If we talk about the history of our country, then it lacks prominent figures.On some people known to almost everyone, but about someone we know virtually nothing.What unites them is that their lives had a profound influence on the development of Russia.One of these figures is Andrew Bogolyubskii.The historic portrait it says that he was an outstanding personality.
Personal Profile
accepted that the future prince was born between 1120 and 1125 year.It is the second (or third, is not precisely known) son of Prince Yuri Dolgoruky.His mother - daughter of the famous at the time of the Polovtsian Khan Aepa Osenevicha, for the sake of union with whom he had arranged the marriage.
Why is it so important for the history of our country's future, Prince Andrew Bogolyubskii?Historic portrait says that he was a major political and spiritual figure in the 1160-1170 years, since he not only contributed to the creation of a powerful Vladimir-Suzdal principality (on the former site of the Rostov patrimony of his grandfather, Vladimir Monomakh), but also turned the city of Vladimir-on-Klyazme the center of political and spiritual life of Russia.Thus, he pressed on this "post" Kyiv.
activities to Prince ascended the throne of Vladimir
The fact that he did and how he lived Andrew Bogolyubskii (short biography is given in the article) to 1146, we do not know anything at all.But there are also reliable reports that after 1130 he married the daughter of a nobleman pile.The latter left their mark in history for being the owner of large land holdings along the banks of the Moscow River.
His father, Yuri Dolgoruky, always wanted to reign on the throne of Kiev.And soon I had the convenient excuse.In 1146 he was invited to Kiev Izyaslav Mstislavovitch reign, who was a nephew of Dolgoruky.It began a stubborn and fierce battle, which was attended not only all the political forces in Russia, but even Poles and Cumans, never misses a chance to cash in on another turmoil.
Yuri twice managed to take the city, but twice had a chance to be expelled from there.Only in 1155, when Izyaslav died (possibly in 1154), he managed to finally subdue the Kyiv.His happiness did not last too long: the business of princes he had reposed in 1157.Andrei throughout this eight-year struggle has repeatedly proved his unparalleled courage.His military talents and analytical mind many times have rendered good service to his father.
first appearance on the political scene for the first time
young Prince Andrew Bogolyubskii (short biography is full of such moments) clearly manifests itself in the above-mentioned 1146, when with Rostislav, his brother, Prince Rostislav knocks (ally Izyaslav) of its own capital.When Dolgoruky again captures Kiev Andrew received as a gift from him Vyshgorod (near Kiev).
In addition, he accompanied his father in the campaign against Volyn town, is the lot of Izyaslav.Under Lutsk, which dwelt Vladimir (brother Izyaslav), he was almost killed already in 1149.Prince is so carried away by the persecution of enemies, which galloped away from his soldiers.His horse was wounded, from the walls of the city threw stones at him, and some hefty druzhinnik Vladimir has already produced a spear pierced Andrew.
The day commemorated Martyr Theodore, and prayed that the prince fighting off enemies with his last strength, he was able to break the enemy's barrier.His final salvation as he was required to correct the horse.That being mortally wounded, still managed to bring his master to his retainers.During that Andrew gave his friend a big funeral.His horse rested on the river Styr.Contemporaries noted that the prince was extremely modest and simple man, he never sought the approval of his father, preferring to do everything for the honor, was religious.However, these qualities Dolgoruky certainly seen because very fond of his son.
Peacekeeping Andrew
After the siege of Lutsk Izyaslav began to sue for peace.Just because Dolgoruky listened to the views of his son, and he did not like very senseless feuds, a peace treaty was signed.
Just one year Izyaslav again able to enter in Kiev due to the fact that the townspeople were arranged for him.Having expelled Dolgoruky, Prince did not want to stop there, having decided to go back home and his sons.He decided to start with Rostislav, who at that time reigned in Pereyaslavl.But I come to the aid of his brother Andrew.Together they managed to tinuous city.Dolgoruky also sat on the ground and, with the assistance of Prince Volodimirka, re-conquered Kiev.Andrew was entrusted with the defense in Peresopitse, where they could effectively protect the border from Volyn.
Izyaslav sent to him messengers with orders to ask the Father for the gift of his nephew townships "by Gorin."But this time, Andrew could not soften his father, who terribly angry with Izyaslav.Then he called for help Ugrian tribes, with which, and with the active assistance of the people of Kiev, once again was able to take the long-suffering city.Yuri was forced to retreat in Gorodets-Oster, which soon arrived Andrew.
defeat Dolgoruky
In 1151, Yuri again started the war, in which Andrew showed no less valor than the siege of Lutsk.However, it was all to no avail, the troops were defeated Dolgoruky.He himself was blocked in Pereyaslavl Izyaslav, and therefore was forced to swear to his nephew that renounces its claims to Kiev, promising a month to go to Suzdal.Andrew, in its peace-loving tradition, immediately went to his favorite Suzdal, warmly urging his father to abandon the foolish and senseless war, and to follow his example.Stubborn Jury still made another attempt to gain a foothold in the land of Kiev, he sat down in town, but Izyaslav again broke and threatened imprisonment, was able to get his uncle to leave.
Occupation Suzdal throne
In 1152 Andrew was involved in his father's campaign against the city of Chernihiv.This event was unique in that Dolgoruky managed to put under its banner not only a lot of Russian princes and allied Polovtsian.But the city consolidated the squad was not able to take, as the rescue of the besieged arrived Izjaslav Mstislavich.When in 1155 Yuri still managed to ascend to the throne of Kiev finally, he put Andrew to rule in Vyshgorod.But the young prince did not like those places, but because he is tired of the endless strife, without the will of his father went to Suzdal.In those lands the board Bogolyubsky led to a new and very strong principality.
There devout Andrew took Vyshgorod clergy, and the sword of Saint Boris and Marian image, which is now known throughout the Orthodox world as the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.This he endeared himself to the local nobility, that the will of his father hurt his son because of the refusal of the throne and take Vyshgorodsky bequeathed Suzdal younger brothers Andrew has failed: the boyars sent back home, and the throne was offered Bogolyubsky unanimously.After that, he started the reform, resulting in a transfer of the capital to Vladimir, Suzdal.
Great reign (1157-1174)
Mindful of the bloody and destructive wars for the country that unleashed the father initially Andrew Bogolyubskii (reign - with 1157 for 1174) directed all its forces to create a strong and united principalities.Around 1161 he maintains a clash with a number of junior Yurevich, each of which wanted to rule alone.
a result, he casts out all his younger brothers, his wife Dolgoruky and a galaxy of other relatives in Byzantium, where they found refuge and protection of the Emperor Manuel I Comnenus.In addition, Prince drove almost all the boyars of his father, which clearly points to the incredible scale of the reforms undertaken by them.
relationship with the church
At this time, a heated conflict with the Rostov bishop of Leon (T) th, where the prince between 1159-1164 years, twice expelled from the city.The reason for the rampant hostility prince in a more pious, the church, the bishop was the desire to enter the Byzantine practice.A domestic policy Bogolyubsky never differed the desire to make concessions.
We are talking about the abolition of the custom of Russian positions on Wednesday and Friday, if that day falls church or a great holiday.Bishop against such "liberties" fiercely protested.The background to the dispute was just a church, do not see in it an attempt to challenge the supremacy of the prince of Byzantium: such conflicts at the time were spread all over Russia, they were involved not only Andrew Bogolyubskii.Briefly expounding, it can be assumed that the severity of this contradiction, and gave a difficult ecclesiastical political situation in Russia at the time.
fact that Andrei seriously determined to separate from the Rostov Metropolitan of Kiev.The prince wanted to put on his favorite Rostov archdiocese, Bishop Feodortsa that was at odds with the policy of not only Kiev, Rostov and church leaders.Of course, Andrew received a categorical refusal of Constantinople Patriarch Luke Hrisoverga.However, due diligence and sincere sympathy for the prince of the church was granted permission for the transfer of residence of the Bishop of Vladimir.
But this was done only in 1169.Because some sharp disagreements with Feodortsem, Andrew Bogolyubskii to send in Kiev, where the former bishop brutally executed.
Construction monasteries
Andrew Bogolyubskii (historical portrait which we describe) is still venerated in the Church, not only for his reform efforts in the spiritual realm, but also actively participated in the construction of many churches and monasteries.All of these unique architectural objects that bear the distinct stamp of Western European church building.To a large extent this was due to the fact that they took part in the construction of the Galician cooperative stonecutters and builders.However, this is only of interest to architects, while it is important to completely different.
Pomp and truly divine beauty then lined temples demonstrates the superiority of Orthodoxy over the pagan cults.Andrew Bogolyubskii built not only the church - he built a strong foundation of Orthodoxy in our land.
In addition, all contributed to the education of the Rostov-Suzdal.Many foreign ambassadors as a contemporary wrote, "so seeing istinnoe hristyanstvo and are baptized."Simply put, Andrew was also a talented missionary who contributed to the mass transfer of people to Orthodoxy.The church is noted.So, portrait Bogolyubsky was captured on the set of icons of the time.
But the prince was not zealous confessor, who lived in isolation from the affairs of the earth.Firstly, we have already pointed out the importance of building temples in education.Secondly, the failure of the church to a previously undeveloped lands, Andrew contributed to their active involvement in economic activities.The fact that the Templars perfectly collected taxes, and they get this far better than the secular rulers.Finally, a sincere thank reformer historians.It
Andrew Bogolyubskii, during whose reign was marked by many important events, adopted at the Rostov principality ordered chronicles, which took an active part monks of Assumption Cathedral.There is also arguable assumption that he participated in the creation of the Charter of St. Vladimir, who to this day is the basis of many church documents.
Strengthening Duchy of Vladimir
Do not think that Andrew Bogolyubskii was completely devoid of power ambitions.Thus, the focus of many of his reforms was the future of the rise of Vladimir principality.All rests in the need to subordinate its power of Novgorod and Kiev.When the prince was also a talented politician, he managed to resolve the issues with the Ryazan princes, but they proved themselves his faithful allies taking part in all military campaigns of the principality of Vladimir.Flushed with success, Andrew Bogolyubskii begins right to interfere in the internal politics of the independent Novgorod, demanding his nobility enthronement only pleasing to him the princes.
When in 1160 sat on the throne of Novgorod Svyatoslav Rostislavich, who was personally hostile Vladmirskomu prince, Prince Andrew Bogolyubskii citizens sent an unequivocal message: "Be you knows: Novgorod want to look good and spirited."Novgorod feared the terrible words, once expelled Svyatoslav and sat on the reign of Mstislav, who was a nephew of Andrew Bogoliubsky.But in 1161 his father Svyatoslav reconciled with Andrew, and together they put again to reign in Novgorod exiled prince.It is not surprising that the board Bogolyubsky led to his confrontation with the southern princes true usmotrevshimi it a direct competitor to their independence.
expand influence
By the end of 1160 the interests of the prince went far beyond his land.If during the reign of Smolensk Rostislav Mstislavovitch (cousin Andrew) there was a special agreement, which delimit the spheres of influence between the various princes, after his death, a sudden it turned out that the preponderance of power in the political life indicates superiority Vladimir principality.This resulted competent policy Bogolyubsky.
Trip to Kiev
When the city was conquered Volyn Prince Mstislav II of Kiev, who had allies Galician princes and Poles Bogolyubskii once went camping "eleven princes."Among them were not only loyal Ryazantsev, but even the heirs of Rurik Rostislav David Roman Rostislavich Smolensk, Chernigov and rulers Oleg, Igor and Vladimir A. Prince Dorogobuzh.In modern parlance, Andrew created a powerful allied coalition.
strong and experienced army took to fly to Kiev (Andrew Bogolyubskii the city had a lot of personal accounts) in 1169, and "hail Stolny" was looted cleaned.However, no one sympathized with the people of Kiev, as shortly before them once again, a new church confrontation.The fact that the Metropolitan Constantine II banned the service of the Kiev-Pechora abbot of Polycarp, who supported Andrew's memorable "guard" the dispute.After the conquest of Kiev on the throne of his younger brother was imprisoned Andrei Gleb Yurevich.At the time, it clearly pointed to the fact that Kiev has become subordinate to the city.Thus, the policy Bogolyubsky bore fruit.
Novgorod campaign
winter of 1169-1170, was undertaken a campaign against Novgorod.It was connected with the intersection of the interests of the two principalities into the Dvina, which at that time was intense colonialist expansion.In the battle Suzdal-Vladimir army was defeated.It preserved the tradition that managed to defend Novgorod only because of the miraculous intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary by the icon "The Sign."In honor of this event it was written by the icon "Battle of Novgorod and Suzdal."
However, Novgorod is not too helpful.A year later, in the winter 1171-1172 year, they were forced to recognize the authority of Prince Vladimir.It was connected with the fact that his troops simply blocked the supply of grain from the south.In 1172, on the throne of Novgorod was put Yuri, son of Andrew.Soon, his power and recognized Rostislavichi, concluded a military alliance with Bogolyubsky.Thus, by the time the foreign policy Bogolyubsky has become very similar to the behavior of his father, Yuri Dolgoruky.
Crisis Management Board
By the time the territory of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality has expanded considerably from the east by the land of the Volga Bulgaria (after laying Gorodets-Radilov).In addition, the expansion was due to the accession of the northern territories.Thus, it was possible to capture Zavolochye (Dvina).
But in 1170's begin to grow signs of crisis in foreign and domestic policy.The fact of constant military campaigns and military intimidation indicates that the other arguments of the prince of Vladimir simply did not exist and the activities Bogolyubsky the time was aimed only at maintaining power.Arranged in the 1172 campaign against the Volga Bulgars was not adequately supported by Allied troops Murom and Ryazan princes.
Social Policy
Historians say that has led to this state of the activity itself Bogolyubsky.Constant military and fiscal pressure led to the fact that relations with the nobility prince became upset.
