The Battle on the Neva River: Causes and Consequences

On July 15, 1240, an epochal battle took place on the Neva River. Russian troops under the command of Prince Alexander Yaroslavovich won a devastating victory over the Swedish army. After this event, Alexander received the famous nickname Nevsky. This name is known to every Russian and to this day.

Prehistory

The battle on the Neva River in 1240 did not begin spontaneously. It was preceded by a number of important political and historical events.

In the first half of the 13th century, the Swedes, after uniting with the Novgorodians, made regular raids on the Finnish tribes. They called them punitive campaigns, the purpose of which was to subordinate more people to their will. Most of all the Swedes suffered tribes of money and money. This was the reason for protracted conflicts. The Swedes feared a blow from the Finns, so they tried to baptize them and make them their allies.

The conquerors did not stop there. They periodically carried out predatory raids on lands along the Neva, as well as directly on Novgorod territory. Sweden was significantly weakened by internal conflicts, so it sought to attract as many soldiers and nobles as possible to their side. They did not disdain to persuade the fans of easy profit to persuade them to persuade them. For a long time, Finno-Karelian troops raided Swedish lands, and in 1187 they all united with the Novgorodians. They burnt Sigtuna, the ancient capital of Sweden.

This confrontation lasted a long time. Each side, both Swedish and Russian, sought to establish its authority on the Izhora land, which was located along the Neva, as well as on the Karelian Isthmus.

A significant date prior to such a famous event as the battle on the Neva River was the proclamation of a second crusade against Finland by Pope Gregory IX in December 1237. In June, 1238, the King of Denmark Voldemar II and the master of the united order Herman von Balk agreed on the division of the Estonian state, as well as the beginning of military operations against Russia in the Baltic region with the involvement of the Swedes. This is what triggered the battle on the Neva River. The date, whose events are known now, became the starting point in the history of Russia and its relations with neighboring states. The battle showed the ability of our state to repulse a powerful army of the enemy. It should be borne in mind that the battle on the Neva River occurred at a difficult time. The Russian lands only began to recover after the Mongolian invasion and the strength of the troops were significantly weakened.

The Battle of the River Neva: Sources

Information on such long-standing events historians have to collect literally bit by bit. Many researchers are interested in such events as the Battle of the River Neva, the date. Briefly, the battle is described in chronological documents. Of course, such sources are few. One of the most famous can be called Novgorod's first chronicle. Also information can be gleaned from the story about the life of Alexander Nevsky. It is assumed that it was written by contemporaries of those events no later than the eighties of the thirteenth century.

If we consider the Scandinavian sources, then they do not contain detailed information about such significant battles as the Battle of the River Neva and the Battle of Ice. One can only read that a small Swedish detachment was defeated within the framework of the Finnish crusade.

It is also not known for certain who led the Scandinavian army. Based on Russian sources, scientists say that this was the son-in-law of King Birger Magnusson.

But the yarl of Sweden he became only in 1248, and at the time of the battle they were Ulf Fasi, who, most likely, headed the march. At the same time, Birger did not participate in it, although there is an opposite opinion. Thus, the results of archaeological excavations indicate that Birger was injured in the front of his head during his lifetime. This coincides with the information that Alexander Nevsky wounded the king's eye.

The Battle of the River Neva: date

Historical events until the 16th century were not recorded in certain official sources. Very often historians can not establish the exact day or even the approximate period when this or that battle occurred. But this does not apply to such an important event as the battle on the Neva River. In what year did it happen? Historians know the exact answer to this question. This fight dates from July 15, 1240.

Events before the battle

No battle begins spontaneously. A number of events took place, which entailed such a difficult moment as the battle on the Neva River. The year in which it occurred, began for the Swedes by uniting with the Novgorodians. In the summer their ships arrived at the mouth of the Neva. The Swedes and their allies landed on the coast and spread out their tents. This happened in the place where Izhora flows into the Neva.

The composition of the troops was mixed. It included Swedes, Novgorodians, Norwegians, representatives of Finnish tribes and, of course, Catholic bishops. The boundaries of the Novgorod lands were protected by maritime protection. It was provided by izhorians at the mouth of the Neva, on both sides of the Gulf of Finland. It was the elder of this guard Pelgusiy at the dawn of the July day and discovered that the Swedish flotilla is already close. The messengers hastened to inform Prince Alexander about this.

The Livonian campaign of the Swedes to Russia began only in August, which indicates that they occupied a waiting attitude, as well as the immediate and lightning reaction of Prince Alexander. Having received news that the enemy is already close, he decided to act independently, without resorting to the help of his father. Alexander Yaroslavovich went to battle with a small squad. The battle on the Neva River became a chance for the young prince to prove himself as a commander. Therefore, many troops did not have time to join him. On the side of Alexander, there were also Ladozhsky militiamen who joined him along the way.

According to the customs then prevailing, the whole squad gathered near the Hagia Sophia, where it was blessed by Archbishop Spiridon. At the same time, Alexander delivered a parting speech, quotes from which are known even now: "God is not in power, but in truth!"

The detachment moved along the land along the Volkhov River to Ladoga itself. From there he turned to the mouth of Izhora. For the most part, the army consisted of mounted warriors, but there was also infantry. To save time on the road, this part of the detachment also moved on horseback.

Chronology of the Battle

The battle began on July 15, 1940. It is known that in the Russian army, in addition to the prince's squad, there were at least three more detachments of noble Novgorod commanders, as well as ladozhane.

The "Life" mentions the names of six warriors who performed heroic deeds during the battle.

Gavrilo Olekseich went up to the enemy ship, where the wounded was dropped, but despite this he again got on board and continued to fight. Sbaslav Yakunovich was armed only with an ax, but nevertheless rushed to the very thick of the battle. No less bravely fought and hunter Alexandra Yakov Polochanin. The boy Savva broke into the enemy camp and sowed the tent of the Swedes. Misha from Novgorod took part in the foot battle and sank three enemy ships. Ratmir, the servant of Alexander Yaroslavovchia, bravely fought with several Swedes, after which he was wounded and died on the battlefield.

The battle lasted from morning till evening. By night the enemy dispersed. The Swedes, realizing that they had suffered a crushing defeat, retreated on their surviving ships and crossed to the opposite shore.

It is known that the Russian army did not pursue the enemy. The reason for this is unknown. Perhaps, the knightly custom of not interfering during the respite to bury their fighters has affected. Maybe Alexander did not see the need to finish off a bunch of remaining Swedes and did not want to risk his army.

Losses of the Russian detachment amounted to XX noble warriors, and also their vigilantes should be added here. Among the Swedes, the dead were much more. Historians talk about dozens, if not hundreds of dead soldiers.

Results

The battle on the River Neva, the date of which was remembered for centuries, helped to prevent the danger of Sweden and the Order to Russia in the near future. Alexander's army resolutely stopped their invasion of Ladoga and Novgorod.

However, the Novgorod boyars began to fear that Alexander's authority over them would increase. They began to build the young prince various machinations, as a result of which he forced him to go to his father Yaroslav. However, very soon they asked him to return to continue the battle with the Livonian Order, which came to Pskov.

Memory of the battle

In order not to forget the distant events on the Neva, the descendants of Alexander tried to perpetuate the memories of them. So, monumental architectural monuments were created, which were repeatedly restored. In addition, the image of Alexander Nevsky found its reflection on coins and jubilee stamps.

The Alexander Nevsky Lavra

This monolithic building was erected by Peter I in 1710. The Alexander Nevsky Monastery was built at the mouth of the Black River in St. Petersburg. At that time it was erroneously assumed that the battle was taking place in this place. The inspiration and creator of the laurels was Domenico Trezzini. Subsequently, other architects continued their work.

In 1724 the remains of Alexander Yaroslavovich were transported here. Now the territory of the laurels is a national national reserve. The ensemble includes several churches, a museum and a cemetery. It is home to such famous people as Mikhail Lomonosov, Alexander Suvorov, Nikolai Karamzin, Mikhail Glinka, Modest Mussorgsky, Peter Tchaikovsky, Feodor Dostoevsky.

Church of Alexander Nevsky in Ust-Izhora

This building was erected in honor of the victory in the battle of 1240. Date of construction - 1711 year. Several times the church burned and recovered. At the end of the XVIII century a parishioners built a stone church with cast-iron lattices and a bell tower.

In 1934 the church was closed and for a long time was used as a warehouse. During the Leningrad blockade, the tower of the temple was blown up, as it served as a reference point for German artillery.

In 1990, work began on the restoration of the church, and a few years later it was consecrated. At the church there is a small cemetery, as well as a chapel monument with the image of Alexander Nevsky.

Coin and stamp printing

Periodically, the image of Alexander Yaroslavovich is also used in the printing business. So, in 1995 a commemorative coin with his image was released. In the jubilee years after the battle, significant brands are also produced, which are of great interest to philatelists.

Shield

In 2008, the author's film "Alexander Nevsky Battle" was released. It tells about the beginning of the reign of the young prince in Novgorod. In the final of the film battle scenes of battle on the Neva unfold.

In the tape, actors such as Anton Pampushny, Svetlana Bakulina and Igor Botvin appeared. Director - Igor Kalenov.