Unknown Alexander Nevsky: was the battle “on ice”, did the prince bow to the Horde and other controversial issues. Alexander Nevsky: how he was in reality
Some researchers quite radically revise the established idea of Alexander Nevsky, depriving him of the patriotism that traditional historiography endowed the image of the prince with. So, Igor Danilevsky focuses on the fact that sometimes in chronicle sources Alexander Nevsky acts as a power-hungry and cruel person who made an alliance with the Tatars to strengthen his personal power. And Lev Gumilyov considered the prince to be the true architect of the Russian-Horde alliance.
Alexander Nevsky was not the first, and not the only Russian prince who went for rapprochement with the Horde. By the beginning of the 1240s, when numerous Mongol troops reached the borders of Western Europe, Alexander Yaroslavich faced a dilemma: to subject Russia to a new ruin or to maintain peace on the lands entrusted to him.
Moreover, we must not forget that in the confrontation with the Catholic countries, the prince needed a strong ally, whom he found in the person of Batu.
Going on cunning diplomatic steps, maneuvering between the Horde and the recalcitrant Russian cities of Pskov and Novgorod, Alexander Nevsky really sought to take full power over the northeastern lands into his own hands. Only in this way could he, on the one hand, protect Russia from the invasion of German and Swedish troops, and on the other hand, maintain order within the Old Russian state.
The insignificance of battles won
Recently, there has been a strong opinion that Western Europe did not seriously threaten Russia, and therefore the value of the battles won by Alexander Nevsky is not great. We are talking, in particular, about downplaying the significance of the victory in the Battle of the Neva.
For example, Danilevsky, mentioned above, notes that “judging by the Chronicle of Eric, which tells in detail about the events in this region in the 13th century, the Swedes managed not to notice this battle at all.”
However, the largest Russian specialist in the history of the Baltic region, Igor Shaskolsky, objects to such an assessment, noting that “in medieval Sweden, until the beginning of the 14th century, no major narrative works on the history of the country were created, such as Russian chronicles and large Western European chronicles.”
The Battle on the Ice is also subject to depreciation. Based on the information of the “Elder Livonian Rhymed Chronicle”, which indicates only 20 knights who died during the battle, some experts speak of the insignificant scale of the battle. However, according to the historian Dmitry Volodikhin, the Chronicle did not take into account the losses among the Danish mercenaries participating in the battle, the Baltic tribes, and the militias that formed the backbone of the army.
One cannot ignore the successful campaigns of Alexander Nevsky against the German, Swedish and Lithuanian feudal lords. In particular, in 1245, with the Novgorod army, Alexander defeated the Lithuanian prince Mindovg, who attacked Torzhok and Bezhetsk. Moreover, having released the Novgorodians, Alexander, with the help of his retinue, pursued the remnants of the Lithuanian army, during which he defeated another Lithuanian detachment near Usvyat. In total, judging by the sources that have come down to us, Alexander Nevsky conducted 12 military operations and did not lose in any of them.
Non-involvement in the overthrow of a brother
It is known that in 1252, the brother of Alexander Nevsky, Andrei Yaroslavich, was expelled from the Vladimir reign by the "Nevryuev army" sent to him by Batu. According to popular belief, the prince was deprived of the label for not appearing in the Horde, but the sources do not contain any information about the summons of Andrei Yaroslavich to Saray.
The annals say that Alexander went to the Don to Batu's son Sartak and complained that Andrei received the grand prince's table not by seniority and did not pay tribute to the Mongols in full.
Historian Dmitry Zenin is inclined to see his brother Alexander as the initiator of the overthrow of Andrei, since, in his opinion, Batu was not particularly versed in all the intricacies of Russian inter-princely accounts and could not take on such responsibility.
Moreover, some researchers under the name "Nevruy" mean Alexander Nevsky himself. The basis for this is the fact that the Neva in the common Mongolian language sounded like "Nevra". In addition, it is rather strange that the name of the commander Nevruy, who was a rank higher than the temnik, is not mentioned anywhere else.
In 1255, the son of Alexander Nevsky Vasily was expelled from Novgorod, and another brother of Alexander, Yaroslav Yaroslavich, took his place. Researcher Dmitry Dobrov calls this not accidental. In his opinion, Yaroslav told the people of Novgorod the truth about the usurpation of supreme power by Alexander. No wonder in the "Novgorod First Chronicle" Alexander Nevsky is accused of involvement in the crime of the cross.
Guardian of Orthodoxy
In modern society, Alexander Nevsky is strongly associated with the powerful stronghold of Orthodoxy, which did not allow the foundations of the Christian Church to be violated. In the "Novgorod First Chronicle" there is an indirect confirmation of this. The general meaning of the words spoken about the prince boils down to the fact that Alexander loved, listened to and respected the bishops.
Some historians disagree with this. For example, some researchers wonder why the prince refused to act jointly with the Catholics against the Horde and, moreover, agreed to an alliance not with the Christian West, but with the polyreligious East?
In the same “Novgorod First Chronicle” there are such lines: “In the summer of 6754, the formidable Prince Alexander went to the Tatars to Caesar Batu. Thinking about himself with a great mind, Alexander Prince Abie [immediately] went to Bishop Kiril, and told him his speech [case]: Father, as if [they say] I want to go to the Caesar in the Horde. Bishop Kiril bless him with all your collection.
Researcher Dmitry Dobrov claims that Alexander Nevsky, being a prince of Novgorod, did not go to ask for a blessing for a trip to the Horde from Archbishop Spiridon of Novgorod, because he knew that he would not receive it. Spiridon did not approve of the connection of Orthodox Russia with the Horde. Instead, the prince goes to be blessed by the Rostov Bishop Kirill, who owed a lot to Alexander's father Yaroslav.
Irreconcilable enmity with the West
Chronicle sources left us a lot of information about the battles of Alexander Nevsky with representatives of the Catholic West - Livonians, Teutons, Swedes, Lithuanians. Nevertheless, Alexander Yaroslavich's foreign policy indicates rather attempts to find a compromise in complex relations with European states.
This is confirmed by a number of peace treaties. In 1253, Alexander made peace with the Germans, and in 1262, not only a peace, but also a trade agreement was signed with Lithuania. It was under Alexander Nevsky that the long-awaited calm came on the western borders of Russia.
In concluding treaties, Alexander, however, had to overcome serious obstacles. The Teutons clearly opposed the rapprochement of Russia with Norway. An attempt to disrupt the peace negotiations failed near Narva, where in 1253 the squad of Alexander Nevsky defeated the crusaders. The “delimitation charter”, drawn up in 1254, was a much-desired result of the rapprochement between Russia and Norway.
In 1240, the first test fell for Alexander Yaroslavovich, the Swedes decided to attack the Novgorod principality. Their goal was to subjugate Novgorod and create a stronghold there for the further conquest of Russia. Having landed, they sent an ultimatum demanding to obey the Novgorod prince. Alexander fought a quick and successful battle, unexpectedly attacking the Swedes. He expelled them from the territory of Russia for a long time. This victory gave the nickname "Nevsky" to Alexander. The victory was achieved thanks to the surprise and skill of the Russian warriors. And also due to intelligence and a well-thought-out plan of the prince.
M. Khitrov
“It was on the morning of July 15, 1240. The fog gradually dissipated with the rising of the sun, and a bright and sultry day came. The enemies did not suspect anything ...
Before the enemies had time to come to their senses, the Russians attacked them with a unified onslaught. Like a thunderstorm of God, the young prince rushed ahead of everyone into the midst of enemies and ... saw his terrible enemy. With indomitable courage, rushing at Birger, he dealt him a heavy blow to the face - "put a seal on his face," according to the chronicle. The Russian squad passed, beating the confused enemies, through the entire camp. The enemy horde rushed to the shore and hurried to take cover on the ships.
However, the best part of the militia managed to recover from the sudden blow, and a stubborn battle broke out in different parts of the vast camp, which continued until night.
But the cause of the enemies was already lost irrevocably. Novgorodians mastered the battle. The young leader skillfully disposed of, in the midst of a passion for battle, he knew how to maintain clarity of thought, directing the detachments of his squad; his voice resounded loudly, terrifying the enemies. The bravest of them were beaten. The survivors, with the onset of night, hurried to remove the most from the battlefield: the famous fallen and, having filled three ships with them, fled at dawn. The victory of the Russians was so unexpected and decisive that, in a sense of humility, they did not dare to attribute it to their courage and were sure that together with them the angels of God struck down the enemies.
Upon returning to Novgorod, Alexander Yaroslavich was joyfully greeted by the jubilant people, but he first of all hurried to the temple to give warm thanks to God.
M. Khitrov describes the events of the battle and the personal exploits of Alexander Yaroslavovich, the large number and ferocity of the enemies, who, however, could not do anything against the sudden attack of the Russians and were forced to flee from the battlefield.
Khitrov M.I. - "Alexander Nevsky - Grand Duke"; Lenizdat, St. Petersburg, 1992, p. 112
S. Solovyov
“Knowing the nature of this struggle, with what intention the Swedes came, we will understand the religious significance that the Neva victory had for Novgorod and the rest of Russia; this meaning is clearly seen in a special legend about the exploits of Alexander: here the Swedes are called Romans in no other way - a direct indication of the religious difference in the name of which the war was undertaken.
S. Solovyov in his work defines the goal of Alexander Nevsky: to preserve the Orthodox faith in Russia, and hence its spiritual independence from the West and uniqueness.
Solovyov S. M. History of Russia since ancient times // Solovyov S. M. Works: In 18 books. Moscow., 1993. Book. 2. Vol. 3–4. S. 174
L. Gumilyov
“Alexander failed to gather large forces. With his small Suzdal detachment and a few Novgorod volunteers, Alexander forced his march to the Neva and attacked the Swedish camp.
In this battle, the Novgorodians and Suzdalians covered themselves with eternal glory. So, one Novgorodian named Gavrila Oleksich on horseback broke into Swedish boat, fought with the Swedes on their ship, was thrown into the water,survived and fought again. Alexander's servant, Ratmir, died heroically, fighting on foot with many opponents at once. The Swedes, who did not expect an attack, were utterly defeated and fled at night on ships from the place of defeat. Novgorod was saved by the sacrifice and valor of Alexander's comrades-in-arms.
L. Gumilyov attaches special importance to the battle. He believes that it was the heroic victory of Alexander and his associates in this battle that saved Novgorod.
Gumilyov L. N. - “From Russia to Russia. Essays on ethnic history"; AST, Moscow, 2003, p.156
S. Platonov
“The victory [on the Neva] was so decisive, and its significance seemed so great for Russia, that the feat of Prince Alexander became the subject of many pious legends. The victory on the Neva was seen as the triumph of Orthodoxy over Catholicism; she served as the first reason to rank Prince Alexander, a good sufferer for the Russian land, as a saint. Since then, Alexander has forever remained the nickname "Nevsky".
S. Platonov speaks about the significance of this victory for Russia and about the triumph of the Orthodox faith.
Platonov S.F. - “Textbook of Russian history for secondary school: Systematic course. At 2 o'clock." Moscow., 1994. S. 86–87
V. Belinsky
“Alexander, according to the “Great Russian writings,” won the first, so-called “great victory” on July 15, 1240. On that day, at the head of his own squad, he attacked the Swedes who landed on the banks of the Neva, and "smashed them to smithereens." It would seem, indeed, it is worth being proud of the "greatest victory" of the prince. An, no! Conscience does not allow. The word "battle" no one calls such a small skirmish. No more than 300 people took part in that fight from both sides. And Alexander did not win that skirmish with that brilliance, as we were told.
V.B. Belinsky in his statement focuses on the small number of attackers, so he does not consider the Battle of Neva significant.
Belinsky V. B. - "Country Moksel, or the Discovery of Great Russia"; Kyiv, 2009, p.67
A. Nesterenko
“It is noteworthy that Alexander, according to the Life, does not tell his father about the impending danger and acts at his own peril and risk. “It was sad to hear that his father, the great prince Yaroslav, did not know about the invasion of his son, dear Alexander, and he had no time to send a message to his father, for the enemies were already approaching,” reports Life.
Of course, there was some logic in taking advantage of the slowness of the Swedes and suddenly attacking them. But why not at the same time send a messenger to Vladimir to Yaroslav, so that he gathers Russian regiments? Why, while Alexander is moving towards the enemy, not start mobilizing the Novgorod militia? Well, what if the Swedes had defeated Alexander's hastily assembled detachment? Then, in the event of the failure of Alexander's enterprise, they really could suddenly appear right in Novgorod, whose inhabitants not only knew nothing about the approach of the enemy, but were also left without a military command and a princely squad.
Why did the Novgorodians invite the prince? To protect their city. The prince arbitrarily resigned his post. What is due in wartime for unauthorized abandonment of one's post? Death. In fact, this episode characterizes Alexander as a person who thinks not about the interests of the Fatherland, but about his personal glory.
A. Nesterenko believes that Alexander opposed the Swedes without informing his father of the danger, solely for the sake of his own glory and self-interest.
A. Nesterenko - “Alexander Nevsky. Who won the battle on the ice”; Olma-Press; 2006. Pp. thirty
Battle on the Ice
In 1242 trouble again came to Russia. Crusader knights attacked from the west. Under the slogan of the destruction of the infidels and the cover of the Catholic faith, they plundered the Novgorod and Pskov lands. Alexander, called by the Novgorodians, again had to defend the independence of Russia. Having put into execution a brilliant plan and using non-standard weapons (carts connected with chains, hooks), he defeated the German invaders on Lake Peipus. This victory drove away the knights of the Livonian Order from the Russian borders for many years and obliged them to pay tribute.
L. Gumilyov
“The number of knights themselves was small - only a few dozen, but each knight was a formidable fighter. In addition, the knights were supported by foot mercenaries armed with spears, and the allies of the order - Livs. The knights lined up like a “pig”: the most powerful warrior in front, two others behind him, four behind those, and so on. The onslaught of such a wedge was irresistible for the lightly armed Russians, and Alexander did not even try to stop the blow of the German troops. On the contrary, he weakened his center and made it possible for the knights to break through it. Meanwhile, the reinforced flanks of the Russians attacked both wings of the German army. The Livs fled, the Germans resisted fiercely, but since it was spring time, the ice cracked and the heavily armed knights began to fall into the water of Lake Peipus. The Novgorodians, on the other hand, did not allow the enemy to escape from the fatal trap. The defeat of the Germans on Lake Peipsi on April 5, 1242 delayed their advance to the East.
Gumilyov L. N. “From Russia to Russia. Essays on ethnic history”; AST, Moscow, 2003. p. 146.
M. Khitrov
“Then a terrible slaughter began. An unimaginable noise arose from the frequent blows of swords on shields and helmets, from the crack of breaking spears, from ice breaks, from the screams of the slain and drowning. It seemed that the whole lake shook and groaned heavily... The ice turned purple with blood... There was no longer a proper fight: the beating of the enemies, who fought hard until late evening, began. But their losses were enormous. Many tried to flee, but the Russians overtook them. The lake was covered with corpses for seven miles, right up to the Subolichsky shore. Many glorious knights fell in battle and were taken prisoner. The army, recently so formidable and brilliant, no longer existed. Without a doubt, that was one of the brightest days in the history of Pskov, when the victorious leader triumphantly returned to the Battle of the Ice.
M. Khitrov assesses the Battle on the Ice as a very important battle and a magnificent victory. He writes that it was one of the best pages in the history of Russia.
Khitrov M.I. "Alexander Nevsky - Grand Duke"; Lenizdat, St. Petersburg, 1992. p. 115
“Here is the limit to the spread of German rule, here God himself judged the age-old dispute between the Germans and the Slavs, protecting our fatherland forever from dangerous foreigners.”
M. Khitrov expresses his attitude to the problem of the West and the East. He believes that it was the Germans and other Catholics who were the threat to Russia.
Khitrov M. And "Decree". op. S. 103.
S. Platonov
“Alexander went to the Germans, took away the Russian cities from them and met their main army on the ice of Lake Peipus (this was April 5, 1242). In a stubborn battle, the swordsmen were utterly defeated: many of them were killed, fifty "God's nobles" (as the Russians called the knights) were captured and were brought by Prince Alexander to Pskov. After this “battle on the ice”, the swordsmen had to leave the Russian lands alone.”
S. Platonov summarizes: it was after the victory of the Russians in the Battle of the Ice that the Catholics stopped trying to capture Russia.
Platonov S.F. - “Textbook of Russian history for secondary school: Systematic course. At 2 o'clock." Moscow, 1994, pp. 86–87
N. Kostomarov
“The battle on the ice is of great importance in Russian history. True, the manifestations of enmity between the Germans and the Russians did not stop even after that ... but the thought of conquering the northern Russian lands, of enslaving them ... left the Germans forever.
N. Kostomarov believes that it was after the defeat in the Battle of the Ice that the Catholics stopped trying to capture Russia.
Kostomarov N. I. Russian history in the biographies of its main figures. Moscow., 1990. Book. 1. Issue. 1–3. S. 158.
“I saw the army of God in the air, which came to the aid of Alexander. And so he defeated the enemies with the help of God, and they turned to flight, while Alexander cut them down, driving them as if through the air, and there was nowhere for them to hide. Here God glorified Alexander before all the regiments, like Joshua at Jericho. And the one who said: "We will capture Alexander," God gave into the hands of Alexander. And there has never been an opponent worthy of him in battle. And Prince Alexander returned with a glorious victory, and there were many prisoners in his army, and they led barefoot near the horses those who call themselves "God's knights."
And when the prince approached the city of Pskov, the abbots, and the priests, and all the people met him in front of the city with crosses, praising God and glorifying the lord prince Alexander, singing a song to him: “You, Lord, helped meek David to defeat the foreigners and the faithful prince with our weapons of faith, free the city of Pskov from foreign pagans by the hand of Alexander.
The life describes the attitude to the victory of Alexander by his contemporaries, who glorified Alexander and glorified his magnificent victory.
"The Life of Alexander Nevsky" Moscow, Higher School, 1998 p. 15
V. Belinsky
“Almost the same level was the “battle” of Alexander with the Germans and Estonians on April 5, 1242 on Lake Peipsi. By the way, the Ipatiev Chronicle simply does not confirm its "existence". "In the summer of 6750, do not be nothing," says the chronicle. Meanwhile, 6750 is 1242. According to the Order, the Chud skirmish nevertheless took place and the losses of the Order amounted to 20 knights killed and 6 knights captured. However, we are not talking about destruction. Such is the scale of the "Chudskaya battle."
V. Belinsky doubts whether there was a battle, referring to the Ipatiev Chronicle. He believes that the Battle of the Ice was not a great battle, but was an ordinary skirmish.
Belinsky V.B. "Country Moksel, or the Discovery of Great Russia"; Kyiv, 2009, p. 70.
D. Fennel
"... Metropolitan Kirill or someone else who wrote the "Life" inflated the significance of Alexander's victory in order to brighten up in the eyes of his contemporaries Alexander's subsequent servility to the Tatars.
D. Fennel believes that the Battle of the Ice was not a significant battle.
Fennel John The Crisis of Medieval Russia: 1200–1304. Moscow., 1989. S. 156–157, 174.
I. Danilevsky
“In the early monuments, the Battle of the Ice is inferior not only to the Battle of Rakovor, but also to the battle on the Neva. Suffice it to say that the description of the Battle of the Neva takes up one and a half times more space in the Novgorod Chronicle than the description of the Battle of the Ice. In Lavrentievskaya, only the list of feats accomplished by Alexander's warriors at the mouth of the Izhora is twice as long as the story we are interested in in terms of the number of words.
I. Danilevsky is sure that the significance of the Battle of the Ice is greatly exaggerated.
Danilevsky I. "Battle on the Ice: change of image" Journal domestic notes No. 5 (2004)
A. Nesterenko
“Since among those who fought the Russians in the Battle on Ice, there were no more than a few dozen knights with crosses on their cloaks, even in the terms of a Polish novelist it is incorrect to call them “crusaders”, or a knightly army. After all, it never occurs to anyone to call an army with several dozen tanks a tank army. Why is an army with several dozen knights called knightly? No, why they call it, it’s understandable - to give due weight to Alexander’s victory.
A. Nesterenko does not consider the Battle of the Ice a significant battle.
Nesterenko A. “Alexander Nevsky. Who won the battle on the ice”; Olma-Press; 2006. Pp. 35
Nevryuev's army
In 1252, the Pope of Rome offered help to the Russian princes in the fight against the Mongol-Tatars. Alexander, understanding the intention of the Catholics, refused, but his brother Andrei, bribed by flattery and promises of Catholic ambassadors, leaned towards Catholicism. Alexander Nevsky had to speak out against his own brother, who raised an uprising against the Mongol-Tatars. To save Russia from more at the cost of little blood.
N. Karamzin
“Alexander, with prudent ideas, subdued Sartak’s anger at the Russians and, recognized in the Horde as the Grand Duke, triumphantly entered Vladimir, Metropolitan Kirill, Abbots, Priests met him at the Golden Gate, also all citizens and Boyars under the command of the Thousand capital, Roman Mikhailovich. The joy was general. Alexander hurried to justify it with vigilant concern for the people's welfare, and calm soon reigned in the Grand Duchy.
N. Karamzin believes that by supporting the Nevryuev army, Alexander ensured stability and tranquility in the Novgorod principality.
Karamzin N.M. "History of the Russian state" Golden Alley, Kaluga, 1993, volume 4, pp. 197-200
L. Gumilyov
"By the middle of the thirteenth century. the idea of the unification of Russia has already become completely illusory. Alexander Nevsky understood this well, but Daniil and Andrey did not understand it at all.
L. Gumilyov appreciated Andrei's desire to go against the Mongols by uniting Russia. He wrote that Alexander, unlike his brother Andrei, was well versed in the current situation.
Gumilyov L.N. From Russia to Russia. Essays on ethnic history”; AST, Moscow, 2003, p. 164
From "The Life of Alexander Nevsky"
“After this, Tsar Batu was angry with his younger brother Andrei and sent his governor Nevryuy to ruin the land of Suzdal. After the devastation of Nevryuy land of Suzdal, the great prince Alexander erected churches, rebuilt cities, gathered the dispersed people into their houses. Isaiah the prophet said about such people: "The prince is good in the countries - quiet, affable, meek, humble - and in that he is like a god." Not seduced by wealth, not forgetting the blood of the righteous, orphans and widows, he judges in truth, is merciful, kind to his household and hospitable to those who come from foreign countries. God also helps such people, for God does not love angels, but people, in his generosity he generously bestows and shows his mercy in the world. God filled the land of Alexander with wealth and glory, and God prolonged his days.
Once, ambassadors from the pope from great Rome came to him with the following words: “Our dad says this: “We heard that you are a worthy and glorious prince and your land is great. so that you hear what they say about the law of God."
Prince Alexander, having thought with his wise men, wrote him the following answer: “From Adam to the flood, from the flood to the division of peoples, from the mixing of peoples to the beginning of Abraham, from Abraham to the passage of the Israelites through the sea, from the exodus of the sons of Israel to the death of King David , from the beginning of the reign of Solomon to Augustus and until the birth of Christ, from the birth of Christ and to his crucifixion and resurrection, from his resurrection and ascension to heaven and to the reign of Constantine, from the beginning of the reign of Constantine to the first council and the seventh - we know all this well but we will not accept teachings from you." They returned home."
The life describes the attitude of contemporaries to Alexander. The fact that he restored the devastated principalities, and refused the help of the Catholics, realizing its detrimental consequences.
"The Life of Alexander Nevsky" Moscow, Higher School, 1998, p. 15.
V. Belinsky
“For many years of his life at the court of the Khan, Alexander became the first of the Suzdal princes who was imbued with a truly Tatar-Mongolian sovereign spirit, absorbed the psychology of a conquering steppe from childhood, fully accepted the customs of the people among whom he grew up, their style of behavior and the psychology of actions. He clearly understood that he had only the only chance to take the Vladimir Grand Duke's table, removing his brother Andrei from the road. And it was worth hurrying while the power was in the hands of the Anda - Sartak. Alexander, the so-called Nevsky, took advantage of his dirty chance. Even studying only the "scriptures" of N.M. Karamzin, one can clearly trace the vile deeds of Alexander. Naturally, N.M. Karamzin elevated ordinary betrayal into a fateful heroic act. By the way, soon both Andrey and Yaroslav returned back, "bowed their necks" before the Khan of the Horde and sat down on specific ulus tables. Which once again testified to our thought: Andrei did not rebel against Batu, did not raise his sword against the Tatars, but became just a victim of the betrayal of his native "brother".
V. Belinsky accuses Alexander of betraying his brother, of wanting to appropriate all the power for himself without disdaining any means.
Belinsky V. B. "Country Moksel, or the Discovery of Great Russia"; Kyiv, 2009, p. 73.
Uprising in Novgorod
The year 1257 was not very calm. There was no stability in the Horde. Khans changed one after another. First, the death of Batu and the accession of Sartak, then the death of Sartak. When changing the khan in the horde, the named brother Alexander Sartak, who was baptized, was killed by his uncle Berke. He was a Muslim and tried in every possible way to limit Christian Russia. Berke wanted to impose tribute on the Novgorod lands. To do this, it was necessary to "give a number" - to conduct a census. The people of Novgorod rebelled. He did not want to obey the Mongols and give a number. Moreover, the Mongols did not capture Novgorod, and paying tribute just like that was doubly offensive for the Novgorodians. But, Alexander brutally suppressed the uprising, realizing that in case of refusal there would be serious punitive measures up to the destruction of the free city.
N. Pronina
“By order of the Grand Duke in Pskov, his son Vasily (son, first-born, successor! ..) was captured and arrested. Only after that the investigation and trial began in Novgorod. The chronicler directly points out: first of all, Alexander Nevsky severely punished precisely those “who led Prince Vasily to evil” - the most active instigator and leader of the rebellion, a certain “Alexander the Novgorodian”, was executed, and his supporters, the “team” but to others you will open your eyes.” Novgorod was terrified. But the prince had no other way. To save the city from general devastation, he had to "prepare the subordination of the Novgorod Republic to the Tatar-Mongolian authorities"
N. Pronina considers it necessary to suppress the uprising in order to save the city from ruin.
Pronina N.M. "Alexander Nevsky - a national hero or a traitor?" Yauza, Eksmo, 2008, p. 211
L. Gumilyov
“Faithful to his principle of fighting for the interests of the Fatherland, Alexander Yaroslavich, this time too, “lay down his soul for his friends.” He went to Berke and negotiated the payment of tribute to the Mongols in exchange for military assistance against the Lithuanians and Germans. But when Mongolian scribes came to Novgorod together with the prince to determine the amount of the tax, the Novgorodians staged a riot, headed by Vasily Alexandrovich, the eldest son of the Grand Duke, a fool and a drunkard. Alexander led the "Tatar" ambassadors out of the city under his personal guard, preventing them from being killed. Thus, he saved Novgorod from destruction - after all, we know how the Mongols acted with the population of cities where the murder of the ambassadors of the Mongol Khan was committed. Alexander Yaroslavich acted cruelly with the leaders of the turmoil: they were “taken out of their eyes”, believing that a person still does not need eyes if he does not see what is happening around. Only at this price did Alexander manage to subdue the Novgorodians, who, along with passionarity, lost common sense and did not understand that those who do not have the strength to defend themselves are forced to pay for protection from enemies. Of course, giving away your money is always unpleasant, but it’s probably better to part with money than with independence and life.”
L. Gumilyov positively assesses the forced actions of Alexander. He believes that it was by these actions that Alexander saved Novgorod from death.
Gumilyov L.N. From Russia to Russia. Essays on ethnic history"; AST, Moscow, 2003, p.166
S. Baimukhametov
“All previous oral agreements remain in force. And finally, an official alliance was concluded with the Horde (with Berke!) on military assistance with payment in the form of an annual tax - “exit”. From that moment, from 1257-58, twenty (!) years after Batu's campaign, what our historians called tribute begins. Nevsky is taking the Horde Baskaks to Novgorod for the census and accounting for the “exit”. And then he receives a terrible blow from his own son Vasily. Vasily, a drunkard and a brawler, raises a rebellion against his father and leads the conspirators to kill the Horde envoys. At that moment, the fate of the entire cause of Alexander and Russia was on the map. The Mongols never forgave the murders of ambassadors. Thank you faithful friend. Alexander leads the ambassadors out of the city and gets a free hand. And - punishes the rebels. This is probably where Afanasiev's words come from: "He killed Russians, cut off their noses and ears in a way that the Tatars themselves did not do."
S. Baymukhametov believes that Alexander, in a difficult moment, made a key and correct decision for the good of Russia, suppressing the uprising.
Baymukhametov S. "Princely Cross" Website of the magazine "Bulletin online" Access mode - http://www.vestnik.com
V. Belinsky
“In 1257, the Tatar-Mongol Empire carried out in the Vladimir-Suzdal land, or in another way - in its Northern Uluses, a census of all settlements and the entire population of the region to tighten taxation. In this event, the Golden Horde primarily involved Prince Alexander Nevsky. It was he, Alexander, who carried out the military cover of the Tatar numbers, having at hand his own and the Tatar squads. Great Russian historians, every single one, are trying to justify Alexander's participation in the census of the population of the Vladimir-Suzdal land, and later Novgorod and Pskov, as a purely forced step. But this is a pure lie. The prince set foot on the path of betrayal much earlier, but here he already acted, as we shall see, voluntarily and not without the greatest zeal. This betrayal should not be whitewashed. It was the Mongol-Tatar polling census that tied the population to the Tatar rulers with an iron chain.
V. Belinsky accuses Alexander of suppressing the uprising in order to obtain personal gain and does not consider the suppression of the uprising a forced step.
Belinsky V.B. "Country Moksel, or the Discovery of Great Russia"; Kyiv, 2009, p. 78
Y. Afanasiev
“Alexander Nevsky was the first of the Russian Grand Dukes, who, instead of resisting the Tatars, went to direct cooperation with them. He began to act in alliance with the Tatars against other princes: he punished Russians - including Novgorodians - for disobedience to the conquerors, and in such a way that the Mongols did not even dream of (he cut his noses, and cut off his ears, and cut off his heads, and impaled ) ... But today's mythological consciousness will perceive the news that the prince was actually the "first collaborator" quite unambiguously - as an anti-patriotic slander.
Y. Afanasiev calls Alexander Yaroslavovich a collaborator and a cruel tyrant.
Afanasie Yu.N. Rodina magazine Access mode: http://malech.narod.ru/liki2.html
V. Yanin
“Unfortunately, I must now engage in criticism of one of the largest figures in Novgorod, Novgorod, Novgorod history. Namely, Alexander Nevsky. Alexander Nevsky, having concluded an alliance, you understand, with the Horde, subordinated Novgorod to the Horde's influence. He extended to Novgorod, which was never conquered by the Tatars, he extended, so to speak, to Novgorod, which means power, Tatar power. Moreover, he gouged out the eyes, you know, of dissenting Novgorodians. And there are many sins behind him. Despite the fact that, here, he was the winner, you understand, of the Germans there, during the battle on the ice and in other battles, on Lake Peipsi. But, nevertheless, Novgorod was betrayed by the Tatars to them.
V. Yanin negatively assesses the activities of Alexander Yaroslavovich, believing that he betrayed and subjugated Novgorod to the Tatars, who without his help would never have conquered the “free city”.
Yanin V.L. "Alexander Nevsky was a sinner" - lecture, on the TV channel "Culture" within the framework of the ACADEMIA project. Access mode:
Canonical evaluation
According to the "canonical" version, Alexander Nevsky played an exceptional role in Russian history. In the XIII century, Russia was attacked from three sides - the Catholic West, the Mongol-Tatars and Lithuania. Alexander Nevsky, who has not lost a single battle in his entire life, showed the talent of a commander and diplomat, making peace with the most powerful (but more tolerant) enemy - the Golden Horde - and repelling the German attack, while protecting Orthodoxy from Catholic expansion. This interpretation was officially supported by the authorities both in pre-revolutionary and Soviet times, as well as by the Russian Orthodox Church. The idealization of Alexander reached its zenith before the Great Patriotic War, during and in the first decades after it. In popular culture, this image was captured in the film "Alexander Nevsky" by Sergei Eisenstein). There is also a more moderate interpretation of this point of view. So, according to the modern historian Anton Gorsky, in the actions of Nevsky “one should not look for some kind of conscious fateful choice ... Alexander Yaroslavich was a pragmatist ... he chose the path that seemed to him more profitable for strengthening his land and for him personally ... when it was a decisive battle, he fought when an agreement seemed most useful, he went to an agreement".
Eurasian assessment
Alexander's friendly relations with Batu, whose respect he enjoyed, his son Sartak and his successor, Khan Berke, made it possible to conclude the most peaceful relations with the Horde, which contributed to the synthesis of Eastern European and Mongol-Tatar cultures. As a result, Russian civilization arose.
Critical Assessment
The third group of historians, in general agreeing with the "pragmatic" nature of the actions of Alexander Nevsky, believes that objectively he played a negative role in the history of Russia. This position is shared, in particular, by Igor Danilevsky and John Fennel. According to their interpretation, there was no serious threat from the German knights (moreover, the Battle of the Ice was not a major battle), and the example of Lithuania (to which a number of Russian princes with their lands crossed) showed that a successful fight against the Tatars was quite possible. Alexander Nevsky deliberately entered into an alliance with the Tatars in order to use them to strengthen his personal power. In the long term, his choice predetermined the formation of despotic power in Russia.
Links
- Academician Panchenko A.M. (March 9, 1997) about the European Union, about NATO, about Belarus, about Ukraine and about the testaments of Alexander Nevsky. , SPb TV 5 con.
- Professor Kirpichnikov A.N. (March 9, 1997) About the call of Alexander Nevsky to live in their own lands and not to cross the borders of others. , SPb TV 5 con.
- Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill: "The image of the holy noble prince Alexander teaches us true Christian humility", Nizhny Novgorod diocese, September 13, 2009
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The Battle of the Neva is a battle between Russian and Swedish troops on the Neva River. The goal of the Swedish invasion was to capture the mouth of the Neva River, which made it possible to capture the most important section of the route "from the Varangians to the Greeks", which was under the control of Veliky Novgorod. Taking advantage of the fog, the Russians unexpectedly attacked the Swedish camp and defeated the enemy; only the onset of darkness stopped the battle and allowed the remnants of the Swedish army of Birger to escape, who was wounded by Alexander Yaroslavich. Prince Alexander Yaroslavich was nicknamed Nevsky for the military art and courage shown in the battle. The military-political significance of the Battle of the Neva was to prevent the threat of an enemy invasion from the north and to ensure the security of Russia's borders from Sweden in the conditions of the Batu invasion.
NOVGOROD FIRST CHRONICLE OF THE OLDER EDITION
Having come to the Holy in the strength of greatness, and Murman, and Sum, and there are a lot of evil in the ships; Saints with the prince and with their piskups; and in the Neva, the mouth of Izhera, although you want to take in Ladoga, just the river and Novgorod and the whole region of Novgorod. But still, the blessed, merciful philanthropist God has taken care of us and protected us from foreigners, as if we were working in vain without God’s command: the news will come to Novgorod, as if the Saints are going to Ladoz. Prince Oleksandr did not delay at all from the people of Novgorod and from Ladoga, he came to me, and I conquer with the power of Saint Sophia and the prayers of our mistress the Mother of God and the ever-bearing Mary, the month of July at 15, in memory of St. , like in Chalcedon; and that was a great battle with the Light. And that governor was killed, named Spiridon; and other creators, as if the squeaker was killed by the same; and many many of them fell; and on top of the ship were two vyatshih husbands, who had previously abandoned themselves to the sea; and prok them, having dug out a hole, vmetash in a nude, without a hole; and inii multiplied the ulcers of the former; and on that night, without waiting for the light of Monday, shame the departed.
The Novgorodian is the same pade: Kostyantin Lugotinits, Gyuryata Pineshchinich, Namest, Wanking Nezdylov, the son of a tanner, and all 20 a husband from Ladoga, or me, God knows. Prince Oleksandr, from Novgorod and Ladoga, came all in good health to his own, save God and St. Sophia and the prayers of all the saints.
ON THE EVE OF THE NEVA BATTLE
1238 was a turning point in the fate of Alexander Yaroslavich. In the battle with the Tatars on the City River, the fate of not only the Grand Duke, the entire Russian land, but also his father and himself was decided. After the death of Yuri Vsevolodovich, it was Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, as the eldest in the family, who became the Grand Duke of Vladimir. Alexander's father identified all the same Novgorod. Then, in 1238, seventeen-year-old Alexander married Princess Praskovya, daughter of the Polotsk prince Bryachislav. Thus, Alexander acquired an ally in the person of the Polotsk prince on the western borders of Russia. The wedding took place in the homeland of the mother and grandfather, in the city of Toropets, and the wedding dinner took place twice - in Toropets and in Novgorod. Alexander demonstrated his respect for the city, where he first set out on an independent princely path.
This year and the following year were also turning points for Alexander in another sense. The invasion of the Tatar-Mongols and the most severe devastation of Russian lands by them, as it were, emphasized the long-standing political disintegration of Russia, its ever-increasing military weakness. The defeat of Russian lands by Batu naturally coincided with the intensification of aggression against Russia by all its neighbors. It seemed to them that now it was worth making only a small effort, and it would be possible to seize everything that remained beyond the line of the Tatar-Mongol conquest.
The Lithuanians captured Smolensk, the Teutonic Knights, tearing apart the former peace, launched an attack on Pskov. First, they captured the fortress of Izborsk, and then laid siege to Pskov itself. It was not possible to take it, but the city gates were opened to the knights by their supporters from among the Pskov boyars. At the same time, the Danes attacked the lands of the Chuds (Ests) on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, which were under the rule of Novgorod. The last stronghold of a free and still independent Russia - the Novgorod lands - was brought to the brink of disaster. In essence, Alexander Yaroslavich and the Grand Duke standing behind him were opposed by a bloc of Western countries, the striking forces of which were "God's servants" from German lands. In the rear lay Russia devastated by the Tatars. The young prince found himself at the center of Eastern European politics. The decisive stage of the Russian struggle for the remaining independent lands was approaching.
The Swedes, long-time enemies of Novgorod, were the first to openly attack Novgorod's possessions. They gave crusade character to the campaign. They were loaded onto ships while singing religious hymns, Catholic priests blessed them on their way. In early July 1240, the fleet of the Swedish king Eric Lespe headed for the Russian shores. Jarl Ulf Fasi and the king's son-in-law Jarl Birger were at the head of the royal army. According to some reports, several thousand people walked with both Jarls. Soon the Swedes dropped anchor in the place where the Izhora River flows into the Neva. Here they spread their camp and began to dig battle ditches, apparently intending to gain a foothold for a long time and later lay a fortress, their stronghold in the Izhora land, as they had already done in the lands of the Emi and Sumi.
In an ancient legend, the appeal of the Swedish leader to the Novgorod prince has been preserved: “If you want to resist me, then I have already come. Come and bow, ask for mercy, and I will give it as much as I want. And if you resist, I will take captive and destroy everything and subjugate your land, and you will be my slave and your sons. It was an ultimatum. The Swedes demanded unconditional obedience from Novgorod. They were convinced of the success of their enterprise. According to their concepts, Russia, broken by the Tatars, could not offer them serious resistance. However, events did not unfold at all as the Swedish crusaders expected. Even at the entrance to the Neva, their augers were noticed by local Izhora patrolmen. The Izhora elder Pelgusy immediately let Novgorod know about the appearance of the enemy and later informed Alexander about the place of stay and the number of Swedes.
ALEXANDER NEVSKY DURING THE BATTLE
Prince Alexander Yaroslavich, who fought at the head of the squad of Pereyaslavtsy, from the height of his war horse, managed to look out for the “Prince” Birger, protected by the swords of several knights. The Russian warrior sent his horse straight at the enemy leader. The princely close squad also turned around there.
"King" Birger, as a royal commander during the Battle of the Neva, confirmed, without a doubt, the reputation of the ancient Folkung family. In the Russian chronicles there is no mention of his personal "shakiness" in a lost battle until the moment when he was seriously wounded in the face. Birger managed to rally around himself a personal squad, part of the crusader knights, and tried to repel a united attack by the Russian cavalry.
The fact that the crusaders began to successfully fight off the Russian cavalry attacking them at the golden-domed tent forced Prince Alexander Yaroslavich to intensify the onslaught here. Otherwise, the Swedes, who began to receive reinforcements from the augers, could repulse the attack, and then the outcome of the battle became difficult to predict.
About that hour the chronicler will say: "The battle was very strong and slashing evil." In the midst of a furious battle, two leaders of the opposing forces came together - the Novgorod prince and the future ruler of the Swedish kingdom Birger. It was a knightly duel between two generals of the Middle Ages, on the outcome of which a lot depended. This is how the remarkable artist Nicholas Roerich depicted him on his historical canvas.
Nineteen-year-old Alexander Yaroslavich boldly sent his horse to Birger, who stood out in the ranks of the crusader knights, clad in armor, who was riding a horse. Both of them were famous for their skill in hand-to-hand martial arts. Russian warriors almost never wore helmets with visors, leaving their faces and eyes uncovered. Only a vertical steel arrow protected the face from being struck by a sword or spear. In hand-to-hand combat, this gave a great advantage, since the warrior had a better view of the battlefield and his opponent. In such a helmet, Prince Alexander Yaroslavich also fought on the banks of the Neva.
Neither Birger's squires, nor the close prince's warriors began to interfere with the duel of the two military leaders. Having skillfully repelled Birger's blow with a heavy spear, the Prince of Novgorod contrived and accurately hit with his spear in the viewing slot of the lowered visor of the helmet of the leader of the Swedes. The tip of the spear pierced the face of the "prince" and the blood began to flood his face and eyes. The Swedish commander swayed in the saddle from the blow, but on horseback he held on.
The squires and servants of Birger did not allow the Russian prince to repeat the blow. They repulsed the seriously wounded host, the crusader knights again closed formation at the golden-domed tent, and hand-to-hand fights continued here. Birger was hurried away to the flagship auger. The royal army was left without a proven leader. Neither Jarl Ulf Fasi nor the militant Catholic bishops in knightly armor could replace him.
The Russian chronicler described the knightly duel of the Novgorod prince Alexander Yaroslavich and the Swedish commander as follows: “... Beat a lot of them mercilessly, and put a seal on the queen’s face with your sharp copy.”
ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NEVA VICTORY
The losses of the Novgorodians were very insignificant, only twenty people with the Ladoga. Such a glorious victory cost so little! These news seem incredible to us, “and no wonder,” the historian notes, “contemporaries and even eyewitnesses marveled at them.” But what can selfless daring and selfless love for the motherland, animated by the hope of heavenly help, not accomplish! The success of the Russians depended a lot on the speed and surprise of the attack. In terrible confusion and turmoil, the enemies of different tribes, deceived in their hope for rich booty and irritated by failure, perhaps rushed to beat each other and continued the bloody battle between themselves and on the other side of the Izhora. But most of all, without a doubt, the victory depended on the personal merits of the leader, who "won't win everywhere, but is invincible nowhere." No wonder contemporaries and posterity gave Alexander Yaroslavich the glorious name of Nevsky. His eagle eye, his wise quick wits, his youthful enthusiasm and diligence during the battle, his heroic courage and wisely taken precautions, and most importantly, his heavenly assistance, most assuredly ensured the success of the case. He managed to inspire the army and the people. His very personality made a charming impression on all who saw him. Shortly before the glorious Neva victory, Andrey Velven, the master of Livonia, came to Novgorod, “although to see the courage and marvelous age of blessed Alexander, like the ancient queen of the South came to Solomon to see his wisdom. Similarly, this Andriyash, as if seeing the holy Grand Duke Alexander, was greatly surprised at the beauty of his face and wonderful age, most of all seeing the wisdom and indispensable mind given to him by God, and not knowing how to call him and be in great perplexity. When he returned from him, and came home, and began to tell about him with surprise. Having passed, speech, many countries and languages, and saw many kings and princes, and nowhere did I find such beauty and courage either in the kings of the king, or in the princes of the prince, like the great prince Alexander. To explain the mystery of this charm, it is not enough to indicate only courage and foresight. Simultaneously with these qualities, there was something higher in him that irresistibly attracted him: the stamp of genius shone on his forehead. Like a bright lamp, the gift of God burned in it, clearly for everyone. Everyone admired this gift of God in him. Add to this his sincere piety. Like the word of God about Nimrod, he was also a warrior "before the Lord." An inspirational leader, he knew how to inspire the people and the army. The bright image of the Neva hero is most clearly reflected in the chronicles, written mostly by contemporaries. What a warm feeling, what, one might say, reverence breathe their artless stories! “How dare I, thin, unworthy and sinful, write a story about the smart, meek, sensible and brave Grand Duke Alexander Yaroslavich!” they exclaim. Depicting his exploits, they compare him with Alexander the Great, with Achilles, with Vespasian - the king who captivated the land of Judea, with Sampson, with David, in wisdom - with Solomon. This is not a rhetorical embellishment. All this is prompted by a deeply sincere feeling. Suppressed by the terrible invasion of the Tatars, the Russian people instinctively sought consolation, consolation, longed for something that, at least a little, could lift and encourage the fallen spirit, revive hopes, show them that not everything has yet perished in Holy Russia. And he found all this in the face of Alexander Yaroslavich. Since the time of the Neva victory, he has become a bright guiding star, on which the Russian people have focused their gazes with ardent love and hope. He became his glory, his hope, his joy and pride. Moreover, he was still so young, he had so much ahead of him.
The Romans are defeated and put to shame! - the Novgorodians joyfully exclaimed, - not Sveya, Murmans, sum and eat - the Romans, and in this expression, in this name of the defeated enemies by the Romans, the popular instinct correctly guessed the meaning of the invasion. The people saw here the encroachment of the West on the Russian people and faith. Here, on the banks of the Neva, the first glorious rebuff was given by the Russians to the formidable movement of Germanism and Latinism to the Orthodox East, to Holy Russia.
HISTORIANS ABOUT ALEXANDER NEVSKY
N.M. Karamzin:“Good Russians included Nevsky in the face of their guardian angels and for centuries attributed to him, as a new heavenly protector of the fatherland, various cases favorable for Russia: so posterity believed the opinion and feeling of his contemporaries in the reasoning of this prince! The name of the Saint given to him is much more expressive than the Great: for the Great are usually called the happy ones: Alexander, by his virtues, could only alleviate the cruel fate of Russia, and his subjects, zealously glorifying his memory, proved that the people sometimes rightly appreciate the virtues of sovereigns and do not always believe them in outward splendor of the state.
N.I. Kostomarov: “The clergy most of all respected and appreciated this prince. His obsequiousness to the khan, his ability to get along with him ... and thereby deflect disasters and ruin from the Russian people, which would befall them with any attempt at liberation and independence - all this was in full agreement with the teaching always preached by Orthodox pastors: life after death, meekly endure all sorts of injustices ... submit to any authority, even if it is foreign and involuntarily recognized.
CM. Solovyov:"The observance of the Russian land from trouble in the east, the famous feats for faith and land in the west brought Alexander a glorious memory in Russia and made him the most prominent historical figure in ancient history from Monomakh to the Don."
HEROES OF RUSSIAN HISTORY: PRINCE ALEXANDER NEVSKY AT THE CROSSROADS OF OPINIONS
Alexander Nevsky is one of the most respected figures in Russian history. The Russian Orthodox Church canonized him among the saints. In the Grand Kremlin Palace there is a main hall, called the Alexander Hall. During the Great Patriotic War, an order named after him was established in the USSR. However, there are also negative assessments of his activities. Some criticize Alexander Nevsky for his relationship with the Golden Horde. Using additional literature and the Internet, select the positive and negative statements of historians, writers, publicists about the prince. Write a short essay on the topic “Alexander Nevsky. Why do posterity remember him? Express in it your own attitude to the personality of the prince.
Estimates by historians of the activities of Alexander Nevsky
According to the generally accepted version, Alexander Nevsky played an exceptional role in Russian history. In the XIII century, Russia was subjected to threats and attacks from the East and the West. Mongol-Tatar hordes and knights of the Catholic West tormented Russia from different sides. Alexander Nevsky had to show the talent of a commander and diplomat, making peace with the most powerful (and at the same time more tolerant) enemy - the Tatars - and repelling the attack of the Swedes and knights of German orders, while protecting Orthodoxy from Catholic expansion. This interpretation is considered "canonical" and was supported both by official historians of the pre-revolutionary and Soviet period, and by the Russian Orthodox Church.
However, some historians of the 18th-19th centuries did not attach much importance to the personality of Alexander Nevsky and did not consider his activity to be key in the history of Russia, although they paid due respect to him as a person and to the results he achieved. So, the grandees of Russian historiography Sergei Solovyov and Vasily Klyuchevsky paid little attention to the activities of Prince Alexander in their writings. Sergey Solovyov: “The observance of the Russian land from trouble in the east, the famous feats for faith and land in the west brought Alexander a glorious memory in Russia and made him the most prominent historical figure in ancient history from Monomakh to the Donskoy.”
There is a third group of historians who, in general, agreeing with the "pragmatic" nature of the actions of Alexander Nevsky, believe that his role in the history of Russia is negative. Mikhail Sokolsky, Irina Karatsuba, Igor Kurukin, Nikita Sokoloviev, Igor Yakovenko, Georgy Fedotov, Igor Andreev and others adhere to this position. According to their interpretation, there was no serious threat from the German knights, but the example of Lithuania, in whose citizenship some Russian lands showed that unification and, accordingly, a successful fight against the Horde were possible. These historians believed that Alexander Nevsky made an alliance with the Tatars not to save Russia from destruction, but to use the Tatars to strengthen his own power. Allegedly, Alexander Nevsky liked the model of the despotic power of the Horde, which made it possible to put free cities under princely control. As a result, historians have accused Prince Alexander of the fact that, because of his activities, Russia did not follow the European path of development based on a free civil society of commercial and industrial cities.
Of course, in the description of the life of Prince Alexander there are many examples that allow us to come to just such a conclusion. What is worth only the episode of the defense of the Horde ambassadors and the brutal suppression of the popular uprising in Novgorod. Or, for example, the struggle of Alexander Nevsky with his brother Andrei, who announced that he was making an alliance with the Swedes, Livonians and Poles in order to get rid of the Mongols. The result of this confrontation was the invasion of the "Nevruyeva rati" in 1252. The Horde commander Nevruy, with the support of Alexander, defeated Andrei's troops and forced him to emigrate to Sweden. At the same time, the "Nevryuev's army" inflicted more damage on Russia than Batu's campaign.
But does all this allow historians to speak with confidence about the motives of Prince Alexander, about his thoughts and dreams? Maybe the Swedes, Germans, Lithuanians and Poles could really unite Russia, and then she could throw off the yoke of the Horde dominion?
Problem of choice
No one denies that Russia of the 13th century was by no means a single state. Russia actually broke up into the South-Western, North-Eastern and Novgorod lands. They were ruled by two lines of descendants of Vladimir Monomakh, who constantly waged fierce wars among themselves. The princes of Polotsk turned their possessions into an independent principality. Ryazanians fought against Vladimir, Suzdal, Kyiv. Novgorod waged war with Vladimir. The policy of separatism was also carried out by the inhabitants of Minsk, Grodno and other cities of the north-west of Russia. Kyiv had already lost its dominant position and could not claim power in Russia. The idea of the unification of Russia by the middle of the XIII century became completely illusory. It is clear that under these conditions, the efforts and hopes of the forces adhering to the Western position that they would be able to unite the Russian lands were doomed to failure.
At that time Russia was already drained of blood and hardened. Brother went against brother, and the mutual hatred of the lands reached its highest heights. Ancient Russia flew at full speed to its death. The Horde, Swedes, Germans and Lithuanians took advantage of this. There was only one hope - for rebirth after the death of the state. But who was supposed to ensure this rebirth of the country, and what choice did the Russians have in this regard? In my opinion, before Russia there were three ways:
- complete submission to the Horde and entry into the Mongol Empire as one of the uluses,
- complete submission to the West and unification under the rule of the Catholic world in the fight against the Horde,
- an attempt to preserve the independence of Orthodox Russia and the struggle against the Horde and the West at the same time.
Path one: East
If the Russians had chosen the policy of complete submission to the Horde and joining it, then of course Russia would have been able to resist the Catholic world. But over time, the Russians would have lost their ethnicity, joining the multinational Horde. As a state, as a people, we most likely would have ceased to exist.
Path two: West
The path of complete subjugation to the West also did not bode well. First, the Russians would have to accept Catholicism. It seems that according to modern concepts, this is not so scary, especially since the differences in faith are often simply far-fetched. It must be understood that the knights of the Orders, the merchants of the Western trading cities, the Pope and the emperor were not at all going to spend their strength on uniting a state alien to them. They set themselves a different task - to use Russian warriors in the fight against the Mongols, to bleed Russia and conquer it, like the Baltic states.
Let's remember how the conquest of the Baltic tribes by the knightly Orders of the Teutons and Swordsmen went on in order to understand what awaited the Russians who chose this path. The Baltics were then inhabited by the ancient Baltic peoples: Estonians, Lithuanians, Zhmuds, Yatvingians and Prussians. All of them were in a state of equilibrium with the natural environment, and the forces of these peoples were only enough to survive in their native landscape. Therefore, in the fight against the Germans, the Balts were limited to defense. But since they defended themselves to the last, only the dead were taken prisoner, initially the Germans did not have much success. The knights were helped by the fact that they were supported by a very warlike tribe - Livs. In addition, the knights found a valuable ally - the Swedes, who subjugated the Finnish tribes of sum and em.
Gradually, the Germans turned the Letts into serfdom, but the Estonians refused to submit to them, having significant ties with the Russians. The Germans and Swedes treated the Russians even more cruelly than the Balts. If, for example, captured Estonians were turned into serfdom, then Russians were simply killed, without making an exception even for infants. This is how the process of the so-called "integration" of the peoples of the Baltic states into the Catholic world took place.
Someone may say that all this is not so, and the example of Lithuania, which united part of the Russian lands, is a vivid confirmation of this. In this case, it is worth jumping ahead a little and see what fate awaited the Orthodox population of Russians in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. They faced persecution and oppression.
If Russia submitted to the West, then we would not only lose our independence, independence, our culture and traditions, but would simply be destroyed in endless wars with the Horde, acting as a buffer between the Horde and the countries of the West.
Way three: own policy
A new generation of Russian people, the same age as Prince Alexander, quickly realized the extent of the danger threatening the country from the West. They also understood the fatality of complete submission to the Horde. They faced a much more difficult task - to find a strong ally in the face of the Horde, to maintain their faith and relative independence, to repel the invasion from the West. All this was necessary in order to enable Russia to be reborn, to find its own internal incentive for unification, and then to begin the struggle for independence. But it took time to achieve these goals.
Diplomacy of Alexander Nevsky helped to gain a strong ally and relative independence of Russia. Yes, Prince Alexander had to take unpopular and cruel measures, for which he was unloved by his contemporaries. But logic dictates that the brutal measures were forced to keep the peace with the Horde. There is a lot of evidence that in the following centuries, the Tatar cavalry units were the essential military force of the Russian troops. The Russians adopted the military techniques of the Horde and were able to significantly strengthen their army. Thus, Russia ensured the protection of the remaining lands from invasion from the West, and later to return their ancestral lands.
In addition, Russia retained its faith, which at that time was important, and in the future it helped to win the struggle for independence and ensure the greatness of the new state.
But most importantly, Russia managed to gain time in order to accumulate strength for the subsequent struggle. As for Alexander Nevsky himself, there are examples of successful confrontation in history that did not lead to tragic consequences. In them, the struggle was waged by the Russian people themselves with the support of the princes and, by the way, with the support of Alexander Nevsky. In 1262, in many cities - Rostov, Suzdal, Yaroslavl, Vladimir - began riots caused by abuses in the collection of tribute. This struggle led to positive results - already at the end of the 13th century, the Horde handed over the collection of tribute to the Russian princes, which made it easier for them to financial and political maneuvering. Ivan Kalita and other descendants of Alexander Nevsky continued to pursue a policy of "humble wisdom", gradually accumulating the prerequisites for a turning point.
And the turning point itself occurred in 1380, when on the Kulikovo field the Moscow army, absorbing the masses of volunteers from all Russian lands, opposed the Horde temnik Mamai. Russia got stronger, the Horde began to lose its former power. The policy of Alexander Nevsky naturally turned into the policy of Dmitry Donskoy. 200 years after the creation of the Mongol state by Batu Khan, it broke up into several components: the Great Horde, the Astrakhan, Kazan, Crimean, Siberian Khanates, and the Nogai Horde. At the same time, Muscovite Rus - on the contrary - was consolidating and gaining power. After the collapse of the Golden Horde, its geopolitical legacy inevitably had to pass to someone - it passed to the new Russia.
Thus, history has proved that the policy of "humble wisdom" of Alexander Nevsky was more correct than the policy of "jingo-patriotism" of his rivals. Momentary benefits and tactical advantages lost in the struggle to the strategic and far-sighted policy of Prince Alexander. That is why I believe that Prince Alexander Yaroslavovich was a true patriot of Russia. And thanks to his activities, the Russian people generally retained the opportunity to choose.
