Biography of Ivan I of Russia
The defense of a great land
Year of birth: 128831 March 1340
Ivan Danilovich "Kalita", become Ivan I of Russia, was founded in 1288, most likely in Moscow. Was Prince of Moscow from 1325 and Grand Prince of Vladimir from 1328. In titles, in practice, would be the highest rank within the company and the Russian power: the highest point. The two principalities are, in fact, during the period in question, the most important and extensive in Russia. Ivan is the son of Daniil Aleksandrovich, Prince of Moscow, also belonging to the highest Russian nobility. His Principality began in 1277 and ends in 1303. Moreover, it is in turn a younger son of Alexander Nevsky, ancestor of all princes of Moscow. The story of the future Ivan I of Russia is linked to the figure of the elder brother, the eldest son Yury Danilovich, who after the death of his father Daniil becomes Grand Prince of Moscow.
Ivan is the third son of the Royal family and must comply with very strict hierarchies, in Russia principalities which, on balance, is much closer to Asia and to the territories of the East, including their monarchs, not to the West and to Europe in General. During the years of Russia's youth, the fights are mostly within the noble houses. His older brother, Yuri, must fight a bitter war against Prince of Tver Mikhail Yaroslavich, obtaining the title of Grand Prince of Vladimir. The skirmishes are beginning a year after the death of his father Daniil, since 1304. From now onwards, the growth and consolidation of power of Russia's younger brother, Ivan. The head of the dynasty in fact, Yuri, to ingratiate himself with the ruler of the East, the khan of the Golden Horde, has to leave for Asia. His departure, however, last long and leaves the Moscow city besieged by principles of Pereslavl-zalessky and Tver.
Ivan defends very well the city of Moscow from various attacks. According to sources of the time, the fourth day of siege, taking advantage also of the contemporary attack by the Boyar Nestorovic, the Regent Ivan makes a winning military maneuver. Gather the army outside the city walls and with a surprise sortie manages to defeat the men of the two opponents, who are forced to capitulate. The war in question however, albeit with a few flashbacks, lasts for more than a decade and appears to be concluded in 1317, when the brother Yuri returns from Asia with his new bride, Končaka, sister of Khan. The support of the Mongols and their military support, the House seems to be about to turn in their favor the war's outcome, closing permanently every contention within Russia. But things go differently. Yuri returns to Moscow accompanied by an army of Mongols led by Commander Kavdygai and attacks the city of Tver. However the actual Prince of Moscow was defeated and his brother Boris and his wife fall captives in enemy hands.
At that point, the eldest son of the Royal family must take refuge in Novgorod and then again leave for the Horde in order to convince Khan to kill his rival, who finally died in 1318. In 1319 always Yuri is appointed by Uzbeg Khan, Grand Prince of Vladimir. However the full control of the city of Moscow, in this period, remain firm in the hands of brother Ivan, who turns out to be an attentive administrator as well as a man-of-war artful and sensible. Is he on balance to play the role of Prince of Moscow, even before his official inauguration. Meanwhile, the eldest son of the family to Novgorod where she resides, in 1322 guides the army into a new war, this time against the Swedes and the following year he signed the Treaty of Oreshek. Back then again at the Horde but unable to escape the killing by his former rivals. In 1325 Dimitrij Mikhail Yaroslavich of Tver, son killed earlier by Yuri, the murderer in turn. The execution took place in Sarai and allows the Prince of Tver to proclaim Alexander of Tver, Grand Prince of Vladimir. At this stage of a turbulent politically and military again Ivan ascends the throne as Ivan I of Russia, in 1325.
Has the obligation to revive the Principality of Moscow and it knows that, like its big brother, must travel to Mongolia. From this point onwards accomplished several trips diplomats at the Golden Horde in order to obtain, once again, the full confidence of the Khan. The prerogative obtained allows him to assume the title of Grand Prince of Vladimir, in 1328. This charge, however, led him to squander and increase, in very personal, the finances of the Principality that is headed. Among his dues in fact, thanks to the support of Kahn, there is also to assume the role of tax collector of Russian principalities to the Horde.
The moniker "Kalita", meaning "pouch", if the crop at this time, due to his thirst for wealth. From this point forward Ivan I undertakes politically almost exclusively in economic loan towards the neighbouring principalities in difficulty. Subjugated by debt, the various principalities end then, even after the death of Ivan, to be annexed to the Principality of Moscow, which thanks to such means not really clear begins its expansion and hegemony in the territory of Russia, gradually breaking away from the Mongol influence. In confirmation of this trend, initiated by Ivan I of Russia, there is another political success, which he obtained. In his work of persuasion in fact, Kahn of the Horde, he manages to get the inheritance of the title also of Vladimir. In practice, after his death, his sons happen to Prince of Moscow can happen even in the title of Grand Prince of Vladimir, greatly increasing the importance of the ruling House of Moscow and, of course, also the same territories. Ivan Danilovich "Kalita", then Ivan I of Russia, dies at Moscow on 31 March 1340 's at the age of 52 years.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.