Somehow assumed that the relationship between the rulers of Russia distinguished by mutual respect and warmth.But this assertion is refuted by the cruel historical realities: internecine wars were quite common, and the desire for independence of some princes, this only contributed.An excellent confirmation of a battle on the river Shelon.
Background
The battle took place in 1471, July 14.As the name implies, the battle took place on the banks of the river Shelon (about 30 km west of Lake Ilmen).The warring parties was host of the Moscow principality and Novgorod Republic.
the events in question dates back to the campaigns of Ivan III, who decided to once and for all put an end to the independence of Novgorod.However, the main reason it was not even that.The fact that Novgorod at the time acknowledged vassalage Duchy of Lithuania, led constant hostile policy against the other Russian principalities.But the history of the Moscow principality is that this version is questionable.Most likely, Ivan III would still like to get rid of superfluous independent unit.
Basics
the summer of 1471 in a campaign acted as the men of about 10 thousand warriors.He commanded them to Prince DDChelm, who blessed Ivan to "appeasement" of Novgorod.Politics did not like even the last independent Pskovians who also sent army to help Moscow retainers.However, their burning desire podsobit Ivan could well influence the recent Moscow embassy that requested the army for "great insult the prince."If Pskov refused, he would immediately hit among the worst enemies personally the Moscow State with all its consequences ...
According to chroniclers, Men Novgorod was four times the regular Moscow's troops, but most of it consisted of untrained townspeople militias.D. Boretsky headed it.Novgorod were forced to hurry up with a set of troops, as they had to act quickly to intercept Pskov hoping to defeat the enemy and protect his rear.
first encounter
And so, in the morning July 14 the team of "halophyte" Novgorod suddenly met with a small (no more than five thousand) Pskov detachment, marching to join up with the main part of the troops.Despite the eight-fold (!) Superiority of the enemy, he boldly attacked Kholmsk.However, he was not mad: Choice princely army of well-trained and armed vigilantes literally swept Novgorod militia, most of whom did not know how to fight.So (briefly) a battle took place on the river Shelon.
assumed that the loss of the affected amounted to no less than 12 thousand. Man two thousand surrendered.Others fled in a terrible panic in the forest.This defeat determined the end of the independence of Novgorod and his flirtation with the Lithuanians.
political situation of that time
However, he Novgorod in the 15th century experienced far better days.Know the oppressed and even lower middle classes, making internal revolts became commonplace.The tip could not deal with them on their own, and therefore entered into a treacherous agreement with the Polish-Lithuanian king who sent his troops and the governor of Novgorod.They became the appointed Casimir IV Prince Michael Olelkovich.This Muscovy in the 15th century simply can not be.
last straw was the fact that even the appointment of the Metropolitan of Novgorod claimed not in Kiev.At the same time they began to open negotiations with the Lithuanians and Poles seeking allied commitments in case of war with Ivan III.Even among themselves Novgorod is an open betrayal caused an uproar.Unfortunately, the unity among the opponents of the "center line" was not.City mired in infighting, the Novgorod militia was very weak and heterogeneous.
Ivan III as a peacemaker
should not be regarded as a bloodthirsty tyrant Ivan.He repeatedly tried to reason with Novgorod, using the influence of the church.Metropolitan of all the forces trying to warn the rebellious city from doing business with the "Latins", but the success of his words had not.It is not surprising that other rate the principality of Novgorod as a betrayal of the country and faith.
In March 1471, Mikhail Olelkovich leave Novgorod and went to Kiev for talks.But Ivan III treachery Novgorod tired, so he decides to convene a crusade against the traitors.In principle, all were well aware of the impending war was politically motivated, but it is a religious color was supposed to be the core that binds the determination of all the princes.
Since spring began preparing to go for a hike.It was planned to attract to their side vyatchan, ustyuzhan, Pskov, and remaining loyal to Moscow fifths of the population of Novgorod and its suburbs.First we decided to encircle the city, cut it off from all trade routes linking traitors to Lithuania.In principle, Moscow-Novgorod news of the war were not (we talked about the constant feuds), but this time the prince was serious.
plan campaign
From the west and the east had come two strong squad, and already from the south was planned strike hard army, headed by himself, Ivan III.In Ustyug (May 1471) was sent to the embassy, the main purpose is to attract to their side and vyatchan ustyuzhan.They consolidated the army, Ivan hoped to use to distracting punches that would have weakened the basic forces of Novgorod.The plan succeeded brilliantly.The Battle of the River Shelon was won.
Main events
hike itself is not by chance it was scheduled to daylight saving time in spring and autumn the swamps around Novgorod became impassable for more troops to fight the winter too expensive.The weather was favorable to the full: there was terrible heat, most of the marshes dried up, and the river itself Shelon much shallow.
princes commanded a detachment of Kholmsk and Fedor Davidovich Motley-Starodub.Presentations were made by the army at the beginning of June.Brothers Ivan III, Grand Duke Boris joined the ratification later.Troop Kholmsk quickly repulsed and completely burnt Staraya Russa.Then he came to the river Shelon, and on its banks waited for the approaching troops main parts.As they say the chroniclers of the time, the soldiers mercilessly murdered and robbed residents of Moscow betrayed the rebel side.
approaches to Novgorod
In mid-June, Prince Obolensky Striga and Danyarov - Tatar prince - came from Moscow and moved Vishny Volochek, heading down the river Meta, trying to reach Novgorod in the east.The main forces moved from Moscow only in the end of June, on foot walking through the Tver and Torzhok, where they were joined by armies of local princes.
Novgorod at this time is also actively preparing for the battle.All able-bodied citizens to know the local militia force sent in.Despite the large number dialed forces its members to fight with Moscow and other Russian cities are not torn.The fighting capacity and the general mood was very low, as the Grand Duchy of Moscow was known as a very strong, and allied assistance from the Poles and Lithuanians was not sure anybody.
plans Novgorod
only chance for the people of Novgorod would be constant attacks on the army of Ivan in order to gradually cope with the main forces piecemeal.His cavalry sent to Novgorod Pskov direction.As mentioned above, this army was to prevent the Pskov connection with the main forces.The infantry was sent on the same river Shelon in order to detect and disperse detachment Prince Kholmsk.
SHUISKI commanded a detachment of the third, which, acting independently of the main forces, was to "mend all sorts of intrigues."However, the whole plan from the start failed since Novgorod acted very inconsistently.Muscovites were not much better - and too slow to advancing dealt with individually.Because of all this, the only reliable detachment in those regions turned the army of Prince Kholmsk.The outcome of all this phoney war dared where a river Shelon.
fighting broke out near the village
Korostyn Novgorod decided to use the isolated position of Kholmsk and break it.The army was divided into two groups: the cavalry had to hit from the right flank, and infantry to attack the rear of getting any task Muscovites.They are again summed up the general disorganization.Militia acted sluggish, hesitant, so that the battle on the river was Shelon they played long before its actual commencement.
Novgorod While figuring out what and how to do Kholmogorsky suddenly appeared near the village, attacking the enemy infantry.Novgorod forces were defeated completely.Then the prince went to Staraya Russa, where he once again expect the main forces.And once again he met with Novgorod, another army which rises upstream Poly.Work of Prince attacked again and again won.Surprisingly, an elite cavalry Novgorod during both battles completely dormant.
It was predetermined accession of Novgorod to Moscow principality.
behavior of Ivan III
Kholmogorsky understand that this initiative, even if successful, may not come to taste imperious autocrat.Chroniclers report that he sent messengers to the king with reports of victories, and to seek advice on further action.Ivan did not become angry (not surprising), and commanded the prince yet to join his army with Pskov.
However, the prince himself understood that further independent action already can do it too expensive: Novgorod, with all its dubious political preferences, fought quite bravely.Kholmsk squad had already lost more than four thousand warriors.
main battle description
Once was broken infantry, cavalry of yet deigned to appear on the banks of the river.They went to meet all the same Kholmsk, moving up Shelon.And opponents are separated only by the river.Novgorod, among which was the color of their nobility, began the night.The next day began Shelonsky battle.
From early morning the two armies began to throw arrows and bullets across the river.Again Chelm decided on a sudden maneuver.Quickly across the river, its small, but very angry and friendly detachment attacked Novgorod, from which such pressure quickly lost all their fighting ardor.At this time, the rest of the troops slowly and lossless crossed the river and entered the fray.
Despite the initial shock, Novgorod began frantically beating, as they had nothing to lose.Tatar cavalry detachment attacked their flank, after which many soldiers ran.That is surprising: in spite of the battle, Novgorod, according to the memoirs of contemporaries, "like a chain broke down."They began intensively to settle scores with each other, resulting in almost half of the boyars was killed by blows to the back.
results
victory brought not only military valor, but also surprise.Yet Novgorod was much more even though their disunity.The victory was of strategic importance: Chamber Novgorod suddenly showed consciousness and decided to ask for mercy from Ivan III, to which the Grand Duchy of Moscow said yes.
Force Muscovites went on for Shelon where June 27 had to meet with the embassy, headed by Metropolitan Theophanes.Oddly enough, but the terms of the armistice were quite mild: firstly, Novgorod sworn allegiance to the king.Secondly, he paid an indemnity in the amount of 16 thousand rubles Novgorod.We can say that what happened was only a demonstrative flogging, which showed arrogant boyars power throughout Russia.
And at this time ...
third detachment of Novgorod, led Shumsky, went to Ustyug.The outcome of the main battle they knew nothing.Boyars in Moscow, gathered in a fist army of Ustyug and Vyatichi, were to meet.We met troops on the River Dvina.Extra detachment Muscovites, led by Basil Sample tightly defeated army Shumsky.Again Novgorod nothing helped triple their numerical superiority, as the total combat capability was extremely low.
Of course, the accession of Novgorod to Moscow principality happened is not immediately.This happened only seven years, but that victory has radically shaken the power of the part of the Novgorod nobility, who spared to obey Ivan III.Kholmogory, who gave a demonstration spanking, demonstrated that quarrel with the state is extremely dangerous.Thus, the battle on the river Shelon 1471 to put a fat point in the history of the independent Novgorod.
