history of our country is fraught with many interesting and important events, the names of prominent figures and names of those cities and regions where they worked and lived.Thus, in the history of ancient Russia was of great importance Vladimir-Suzdal Principality, which was due a lot of illustrious names and events.
Unfortunately, about its history, location and people say a lot less.Today we will discuss how geographical position of Vladimir-Suzdal principality and its other characteristics.
Basics
Previously, it was called Rostov-Suzdal land, and was located in the area between the Oka and Volga.The area has always distinguished marvelously fertile soils.No wonder that by the beginning of the XII century there has developed a large and well-organized system of seigniorial tenure.Since in those places was a lot of forest, all areas of fertile land located between them.They were called Opole (the term is derived from the word "field").For a long time in the Principality was the city of Yuriev-Polsky (he had just settled down in the zone opolja).What were the natural conditions of Vladimir-Suzdal principality?
If we compare these places with the Dnieper, the climate here was pretty severe.Yields were relatively large (for the time), but the fishing, hunting and beekeeping, which were developed in those parts, give a good "perk."The peculiar geographical position of Vladimir-Suzdal principality and its rather harsh conditions led to the fact that the Slavs came here later, faced with the indigenous Finno-Ugric population.
away from the center of civilization that time has also led to the fact that Vladimir and Suzdal the longest resisted the forcible imposition of Christianity in Kiev.
Geographical location
People here attracted by the unique geographical position: the land has been protected from attack from all sides deep rivers, vast in area swamps and impenetrable forests.We should not forget that the geographical position of Vladimir-Suzdal principality was good in that its southern borders were covered by other Slavic principalities that protected the inhabitants of these lands from the invasions of the nomads.
prosperity principality is also based on a huge amount of fugitive people who went to the local forest from all the same raids and exorbitant levies prince's henchmen.
main characteristics of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality
| comparison between | Short description |
| main branch of the economy | first hunting and fishing, then -Agriculture |
| attractiveness for alien population | very high, since in these lands that people can escape from the tyranny and oppression of the authorities |
| favorable geographical position | extremely advantageous, as the principalityIt was located at the intersection of major trade routes of the time |
| rate of urban development | city developed extremely high speed as to promote the rapid influx of population |
| nature of princely power | Unlimited allimportant decisions he took sole |
That differed Vladimir-Suzdal principality.TABLE good description of its main aspects.About
profitable trade
on the ground Vladimir-Suzdal principality ran Volga trade route that connected these lands with the East.Trade here was extremely profitable.Not surprisingly, in these lands fairly quickly appeared strong and rich nobility, which was not happy with the Kiev, and therefore undertaken a permanent office and sought independence.Thus, the very geographical position of Vladimir-Suzdal principality contributed to the creation of lasting rich "state within a state."
help them in the pursuit of this the fact that the rulers of this region pay attention to their attention rather late, because the place on the throne in distant lands were intended solely for the younger sons, who were desirable to remove from Kiev.Only when Monomakh came to power, the strength and the greatness of the state began to grow rapidly.That is why the genetic patrimony of Monomakh was the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality, the card is quickly acquired new land.
between local land-township and descendants Vladimir Monomakh established strong ties here earlier than in other lands, accustomed to thinking of the sons and grandsons of Monomakh how their princes.The influx of heritage caused by the intense economic activity, growth and the emergence of new towns predetermined economic and political rise of the province.In the dispute over the power of Rostov-Suzdal princes has significant resources.
Opolye
Agriculture in those days required of remarkable perseverance.But in the Vladimir-Suzdal land it did not give any guarantees, even it.On the one tithe in the XII century under the most optimal circumstances could collect no more than 800 kg.However, in those days it was just fine, but because of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality, the characteristic of which is given in the article, getting rich quickly.But farming
local farmers are particularly depending on the cattle.Divorces are almost all breeds of livestock: cows, horses, goats and sheep.So, on the archaeological excavations in those places are a lot of iron scythes, which were used for hay.Great importance has been breeding horses that are used in large quantities in military business.
«The fruits of the earth»
approximately in the XII century there was also the horticulture.Its main instrument in those years were with the metal fittings of the scapula ("stigma").Especially a lot of them have been found in Suzdal.The Cathedral of the Nativity of the city is the image of Adam.Image description explains that "Adam digging stigma."Thus, the whole history of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality is inextricably linked with the constant improvement of skills of its inhabitants.
Around the same century begins to develop intensively gardening.Surprisingly, it was then only a lot of citizens.This is again confirmed by numerous archaeological excavations, in which was found a large number of remnants of the old apple orchards.Legends also say that from the XII century in the Principality began to lay a large number of cherry orchards.Contemporaries wrote that the city of Vladimir-Suzdal principality is the "pearl of Russia."
Despite the abundant trade began to develop agriculture and horticulture, the population continued to intensively apiculture, hunting and fishing.The excavations are a huge number of nets, hooks, floats and remains of fish caught.What else conceals Vladimir-Suzdal?Characteristic it will be quite incomplete if we do not talk about the craft, which involved its inhabitants.
crafts
Without artisans impossible to imagine the life of a single principality in those years.Interestingly, in those centuries specialization masters differed only by the finished product rather than on the material.For sedelschik I had an excellent knowledge of not only the methods of treatment of the skin, but also the various techniques of issue, with which he decorated his product, making it perhaps more attractive to potential buyers.Since craftsmen settled exclusively by "related" principle, in the cities of rapidly emerging artisans entire settlement.
In some homes have even been found special working furnace for smelting, which were installed next to those in which the food is prepared.Some artisans worked only on request.The other, much more numerous category of masters, manufactures products for the mass marketing of the city markets and direct sales of itinerant merchants, who were very fond of Vladimir and Suzdal.Briefly talk about the other classes, which were distributed among the local people.
With the same of the XII century is intensively developed all the same crafts that were popular throughout the rest of the Kievan Rus.However, from the chronicles of the period, it follows that the main occupation of the local population quickly became woodworking.In the course of the excavations are a lot of tools to work with wood.Equally ancient craft in those regions was pottery.
development of pottery in the Principality
evidence of active development of the art of pottery is the construction of the Assumption Cathedral at the end of the XII century.On the banks of a small river Kamenka found the remains of three huge kilns, each of which can be downloaded at five thousand bricks at one time.It is assumed that in the same period, local craftsmen mastered the production of liquid and tiles.Their dimensions are 19x19 cm reached, which in those days was a real technological breakthrough.To make the tiles more beautiful, artisans used a huge list of all kinds of enamels and glazes.
With such a wide range of products and a rich development of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality went on by leaps and bounds, as money flowed into its coffers wide stream.
Art stone processing
Fasteners craft began to develop at the end of the XII century, the master very quickly achieved remarkable heights in their business.In the cities of the Principality there are many artisans stonecutters.No coincidence that many of Suzdal boyars of Vladimir contemptuously called "slaves and masons."At the end of the 40s in Suzdal there is a separate gang of masons.It was her master took an active part in the construction of temples of Pereslavl-Zalessky, Yuriev-Polsky, Suzdal.In addition, they also built a country residence in Kideksha.
Development blacksmithing
blacksmith in this region has also received very widespread and it was very advanced.If, again, back to the topic of the excavation, in the course of discovering a huge amount of blacksmith tools.Under the city Vyazniki in private homes was found many examples of bog ore, which suggests widespread this craft among the people who lived in the Vladimir-Suzdal principality.In short, they were excellent artisans.
climax of the local blacksmith skills become great crosses the Assumption and Demetrius cathedrals, decorated with the figure of a dove weathervane with the finest skill made of copper.But Christmas and the Assumption Cathedral, Vladimir its luxurious copper floors easily negate all.
Gun case
But especially in the days of the local blacksmiths stood category gunsmiths.They did Sholem Yaroslav Vsevolodovich and battle ax Bogolyubsky which should be considered not only specimens of blacksmithing, and jewelry craftsmanship.Especially famous local mail.
In addition, archaeologists found impressed once they land the bow, which even survived seven arrows.The length of each of them was about 170 centimeters and weighs just 2.5 kilograms.Most likely, their ancient chroniclers called "shereshirami."Especially prized craftsmen who were engaged in manufacturing boards.
As archaeologists have found, Suzdal and Vladimir blacksmiths were able to make at least a hundred specimens of steel, having at the same time more than 16 different specialties.
Weaving and work with fabrics
It was spread throughout the weaving, as well as a variety of types of spinning.During the excavation was found not only many tools of crafts and fabric remnants.It turned out that the Russian masters in these parts know up to fifty sewing techniques, including the most sophisticated.Materials were the most diverse: leather, fur, silk and cotton.In tissues in many cases preserved magnificent embroidered with silver thread.
Since the Principality has long been developed animal husbandry, and the tanners in these parts well enough.Suzdal masters became famous far beyond the borders of his homeland exceptional quality yuft and morocco boots.In support of this well-known in their circles Professor NN Voronin found during excavations in some backyard a lot of "dead ends."So in those days it was called the pieces of cow ribs used in the machining of skins.
Processing bones
was known to locals and skill bone carvers.Virtually every trench in the excavation are numerous bone buttons, combs and other household accessories.Around the same period, a relatively widespread receives and jewelry craftsmanship.As Vladimir and Suzdal were found numerous molds coppersmiths.Jewelers as it turned out, its work using more than 60 types of forms for different purposes.Special respect in society enjoyed those masters who have worked with products from gold.
found as bracelets, and all kinds of necklaces, pendants and buttons, which have been artistically decorated with enamels with very complex production cycle.Vladimirskie master just one gram of silver managed to pull the kilometer thinnest thread!
Economic development
What has been especially Vladimir-Suzdal principality?As we have already said, the rapid development of the economy was closely linked with the most important trade routes that ran through its territory.Archeologists found several warehouses Eastern coins (dirgemov), which clearly confirmed the close trade relations of Vladimir and Suzdal from distant countries.But domestic trade flourished: This was particularly noticeable in relations with Novgorod, with which the local merchants engaged in the grain trade.
No less intense was trading with Byzantium, as well as many European countries.Especially quoted waterways shipping.However, the local princes always strictly blyuli order and overland trade paths, as discord in the relationship with the merchants could have a negative impact on the welfare of the land.
These were the features of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality.
