Holy Prince Alexander Nevsky - Russian historical library. Unknown Alexander Nevsky: was the massacre “on ice”, did the prince bow to the Horde and other controversial issues
Alexander Yaroslavich Nevsky (born May 13, 1221 - death November 14, 1263) is the second son of Grand Duke Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, great-grandson. Prince of Novgorod (1252), Grand Duke of Vladimir (1252–1263) Russian statesman, commander. Holy Russian Orthodox Church. Genus: Rurikovich.
early years
Alexander spent most of his adolescence and youth in Novgorod, where his father made him reign in 1828 together with his older brother Fedor (d. 1233), giving two Suzdal boyars as leaders of the young princes. 1236 - Yaroslav went to Kyiv, receiving the table there, and Alexander began to independently rule Novgorod.
In 1239, Alexander began building fortresses along the river. Sheloni on the western outskirts of the Novgorod possessions. Soon Alexander would glorify his name in the fight against the Swedes, Germans and Lithuanians, who sought to take possession of Novgorod and Pskov at a time when the rest of Rus' was subjected to a terrible Tatar pogrom.
Key dates
1240 - Battle of the Neva
1242 - on Lake Peipsi - Battle of the Ice
1245 - repulse the Lithuanian attack on Torzhok and Bezhetsk
1247 - Alexander, by the will of Batu, became the Grand Duke of Kyiv
1251 - two cardinals came to Novgorod to Alexander with an offer from the Pope to accept Catholicism, he refused.
1252 - he received the label for the great reign of Vladimir
1256 - The prince led a successful campaign against the Finnish tribe
1262 - Novgorod, Tver and Lithuanian regiments allied to them undertook a campaign in Livonia
Personal life
1239 - Alexander married the daughter of the Polotsk prince Bryachislav, Alexandra. The newlyweds got married in the Church of St. George in Toropets. A year later their son Vasily was born.
Later, the wife gave birth to more children for Alexander: Vasily - Prince of Novgorod; Dmitry - the future prince of Novgorod, Pereyaslav and Vladimir; Andrey will become the prince of Kostroma, Vladimir, Novgorod and Gorodets, Daniil will become the first prince of Moscow. The princely couple also had a daughter, Evdokia, who married Konstantin Rostislavich Smolensky.
Battle of Neva
1240 - the Swedes, who disputed the possession of Finland with the Novgorodians, prompted by a papal bull to crusade against Novgorod, under the leadership of Birger, entered the Neva and reached the mouth of the Izhora. The news of their invasion was received in Novgorod. The prince with the Novgorodians and Ladoga residents quickly advanced to meet them on the left bank of the Neva, at the confluence of the river. Izhora, on July 16, 1240, was able to completely defeat the Swedes, while Birger himself “put a seal on his face with his sharp spear.” After this battle, decorated with poetic legends (the appearance of St. Boris and Gleb), Alexander received the nickname Nevsky. In the same year, the prince left Novgorod for Pereyaslavl to visit his father, having quarreled with the Novgorod boyars because he wanted to rule as powerfully as his father and grandfather.
Events that preceded the Battle of the Ice
However, circumstances forced the Novgorodians to call on Alexander again. The Order of the Swordsmen, shortly before united with the Teutonic Order, and resumed the offensive movement against Novgorod and Pskov Rus'. In the year of the Battle of the Neva, the Germans began the conquest of the Pskov region, and the next year (1241) Pskov itself was occupied by the Germans. Encouraged by their success, the crusaders began to conquer the Novgorod volost. They imposed tribute on Vod, built a German fortress in the Koporya churchyard, took Tesov, lands along the river. Luga were subject to ruin and, finally, German troops began to rob Novgorod merchants, 30 versts from Novgorod.
Then the Novgorodians sent to Yaroslav Vsevolodovich for the prince and he gave them a son, Andrei. However, Alexander Nevsky was needed, not Andrei. Having thought, the Novgorodians sent the ruler with the boyars to Alexander, who in 1241 was gladly accepted by the Novgorodians and first of all recaptured Koporye.
Battle on the Ice
1242 - having received help from the lower regiments (from the Suzdal land), Alexander managed to liberate Pskov and from here, without wasting time, he headed to the borders of Livonia, and there, on April 5, 1242, he gave the knights a battle on the ice of Lake Peipsi, near the Uzmenya tracts and Crow Stone, known by the name -: the crusaders were completely defeated.
After this defeat, the knights asked for peace and abandoned their conquests in the Russian regions. After the Swedes and Germans, the prince turned his arms on the Lithuanians and achieved a number of victories (in 1242 and 1245)
Clashes with the Swedes
1256 - the Swedes again tried to take away the Finnish coastline from Novgorod and, together with the subject Emya, began to build a fortress on the river. Narov; but upon learning of the approach of Alexander with the Suzdal and Novgorod regiments, they left. To intimidate the Swedes, Alexander Nevsky made a campaign into the Swedish possessions, into the country of Emi (today Finland), subjecting it to devastation. Thus, Alexander victoriously repelled his enemies on the western border, but he had to choose a completely different policy in relation to the Tatars.
Relations with the Golden Horde
After the death of his father (died in 1246), Alexander Nevsky and his brother Andrei went for the first time (in 1247) to the Horde to worship Batu, and from here from the banks of the Volga, along the water of Batu, the Yaroslavichs had the opportunity to make a long journey to Mongolia to the great Khan. It took them two years for this trip. They returned in 1250 with labels for their reign: Andrei, although the younger brother, received, by the will of the khan, the first most important table of Vladimir, while Alexander received Kyiv and Novgorod.
Alexander did not go to Kyiv, which lost all significance after the Tatar devastation, but settled in Novgorod, waiting for events to turn in his favor. Andrei Yaroslavich could not get along with the Tatars, and therefore reigned in Vladimir for a week: in 1252, Tatar hordes under the command of Tsarevich Nevruy were moved against him. Andrew's army was defeated, he fled first to Novgorod, and from there to Sweden.
Principality of Vladimir>
During the Nevryuev invasion, Nevsky was in the Horde and from Batu’s son, Sartak, who ruled the Horde due to his father’s decrepitude, received a label for the great reign of Vladimir. Alexander sat down in Vladimir, and from then on became the same defender of the Russian land from the Tatars, as before from the Swedes and Germans, but began to act in a different way, applying himself to the circumstances, namely: on the one hand, he restrained the senseless uprisings of his subjects against the Tatars, on the other hand the other tried to deliver possible benefits to the Russian lands by submission to the khan.
Alexander gave a lot of gold and silver to the Horde to ransom prisoners. Andrei Yaroslavich soon returned to Rus' and sat down to reign in Suzdal, having received forgiveness from the khan through the mediation of Alexander. The affairs of Novgorod, where his son Vasily reigned, caused Alexander a lot of concern.
"Alexander Nevsky receives papal legates." 1876
Unrest in Novgorod
1255 - the Novgorodians, having expelled Vasily, invited Alexander's brother, Yaroslav, Prince of Tver, to reign. However, Alexander wanted to keep Novgorod for himself, went with his army to Novgorod and forced the Novgorodians to accept the reign of Vasily without a battle. 1257 - unrest in Novgorod resumed due to rumors about the intention of the Tatars to carry out the same census there to impose a universal tribute on the inhabitants, which was carried out by the Tatar enumerators in the lands of Suzdal, Murom and Ryazan.
Prince Vasily himself was on the side of the Novgorodians, who did not want to pay tamgas and tithes. For this, Alexander Nevsky sent Vasily to the Suzdal lands, and severely punished the advisers who pushed the young prince to resist the Tatars. 1258 - Alexander went to the horde to “honor” Ulavchiy, an influential Khan dignitary. Only in 1259 did the mediation of Alexander and rumors about the movement of the Tatar army to Novgorod force the Novgorodians to agree to a census.
Last years. Death
1262 - an uprising broke out against the Tatars in Vladimir, Rostov, Suzdal, Pereyaslavl and Yaroslavl, caused by severe oppression from Tatar tribute farmers. The Tatar army was already ready to advance to the Russian lands. Then Alexander Nevsky hurried to the Horde to the khan (4th time) to ward off trouble from the people. He stayed there all winter and not only managed to avert Tatar pogroms, but was also able to obtain from the Khan the release of the Russian land from the duty to field military detachments for the Tatars.
This was the last deed of Alexander Nevsky: sick, he left the Horde and on the road, in Gorodets Volzhsky, died on November 14, 1263, according to the chronicler, “having worked a lot for the Russian land, for Novgorod and for Pskov, for the entire great reign, giving his life and for the true faith." Metropolitan Kirill announced to the people in Vladimir about the death of the Grand Duke with the words: “My dear children, understand that the sun of the Russian land has set,” and everyone exclaimed: “We are already perishing!”
Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky and the silver sarcophagus
Results of the board
XIII century - Rus' was attacked from three sides - the Catholic West, the Mongol-Tatars and Lithuania. Alexander showed the talent of a commander and diplomat, making peace with the most dangerous and powerful (but at the same time more tolerant) enemy - the Golden Horde - and repelling the attack of the Germans, he was able to protect Orthodoxy from Catholic expansion.
There is also a more moderate interpretation of this point of view. So, according to our contemporary historian A. Gorsky, in the actions of the Grand Duke “there is no need to look for some kind of conscious fateful choice... Nevsky was a pragmatist... chose the path that seemed more profitable to him for strengthening his land and for him personally... when necessary to give a decisive battle, he gave battle, when an agreement seemed more useful, he agreed.”
A sign of memory and glory is the special legend “On the life and courage of the blessed Grand Duke Alexander,” the most complete text of which is in the 2nd Pskov Chronicle. For his feat of endurance and patience, Alexander Nevsky was canonized in 1549, and the Alexander Nevsky Lavra was founded in his honor in 1710. His relics, discovered in 1380, were transferred by order of the emperor in 1724 from Vladimir to St. Petersburg to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, where they rest to this day in the Trinity Church in a silver shrine donated by the Empress.
The Grand Duke won his main military victories in his youth. At the time of the Battle of the Neva he was 20 years old, and during the Battle of the Ice the commander was 22 years old. Alexander was a politician and diplomat, but mostly a military leader.
In his entire life, the Grand Duke did not lose a single battle.
Prince Alexander is the only secular Orthodox ruler in all of Europe and Rus' who did not compromise with the Catholic Church in order to maintain power.
2008 - the “Name of Russia” competition took place. The event was organized by representatives of the state TV channel "Russia" together with the Institute of Russian History of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Public Opinion Foundation.
Internet users chose the “Name of Russia” from a ready-made list of “500 great figures of the country.” As a result, the competition almost ended in scandal, because Joseph Stalin took the leading position. The organizers said that “numerous spammers” voted for Stalin. As a result, Alexander Nevsky was named the official winner.
Alexander Yaroslavich Nevsky
Years of life: May 13, 1220? - November 14, 1263
Reign: 1252-1263
Alexander Nevsky - biography
Years of reign:
Prince of Novgorod in 1236-51, Grand Duke of Vladimir from 1252.
Alexander Nevsky is one of the most outstanding rulers of his time. N.I. Kostomarov very accurately formulated its role and significance in history. “The 13th century was a period of the most terrible shock for Rus',” he wrote. - From the east, the Mongols rushed into it with countless hordes of conquered Tatar tribes, ruined, depopulated most of Rus' and enslaved the rest of the people-population; from the north-west it was threatened by a German tribe under the banner of Western Catholicism. The task of the politician of that time was to put Rus', if possible, in such relations with various enemies that it could maintain its existence. A person who has taken upon himself this task and laid a firm foundation for the further fulfillment of this task in future times can rightly be called the true ruler of his age. This is Prince Alexander Yaroslavich Nevsky in Russian history.” (Kostomarov N.I. Russian history in the biographies of its main figures. M., 1991. P. 78.)
Alexander Nevsky was born on May 13, 1220 (1221?) in Pereslavl-Zalessky. By decision of his father Yaroslav, he reigned in Pereyaslavl and Novgorod. The princely tonsure of the youth Alexander (the so-called rite of initiation into warriors) was performed in the Transfiguration Cathedral of Pereslavl by St. Simon, Bishop of Suzdal, who was one of the compilers of the Kiev-Pechersk Patericon. It was from the gracious elder-hierarch that he received his first blessing for military service in the Name of God, for the defense of the Russian Church and the Russian land.
The first information about Alexander Nevsky dates back to 1228, when his father Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, who reigned in Novgorod, quarreled with the townspeople and was forced to leave for Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, his family inheritance. But he left his two young sons, Alexander and Fedor, in the city of Novgorod in the care of trusted boyars. After the death of his brother Fedor in 1236, he was placed on the Novgorod table.
From an early age he accompanied his father on campaigns. Thus, in 1235 he took part in the battle on the Emajõgi River (in present-day Estonia), in which Yaroslav’s troops defeated the Germans. The next year, 1236, Yaroslav left for Kyiv, and made his son reign independently in the city of Novgorod.
In 1239, Alexander married the daughter of the Polotsk prince Bryachislav. Some historians say that she was the namesake of her husband at baptism.
Alexander - Battle of the Neva
Despite the strained relations with the Novgorodians, Alexander’s fame is connected specifically with the city of Novgorod. In 1240, Novgorod troops led by the still young Prince Alexander dealt a crushing blow to the Swedes on the banks of the Neva, who were heading to Rus' on a crusade with the goal of converting its inhabitants to Catholicism.
Before the battle, Alexander prayed for a long time in the church of St. Sophia, the Wisdom of God. And, remembering the psalm of David, he said: “Judge, O Lord, those who offend me and rebuke those who fight with me, accept weapons and shields, stand to help me.”
After Archbishop Spiridon’s blessing, the prince, leaving the church, strengthened his squad with the famous words filled with faith: “God is not in power, but in truth. Some with weapons, others on horses, but we will call on the Name of the Lord our God! They wavered and fell, but we rose up and stood firm.” It was after this battle, which ended in a brilliant victory, that the young prince began to be called Alexander Nevsky.
Alexander Yaroslavovich was born on May 30, 1220 AD. in the city of Pereslavl-Zalessky. He was the prince of the Novgorod land from 1236 AD. to 1240 AD , from 1241 AD to 1252 AD and from 1257 AD to 1259 AD. In addition, the Grand Duke of Vladimir, starting from 1252 AD. and ending in 1263 AD. . One of the greatest commanders in Russian history, is an Orthodox saint.
Alexander Yaroslavovich was one of the sons of Prince Yaroslav Vsevolodovich. From 1236 he began to rule independently in the Novgorod land. In July 1240, the Swedish navy entered the Neva waters and planned to capture Ladoga. Alexander was informed that the fleet had entered the Neva and he immediately gathered an army and squad and dealt a crushing blow and won a magnificent and significant victory on July 15. Since then, after this victory, Alexander received the nickname Nevsky.
However, despite the success in the winter of 1241, the Novgorodians kicked out the prince. However, soon the Novgorodians hastened to bring Alexander Nevsky back. In many ways, this act is connected with the external threat from the West, which not only has not disappeared, but has even increased. Already in 1241, Alexander was returned to the post of prince of the Novgorod land. Already in 1242, Alexander, with the help of his brother, recaptured the city of Pskov. And on April 5, 1242, the main battle took place on Lake Peipsi, famous from textbooks as the “Battle of the Ice.” During the battle, Alexander Nevsky and his squad defeated the forward detachments of the Order, which was subsequently obliged to conclude a peace treaty and return all the early conquered territories and lands that belonged to the Novgorod principality before the occupation.
Soon the Grand Duchy of Vladimir passed to Alexander Nevsky, this happened in 1252. Alexander's reign brought a lot of useful things to the Vladimir Principality. In 1262, Alexander Yaroslavovich went to the Golden Horde in order to persuade Khan not to conscript the inhabitants of Russian lands. During his trip he became very ill. He was able to return to Rus' already sick and took monasticism under the name Alexy. On November 14, 1263, he died and was buried in the Vladimir Nativity Monastery, and in 1724, by order of Emperor Peter the Great, the body of Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky was buried in the St. Petersburg Alexander Nevsky Lavra.
Alexander Yaroslavovich Nevsky forever entered the history of Russia as one of the most outstanding commanders of his time, as an outstanding diplomat and politician. Before him, few could boast of such successes in foreign policy. He managed to lead several principalities, doing a lot for them. He could talk on equal terms with the Khan of the Golden Horde, and he listened to him, could negotiate with representatives of the West not only from the side of force, but also through peaceful negotiations. Alexander Nevsky cared not only about his principality, he was interested in the prosperity of all of Rus', it was Alexander Nevsky who laid down the makings for the unification of Rus' and for ending civil strife. Alexander Nevsky was canonized for a reason; he received eternal memory and honor from the Orthodox precisely for what he did, for defending the interests of the Orthodox.
There were very few rulers like Alexander Yaroslavovich (Nevsky) in the history of Russia, he strove for reforms, but at the same time was a conservative, he was a very charismatic leader, but at the same time he always thought about his every action, he led to war, but also succeeded in diplomacy . Peter 1 greatly respected Alexander Nevsky and wanted to transfer his body to the city of St. Petersburg; for these purposes, a monastery was specially built, named in honor of the prince (now the Alexander Nevsky Lavra), in a solemn ceremony he was buried in this monastery.
Biography of Nevsky
Let us briefly describe the biography of the well-known commander of Rus', also the prince and the name of this man is Alexander Nevsky. Over the years, this Grand Duke managed to lead not only Kiev, he was also called the prince of such cities as Vladimir and Novgorod. It will take a long time to talk about this famous man and his exploits, but we will describe his autobiography.
The Russian commander was born in May 1221, four years later Nevsky was initiated into the army. At the age of fifteen, Prince Alexander began to lead an adult and independent life. What can you say about this great Russian commander? Alexander gained his first victory in the battle in the city of Smolensk. The battle was difficult, the prince's army fought with Lithuania, the result of the battle was victory on the part of Nevsky.
In 1235 he fought on the Embach River and was one of the warriors in the army of his dear father. In 1239, the commander started a family, and a year later his wife gave birth to an heir. Alexander Nevsky participated in the battle, which went down in history and was called the Battle of the Ice; this battle took place in 1242 on April 5. And in 1245 the Russian commander emerged victorious and crushed the entire Lithuanian army.
In 1252, Nevsky became a great ruler and began a war with the Lithuanians and Teutons, in which they were again defeated, and it was decided to conclude peace between the parties. Alexander Nevsky succeeded in many things during the years of the prince’s reign; many people respected him, one of them was the Golden Horde, he was able to repel a huge number of attacks from the Lithuanian army.
In 1262, the prince visited the Golden Horde; his goal was to stop the Mongol Khan, and Nevsky achieved his goal and stopped the uprising. I wanted to stay in the Horde for health reasons and decided to return to my home in Rus'.
Alexander Nevsky died in 1263. Everyone remembers him as a great man, a brave commander who did not lose more than one of his battles
The main thing about the prince is interesting facts about life
Interesting facts and dates from life
Alexander Nevsky, whose brief biography is presented in this article, was not only a Grand Duke, but also a famous commander, whose merits are still revered. Indeed, thanks to his victories in such battles as the Battle of the Neva and the Battle of the Ice, our country not only remained independent, but also asserted itself among other states.
For his exploits before the Fatherland and his strong Orthodox faith, Alexander Nevsky was glorified among the saints as the Holy Blessed Prince.
Brief biography of Alexander Yaroslavich
Alexander Nevsky was born on May 13, 1221 in the family of Prince Yaroslav Vsevolodovich of Vladimir and Princess Rostislava Mstislavovna. He was the second of nine children. Until the age of nine, the prince lived in Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, and then, together with his older brother Fedor, he left to rule in Veliky Novgorod.
After 3 years, the elder brother died, and after another 3 years, the prince’s father moved to rule in Kyiv. Therefore, by the age of 16, Alexander Nevsky became the independent ruler of Novgorod, one of the richest and most influential cities of the 13th century.
Historical portrait of Alexander Nevsky
Alexander Yaroslavich ruled from 1236 to 1263 in the Novgorod, Kiev and Vladimir principalities.
He began his story as a warrior. While still very young, he fought on Izhora, which flows into the Neva, with German knights. A little later, he fought for Pskov with the Teutonic knights and took part in the Battle of the Ice.
During the reign of Alexander Yaroslavich, the Old Russian state suffered a difficult fate; it had to pay tribute to the Golden Horde and defend the state from Western invaders. At that time, every prince who wanted to receive the title of great had to go to the Horde for a golden label. Alexander Nevsky was no exception.
After the death of his father, he went to Mongolia to ask for the Principality of Vladimir. In total, Alexander Yaroslavich visited the Horde 2 times. The second time he went there because of the unsuccessful campaign of his brothers against the Horde, in order to save Russian cities from the wrath of the Tatar-Mongols. He was able to convince the khan not to attack Rus', but died on the way home.
The childhood of Alexander Nevsky
Almost nothing is known about the childhood and youth of Alexander Yaroslavich. When Alexander was 5 years old, his father initiated him and his brother Fyodor into warriors. After 3 years, the brothers were sent to reign in Veliky Novgorod.
Life in Novgorod with its free and militant disposition played a big role in his worldview. Alexander knew from childhood that someday he would become a warrior and lead an army, like his father once did.
In 1237, disaster befell Rus' - Russian cities were burned and robbed by Batu’s soldiers. At that time, many princes were killed and the survivors were taken prisoner. In order to protect his lands and save the lives of his children, Yaroslav Vsevolodovich agreed with Batu to pay tribute.
However, the worst thing awaited the Russian state ahead. Having learned about the plight of the Russian princes, the Pope decided to forcibly baptize the Russian people into the Catholic faith, and give the conquered territories to the families of the knights of the Order.
Just at this time, 17-year-old Alexander Nevsky was able to establish himself as a wise ruler and a good commander, setting up several defensive points on the Sheloni River and entering into an unequal battle with the crusaders.
Grand Duke's parents
The father of Alexander Nevsky was Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, who reigned in Vladimir. His grandfather was Vsevolod the Big Nest, and his great-grandfather was Yuri Dolgoruky, who also went down in history as great figures of Rus'.
Alexander Nevsky's father, Prince Yaroslav Vsevolodovich
Nothing more is known about the boy’s mother, except that she was of a princely family. Some sources say that she was the daughter of Mstislav the Udal (Lucky) - one of the famous warriors and princes of that time.
Marriage of Alexander Yaroslavich
In 1239, in Toropets, the prince married Alexandra, the daughter of the Prince of Polotsk. They had 5 children - 4 sons and 1 daughter.
Children of Alexander Nevsky
The exact dates of birth of the sons of Alexander Nevsky are unknown. The eldest son Vasily was presumably born before 1245. He inherited the Novgorod inheritance.
The next son of Prince Dmitry was born in 1250. He was the ruler of Novgorod, Pereslavl and Vladimir. Andrey (1255) was the ruler of the Kostroma, Vladimir and Novgorod principalities after the death of his older brothers.
The most famous of his children was his youngest son, Daniel, who was nicknamed the first collector of lands around Moscow and the first Moscow prince.
Nevsky's daughter Evdokia married Prince Konstantin Rostislavich, who ruled in Smolensk.
Who did Alexander Nevsky fight with?
During his short but glorious life, Alexander Nevsky was able to achieve many important victories for the state. To do this, he had to fight several foreign invaders almost simultaneously.
His enemies were the Swedes from the Livonian Order, who appeared at the walls of Veliky Novgorod in 1240. Also, Alexander Nevsky fought with German knights in 1242 and with Lithuanian troops in 1245.
Briefly about the exploits of the great commander
Today he is placed on a par with the most outstanding commanders in the entire history of Russia. And this is no coincidence. He has several victories that are significant for the entire Russian world.
His first victory was won on June 15, 1240 on the Izhora River against the Swedish conquerors. In the summer of that year, knights of the Levon and Teutonic Orders appeared under the walls of Novgorod, who came to Rus' to convert people to the Catholic faith.
The Swedish part of the united order did not wait for the Germans and set out. Alexander Nevsky, without waiting for his father’s help, opposed the invaders and defeated them.
The second feat of Alexander Yaroslavich is known in history as the Battle of the Ice. It happened on April 5, 1242 on Lake Peipsi, which by that time was already in the inhabited territory of the German crusading knights.
Nevsky's last victory dates back to 1245. The battle against the Lithuanian invaders lasted for several days and ended in victory for Nevsky’s squad.
The Battle of the Ice and the victory of Alexander Nevsky
The Battle of the Ice or the battle against the Teutonic Order took place on April 5, 1242 on Lake Peipsi. Thanks to the resourcefulness and cunning tactics of the young prince, the troops of the order were surrounded on the flanks and defeated.
The remnants of the Teutons were overtaken by the princely squad for a long time on the frozen lake. As a result of this battle, about 500 knights drowned in the lake, and another 50 were captured.
In recent years, there has been increasing debate about why so many knights drowned. According to one version, the knights were dressed in heavy armor, due to which the ice on Lake Peipus could not stand it and cracked. However, according to other reports, this information appeared recently and has nothing to do with the actual events taking place.
One way or another, this battle was of great importance for the state. After him, an agreement was concluded that put an end to the Crusaders' raids.
Results of the reign of Alexander Yaroslavich
The reign of Alexander Nevsky is recognized as one of the most beneficial for the state. Indeed, during Nevsky’s time in power, the country strengthened its influence in the West, largely thanks to victories over the Order.
In addition, many Russian cities were able to breathe easy, because the predatory raids of the Baskaks stopped due to Alexander’s competent policy towards the Golden Horde. He ensured that the princes could again independently collect tribute and take it to the Horde.
Death of the Prince
The prince died during one of the campaigns against the land of the Tatar-Mongols. This happened on November 14, 1262 on the way back from the Horde. There are several versions of his death. The most popular assumptions are illness or poisoning.
It is known that before his death the prince converted to Christianity and took the name Alexey. He was about 42 years old. He was buried in the Vladimir Nativity Monastery.
The image of Alexander Nevsky in art
There is no authentic image of the prince left to this day. His image was reconstructed according to descriptions from various sources, which was reflected in Russian literature, art, and cinema. A verbal portrait of the prince can be found in his life, the content of which tells about his many exploits.
One of the most popular portraits of Alexander Nevsky was painted from the actor from the film of the same name directed by Sergei Eisenstein. The prototype for the Order of the Grand Duke was also taken from him.
In addition, many streets and temples are named after the prince, not only in our country, but also abroad. In many cities of Russia you can find monuments dedicated to him.
There are dozens of interesting facts about the activities of this famous person. The most interesting and relevant of them are in this selection.
Why was the prince named Alexander Nevsky?
Alexander received his nickname, Nevsky, for his brilliant victory over the German knights on the Neva. This not only glorified him, but also for a long time discouraged Western states from attacking Rus'.
How tall was Alexander Nevsky?
It is noteworthy that Alexander Nevsky was small, even small by modern standards, in height - no more than 156 cm. Scientists made such conclusions on the basis of the white stone tomb, which supposedly belongs to Nevsky.
When is the day of memory of Alexander Nevsky celebrated by the Orthodox Church?
Orthodox Christians recognize two memorable dates for the Blessed Prince - September 12 and December 6. The first date marks the transfer of holy relics from the Vladimir land to St. Petersburg. The second date denotes the solemn funeral of the prince, which, according to the old style, took place on November 23, 1263.
When did the prince go to war for the first time?
Nevsky began to fight long after he himself stood at the head of the army. His first fight took place when he was 13 years old. Then his father took him to the battle against the Lithuanians in Dorpat. It was then that the young prince realized who his enemies really were.
Conclusion
Alexander Nevsky is an outstanding prince and commander who deserves a special place in history. After all, if not this holy warrior, then it is unknown what our state would be like today.
In 2008, in an all-Russian vote among Internet users on the topic of the greatest figure in Russian history, the name of Prince Alexander Nevsky was put in first place. He received 524,575 votes.
Second place went to Pyotr Stolypin - 523,766 votes, third - Joseph Stalin - 519,071. At the same time, however, the activities of Alexander Nevsky are assessed ambiguously by historians
1221 - the second son Alexander was born to Prince Yaroslav Vsevolodovich and the daughter of Prince Mstislav Mstislavich Rostislava-Feodosia
“Novgorod, built on the banks of the Volkhov, not far from the source of this river flowing from Lake Ilmen, was at the crossroads of trade routes important both for Kievan Rus and for the whole of Northern Europe. In the 11th–13th centuries, Novgorod was a large, well-organized city. His Kremlin was fortified with a stone wall and included the St. Sophia Cathedral (which was also a repository of state documents) and the bishop's courtyard. Opposite the Kremlin there was a marketplace, a veche square, courtyards of foreign merchants and churches of merchant corporations. The banks of the Volkhov were divided into piers and densely lined with ships and boats from different countries and cities. Monasteries were located along the periphery of the city. The city was paved with wooden pavements, regarding which there was even a special statute on street paving. In the 12th–13th centuries, the main population of Novgorod consisted of artisans of a wide variety of specialties: blacksmiths, potters, gold and silversmiths, many craftsmen who specialized in the manufacture of a certain type of product - shield makers, archers, saddle makers, comb makers, nail makers, etc. Novgorod's relations were connected with Kiev and Byzantium, with Volga Bulgaria and the Caspian countries, with Gotland and the entire Southern Baltic. The real power in the city belonged to the boyars. The Novgorod boyars many times showed their will in relation to the great princes and prince-governors, whom Kyiv sent to Novgorod. In the last quarter of the 11th century, the chronicle formula for announcing the beginning of the reign of a new prince changed significantly; Previously they said: the Grand Duke of Kiev “planted” the prince in Novgorod. Now they began to say: the Novgorodians “introduced” the prince to themselves. In the 12th–13th centuries, the princes of Novgorod were essentially hired military leaders” (B. A. Rybakov “World of History”)
“This nickname is not found in the most ancient chronicles: he is simply called Alexander in the Novgorod Chronicle, as well as “Novgorod Prince” and “Grand Duke” in the Laurentian Chronicle. Alexander’s nickname Nevsky appears in all-Russian codes of the late 15th century” (“Around the World” No. 10, 2016)
The map of the Battle of the Ice in the textbook is familiar to many generations of Russians. Although historical sources lack not only a plan for the formation of troops with arrows: the composition of the participants in this battle, the exact location, and the losses of the parties are unknown. Not a single document mentions knights falling through the ice. And authoritative historians Vasily Klyuchevsky and Mikhail Pokrovsky do not mention the battle on Lake Peipus at all in their detailed and voluminous works. Moreover, in the 1950s, an expedition from the Institute of Archeology of the USSR Academy of Sciences did not make any important finds at the supposed site of the massacre. The Livonian “Rhymed Chronicle” tells us about 20 dead and 6 captured knights. The later “Chronicle of Grandmasters” speaks of the death of 70 “order gentlemen” (along with those who died in the battle of Pskov). The Novgorod Chronicle claims that ours killed 400 Germans, captured another 50, and the Estonian militias fell “innumerable.” It is clear that every sandpiper praises his own swamp: Livonian chroniclers write that for every German there were 60 Russians. But these exaggerations seem innocent compared to the version of the Stalin era: most of the 15 thousand participants in the “Teutonic crusade against Rus'” died in the Battle of the Ice. (It is important) to understand what happened in the Baltic states in the 12th-13th centuries. Of course, there was no smell of a crusade. In the buffer zone on the territory of Latvia, Estonia and the Pskov region, internecine turmoil took place. The Swedes and their Suomi allies carried out raids in 1142, 1164, 1249, 1293, 1300. The Novgorodians, together with the Karelians, invaded in 1178, 1187, 1198. The most bizarre blocs and unions were formed. In 1236, the Lithuanians defeated the Teutonic Order near Siauliai, on whose side the allied Pskovites fought - “a man of two hundred,” as the chronicle states. And the prehistory of the Battle of the Ice, according to the chronicles, is as follows: in 1242, Prince Alexander Nevsky captured the German fortress of Koporye, suppressed the dissatisfied in Pskov and led an army into the land of Chud (Estonians), allowing them to fight “for prosperity” (that is, to ruin farms). But, having received a turn, Nevsky turned back, and the entire available order force and angry Estonians rushed “after” him. We caught up on Lake Peipus - no one in their right mind would plan a battle on the ice in early April in advance!
“The Battle of the Neva and the Battle of the Ice were just two episodes in the history of complex relations between the Teutonic Order, Novgorod, Pskov, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden. The goals of the Swedes and the order, who tried to convert the pagan tribes of the Curonians, Livs, Estonians, Semigallians to Catholicism and establish themselves on their lands, collided with the interests of Pskov and Novgorod, which collected tribute and trade there. Prince Alexander took the side of Novgorod. Armed conflicts also occurred after 1242: for example, in 1253 the Germans burned the Pskov settlement. There were examples of friendly communication. In 1231, it was the Germans who saved the Novgorodians from hunger, “coming running with life and flour” (“Around the World”)
“In 1251, Alexander came to Batu’s Horde, became friends, and then fraternized with his son Sartak, as a result of which he became the adopted son of the khan. The union of the Horde and Rus' was realized thanks to the patriotism and dedication of Prince Alexander" (L. Gumilyov)
(no documents confirming Gumilyov’s message were found)
“Under the conditions of terrible trials that befell the Orthodox lands in the first half of the 13th century, Alexander - perhaps the only secular ruler - did not doubt his spiritual righteousness, did not waver in his faith, and did not abandon his God. Refusing joint actions with Catholics against the Horde, he unexpectedly becomes the last powerful stronghold of Orthodoxy, the last defender of the entire Orthodox world. And the people understood and accepted this, forgiving the real Alexander Yaroslavich for all the cruelties and injustices about which the ancient Russian chroniclers preserved a lot of evidence. Defense of the ideals of Orthodoxy atoned for (but did not justify, as many modern historians do) his political sins. Could the Orthodox Church not recognize such a ruler as a saint? Apparently, that’s why he was canonized not as a righteous man, but as a noble prince” (I. A. Danilevsky, Russian historian)
Two points of view on the activities of Alexander Nevsky
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An outstanding commander who won all the battles in which he participated, combining determination with prudence, a man of great personal courage. Subtle politician. Defender of Russian lands from the Crusaders and Orthodoxy from the onslaught of Catholicism
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He recognized the supreme power of the Mongol-Tatars, did not try to organize resistance to them, and contributed to the occupiers in establishing a system of exploitation of Russian lands
The dominance of the first point of view
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