Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. Yuriy Dolgoruky - biography

In the history of Kievan Rus there are not so many rulers who left a significant trace. Each of the princes left his mark in the chronology of events, which scientists are now studying. Some of them distinguished themselves by campaigns against neighboring states, someone annexed new lands, someone made a historically important alliance with the enemies. Yuri Dolgoruky, undoubtedly, was not the last among them. This ruler is interesting even if only by the fact that many historians are considered the founder of Moscow. Nicknamed "Dolgoruky" Prince received for constant attempts to conquer Kiev and other cities of Kievan Rus.

The beginning of the reign

Before considering the years of government, it is worth familiar with his biography. The date of birth is still a contentious issue. It is known that the future prince appeared in 1090 and was the youngest son of Vladimir Monomakh. Yuri Dolgoruky is the bearer of the Rurikovich family. And although he was born in Kiev, his childhood was held in Rostov. For the first time he became the prince of the Rostov-Suzdal principality from 1113 together with his brother Mstislav. However, since 1125, the lands are transferred to the sole jurisdiction of Yuri.

Despite the imperious and difficult nature, the policy of Yuri Dolgoruky under his rule brought many benefits to Kievan Rus, although ambitious plans (for the most part) brought death and destruction. Several years passed after the reign of the ruler on the throne, as he led a campaign against the Volga Bulgars. This assignment came from Vladimir Monomakh, after the capture of these people by Suzdal. After the campaign, in 1125 Prince Yuri Dolgoruky transferred the capital of his principality to Suzdal, thereby reducing the political significance of Rostov.

On the throne of the Rostov-Suzdal principality and the first conquest of Kiev

The period from 1120 to 1147 is not particularly noteworthy, except for one fact - during this period the foundation of Moscow is taking place. The internal policy of Yuri Dolgoruky is reduced to the construction of churches. And of course, interference in internecine strife princes of Kievan Rus. Though it is necessary to give it due - many existing cities, as history testifies, Yuri Dolgoruky turned into centers of trade and crafts. Such an approach could not but contribute to their development.

Interethnic strife arose, as a rule, because of the throne of Kiev and the order of its succession. The desire to sit on the throne in the main city of Rus was not alien to the Rostov-Suzdal ruler. The Grand Duke not only tried to dislodge the new henchmen, but also personally take this place. In the end, the Kiev throne in 1149 was occupied by Yuri Dolgoruky. To put it briefly, the seniority of inheritance was violated, and many were indignant. This discontent was taken advantage of by the displaced Izyaslav and concluded an alliance with the Hungarians and Poles.

Unpopularity of the new sovereign and the concluded union did not allow Dolgoruky to stay with the board for a long time. 1151 year was for Yuri Vladimirovich the date of the loss of the throne in Kiev and return to his principality.

Foundation of Moscow

It is Prince Yuri Dolgoruky who is considered the founder of Moscow, although there are still disputes between historians on this issue. The border settlement was located at the point of contact of several princedoms - Novgorod, Ryazan, Suzdal, Seversky and Smolensk. There was a town on the Moskva River, which belonged, like other villages on the banks, to boyar Kuchka. The reasons for which the land owner was executed are not known, but after that the city and other settlements were taken by Yuri Dolgoruky. Moscow began to develop - a princely homestead, a wooden Kremlin, churches and other structures were built. Christianity was also practiced among the population of the Gentiles.

Initially, the settlement was called Kukov, later renamed to Moscow. But it became a major city that had a significance and political influence on the life of the Rostov-Suzdal principality and Kievan Rus only after the replacement of three generations of the descendants of Yuri the First.

The founding of Russian cities is Pereyaslavl-Zalessky

The reign of Yuri Dolgoruky differed not only in attempts to seize the throne of Kiev, but also in the creation and development of new Russian cities. So, except Moscow, such cities as Pereyaslavl-Zalessky and Yuryev-Polsky were founded.

The erection was due to the prince's ambitious plans. Frequent attacks of the Volga Bulgars led to the need to strengthen the borders of the principality. Pereyaslavl-Zalessky was moved to the lowland - at the mouth of the Trubezh River. On the perimeter of the south and west side of the city was dug, which was connected with the natural barriers of approaches to the city. The fortress for the defense of Pereyaslavl was considered one of the largest built by Yuri.

Yuryev-Polsky - fortress on the border of the principality

With the same purpose the city of Yuryev-Polsky was founded. To protect the city was built a circular fortress. It was surrounded by 7-meter shafts, which have survived to this day. There were three gaps in the wall of the fortress - the gates to Vladimir, Moscow and Pereyaslavl-Zalessky. The city is built near the mouth of the Gza River on the coast of Koloksi.

Gorodets on the Volga River

The city was founded by Yuri Dolgoruky in 1152 in the middle reaches of the Volga. In ancient manuscripts it was also called Radilov. In the city there was a military garrison, artisans and peasants. The inhabitants of the city not only provided for the existence of the city, but also conducted active trade with Kiev, the countries of Asia, Bulgaria, the Baltic States. The main purpose of the Gorodets was to contain the Volga Bulgars from their advance into the Russian lands.

The foundation of Dmitrov

The city was founded in 1154 and is named after the son of Yuri Dolgoruky, who was born in the same year. Dmitrov was built in the marshy lowlands of the Yakhroma River. For protection, the Kremlin was erected, built at the foot of the mountain. On the one hand, the fortress was protected by impenetrable swamps, on the other - an artificial ditch, in some places reaching a width of 30 meters. The walls were fortified with towers. It was a deaf place, surrounded by swamps and forests, on the very outskirts of the Suzdal principality.

The second prince in Kiev

Despite the fact that Yuri's possessions were quite extensive, the prince did not give up attempts to get the throne of Kiev. Having conquered Ryazan in 1154, the prince went on a campaign to the southern lands of Kievan Rus. On the way, he concluded a truce with Rostislav Smolensky and in 1155 again reigned in the capital of Kievan Rus, taking him along with his ally Svyatoslav Olgovich. Kiev governor Izyaslav surrendered the city without a fight and fled to Chernigov. To strengthen his power, Yuri sent to reign his sons in the cities that were under his influence. However, the board was short-lived - in 1157 Yuri Dolgoruky died. There is a version that he was poisoned by boyars who did not like the new ruler. After his death, an uprising flared up, during which the prince's court was looted.

Family life of Yuri Dolgoruky

Some historical and artistic sources mention the complex character of the prince. In this case, they indicate that Yuri was a favorite son and his father, Vladimir Monomakh, in all indulged him. However, the time came when Dolgoruky had to obey the will of the Kiev prince. In 1108 Yury Dolgoruky got a wife. Naturally, the marriage took place for the political reasons of the father, however, like all the marriages concluded between the rulers of states.

The first wife of the future Rostov-Suzdal prince was the daughter of Polovtsian Khan Alena Osipovna. His wife liked the prince, and he settled down somewhat. Soon the young couple was sent to the north-east in the Rostov principality. From this marriage were born Rostislav (ruled in Novgorod), Andrei Bogolyubsky, Ivan, Gleb and Boris. From the first wife three daughters were born: Elena, Maria and Olga.

He also had a second wife, Yuri Dolgoruky. Biography has very little information about her, no mention is made even of the year of her marriage to her. But from her Yuri Dolgoruky had six sons - Vasilko, Mstislav, Yaroslav, Svyatoslav, Mikhail and Vsevolod.

Residence of Yuri Dolgoruky

Since in Rostov the Grand Duke did not feel very confident because of the political situation in the state, he moved to Suzdal. But his residence was not in Suzdal, but in a village called Kideksha. This was done for similar reasons - Yuri Dolgoruky was afraid of the Suzdal boyars. The fortified settlement quickly grew up where the Kamenka falls into the Nerl. On one side Kidekshu protected the high banks of the river, on the other, the fortress was surrounded by a high rampart with an oak palisade on it.

Since Yuri Dolgoruky was very religious, the church was built in the village. However, after the death of Prince Kideksha lost its importance. His son moved the capital to Vladimir, and the residence in Bogolyubovo. In 1238, after the invasion of the Tatar-Mongol horde, the village was plundered and came to desolation.

Monument to the founder of Moscow

Disputes about the emergence of the city do not stop between historians until now. And yet the inhabitants themselves believe that Yury Dolgoruky founded it. Moscow served as a meeting place for the prince and his brother, if you believe the ancient chronicles. Under Stalin, it was decided to erect a monument to Yuri Dolgoruky. It is located on Tverskaya Square in Moscow. In 1946, a competition was announced, won by Orlov, who had never before engaged in monumental sculpture.

But as it turned out, Comrade Stalin himself became interested in the sculptor. Apparently, he really liked the patriotism of the sculptor - at that time the Soviet pioneers were more important than a delegation from the United States. It turned out that the product created by Orlov, intended for the home of the pioneers, was presented to the representative of America. Orlov wrote a complaint, after which he was scheduled to meet with the head of the USSR. After that, the sculptor headed the work on the creation of the monument. In the design of the monument, changes were made in the making process, as if according to Stalin's remarks. One way or another, but the monument was installed in 1954. But if Stalin was very pleased, then for some reason Nikita Khrushchev did not like the monument. Especially annoying is the naturalness of the stallion - at his order the genitals were removed.

Monuments to Yuri Dolgoruky in other cities

Residents of Kostroma also believe that the prince founded both their city and helped its development and prosperity. The monument was installed on Voskresenskaya Square on the day of celebration of the 850th anniversary of the city. The project was developed by Vladimir Tserkovnikov. The monument weighs 4 tons and has a height of 4.5 meters.

In Pereslavl-Zalessky there is a bust of Dolgoruky. Over his creation, as well as over the Moscow monument, Orlov worked. It is located in the Goritsky Monastery, which was transported from Moscow in 1963.

Monument to Yuri Dolgoruky in Dmitrov created the Church. It is located on the Historical Square, which is surrounded by the remnants of the ancient Kremlin next to the Assumption Cathedral. For today it is a museum-reserve. According to legends, the monument was erected exactly at the place where he was predicted the birth of his son.

Temples built by Yuri Dolgoruky

All the chroniclers celebrated the great devotion of the prince. Therefore, in addition to fortresses and cities, you can find many temples built by order of Yuri Dolgoruky. Of those that mention today, the following can be noted: the Transfiguration Cathedral (Pereslavl-Zalessky), the Church of Boris and Gleb (Kideksha), the St. George's Cathedral (Vladimir), the Church of the Savior (Suzdal), the Nativity Cathedral (Suzdal) .

Instead of concluding

The personality of the prince is very contradictory. Greed, cruelty, imperiousness - the features that Yuri Dolgoruky fully enjoyed. Biography describes not only these traits. He was also a far-sighted politician who understood the importance of well-fortified borders not only with neighboring states, but also between the principalities of Kievan Rus. Yuri Dolgoruky was very ambitious and pious. The biography, written by different authors, confirms this - several attempts to seize the prince's throne in Kiev, capture of the cities of Bulgaria, the foundation and strengthening of cities, the erection of churches.

Despite everything, the prince nevertheless left a significant mark in the history of Kievan Rus - many cities and churches exist to this day. And the fact that the capital and the boyars did not like the reign of the prince - it is understandable. Then the rulers were very dependent on the boyars, who, in turn, were disliked by those who possessed determination and power. But in his native Rostov-Suzdal principality after his death, he was remembered with gratitude. After protection from Polovtsy and Bulgars was organized by Yuri Dolgoruky.