Vladimir-Suzdal land natural conditions. Vladimir-Suzdal principality: a brief historical summary

MESSAGE VLADIMIR-SUZDAL PRINCIPALITY The Vladimir-Suzdal principality (or the Rostov-Suzdal land, as it was called before) 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 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 ran 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 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-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. Yuri 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 cities-fortresses along the borders of the principality. Under him, the Rostov-Suzdal principality turned into a vast and independent one. It no longer sends its squads to the south to fight the Polovtsy. 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, 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 the name of which he received his famous nickname. In the Bogolyubsky residence, as a result of a boyar conspiracy, Andrei was killed on a dark June night in 1174. Vsevolod the Big Nest The policy of centralization of Russian lands around the Vladimir-Suzdal principality was continued by Andrei's brother, Vsevolod the Big Nest. He brutally dealt with those who participated in the conspiracy against his brother, and the final victory in the struggle between the prince and the boyars was in favor of the prince. From now on, princely power acquired the features of a monarchy. Following his brother, Vsevolod tried to subjugate Novgorod, 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 Kyiv 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. The development of the region led to the formation of significant arable areas, especially in the fertile Opole. Farming required a lot of work and perseverance. But it did not always reward the farmer. There were frequent crop failures due to adverse weather conditions. The average yield of rye from one tithe in the XII century. on the best lands of the Suzdal Opole was about 50 pounds (800 kg). Cattle breeding has retained a large place in the economy of the peasants. Cows, sheep, goats, pigs and horses were bred. Archaeologists in excavations find iron scythes everywhere, which were used to make hay for domestic animals. Horses were bred for economic and military affairs. In the XII century. horticulture emerged. The main instrument of labor in it was a wooden shovel, which had an iron fitting along the working edge - a “stigma”. Such fittings were found during excavations in Suzdal. On the "golden gates" of the Nativity Cathedral in Suzdal (beginning of the 13th century) there is an image of Adam holding a shovel in his hands, accompanied by the inscription: "Adam dug the earth with a stigma." In the XII century. starts gardening. Then it was the business of the townspeople. This is confirmed by excavations in Suzdal, when charred apples were found in burnt out buildings and the root system of a garden was discovered on the territory of a city estate. Traditions report breeding from the 12th century. on the territory of the Principality of Cherry Orchards. The population of the Vladimir Principality continued to engage in hunting, fishing and beekeeping. In excavations on the territory of Vladimir, Murom, Suzdal, Yaropolch Zalessky, a large number of iron fishing hooks of various sizes, birch bark floats, clay weights for nets, bone needles for weaving fishing nets and weights were found. Crafts. In the cities of Vladimir Russia of the XII century. crafts developed in the same set as in the rest of the territory of the Old Russian state. Chronicles testify to the development of woodworking crafts. Archaeologists in Vladimir, Suzdal, Murom and Yaropolche-Zalessky found saws, adzes, drills, drills, chisels, scrapers, axes, chisels. Another no less ancient profession is pottery. Evidence of its development in the region was the construction by Vladimir Monomakh at the end of the 11th century. in Suzdal of the Assumption Cathedral from shshnfa. On the banks of the river Three plinth kilns were opened in Kamenka, in each of which up to 5,000 bricks were fired per reception. The flourishing of pottery was associated with the production of various types of glazed tiles and bricks. Glazed tiles were made in different sizes: from small ones used for ornamenting the walls of cathedrals, to very large floor tiles (19x19x4 cm). To cover the tiles, red, blue, green, brown, black, yellow glazes were used. From the middle of the XII century. originates stone-cutting craft. In cities, primarily in Vladimir, a special group of craftsmen-masons appeared. Therefore, it is no coincidence that during the social crisis in the principality, the Rostov and Suzdal boyars contemptuously call the people of Vladimir "serfs and masons." At the end of the 40s of the XII century. an artel of stonemasons appears in Suzdal. Probably, it was made up of immigrants from the Galician land. She participated in the construction of white-stone churches in Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, Yuryev-Polsky, Suzdal and the suburban princely residence of Kideksha. Blacksmithing became widespread. Archaeologists in different places have found the remains of a domen, raw furnaces, as well as numerous tools (hammers, tongs, anvils, punches, files, hammers). During excavations near Vyazniki, numerous pieces of swamp ore were found in buildings of that time, which allows us to conclude that it was mined by the local population in the 12th century. An example of blacksmithing skills are the crosses of the Assumption Cathedral and the cross on the Dmitrievsky Cathedral, crowned with a figure of a copper dove-weather vane. The outstanding products of Vladimir blacksmiths include magnificent copper floors in the Nativity and Assumption Cathedrals of Vladimir. Among the blacksmiths, a special category stood out - gunsmiths. Their hands belong to the helmet of Yaroslav Vsevolodovich and the hatchet of Andrey Bogolyubsky, which are not only monuments of blacksmithing, but also jewelry. Numerous chain mails have come down to us among the products of gunsmiths. Among the samples of weapons of those years, it is worth noting the fortress bow, from which seven arrows have been preserved. The length of each arrow is 169 cm and the weight is 2.5 kg. Apparently, the author of The Tale of Igor's Campaign had in mind, indicating that the Prince of Vladimir Vsevolod the Big Nest fired the Ryazan Glebovichi as "Shereshirs". There was also a group of craftsmen who made shields. Russian blacksmiths, including those from Vladimir, in the XII century. they knew at least 16 different specialties and were able to produce up to 150 types of iron and steel products. In the Vladimir principality, weaving and spinning spread almost everywhere. In many places, archaeologists have found various fragments of cloth, felt, burlap, and rope. In the excavations, a large number of bone and bronze needles are found. Russian embroiderers knew up to 50 sewing techniques. In a semi-dugout in the town of Suzdal, a birch bark box was found, in which there were things made of fabric, fur, leather and thick linen or silk threads. On the fabric, in some places, the remains of embroidery with a “silver thread” have been preserved. In a number of cities and villages, leather production has long existed. Tanners dressed yuft and morocco (special varieties of cow and goat skin), which were used to make boots, coarser leather - for the production of belts, wallets, bast shoes and other household items. In Suzdal, N. N. Voronin found "dead ends", that is, cow ribs used to clean skins. The inhabitants of the region were also familiar with bone carving skills. Numerous items made of bone are found in the excavations: needles, combs, arrows, piercings and buttons. Jewelry craftsmanship is widely developed. Copper foundries have been found in Vladimir, Suzdal and Yaropolcha. Jewelers used up to 60 casting molds for their work. A special group of jewelers were goldsmiths. Findings of bracelets-wrists, silver necklaces, kolts, beads, buttons and other jewelry made using the technique of gilding, engraving, graining and enamels testify to the diversity of products of Vladimir jewelers. The masters of Vladimir held the lead in the technique of fire gilding and blackening. A Russian master could draw a thread of one kilometer from one gram of silver. The economic development of Vladimir Rus was also closely connected with the ancient trade routes that ran through its territory. Numerous carnelian and crystal beads, watering vessels and, of course, hoards of oriental coins (dirgems) speak of trade relations with the countries of the East. There was a close relationship between the Vladimir land and Novgorod the Great, a special place in trade relations between them was occupied by the trade in bread. Vladimir Rus had strong contacts with the Byzantine Empire and the countries of Western Europe. River routes ran along the Oka, Klyazma, Nerl, but, in addition to river roads, there were also land roads. The blocking of trade roads could close the passage of merchants and disrupt trade relations. The cities of Rostov-Suzdal Rus were divided into old ("senior") and new (suburbs). The former centers of tribal unions - Rostov, Suzdal, Murom, belonged to the elders, Vladimir, Pereyaslavl and newly emerging urban centers - to the suburbs. Murom and Rostov are first mentioned in chronicles under 862. Their population was ethnically heterogeneous (Slavs, Merya, Murom), but in the XII century. the Slavic element already predominated in them. In the cities, the administration of the whole district - the parish - was concentrated. Therefore, they housed the courtyards of princes, posadniks, thousands, boyars and members of the squad. But the main inhabitants of the cities were artisans and merchants. In each town there were blacksmiths, potters, carpenters, goldsmiths and silversmiths and other specialists. Specialization was not on the material, but on the finished product. The saddle maker, for example, had to know the leather business, be able to forge stirrups and mint patterned overlays for saddle bows. Craftsmen settled in groups according to the similarity of professions. So in the cities there were settlements (or ends) of potters, blacksmiths, leather workers, etc. The houses of artisans were larger than rural huts, since the dwelling was often combined with a workshop. In some houses already in the XII century. there were even exhaust pipes - smokers, placed next to the stove. Utensils of the townspeople were distinguished by great variety and the best finish. The houses had lamps, amphoras for wine, bronze crosses, ingenious locks and keys. But the wives of artisans, as well as peasant women, ground flour on millstones, spun yarn and wove. Artisans worked to order and to the market. Some craftsmen owned places at the auction and sold the products themselves. In the history of our region, five stages of the construction of cities can be conventionally distinguished. The first is connected with the activities of Vladimir Monomakh in the Rostov-Suzdal land, when ten fortress cities were built; the second followed the transfer of the capital of the principality from Rostov to Suzdal by Yuri Dolgoruky, when 22 cities were built; the third stage falls on the reign of Andrei Bogolyubsky, he built four cities; at the fifth stage, during the time of Vsevolod the Big Nest, seven more cities were built, and on the eve of the Mongol-Tatar invasion, Prince Yuri Vsevolodovich built one city - Nizhny Novgorod. ___________________________________________________________ In preparing the report, data from the 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 our days" (A.V. Veka)

It was peculiar and did not resemble either Kiev or Novgorod. Here there were no fat black earth spaces, as in the south, but there was loam. The land was not as fertile as in the Dnieper region; but it was much more fertile than around Novgorod. Therefore, the population here plowed and lived on their own bread. But at the same time, it had to engage in disputed trades, mainly forestry. The country was very rich in forests, so that even the very places for arable land had to be cleared from under the forest, burning it out and uprooting stumps. In the forests they were engaged in beekeeping (beekeeping), drove tar, mined bast and bast, and finally hunted. Both agriculture and forestry contributed to the fact that the population did not crowd in cities, but lived scattered in small settlements - in villages and villages, and in the villages there were not even a dozen households. In the forest thickets, the best means of communication were the rivers, in which the Suzdal region was very rich. The largest of them, the Volga and the Oka, flowed along the outskirts of the region; its middle was cut through by a mass of their tributaries, flowing in different directions and thus representing great conveniences for communication. Settlers moved along these rivers, settling on their banks and forming their communities within the river valleys. In Kievan Rus, the usual district was a city with land belonging to it; in Suzdal - the river region with its rural population. There were many cities in the Suzdal land; but since neither trade nor industry was developed here, the cities did not have the same importance as in the south. They were here more often fortresses than commercial and industrial centers.

So the very nature of the region and its position far from the cultural regions of Europe gave it the character of a simple peasant side, where agriculture was the main occupation, where simple forms of subsistence farming dominated and where urban life was not developed. The order of settlement of this region was such that from the very beginning of its history, princely power acquired special significance in it. Monomakh and his sons received Suzdal land at a time when Russian colonization was weak in it. The princes took care to attract Russian settlers to their land and arrange them for housewarming. The construction of cities, the arrangement of roads and river crossings was precisely their business. Getting into the new land, the settlers already found the owner-prince in it and got used to considering him the owner of the spaces occupied by them. They quarreled with him about the conditions for using the land, he was paid taxes or “tribute” from the land, obeyed his official “tiun” and, in case of danger, took refuge in his princely city. In a word, the prince was here not only a sovereign, but also a landowner who took possession of the land by the right of the first borrower, the first colonizer. That is why his power became extremely strong: when the Suzdal principality began to fill with Russian settlers, the funds of the Suzdal princes grew so much that they allowed them to become one of the most powerful in the entire Russian land. The veche order that dominated the rest of the Russian lands could not develop in the Suzdal region with the strong influence of the prince on urban life. In the new cities founded by the princes, the population depended in everything on the builder of the city; and the old cities of Rostov and Suzdal were not so strong as to oppose the power of the princes with their veche orders.

So it was formed by the end of the XII century. life of the Suzdal land under the influence of its nature and the conditions of its settlement.

The power of one person over another destroys, first of all, the one who rules.
Lev Tolstoy

The Vladimir-Suzdal principality and its history is an important page in Russian history, since already at the turn of the 12th-13th centuries it was the princes from Vladimir who achieved dominance over other principalities, as a result of which it was the Vladimir-Suzdal land that began to dominate in Russia, and its princes began to exert the greatest influence on the politics and ways of life not only of their own principality, but also on neighboring ones. In fact, by the 13th century, the political center of Russia was finally transferred from the South (Kyiv) to the Northeast (Vladimir and Suzdal).

Geographical position

The Vladimir-Suzdal principality was located in the northeastern part of Russia, in the interfluve of the Oka and Volga.

Map of the Vladimir-Suzdal land in the 12th-13th centuries

The largest cities in the principality: Vladimir, Suzdal, Uglich, Tver, Moscow, Kostroma, Galich, Beloozero, Veliky Ustyug and others. Basically, the cities were located in the southern part of the principality, and the farther north - the fewer cities.

The borders of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality passed with: the Novgorod Republic, the Smolensk principality, the Chernigov land, the Ryazan and Murom principalities.

princes

According to the Lyubech Congress of Princes, it was decided that the Rostov-Suzdal land (as the principality was originally called) was transferred to the control of the family of Vladimir Monomakh. Therefore, Yuri Dolgoruky, the son of Monomakh, became the first prince here.

Full list of princes:

Yuri Dolgoruky (r. 1125-1155)
Andrei Bogolyubsky (1157-1174)
Vsevolod the Big Nest (1176 - 1212)
Yuri Vsevolodovich (1218 - 1238)
Yaroslav Vsevolodovich (1238-1246)
Alexander Nevsky (since 1252).

It is enough to look at the list to understand that it was these people who had the greatest influence in Russia. The Vladimir-Suzdal princes mainly pursued the goal of independence from Kyiv and the subordination of other principalities to their power.

Peculiarities

The political features of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality consisted in the strong power of the prince. Unlike most other lands, here the prince was the head and decided all important issues. Schematically, the political feature of this land can be represented as follows.

The strong power of the prince was possible due to the fact that in these lands there were a large number of new cities where a strong boyars had not yet had time to form. As a result, only the prince had real power, and the Veche had only an advisory character.

In general, the features of the development of the principality in the specific period (12-13 centuries) are as follows:

Unlimited princely power.
Population increase. People moved to these lands because they were relatively safe from nomadic raids.
Agriculture developed actively in the principality. There were many forests that served as natural protection.
Rapid urban growth. This applies both to new cities built during this period (Moscow, Pereyaslavl-Zalessky and others) and to old cities (Vladimir, Suzdal, Rostov, Yaroslavl and others).
Geographical location at the intersection of important trade routes along the Volga and Oka.

Economic Features

Despite its geographical position, the Vladimir-Suzdal land had a large amount of arable land, which made agriculture a key aspect of the region's economic development. Also in these lands, other crafts were actively developed: fishing, hunting, beekeeping.

The resettlement of people from the south played a great influence on the economic development of the principality. They not only moved, but also carried elements of culture with them. Many of them were artisans, as a result of which the craft in the Vladimir-Suzdal land began to develop very quickly.

Development

Around the 30s of the 12th century, the Vladimir-Suzdal (at that time still Rostov-Suzdal) principality got rid of the power of Kyiv. So there was the creation of their own principality, which differed significantly from others in the form of a political structure. Princely power was strong in Vladimir. In many ways, this was the reason for the elevation of these lands to others. Suffice it to recall that in other principalities the system of government was different and less effective: in Novgorod, the boyars ruled through the Veche, and in the Galicia-Volyn lands, the power of the prince was comparable to that of the boyars.

Initially, the principality was called Rostov-Suzdal (under Dolgoruky), then Suzdal land (under Bogolyubsky) and only then Vladimir-Suzdal land (under the Big Nest).

An important event for this principality happened in 1238 - it was invaded by the Tatar-Mongols. Moreover, it was one of the first principalities for the invasion of the Mongols, so the main blow fell on the Vladimir-Suzdal land. As a result, since 1238 the principality recognized the Mongol power and was dependent on the Horde.

culture

The culture of the Vladimir-Suzdal land was multifaceted. Chronicle writing flourished here. A characteristic feature of the annals of this principality is the emphasis on the greatness of the principality over others, as well as the special position of the city of Vladimir.

Architecture and construction actively developed in these lands. Builders most often used white limestone. The peak of construction fell on the reign of Andrei Bogolyubsky and Vsevolod the Big Nest.

In the city of Vladimir, stone walls with golden gates were erected, and the Assumption Cathedral was also built. It was in this temple that the main religious shrines of the principality were kept. Later, during the reign of Vsevolod the Big Nest, the Dmitrievsky Cathedral was built in the city. One of the most unique architectural monuments of Ancient Russia, the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl, was built in Bogolyubovo. The church was built by order of Andrei Bogolyubsky on the banks of the Nerl River.

The development of painting also attracts attention. For example, the frescoes of the Assumption and Dmitrievsky Cathedrals amaze with their elegance.

Geography of the Suzdal Principality

Initially, the principality was called the Rostov-Suzdal land, covering the ancient lands of the Krivichi, partly Vyatichi, the lands of the Merya, All, 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, marshy 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 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 of 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 the Eastern Slavs settled, 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 was a lot of land 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 a temperate climate, it was possible to develop both agriculture and cattle breeding. 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 White Sea coast to the Polovtsian steppes in the south, from the upper Volga in the east to 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.

Unfavorable weather conditions 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.

The blacksmith craft 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 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 ran 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 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-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 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 Polovtsy. 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, 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 the name of which 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 cattle breeders, hunters and fishermen. Old cities are growing, new urban trade and craft centers are emerging.