Vsevolod Yurievich (son of Yuri Dolgoruky) - received the nickname Big Nest for a very obvious reason: he had a very big family- twelve children, eight of which are sons.
Role in history
During the reign of Vsevolod, historians consider the period of the highest rise and prosperity of Vlodimiro - Suzdal lands. They name the reasons for his successful reign as cooperation with new cities: Vladimir, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Dmitrov, Gorodets, Kostroma, Tver. There he managed to strengthen the forces of the boyars, who had been relatively weak before him. In addition, he found the support of the local nobility. Vsevolod was a smart and gifted commander: he managed to form his army and train it so that it was ready for any trials. In the famous Tale of Igor's Campaign, the author respectfully noted that Vsevolod's army could "spill the Volga with oars", and "scoop out the Don with helmets".
Beginning of life
The Grand Duke was born in 1154. In 1162, when Vsevolod was only seven years old, his older brother, Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky of Kyiv, expelled his stepmother, Princess Olga, from his principality. Together with her children - Mikhail, Vasily and Vsevolod - she left for Constantinople under the patronage of Emperor Manuel. At the age of fifteen, Vsevolod returned to Russia and reconciled with Andrei. Soon, in 1169, he and other allied princes took part in the conquest of Kyiv. In 1173, Vsevolod's elder brother Mikhail Yurievich sent him to reign in Kyiv, but soon the Smolensk Rostislavovichs who captured the city took him prisoner. Soon Michael redeemed his brother.
strife: gains and losses
After the murder of the brothers Andrei Bogolyubsky (1174) and Mikhail (1176), the Rostovites sent an ambassador to Novgorod with a message about these deaths to Mstislav Rostislavovich, the grandson of Yu. Dolgoruky. They asked Mstislav to intervene. Mstislav immediately gathered his regiments and headed for Vladimir. And there they already blessed Vsevolod Yurievich and his children to reign. There was a battle between the Vladimirs and Mstislav, where the Vladimirs won. Mstislav led his troops to Novgorod. Meanwhile, Vsevolod, in alliance with Svyatoslav of Chernigov, defeated the Ryazan prince Gleb, after which Roman Glebovich, Svyatoslav's son-in-law, became the prince there. In 1180, Vsevolod opposed the fact that Roman concentrated his power on the Ryazan lands, and terminated the connection with Svyatoslav. Then Svyatoslav directed his weapon against Vsevolod. As a result, the son of Svyatoslav was expelled from Novgorod, after which representatives of Vsevolod ruled there for three decades. Vsevolod the Big Nest himself did not stop the fight against the Volga Bulgaria and the Mordovians. This is evidenced by his campaigns in 1184, 1186. In 1180 he made a new campaign against the Ryazan lands. After the death of Prince Svyatoslav (1194), the Chernigov Olgoviches claimed the reign of Kiev. Vsevolod agreed to the plan of the Smolensk princes Rostislavovich, according to which the Olgovichi would be deprived of the possessions of the right-bank Dnieper. In 1195, the Olgovichi successfully opposed the Prince of Smolensk. David. Rurik of Kyiv was going on a campaign against the Chernihiv principality. They prepared to defend their capital (1196) and made notches along the entire path of the alleged enemy offensive, and placed the main forces behind them. But there was no fight. As a result of the negotiations, the Olgovichi refused to claim Kyiv as long as Rurik was alive, and Smolensk as long as Davyd was alive. New strife deprived Vsevolod of the southern territories of the Principality of Pereyaslav, and Rurik lost power in Kyiv. In 1207, Vsevolod made a trip to Chernigov, defeated the Chernigov allies in Ryazan, burned the city itself and captured six princes. A few years later they made peace Kiev principality left for Vsevolod Chermny, Vsevolod the Big Nest regained the south of Pereyaslavl. But in the Novgorod land, his position was shaken under the influence of the Rostislavoviches of Smolensk, or rather, their representative from the next generation - Mstislav Udatny (1210).
Board results
The results of Vsevolod's activities were the taming of the Rostov boyars, who opposed the princely power, the multiplication of the Vladimir-Suzdal lands, the construction of the Dmitrovsky and Nativity Cathedrals in Vladimir. The Grand Duke died on April 15, 1212. His relics are stored in the Vladimir Assumption Cathedral.
Kyiv, and then Vladimir-Suzdal prince; one of the most notable political figures of his time. He got his nickname because he had many children and a large family.
Short biography of Vsevolod the Big Nest
The death of Yuri Dolgoruky, who had many heirs, led to the fact that a struggle for power began between them. Vladimir's elder brother, Andrei Bogolyubsky, after the death of his father, became the head of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality and expelled his own mother and brothers, including Vsevolod, to Constantinople.
However, in 1169 Vsevolod returned and entered the struggle for power at the age of 16. First, together with his army, with the support of other brothers and uncles, Vsevolod becomes the head of Kyiv, but the reign of Vsevolod the Big Nest in Kyiv does not last long, only five weeks, after which he is expelled and even taken prisoner. He was released from captivity by his brother Michael.
In 1173, as a result of a conspiracy of the boyars, Andrei Bogolyubsky died, and after that both Mikhail and the Vladimir-Suzdal principality were left without a prince. Taking advantage of the moment, Mstislav with the Novgorod army attacks the city of Vladimir, but Vsevolod fights back. In the same year, Vsevolod becomes the prince of Vladimir-Suzdal, and a long period of prosperity for the principality and the shift of central power from Kyiv to Vladimir begins. Vsevolod the Big Nest ruled Vladimir until his death.
Politics of Vsevolod the Big Nest
Prince Vsevolod Yuryevich is considered one of the skillful politicians and leaders of Kievan Rus, since it was he who managed to initiate the idea of autocracy and seize power in his principality, as well as subjugate half of all of Russia.
In foreign policy Vsevolod was most noted for the following things:
- military campaigns in Mordva;
- military campaigns in Bulgaria in 1183-1185;
- struggle with, for which Vsevolod teamed up with other princes.
In general, Vsevolod managed to significantly expand the eastern territories of Russia due to the seizure of the lands of Bulgaria. However, Vsevolod did not set military superiority at all as the initial goal of his military campaigns, but the conquest of new trading territories and routes, since he considered the economy and the development of trade to be a paramount task.
In domestic politics, among his victories were:
- conquest of power in Vladimir and becoming the sole ruler of their lands (boyars and nobles did not have significant power under him);
- close relations with Kyiv and the surrounding lands, thanks to which, during his reign, Vsevolod the Big Nest managed to significantly increase his influence on the Kyiv prince and move the center of power to Vladimir;
- the conquest of power over the Novgorod lands and the subjugation of their princes.
The results of the reign of Vsevolod the Big Nest
Thanks to his skillful policy and wisdom, Vsevolod managed to concentrate power over a significant territory of Russia in his hands, expand the borders of the state, open new trade routes and boost the economy. For his activities, Vsevolod the Big Nest received the title of Grand Duke and was noted in The Tale of Bygone Years, The Tale of Igor's Campaign and other significant works.
He bequeathed to his sons to continue his policy and, fearing civil strife, distributed power between them in advance, but the children of Vsevolod the Big Nest did not listen to him. As a result, after 1212, a single powerful principality, which Vsevolod had been creating for so long, fell apart into several parts, and Russia was again mired in internecine wars.
Vsevolod the Big Nest and his descendants
The tenth son of Yuri Dolgoruky, Vsevolod (baptized Dmitry; 1154-1212), was nicknamed the Big Nest because he had eight sons and four daughters. A strange nickname - after all, his father had even more children, and no one called Yuri Dolgoruky the Big Nest. Sometimes he is called Vsevolod III.
In 1162, Vsevolod-Dmitry was expelled along with his brother and mother and left for Constantinople to the court of Emperor Manuel. Only three years later, the fifteen-year-old prince returned to Russia, participated in the campaign against Kyiv.
Andrei Bogolyubsky quarreled with the Smolensk Rostislavichs because of the news that their boyars had poisoned his brother Gleb, and ordered Roman to leave the grand prince's table, and Mikhail Yurievich to take Kyiv. However, Mikhail Yuryevich did not go to Kyiv, but sent Vsevolod there together with his nephew Yaropolk Rostislavich. Smolensk Rostislavichi soon captured them both. They proclaimed Rurik Rostislavich Prince of Kyiv.
Vsevolod-Dmitry was captured, but Mikhail Yuryevich left to reign in Torchesk. Rurik besieged Torchesk for 6 days, and on the seventh the princes made peace. Mikhail Yuryevich recognized himself as a vassal of Rurik, for which, in addition to Torchesk, he received Pereyaslavl South. Soon he ransomed his brother Vsevolod from captivity.
In 1173, the troops of Andrei Bogolyubsky invaded the Kyiv land, and Mikhail Yuryevich immediately went over to the side of his older brother.
After the death of Andrei Bogolyubsky, Mikhail Yuryevich went to North-Eastern Russia and occupied Vladimir, but could not hold him and went to Pereyaslavl South. In 1175, together with his brother Vsevolod, he undertook a second campaign in North-Eastern Russia. They managed to defeat their nephews, the Rostislavichs, and Mikhail Yuryevich became the great prince of Vladimir-Suzdal, and Rostov handed over to Vsevolod.
After his establishment in the Rostov land, Mikhail went to war against the Ryazan prince Gleb, in whose hands there were also many treasures looted in Vladimir and the Vladimir church of the Holy Mother of God, even the image of the Virgin brought by Andrei from Vyshgorod, and many books. Mikhail went with regiments to Ryazan, but on the road he met the ambassadors of Prince Gleb. Gleb undertook not to support the Rostislavichs and to return everything captured in Vladimir. At this, the princes reconciled, Mikhail returned to Vladimir, according to probable news, he executed Andrei's killers and then went to Gorodets on the Volga, fell ill there and died on June 20. He was buried in Vladimir in the Church of the Holy Virgin.
Vsevolod Yurievich ruled for a long time, almost half a century - from 1174 to 1212. Prior to that, he reigned in Kyiv for "whole" five weeks (from February to March 24, 1173).
After his death, Vsevolod the Big Nest barely managed to become the prince of the North-East: immediately after the death of Mikhail, the Rostov veche sent to Novgorod to the grandson of Yuri Dolgoruky, Mstislav Mstislavovich of Smolensk, Tripoli, Galich and the merchant prince. The Rostovites ordered me to tell him: “God took Mikhail on the Volga in Gorodets, and we want you, we don’t want another.” According to another chronicle version, it was said almost the same: "Come prince to us: we want you, we don't want another."
But Mstislav was late: when he came to the North-East, in Vladimir and Suzdal they were already kissing the cross of allegiance to Vsevolod. In the battle on the Gza River, Mstislav lost and went to Novgorod.
Since then, there has been a strong enmity between Vsevolod the Big Nest and his descendants with Mstislav (in baptism Fedor) Udatny (Lucky) and his descendants.
Mstislav-Fyodor Mstislavovich Udatny-Lucky (died in 1228), maternal grandfather of Alexander Nevsky and Lev Galitsky, his male descendants became leaders of the rest of Russia, except for the North-East.
Many historians believe that the reign of Vsevolod was the period of the highest rise of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality. Vsevolod the Big Nest continued the policy of his father and especially his brother: he ruled in Vladimir, completely cracked down on the boyars of Rostov, who opposed the strengthening of princely power, relied on new cities where there was no veche and where the boyars were weak. Raised and supported the nobility.
Vsevolod was married twice: to the Yassian princess Maria Shvarnovna, the sister of the wife of Mstislav of Chernigov. And on Lyubava Vasilievna, daughter of Vasilko Bryachislavovich Polotsky, from the Vitebsk branch.
Two sons of Vsevolod died as children: Boris in 1188 and Gleb in 1189. Constantine also died young (1186–1218). He was the Grand Duke of Vladimir, Prince of Novgorod and Rostov. Vladimir (1192–1227) became the prince of Starodub.
Prince Yuri Vsevolodovich (1188–1238), Grand Duke Vladimir, fell at the hands of the Mongols. His brothers, Yaroslav (1191–1246) and Svyatoslav (1192–1252), were also Grand Dukes of Vladimir. Before Mongol invasion Ivan (1197–1247), the prince of Starodub, also lived.
There were also four daughters.
Before his death, Vsevolod wanted to give Vladimir to his eldest son Konstantin, and put Yuri in Rostov. But Konstantin wanted to take both Vladimir and Rostov. Then Vsevolod “summoned all his boyars from cities and volosts and Bishop John, and abbots, and priests, and merchants, and nobles, and all people,” and in front of the representatives of the Russian Land transferred the principality to his youngest son, Yuri.
Here is another manifestation of autocracy: the prince voluntarily violated all existing customs. This caused new disagreements and civil strife.
In 1212, the sons of Vsevolod the Big Nest divided the Vladimir-Suzdal principality: already without any ladder. The principalities of Rostov (with Beloozero), Pereyaslavl, Yaroslavl, Suzdal were formed. Ladder law was no longer in effect, another civil strife immediately began. In addition to the strife between the descendants of Vsevolod, numerous impoverished princes of the North-East sought to subjugate all of Russia. They wanted to dictate their will to Novgorod, blocking the supply of grain. They tried to seize Kyiv, but they could not stay on the throne, because they ruled without a veche, "autocratically."
In February 1216, Yaroslav Vsevolodovich captured Torzhok and blocked the supply of food to Novgorod. Mstislav Udatny opposed the Vsevolozhichs with his retinue and the Novgorodians, and also called the retinues of the Rostislavichs, who ruled in Kyiv, Smolensk and Pskov. The eldest son of Vsevolod the Big Nest, Konstantin, also joined this coalition. After all the civil strife, he fiercely hated the other brothers.
The second coalition united the rest of the sons of Vsevolod, the princes of the North-East. In fact, North-Eastern Russia was at war with the rest of Russia.
In 1216, on the Lipitsa River, near Yuryev-Polsky, the coalition of North-Eastern Russia was utterly defeated. Soon, Novgorodians and Smolensk besieged Vladimir and forced the head of the coalition, Yuri, to surrender completely. The throne of Vladimir was occupied by an ally of Mstislav, the elder Vsevolodovich - Konstantin. He died in 1218, and immediately civil strife began again. This continued until the Mongol invasion.
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From the book Russia and its autocrats author Anishkin Valery GeorgievichVSEVOLOD YURYEVICH THE BIG NEST (b. 1154 - d. 1212) Grand Duke of Vladimir (1176–1212), son of Yuri Dolgoruky. Nickname received for having many children (8 sons, 4 daughters). In 1162, together with his mother and brother, he was expelled by his brother Andrei Bogolyubsky and went to Constantinople to the emperor
Prince Vsevolod the Big Nest, the youngest son of Yuri Dolgoruky, brother of Andrei Bogolyubsky, nicknamed so for a large number of sons who all fought in civil strife.
Vsevolod the Big Nest (1154-1212), Grand Duke of Vladimir, son of Yuri Dolgoruky. He received the nickname Big Nest for having many children (8 sons, 4 daughters).
Vsevolod III the Big Nest took the throne of Vladimir as a result of civil strife that lasted more than a year. The time of Vsevolod is the time when the real power was not in the Kyiv prince, but in the hands of the prince of Vladimir-Suzdal. This is the heyday of the Vladimir principality. After all, it was Prince Vsevolod who first introduced the term “great” into his title and justified it. Assessing the internal policy of the prince, his relations with neighboring principalities, with neighboring peoples, one can agree with this title. Vsevolod III forced to recognize himself as the Grand Duke of the Russian land.
Vsevolod spent his childhood first in Byzantium, where he was exiled with his mother by his brother Andrei Bogolyubsky, who sought to get rid of possible rivals and contenders for the throne, and then to Southern Russia, in particular, in Chernihiv. This helped him a lot in the future. Having become a prince, he saw and understood the differences between Northern and Southern Russia and, using his knowledge, managed to distribute his forces and achieve the desired results. It turned out that all his interference in the affairs of Kyiv took place without grandiose expenses.
The southern policy of Vsevolod is relations with Kyiv and the Russian land (that is, the land around Kyiv). This is one of the most important aspects of the policy of the principality of the late XII - early XIV century. These relations began with a clash between the Prince of Kyiv Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich and Vsevolod Yurievich. Considering the policy of Vsevolod in relation to Kyiv, we must first talk about the internal political position principalities. What was it? It consisted in the relationship between the prince and the boyars, since the boyars always played an important role in the principality and represented a rather powerful force. Vsevolod III did not enter into an open struggle with the boyars, on the contrary, he even used his advice. However, sometimes in the source we find the phrase “his boyars”, which may indicate that the prince actually subjugated the Vladimir boyars, managed to curb him, establishing sole power in his principality. But the people's assembly - the veche - was not always satisfied with the actions of the prince. However, the prince almost always yielded to him. An important indicator of the correlation of forces between the Kievan and Vladimir principalities is the case of the appointment of a bishop. Vsevolod himself chooses a candidate and does not take into account the opinion of the Metropolitan of Kyiv. The most important thing is that Kyiv is inferior to Vsevolod.
From the annals it is known that there were no such cases before. From time immemorial Metropolitan of Kyiv he himself appointed bishops to all dioceses (with the exception of Novgorod; however, Novgorod has always been an exception), as a lord, whose metropolis was in the center of the great reign, which is important. Interestingly, if the first time the metropolitan hesitated, then the second time he appointed the bishop whom Vsevolod wanted without objection: “The noble Christ-loving Grand Duke Vsevolod sent ... to Kyiv Svyatoslav to Vsevolodich and to Metropolitan Nikifor his spiritual father John for the bishopric. This is reminiscent of independent Novgorod, in which a bishop was chosen without the participation of Kyiv, and only then a request was sent to Kyiv for his consecration. From this we can conclude that the power of the Vladimir-Suzdal prince did not weaken and did not even stand still, but, on the contrary, strengthened and strengthened.
In the Kyiv civil strife under Rurik Rostislavich, Vsevolod outwardly supported the Rostislavichs, however, as soon as the war began, he immediately accepted the peace proposals of the Olgovichi. This is because he needed the enmity and impotence of the princes of Southern Russia. He ignored his obligations. And he needed the cities of Rurik only in order to weaken his rivals in this way. Vsevolod put things in order in the Russian land not always in worthy ways. Sometimes, to keep power, he had to be cunning. It is known how cleverly he quarreled, "played off" Rurik Rostislavich with Roman Volynsky. Nevertheless, despite the ways to achieve the goal, he succeeded in his plans: Rurik did not even dare to enter into his rights without the will of Vsevolod III, thereby recognizing his seniority.
Relations between Prince Vsevolod and Novgorod
Relations between Vsevolod III and Novgorod were even more complicated and unusual. Throughout almost the entire history of the existence of this principality, there was no such prince who, at least to some extent, would have succeeded in subordinating it. it public education all the time was self-sufficient and independent. The supreme body of power in Novgorod at that time was the veche, and not the prince, as in North-Eastern Russia. Veche had the right to invite the prince he liked, and could also expel him. And so, Prince Vsevolod did what no one before him could do, even Andrei Bogolyubsky, who dreamed about it. He to some extent subjugated Novgorod for several years.
However, of course, this submission was not complete. Novgorodians are trying to resist Vsevolod, violate the kissing of the cross. Old traditions continue to exist, no matter how obedient the Novgorod land was. Already after the Novgorodians kissed the cross, the chronicle tells us about the calling of a new prince. This happened because the freedom-loving citizens of Novgorod, accustomed to independence, felt it a burden to feel the mighty, imperious hand of Vsevolod III or someone else over them. However, Vsevolod did not claim complete dominion over Novgorod. He tried to maintain stability and relative calm in the Russian land. How wise prince, Vsevolod understood that for this he needed to reckon with the opinions and desires of the Novgorod boyars, who were "accustomed to participating in social processes." However, calm submission was also not easy. It was mercenary on the part of the Novgorod nobility. Most likely, a close relationship with the Grand Duke was simply beneficial for the Novgorodians in terms of domestic and foreign trade.
Nevertheless, Vsevolod led the Novgorodians to the fact that they themselves began to ask him for princes.
Relations between Prince Vsevolod and Volga Bulgaria
The foreign policy of the Vladimir-Suzdal prince is relations with the Polovtsians and Volga Bulgaria. In general, foreign policy did not differ in particular dynamism in these centuries. For example, the sources do not touch on relations with Byzantium. Perhaps because it was calm in this direction and no important actions were taking place on either side.
In general, the eastern (in relation to the Volga Bulgaria) policy is not conquest. It is connected with the tasks of Vladimir trade.
The first campaign of 1184 is grandiose in size. The Bulgarians were defeated in two battles, as, indeed, in the subsequent campaign of 1185. Participation in this campaign testifies to the great importance for the Vladimir-Suzdal land of the “Volga route down from Yaroslavl to Gorodets Radilov”. That is, although these relations were important, they were purely commercial in nature. And the conquests were only for this purpose. We see nothing new in this policy of Vsevolod.
We can say that these conquests brought considerable success, as the territory of the principality was actively expanding to the east.
However, the composition of the army is important for us in this campaign, since it shows us the sphere of influence of the Vladimir prince. What is he? It was a joint campaign of several Russian princes under the command of Vsevolod III, including the Murom-Ryazan and Smolensk princes: : with Roman, and with Igor, and with Vsevolod, and with Volodimer, and with Muromsky Volodimer; and came to the land of Bolgar. That is, again we see the desire to subjugate other princes. After all, most likely - these are not voluntary actions; most likely, the princes serve Vsevolod under compulsion, send their regiments on his orders. And if he subjugated the Ryazan princes, it means that he had complete control over their territories, respectively, he took upon himself the defense of the Muromo-Ryazan limits.
In addition, here we can talk about the ability of Vsevolod to unite with other princes against a common enemy, while pursuing common interests in terms of trade, which remotely resembles the fight against the Polovtsy of Vladimir Monomakh.
Vsevolod and the Polovtsy
Campaigns against the Polovtsy Vsevolod III the Big Nest had a completely different meaning for him and for the Russian land, in contrast to the campaigns against Volga Bulgaria.
For several centuries, the Polovtsians have been harassing the borders of Russia with their raids. Many princes of Kyiv, including Vladimir Monomakh, defended their lands from these dangerous neighbors.
Despite the fact that the Polovtsy served Vsevolod (for example, they participated in the campaign against the Bulgarians in 1184), they periodically disturbed the southern borders of his possessions. In particular, in order to defend the Muromo-Ryazan lands, Prince Vsevolod organized a campaign against the Polovtsians in 1199: “... go the noble and Christ-loving prince, the great Vsevolod Gyurgevitch, the grandson of Volodimer Monomakh, to Polovtsi, with his son Kostyantin; The Polovtsi, who heard his campaign, ran and with the veils to the sea ... ". "As a Grand Duke, taking to heart the grievances of the entire Russian land ... he wanted to protect the borders of the Ryazan region from the Polovtsian raids." The campaign was again carried out by the combined forces of the princes of Vladimir, Suzdal and Ryazan.
In addition, this campaign was carried out in order to ensure peace, reconciliation with the Chernigov prince. Thus, Vsevolod's desire to resolve disputes by peace is revealed, that is, his preference for military, but indirect actions. Wanting to unite the entire Russian land under his command, he understands that there is no need for unnecessary bloodshed here and tries to look for an alternative to military, internecine actions.
Assessing the foreign policy of Vsevolod, one can understand what an outstanding military leader and just a ruler he was. He managed to collect huge military resources and direct them in the right direction.
So, what should be the ideal prince according to Vladimir Monomakh?
Through all the "Instruction" there is a call to take care of the Russian land. Considerable space is occupied by the thought of sympathy and help for the weak and oppressed. Monomakh encourages his readers to be brave and at the same time unpretentious warriors. Each prince should be God-fearing, philanthropic, should honor the elders, take care of the younger ones. The prince should not be a perjurer - from this both the well-being of the principality and the state of the prince himself, because the kiss of the cross is the only way to keep the world of the feudal "brethren" in balance.
Vsevolod the Big Nest ruled in Kyiv in February-March 1173, and then in Vladimir from 1176. Under him, the Vladimir principality achieved the highest prosperity and economic well-being. AT Russian history bears the name of Vsevolod the Big Nest or Vsevolod the Third.
Vsevolod received his nickname due to the fact that, like his father, he had a large number of children.
During his reign, Vsevolod the Big Nest made the main bet on the boyars and the nobility in the cities, in which previously these classes were rather weak. Thanks to his new politics and economy, Vsevolod managed to significantly increase the treasury of his principality and improve life in the Vladimir principality. In the Tale of Bygone Years, Vsevolod was named the Grand Duke and recognized as one of the most successful princes of that period.
Short biography of Vsevolod the Big Nest
Vsevolod was born into the family of Yuri Dolgoruky, had thirteen brothers and sisters, who later also became princes and ruled Kievan Rus. After the death of Yuri Dolgoruky in Russia, an internecine war for power between the heirs began. Vsevolod, together with his mother and brothers Vasilko and Mstislav, was expelled by another brother Andrei (Prince of Vladimir-Suzdal) and found refuge in Constantinople. Later he returned to his homeland and participated in internecine wars for power; as a result, he ruled first Kyiv, and then Vladimir.
The struggle of Vsevolod the Big Nest for power during civil strife
Like the rest of the heirs of Yuri Dolgoruky, Vsevolod did not give up hope of seizing the throne and subjugating various Russian principalities.
1169 - Vsevolod returned from Constantinople, reconciled with his brother Andrei and, together with other princes, participated in a campaign against Kyiv.
1173 - Kyiv was captured, and Vsevolod became its ruler. However, after only five weeks, he was overthrown from the throne by the attacking army from the Smolensk principality and captured. Soon released from captivity by brother Michael.
1174 - 1176 - together with his brother Mikhail, and later independently made regular trips to Vladimir in order to seize power in the Vladimir-Suzdal principality.
1176 - 1177 - Using the support of Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich, he defeated Mstislav, Gleb Ryazansky and the Rostislavichs. At the same time, he became the ruler of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality.
1180 - breaks the alliance with Svyatoslav. Svyatoslav undertakes a punitive campaign against Vsevolod, which, however, is not crowned with success.
The reign of Vsevolod the Big Nest
During the reign of Prince Vsevolod Yuryevich, the central power shifted from Kyiv to Vladimir, and the era of the emergence of autocracy in Russia began, the idea of which was actively supported by Vsevolod himself.
Domestic policy of Vsevolod the Big Nest
Main idea domestic policy Vsevolod - strengthening cooperation between Vladimir and Kyiv. Vsevolod actively took part in internecine wars, by means of deceit and cunning, pushing other princes among themselves so that their power weakened. Thus, gradually, he achieved that he became the most powerful of all the ruling princes.
Vsevolod achieved for himself the right to choose a bishop (previously the princes did not have such a right), established sole power in his principality, completely subjugating the boyars and nobles.
Vsevolod really strove for sole power, and he succeeded. For the first time in the history of Russia, he managed to subjugate the Novgorod lands and establish the power of the prince there instead of the power of the veche (national assembly).
Foreign policy of Vsevolod the Big Nest
Vsevolod undertook repeated campaigns against Mordva and Volga Bulgaria in 1183-1185, and also continued to fight against the Polovtsy, who for many years threatened the security of Russia.
However, Vsevolod paid more attention to trade in foreign policy, which is why his reign was marked by a real boom in the economy. The military campaigns undertaken by Vsevolod had the main goal of conquering new lands and trade routes. Thanks to the fact that he conquered part of the territory of Bulgaria, he managed not only to expand the lands belonging to Russia, but also to significantly increase the volume of trade thanks to new territories and access to neighboring states. The reign of Vsevolod the Big Nest was marked by huge economic victories.
Death of Vsevolod the Big Nest
The result of the reign of Vsevolod the Big Nest was the unification of a significant part of Russia around Vladimir, the expansion of the eastern borders and significant economic growth.
After the death of Vsevolod, the Vladimir-Suzdal principality broke up into several separate ones, and the power Vladimir princes significantly weakened due to the civil strife of the sons of Vsevolod the Big Nest.
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