Joining Pskov to Moscow (1510). Russian history

In 1510, Pskov joined Moscow. This event was a natural result of the "gathering of Russian lands" by the Grand Dukes. The republic became part of the unified national Russian state in the reign of Vasily Ivanovich III.

Pskov-Moscow relations

The first direct contacts between Pskov and Moscow date back to the 14th century. So, in 1380, during the Kulikovo battle, in the army of Dmitry Donskoy there was a detachment sent to help from the Northern republic. This formation was commanded by Prince Andrey Olgerdovich. When he abdicated in 1399, the embassy arrived with the son of Dmitry Donskoy, Vasily I, with a request to send them a ruler from Moscow. This request was granted, and since then the republic and principality have been in close political alliance.

The accession of Pskov to Moscow was gradual. Throughout the XV century between cities, trade and diplomatic ties were strengthened. However, formally the republic remained independent. The Moscow appointees who came to the north gave an oath of loyalty to Pskov.

The inhabitants of the city only once went to a direct conflict with the Grand Duke. It happened in 1456, when Vasily II was at war with Novgorod. The republic supported its "older brother", but the combined army of the two lands was defeated by the Moscow squad. After that the Pskov boyars once again bowed to the Kremlin, asking for forgiveness for their disobedience.

Strengthening princely influence

The frontier city needed the help of the Grand Dukes because of foreign danger - primarily Lithuania. The ruler of this country Vytaut twice declared war on Pskov. However, the united Russian army always rebuffed the enemy. Precisely because of the danger of foreign intervention, Pskov's annexation to Moscow became inevitable.

In 1478 the Grand Duke Ivan III finally deprived Novgorod of independence. "The older brother" of Pskov, resembling him culturally and politically, remained without a symbol of his freedom - a veche bell. This happened because the local aristocracy, unwilling to remain in a vassal position, went on rapprochement with the Polish-Lithuanian king. Ivan III rightly took this act for treason and went to Novgorod by war.

Joining Pskov to Moscow would have happened even earlier, if the inhabitants of the city had gone into conflict with their patron. But they remained loyal to the Grand Duke. Ivan III, for whom the validity of his actions was important, during his lifetime never found a formally just cause to deprive independence of the last stronghold of the republican system in Russia. This mission fell on the shoulders of his son - Basil III, who succeeded the throne in 1505.

The Importance of Pskov

By the beginning of the XVI century, the era of political fragmentation of Russia has remained in the past. The long-term rule of Vasily III is rightfully considered a logical continuation of the reign of his father - Ivan III. Both Grand Dukes successfully added to their power all new Russian lands, creating a single national state. This process accelerated because of the Polish-Lithuanian threat in the west, as well as the devastating raids of the Tatars in the east and south.

Pskov at this time was a tasty morsel for its neighbors. The city remained an important and rich shopping center, where Livonian and German merchants left their money. Local markets attracted European buyers with their unique products, especially valuable northern furs. After Novgorod was annexed to Moscow, Pskov grew rich even more, because foreign traders preferred to conduct their business in a city that enjoyed at least some kind of formal independence. In addition, there were no duties here, as in the cities of the Moscow principality.

Events on the eve of accession

In 1509 Vasily III sent a new governor to Pskov. Ivan Repnya-Obolensky became one. The behavior of the stranger alarmed the residents of the city. The governor did not consult with the veche, did not pay attention to the opinion of the local aristocracy, he himself executed the court. In fact, he acted as if he were a representative of a prince in a deep Moscow province.

The Pskovites decided to complain about the appointee Vasily Ivanovich. Russian history is full of uprisings and popular discontent, but this time the conflict did not turn into an armed confrontation. By this time, Pskov was already too dependent on Moscow to possess sufficient forces for an uprising against the prince. In addition, the residents of the city had no one to turn to. Novgorod for almost thirty years was part of a single Russian state, and the Polish king did not want to go to war with Basil.

Vasily's Court

At that time the Grand Duke arrived in Novgorod, allegedly to check the activities of his own boyars in this important shopping center. But Basily III went to the north in order to finally leave the Pskov independence in the past. Behind him was a large Moscow army, which would have been necessary in case of open armed disobedience.

The Pskov aristocracy sent an embassy to the prince, asking to settle the conflict between the veche and the unauthorized governor. In turn, Repnja-Obolensky also went to Novgorod to prove his case to Vasily Ivanovich. The Moscow ruler did not accept the boyars, but he sent a messenger to Pskov with an offer to all residents of the city to come to the princely court. Hundreds of complainers, dissatisfied with their lives, were drawn to Novgorod. Peasants scolded the boyars, aristocrats reported on each other. Vasily, realizing how great a split in the Pskov society, decided to complete Pskov's accession to Moscow. 1510 was the last in the history of the independence of this city.

The Novgorod Trap

Most of all Basil was afraid that the people and aristocracy would act against the will of the united front. But the disputes between the Pskovists showed that there was nothing to fear. On the appointed day, the posadniki and representatives of the richest families of the republic arrived at the princely reception. Vasily announced that it was time to abolish the old political system. The Veche was to be destroyed, and the bell, announcing the beginning of the people's assemblies, was ordered to withdraw. A few protested boyars were immediately arrested and sent to prison.

At the same time, the prince ordered to settle in Novgorod those ordinary townspeople who came to him with petitions. It was a clever device that helped complete Pskov's accession to Moscow. Year after year the most active inhabitants of the republic remained isolated in princely possessions. This deprived Pskov leaders who could lead the uprising against Basil. A similar strategy was applied by his father - Ivan III, when he conquered the Novgorod republic.

The end of the Pskov Veche

Moscow's deacon Tretiak Dolmatov left Novgorod for the last Pskov Veche. He was an experienced diplomat, who helped the great princes to get out of sensitive situations. The messenger appeared in the city a few days after Vasily III arrested almost all the local aristocracy.

At the Veche the deacon announced the decision of the Grand Duke. The Pskovites received an ultimatum - to obey or take the path of war with Moscow. Residents asked for a night of meditation, and the next morning they accepted all the demands of Vasily Ivanovich. The veche bell was immediately removed. He was taken to a Moscow monastery as a valuable trophy. A few days later, in the frosty January morning, the Grand Duke himself arrived in the conquered city. This visit completed the accession of Pskov to Moscow. The date of the event (1510) was the day when the last Russian medieval republic lost its independence.

Consequences of accession

In the following months Vasily Ivanovich did everything to consolidate his victory. From Pskov all influential families were evicted. These were noble boyars, as well as rich merchants. Instead, special Muscovites, loyal to the prince, were sent to the city, who became the local elite. The former title of the posadnik was finally abolished - in his place came the governor, who was subordinate to the Kremlin.

The main attractions of the city - temples and fortress - went to the sovereign's property. The deputies were the embodiment of judicial, military and administrative power. The deacons, also sent from Moscow, helped them. Pskov's judicial charter (a set of rules on which local criminals were tried) became invalid. It was replaced by a similar document adopted in the remaining provinces of the united state.

For residents of the city, Pskov's accession to Moscow under Prince Vasily III was most affected by the amount of taxes. They became noticeably larger. In addition, trade taxes were introduced in the city, which had never existed before.

Pskov within Russia

The central government banned all previous laws, which at least somehow distinguished Pskov from any other county. However, the Moscow principality in the 16th century preserved the illusory self-control of the city. For example, residents had the right to elect elders, who defended their interests before the governor. In addition, the mint has been preserved in Pskov.

However, in fact, since 1510, the city finally became part of a single power with its capital in Moscow. Later on, Russian history was full of events that had become trials for Pskov. For example, during the Livonian War, with the son of Vasily Ivan the Terrible, the border town was besieged by the Polish army. But he stood and remained an integral part of Russia.