Moscow principality and its first princes

In 1147, for the first time in the annals, Moscow was mentioned. At that time it was the estate of Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. In the 12th century Moscow was a small fortified city. Here at that time was the border of four principalities: Smolensk, Ryazan, Vladimir-Suzdal and Chernigov. It had its drawbacks. The location at the intersection of the four principalities made it a "gateway" during the military campaigns of the princes. Therefore, an important role was given to strengthening the city. Thus, in 1156 the present capital of Russia was fortified with new wooden walls. By the middle of the 12th century the city became larger, however, it occupied no more than half of today's Kremlin. At this time, the Moscow principality was not independent. It was part of the Vladimir-Suzdal land.

Muscovites took part in internecine wars. In 1170 they supported the brothers A. Bogolyubsky against the actions of Yaropolk to seize their territory. Learning that Moscow took part in the war, Yaroslav was forced to turn back. For this, the next year, the city was burnt.

In 1238, Moscow was destroyed by a horde. However, despite this, she continued to enjoy the reputation of the safest region.

The Moscow prince in 1250 became A. Nevsky, who bequeathed this principality to his son Daniel. For a long time the boy was under the care of his uncle. Ten years later, Daniel became Prince of Moscow, thereby beginning the Moscow line of princes.

The boundaries of this state education were small. In the composition there were only two big cities: Zvenigorod and Moscow. There were also 3 manors: Radonezh, Ruza and Peremyshl.

Despite the small size, the Moscow principality could already withstand such a large city as Tver in the 14th century . In the same century, the active annexation of other regions of Russia began.

The mass flight of the population from Murom, Rostov, Vladimir due to the raids of the Tatars made the Moscow principality one of the most populated. This allowed the state to rise.

The opening of trade routes linking Lithuania and Poland with Polotsk, Smolensk, and the East made the Moscow principality economically developed.

Remoteness from Lithuania, the Mongol-Tatars also played a role in strengthening the influence of the city in the 14th century.

The first Moscow princes

The ancestor of the princes' line is Daniil Alexandrovich. In 1263 he received from his father, Alexander Nevsky, a small destiny, which after a while began to bear the name "Moscow Principality". Under Daniil Aleksandrovich, the Kremlin was renovated, the St. Daniel Monastery was founded, churches were built. During his reign, the capital of modern Russia significantly expanded its borders and strengthened its positions.

After the death of Daniil Alexandrovich, the land passed to his eldest son, Yuri Daniilovich, who, after the death of the Tver prince, received the right to the principality of Vladimir. Under Yuri, Moscow expanded its borders: in 1303 Kolomna and Mozhaisk were joined.

After the murder of Yuri Danilovich, the principality of Moscow passes to his brother, Ivan Kalita. During his reign, Yaropolchch, Vladimir, Nizhny Novgorod, Bogolyubovo, Pereyaslavl-Zalessky were annexed. At his reign, the Archangel and Assumption cathedrals, the oak Kremlin were built.

The successor of Kalita was Simeon the Proud. He subordinated the petty princes, behaved imperiously, extended the boundaries of the Moscow land. Thanks to acquaintance and friendship with the khan of the Golden Horde, Simeon provided a peaceful life in his state.

All the Moscow princes took significant steps to strengthen the influence of the Moscow principality and expand its borders. But, perhaps, the most significant contribution to the history was made by Daniil Aleksandrovich, who began to annex new territories to his land.