How Russia planned to make "Lena of St.. Petra
Soon after the suppression of the Kiev uprising, Prince Izyaslav Yaroslavich was again driven out of Kiev. He again fled to the West and asked for help from the Polish prince Boleslav, the German emperor and the pope. The lord of the Roman throne, Gregory VII, promised to help Izyaslav, in order to turn Russia into "flax of sv. Peter.
Rise of the 1068 of the Year
In Kiev, discontent with the princely government and the boyars continued to grow. The sovereign people tried to shift all the war (with the war with Vseslav and the campaign against rebellious Chersonese, in the interests of the Byzantine emperor) to ordinary people. Princely people collected people, horses, money and food. And almost all the booty mined during the campaigns was received by Thousands and other prince confidants. The ordinary warriors and the families of the dead warriors got almost nothing. Although earlier princes were usually generous to ordinary warriors, they received a share of loot, princely gifts, princes arranged feasts, treats, singled out some trophies for widows and orphans of the victims.
The catalyst that led to the explosion was the invasion of the Polovtsy. At the end of the summer, 1068, the heroic outposts reported that an enemy army was coming from the steppe. Princes Izyaslav, Svyatoslav and Vsevolod raised squads, but did not begin to gather infantry rati, so as not to waste time. They decided to meet the enemy on the far approaches, drove to the Alta River. And then they realized that they had made a mistake; there were a lot of Polovtsians. This was not an ordinary foray, they gathered a large host. Nevertheless, the Russian princes decided to attack at night, trying to sow panic in the ranks of the enemy. But the Polovtsy figured out that there were fewer Russians, they recovered, began to surround the princely squads. The brothers cut their way back, but were cut off from Pereyaslavl. Svyatoslav retreated to Chernigov, to protect his city.
Izyaslav and Vsevolod arrived in Kiev, shut up. An avalanche of Polovtsians followed. The Russian land was not ready for the invasion, the villages were burning, the masses of people were full. Then the people of Kiev gathered the assembly and sent a message to the prince: “Here are the Polovtsi scattered throughout the land, give, prince, weapons and horses, and we will still fight them. ” Kiev then was a beautiful and big city. On the basis of archaeological data, he had more than 8 thousand estates and more than 50 thousand people. Kiev significantly exceeded in population the largest cities of medieval Europe. Only Tsargrad-Constantinople was more. Therefore, Kiev could put a large militia.
However, the prince's entourage was afraid to arm the people. They knew how angry people were against the boyars and usurers. They feared rebellion. Kievans understand why they are not armed, do not give to fight with the enemy. The crowd is seething. Enraged people defeated tysyatskogo court. After tysyatskogo remembered the Grand Duke. Like, why do we need such a weak and cowardly prince? They remembered that another prince was languishing in the dungeon - Vseslav Bryachislavich and his people, and they said: “Let's go, we will free our squads from the cellar”. Unfairly offended, the innocently injured Vseslav seemed a good candidate for the position of prince. Boyars flocked to the chambers of the Grand Duke, deliberated. Some suggested it was too late to kill Vseslav. But Izyaslav did not dare. Ordinary people freed Vseslav. Izyaslav and Vsevolod fled. Vsevolod left to his place with Pereyaslavl. Izyaslav fled to Poland, hoping to find support at the Polish court. Meanwhile, the third brother Yaroslavich - Svyatoslav, did not quarrel with his subjects, armed the citizens and in a fierce battle threw Polovtsy from Chernigov, pursued the enemy, interrupted many.
As a result, a strange situation has developed in Russia. Prince of Polotsk Vseslav Brjachislavich sat on the Kiev table, Svyatoslav and Vsevolod in their inheritance. But the Izyaslav brothers were in no hurry to speak out against the Polotsk prince, apparently realizing that Izyaslav and his entourage were to blame for the uprising. Like, he brewed porridge himself and rashlebyvay. Polish prince Boleslav was ready to fight. But the grandear sirs needed money. Izyaslav proposed to the Poles rich Cherven cities with salt mines, lead and iron mines. In 1069, Boleslav marched with the army to Kiev. Kievans were ready to fight, said nothing and came to Belgorod. However, Prince Vseslav, feeling the instability of his position, secretly, at night, threw the army at Belgorod and fled to his native Polotsk. In the morning the army found out what was left without the leader and retreated to Kiev.
Kievans, fearing the vengeance of Izyaslav and his people, prayed for Svyatoslav and Vsevolod to stand up for the "mother of Russian cities." Svyatoslav and Vsevolod could not fight for the rebels against his brother, but they did not like the invasion of the Polish army. Prince Svyatoslav agreed to become a mediator and offered a compromise. Kiev will conquer Izyaslav, but he will forgive the citizens. The throne will return only with his people, the Poles will go home. Both sides accepted these conditions, kissed the cross. Kiev opened the gate. But the Grand Duke deceived the townspeople. He released only part of the Polish army, Boleslav remained with the other part of the army. In Kiev, the first to enter the son of the Grand Duke Mstislav, who did not give any vows. On the heads of the townspeople fell repression. 70 city leaders were executed, many blinded and thrown into the pits. Izyaslav did not want to part with the Poles, he saw in them a support against a hostile environment. And the Polish king was not against it. Polish historians wrote that he was captivated by the magnificence of Kiev and the "courtesy of Russian women." Polish troops stationed in Kiev and the surrounding area. This caused discontent of the Russians, the Poles behaved as conquerors, did not stand on ceremony with the locals, took everything they wanted, seized women.
In the end, repeated the same storythat half a century ago. “And dissolving Lyakhi to feed,” the Russian chronicle reports, “and beating Lyakhi Otai, and drove back to Lyakhi Boleslav, to his land.” Boleslav was offended, he considered himself a benefactor of Izyaslav, and then his people were beaten. The Polish prince quarreled with Izyaslav and led the rest of the people to their homeland.
New exile Izyaslav
The Poles left and Izyaslav lost support. And his brothers were not thrilled with what had happened. Izyaslav made concessions. Svyatoslav gave Novgorod with his income, the Chernigov prince transferred his son Gleb there. The prince of Kiev gave Smolensk to Vsevolod, Vladimir Vsevolodovich Monomakh sat down to reign there.
The conflict with prince Vseslav continued. In winter, 1069, a large army again went to White Russia, took Polotsk. Izyaslav planted his sons in Polotsk. But Vseslav did not give up, eluded direct shocks, counterattack. Again tried to take Novgorod, but unsuccessfully. Prince Gleb and Novgorod dispersed the militia of Vseslav. And Izyaslavich proved to be bad in Polotsk. Mstislav, as in Kiev, became famous for reprisals. But he quickly died under ambiguous circumstances. His successor, Svyatopolk Izyaslavich, was "bull Yar and Lyut." As the historian Tatishchev noted: "With that, there were eight avaricious and stingy." Cruel and greedy, for Svyatopolk and his warriors the Polotsk land was prey, and not their own home and it was treated accordingly. They behaved like invaders, robbed, oppressed local residents, dishonored women. As a result, the invaders get a guerrilla war. Prince Vseslav of Thing could not be caught, the local people supported him, hid, fed, replenished his troops.
Relations with the former ally of the Polish prince Boleslav became aggravated. Izyaslav promised Polish ally Chervonnaya Rus for military support in returning Kiev. The Poles wanted to occupy Russian cities, but the townspeople shut up. The case smelled of new war. Boleslav turned to the Grand Duke. Gave a word - follow. But Izyaslav shirked. He could not fulfill his promise: to give the Russian cities to the Poles. This would have displeased his subjects and his brother princes. Furious Boleslav began the war. Izyaslav marched, but was defeated. The Poles occupied the cities of Cherven, burned Berestye (Brest). Izyaslav, that to hide behind the Poles, he sent to the Volyn region a young prince Vladimir Vsevolodovich Monomakh. Resolute and warlike Monomakh did not disappoint. First he established defense, contacted the inhabitants of the Russian cities occupied by the Poles, and then with a sudden blow he beat off Chervonnaya Rus. The cities surrendered almost without resistance, the Russians went over to his side. In a short time Vladimir returned the lost land.
Meanwhile, Izyaslav lost the war for the Polotsk land to Vseslav. In 1071, Vseslav expelled Svyatopolk Izyaslavich from Polotsk and finally established himself in it. The defeats from the Poles and the regiments of Vseslav again undermined the position of Izyaslav. In addition, while the main forces of Kiev senselessly died in the north in the struggle with the werewolf prince, the Polovtsian cavalry ravaged the Kiev lands. The costs of war, defeat, the destruction of land, theft and theft of princely and boyar tiunov again brought Kiev to the brink of insurrection. Kievans began to look towards the more successful Prince Svyatoslav Yaroslavich. With Polovtsy alone, Svyatoslav had peace, others were afraid of him. Vigilantes, townspeople and peasants began to leave Kiev region for Chernihiv region. Even Kiev boyars began to offer Svyatoslav to take Kiev. Like, it will take him here with joy.
The cup of patience overwhelmed the alliance of Izyaslav with a recent enemy - Vseslav. In 1073, Izyaslav Yaroslavich entered into negotiations with Vseslav of Polotsk, Smolensk promised him. The brothers Yaroslavichi immediately went to Kiev and demanded that he leave the Kiev table. Izyaslav was unable to resist, as the city was on the verge of an uprising. He loaded the baggage with many riches and went to the west, saying: "With this I will get warriors for myself." Grand Prince became Svyatoslav. In the years of his short reign (until 1076 year) came the long-awaited peace. Polovtsi subdued. Vseslav the Prophet did not begin to run into war with a strong warrior. Kiev was delighted with the new prince. Destinations were distributed in accordance with the ladder. Vsevolod moved to Chernigov. Vladimir Vsevolodovich stayed in Vladimir-Volynsky, covering Russia from Poland.
Return Izyaslav
At first Izyaslav again tried to find support from Boleslav. But Boleslav, remembering the lessons of 1069 of the year, how he was ungodly greeted in Kiev and deceived with the Carpathian cities, refused Izyaslav and drove him out. At the same time Izyaslav robbed, in compensation for past expenses. Boleslav preferred to negotiate with Svyatoslav, which ended in 1074, with the signing of a union between Russia and Poland. Izyaslav moved on to Germany. He asked for help from the German Emperor Henry IV. The prince promised to recognize himself as a vassal of the Second Reich, to pay tribute if the emperor helps to occupy the Kiev table again.
It is worth noting that at this time in Western Europe there was a serious conflict between the papal throne and the German Empire (the so-called struggle for investiture). Pope Gregory VII issued the program treatise Dad Dikt. The goal was global - the world theocratic monarchy. The Roman high priest planned to become the “king of kings”; all emperors, kings and princes were to subordinate him. Above the Pope stood only God. All European states were proclaimed "St. Lena. Peter ", that is, vassals of Rome. But in order to realize such an ambitious task, it was necessary to reform the church, steeped in acquisitions, debauchery and other sins. The church was supposed to be a powerful tool, a weapon in the hands of the popes. Monasteries were transformed, strict statutes were introduced. To ensure that the positions were not inherited, strict celibacy (celibacy) was introduced for the clergy. Those who did not accept the new rules were expelled. Pope Gregory VII began restoring order and spoke out against secular investiture for archbishops, bishops and abbots, that is, the rights of the emperor and kings to appoint spiritual feudal lords (hierarchs). Pope aimed to bring the church organization out of submission to the secular monarchs.
It is clear that such a policy met with strong resistance. It was opposed by the German emperor, who was not going to become a vassal of the pope. On the contrary, he himself claimed power over Rome. Many monasteries who did not want iron discipline rebelled. New superiors expelled and even killed. The archbishops and bishops (spiritual feudal lords) beat, expelled, or even hung papal envoys, not wanting to part with land grants from the monarchs, their wives and families. But Rome also had enough supporters, especially secular feudal lords. It turned out an interesting division. Many church feudal lords supported the emperor, and the secular supported the pope, since they did not want a strong imperial power. Pope Gregory taught that the feudal lords had every right to overthrow the emperor, who did not recognize the authority of Rome.
This conflict was also taken advantage of by the Polish prince Boleslav. Back in 1072, he refused to recognize himself as a vassal of the Roman emperor and pay him tribute. In 1074, the Polish ruler began negotiations with the Roman throne. He declared Poland the flax of the Roman throne and began to pay tribute (the so-called “penny of St. Peter”), he accepted the obligation of military service. In 1075, Roman legates arrived in Poland with the aim of reforming the Polish church in the spirit of the views of Pope Gregory. Poland began to prepare to oppose Germany and supported the struggle of the Saxon feudal lords against the emperor. In 1076, Boleslav, with the support of the troops of Prince Svyatoslav (Prince Vladimir Monomakh went on the march), again fought with Emperor Henry IV and the Czech Republic, which at that time sided with the empire.
The exiled prince Izyaslav Yaroslavich fell into this mess. The German emperor Heinrich could not organize a campaign against Russia, he fought against Rome and rebellious feudal lords, hostile Poland and Hungary were on the way to Kiev. But it was very tempting to get his prince in Kiev, to bring under control a huge and rich Russian state. Therefore, the emperor took the gifts of Izyaslav and sent ambassadors to Kiev. They threateningly demanded that Svyatoslav return the throne to his brother, and otherwise threatened with war. It is clear that these requirements of Svyatoslav did not bother. The Second Reich had no real opportunities to threaten Russia, while Poland was our ally. Guests politely listened, bestowed and sent back home.
Then Prince Izyaslav decided to find a common language with Rome. He sent his son Yaropolk Izyaslavich to his father. On behalf of his father, he kissed the papal shoe, gave Russia under the authority of the "king of kings" Gregory VII, and even expressed his readiness to accept the Catholic faith. On the audience of Yaropolk, the Pope kept the documents in the Trier Psalter, in which there is also a miniature portrait of Yaropolk and his wife Irina. The Pope was delighted. The Roman throne had long cherished aggressive plans against Russia. And here is such an opportunity. The pope crowned Yaropolk with the royal crown in Rome and granted him the linen of the holy throne on the Russian kingdom (the pope's bullet of 17 on April 1075), according to which power in Kiev was to belong to Izyaslav and his son Yaropolk. Three days after writing this bull, the pope sent a message to the Polish king, Boleslav, in which he reproached him for robbing Izyaslav and ordered him to help Izyaslav.
The papal legates took part in the negotiations between Izyaslav and Boleslav. The promise of Boleslav the Bold to help Izyaslav to repel the Kiev table was obviously one of the conditions of Rome for the coronation of the Polish prince. The final agreement between the princes was reached in the autumn of 1076, on the eve of Boleslav's coronation. Boleslav received the royal crown meant that Poland became an independent state from Germany. True, Boleslav at this time was not up to the war with Russia. As noted above, he fought the Second Reich. The Czech Republic (German vassal) came out against Poland. Boleslav had to ask for help from the great Russian prince Svyatoslav. He helped - sent the troops of Vladimir Monomakh and his son Oleg. Russian-Polish troops to pieces smashed the German and Bohemian knights. The Czech Republic requested peace, paid a great tribute.
Thus, the position of Grand Duke Svyatoslav in Kiev was strong. Boleslav was not able to immediately support Izyaslav, as he was connected with the war with the Holy Roman Empire, and Russia supported him. However, here Izyaslav lucky. In December 1076, Prince Svyatoslav Yaroslavich died suddenly. Vsevolod Yaroslavich, who occupied the Kiev table, found himself in a difficult situation. The Polovtsians again moved in the steppe. The next stage of the struggle between Vseslav Brachislavich and Yaroslavichi began. Vseslav made a trip to the Novgorod land. And the Polish king Boleslav immediately forgot about the alliance with Russia and how Svyatoslav helped him against the empire. He gave Izyaslav army, helped recruit mercenaries.
In 1077, Izyaslav went to Kiev. In Volyn, he defeated the squad of Oleg Svyatoslavich. Vsevolod Yaroslavich assembled a army and closed the road to Kiev Izyaslav. At this time, Boris Vyacheslavich (nephew, son of Vyacheslav Yaroslavich) captured Chernihiv. The brothers did not fight. Vsevolod proposed negotiations, cautious Izyaslav agreed. Vsevolod offered to give the Kiev throne, and Izyaslav sent Poles and mercenaries back home. Thus, Izyaslav sat in Kiev for the third time. And Vsevolod returned to Chernigov (Prince Boris, having learned that the brothers did not fight, ran away), while receiving Pereyaslavl.
The third reign of Izyaslav was short-lived. The Grand Duke wisely forgot about his promise to go to Catholicism and subordinate Russia to the Roman throne. The struggle with Vseslav continued. Yaroslavichi organized two trips to Polotsk, inviting Polovtsy to help. In 1078, a new internecine war began. Their nephews, Oleg Svyatoslavich and Boris Vyacheslavich, were dissatisfied with their position against their uncles, Izyaslav and Vsevolod. Their base was the distant Tmutarakan. Connecting with Polovtsy, they broke Vsevolod on the river. Sozhitse. Vsevolod ran for help to Kiev. Izyaslav supported his brother: “If we have a part in the Russian land, then both of us. If we are deprived of her then both. I will lay down my head for you ”(and that’s what happened). Soon, the combined troops of the princes Izyaslav, his son Yaropolk, Vsevolod and his son Vladimir Monomakh spoke out against the offenders.
When Boris and Oleg learned that a large army was going against them, they did not have the strength to open battle. Polovtsi and mercenaries spread over the Russian land, engaged in robbery. Therefore, rogue princes left Chernigov, to collect troops from the Polovtsy and in Tmutarakan. But Chernigov refused to let in the legitimate princes, there they loved their former prince Svyatoslav and his son Oleg, prepared to hold on to defense. While the troops of Yaroslavichi were besieging Chernihiv, Oleg and Boris arrived with fresh forces. The army of Izyaslav and Vsevolod (led by the best commander Vladimir Monomakh) turned against the rogue princes. Prince Oleg expressed doubt about the ability to resist such a force and offered negotiations. But Boris said: "See, I am ready, I will stand against them all." The decisive battle on Nezhatinoy Niva happened 3 October 1078 year. Sich was angry. The first to die was boasted Boris. The rogue princes were defeated. The Grand Duke was mortally wounded in this battle. His brother Vsevolod again occupied the Kiev table, and kept Chernihiv.
Christ crowns Yaropolk and Kunigundu-Irina. Miniature from the Trier Psalter, 11th century
Boleslav's defeat
Polish king Boleslav briefly outlived his ally Prince Izyaslav. While he was distracted by the struggle against the empire and the support of Prince Izyaslav, a conspiracy of nobility, supported by Germany and the Czech Republic, matured in Poland itself. Large Polish feudal lords did not want to endure a strong royal power over themselves. Among the disgruntled were the spiritual feudal lords who did not want to strengthen the papal power over themselves and were annoyed by the policies of Boleslav, who allied with Pope Gregory. The younger brother of Boleslav himself, Vladislav Herman, also went over to the side of dissatisfied secular and spiritual feudal lords. After the execution of the accused Boleslav II of treason by the bishop of Krakow Stanislav (11 on April 1079), the revolt of the magnates began in the country. At the head of the uprising rose the younger brother of the king, Prince Vladislav Herman. With the help of the Czech prince Vratislav, Vladislav Herman captured Krakow. Boleslaw II the Bold was overthrown from the throne and expelled from Poland. He was forced to flee to Hungary and died in exile two years later. The throne was occupied by the rebellious brother of Boleslav, Vladislav I Herman.
Unlike his predecessors, Vladislav I was not a strong and authoritative ruler and fully complied with the dictatorship of a large nobility. The power of the major secular and spiritual feudal lords seriously increased, they had their own squads. As a result, the Polish monarch lost control over a significant part of the country's army. In the field of foreign policy, he submitted to the Second Reich. In the east, he waged protracted wars with the Russian princes, but without success. Polish campaigns in West Pomerania ended in failure. At the same time, the trend towards feudal fragmentation is sharply increasing. Already during his lifetime, Vladislav went to the partition of the country with his sons. Under the 1097 contract, the prince handed over part of Wielkopolska to his eldest son, Zbigniew, and his younger son, Boleslav Silesia. Vladislav I himself remained the supreme prince. Already in 1098, the war of the prince with his children resumed. Zbigniew and Boleslav managed to smash the troops of Władysław Hermann and in 1099 to force the father to a new division of the country: Zbigniew got the rest of Wielkopolska, Kujawija and Sieradzko-Lenchitsky land, and Boleslav Lesser Poland with Krakow. Under the rule of Prince Vladislav remained only Mazovia.
Rise of the 1068 of the Year
In Kiev, discontent with the princely government and the boyars continued to grow. The sovereign people tried to shift all the war (with the war with Vseslav and the campaign against rebellious Chersonese, in the interests of the Byzantine emperor) to ordinary people. Princely people collected people, horses, money and food. And almost all the booty mined during the campaigns was received by Thousands and other prince confidants. The ordinary warriors and the families of the dead warriors got almost nothing. Although earlier princes were usually generous to ordinary warriors, they received a share of loot, princely gifts, princes arranged feasts, treats, singled out some trophies for widows and orphans of the victims.
The catalyst that led to the explosion was the invasion of the Polovtsy. At the end of the summer, 1068, the heroic outposts reported that an enemy army was coming from the steppe. Princes Izyaslav, Svyatoslav and Vsevolod raised squads, but did not begin to gather infantry rati, so as not to waste time. They decided to meet the enemy on the far approaches, drove to the Alta River. And then they realized that they had made a mistake; there were a lot of Polovtsians. This was not an ordinary foray, they gathered a large host. Nevertheless, the Russian princes decided to attack at night, trying to sow panic in the ranks of the enemy. But the Polovtsy figured out that there were fewer Russians, they recovered, began to surround the princely squads. The brothers cut their way back, but were cut off from Pereyaslavl. Svyatoslav retreated to Chernigov, to protect his city.
Izyaslav and Vsevolod arrived in Kiev, shut up. An avalanche of Polovtsians followed. The Russian land was not ready for the invasion, the villages were burning, the masses of people were full. Then the people of Kiev gathered the assembly and sent a message to the prince: “Here are the Polovtsi scattered throughout the land, give, prince, weapons and horses, and we will still fight them. ” Kiev then was a beautiful and big city. On the basis of archaeological data, he had more than 8 thousand estates and more than 50 thousand people. Kiev significantly exceeded in population the largest cities of medieval Europe. Only Tsargrad-Constantinople was more. Therefore, Kiev could put a large militia.
However, the prince's entourage was afraid to arm the people. They knew how angry people were against the boyars and usurers. They feared rebellion. Kievans understand why they are not armed, do not give to fight with the enemy. The crowd is seething. Enraged people defeated tysyatskogo court. After tysyatskogo remembered the Grand Duke. Like, why do we need such a weak and cowardly prince? They remembered that another prince was languishing in the dungeon - Vseslav Bryachislavich and his people, and they said: “Let's go, we will free our squads from the cellar”. Unfairly offended, the innocently injured Vseslav seemed a good candidate for the position of prince. Boyars flocked to the chambers of the Grand Duke, deliberated. Some suggested it was too late to kill Vseslav. But Izyaslav did not dare. Ordinary people freed Vseslav. Izyaslav and Vsevolod fled. Vsevolod left to his place with Pereyaslavl. Izyaslav fled to Poland, hoping to find support at the Polish court. Meanwhile, the third brother Yaroslavich - Svyatoslav, did not quarrel with his subjects, armed the citizens and in a fierce battle threw Polovtsy from Chernigov, pursued the enemy, interrupted many.
As a result, a strange situation has developed in Russia. Prince of Polotsk Vseslav Brjachislavich sat on the Kiev table, Svyatoslav and Vsevolod in their inheritance. But the Izyaslav brothers were in no hurry to speak out against the Polotsk prince, apparently realizing that Izyaslav and his entourage were to blame for the uprising. Like, he brewed porridge himself and rashlebyvay. Polish prince Boleslav was ready to fight. But the grandear sirs needed money. Izyaslav proposed to the Poles rich Cherven cities with salt mines, lead and iron mines. In 1069, Boleslav marched with the army to Kiev. Kievans were ready to fight, said nothing and came to Belgorod. However, Prince Vseslav, feeling the instability of his position, secretly, at night, threw the army at Belgorod and fled to his native Polotsk. In the morning the army found out what was left without the leader and retreated to Kiev.
Kievans, fearing the vengeance of Izyaslav and his people, prayed for Svyatoslav and Vsevolod to stand up for the "mother of Russian cities." Svyatoslav and Vsevolod could not fight for the rebels against his brother, but they did not like the invasion of the Polish army. Prince Svyatoslav agreed to become a mediator and offered a compromise. Kiev will conquer Izyaslav, but he will forgive the citizens. The throne will return only with his people, the Poles will go home. Both sides accepted these conditions, kissed the cross. Kiev opened the gate. But the Grand Duke deceived the townspeople. He released only part of the Polish army, Boleslav remained with the other part of the army. In Kiev, the first to enter the son of the Grand Duke Mstislav, who did not give any vows. On the heads of the townspeople fell repression. 70 city leaders were executed, many blinded and thrown into the pits. Izyaslav did not want to part with the Poles, he saw in them a support against a hostile environment. And the Polish king was not against it. Polish historians wrote that he was captivated by the magnificence of Kiev and the "courtesy of Russian women." Polish troops stationed in Kiev and the surrounding area. This caused discontent of the Russians, the Poles behaved as conquerors, did not stand on ceremony with the locals, took everything they wanted, seized women.
In the end, repeated the same storythat half a century ago. “And dissolving Lyakhi to feed,” the Russian chronicle reports, “and beating Lyakhi Otai, and drove back to Lyakhi Boleslav, to his land.” Boleslav was offended, he considered himself a benefactor of Izyaslav, and then his people were beaten. The Polish prince quarreled with Izyaslav and led the rest of the people to their homeland.
New exile Izyaslav
The Poles left and Izyaslav lost support. And his brothers were not thrilled with what had happened. Izyaslav made concessions. Svyatoslav gave Novgorod with his income, the Chernigov prince transferred his son Gleb there. The prince of Kiev gave Smolensk to Vsevolod, Vladimir Vsevolodovich Monomakh sat down to reign there.
The conflict with prince Vseslav continued. In winter, 1069, a large army again went to White Russia, took Polotsk. Izyaslav planted his sons in Polotsk. But Vseslav did not give up, eluded direct shocks, counterattack. Again tried to take Novgorod, but unsuccessfully. Prince Gleb and Novgorod dispersed the militia of Vseslav. And Izyaslavich proved to be bad in Polotsk. Mstislav, as in Kiev, became famous for reprisals. But he quickly died under ambiguous circumstances. His successor, Svyatopolk Izyaslavich, was "bull Yar and Lyut." As the historian Tatishchev noted: "With that, there were eight avaricious and stingy." Cruel and greedy, for Svyatopolk and his warriors the Polotsk land was prey, and not their own home and it was treated accordingly. They behaved like invaders, robbed, oppressed local residents, dishonored women. As a result, the invaders get a guerrilla war. Prince Vseslav of Thing could not be caught, the local people supported him, hid, fed, replenished his troops.
Relations with the former ally of the Polish prince Boleslav became aggravated. Izyaslav promised Polish ally Chervonnaya Rus for military support in returning Kiev. The Poles wanted to occupy Russian cities, but the townspeople shut up. The case smelled of new war. Boleslav turned to the Grand Duke. Gave a word - follow. But Izyaslav shirked. He could not fulfill his promise: to give the Russian cities to the Poles. This would have displeased his subjects and his brother princes. Furious Boleslav began the war. Izyaslav marched, but was defeated. The Poles occupied the cities of Cherven, burned Berestye (Brest). Izyaslav, that to hide behind the Poles, he sent to the Volyn region a young prince Vladimir Vsevolodovich Monomakh. Resolute and warlike Monomakh did not disappoint. First he established defense, contacted the inhabitants of the Russian cities occupied by the Poles, and then with a sudden blow he beat off Chervonnaya Rus. The cities surrendered almost without resistance, the Russians went over to his side. In a short time Vladimir returned the lost land.
Meanwhile, Izyaslav lost the war for the Polotsk land to Vseslav. In 1071, Vseslav expelled Svyatopolk Izyaslavich from Polotsk and finally established himself in it. The defeats from the Poles and the regiments of Vseslav again undermined the position of Izyaslav. In addition, while the main forces of Kiev senselessly died in the north in the struggle with the werewolf prince, the Polovtsian cavalry ravaged the Kiev lands. The costs of war, defeat, the destruction of land, theft and theft of princely and boyar tiunov again brought Kiev to the brink of insurrection. Kievans began to look towards the more successful Prince Svyatoslav Yaroslavich. With Polovtsy alone, Svyatoslav had peace, others were afraid of him. Vigilantes, townspeople and peasants began to leave Kiev region for Chernihiv region. Even Kiev boyars began to offer Svyatoslav to take Kiev. Like, it will take him here with joy.
The cup of patience overwhelmed the alliance of Izyaslav with a recent enemy - Vseslav. In 1073, Izyaslav Yaroslavich entered into negotiations with Vseslav of Polotsk, Smolensk promised him. The brothers Yaroslavichi immediately went to Kiev and demanded that he leave the Kiev table. Izyaslav was unable to resist, as the city was on the verge of an uprising. He loaded the baggage with many riches and went to the west, saying: "With this I will get warriors for myself." Grand Prince became Svyatoslav. In the years of his short reign (until 1076 year) came the long-awaited peace. Polovtsi subdued. Vseslav the Prophet did not begin to run into war with a strong warrior. Kiev was delighted with the new prince. Destinations were distributed in accordance with the ladder. Vsevolod moved to Chernigov. Vladimir Vsevolodovich stayed in Vladimir-Volynsky, covering Russia from Poland.
Return Izyaslav
At first Izyaslav again tried to find support from Boleslav. But Boleslav, remembering the lessons of 1069 of the year, how he was ungodly greeted in Kiev and deceived with the Carpathian cities, refused Izyaslav and drove him out. At the same time Izyaslav robbed, in compensation for past expenses. Boleslav preferred to negotiate with Svyatoslav, which ended in 1074, with the signing of a union between Russia and Poland. Izyaslav moved on to Germany. He asked for help from the German Emperor Henry IV. The prince promised to recognize himself as a vassal of the Second Reich, to pay tribute if the emperor helps to occupy the Kiev table again.
It is worth noting that at this time in Western Europe there was a serious conflict between the papal throne and the German Empire (the so-called struggle for investiture). Pope Gregory VII issued the program treatise Dad Dikt. The goal was global - the world theocratic monarchy. The Roman high priest planned to become the “king of kings”; all emperors, kings and princes were to subordinate him. Above the Pope stood only God. All European states were proclaimed "St. Lena. Peter ", that is, vassals of Rome. But in order to realize such an ambitious task, it was necessary to reform the church, steeped in acquisitions, debauchery and other sins. The church was supposed to be a powerful tool, a weapon in the hands of the popes. Monasteries were transformed, strict statutes were introduced. To ensure that the positions were not inherited, strict celibacy (celibacy) was introduced for the clergy. Those who did not accept the new rules were expelled. Pope Gregory VII began restoring order and spoke out against secular investiture for archbishops, bishops and abbots, that is, the rights of the emperor and kings to appoint spiritual feudal lords (hierarchs). Pope aimed to bring the church organization out of submission to the secular monarchs.
It is clear that such a policy met with strong resistance. It was opposed by the German emperor, who was not going to become a vassal of the pope. On the contrary, he himself claimed power over Rome. Many monasteries who did not want iron discipline rebelled. New superiors expelled and even killed. The archbishops and bishops (spiritual feudal lords) beat, expelled, or even hung papal envoys, not wanting to part with land grants from the monarchs, their wives and families. But Rome also had enough supporters, especially secular feudal lords. It turned out an interesting division. Many church feudal lords supported the emperor, and the secular supported the pope, since they did not want a strong imperial power. Pope Gregory taught that the feudal lords had every right to overthrow the emperor, who did not recognize the authority of Rome.
This conflict was also taken advantage of by the Polish prince Boleslav. Back in 1072, he refused to recognize himself as a vassal of the Roman emperor and pay him tribute. In 1074, the Polish ruler began negotiations with the Roman throne. He declared Poland the flax of the Roman throne and began to pay tribute (the so-called “penny of St. Peter”), he accepted the obligation of military service. In 1075, Roman legates arrived in Poland with the aim of reforming the Polish church in the spirit of the views of Pope Gregory. Poland began to prepare to oppose Germany and supported the struggle of the Saxon feudal lords against the emperor. In 1076, Boleslav, with the support of the troops of Prince Svyatoslav (Prince Vladimir Monomakh went on the march), again fought with Emperor Henry IV and the Czech Republic, which at that time sided with the empire.
The exiled prince Izyaslav Yaroslavich fell into this mess. The German emperor Heinrich could not organize a campaign against Russia, he fought against Rome and rebellious feudal lords, hostile Poland and Hungary were on the way to Kiev. But it was very tempting to get his prince in Kiev, to bring under control a huge and rich Russian state. Therefore, the emperor took the gifts of Izyaslav and sent ambassadors to Kiev. They threateningly demanded that Svyatoslav return the throne to his brother, and otherwise threatened with war. It is clear that these requirements of Svyatoslav did not bother. The Second Reich had no real opportunities to threaten Russia, while Poland was our ally. Guests politely listened, bestowed and sent back home.
Then Prince Izyaslav decided to find a common language with Rome. He sent his son Yaropolk Izyaslavich to his father. On behalf of his father, he kissed the papal shoe, gave Russia under the authority of the "king of kings" Gregory VII, and even expressed his readiness to accept the Catholic faith. On the audience of Yaropolk, the Pope kept the documents in the Trier Psalter, in which there is also a miniature portrait of Yaropolk and his wife Irina. The Pope was delighted. The Roman throne had long cherished aggressive plans against Russia. And here is such an opportunity. The pope crowned Yaropolk with the royal crown in Rome and granted him the linen of the holy throne on the Russian kingdom (the pope's bullet of 17 on April 1075), according to which power in Kiev was to belong to Izyaslav and his son Yaropolk. Three days after writing this bull, the pope sent a message to the Polish king, Boleslav, in which he reproached him for robbing Izyaslav and ordered him to help Izyaslav.
The papal legates took part in the negotiations between Izyaslav and Boleslav. The promise of Boleslav the Bold to help Izyaslav to repel the Kiev table was obviously one of the conditions of Rome for the coronation of the Polish prince. The final agreement between the princes was reached in the autumn of 1076, on the eve of Boleslav's coronation. Boleslav received the royal crown meant that Poland became an independent state from Germany. True, Boleslav at this time was not up to the war with Russia. As noted above, he fought the Second Reich. The Czech Republic (German vassal) came out against Poland. Boleslav had to ask for help from the great Russian prince Svyatoslav. He helped - sent the troops of Vladimir Monomakh and his son Oleg. Russian-Polish troops to pieces smashed the German and Bohemian knights. The Czech Republic requested peace, paid a great tribute.
Thus, the position of Grand Duke Svyatoslav in Kiev was strong. Boleslav was not able to immediately support Izyaslav, as he was connected with the war with the Holy Roman Empire, and Russia supported him. However, here Izyaslav lucky. In December 1076, Prince Svyatoslav Yaroslavich died suddenly. Vsevolod Yaroslavich, who occupied the Kiev table, found himself in a difficult situation. The Polovtsians again moved in the steppe. The next stage of the struggle between Vseslav Brachislavich and Yaroslavichi began. Vseslav made a trip to the Novgorod land. And the Polish king Boleslav immediately forgot about the alliance with Russia and how Svyatoslav helped him against the empire. He gave Izyaslav army, helped recruit mercenaries.
In 1077, Izyaslav went to Kiev. In Volyn, he defeated the squad of Oleg Svyatoslavich. Vsevolod Yaroslavich assembled a army and closed the road to Kiev Izyaslav. At this time, Boris Vyacheslavich (nephew, son of Vyacheslav Yaroslavich) captured Chernihiv. The brothers did not fight. Vsevolod proposed negotiations, cautious Izyaslav agreed. Vsevolod offered to give the Kiev throne, and Izyaslav sent Poles and mercenaries back home. Thus, Izyaslav sat in Kiev for the third time. And Vsevolod returned to Chernigov (Prince Boris, having learned that the brothers did not fight, ran away), while receiving Pereyaslavl.
The third reign of Izyaslav was short-lived. The Grand Duke wisely forgot about his promise to go to Catholicism and subordinate Russia to the Roman throne. The struggle with Vseslav continued. Yaroslavichi organized two trips to Polotsk, inviting Polovtsy to help. In 1078, a new internecine war began. Their nephews, Oleg Svyatoslavich and Boris Vyacheslavich, were dissatisfied with their position against their uncles, Izyaslav and Vsevolod. Their base was the distant Tmutarakan. Connecting with Polovtsy, they broke Vsevolod on the river. Sozhitse. Vsevolod ran for help to Kiev. Izyaslav supported his brother: “If we have a part in the Russian land, then both of us. If we are deprived of her then both. I will lay down my head for you ”(and that’s what happened). Soon, the combined troops of the princes Izyaslav, his son Yaropolk, Vsevolod and his son Vladimir Monomakh spoke out against the offenders.
When Boris and Oleg learned that a large army was going against them, they did not have the strength to open battle. Polovtsi and mercenaries spread over the Russian land, engaged in robbery. Therefore, rogue princes left Chernigov, to collect troops from the Polovtsy and in Tmutarakan. But Chernigov refused to let in the legitimate princes, there they loved their former prince Svyatoslav and his son Oleg, prepared to hold on to defense. While the troops of Yaroslavichi were besieging Chernihiv, Oleg and Boris arrived with fresh forces. The army of Izyaslav and Vsevolod (led by the best commander Vladimir Monomakh) turned against the rogue princes. Prince Oleg expressed doubt about the ability to resist such a force and offered negotiations. But Boris said: "See, I am ready, I will stand against them all." The decisive battle on Nezhatinoy Niva happened 3 October 1078 year. Sich was angry. The first to die was boasted Boris. The rogue princes were defeated. The Grand Duke was mortally wounded in this battle. His brother Vsevolod again occupied the Kiev table, and kept Chernihiv.
Christ crowns Yaropolk and Kunigundu-Irina. Miniature from the Trier Psalter, 11th century
Boleslav's defeat
Polish king Boleslav briefly outlived his ally Prince Izyaslav. While he was distracted by the struggle against the empire and the support of Prince Izyaslav, a conspiracy of nobility, supported by Germany and the Czech Republic, matured in Poland itself. Large Polish feudal lords did not want to endure a strong royal power over themselves. Among the disgruntled were the spiritual feudal lords who did not want to strengthen the papal power over themselves and were annoyed by the policies of Boleslav, who allied with Pope Gregory. The younger brother of Boleslav himself, Vladislav Herman, also went over to the side of dissatisfied secular and spiritual feudal lords. After the execution of the accused Boleslav II of treason by the bishop of Krakow Stanislav (11 on April 1079), the revolt of the magnates began in the country. At the head of the uprising rose the younger brother of the king, Prince Vladislav Herman. With the help of the Czech prince Vratislav, Vladislav Herman captured Krakow. Boleslaw II the Bold was overthrown from the throne and expelled from Poland. He was forced to flee to Hungary and died in exile two years later. The throne was occupied by the rebellious brother of Boleslav, Vladislav I Herman.
Unlike his predecessors, Vladislav I was not a strong and authoritative ruler and fully complied with the dictatorship of a large nobility. The power of the major secular and spiritual feudal lords seriously increased, they had their own squads. As a result, the Polish monarch lost control over a significant part of the country's army. In the field of foreign policy, he submitted to the Second Reich. In the east, he waged protracted wars with the Russian princes, but without success. Polish campaigns in West Pomerania ended in failure. At the same time, the trend towards feudal fragmentation is sharply increasing. Already during his lifetime, Vladislav went to the partition of the country with his sons. Under the 1097 contract, the prince handed over part of Wielkopolska to his eldest son, Zbigniew, and his younger son, Boleslav Silesia. Vladislav I himself remained the supreme prince. Already in 1098, the war of the prince with his children resumed. Zbigniew and Boleslav managed to smash the troops of Władysław Hermann and in 1099 to force the father to a new division of the country: Zbigniew got the rest of Wielkopolska, Kujawija and Sieradzko-Lenchitsky land, and Boleslav Lesser Poland with Krakow. Under the rule of Prince Vladislav remained only Mazovia.
- Alexander Samsonov
- Poland vs Russia
How Poland became an anti-Russian ram
How the Poles of Boleslav the Brave took Russian Kiev for the first time
How Yaroslav the Wise helped restore Poland
Boleslav II the Bold and Izyaslav Yaroslavich against Kiev
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