July 15, 1240 held a landmark battle on the Neva River.Russian troops under the command of Prince Alexander Yaroslavovych won a crushing victory over the Swedish army.After this event, Alexander Nevsky was famous nickname.This name is known to every Russian citizen to this day.
Background
Battle on the Neva River in 1240 does not start spontaneously.It was preceded by a number of important political and historical events.
In the first half of the 13th century, the Swedes, united with Novgorod, made regular forays into Finnish tribes.They called their punitive expedition, whose purpose was to dominate the more people.Most of the Swedes suffered tribes sum and Em.This was the cause of protracted conflicts.Swedes feared attack by the Finns, so eager to baptize them and make allies.
This did not stop the invaders.They periodically carried predatory raids on the lands along the Neva River, as well as directly in the Novgorod area.Sweden has been significantly weakened vnutriusobnymi conflicts, so it sought to attract more soldiers and nobles to his side.Do not shun them by persuasion to win over the fans and easy money.For a long time the Finno-Karelian troops raided the Swedish land, and in 1187 and completely united with Novgorod.They burned Sigtuna - the ancient capital of Sweden.
This opposition lasted for a long time.Each of his party, and the Swedish and Russian, has sought to establish its authority in the Izhora land, which was located along the Neva River, and on the Karelian Isthmus.
significant date prior to such famous events as the Battle on the Neva River, was the declaration of the Second Crusade to Finland Pope Gregory IX in December 1237.In June 1238 the King of Denmark, Waldemar II and the Master of the Order of the combined Hermann von Balk agreed on the division of the Estonian state and the beginning of military operations against Russia in the Baltic States with the assistance of the Swedes.This is what has triggered a battle on the river Neva.Date, the events that are known today, was the starting point in the history of Russia and its relations with neighboring states.Boy showed the ability of our country to repel a powerful enemy army.Keep in mind the fact that the battle took place on the river Neva in difficult times.Russian lands just begun to recover after years of Mongol invasion and force troops were greatly weakened.
Battle on the Neva River: Sources
information about that long ago historians have to collect literally bit by bit.Many researchers are interested in such events as the Battle of the Neva River, the date.Briefly described the battle in historical documents.Of course, such sources are scarce.One of the most well-known may be called First Novgorod Chronicle.Also, the information can be gleaned from the story of the Life of Alexander Nevsky.It is assumed that it was written by contemporaries of the events within the eighties of the XIII century.
If we consider Scandinavian sources, that they do not contain detailed information on such momentous battles, like the Battle of the River Neva and the Battle of the Ice.You can only read about what a small Swedish troop was defeated in the framework of the Finnish crusade.
also not known for certain who led Scandinavian army.Based on Russian sources, the scientists say that it was the son in law of King Birger Magnusson.
But Jarl Sweden, he became only in 1248, and at the time of the battle he was Ulf Fasi who, most likely, and led the march.This Birger it was not involved, although there is also the opposite view.Thus, the results of archaeological excavations indicate that Birger was wounded in the head in front of the life.This is consistent with the information that Alexander Nevsky was wounded in the eye of the King.
Battle on the Neva River: Date
Historical events until the XVI century, has not been recorded in certain official sources.Very often, historians can not determine the exact day or even approximate period when there was a particular battle.But this does not apply to such an important event as the Battle on the Neva River.In what year did it happen?This question historians know the exact answer.This fight is dated July 15, 1240.
events before the battle
No one battle does not begin spontaneously.There has been a number of events that led to this difficult moment, the battle on the river Neva.The year in which it occurred, the Swedes began with the Novgorod association.In the summer of ships arrived at the mouth of the Neva.Swedes and their allies landed on the coast, and pitched their tents.It happened in a place where Izhora flows into the Neva.
composition of the troops was disparate.It consisted of the Swedes, Novgorod, Norwegians, representatives of the Finnish tribes, and of course, the Catholic bishops.The boundaries of the Novgorod lands were under the protection of the marine protection.It provided izhoryane in the Neva delta, on both sides of the Gulf of Finland.It was the elder of the protection Pelgusy dawn July day and found that the Swedish fleet is near.This messengers hastened to inform Prince Alexander.
Livonian campaign of the Swedes against Russia began only in August that said that they took a wait, as well as the immediate and lightning-fast reaction of Prince Alexander.Upon receiving the news that the enemy is near, he decided to act on their own, without the help of his father.Alexander Yaroslavovich made into a fight with a small retinue.Battle on the Neva River has become a chance for the young prince to prove himself as a military leader.Therefore, many of the troops did not have time to join him.On the side of Alexander and Ladoga were militia who joined him along the way.
According to the then existing customs, the whole squad gathered at the Hagia Sophia, which was blessed by Archbishop Spyridon.At the same time, Alexander said pep talk, excerpts from which are known today: "It is not in the power of God, but in truth!"
squad moved overland along the Volkhov to Lake Ladoga itself.From there, he turned to the mouth of Izhora.Most of the troops consisted of mounted warriors, but it was the infantry.To save time on the road, this is also part of the squad moved on horseback.
Chronology Battle
battle began July 15, 1940.It is known that in the Russian army, in addition to the prince's retinue, attended by at least another three companies Novgorod noble generals and ladozhane.
In "Life," mentions the names of the six soldiers who committed heroic deeds during the battle.
Gavrilo Olekseich rose to an enemy ship, where he was thrown to the wounded, but despite this the newly boarded and continued to fight.Sbyslav Yakunovich was armed only with an ax, but nonetheless threw himself into the thick of battle.Equally fought valiantly and more agile Alexander Jacob Polochanin.The boy Sawa broke into the enemy camp and tent hooked Swedes.Misha from Novgorod took part in the battle on foot and sank three ships of the enemy.Ratmir servant Alexander Yaroslavovchia bravely fought several Swedes, after which he was wounded and died on the battlefield.
battle continued from morning till evening.By nightfall opponents left.The Swedes, realizing that suffered a crushing defeat, retreated to his surviving ships and crossed to the opposite shore.
known that the Russian army did not pursue the enemy.The reason for this is unknown.Perhaps affected knight custom not to interfere during the break to bury their soldiers.Maybe Alexander saw no need to finish the remaining handful of Swedes and did not want to risk his army.
Russian troop losses totaled twentieth noble warriors, as well as add them here should be vigilantes.Among the dead were the Swedes much more.Historians speak of dozens, if not hundreds of dead soldiers.
Results
Battle on the Neva River, the date of which will be remembered for centuries have prevented the danger and the Order of the onset of Sweden to Russia in the near future.Alexander's army decisively stopped their invasion of the Ladoga and Novgorod.
Novgorod boyars, however, began to fear that the power of Alexander over them grow.They began to build various machinations of the young prince, as a result of forcing him to go to his father Yaroslav.Soon, however, they asked him to return to continue the battle with the Livonian Order, which came to Pskov.
memory of the battle
To not forget the remote events on the Neva, the descendants of Alexander sought to perpetuate the memories of them.Thus it was created monumental architectural monuments that has repeatedly restored.In addition, the image of Alexander Nevsky has found its reflection on the coins and commemorative stamps.
Alexander Nevsky Lavra
This monolithic building was erected by Peter I in 1710.Alexander Nevsky Monastery was built at the mouth of the Black River in St. Petersburg.At that time, wrongly assumed that the battle took place in this place.The inspirer and creator of Laura became Domenico Trezzini.Subsequently, work was continued by other architects.
In 1724 the remains were moved here by Alexander Yaroslavovych.Now the territory of the monastery is a state national park.The ensemble consists of several churches, a museum and a cemetery.It lie such famous people as Mikhail Lomonosov, Alexander Suvorov, Nikolai Karamzin, Mikhail Glinka, Modest Mussorgsky, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Alexander Nevsky Church in Ust-Izhora
This building was erected in honor of the victory in the battle of 1240.Date of construction - 1711.The church burned several times and recovered strongly.At the end of the XVIII century by the parishioners it built a stone church with a bell tower and iron railings.
In 1934 the church was closed for a long time and used as a warehouse.During the Leningrad blockade the church tower was blown up since served as the benchmark for the German artillery.
In 1990, work began on the restoration of the church, and a few years later it was consecrated.The church has a small cemetery and memorial chapel with the image of Alexander Nevsky.
print coins and stamps
Periodically Alexander Yaroslavovych image is used in printing.So, in 1995, it was released a commemorative coin with his image.In the years after the battle anniversary produced and significant brands that are of great interest to philatelists.
film adaptation
In 2008, rolling out the author's film "Alexander. The Neva Battle".It tells of the beginning of the reign of the young prince in Novgorod.At the end of the film unfold battle scenes battle on the Neva.
The film starring such actors as Pampushny Anton, Svetlana and Igor Bakulin Botwin.Director - Igor Cullen.
