Biography of Yuri Dolgoruky. Principality and government

Worthy descendant of the great Vladimir Monomakh, his seventh son - Yuri Dolgoruky - entered the history of Russia not only as the prince of the great Kiev and the specific Rostov-Suzdal, the founder of the city of Moscow. He left a memory of himself as an ambitious person, energetic, directly going to the set goal. Ambiguous assessment of his life and activities, however, like the deeds, actions and decisions of many great military leaders of those ancient times. NM Karamzin spoke of him as a person who marked the transformation of the eastern expanses of ancient Russia: the foundation of many cities and settlements, the construction of roads and churches, the spread of Christianity. And he claims that, having a strong temper and not differing in kindness, Dolgoruky did not stand on ceremony with foes and rebellious boyars, which earned him active popular rejection.

The birth of the prince

Yuri Dolgoruky's biography is rather blurred, many historians have to guess about many facts from the life of the prince, comparing the meager annalistic evidence. We have not received accurate information about the date of his birth: different sources call different figures, and analyzing them, one can state with certainty only that he was born in the period from 1090 to 1097th year. Due to the prescription of these events, we do not know which of the wives of Monomakh (the first or second) was the mother of Yuri. And we will not focus on this fact. The main thing is that this person has accomplished many glorious deeds.

Strengthening the North-Eastern Russian lands

Participation in the most famous and successful campaign of 1111 to the Polovtsi as part of the Russian princes' army was Yuri's first victory: the daughter of the Polovtsian Khan becomes his first wife. Prince Yuri Dolgoruky, whose biography emphasizes that he could not count on the inheritance of the Kiev throne, being one of the younger sons of Monomakh, since 1113 he became the specific ruler of the Rostov-Suzdal principality, practically the outskirts of Russia in the interfluve of the Oka and Volga. He is engaged mainly in the transformation and strengthening of this region, the construction of cities and temples. Yuri Dolgoruky became the first prince, ruling on the lands entrusted to him for more than forty years. Strengthening the Rostov-Suzdal region and the design of its borders, Yuri Dolgoruky (the years of government led to the creation of many fortress cities in North-Eastern Russia) strengthened its influence and position.

Strengthening Christianity

Raising the city, the prince did not forget about the spread of the Orthodox Christian faith, building magnificent temples. He is still regarded as the founder of many churches and monasteries, in particular, St. George's Monastery in Vladimir-on-Klyazma, Borisoglebsky - on the Nerli River, the Church of Our Lady in Suzdal, the Church of St. George in Vladimir and St. George's, the Church of the Savior in Pereyaslavl-Zalessky and Suzdal.

Campaigns and wins

In 1120, at the behest of his father, Yuri Dolgoruky headed a successful campaign together with the Polovtsi - nomads of Turkic origin - against the Volga Bulgars, who lived on the lands of modern Tatarstan, Chuvashia, Samara and Penza regions. Yuri Dolgoruky's biography is not full of military victories - he rarely fought, but, possessing infinite courage and mastery of the commander, he used these qualities to achieve his goals. Probably, this was a fairly educated man who understands the whole need for the unification of the Russian lands. He participated in this process, strengthening the north-east of Russia. Since 1125 the capital of the region instead of Rostov is Suzdal. The Principality became known as the Rostov-Suzdal land.

Aspirations of the prince

Strengthening its position in the northeast of Russia, Prince Yuri Dolgoruky aspires to the southern possessions, to the unattainable Kiev, where "a great policy is being made." It was for this activity that the chroniclers nicknamed Yuri Dolgoruky. After the death of Vladimir Monomakh in 1125, the throne of Kiev was inherited by his eldest son Mstislav, then (after his death in 1139) - Yaropolk Vladimirovich, who soon gave way to Vyacheslav Vladimirovich, the sixth son of Monomakh.

Princely strife was widespread, and the struggle for power at all times remained the most cruel and unprincipled. In the period from 1146 to 1154, Prince Yuri Dolgoruky tries to gain power in Kiev. This becomes the main goal of his life. And during this time he twice won the throne from his nephews - the sons of Mstislav, but he can not hold it. On March 20, 1155, he succeeded in assuming the right of succession after the death of his brother and the sixth son of Monomakh, Vyacheslav Vladimirovich. Short-term rule of Yuri Vladimirovich in the city of the golden gate was not calm, but he died on May 15, 1157, having fulfilled his dream, being the Grand Duke of Kiev.

Foundation of Moscow

The first mention of Moscow in the ancient chronicles is dated 1147 year. Biography of Yuri Dolgoruky and chronicle evidence of the time argue that the construction of the city began after the meeting of the prince with Svyatoslav Olgovich in a small settlement on the Moscow River. The year of the first mentions of Moscow began to be considered the date of its foundation. Yuri Dolgoruky closely followed the development of the city, in 1156 at his order the future capital was fortified with a moat and new wooden walls. Around the same time the construction of a wooden kremlin began.

Wives and children

Biography Yuri Dolgoruky mentions the two marriages of the prince. The first wife was a Polovchanka, whose name was not preserved in the annals, the second one was called Olga. These marriages brought Yuri eleven sons and two daughters. Unfortunately, the historical documents do not retain any details about the prince's family relations. The name of the last daughter of the ruler has not been clarified.

Characteristics of Yuri Dolgoruky from the ancient chroniclers are very unflattering: extreme unpopularity among the people of Kiev contributed to the heavy disposition of the prince, his cunning and resourcefulness in achieving his goals. Perhaps this was the reason for his death. Chroniclers do not deny the possibility of poisoning Yuri. However, despite all the contradictions of this strong nature, the fact is unequivocal: Yuri Dolgoruky, whose brief biography emphasizes the holding of a tough policy, contributed a lot to the strengthening and unity of Russia as a great state.