Mstislav value. Negative traits of the name. New data about Mstislav the Great in the light of archeology

No benefits can be expected from war.
Virgil

On May 19, 1125, Prince Vladimir Monomakh died. After himself, he left five sons, the eldest of whom, Mstislav Vladimirovich, inherited the Kiev throne. Other sons of the great Vladimir Monomakh took control of the other inheritances of Russia. So, Yaropolk went to reign in Pereyaslavl, Andrei went to Vladimir-Volynsky, Vyacheslav settled in the city of Turov, and George surrendered the ruler of Suzdal. Prince Mstislav Vladimirovich defined the counties for his sons to rule in this way: Izyaslav went to Kursk, and Rostislav to Smolensk.

Mstislav Vladimirovich, during the life of his great father, glorified his name with glorious victories, as well as wise decisions. He was a worthy successor to the deeds of his father, who, unfortunately, did not rule for too long.

Domestic policy

The year 1127 for Russia was marked by another internal war, which this time was started by Vsevolod Olgovich. He captured the hereditary city of Prince Yaroslav - Chernigov. Mstislav Vladimirovich was forced to intervene, sided with Yaroslav and recaptured Chernigov. Vsevolod, having learned about the deeds of Mstislav, used the same weapon that his father, the Polovtsian troops, organized internecine wars. As chroniclers write, Vsevolod hired about 7000 Polovtsians for the war with Mstislav Vladimirovich. Approaching Chernigov, the Polovtsian troops stopped and sent ambassadors to the city, who were supposed to convince the prince of Chernigov to give the city to Vsevolod. But these ambassadors were captured and thrown into prison. Waiting for an answer from their ambassadors, and for a long time not receiving it, the Polovtsians suspected something was wrong and, thinking about the betrayal of Vsevolod, left Russia. The Grand Duke set out with his army in pursuit of the barbarians. According to the chroniclers, Mstislav's army drove the Polovtsy as far as the Volga, thereby for a long time depriving them of their desire to send troops to Russia. The Kiev ruler was angry with Vsevolod and wanted to punish him for unleashing a war, but he humbly asked the prince for mercy and swore eternal loyalty. Mstislav Vladimirovich believed his brother and did not punish him.

New internecine war

At the same time, a new misfortune happened in the state, Vladimirko and Rostislav Volodarevs began a war with each other. Their enmity was of a long-standing nature, but during the life of Monomakh they did not dare to go to war, fearing the punishment of the Kiev prince. Mstislav Vladimirovich tried to persuade the brothers to peace and convince them not to start a fratricidal war, but in vain. Vladimirko went to Hungary, from where he returned with 3000 troops. The subsequent battle lasted a long time, but did not lead to anything, both princes remained with their inheritance. This war had no continuation, since Kiev prince he literally demanded peace from Volodarev and ordered them to rule over their lands. Otherwise, Mstislav threatened to severely punish the culprit.

Natural disasters

A huge disaster deserves special mention. Kievan Rus of that time - hunger. In the period from 1126 to 1128, a terrible famine began throughout the country. This was due to the intense heat - almost all the fields burned down, private earthquakes, solar eclipses... In winter, there were terrible frosts, which lasted almost the entire spring. Chroniclers write that on April 3, 1127, snow still lay 30 centimeters in almost all the territory of the state. Many Russians died from the terrible famine of 1126-1128.

End of reign

Undoubtedly, the greatest achievement of the era when Prince Mstislav Vladimirovich ruled was overthrow of the Polotsk house... Polotsk long ago proclaimed its independence from Kiev and ruled independently. the Kiev ruler decided to return this inheritance to Russia. He gathered a huge army, which consisted of his squad, the squad of all his brothers and sons. This united army defeated the Polovtsian army and returned the city under the control of Kiev.

This ruler also solved the external tasks of the state, fighting with neighboring states. Returning from one such Lithuanian campaign, Prince Mstislav Vladimirovich died on April 15, 1132.

Biography

Heirs

Mstislav Vladimirovich the Great, in baptism Fedor, also Harald, in honor of his grandfather, the last Ango-Saxon king of England(June 1, 1076 - April 14, 1132) - Grand Duke of Kiev (1125-1132), son of Vladimir Monomakh.

Biography

By the will of his father, at the age of thirteen, he became a Novgorod prince, where he ruled in 1088-1093 and 1095-1117, acting in harmony with the Novgorodians and contributing to the strengthening (in 1116, the expansion of Novgorod Detinets took place) and decoration (at his direction, the Church of the Annunciation was laid on the Gorodishche in 1103, and in 1113 - Nikolo-Dvorishchensky Cathedral) of the city.

In 1093-1095, Mstislav ruled in the Rostov land and played a major role in the struggle of his father Monomakh and Oleg Svyatoslavich: in 1096 in the battle on the river. To the bear, he defeated Oleg's brother, Yaroslav Svyatoslavich, and then Oleg himself, who had to leave Murom and Ryazan and flee to the steppe.

In 1097, at the Lyubech congress of princes, Novgorod was "assigned" to Mstislav. The sympathies of Novgorodians towards Mstislav were great, it is known that in 1102, when the Kiev prince Svyatopolk Izyaslavich wanted to transfer Mstislav from Novgorod, they did not allow this.

In 1117-1125 he ruled in Pereyaslavl. When Vladimir Monomakh died in 1125, Mstislav became the Grand Duke. He no longer owned the lion's share of Russian lands, since the younger sons of Monomakh inherited independent principalities: Yaropolk received Pereyaslavl, Vyacheslav - Smolensk, Yuri Dolgoruky - Rostov-Suzdal inheritance, Andrey Dobry - Volyn.

In 1127 Vyacheslav became the prince of Turov, and Smolensk ceded to the son of Mstislav - Rostislav. In the same year in Chernigov, Prince Yaroslav Svyatoslavich was overthrown by his nephew, Vsevolod Olgovich. Mstislav and his brother Yaropolk opposed Vsevolod; during this war, they captured Kursk and Posemye, where Mstislav's eldest son, Izyaslav, began to rule. It was not possible to return the deposed Yaroslav to the Chernigov throne: in the world Vsevolod became the prince of Chernigov, and Yaroslav received the Muromo-Ryazan inheritance.

Thus, since 1127, Mstislav ruled Kiev, Novgorod (son of Vsevolod), Smolensk (son of Rostislav), Posem (son of Izyaslav), maintaining control over the most important cities of Russia and the main trade route "from the Varangians to the Greeks."

In 1127, Mstislav made the first campaign against the Polotsk principality: the cities of Strezhev, Lagozhsk, Izyaslavl were taken and plundered, and in Polotsk, Prince Davyd Vseslavich was replaced by his brother - Rogvolod. In 1128 Rogvolod died, and Davyd again sat down in Polotsk, who renounced the world. During a new campaign in 1129, Mstislav captured the three remaining Vseslavichs (Davyd, Svyatoslav and Rostislav) and all their relatives, annexed the Polotsk principality: Izyaslav Mstislavich was transferred here to reign. Only the secondary prince Vasilko Svyatoslavich (in Izyaslavl) remained in the Polotsk land. In 1130 Mstislav sent the captured Polotsk princes to Constantinople. During his reign, there were also constant strife in the Galician principality due to the redistribution of the inheritance of princes Volodar and Vasilko Rostislavich, who died in 1124; Grand Duke in these strife, apparently, did not interfere.

In foreign policy Mstislav continued his father's line: the details of his campaigns against the Polovtsians are unknown, but it is reported that in the end the Polovtsians were driven beyond the Don, the Volga and beyond the Yaik (modern Ural River). Apparently, fleeing from the Russian squads, Khan Artyk (Otrok) went to the Caucasus from the Black Sea region with a part of the Polovtsy, who then appeared in Georgia as mercenaries. The military power of Mstislav was so indisputable that it was he - the only one of all the princes of Kievan Rus - who deserved the production "Great" in the annals. By marriage alliances with the Scandinavian states and with Byzantium, he strengthened the position of the state in the international arena. The secondary campaigns in the Baltic were not always successful: in 1130 the tribute was imposed on the chud, but the new campaign of 1131 ended in defeat at St. George's. The campaign against Lithuania (1132) was successful, but on the way back the Kievites were defeated.

On April 14, 1132, Mstislav died, having passed the throne, according to the specific-forestry system, to his brother Yaropolk. 1132 is considered the year of the final disintegration of Kievan Rus: on the one hand, the sons of Mstislav (Izyaslav, Rostislav, Vsevolod) became the rulers of independent principalities and subsequently opposed their uncles Monomakh; on the other hand, none of Mstislav's closest successors possessed his military and political talents and could not stop the disintegration of the state.

New data about Mstislav the Great in the light of archeology

In the Moscow region, on the territory of the Mogutov archaeological complex, one of the seals of Mstislav Vladimirovich was discovered.
In the last decade, archaeological specialists have found many seals of Mstislav Vladimirovich and his descendants on the territory of the archaeological complexes of Veliky Novgorod.

Heirs

In 1095, Mstislav married his fourth cousin, the daughter of the Swedish king Inge I, Princess Christina, who bore him many children:

Ingeborga Kievskaya - married the Danish prince Knud Lavard.
Malmfrida Mstislavna - married Sigurd I of Norway, then Eric II of Denmark.
Eupraxia Mstislavna - married Alexei Komnenos, son of the Byzantine emperor John II Comnenus
Vsevolod Mstislavich - Prince of Novgorod (1117-1136)
Maria Mstislavna - married Vsevolod Olgovich, Grand Duke of Kiev
Izyaslav Mstislavich - Grand Duke of Kiev
Rostislav Mstislavich - Grand Duke of Kiev
Svyatopolk Mstislavich - Prince of Polotsk, Pskov, Beresteysky, Novgorod, Lutsk and Vladimir-Volyn
Rogneda Mstislavna, married Yaroslav Svyatopolchich, Prince of Volyn
Ksenia Mstislavna, married Bryachislav Glebovich, Prince of Izyaslavsky

In the same year, Mstislav remarried:

His wife was Lyubava Dmitrievna - the daughter of the Novgorod mayor Dmitry Zavidich.

Children from the second marriage:

Vladimir Mstislavich
Efrosinya Mstislavna, married King Geza II of Hungary

The son of Vladimir Monomakh and Gita of Wessex, an English princess, Mstislav was baptized with the name Theodore. In Europe he was called Harald - in honor of his crowned grandfather, the Anglo-Saxon king. Mstislav was born on June 1, 1076.

Prince of Novgorod and Rostov. Wars with the Svyatoslavichs

After the death of his brother Yaropolk Izyaslavich, Svyatopolk broke his promise to the Novgorodians to reign in Novgorod for life and settled in Turov. And in Novgorod his place was taken by Mstislav, the grandson of the Kiev prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich.

Mstislav also swore to the Novgorodians to reign with them until the end of his life (1086). In 1094 the Svyatoslavichs made claims to rule in Chernigov, Smolensk, Novgorod.

By that time, Mstislav had already ruled in Rostov. Davyd Svyatoslavich during this period (1094 - 1095) sat on the throne in Novgorod, but moved to Smolensk, and the Novgorodians then did not accept him back.

Together with the Novgorodians, Mstislav in 1096 fought against Oleg Svyatoslavich, expelled from the south. On the Medveditsa River, in a battle with Oleg's brother Yaroslav Svyatoslavich, Mstislav defeated, and then defeated Oleg. In 1102

Svyatopolk Izyaslavovich, a Kiev prince, wanted to plant his son in Novgorod instead of Mstislav. But the Novgorodians answered Svyatopolk threateningly, they say, it is possible to send a new prince if he has two heads. Under Mstislav, Detinets (1116) was expanded in Novgorod, the construction of the Church of the Annunciation (1103), Nikolo - Court Cathedral (1113) began. Prince of Belgorod. In 1117, his father ordered Mstislav to go to reign in Belgorod.

Yaroslav Svyatopolchich, Mstislav's son-in-law, did not like this transfer to the south, so he expelled him from Volyn. Chroniclers condemn Yaroslav Svyatopolchich for the fact that he opposed his father-in-law Mstislav. And in Novgorod his son Vsevolod was planted.

Great Kiev prince

Died Vladimir Monomakh (1125). As his eldest son, Mstislav became the heir to the Kiev principality. This did not provoke resistance from the Chernigov Svyatoslavichs. All the brothers also recognized the legality of Mstislav's succession to the throne. But at first he was exclusively in charge of Kiev. Mstislav decided to expand his possessions during the struggle for the Chernigov reign (1127).

As a result of military and diplomatic manipulations, Kursk and Posemye departed to Mstislav, where he immediately imprisoned his son Izyaslav, and Murom and Ryazan separated from Chernigov, where Yaroslav and his descendants ruled. In 1127, some more movements took place: Vyacheslav Vladimirovich left Smolensk, moving to Turov, and Smolensk was headed by Mstislav's son, Rostislav, who later founded the local dynasty.

Then, in 1127, Mstislav undertook a campaign against the Polotsk lands, as a result of which several cities were ruined and plundered, and in Polotsk Davyd Vseslavich was overthrown, his brother Rogvolod took his place. The next (1128) year Rogvolod died. Davyd returned to Polotsk, who did not want peace with Mstislav. And during the next campaign (1129) Mstislav captured Davyd, Rostislav and Svyatoslav Vseslavich together with their families.

Polotsk principality annexed to Kiev, and on the Polotsk land left the secondary prince Vasilko Svyatoslavich in the town of Izyaslavl. Captured princes of Polotsk Mstislav sent to Constantinople. In the Baltic lands, Mstislav's military campaigns had varying success: he imposed a tribute (1130), a defeat at Yuryev (1131), a successful campaign in Lithuania (1132) and a defeat on the way back.

After the death of Mstislav

Mstislav died on 14.04.1132, having transferred the reign in Kiev to his brother Yaropolk, with whom an agreement was concluded on the transfer of Pereyaslavl to Vsevolod Mstislavich. This plan could not be implemented due to the disagreement of the younger Vladimirovichs and due to the loss of Novgorod and Polotsk.

The Olgovichs, in turn, used the confrontation between the Vladimirovichs and the Mstislavichs and reclaimed the Family, and joined the struggle for the main throne. Historians date the year of death of Mstislav Vladimirovich the Great with the beginning of the disintegration of Kievan Rus into separate independent principalities.

And the princess Gita (daughter of the English king Harald). At baptism he received the name Fedor. Born in 1076. Major commander and statesman.

Mstislav I Vladimirovich the Great - biography

In 1088-93. he owned Novgorod the Great; in 1093-95 was the holder of the Smolensk and Rostov lands; in 1095-1117 reigned again in Novgorod the Great; in 1117-25 - in Belgorod-Kievsky and, most likely, was a co-regent of his father in Kiev; in 1125-32. was the Grand Duke of Kiev. After the death of Vladimir Monomakh in 1125, he inherited the Great Kiev reign, having already managed to earn military glory and respect by that time.

At the behest of his father, at the age of 13, he became the ruler of Novgorod. During his reign in Novgorod (1088-93, 1095-1117), he acted in harmony with the Novgorodians and contributed to the strengthening and decoration of the city (it was at his direction that the Church of the Annunciation was laid on the Gorodishche in 1103, in 1113 - Nikolo- Dvorishchensky Cathedral).

The years of the reign of Mstislav the Great

In 1093 - 1095 he ruled in the Rostov land and played a significant role in the struggle between his father Monomakh and Oleg Svyatoslavich. In 1096, in the battle on the Medveditsa river, he defeated Oleg's brother, Yaroslav Svyatoslavich, and then Oleg, who tried to treacherously attack him. Mstislav forced Oleg to leave Ryazan and Murom and flee, and then, in accordance with the decisions of the Lyubech Congress of 1097, agree to the distribution of inheritances.

He took part in military campaigns against the Polovtsians in 1093, 1107, 1111. He managed to pacify the appanage princes, showing the abilities of a talented politician and strategist. In 1129 he conquered the city of Polotsk together with the entire Polotsk principality. And he drove the Polovtsian hordes across the Volga and Don. By defeating the Polovtsians and campaigns against Chud and Lithuania, he secured the Russian borders.

In 1096 he defeated on the river. Kolokshe troops of Chernigov Oleg Svyatoslavich, thereby ending his aggressive activities.

Possessing the cities of Kiev, Novgorod (son of Vsevolod), Posemie (son of Izyaslav), Smolensk (son of Rostislav) and Polotsk (translated by Izyaslav), Mstislav created the strongest power within the Russian principalities, retaining control over the most important cities of Russia and the main trade route “from the Varangians to the Greeks. "

During his reign, not only Novgorod became "larger than the first", but a stone fortress was erected in the Ladoga subordinate to him. In Kiev, he built the churches of St. Theodore and the Mother of God Pirogoscha, and also founded the Fedorovsky monastery. Many scholars believe that it is Mstislav who is the last editor of The Tale of Bygone Years.

Mstislav the Great - domestic and foreign policy

In foreign policy, Mstislav I continued the line of his father: protection countries from enemies. The military power of Mstislav was so undeniable that it was he, the only one of all the princes of Kievan Rus, who earned the nickname "Great" in the annals. Using marriage alliances with the Scandinavian states and with Byzantium, he thereby strengthened the position of the state in the international arena.

The chroniclers noted that Mstislav “was a great justice, in the army he was brave and well-ordered, he was terrible to all his neighbors, he was merciful and discerning to his subjects. During his time, all Russian princes lived in perfect silence and did not dare to offend one another. That is why everyone called him Prince Mstislav the Great... While the taxes were great during his time, they were equal to everyone, and for this they brought everything without burden ”.

It was also written that Mstislav “showed the virtues of his father on the throne of Russia: he had the same zealous love for the common good, the same firmness, united in him, like in Monomakh, with a tender sensitivity of the soul.

In 1095, Mstislav married Princess Christina, daughter of the Swedish king Inge I. Many children were born from this marriage:
Ingeborga of Kiev (married Knud Lavard, a Danish prince).
Malmfrida Mstislavna (married the King of Norway, and then the King of Denmark).
Eupraxia Mstislavna (married Alexius Comnenus, son of the Byzantine emperor John II Comnenus)
Vsevolod Mstislavich, Prince of Novgorod
Maria Mstislavna (married Vsevolod II Olgovich, Grand Duke of Kiev).
Izyaslav II Mstislavich, Grand Duke of Kiev
Rostislav Mstislavich, Grand Duke of Kiev
Svyatopolk Mstislavich, Prince of Pskov, Novgorod, Polotsk, Beresteysky and Vladimir-Volyn
Rogneda Mstislavna (married Yaroslav, Prince of Volyn).
Xenia (married Bryachislav Glebovich, Prince of Izyaslavsky).

Princess Christina died on January 18 in 1122.
In the same year, the prince married a second time to the daughter of the Novgorod mayor Dmitry Davidovich. In this marriage were born:
Vladimir II Mstislavich
Efrosinya (married King Geza of Hungary).

On April 14, 1132, Mstislav I died, having ceded the throne to his brother Yaropolk II.
The Grand Duke of Kiev was buried in Kiev, in the Church of St. Sophia.

Results of the reign of Mstislav the Great

1132 is considered by many historians to be the year of the final collapse of Kievan Rus. On the one hand, thanks to their father, the sons of the Great (Vsevolod, Izyaslav and Rostislav) became the rulers of separate independent principalities, on the other hand, none of the prince's closest successors possessed his political and military abilities and could not stop the disintegration of the state.

Mstislav is an ancient pagan name of Slavic origin. It was formed as a result of the merger of the two words "revenge" and "glory". And if the interpretation of the second word raises no questions, then "revenge" is translated from Old Church Slavonic in two different, one might say, completely opposite words: revenge or defend. That is, the name Mstislav can be translated both as “glorious defender” and as “glorious avenger” (or even “glory of revenge”).

But, despite such a dual meaning of the name Mstislav, it became one of the few pagan names adopted by the Russian Orthodox Church as baptismal. It did not become popular either in the spiritual or in the secular environment, but it is still both original and traditional.

Mstislav celebrates his name day twice a year: on the day of commemoration of Prince Mstislav Vladimirovich of Kiev and on the day of commemoration of Mstislav Rostislavich the Brave, Prince of Novgorod.

Mstislav Vladimirovich the Great was the eldest son of the famous Monomakh and after his death he inherited the throne. He did not rule for long, but became famous for successful campaigns of conquest, as well as for the numerous buildings of churches. For his successful political activities he was nicknamed the Great.

Mstislav Novgorodsky earned the name of the Brave during his lifetime. According to the testimony of his contemporaries, he was distinguished by rare courage and nobility. In the Church, the prince was numbered among the saints for his mercy and fear of God.

The name Mstislav has endowed its bearer with rare energy since childhood. He is ready to enroll in any circles and sections, participate in school performances, and even help his parents around the house in the evenings. Provided that all this he will find interesting, or at least useful.

In this boy, good things come together physical development and good health with logical thinking and a creative mind.

The only thing that can prevent him from developing harmoniously is his own stubbornness and pride. Mstislav gives great importance your name. The main thing is that it does not develop into vanity narcissism.

He does not forgive even accidentally inflicted offenses. Mstislav is quick-tempered and sometimes too proud, so the boy's parents should be patient and strict in his upbringing. It is necessary to teach him compassion and tolerance from childhood.

Adulthood

Entry into adulthood for Mstislav is usually difficult. Those character flaws that were forgiven him in childhood can seriously interfere with a man in communication and work. His often unsupported ambition and self-will seriously annoy the people around him. However, if Mstislav knows the features of his name and character flaws, he always tries not to show them and avoids conflicts himself.

In communication, a man named Mstislav is open and straightforward.
He makes friends easily and can keep up any conversation.
"Boyfriend shirt" is ready to respond to all the requests of loved ones. Unfortunately, this does not always turn in his favor, and in life the bearer of this name suffers more than one betrayal, and only really friendly company able to bring him back to life.

Relationship

In love, Mstislav also strives for honesty and openness. He rarely falls in love and after an unsuccessful attempt to build a relationship with someone, he can cool down to romantic impulses for the rest of his life. This man, despite all his responsibility and strong character, in his soul can remain a child who badly needs support.

Mstislav needs an intelligent and charming woman, ready to become the keeper of his hearth and "fighting friend". She should unobtrusively feed her husband's feelings, let him be the master of the house and the protector of the family. In this case, the beloved woman of Mstislav will find truly reliable support in her husband, and everyday little things will not become an obstacle to building strong relationships.

Choice of profession

Men with the name Mstislav always show themselves as deeply creative natures. Tedious physical work is not suitable for such an energetic person - he needs constant variety and complex tasks.

Mstislav Mikhailovich Zapashny (Soviet and Russian circus artist-trainer of predatory animals, director)

Most people with the name Mstislav are pronounced humanitarians. But the range of their activities can include art, and social professions, and even business.
Unbending will, self-confidence will help to achieve success in virtually any area.
If Mstislav was able to cool down his ardor and learned to control emotions, then he often achieves success as a lawyer, politician or public figure.

His ambition then benefits the entire team in which he works. In this field of activity, the bright and ambitious Mstislav may have many ill-wishers, and he will most likely be drawn into backstage intrigues or even scandals. Only natural honesty, openness and flexible mind can help to avoid such situations.

Another feature of Mstislav is the desire to share his many knowledge. Therefore, men with this name become good consultants, managers or teachers.

With the help of his purposefulness and dedication to the cause, Mstislav can easily make his name famous and achieve professional success.

Talismans named after Mstislav

zodiac sign - Aries;
patron planet - Mars;
color - carmine (red);
hawthorn tree;
amulet stone - red hematite;
the animal is a tapir.