Grand Principality of Moscow
Russia, 1263–1547. Draft, not yet reviewed
It was a late medieval Russian monarchy, and its capital was the city of Moscow. Moscow became a separate principality when Daniel, the youngest son of Alexander Nevsky, received the city and surrounding area as an appanage. Ivan I regained the title of grand prince and was able to collect tribute for the khan from other Russian princes, which increased Moscow's wealth. Ivan IV was crowned as the first Russian tsar in 1547, thereby formally establishing the Tsardom of Russia.
Seat of power: Moscow
Rulers
Daniel of Moscow
Prince of Moscow, 1263–1303
Daniil of Moscow was the youngest son of Alexander Nevsky and forefather of all Princes of Moscow. Daniil has been credited with founding the first Moscow monasteries, namely the Epiphany Monastery and the Danilov Monastery.
Portrait of Daniel of Moscow: AnonymousUnknown author, Public domain, file
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Yury of Moscow
Prince of Moscow, 1303–1325
He contested the title of Grand Prince of Vladimir with his uncle Mikhail of Tver. Yury III faced resistance and difficulties in collecting tribute for the Horde, prompting several punitive expeditions.
Portrait of Yury of Moscow: Стенопись Архангельского собора, CC BY-SA 4.0, file
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Ivan I of Moscow
Prince of Moscow, 1325–1340
Ivan inherited the Moscow principality following the death of his elder brother Yury. As the grand prince, Ivan was able to collect tribute from other Russian princes, allowing him to use the funds he acquired to develop Moscow.
Portrait of Ivan I of Moscow: Collective, Public domain, file
Simeon of Moscow
Prince of Moscow, 1340–1353
Simeon continued his father's policies to increase the power and prestige of his state. He had recourse to war only when war was unavoidable.
Portrait of Simeon of Moscow: Архангельский собор московского кремля, CC BY-SA 4.0, file
Ivan II of Moscow
Prince of Moscow, 1353–1359
Contemporaries described Ivan as a pacific, apathetic ruler, who didn't flinch even when Algirdas of Lithuania captured his father-in-law's capital, Bryansk. He received much aid from the capable Metropolitan Alexius.
Portrait of Ivan II of Moscow: Anonymous Russian painter (1670s-1917) Public domain image (according to PD-Russia-expired), Public domain, file
Dmitry Donskoy
Prince of Moscow, 1359–1389
Dmitry became prince at the age of nine following the death of his father, Ivan II. He was the first prince of Moscow to openly challenge Mongol authority in Russia.
Portrait of Dmitry Donskoy: Unknown. Died over 100 years ago, Public domain, file
Vasily I of Moscow
Prince of Moscow, 1389–1425
He entered an alliance with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1392 and married Sophia, the only daughter of Vytautas. In 1412, Vasily resumed submission to the Horde.
Portrait of Vasily I of Moscow: anonimus, CC BY-SA 4.0, file
Vasily II of Moscow
Prince of Moscow, 1425–1446
He succeeded his father, Vasily I, only to be challenged by his uncle Yuri of Zvenigorod. At one point, Vasily was captured and blinded by his cousin Dmitry Shemyaka in 1446. The final victory went to Vasily, who was supported by most people.
Portrait of Vasily II of Moscow: collective, Public domain, file
Yury of Zvenigorod
Prince of Moscow, 1433–1434
He was the chief orchestrator of the Muscovite Civil War against his nephew, Vasily II, in the course of which he twice took Moscow, in 1433 and 1434.
Portrait of Yury of Zvenigorod: Anonymous Russian painter (1670s-1917) Public domain image (according to PD-Russia-expired), Public domain, file
Vasily Kosoy
Prince of Moscow, 1434–1434
He continued his father's claim on the title of Grand Prince of Moscow in 1434.
Portrait of Vasily Kosoy: Мастера Оружейной Палаты: Г. Никитин, С. Савин, Симон Ушаков, С. Резанец, Ф. Зубов, Я. Казанец, И. Владимиров, Ф. Коз..., Public domain, file
Dmitry Shemyaka
Prince of Moscow, 1445–1445
Intermittently, Shemyaka managed to be recognised twice as Prince of Moscow (1445, 1446–1447).
Ivan III of Moscow
Prince of Moscow, 1452–1505
He multiplied the territory of his state through conquest, purchase, inheritance and the seizure of lands from his dynastic relatives, and laid the foundations of the centralized Russian state. He also renovated the Moscow Kremlin and introduced a new legal code. Ivan is credited with ending the dominance of the Tatars over Russia; his victory over the Great Horde in 1480 formally restored its independence.
Portrait of Ivan III of Moscow: Unknown author, Public domain, file
Dmitry Ivanovich
Prince of Moscow, 1498–1502
Dmitry became heir presumptive and was later crowned in 1498 as grand prince by his grandfather. Even after receiving the title, Dmitry did not play any political role.
Portrait of Dmitry Ivanovich: Unknown author, Public domain, file
Vasili III of Moscow
Prince of Moscow, 1502–1505
Vasili annexed Pskov and Ryazan, the last remaining autonomous Russian territories, and captured the city of Smolensk from Lithuania. Several nobles were exiled, sentenced, or executed for criticizing his policies.
Portrait of Vasili III of Moscow: André Thévet, Public domain, file
Culture
- The seat of the Russian Orthodox Church was also moved from Vladimir to Moscow, establishing it as the spiritual center of Russian Orthodoxy.
- Dmitri Donskoi replaced the oak palisade with a strong citadel of white limestone in 1366–1368 on the basic foundations of the current walls.
- Grand Prince Ivan III organised the reconstruction of the Kremlin, inviting a number of skilled architects from Renaissance Italy.
Picture
The Kremlin comprises five palaces, four cathedrals, and an enclosing wall along with numerous towers.
Image: Pavel Kazachkov from Moscow, Russia, CC BY 2.0, file
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Sources
- Grand Principality of Moscow (Wikipedia)
- Grand Principality of Moscow (Wikidata)
- About the picture (Wikipedia)
Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.