Yam-Zapolsky truce - peace treaty between Rzeczpospolita and the Russian kingdom

Russia and Poland waged wars among themselves for several centuries. One of these conflicts was an integral part of the Livonian War, during which the interests of several states collided in the Baltic States.

How the Livonian War began

In 1558 the Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible invaded the territory of the Livonian Order. He wanted to win the Baltic provinces in the territory of modern Estonia and Latvia. Previously, pagans lived here, and in the 13th century, the crusaders-Catholics arrived here. They founded the Livonian Order, built Riga and many other fortresses.

The Crusaders fought with the infidels, for which they received sanction from the Pope. To those, in their opinion, were Orthodox, who also paid tribute to the Golden Horde. Therefore, with the Livonian knights fought Alexander Nevsky. Later, the conflict became permanent and was interrupted only by the terms of the armistice.

By the time Grozny began to rule, Rus united around Moscow, threw off the Tartar yoke and even began a successful expansion eastward (capture of Kazan and Astrakhan). Ivan IV believed that the weakened Livonian Order could not offer serious resistance.

The first period of the war was really successful for Russia. The governors of the king seized Dorpat, Narva and several other important cities. Everything changed when neighboring powers got involved in the conflict. It was Sweden, Rzeczpospolita (a political union of Poland and Lithuania), as well as Denmark (to a lesser extent). From that moment on, Grozny was in an extremely complicated isolated situation.

The exhaustion of the belligerent countries

Nevertheless, during the long years of the war he was accompanied by a temporary success in confrontation with Poland and Lithuania. So in 1564 Russian troops conquered Polotsk (a city to which Grozny also had rights like Ryurikovich). However, the defeat in the Battle of Chashniki followed.

Foreign policy failures were accompanied by terror inside Russia. After the mysterious death of his first wife, Ivan the Terrible became suspicious of his closest associates. Paranoia and the fear of betrayal led to tyranny. While in Moscow on giant glowing frying pans the governor was tortured, the troops suffered defeat after defeat.

Finally, in 1577, Polotsk was returned, and the Swedes captured Narva. Only thanks to popular heroism and perseverance, it was possible to stop foreign intervention. Poles in the years 1581-1582. Unsuccessfully besieged Pskov, and the Swedes suffered a fiasco under the Nut. The war has been going on for 24 years, and the depleted countries needed peace.

Composition of delegations

The best Yam-Zapolsk truce and the negotiation process were reflected in the memoirs of Antonio Possevino. It was a Jesuit and an experienced diplomat. He represented the interests of the Catholic Church in the negotiations between Poland and Russia. In addition, he was a skilful secretary and was able to convey all the details of this complex procedure.

Negotiations began on December 13, 1581. And the place was chosen a place a few versts from Zapolsky Pit (hence the name). He was near the old border of Russia near the city of Pskov, which was recently besieged by the Polish King Stefan Bathory. Yam-Zapolsky peace was concluded in the neighborhood with the recent place of battle.

None of the monarchs was present at the talks. Their interests were represented by numerous diplomats. From the Poles and Lithuanians arrived Braslav voevoda Janusz Zbarazhsky, Nesvizh and Oliks prince Albrecht Radzvill and secretary Miail Garaburda. Ivan the Terrible also did not stint on parliamentarians. They were the Kashin voivode Dmitry Eletsky, the Kozelsky governor Roman Alferev, and the deacon Nikita Vereshchagin. The Yam-Zapolsky truce was concluded through the mediation of the aforementioned Jesuit Antonio Possevino.

Assignments in Livonia

Negotiations lasted about a month. Finally, on January 15, 1582, the Yam-Zapol armistice was concluded. His conditions were difficult for Russia, but completely corresponded to the unpleasant reality.

Ivan IV refused all the cities he conquered in Livonia. There were dozens of fortresses of various sizes. Here is just a small list for an example: Alist, Volodymyr, Dorpat, Krusborg, Paide, Rivne, Tarvaz, Chestvin, etc. were given. Most of these names became historicisms. Now these settlements received toponyms in national languages - Latvian and Estonian. The rest of Livonia at that time was occupied by Sweden (with her the treaty was signed in a year).

Other terms of the contract

In addition, the Yam-Zapolsk truce stipulated the fate of cities, which at different times were captured by Ivan the Terrible in the territory of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. They were Velizh and Polotsk. The Russian tsar refused them (although this was only a formality, since at that time they had already been won by Stefan Bathory).

The Polish king agreed to return those cities that he himself had captured in Russia. These were Velikie Luki, Kholm, Nevel and Zavolochye. Yam-Zapolsky world contained an article that gave back and Pskov neighborhood, occupied during the last siege.

The lands that were seized in Livonia by Sweden at the time of signing the document were excluded from the paper. Nevertheless, the Poles made a statement that they also apply for these territories. This was the conclusion of the compromised Yam-Zapolsk truce. The date of its signing was withdrawn at the beginning of the document.

The fate of the armistice

Despite this, everyone understood that this was only a respite, and military actions ceased for a short time. The Yam-Zapolsky truce with Poland was calculated for a period of 10 years. In the future, it could be extended. History showed that the treaty remained relevant until the onset of the Troubles in Russia. After the death of Ivan the Terrible, his son Fyodor and all their heirs, the dynasty of the Rurikovichs stopped. Conflicts between the boyar factions claiming power began.

Simultaneously, an impostor arrived from the Commonwealth, who described himself as the surviving Tsarevich Dmitry, the son of Ivan the Terrible, who died a child in Uglich in 1591. The adventurer was called Grigory Otrepiev. He was a runaway monk. He was supported by the Polish king, who then himself invaded Russia, which violated the Yam-Zapolsk truce. Year he besieged Smolensk, and then briefly occupied Moscow. Eventually, the Russian militia drove the Poles away, and the boyars were chosen by the tsar Mikhail Romanov, who became the founder of the new royal dynasty, which ruled over three hundred years.