The struggle of Russian lands against external aggression in the middle of the 13th century

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Invasion of the Crusaders. Commander and Prince Alexander Nevsky. The Battle of the Neva and the “Battle of the Ice”

On the coast from the Vistula to the eastern shore of the Baltic there lived Slavic, Baltic (Lithuanian and Latvian) and Finno-Ugric (Estonians, Karelians, etc.) tribes. At the end of the 19th century - the beginning of the 13th centuries. The Baltic peoples are completing the process of decomposition of the primitive communal system and the formation of an early class society and statehood. These processes occurred most intensively among the Lithuanian tribes. The Russian lands (Novgorod and Polotsk) had a significant influence on their western neighbors, who did not yet have their own developed statehood and church institutions (the peoples of the Baltic states were pagans).

The attack on Russian lands was part of the predatory doctrine of the German knighthood “Drang nach Osten” (pressure into the East). In the 12th century.

It began to seize lands belonging to the Slavs beyond the Oder and in the Baltic Pomerania. At the same time, an offensive was carried out on the lands Baltic peoples. The Crusaders' invasion of the Baltic lands and North-Western Rus' was sanctioned by the Pope and German Emperor Frederick II. German, Danish, Norwegian knights and troops from other countries also took part in the crusade. northern countries Europe.

To conquer the lands of the Estonians and Latvians, the knightly Order of the Swordsmen was created in 1202 from the crusading detachments defeated in Asia Minor. Knights wore clothes with the image of a sword and cross. They pursued an aggressive policy under the slogan of Christianization: “Whoever does not want to be baptized must die.” Back in 1201, the knights landed at the mouth of the Western Dvina (Daugava) River and founded the city of Riga on the site of a Latvian settlement as a stronghold for the subjugation of the Baltic lands. In 1219, Danish knights captured part of the Baltic coast, founding the city of Revel (Tallinn) on the site of an Estonian settlement.

In 1224, the crusaders took Yuryev (Tartu). To conquer the lands of Lithuania (Prussians) and southern Russian lands in 1226, the knights of the Teutonic Order, founded in 1198 in Syria during the Crusades, arrived. Knights - members of the order wore white cloaks with a black cross on the left shoulder. In 1234, the Swordsmen were defeated by the Novgorod-Suzdal troops, and two years later by the Lithuanians. This forced the crusaders to join forces. In 1237, the Swordsmen united with the Teutons, forming a branch of the Teutonic Order - the Livonian Order, named after the territory inhabited by the Livonian tribe, which was captured by the Crusaders.

The offensive of the knights especially intensified due to the weakening of Rus', which was bleeding in the fight against the Mongol conquerors.

In July 1240, Swedish feudal lords tried to take advantage of the difficult situation in Rus'. The Swedish fleet with troops on board entered the mouth of the Neva. Having climbed the Neva until the Izhora River flows into it, the knightly cavalry landed on the shore. The Swedes wanted to capture the city of Staraya Ladoga, and then Novgorod.

Prince Alexander Yaroslavich, who later received the nickname Nevsky, became the defender of the Novgorod lands. The basis for the nickname was the victory of the young prince over a Swedish detachment that appeared in 1240 on the banks of the Neva, at the mouth of the Izhora.

Alexander Yaroslavovich addressed his soldiers: “We are few, but God is not in power, but in truth.” Hiddenly approaching the Swedes' camp, he and his warriors struck at them, and a small militia led by Novgorodian Misha cut off the Swedes' path along which they could escape to their ships.

The significance of this victory is that it stopped Swedish aggression to the east for a long time and retained access to the Baltic coast for Russia. (Peter I, emphasizing Russia’s right to the Baltic coast, in new capital founded the Alexander Nevsky Monastery on the site of the battle.) Battle on the Ice. In the summer of the same 1240, the Livonian Order, as well as Danish and German knights, attacked Rus' and captured the city of Izborsk. Soon, due to the betrayal of the mayor Tverdila and part of the boyars, Pskov was taken (1241). Strife and strife led to the fact that Novgorod did not help its neighbors. And the struggle between the boyars and the prince in Novgorod itself ended with the expulsion of Alexander Nevsky from the city. Under these conditions separate units The crusaders found themselves 30 km from the walls of Novgorod. At the request of the veche, Alexander Nevsky returned to the city.

Together with his squad, Alexander liberated Pskov, Izborsk and other captured cities with a sudden blow. Having received news that the main forces of the Order were coming towards him, Alexander Nevsky blocked the path of the knights, placing his troops on the ice of Lake Peipsi. The Russian prince showed himself to be an outstanding commander. The chronicler wrote about him: “We win everywhere, but we won’t win at all.” Alexander placed his troops under the cover of a steep bank on the ice of the lake, eliminating the possibility enemy intelligence own forces and depriving the enemy of freedom of maneuver. Considering the formation of the knights in a “pig” (in the form of a trapezoid with a sharp wedge in front, which was made up of heavily armed cavalry), Alexander Nevsky arranged his regiments in the form of a triangle, with the tip resting on the shore. Before the battle, some of the Russian soldiers were equipped with special hooks to pull knights off their horses.

On April 5, 1242, a battle took place on the ice of Lake Peipsi, which became known as the Battle of the Ice. The knight's wedge pierced the center of the Russian position and buried itself in the shore. The flank attacks of the Russian regiments decided the outcome of the battle: like pincers, they crushed the knightly “pig”.

The knights, unable to withstand the blow, fled in panic. The Novgorodians drove them seven miles across the ice, which by spring had become weak in many places and was collapsing under the heavily armed soldiers. The Russians pursued the enemy, “flogged, rushing after him as if through the air,” the chronicler wrote.

The significance of this victory is that it was weakened military power Livonian Order. The response to the Battle of the Ice was the growth of the liberation struggle in the Baltic states. However, relying on the help of the Roman Catholic Church, the knights at the end of the 13th century. captured a significant part of the Baltic lands.

Europeans could not ignore liberation struggle, deployed in the rear of their troops. A.S. Pushkin rightly wrote: “A great destiny was determined for Russia: its vast plains absorbed the power of the Mongols and stopped their invasion at the very edge of Europe... the emerging enlightenment was saved by torn Russia.”

Alexander Nevsky

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Alexander Nevsky

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Alexander Nevsky

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Alexander Yaroslavovich Nevsky - Novgorod, great of Kiev and great Prince of Vladimir

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The struggle for the great reign during the period of the Mongol-Tatar yoke

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Gorodets on the Volga, historical description

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Reign of Alexander Nevsky

In 1237, at the direction of the Pope, the forces of the Order of the Sword were restored by uniting it with Teutonic Order. Numerous new detachments of knights arrived from Germany as reinforcements. But the first blow to Rus' was struck not by them, but by the Swedes...

Reign of Alexander Nevsky

In the same year, Prince Alexander Nevsky, having quarreled with the Novgorodians, left the city. During his absence, many misfortunes occurred. The Germans went on the offensive, took Izborsk, burned it and killed the entire population. Pskov army...

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Rus''s resistance to Latin aggression

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Russian lands in the XII-XIII centuries. Socio-political and cultural uniqueness of their development

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Russian lands in the fight against the onslaught of the West and East

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Rus' and the Mongol-Tatar conquerors

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Tatars in Russia

Simultaneously with the invasion of the eastern steppes, conquerors from the west - Livonian, Teutonic knights and Swedes - attacked Rus'. The Russian princes were forced to fight new enemies. In 1234 Yaroslav, who reigned in Novgorod...

From the beginning of the 13th century. Crusaders (mainly German) began colonizing and conquering the Baltic states. In 1201, the Germans and Danes founded Riga and created the knightly Order of the Swordsmen (Livonian Order).

By 1212, the crusaders had captured the lands of modern Latvia and the lands to conquer Estonia. At the same time, the Teutonic Order settled in the Baltic States, but in 1236 it was defeated by the Lithuanians. In 1238, an alliance was concluded between German, Danish and Swedish crusaders against Rus'.

The crusade against Rus', tormented by the Mongols, was blessed by “His Holiness the Pope.” The threat of aggression became obvious. In July 1240, a Swedish fleet under the command of Duke Birger entered the Neva. The Swedes landed troops and were preparing to launch an attack on Novgorod. At that time, 19-year-old Alexander Yaroslavovich reigned in Novgorod. Although he was only 20 years old, he was an intelligent, energetic and brave man, and most importantly a true patriot of their homeland. The prince did not wait for the regiments of his father, Prince Yaroslav, but with a small squad moved to the landing site of the Swedes.

On July 15, 1240, secretly approaching the Swedish camp, Alexander's cavalry squad attacked the center of the Swedish army. The Novgorodians, Ladoga and Izhorians on foot struck the flank, cutting off the Swedes' retreat to the ships. In this battle, Russian soldiers covered themselves with unfading glory. The number of Swedish troops was 8-9 thousand people, the Russians had no more than 1 thousand people, but the surprise of the attack played a role. The Swedish army almost suffered complete destruction. The remnants of the Swedish army left along the Neva into the sea.

Novgorod was saved by the sacrifice and valor of Alexander's comrades, but the threat to Rus' remained.

In 1240/1241 The Teutonic knights intensified their attack on the Novgorod lands. They captured the fortress of Izborsk, and then, with the help of traitors, Pskov. In 1241, the crusaders approached Novgorod directly. At this time, due to a quarrel with the Novgorod boyars, Alexander Nevsky left Novgorod. At the request of the veche, Alexander returned and recaptured Pskov and Izborsk from the Germans.

At the end of March 1242, Alexander Nevsky received news from intelligence that a united army of crusaders led by the master of the Teutonic Order himself was preparing to attack Rus'. The Crusaders and Russians met at west bank Lake Peipsi, near the Crow Stone.

Ahead of the Russian order of battle archers were stationed, militia in the center, and strong forces on the flanks princely squads. There was a reserve behind the left flank. The Germans lined up in a wedge shape (“pig”), at the tip of which was a detachment of horsemen, armored from head to toe. The crusaders intended to dismember the Russian troops with a blow to the center and destroy them piece by piece.

Alexander deliberately weakened the center of his army and gave the knights the opportunity to break through it. Meanwhile, the reinforced Russian flanks attacked both wings German troops. The German infantry was victorious, the knights resisted desperately, but since it was spring, the ice cracked and the heavily armed soldiers began to fall into the water of Lake Peipsi. Russian wars drove the crusaders 7 miles. Thousands of ordinary crusaders died, 400 noble knights, 47 noble knights were captured. The defeat of the crusaders was terrifying. After the battle on April 5, 1242, the crusaders did not dare to disturb the Russian lines for a long time.

Unlike the Mongols, the crusaders set slightly different goals when conquering Russian lands.

If the Horde khans were interested in obedience and payment of tribute, then the crusaders were interested in the land of Novgorod and Pskov, which should have been captured and Russian population, which should have been converted into serfs. But most importantly, the crusaders demanded the Catholic faith from the population. If the crusaders were successful, there was a real threat not only of the loss of the national independence of Rus', but also the loss of the national religion - Orthodoxy and national culture.

Alexander Nevsky acted as a defender Orthodox Rus' from the Catholic West. This made him one of the main heroes of Russian history.

Topic No. 6: The Rise of Moscow. Formation of a unified Russian state.

Topic plan:

1) Prerequisites for the unification of Russian lands into a single state.

2) The rise of the Moscow principality and its transformation into political center North – Eastern Rus'(1276 – 1425).

3) The reign of Vasily II the Dark. Feudal War in Russia (1425-1462)

4) The reign of Ivan III. Completion of the unification of lands around Moscow. Eliminating dependence on the Horde.

Purpose of the study: to identify the reasons for the rise of Moscow. Understanding the inevitability of the unification of Russian lands and the creation of a single Russian state. Familiarization with the personalities and periods of reign of the Moscow princes.

A student who has studied this topic must:

1) know the main reasons for the rise of the Moscow Principality;

2) understand the inevitability of the unification of Russian lands into a single Russian state;

3) be able to characterize the periods of reign of the Moscow princes.

When studying this topic you need to:

a) study these lectures;

b) it is advisable to refer to additional literature;

c) answer tests on the topic.

Simultaneously with the invasion of the eastern steppes, conquerors from the west fell on Rus' - the Livonian and Teutonic knights, who settled in the Baltic states, on lands conquered from the Polotsk princes, and the Swedes. The Russian princes, who had previously collected tribute from the Baltic tribes, were forced to fight new enemies. In 1234, Yaroslav, brother of Yuri Vsevolodovich, who reigned in Novgorod, defeated German knights on the Embakh River, near Dorpat. Three years later, the Teutons were defeated by Daniil Galitsky at Dorogochin, on the Western Bug River, as well as by the Lithuanian princes. At the same time, both orders, Livonian and Teutonic, united. Help arrived from Germany and other countries. With the support of the Pope, the knights considered it a very opportune moment, at which the Tatar invasion of Rus' began, to attack the possessions of Novgorod and Pskov. German and Swedish politicians, with the Vatican behind them, were preparing a simultaneous strike. The Swedes started first. In the summer of 1240 they entered the Neva on ships. They planned to take possession of the lands along the shores of the Gulf of Finland and close the Russians’ access to the Baltic. Prince Alexander, the son of Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, who ruled in Novgorod, immediately set out with his squad to Ladoga. There his squad was replenished by the local militia. The Swedes along the Neva approached the mouth of the Izhora River, which flowed into it from the south. Their progress was observed by the “sea guard” of Pelgusiya, the elders of the Izhora land, and all these messages were sent to Alexander Yaroslavich. Alexander's army approached the Neva, and the battle began. Russian soldiers crushed the Swedes, who did not have time to completely disembark from the ships, both on land and on water. The Swedes, defeated on the shore, fled in panic to the ships, but even there the Russians overtook them. The remnants of the defeated army went down the Neva into the sea. The Novgorod prince was nicknamed “Nevsky” for this brilliant victory. Alexander Nevsky returned to Novgorod. Meanwhile, the knights entered the Pskov land, captured Izborsk, and then Pskov itself. German detachments appeared 30-40 versts west of Novgorod. The Novgorodians had recently quarreled with Alexander, and he went to his father in Pereyaslavl-Zalessky. In the light latest events The boyars again called Prince Alexander. He, having appeared in the city in 1241, organized a campaign of the Novgorod squad against Koporye, a stronghold of the crusaders on south coast Gulf of Finland. He took and destroyed the fortress and brought the knights to Novgorod. In the winter of the following year, Alexander and his brother Andrei, with the Novgorodians and Vladimir-Suzdal regiments, liberated Pskov with a quick blow. And in the spring of 1242, Alexander Nevsky defeated the forces of the order on Lake Peipsi. Having lined up his squads here, Nevsky on April 5 met the blow of the German “pig” - an army formed in a wedge: in the center - infantry, in the head and on the flanks - cavalry. Having attacked the Russian center, which consisted of only infantry, the knights “made their way like a pig through the regiment.” But they triumphed early - they were attacked by Russian cavalry from the flanks, from the front. The knights were surrounded, and “there was a great battle here.” The Order renounced its claims to the lands of Novgorod and Pskov. However, in subsequent years, Alexander Nevsky had to repel the raids of the Swedes and Lithuanians more than once.

Alexander Yaroslavich Nevsky (1220 - November 14, 1263), Prince of Novgorod, Pereyaslavl, Grand Duke of Kiev (from 1249), Grand Duke of Vladimir (from 1252). Alexander Yaroslavich (Alexander Nevsky), the person who saved Rus' from the Swedish invaders, belongs to those historical figures Northern Rus', which most clearly reflected the main features of the Great Russian people: practical intelligence, strength of will and flexibility of character. Most of Alexander spent his youth in Novgorod the Great, where, under the leadership of the Suzdal boyars, he took the place of his father Yaroslav Vsevolodovich; and from 1236, when Yaroslav received the Kiev table, Alexander remained an independent Novgorod prince. These years spent in Veliky Novgorod undoubtedly had a great influence on the development of his mind and character. Active, vibrant life trading city, the constant presence of Western foreigners and almost continuous struggle The meetings with the princely power made a deep impression on him and greatly contributed to the development of that consistency of character and that flexibility, combined with a strong will, which distinguishes all his subsequent activities. Inner qualities Alexander’s appearance itself, beautiful and majestic, also corresponded. In 1239, twenty-year-old Alexander Yaroslavovich married the daughter of the Polotsk prince Bryachislav. The wedding took place in Toropets, and another in Novgorod, therefore, upon returning to his reign, Alexander arranged a wide treat here too. Then he and the Novgorodians set up towns on the Sheloni River, that is, he strengthened the western outskirts of their possessions; Obviously, there was an urgent need for such fortifications at that time. Veliky Novgorod then he was happy that the threat of Batu’s invasion had practically passed him, and only the south- eastern part his lands were destroyed. But at that time, Western neighbors are rushing to take advantage of the defeat North-Eastern Rus' to oppress Veliky Novgorod, take away its volosts, plunder, and destroy its suburbs and villages. They were Swedes, Livonian Germans and Lithuania. In the fight against external enemies, Alexander discovered his brilliant talents and covered himself with unfading glory. The Swedes were the first to experience his heavy hand. For a long time now there have been clashes with them Novgorodians on northern coasts Gulf of Finland, where the Swedes gradually spread their rule, and at the same time their religion. But it is not known exactly what was the immediate reason for the Swedish campaign in 1240. It is very likely that it was undertaken under the influence of papal messages that encouraged the Swedes and Livonian Germans to subjugate the Russian Baltic lands to Catholicism with weapons. The real goal of the Swedish campaign was, perhaps, the conquest of the Neva coast, and therefore the capture of the main route of Novgorod trade with North-Western Europe. Perhaps they also meant Ladoga, which they have long sought to capture Varangian princes. When news came to Novgorod about the appearance of the Swedish militia at the mouth of the Neva, Alexander immediately set out only with the Novgorod and his own squad. On the way he joined the people of Ladoga, and with these few forces he hastened to meet the enemies. He found them encamped on the southern bank of the Neva at the confluence of the Izhora River and, without allowing them to come to their senses, he quickly attacked them (July 15, 1240). The Swedes suffered a complete defeat; the next night they hastened to retire to their fatherland. A more stubborn war was to occur with the Livonian Germans. Around that time, the Order of the Sword, having reinforced itself by uniting with the Teutonic Order, resumed its offensive movement against Novgorod Rus' and in particular directed its attacks on the Pskov principality closest to it. In the year of the Battle of the Neva, the Germans, together with Yaroslav Vladimirovich, took the Pskov suburb of Izborsk. The Pskovites opposed them, but were defeated. Then the Germans besieged Pskov itself, where internal unrest was then taking place. Facing no resistance, the Germans spread their conquests and further: they crossed the Luga River and, in order to strengthen this region for themselves, founded a fortress in the Koporye churchyard. To complete the disasters, Lithuanian raids on Novgorod land intensified at that time. And the Novgorodians then sat without a prince. Always preferring freedom and not tolerating restrictions on princely power, the citizens managed to quarrel with Alexander, and he retired to his father in the Suzdal region. The Novgorodians sent to Yaroslav to ask the prince, and he appointed his other son Andrei. But they understood that in such difficult circumstances they needed Alexander, and they sent Vladyka Spiridon with the boyars to ask him. Yaroslav fulfilled their request. Alexander deftly and quickly corrected matters. He destroyed the Koporye fortress that was under construction, drove the Germans out of the Vodskaya region and hanged many defectors from the Chud and Vozhans. But meanwhile, the Germans, with the assistance of traitors, managed to seize Pskov itself into their hands. Alexander asked his father to help him from the grassroots or Suzdal regiments with his brother Andrei; unexpectedly appeared near Pskov and captured the German garrison. From here, without wasting time, he moved to the borders of Livonia. When the advanced Novgorod detachments failed, Alexander retreated to Lake Peipsi, and here, on the ice, he gave battle to the combined forces of the Germans and the Livonian Chud, somewhere near the Uzmen tract. This so-called Battle of the Ice took place on April 5; but the ice was still strong and withstood the weight of both fighting armies. The Germans lined up in their usual formation with a wedge (or, as Rus' called it, a pig) and penetrated through the Russian regiments. But the Russians were not embarrassed: after a brutal hand-to-hand battle, they crushed and completely defeated the enemy, and then drove him across the ice at a distance of seven miles. Some knights were taken up to fifty; They, on foot, followed Alexander’s horse when he solemnly entered Pskov with his victorious regiments. After the Battle of the Ice, the Livonian Germans sent envoys to Novgorod asking for peace and concluded it, abandoning the Vodskaya and Pskov lands, returning prisoners and hostages. Thus, Alexander repelled the movement of the Livonian and Teutonic orders to the eastern side of Lake Peipsi; This peace established between both sides approximately the same boundaries that remained in subsequent centuries. Novgorod Rus' took advantage of the victory moderately, leaving Yuryev and other possessions on the western side of Lake Peipus to the Germans, because, besides the Germans, there were many other enemies then. Lithuania, gaining more and more strength, invaded the very depths of the Novgorod possessions. In 1245 it penetrated to Bezhets and Torzhok. Returning from here with a large load, the Lithuanian princes took refuge in Toropets. But Alexander came with the Novgorodians, liberated Toropets from Lithuania and took away its entire population, exterminating up to eight Lithuanian princes with their squads. The Novgorodians then returned home. But Alexander considered it necessary to complete the blow in order to discourage Lithuania from attacking Rus'. He, with one of his court (with one princely squad) pursued the Lithuanians in Smolensk and Polotsk land and defeated them two more times (near Zhizhich and near Usvyat). Thus, Alexander tamed all three Western enemies of Rus' by the power of the sword. In 1262, Alexander made peace with the Lithuanian prince Mindaugas. In the same year, he sent a large army under the nominal command of his son Dmitry against the Livonian Order. Squads took part in this campaign younger brother Alexander Nevsky Yaroslav (with whom he managed to reconcile), as well as his new ally, Lithuanian prince Tovtivil, who settled in Polotsk. The hike is over major victory- the city of Yuryev (Tartu) was taken. At the end of 1262, Alexander went to the Horde for the fourth (and last) time. Probably, the prince sought to rid Rus' of the new punitive expedition Tatars In the fall of 1263, sick, Alexander returned to Rus'. Having reached Nizhny Novgorod, the prince became completely ill. In Gorodets on the Volga, already feeling the approach of death, Alexander took monastic vows and died on November 14. His body was transported to Vladimir and on November 23 buried in the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary of the Vladimir Nativity Monastery.

Almost simultaneously with Batu’s invasion, dramatic events unfolded on the northwestern borders specific Rus'. In XII – early XIII V. The Baltic states have become a place where the interests of several states and peoples collide. The Finno-Ugric (Estonians) and Baltic tribes (Prussians, Livs, Semigallians, Yatvingians, etc.) who lived here experienced a period of decomposition tribal system and education of the first state entities. The natural process was complicated by interference external forces who sought to subjugate the local population. IN similar role Old Russian princes performed more than once.

Swedish and Danish feudal lords showed great interest in the southern coast of the Baltic. But it was especially active from the end of the 12th century. German knights, united in spiritual knightly orders. Here a wide field of activity opened up for them - the spread of Catholicism among pagan tribes. Historical background favored knightly orders: weakening Ancient Rus' allowed them to gain a foothold in the region.

Catholic missionaries appeared in the lower reaches of the Dvina in the second half of the 12th century. Since the Liv tribes living here paid tribute to the Polotsk princes, initially, in order to settle in this place, the missionaries were forced to turn to them for permission. Catholic Christianization, accompanied by a disruption of the way of life, caused tribal resistance. Missionaries died or left. Then the Pope called in 1198 for crusade: the propaganda of Catholicism with words was supported by more compelling arguments - fire and sword.

After a short but bloody war with local tribes, German crusaders and merchants founded a fortress at the mouth of the Dvina in 1201 Riga. On next year was here the Order was established knights of the sword. They defended the conquests of the Crusaders and controlled maritime trade in the Baltic states. The Livs and Latvians paid tribute to the Order and participated in the military campaigns of the knights.

Somewhat later, at the mouth of the Vistula appeared Teutonic Order, to whom the Pope and the German Emperor granted all the Baltic lands that would be conquered from the pagans.

The pressure that the Order exerted on the Lithuanian tribes accelerated the process of establishing statehood. In the struggle for an original existence, a militarily strong Lithuanian state. In 1236, the crusaders suffered a crushing defeat near Siauliai in a battle with the army of the Grand Duke of Lithuania Mindaugas. In order not to lose the lands captured in the Baltic states, the Order of the Swordsmen united with the Teutonic Order. After this influence Livonian Order(as it came to be called) increased.

The Order's advance to the east led to clashes with the Novgorodians. By the end of the 30s of the 13th century. German knights managed to completely subjugate the peoples living in the Western Dvina region and gain a foothold on the border of Russian lands. Following this, an attack began on the lands of the Estonians and Latgalians, subject to Novgorod. Estonia was completely captured by the Order.

The Russian princes did not want to accept the loss of the Baltic territories. Prince Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, who was then the Prince of Novgorod, organized several campaigns against Riga. In 1228, the Pskovites refused to support the Novgorod prince, citing the fact that all previous campaigns ended in retaliatory strikes of the crusaders against Pskov and the lands adjacent to it. In an effort to secure its possessions, Pskov concluded a mutual assistance agreement with Riga. The Order took Pskov under its protection, and the Pskovites now had to participate in the crusaders’ campaigns against the Baltic tribes. In addition, the crusaders tried to establish a Catholic bishopric centered in Pskov. The position of the Pskovites was extremely difficult. In fact, they found themselves between two fires. Being part of the Novgorod feudal republic, Pskov did not always receive timely assistance. Hence the cautious and even ambivalent policy, which became especially complicated after the knights captured the Pskov suburb of Izborsk.

All this forced the Novgorodians to take up arms in defense of their interests. Moreover, Swedish and Danish knights intervened in the fight, systematically raiding south coast Baltic states.

Became the defender of Novgorod lands Prince Alexander Yaroslavich, later nicknamed Nevsky. The basis for the nickname was the victory of the young prince over a Swedish detachment that appeared in 1240 on the banks of the Neva, at the mouth of the Izhora.

However, the victory over the Livonian knights in Battle of Lake Peipsi. In the spring of 1242, Alexander expelled two German Vogts (judges) sitting in Pskov. Then he liberated a number of Russian border fortresses captured by the crusaders, and invaded the lands of the Estonians, who paid tribute to Riga. The knights defeated Alexander's vanguard and pushed the prince back to Lake Peipsi. Here, on April 5, one of the largest battles in the struggle for the lands of the Eastern Baltic took place. Alexander's talent as a commander allowed him to defeat the crusaders. Victory in Battle on the Ice strengthened the security of the northwestern borders of Russian land.

However, the neighbors of Novgorod and Pskov did not abandon their plans to take revenge for the defeat. The fight resumed and continued with with varying success. In 1268, the Novgorodians, together with the Polotsk and Smolensk residents, undertook a large campaign against the Danish feudal lords who had settled in Estonia. The campaign was led by Prince Dmitry Alexandrovich of Pereyaslavl. The campaign was preceded by an agreement between the Novgorod government and the Order, which promised not to help the Danes. However, the crusaders violated the agreement and attacked the Russians. At Rakovor on February 18, “there was a terrible massacre, as if neither father nor grandfather had seen it.” Both sides suffered big losses. The next day the battle resumed and Russian troops defeated the enemy. Almost simultaneously, a detachment of Pskovites under the command of the prince Dovmont made a devastating raid on German possessions.

The result Battle of Rakovor was the conclusion of a treaty in 1270 between Novgorod and Livonia, which put an end to the crusade wars against Northwestern Rus'. Military clashes on the Russian-Livonian border continued after this, but the crusaders no longer set the task of establishing Catholic dioceses in Rus'.