The Novgorod land or principality occupied the north of Russia from the Baltic to the Ural mountain range. The capital of the principality was the city of Novgorod. Torzhok, Pskov, Staraya Russa and others occupied an important place among the large cities.

The first information about the origin of the principality dates back to 859. The capital was formed as a result of the unification of three settlements. The Rurikovichs were the first to reign here. Under their rule, Novgorod Rus was formed.
At the end of the 10th century, the Novgorodians refused to accept the Christian faith. The city was baptized by force, as a result many inhabitants died, and Novgorod itself was burned.

In the 11th century, the principality was twice attacked by the Izyaslavichi rulers of Polotsk. In 1088 the young Mstislav was sent to reign. Together with him in Novgorod and the suburbs ruled the mayor, chosen by the community.

In the 30s of the XII century, the political intensified in Russia. The Kiev princes ceased to support the Novgorod authorities. The then prince Vsevolod was expelled from the city and was forced to conclude an agreement with eminent townspeople, which limited his rights. Later he was detained and expelled from the city again.

After that, a republican type of power was established on the Novgorod land (). The Novgorodians themselves called for the reign of those they saw fit. Several times they undertook military campaigns to the north-east of Russia.

At the end of the 12th century, the Suzdal princes attacked the republic. However, the Novgorodians were able to resist and won this battle.

During the Mongol yoke, part of the principality was devastated. And in 1478 the Novgorod land was subordinated to Moscow and became part of the Russian Kingdom.

Characteristics of the state system

The greatest power in Novgorod was possessed by veche... This was the name of the national assembly, which decided political and economic pressing issues, and played the role of the highest judicial body. It consisted of all adult men. Veche solved problems of foreign policy, elected and expelled princes, appointed posadniks and other persons.

Another organ of supreme power was the Boyar Council. It included the entire management system of the city. The composition included:

• boyars of noble families;
• elders - officials in charge of economic issues, food and trade;
• posadniks - civil dignitaries in charge of foreign policy, court and internal affairs of the principality;
• tysyatskie - leaders of the militia, their duties included collecting taxes;
• archbishop is the head of the Novgorod church.

The prince's power was limited. His candidacy was first discussed at the Council of Boyars, after which an agreement was signed. The princes with their families and court lived in the Novgorod suburbs.

In fact, the princes played the role of defenders from an external enemy, but had no influence on the internal affairs of the republic.

During the years of republican rule, the office of the archbishop was elective. Later, he was appointed to the Muscovite kingdom by the Moscow metropolitan.

Rulers

During the existence of the Novgorod Republic, princes were replaced 58 times. The greatest influence on history was made by:

1. Mstislav the Great.
2. Ivan Kalita.

During the period of republican rule, princes were invited from Suzdal, Vladimir, Moscow or the Lithuanian principality.

In 1499, the son of Tsar Ivan 3 - Vasily, was proclaimed prince of Novgorod and Pskov.

Economy

The geographical location of Novgorod made it unsuitable for agriculture. At the same time, he was at the crossroads of important trade routes.

This contributed to the development of trade and crafts.

Among the trades were developed:

• hunting and fishing;
• salt production;
• production of weapons and pottery.
• iron smelting.

Trade was carried out with the adjacent territories - the Volga region, the Baltic states, the cities of Germany and Scandinavia. Relations were also established with the Caucasus and Byzantium.

Meaning for Russia

Served as the source of Russian statehood. Due to its vast territories and unique location, it served as a link between the countries of Western Europe and Byzantium.

Schemes

Map: Territorial location of the Novgorod land

This Eastern European state, ruled by the boyar elite, included lands from the Urals to the Baltic Sea, from the White Sea to the Western Dvina.

Territorial division

The entire territory of the Novgorod state was divided into five ends. Each of the ends was divided into a suburb and a five, and was run by a mayor. In turn, each pyatina was divided into several volosts, and the volost - into several graveyards.

In the administrative division of the territory of the medieval Novgorod state, there were five levels: ends, pyatina, volosts and graveyards.

Authorities and administrations

The supreme state body of the Novgorod Republic was the veche. The prince, the squad, and the church obeyed his decisions. Each city end had its own veche, which resolved local issues. In the end, the elders of the ends and the streets were appointed.

The Novgorod princely republic had a complex political structure, distributing the powers of the prince, veche and government officials.

The social structure of the Novgorod and Pskov states

The "best people" of Novgorod and Pskov were considered to be boyars, landowners, clergy and "living people". Merchants, traders, and artisans constituted a semblance of the middle class. The most disenfranchised strata of society were the peasants and slaves.

The societies of the republics of North-Western Russia had a complex stratification. The differences in the structure of society in Novgorod and Pskov were insignificant.

References

1. Froyanov I. Ya. Ancient Russia IX-XIII centuries. Popular movements. Princely and vechevaya power. Moscow: Russian Publishing Center, 2012.
2. CM. Soloviev. History of Russia since ancient times http://www.magister.msk.ru/library/history/solov/solv05p1.htm
3. N.I. Kostomarov. Russian history in the biographies of its main figures http://www.magister.msk.ru/library/history/kostomar/kostom02.htm

Despite the fact that after 882 the center of the Russian land was moved to Kiev, the Novgorod land manages to maintain its independence.

In 980, the Novgorod prince deprives the Kiev prince of power with the help of the Varangian squad;

In the second half of the 12th century, Vladimir Monomakh took various measures to strengthen the position of the central government in the Novgorod land. In 1117, despite the discontent of the Novgorod boyars, Vsevolod Mstislavovich ascended the throne in Novgorod.

Novgorod and located in the northwest, in the 12th century were part of the Kiev land. In 1348, Pskov, part of the Novgorod land, became a large trade and craft center and separated from Novgorod, becoming an independent republic.

State and political system of the Novgorod feudal republic

The main political feature of the Novgorod land in the 12th century was the republican form of government, in contrast to other Russian princely lands.

The highest state body of the Novgorod Republic was considered (parliament-meeting).

Veche elected (expelled) princes, decided issues related to war and peace, drew up legislative acts and carried out a trial against the heads of the highest executive bodies of state power.

The prince (as a rule, from) was called to rule the veche. The prince was a symbol of the state. Together with the mayor, the prince performed judicial functions, appointed judges and bailiffs.

The archbishop - the head of the church, had some privileges, including in court, he was also the chairman of the Boyar Council, called "Ospoda" in Novgorod, and "Lord" in Pskov.

A posadnik - he was elected in the evening for a certain period, had certain judicial powers, decided issues related to the life of the Novgorod Republic.

Economy of the Novgorod land

Most of the population in Novgorod was engaged in agriculture. Until the 13th century, agriculture in the Novgorod land developed extremely slowly. This was facilitated by external factors: low yield, epidemics, death of livestock, raids of robbers. In the 13th century, the undercut (a farming system based on clearing and burning forests) was replaced by a new three-field system that was more efficient. The most extracted grain here was rye. Other grains were also grown. Some types of vegetables were also grown. Fish was found in Novgorod waters and was successfully sold. Beekeeping (honey harvesting) was developed. Due to the abundance of various animal species in the Novgorod forests, Novgorod was considered a huge exporter of furs to Europe.

Culture of the Novgorod land

Novgorodians used birch bark letters to convey written information. Novgorod styles of architecture and painting are also widely known. The main religion here was Orthodoxy. The Novgorod language differed from the language of other Russian principalities, called the “Novgorod dialect”.

Fall of the Novgorod Republic

Since the 14th century, the Moscow and Tver principalities tried to subjugate Novgorod to themselves. The Novgorod supreme power was against the collection of tribute by Moscow and asked for support from Lithuania.

The Moscow prince, alarmed by the brewing Novgorod-Lithuanian union, accused Novgorod of betrayal and after the Shelon battle (1471), as well as the subsequent campaign against Novgorod in 1478, contributed to the annexation of the Novgorod republic to. Thanks to this, Moscow inherited the former relations of the Novgorod Republic with its neighbors. The territory of the Novgorod land in the era of the Moscow kingdom (16th - 17th centuries) was divided into 5 heaps: Vodskaya, Shelonskaya, Obonezhskaya, Derevskaya and Bezhetskaya. With the help of graveyards (a unit of administrative division), the geographical location of villages was determined, and the population was counted with their property for tax.

On March 21, 1499, the son of Ivan 3 became the Grand Duke of Novgorod and Pskov. In April 1502, Vasily became co-ruler of Ivan III, and after his death in 1505 - the sole monarch.

Novgorod's possessions stretched from the Gulf of Finland to the Urals and from the Arctic Ocean to the Upper Volga. Around Novgorod lay vast expanses of land that belonged to Novgorod and were called “the land of St. Sofia ". This land was divided into five yards and regions. The number of fives corresponded to the number of ends. To the northeast of Novgorod, on both sides of Lake Onega, lay the Obonezhskaya pyatina; to the northwest, between Volkhov and Luga, - Votskaya; to the southeast, between Msta and Lovat, - Pyatina Derevskaya; to the south-west, on both sides of the Sheloni River, - Shelonskaya, finally, in the southeast, the Bezhetskaya pyatina stretched. The suburbs of Novgorod were in the pyatins: - Pskov, Torzhok, Ladoga, Izborsk, etc., which had political self-government and were vassals of Novgorod. History of Russia since ancient times / Ed. V.Yu. Khalturina: Textbook. manual / Ivan. state energ. un-t. - Ivanovo, 2007 ..

The suburbs were dependent on Novgorod, took part in its affairs and were invited to the Novgorod parties; of these, only Pskov in the XIV century. achieved state independence and began to be called "the younger brother of Novgorod."

Beyond the five were the Novgorod "volosts" or "lands", which had a structure different from the five; their number at different times was different. Among them, the most prominent place was occupied by Zavolochye and Dvinskaya land, lying beyond the watershed of the Onega basin, 3 western Dvina and Volga. To the east stretched the Perm land, lying along the Vychegda and Kama rivers; to the northeast of Zavolochye and the Perm land was the Pechora volost, located along the Pechora river; on the other side of the Ural ridge of the land of Yugra, and on the shores of the White Sea, the land of Terskaya, or "Tre", etc.

Most likely, the Novgorod land was divided into five quarters between the ends in order to more systematically collect taxes from the population living there. It is possible that Novgorod regularly redistributed five rubles between different ends to reduce the likelihood of corruption.

In addition to five, in the Novgorod Republic there was a division into volosts. Volosts are more distant and later acquired properties.

All administrative-territorial units of the Novgorod Republic enjoyed broad rights. It is known, for example, that the ends and pyatins were ruled by elective offices, and in Pskov and other cities there was its own prince

Favorable geographical position: the city was located at the crossroads of trade routes, harsh natural conditions, mixed ethnic composition of the population, along with a number of historical features, determined the specifics of economic life, social structure and political organization of the North-Western Land. So poor soils and a cold climate led to the fact that the Novgorodians periodically experienced a shortage of bread. This economically and politically tied Novgorod to the Vladimir land, from where, in the main, grain was supplied.

Commercial activities - hunting, fishing, salt production, iron production, bee-keeping.

The infertility of the soil forced the Novgorodians to seek employment in addition to agriculture, as a result of which industry and trade were highly developed in Novgorod, which enriched it.

There are numerous reports about the commercial importance of Novgorod in the annals. The vastness of Novgorod's trade relations is evidenced by oriental coins found in large numbers in the former Novgorod lands. Novgorod traded with both Greece and the West. When the commercial importance of the Baltic Slavs passed to the island of Gotland, then Novgorod conducted trade with it, and in the 12th century, when the commercial predominance passed to the Hanseatic city of Lubeck, the Novgorodians, in addition to Gotland, entered into commercial relations with the Germans, as indicated by the treaties that have come down to us, in which determines the relationship of German, Gotland and Russian merchants.

The convenient geographical location turned Novgorod into the largest trade center supplying furs, honey, leather, and seafood to European countries. Trade was organized by the merchants, but they received the products themselves from the boyar fishing villages.

The upper Novgorod estate - the boyars took an active part in foreign trade. The boyars also controlled highly developed handicraft production. Although the Novgorod estate and trade reached an unprecedented flourishing, the economy of the Novgorod land was based on agriculture and related industries.

At the same time, unlike the rest of the Russian lands, the Novgorod boyars did not come from the top of the princely squad, but from the local tribal nobility and formed as a hereditary aristocracy in the pre-prince period. Having assisted Yaroslav the Wise in his struggle for the Kiev throne, the Novgorod boyars received a number of privileges, which further strengthened their position and allowed them to gradually seize and where to buy up the communal lands.

In addition, Novgorod did not have its own princely dynasty. Novgorod, whose princes in the IX century. subjugated Kiev, remained a domain - the hereditary possession of the Kiev princes, who sent their governors there, most often - the eldest sons.

In the economy of the Novgorod Republic, agriculture played a primary role - medieval society was agrarian.

Of the cultivated crops, winter rye was in first place. Since it has been established that wheat was cultivated on an ancient Novgorod spring field, we can talk about the existence in the XII century of a three-field crop rotation, the most common in the steam farming system.

Cattle breeding was closely connected with agriculture, which also played an important role in the economy of the Novgorodians. If agriculture was the main occupation of the rural population of the Novgorod Republic, then the townspeople could also engage in cattle breeding.

Despite the fact that the agriculture of Veliky Novgorod was developed as far as conditions allowed, it could not meet all the needs of the Novgorod population. As noted above, the scarcity of soils and the nature of the climate prompted the Novgorodians to actively engage in craft and trade. In addition, by producing goods, Novgorod could sell them to the West without intermediaries. Thus, the prerequisites for the development of crafts in the Novgorod Republic were quite substantial.

The chronicles name the following handicraft specialties: shield-maker, tanner, silver-worker, cauldron, oponnik, carnation, blacksmith. Goldsmiths were called artisans-jewelers. Shield makers, carnations and cauldrons were masters of various specialties in blacksmithing. Oponniks were called artisans who were engaged in a certain type of weaving (later they became known as felt workers).

Novgorodians achieved particular success in carpentry: they were known in Russia as skilled carpenters.

The XII century and the first half of the XIII century were the heyday of the craft in many ancient Russian cities. But the heavy burden of the Tatar yoke could not but affect the production spheres of Russia. Many cities were destroyed, thousands of people, including artisans, were killed or taken into captivity.

As a result, the craft fell into disrepair. Novgorod the Great escaped ruin by escaping with tribute.

However, if in a number of cities destroyed by the Tatar-Mongol invasion, the period preceding it turned out to be the time of the highest flowering of medieval craft (the pre-Mongol level of craft production in these cities could not reach at a later time), then this cannot be said about Novgorod. The process of development of the productive forces in the Novgorod feudal republic was not interrupted, and in the second half of the 13th century they continued to develop along an ascending line.

Novgorod land (Republic)

The power of one person over another destroys the ruler first of all.

Lev Tolstoy

The largest principality of the era of specific fragmentation of Russia was the Novgorod land, which was ruled in the form of a boyar republic. The principality flourished due to the development of trade and crafts, because Novgorod, the center of the land, was located on the most important trade routes. Novgorod maintained its independence from Kiev for a long time and managed to preserve its independence and identity.

Geographical position

The Novgorod principality or Novgorod land (republic) was located in the northern part of Russia from the Arctic Ocean to the upper Volga, and from the Baltic Sea to the Ural Mountains. The capital is Novgorod. Large cities: Novgorod, Pskov, Staraya Russa, Ladoga, Torzhok, Korela, Pskov and others.

Map of Novgorod land in the 12-13th centuries.

The specificity of the geographical location was the almost complete absence of agriculture, since the soil was unsuitable for agriculture, as well as the remoteness from the steppes, due to which Novgorod practically did not see the Mongol invasion. At the same time, the principality was constantly exposed to military invasions from the Swedes, Lithuanians and German knights. Thus, it was the Novgorod lands that were the shield of Russia, which guarded it from the North and West.

Geographic neighbors of the Novgorod Republic:

• Vladimir-Suzdal principality
• Smolensk principality
• Polotsk principality
• Livonia
• Sweden

Economic features

The lack of good arable land led to the fact that in Crafts and trade actively developed in the Novgorod Republic... Among the crafts stood out: iron production, fishing, hunting, salt production and other crafts characteristic of the northern regions. Trade, however, was mainly carried out with neighboring regions: the Baltic States, German cities, Volga Bulgaria, Scandinavia.

Novgorod was the richest trading city in Russia. This was achieved by the advantageous geographical location, as well as the presence of trade relations with various regions, including with Byzantium, and with the Caucasus. Basically, Novgorodians traded in furs, honey, wax, iron products, pottery, weapons, and so on.

Political structure

The Novgorod feudal republic was formally ruled by a prince, but in reality the system of government can be represented in the form of an inverted triangle.

Veche and the boyars had real power. Suffice it to say that it was the veche who appointed the prince, and it could also expel him. In addition, at the city council, which functioned within the framework of the boyar council (300 golden belts), the following were appointed:

• Prince - was invited together with the retinue. His residence was outside the city. The main task is to protect the Novgorod land from external threats.
• Posadnik is the head of the city administration. His tasks are to monitor the prince, court in cities, and manage cities. He was subordinate to the elders of the city streets.
• Tysyatsky - head of the city administration and the city militia (assistant to the mayor). He was in charge of population management.
• The archbishop is the head of the Novgorod church. Tasks - keeping archives and treasury, responsibility for external relations, monitoring trade, compiling and preserving chronicles. The archbishop was confirmed by the Moscow metropolitan.

The prince could be summoned by the Novgorodians, but he could also be expelled, which happened often. A gift (contract) was concluded with the prince, in which the rights and obligations of the prince were indicated. The prince was considered only as a protector against foreign invaders, but had no influence on domestic politics, as well as on the appointment / removal of officials. Suffice it to say that in the 12-13 centuries the princes in Novgorod changed 58 times! Therefore, we can safely say that the real power in this principality belonged to the boyars and merchants.

The political independence of the Novgorod Republic was formalized in 1132-1136 after the expulsion of Prince Vsevolod Mstislavich. After that, the Novgorod land liquidated the power of Kiev and became a de facto independent state with a republican form of government. Therefore, it is customary to say that the Novgorod state was a boyar republic with elements of a system of urban self-government.

Novgorod the Great

Novgorod, the capital of the Novgorod land, was founded in the 9th century as a result of the unification of villages of three tribes: Chud, Slavic and Meryan. The city was located along the Volkhov River and was divided by it, as it were, into 2 parts: east and west. The eastern part was called Torgovaya, and the western part was called Sophia (in honor of the cathedral).

Novgorod was one of the largest and most beautiful cities not only in Russia, but also in Europe. The population of the city was quite educated compared to other cities. This was largely due to the fact that crafts and trade developed in the city, which required specific knowledge.

Culture

Novgorod is one of the largest cities of its time. It is no coincidence that he is often called Lord Veliky Novgorod. Sophia Cathedral was located in the city center. The pavements in the city were cobbled logs and were constantly updated. The city itself was surrounded by a moat and wooden walls. Wood and stone construction was practiced in the city. As a rule, churches and temples were erected in stone, one of the functions of which was to store money.

Chronicles, fairy tales and epics were created in the Novgorod land. Much attention was paid to icon painting. The brightest canvas of that era is "Angel with Golden Hair", which today can be seen in the Russian Museum of St. Petersburg.

Developed in the principality and architecture with fresco painting. The main direction of development is realism.

Main events

The main events in the principality in the 12-13th century:

• 1136 - the expulsion of Prince Vsevolod Mstislavich, after which the Novgorodians independently elected a prince.
• 1156 - self-election of Novgorod Archbishop
• 1207-1209 - social movements in Novgorod against the boyars
• 1220-1230 reign of Yaroslav, son of Vsevolod the Big Nest
• 1236-1251 - reign of Alexander Nevsky

The Novgorod principality is one of the three largest princedoms, along with Galicia-Volyn and Vladimir-Suzdal, which existed during the time of Ancient Rus. His mention in the annals is almost minimal, but his participation in history is incomparable.

The capital of the principality is Veliky Novgorod, famous for its artisans and merchants. As one of the main centers of education and the largest trade center in Europe, for many centuries it retained the status of a stronghold of the northern and southern borders.

The main cities of the Novgorod principality: Vologda, Torzhok, Staraya Ladoga, Polotsk, Beloozero, Rostov, Izborsk.

Geographical position

The natural and geographical conditions of the Novgorod principality were determined by its territorial location. Stretching for many kilometers, it occupied vast areas of the northern part of European Russia. The bulk of the land was located between the Ilmensky and Peipsi lakes.

Most of them were covered with dense taiga forests, but with them - endless tundra. The territory where the principality was located was full of forests, lakes and swamps, which, coupled with the harsh climatic conditions, made the soil poor and barren. However, this was compensated by large reserves of wood and building stone, and the bog soil was a real storehouse of iron ores and salts.

The Novgorod principality had access to many large river routes and seas, ran nearby. All this provided an excellent basis for the development of trade.

Political structure of the principality

The Novgorod principality was distinguished from and by its unique political system. The republican form of government originated in the principality at the very beginning of the 12th century and persisted for several centuries, which made it one of the most developed principalities. The absence of a ruling princely dynasty made it possible to maintain unity and avoid fragmentation. This historical period is called Republican.

But democracy in the Novgorod principality was elitist. Power was concentrated in the hands of several influential boyar families.

An important role in the social role of Veliky Novgorod was played by the popular assembly - the veche, formed after the expulsion of Prince Vsevolod. It possessed very broad powers: it declared war, concluded peace, and resolved completely different-sized issues.