Novgorod Principality. Characteristics of the Novgorod Principality

By the middle of the 12th century, 15 small and large principalities were formed in Kievan Rus. By the beginning of the 13th century, their number had increased to 50. The disintegration of the state was not only negative (weakening before the invasion of the Tatar-Mongols), but also a positive result.

Rus during the period of feudal disunity

In some principalities and patrimonies, the rapid growth of cities began, and trade relations with the Baltic states and the Germans began to be formed and developed. Changes were also noticeable in the local culture: chronicles were created, new constructions were built, and so on.

Large regions of the country

In the state there were several large principalities. Such, in particular, can be considered Chernihiv, Kiev, Seversky. However, the most important were the three regions: Galicia-Volynskoye in the south-west, Novgorod and Vladimir-Suzdal principality in the northeast. These were the main political centers of the state of that time. It is worth noting that they all had their own distinctive features. Next, let's talk about the features of the Novgorod Principality.

General information

Until now, the origins of the development of the Novgorod Principality have not been fully understood. The oldest mentions of the main city of the region date back to the year 859. However, it is assumed that at that time the chroniclers did not use weather records (they appeared by the 10th-11th century), but collected the legends that were most popular among the people. After Rus took over the Byzantine tradition of making legends, the authors had to write stories, independently calculating dates, before the beginning of the weather records. Of course, this dating is far from accurate, so you should not trust it completely.

The Principality "Novgorod land"

What was this region in ancient times? Novgorod means "new city". The city in Ancient Rus called fortified settlements surrounded by walls. Archaeologists found three settlements that were located on the territory occupied by the Novgorod Principality. The geographical position of these areas is indicated in one of the chronicles. According to the information, the region was on the left bank of the Volkhov (where the Kremlin is now located).

Over time, the settlements have merged into one. Residents built a common fortress. It was called Novgorod. The researcher Nosov developed the already existing view that the historical precursor of the new city was the Gorodische. It was located somewhat higher, not far from the source of the Volkhov. Judging by the chronicles, the settlement was a fortified settlement. In it were princes of the Novgorod principality and their governors. Local ethnographers even expressed a bold assumption that Rurik himself lived in the residence. Considering all this, it can be fully asserted that the Novgorod principality also went from this settlement. The geographical position of the hillfort can be considered an additional argument. It stood on the Baltic-Volga route and was considered at that time a fairly large trade-artisan and military-administrative point.

Characteristics of the Novgorod Principality

In the first centuries of its existence, the settlement was small (by the standards of modernity). Novgorod was completely wooden. It was located on two sides of the river, which was quite a unique phenomenon, since usually the settlements were on a hill and on one shore. The first inhabitants built their houses near the water, but not close to it, due to quite frequent floods. The streets of the city were built perpendicular to Volkhov. A little later they were joined by "breakdown" lanes, which ran parallel to the river. From the left bank towering walls of the Kremlin. At that time, it was much smaller than the one in Novgorod now. On the other bank in the Slovenian village were manors and a prince's court.

Russian chronicles

The Novgorod principality is mentioned in the records quite a bit. However, these few information are of particular value. In the chronicle, dated 882-m year, narrated about the campaign of Prince Oleg to Kiev from Novgorod. As a result, two East Slavic large tribes joined together: glades and ilmen Slavs. It is from that time that the history of the Old Russian state begins. Records of 912 indicate that the Novgorod Principality paid Scandinavians 300 hryvnias a year for maintaining peace.

Records of other peoples

The Novgorod principality is also mentioned in Byzantine annals. So, for example, the emperor Constantine VII wrote about Russ in the 10th century. The Scandinavian sagas also featured the Novgorod principality. The earliest legends have appeared since the reign of Svyatoslav's sons. After his death, a struggle for power broke out between his two sons Oleg and Yaropolk. In 977 the year there was a battle. As a result, Yaropolk defeated Oleg's troops and became a grand prince, planting his posadniks in Novgorod. There was a third brother. But for fear of being killed, Vladimir fled to Scandinavia. However, his absence was relatively short-lived. In 980, he returned to the Novgorod principality with hired Varangians. Then he defeated the posadniki and moved to Kiev. There, Vladimir overthrew Yaropolk from the throne and became the prince of Kiev.

Religion

The characterization of the Novgorod principality will be incomplete if we do not talk about the importance of faith in the life of the people. In 989, there was a baptism. First it was in Kiev, and then in Novgorod. The power was strengthened by the Christian religion and its monotheism. The church organization was built on a hierarchical principle. It has become a powerful tool for the emergence of Russian statehood. In the year of baptism, Joachim Korsounian (a Byzantine priest) was sent to Novgorod. But I must say that Christianity did not immediately take root. Many residents did not hurry to part with the faith of their ancestors. According to archaeological excavations, many pagan rituals were preserved until the 11th-13th centuries. And, for example, Maslenitsa is celebrated today. Although this holiday is given a somewhat Christian coloring.

Activities of Yaroslav

After Vladimir became a prince of Kiev, he sent his son Vysheslav to Novgorod, and after his death - Yaroslav. The name of the latter is associated with an attempt to get rid of the influence of Kiev. Thus, in 1014, Yaroslav refused to pay tribute. Vladimir, learning about this, began to gather his squad, but during the training suddenly died. Svyatopolk the Wretched ascended to the throne. He killed his brothers: Svyatoslav Drevlyansky and later counted the faces of the saints Gleb and Boris. Yaroslav was in a rather difficult situation. On the one hand, he was absolutely not against seizing power in Kiev. But on the other - his squad was not strong enough. Then he decided to address the Novgorodians with a speech. Yaroslav appealed to the people to seize Kiev, thus returning to themselves all that was selected in the form of a tribute. Residents agreed, and after a while in the battle of Lyubech Svyatopolk was on his head defeated and fled to Poland.

Further developments

In 1018, together with the squad of Boleslav (his father-in-law and the King of Poland), Svyatopolk returned to Russia. In the battle they pitched thoroughly Yaroslav (he fled with four volunteers from the field). He wanted to go to Novgorod, and then planned to move to Scandinavia. But the villagers did not let him do it. They chopped all the boats, collected money and a new army, enabling the prince to continue fighting. At this time, confident that he was firmly seated on the throne, Svyatopolk quarreled with the Polish king. Deprived of support, he lost the battle of Alta. Yaroslav after the battle let the Novgorodians go home, giving them special letters - "Pravda" and "Charter". According to them they had to live. During the following decades the Novgorod principality also depended on Kiev. First, as governor, Yaroslav sent his son Ilya. Then he sent Vladimir, who in 1044 year laid the fortress. The following year, at his behest, the construction of a new stone cathedral was started instead of the wooden Sophia (which burned down). Since that time, this temple symbolizes the Novgorod spirituality.

Political system

It formed gradually. There are two periods in history. In the former, there was a feudal republic, where the prince ruled. And in the second - the management belonged to the oligarchy. During the first period in the Novgorod principality there were all the main organs of state power. The highest institutions were the Boyar Council and the Veche. Executive power was vested in the tsarist and princely courts, the posadnik, the elders, the volostels and the managers of the volostels. The Veche was of particular importance. It was considered the supreme power and possessed more power here than in other principalities. The Veche solved issues of internal and external political character, expelled or elected the ruler, the posad and other officials. It was also the highest judicial authority. Another body was the Council of the Boyars. In this body, the entire urban management system was concentrated. The Council was attended by: eminent boyars, elders, tysyatskys, posadniki, archbishop and prince. The power of the ruler himself was considerably limited in functions and scope, but at the same time, undoubtedly, he occupied the leading place in the governing bodies. First, the candidacy of the future prince was discussed at the Council of the Boyars. After that, he was invited to sign a contract. It regulated the legal and state status and responsibilities of the authorities in relation to the ruler. The prince lived with his court in the outskirts of Novgorod. The ruler had no right to issue laws, proclaim war or peace. Together with the posadnik, the prince commanded the army. The existing restrictions did not allow the rulers to consolidate themselves in the city and put them in a controlled position.