many voices pointed to the need to hasten this matter, because the neighboring princes, Murom and Ryazan, perhaps, would take it into their heads to avenge the previous oppression from Suzdal and would come in an army, taking advantage of the fact that there was no prince in Suzdal. This fear was justified; for at that time the stern, enterprising prince Gleb Rostislavich was sitting on the Ryazan table. There is even reason to believe that the aforementioned troubles in the Suzdal land and the very murder of Andrei Bogolyubsky did not take place without some participation of Gleb Ryazansky, with the help of his supporters and minions. At the Vladimir Congress we find his ambassadors, two Ryazan boyars, Dedilts and Boris.
In addition to the young son of Yuri Novgorodsky, after Andrey there were two of his younger brothers, Mikhail and Vsevolod, who were his brothers by father, and not by mother, being born from Dolgoruky's second wife. He also had two nephews, Mstislav and Yaropolk Rostislavich. Under the influence of the Ryazan ambassadors, the majority of the congress leaned on the side of the nephews, who were shurya Gleb Ryazansky; since he was married to their sister. The congress sent several men to the Ryazan prince with a request to add their ambassadors to them and send them all together for their shuryas. Both brothers and nephews of Andrei at that time lived with the Chernigov prince Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich. Obviously, not all Suzdalians wanted nephews; some still remembered the oath given by Dolgoruky to seat his younger sons on their table. In addition, the Chernigov prince patronized the Yurievichs more than the Rostislavichs. Therefore, things arranged in such a way that all four princes went to the Rostov-Suzdal land to reign in it together; seniority was recognized for Mikhalk Yurievich; on which they swore an oath before the Bishop of Chernigov. Mikhalko and one of the Rostislavichs, Yaropolk, went ahead. But when they reached Moscow, they were met here by a new embassy, actually from the Rostovites, who announced Mikhalka to wait in Moscow, and Yaropolk was invited to go further. Obviously, the Rostovites did not like the Chernigov treaty on the joint reign of the Yurievichs with the Rostislavichs and on the seniority of Mikhalok. But the people of Vladimir accepted the latter and put him on their table.
Then a struggle or internecine strife began between uncles and nephews - a struggle, especially curious in terms of the different attitudes towards it of the Suzdal cities. The eldest of them, Rostov, of course, looked with displeasure at the preference that Andrei gave to the younger Vladimir before him. Now it seemed to be a convenient time for the Rostovites to regain their former paramount importance and humble Vladimir. Calling it their "suburb", the Rostovites demanded that he obey their decisions, following the example of other Russian lands: "For from the beginning, the Novgorodians, Smolnians, Kievans, Polochans and all the authorities converge at a veche, and on what the elders put, on that and the suburbs will become." Irritated by the pride of the Vladimir people, the Rostovites said: "After all, these are our serfs and masons; let's burn Vladimir or put our posadnik in it again." In this struggle, another older city, Suzdal, stood on the side of Rostov; and Pereyaslavl-Zalessky discovered hesitation between opponents. Rostov and Suzdal gathered large army, received more help from the people of Murom and Ryazan, laid siege to Vladimir, and after a stubborn defense forced him to submit to his decision for a while. Mikhalko retired again to Chernigov; in Rostov sat senior Rostislavich Mstislav, and in Vladimir the younger Yaropolk. These young, inexperienced princes completely submitted to the influence of the Rostov boyars, who hurried to enrich themselves at the expense of the people by all sorts of falsehoods and oppressions. In addition, Rostislav brought with him the South Russian warriors, who also received the positions of posadniks and tiuns and also began to oppress the people with sales (penalties) and virs. Yaropolk's advisers even seized the keys to the storerooms of the Assumption Cathedral, began to plunder its treasures, take away from him the villages and tributes approved for him by Andrei. Yaropolk allowed his ally and brother-in-law Gleb of Ryazansky to take possession of some church treasures, such as books, vessels, and even the most miraculous icon of the Mother of God.
When in this way not only the political pride of the Vladimirites was offended, but also their religious feelings were affected, then they stepped in with even greater energy and again called the Yuryeviches from Chernigov. Mikhalko appeared with the Chernigov auxiliary squad and expelled the Rostislavichs from the Suzdal land. Grateful to Vladimir, he again approved the main princely table in him; and planted his brother Vsevolod in Pereyaslavl-Zalessky. Rostov and Suzdal were again humiliated, not having received a special prince for themselves. Mikhalko lived for a long time in Southern Russia and was distinguished there by feats of arms, especially against the Polovtsians. Having established himself in Vladimir, he immediately forced Gleb of Ryazan to turn back the main shrine of Vladimir, i.e. the icon of the Mother of God, and everything that was stolen by him from the Assumption Church.
But already in the next 1177, Mikhalko died, and the younger Yuryevich Vsevolod settled in Vladimir. The Rostov boyars tried again to challenge the primacy of Vladimir and again called on the Rostislavichs to reign. The same Gleb Ryazansky again acted as their zealous ally. He, with hired crowds of Polovtsy, entered the Suzdal land, burned Moscow, rushed straight through the forests to Vladimir and plundered Bogolyubov with his Nativity Church. Meanwhile, Vsevolod, having received help from the Novgorodians and Svyatoslav of Chernigov, went to Ryazan land; but, having heard that Gleb was already ruining the environs of his capital, he hurried back and met the enemy on the banks of the Koloksha River, which flows into the Klyazma on the left. Gleb suffered a complete defeat here, was taken prisoner and soon died in custody. Both Rostislavichs were also captured by Vsevolod; but then, at the request of the Chernigov prince, they were released to relatives in Smolensk.
The reign of Vsevolod the Big Nest
With such a brilliant victory, Vsevolod III, nicknamed the Big Nest, began his reign, who again united the entire Rostov-Suzdal land in his hands.
Vsevolod spent his youth in different places, in the midst of various circumstances and changes in his destiny, which greatly contributed to the development of his practical, flexible mind and government abilities. By the way, while still a child, he, with his mother and brothers (expelled by Andrei from Suzdal), spent some time in Byzantium, from where he could take away many instructive impressions; then he lived for a long time in Southern Russia, where he was skilled in military affairs. By subduing the seditious Rostovites by defeating a hostile neighbor, the Prince of Ryazan, and by the final rise of the Vladimirites, Vsevolod from the very beginning became their favorite; they attributed its successes to the special patronage of their shrine, the miraculous icon of the Virgin. The very behavior of Vsevolod at the beginning of his reign is tinged with some gentleness and good nature. After the victory at Koloksha, the Vladimir boyars and merchants almost rebelled because the prince left the captives of Rostov, Suzdal and Ryazan at large; to calm the excitement, he was forced to seat them in prisons. Something similar happened a few years later, during the siege of the Novgorod suburb of Torzhok: when the prince hesitated to attack, as if sparing the city, his squad began to grumble, saying: “We didn’t come to kiss them,” and the prince was forced to take the city on a shield. From the same data of historians, we have every right to conclude that some prominent features in the activities of the famous North Russian prince, in addition to his personal nature, determined environment, the nature of the North Russian population.
Obviously, the unfortunate end that befell Andrei's attempt to introduce complete autocracy, according to a natural historical law, led the so-called. a reaction in favor of those whom he tried to completely subjugate to his will, that is, in favor of the boyars and the squad. During the internecine strife that occurred after his death, the Rostov and Suzdal boyars were defeated and humiliated, but only in order to join their winners, the boyars and Vladimir warriors, and have common interests with them. As in other regions of Russia, the northeastern cities during these troubles show devotion to their princely family (the offspring of Dolgoruky) and do not call princes from any other branch. But they also do not put them on their table unconditionally, but only according to a certain row, or agreement. So, in connection with the aforementioned oppression of the people from the alien warriors of Yaropolk Rostislavich, the Vladimirians began to hold vechas, at which they said in the following sense: “We of our own free will accepted the prince and established ourselves with him by kissing the cross; and these (South Russians) are not at all befitting to sit at us and plunder someone else's volost. In the same way, not without a row, the Vladimirians planted Mikhalok, and then Vsevolod. This series, of course, consisted in confirming the old customs that ensured the advantages of the military estate or boyars and squads, as well as some rights of the zemstvo people in relation to the court and administration. Consequently, in North-Eastern Russia, we still see the same customs and attitudes of the squad towards their princes, as in South, the same city councils. However, all the northern princes, up to and including Vsevolod, spent part of their lives in South Russia, had possessions there and brought with them to the north many South Russians, including Kievans. Northern Russia was still nourished by Kievan customs and traditions, so to speak, by Kievan citizenship.
At the same time, however, those features of difference that subsequently developed and gave North-Eastern Russia a different shade in comparison with Kievan Rus begin to come out. The boyars and the retinue in the north take on a more zemstvo connotation than in the south, more sedentary and landowning; they stand closer to other estates and do not represent such a predominance in military strength as in the south. Like Novgorod, the Suzdal militia is primarily a zemstvo army, with boyars and a retinue at the head. The North-Eastern squad less separates its benefits from the interests of the land; she is more united with the rest of the population and more assists the princes in their political and economic concerns. In a word, in North-Eastern Russia we see the beginnings of more state relations. Some features of the Suzdal boyars seemed to recall the ambitious aspirations of the contemporary Galician boyars. But in the north it could not find the same favorable ground for its claims. The population here was distinguished by a less impressionable and mobile, more reasonable character; in the neighborhood there were no Ugrians and Poles, ties with which nourished and supported internal seditions. On the contrary, as soon as the Suzdal land calmed down under the firm, intelligent rule of Vsevolod III, the northern boyars became his zealous assistant. Being more cold-blooded and more cautious than his older brother, Vsevolod not only did not enter into an open struggle with the boyars, but caressed him, observed the old customs and relations in appearance and used his advice in zemstvo affairs. In the person of Vsevolod III, in general, we see a prince who presented a wonderful example of a northern, or Great Russian, character, active, prudent, thrifty, capable of steadily pursuing his goal, of a cruel or gentle course of action, depending on the circumstances, in a word, those very features on which the state building of great Russia was built.
Vsevolod's struggle with neighboring principalities
When the unrest caused by the murder of Andrei ended, and Vsevolod restored autocracy in the Rostov-Suzdal principality, then it turned out to be possible to restore its predominance over the neighboring Russian regions, Novgorod, on the one hand, and Muromo-Ryazan, on the other. The desire for this dominance was not only a personal matter. Vladimir prince, but also his boyars, squads and people, who were aware of their superiority in strength and had already become accustomed to such predominance under Yuri Dolgoruky and Andrei Bogolyubsky. In the review of Novgorod history, we saw how Vsevolod succeeded in re-establishing Suzdal influence in Veliky Novgorod and giving him princes from his own hands. He achieved even more decisive predominance in the Ryazan region. This area after Gleb, who died in Vladimir captivity, was divided by his sons, who recognized themselves as dependent on Vsevolod and sometimes turned to him to resolve their disputes. But here the Suzdal influence clashed with the influence of Chernigov, since the Ryazan princes were the younger branch of the Chernigov ones. Vsevolod had to quarrel with his benefactor Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich, who considered himself the head of not only the Chernigov-Seversky princes, but also Ryazan, intervened in their feuds, and also supported Novgorod the Great in his struggle with Suzdal and planted his son there. It came to an open rupture.
The Chernigov prince, together with the Seversk squads and hired Polovtsy, undertook a campaign in the Suzdal land. Near the mouth of the Tvertsa, they were joined by the Novgorodians, who were brought by his son (Vladimir). Having devastated the banks of the Volga, Svyatoslav, not reaching Pereyaslavl-Zalessky forty miles, met Vsevolod III, who, in addition to the Suzdal regiments, had with him auxiliary squads from Ryazan and Murom. Despite the impatience of those around him, cautious and prudent as a true northern prince, Vsevolod did not want to risk a decisive battle with the southern Russian regiments, known for their military prowess; and began to expect the enemy beyond the Vlena River (the left tributary of the Dubna, which flows into the Volga). He pitched his camp on its steep banks, in a country cut by ravines and hills. For two weeks both troops stood, looking at each other from the opposite bank. Vsevolod ordered the Ryazan princes to make an unexpected night attack. The Ryazans broke into the camp of Svyatoslav and caused confusion there. But when Vsevolod Trubchevsky ("buoy-tour" of "The Tale of Igor's Campaign") arrived in time to help the Chernigovites, the people of Ryazan fled, having lost many killed and captured. In vain Svyatoslav sent to Vsevolod with a proposal to resolve the matter by the Court of God and asked for this to retreat from the coast so that he could cross. Vsevolod detained the ambassadors and did not answer. Meanwhile, spring was approaching: fearing the flood of waters, Svyatoslav abandoned the convoy and hurried to leave (1181). The following year, the rivals restored their old friendship and became related by the marriage of one of Svyatoslav's sons to Vsevolod's sister-in-law, Princess Yasskaya. And soon after (in 1183), when Vsevolod planned a campaign against the Kama Bolgars and asked Svyatoslav for help, he sent him a detachment with his son Vladimir.
Vsevolod's campaign against the Kama Bulgarians
This last war arose as a result of robberies to which the Bulgarian ships on the Oka and Volga were subjected from the Ryazan and Murom freemen. Not having received satisfaction for insults, the Bulgarians armed the ship's army, in turn devastated the environs of Murom and reached Ryazan itself. The campaign of Vsevolod III therefore had the value of the general defense of Russian lands from foreigners. In addition to the Suzdal, Ryazan and Murom regiments, Chernigov and Smolny residents took part in it. Up to eight princes gathered in Vladimir-on-Klyazma. The Grand Duke feasted merrily with his guests for several days, and then on May 20 went on a campaign with them. Suzdal Klyazma descended into the Oka and then joined with the allied regiments. The cavalry went across the field past the Mordovian villages, and the ship's army sailed along the Volga. Having reached one Volga island, called Isada, the princes stopped the ships here under the cover of a predominantly Belozersky squad with the governor Foma Laskovich; and with the rest of the army and with the cavalry they entered the land of the Silver Bolgars. The Grand Duke made peace with the neighboring Mordovian tribes, and they willingly sold food supplies to the Russian army. On the way, the Russians were suddenly joined by a Polovtsian detachment, which was brought by one of the Bulgarian princes against their fellow tribesmen. Obviously, in Kama Bulgaria there were the same civil strife as in Russia, and the Bulgarian rulers also brought steppe barbarians to their land. The Russian army approached the "Great City", that is, the main capital. The young princes galloped up to the very gates and fought with the enemy infantry that had strengthened around them. Vsevolod's nephew Izyaslav Glebovich was especially distinguished by his courage; but an enemy arrow pierced him through the armor under the heart, so that he was carried dead to the Russian camp. The mortal wound of his beloved nephew greatly saddened Vsevolod; he stood ten days under the city; and without taking it, he went back. Meanwhile, the Belozersk, who remained at the courts, were attacked by roundabout Bulgarians, who sailed along the Volga from the cities of Sobekul and Chelmat; Bulgarians, called Temtuzes, and cavalry from Torchesk also joined them; the number of attackers reached 5000. The enemies were defeated. They were in a hurry to leave on their trains; but the Russian boats pursued them and drowned more than 1000 people. The Russian infantry returned home in the same order; on the courts; and the cavalry also went through the lands of Mordva, with which this time it was not without hostile clashes.
The body of Izyaslav Glebovich, who died dearly, was brought to Vladimir and buried in the golden-domed church of the Virgin. His brother, Vladimir Glebovich, as we have seen, reigned in Southern Pereyaslavl and distinguished himself by his heroism during the invasion of Konchak of Polovtsy. If not about these Glebovichi, then about the Ryazan ones, “The Tale of Igor's Campaign” recalls when it refers to the power of the Suzdal prince: “Grand Duke Vsevolod! You can scatter the oars on the Volga, and pour out the helmets on the Don. Even if you were (here), then there would be a chaga (captive) in the legs, and koshchei in cuts. You can, on dry land, shoot live shereshirs (throwing weapons), the daring sons of Glebov. That such an appeal was not just rhetoric and that Vsevolod took to heart the insults of the Russian land from the barbarians, this is shown by his big campaign against the Polovtsians, undertaken in the spring of 1199 with the Suzdal and Ryazan regiments. He reached the Polovtsian winter quarters on the banks of the Don and ruined them; The Polovtsy did not dare to fight him; with their wagons and herds they went to the very sea.
Domestic policy of Vsevolod the Big Nest
The restless Ryazan princes, with their strife and indignation, brought a lot of trouble to Vsevolod. He several times undertook campaigns in their land and completely subjugated it. The princes of the neighboring Smolensk region also revered his seniority. As for Southern Russia, even during the life of the energetic Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich, the influence of the Suzdal prince was restored there. The latter could more conveniently intervene in the affairs of the Dnieper region, since he himself had in it the hereditary parish of Pereyaslav, which he held first with his nephews, and then with his own sons. We have seen that after the death of Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich, his successors occupied the Kyiv throne only with the consent of Vsevolod III. He achieved such predominance not by sending troops there, like Andrei Bogolyubsky, but by the only skillful policy, albeit combined with some deceit. It is known how he deftly quarreled Rurik of Kiev with Roman Volynsky and prevented the close alliance of these strongest rulers of Southwestern Russia, which could rebuff the claims of Northeastern Russia.
With the help of a clever and cautious policy, Vsevolod gradually established order and tranquility in his land, established his power and was successful in almost all important enterprises. It is also imperceptible that he diligently followed the autocratic aspirations of Bogolyubsky. Taught by his fate, he, on the contrary, is the keeper of the old warrior customs and honors the great boyars. The annals do not mention any displeasure on their part; although in praise of Vsevolod they add that he did impartial judgment to the people and did not pander to strong people who offended the lesser ones. Of the great boyars of Vsevolod, who distinguished themselves as governors, the chronicle names Foma Laskovich and the old Dorozhai, who also served Yuri Dolgoruky: they were governors in the Bulgarian campaign of 1183. The following are mentioned: Yakov, the "sister" of the Grand Duke (nephew from his sister), who accompanied Verkhuslav Vsevolodovna, the bride of Rostislav Rurikovich, to South Russia with the boyars and boyars; tiun Gyurya, who was sent to restore the Oster Gorodok; Kuzma Ratshich, the "sword" of the Grand Duke, who in 1210 went with the army to the Ryazan land, and others.
The actions of Vsevolod on the issue of the appointment of Rostov bishops are curious. Like Bogolyubsky, he tried to choose them himself, and exclusively from the Russian people, and not from the Greeks, by which, undoubtedly, he fulfilled the people's desire. One day, the Metropolitan of Kyiv Niknfor appointed Nikola Grechin to the Rostov cathedra, whom, according to the chronicle, he put "on a bribe", that is, he took money from him. But the prince and "people" did not accept him and sent him back (about 1184). Vsevolod sent an ambassador to Kyiv to Svyatoslav and the Metropolitan with a request to appoint Luka, hegumen at the Savior on Berestovo, to the Rostov bishopric, a man of humble spirit and meek, therefore, one who could not enter into any dispute with princely power. The Metropolitan resisted, but Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich supported the request, and Luka was sent to Rostov, and Nikola Grechin to Polotsk. When the humble Luke died four years later, the Grand Duke chose his own confessor John as his successor, whom he sent to be ordained to the Metropolitan of Kiev. John, apparently, was also a quiet bishop, obedient to the Grand Duke and, in addition, his active assistant in church building.
Buildings of Vsevolod
Quite frequent wars and campaigns did not prevent Vsevolod from diligently engaging in economic, construction, judicial, family, etc. affairs. In peacetime, he did not live in his capital Vladimir, but conscientiously fulfilled the ancient custom of polyudya, i.e. he himself traveled to the regions, collected tribute, judged criminals, and sorted out lawsuits. From the annals, we learn that various events find him in Suzdal, then in Rostov, then in Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, in the polyudye. At the same time, he oversaw the serviceability of the fortifications, built citadels or corrected dilapidated city walls. Deserted cities were restored (for example, Gorodok Ostersky). Fire in particular provided food for building activities. So in 1185, on April 18, a terrible fire devastated Vladimir-on-Klyazma; Almost the entire city burned down. The prince's court and up to 32 churches fell victim to the fire; including the cathedral Cathedral of the Assumption, created by Andrei Bogolyubsky. At the same time, his jewelry, expensive vessels, silver chandeliers, icons in gold settings with pearls, liturgical books, expensive princely clothes and various “patterns”, or fabrics embroidered with gold (oxamites), which were hung in the church during major holidays, perished. Many of these treasures were kept in the church chamber, or pantry, in the choirs; confused ministers threw them out of the tower into the churchyard, where they also became prey to the flames.
The Grand Duke immediately began to destroy the traces of the fire; by the way, he rebuilt the citadel, the prince's tower, and renovated the golden-domed temple of the Assumption; moreover, he expanded it by adding new walls on three sides; and around the middle dome he erected four smaller ones, which he also gilded. When the renovation was completed, in 1189 the cathedral church was again and solemnly consecrated by Bishop Lukoy. Three or four years later, almost half of Vladimir again became a prey to the flames: up to 14 churches burned down; but the prince's court and the cathedral church survived this time. In 1199, on July 25, we read the news of the third great fire in Vladimir: it began during the liturgy and lasted until vespers; moreover, almost half of the city and up to 16 churches burned down again. Renovating old churches, Vsevolod decorated his capital city with new ones; among other things, he erected the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, in which he built a monastery, and also the Church of the Assumption, in which his wife Mary founded a convent. But the most famous building of the Grand Duke is the court temple in honor of his saint, Demetrius of Thessalonica; since the Christian name of Vsevolod III was Demetrius. This temple to this day represents the most elegant monument of ancient Russian art.
Bishop John, his former confessor, helped Vsevolod a lot in his building work. By the way, they renovated the cathedral church of the Theotokos in the city of Suzdal, which had fallen into disrepair from time and neglect. Its tops were again covered with tin, and the walls were again plastered. Curious about this is the following news from the chronicler: this time the bishop did not address the German masters; but he found his own, of which some poured tin, others winged, others prepared lime and whitewashed the walls. Consequently, the construction activities of Yuri, Andrei and Vsevolod did not remain without influence on the education of purely Russian master-technicians; Vsevolod III is a model of the northern family prince. God blessed him with numerous offspring; as indicated by the very name of his Big Nest. We know the names of eight of his sons and several of his daughters. His attachment to old family customs is indicated, among other things, by the news of the chronicle about the tonsure of the prince's sons. This ancient all-Slavic rite consisted in cutting off the hair of a three- or four-year-old prince and putting him on a horse for the first time; and arranged a feast. In Christian times, of course, prayers and the blessing of the church were added to such a rite. Vsevolod celebrated the tonsure with special solemnity and set merry feasts. With even greater feasts and generous gifts, he accompanied the marriage of his son and the marriage of his daughter. We saw how he passed off his beloved daughter Verkhuslav-Anastasia for Ryurikov's son Rostislav.
Family of Vsevolod the Big Nest
Vsevolod was married to a Yassian, or Alanian, princess. Among the Russian princes of that time we meet more than one example of a marriage union with individual Caucasian rulers, partly Christian, partly semi-pagan. It may very well be that the beauty of the Circassian women, different from Russian women, captivated our princes. However, by all indications, in the XII century, ancient relations with the Caucasian peoples, established during the time of Russian rule on the shores of the Azov and Black Seas, still continued, i.e. in the Tmutarakan land. People from the Caucasus often entered the Russian service and were even among the close princely servants, such as, for example, the famous Anbal, the housekeeper of Andrei Bogolyubsky. The wife of Vsevolod Maria, although she grew up in a semi-pagan country, like many Russian princesses, was distinguished by her special piety, zeal for the church and charity. A monument to her piety is the aforementioned Dormition Convent in Vladimir, which she built. For the last seven or eight years of her life, the Grand Duchess was dejected by some kind of serious illness. In 1206, she took the vows in her Assumption monastery, where a few days later she died and was solemnly buried, mourned by the Grand Duke, children, clergy and people. Maria, apparently, arrived in Russia not alone, but with her whole family, or later summoned her loved ones to her, perhaps after some unfortunate upheaval for her family in her homeland. At least the chronicle mentions two of her sisters: one of. Vsevolod gave them to the son of Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich of Kiev, and the other to Yaroslav Vladimirovich, whom he kept on the table of Veliky Novgorod as a brother-in-law and assistant. Yaroslav's wife also died in Vladimir, even before the Grand Duchess, and was buried in her own Dormition Convent. In general, more than one orphaned or persecuted relative found shelter and affection with this hospitable Vladimir couple. So, under her wing, the sister of the Grand Duke, the unloved wife of Osmomysl of Galitsky, Olga Yuryevna, spent the rest of her life, Euphrosyne (she died in 1183 and was buried in the Vladimir Assumption Cathedral), and the widow of brother Mikhalk Yuryevich, Fevronia, twenty-five years outlived her wife (buried in the Suzdal Cathedral). Loving a full family life, the Grand Duke, after the death of his first wife, obviously missed his widowhood, and, being an almost sixty-year-old old man, already having many grandchildren, he entered into a second marriage with the daughter of the Vitebsk prince Vasilko, in 1209. A child-loving family man, Vsevolod III was not always a benevolent prince in relation to his nephews and, like Andrei, did not give them inheritances in the Suzdal region, including Bogolyubsky's son Yuri. However, the latter, perhaps, by his behavior armed his uncle against himself. Russian chronicles do not tell us anything about the fate of Yuri Andreevich. Only from foreign sources do we learn that, persecuted by his uncle, he retired to one of the Polovtsian khans. Then an embassy from Georgia came to him with a marriage proposal. At that time, the famous Tamara sat on the throne of Georgia, after her father George III. When the Georgian clergy and nobles were looking for a worthy groom for her, one noble man, named Abulasan, pointed out to them the name of Yuri, as young man, who, by his origin, handsome appearance, intelligence and courage, was quite worthy of Tamara's hand. The nobles approved this choice and sent one merchant as an ambassador to Yuri. This latter arrived in Georgia, married Tamara and at first marked himself with feats of arms in wars with hostile neighbors. But then he changed his behavior, indulged in wine and every revelry; so that Tamara, after vain admonitions, divorced him and sent him into the Greek dominions. He returned to Georgia and tried to make a rebellion against the Queen; but was defeated and expelled again. Further fate its unknown.
Denying inheritances to his nephews, Vsevolod, however, in relation to his sons did not show any concern about the subsequent successes of autocracy. According to the custom of the old Russian princes, he divided his lands between them and even revealed a lack of state foresight, in which, undoubtedly, he was inferior to his brother Andrei. Vsevolod had six sons alive: Konstantin, Yuri, Yaroslav, Svyatoslav, Vladimir, Ivan. He planted the elder Konstantin in Rostov, where this clever prince acquired popular favor. He was especially brought closer to the Rostovites by a terrible fire, which in 1211 destroyed most of their city, including 15 churches. Constantine at that time was feasting in Vladimir at the wedding of his brother Yuri with the daughter of the Kiev prince Vsevolod Chermny. Hearing about the misfortune of the Rostovites, Konstantin hurried to his lot and put a lot of care into relieving the victims. In the following year, 1212, the Grand Duke, sensing the approach of death, sent again for Konstantin, to whom he appointed the senior Vladimir table, and Rostov ordered to pass it on to his second son Yuri. But here Konstantin, who until then had been distinguished by modesty and obedience, suddenly showed a decisive disobedience to his father: he did not go to the double conscription and demanded for himself both cities, Rostov and Vladimir. In all likelihood, in this case, the claims of the Rostovites to seniority were renewed, and the suggestions of the Rostov boyars were in effect. On the other hand, Constantine, perhaps, understood that in order to eliminate such a dispute between the two cities and in the form of strong government power, the Grand Duke must have both of these cities in his hands. Vsevolod was very upset by such disobedience and punished Konstantin by depriving him of seniority, and gave the Great Table of Vladimir to his second son Yuri. But, realizing the fragility of such an innovation, he wished to strengthen it with a common oath the best people their land; consequently, he repeated almost the same thing that his brother-in-law Yaroslav Osmomysl Galitsky did 25 years ago. Vsevolod summoned the boyars in Vladimir from all his towns and volosts; He also gathered nobles, merchants and clergy with Bishop John at the head and forced this Zemsky Sobor to swear allegiance to Yuri as the Grand Duke, to whom he entrusted his other sons. Soon afterwards, on April 14, Vsevolod the Big Nest died, was mourned by his sons and the people, and solemnly buried in the golden-domed Assumption Cathedral.
