The city was mentioned for the first time under Yuri Dolgoruky. Yuri Dolgorukiy short biography. Buildings known to us by Dolgoruky

In Moscow, on the square in front of the city hall there is an equestrian monument. A mighty warrior stretched out his hand over the city. This is a memory of the one who founded Moscow - Yuri Dolgoruky.

Uniter of the Lands

A meticulous historian will say that Yuri Dolgoruky did not found Moscow - the city, and especially the settlement, existed long before him. It’s just that in the chronicles Moscow was first mentioned under him in 1147, and in 1156 he strengthened it, turning it into a well-defended trading center.

In the life of this man - the unifier of many Russian lands, the son of Vladimir Monomakh and the daughter of the English king Harold II Gita - there is much that is unclear and mysterious. It is not surprising: in the 12th century, the tradition of detailed chronicle records had not yet developed in Rus'. And, as a result, history is replaced by stories about it - myths, legends.

The official version claims that the prince received his nickname - Dolgoruky - for constant territorial encroachments, when in the early 1130s. fought for the cities of Southern Pereslavl and Kyiv. Yuri repeatedly attacked Kyiv, captured it three times, but he managed to sit on the throne for a total of no more than three years. Not only was he not accepted by the Kiev clergy, but also ordinary Kiev residents disliked him because of self-interest and cruelty.

For some, Dolgoruky is a hero, a unifier of lands. And indeed: under his rule, churches were erected throughout Rus', including the famous churches on the Nerl, in Vladimir, Suzdal, he developed new cities - Yuryev-Polsky, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Dmitrov.

However, there were many who experienced persistent antipathy towards the prince. Perhaps he could not stand comparison with his glorious father Vladimir Monomakh. Having become the head of the senior line of Monomashichs, Yuri, instead of continuing his father’s brilliant foreign policy, entered into a mortal struggle with the Volyn princes for the Kiev throne. There was everything here: betrayals, murders, conspiracies, and short-lived alliances. As a result, Dolgoruky turned many people against himself, including his nephews.

Historian N.M. Karamzin conveys a legend that the people hated the prince so much that they did not even want Yu. Dolgoruky to be buried next to his glorious father. Yuri was buried outside the city - in the Berestovskaya Church of the Savior. And then both his palace and the princely house beyond the Dnieper were plundered.

Nine hundred and thirty years later

Why did Yuri Dolgoruky die? It is known that in the last days of his life he was preparing for a battle against the alliance of princes who decided to storm Kyiv. Everyone was waiting for a brutal multi-day battle and suddenly... Karamzin recounts the story: On May 10, 1157, the prince began to feast while visiting his boyar Osmyannik Petrila and fell ill that same night, and died five days later.

They started saying that he was poisoned by the boyars. The constant conspiracies of the princes against each other, the struggle for the Kiev throne, it would seem, provided an undoubted reason for the violent removal of Yuri. History has not preserved any direct evidence of this, but to many his death seemed sudden - right on the eve of the most important battle for Kyiv.

At the end of the 80s of the twentieth century in Ukraine, near the Church of the Savior on Berestov, skeletal bones were discovered in a sarcophagus clearly intended for an influential person. They immediately assumed that the remains could belong to Yuri Dolgoruky, because all the ancient chronicles indicate that this is where the prince should be buried. At the request of the director of the Institute of Archeology of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, a forensic medical examination of the bone remains was carried out. The official conclusion forced us to take a different look at both the appearance of Yuri Dolgoruky and the nature of his death.

The conclusion says: “The skeletal remains of a man of short stature (about 157 cm), fragile build, with poorly developed muscles, who died at an old age (60–70 years) were presented for the study.” So, the real Yuri is not at all like the warrior-hero who stands in front of the Moscow City Hall. He was short, wiry and lean.

And Yuri Dolgoruky died at an advanced age, he was 60–70 years old: at that time he could be considered a long-liver. Before the discovery of the remains, the time of the prince’s birth was not known; the chronicles recorded only the date of his death - 1157. Now it turned out that the prince lived to a ripe old age and his death could hardly have been unexpected.

It is obvious that in recent years he was very ill and suffered. From the forensic medical report: “During his lifetime, the person whose bones were examined suffered from severe osteochondrosis of the cervical and lumbar spine, accompanied by pain.” Most likely, by this age Yuri was already having difficulty moving - any sudden movement caused pain. He walked bent over, possibly limping, probably turning his head only along with his body - he couldn’t do it any other way. He spent most of his time either sitting or lying down. He probably slept restlessly and often woke up from acute pain. If he had to mount a horse, he did it with great difficulty and only with the help of servants. Naturally, he could no longer take any personal part in the battles.

He probably had other ailments as well. Osteochondrosis is often accompanied by heart disease and disruptions in the functioning of a number of internal organs. Impairment of pulmonary function is also possible. In any case, with this condition of the intervertebral discs and cartilage tissue, a person is accompanied by a whole “bouquet” of pathologies. By the way, it is possible that it is precisely the wild pain, the inability to rest and recover normally that explains those outbursts of anger, irritability and cruelty of Dolgoruky that the chronicles tell of.

Was there poison?

However, the fact of illness does not mean that Prince Yuri could not have been poisoned. It is extremely difficult to establish poisoning after almost a thousand years, but we still managed to find out something. What then could they have poisoned? First of all, poisons of inorganic and mineral origin - for example, arsenic, lead. They could also use poisons of organic, plant origin, isolated, say, from herbs, poisonous berries, etc. All this could be poured into any drink, given in the form of medicine to relieve pain. Alas, after a thousand years the presence of poisons of organic origin cannot be established. But it is quite possible to find traces of arsenic, mercury, and other similar substances in bone tissue or, for example, in hair. We read the conclusion: “A spectral examination of the bones revealed no signs of poisoning by inorganic poisons (compounds of arsenic, lead, zinc, silver, copper, etc.”).

Prince Dolgoruky was not poisoned with inorganic poisons that were so popular at that time. What about others? It is possible, but this is already in the realm of speculation. We can only say that Yuri Dolgoruky lived to old age and by this time was seriously ill. He was ill, as is known from the chronicles, for five days, after which he died - people usually die faster from poisons, although such an outcome is also possible. We don’t know how these last five days went, how the disease developed. But it seems that the most terrible enemy of man has done his job here - the natural aging of the body. And the prince died from multiple dysfunctions of the body.

What if..?

True, there is another mystery: what if the human remains found in the Church of the Savior on Berestov do not belong to Yuri Dolgoruky?

Yuri Dolgoruky, son of Vladimir Monomakh, Grand Duke of Kiev, is known to most Russian citizens as the founder of Moscow. But this is only a drop in the biography of the Grand Duke.

First, let's look at the cities that Yuri Dolgoruky founded.

Which city was founded by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky?

In addition to the well-known Moscow, the capital of the Russian Federation, Yuri Dolgoruky founded Yuryev-Polsky, Pereyaslavl-Zalessky and Dmitrov. The prince is also credited with the founding of Kostroma, Zvenigorod, Dubna, Starodub, Przemysl, but this information is questioned.

Biography of Yuri Dolgoruky.

The exact date of birth of Yuri Dolgoruky is unknown, so it is generally accepted that he was born in the 90s, namely in the 1090s.

Years of life Yuri Dolgoruky: 1090e-1157.

Years of reign Yuri Dolgoruky: 1149-1151, 1155-1157.

Yuri is the youngest son of Vladimir Monomakh. There are several versions about Yuri's mother: Gita of Wessex, daughter of Harold II or the second wife of Vladimir Monomakh, whose name is unknown.

Yuri Vladimirovich is the ancestor of the Vladimir-Suzdal princes, a representative of the Rurikovich family.

Yuri Dolgoruky - Prince of Rostov-Suzdal (1125-1157), in addition, bore the title Grand Duke of Kiev (1149-1150, 1150-1151, 1155-1157). Yuri Dolgoruky never gave up the desire to conquer the Grand Duke's throne and various appanages. This is why he was nicknamed Dolgoruky, for his long (long) arms.

Yuri Vladimirovich, as a child, was sent by his older brother Mstislav to rule Rostov as a prince. Of course, he never gave control to the child; Yuri began reigning alone in 1117. In the early 30s, Dmitry Dolgoruky began to look at Kyiv. In 1132 and 1135, Yuri Dolgoruky captured Pereyaslavl Russky, but Yuri failed to hold out for more than a few days.

Since 1147, Yuri Dolgoruky began to interfere in the feuds between the princes, and several times tried to take Kyiv from Izyaslav Mstislavich. It was in 1147, returning from the Novgorod campaign, that Yuri Dolgoruky wrote a message to his ally Prince Yaroslav Olgovich, in which he called on him to come to Moscow. It is 1147 that is considered the date of the city. Then Yuri Dolgoruky ordered the founding of a city on the outskirts of North-Eastern Rus' to protect his borders. The small village at that time was a guard fort and was located on a high hill at the confluence of three rivers.

Yuri Dolgoruky's dream came true three times - he became the Grand Duke of Kyiv, but because of the prince's cruelty, his self-interest and thirst for power, he did not enjoy respect in Kyiv. Yuri Dolgoruky captured Kyiv three times, but in total he ruled there for less than three years.

The reign of Kiev Yuri Dolgoruky.

The first time Yuri Dolgoruky became the Grand Duke of Kyiv in 1149, defeating the troops of Izyaslav the Second Mstislavovich and seizing the throne. The Turov and Pereyaslav principalities also came under control. In 1150-1551, Izyaslav, with the support of Hungarian and Polish allies, regained Kyiv. In these years, Yuri regained his rule, but not for long. Yuri Dolgoruky was finally defeated in 1151 on the Ruta River.

In 1155, Yuri Dolgoruky took Kyiv once again, having already expelled Prince Izyaslav III, having secured the consent of the Grand Duke of Kyiv Rostislav. After the exile of Izyaslav III, Rostislav transferred his title to Yuri Dolgoruky, who ruled Kiev until his death in 1157.

The chronicles say a lot about the qualities of Yuri Dolgoruky, both negative (envious, ambitious, cunning) and positive (brave, skillful warrior, intelligent ruler).

Yuri Dolgoruky was married 2 times and had 13 children.

Yuri I Vladimirovich Dolgoruky
Years of life: about 1091-1157
Reign: 1149-1151, 1155-1157

The father was the Grand Duke of Kyiv. He was his youngest son. The mother, according to one version, was the daughter of the last Anglo-Saxon king Harold II, Gita of Wessex. According to another version, she is the second wife of Vladimir Monomakh, whose name is unknown.

This is a representative of the Rurikovich family, the ancestor of the Vladimir-Suzdal Grand Dukes.
Prince of Rostov-Suzdal (1125-1157); Grand Duke of Kiev (1149-1150 - six months), (1150-1151 - less than six months), (1155-1157).

Brief biography of Yuri Dolgoruky

He is one of the most troubled and controversial figures in Russian history. Being the son of Vladimir the Second Monomakh, the Great Ruler of Kyiv, he did not want to be content with little and constantly sought to conquer the Grand Duke's throne and various appanages. It was for this that he was nicknamed Dolgoruky, that is, having long (long) arms.
While still a child, he was sent with his brother Mstislav to reign in the city of Rostov. From 1117 he began to reign alone. Since the beginning of the 30s. began to be uncontrollably drawn to the south, closer to the prestigious Kyiv throne. Already in 1132 he captured Pereyaslavl Russky, but was only able to stay there for 8 days. His attempt to stay in Pereyaslavl in 1135 also failed.

The short reign of Yuri Dolgoruky in Kyiv

Since 1147, he constantly intervened in inter-princely feuds, trying to take the city of Kyiv from his nephew. During his long life, he attempted to attack Kyiv many times and captured it 3 times, but in total he did not sit on the Kiev throne for even 3 years. Because of his thirst for power, selfishness and cruelty, he did not enjoy the respect of the people of Kiev.

He first took the Kiev throne in 1149, when he defeated the troops of the Kyiv ruler Izyaslav the Second Mstislavich. The principalities of Turov and Pereyaslavl also came under his control. He gave Vyshgorod to his older brother Vyacheslav, but nevertheless the traditional order of succession by seniority was violated, which Izyaslav took advantage of. With the help of Hungarian and Polish allies, Izyaslav regained Kyiv in 1150-51 and made Vyacheslav co-ruler (in fact, continuing to rule on his behalf). The attempt to recapture Kyiv ended in defeat on the river. Rute (1151).

The second time he gained power in Kyiv was in 1155, when he expelled Izyaslav III Davidovich, who had seized power, from Kyiv, having secured the consent of the Grand Duke of Kyiv Rostislav. After this event, Rostislav lost the title of Grand Duke of Kyiv to Dolgoruky.

From 1155, the 3rd attempt was crowned with success, he was the ruler in Kyiv until his death in 1157. The chronicle says that he was an envious, ambitious, cunning, but also brave man. Without enjoying the special love of the people and princes, he was nevertheless able to gain a reputation not only as a skilled warrior, but also as an equally intelligent ruler.

His lifelong dream of becoming the Grand Duke of Kyiv eventually came true, but in history and in the memory of his descendants he remained the founder of a completely different city. In 1147, it was by his order, to protect the borders, on the unknown outskirts of North-Eastern Rus', a city was founded, which to this day bears the name Moscow. The small village stood on a high hill at the confluence of three rivers, which seemed to the Grand Duke most suitable for the construction of a guard fort.

In 1147, returning from a campaign against Novgorod, he wrote in a message to his relative and ally of Chernigov-Seversk Svyatoslav Olgovich: “Come to me, brother, in Moscow!” This was the first mention in the Ipatiev Chronicle of the future capital of Russia, and this year is considered to be the official age of the city of Moscow.
On one of the central squares of Moscow, even today there is monument to Yuri Dolgoruky. In 2007 (April 15), the newest strategic nuclear submarine was created and launched in Russia, which bears the sonorous name of the great ruler - Yuri Dolgoruky.

Son of Yuri Dolgoruky

In 1154, the city of Dmitrov was also founded, named by the prince in honor of his youngest son, baptized Dmitry, who was born that year.

In the early 50s. founded the cities of Pereyaslavl-Zalessky and Yuryev-Polsky. In 1154, he captured Ryazan, whose son became its ruler, but soon the legitimate Ryazan prince Rostislav, with the help of the Polovtsians, expelled Andrei.

In December 1154 he again went on a campaign to the south. On the way, he made peace with Rostislav of Smolensk (January 1155) and, together with his faithful ally Svyatoslav Olgovich, occupied the city of Kyiv (March 1155). Izyaslav III Davydovich left the city without a fight and went to Chernigov. His son Boris Yuryevich began to rule in Turov, Gleb Yuryevich was elevated to Pereyaslavl, and Andrei Yuryevich Bogolyubsky remained in Suzdal. In order to completely weaken the forces of his rivals, he, together with Yaroslav Osmomysl, attacked the Volyn princes Yaroslav and Mstislav - sons. The siege of Lutsk was unsuccessful, and the war in western Rus' continued throughout his reign in Kyiv (1155-57).

In 1155, having more rights to the throne, he sent a message to Izyaslav that Kyiv belonged to him. Izyaslav wrote the answer: “Did I go to Kyiv myself? The people of Kiev imprisoned me; Kyiv is yours, just don’t do me harm.” And Dolgoruky for the 3rd (!) time, but not for long, sat on his father’s throne (1155-1157 - years of reign).

In 1156, as the chronicle writes, he fortified Moscow with a moat and wooden walls, and his son, Andrei Bogolyubsky, directly supervised the work.

In 1157, a coalition formed against him consisting of Mstislav Izyaslavich of Volyn, Izyaslav Davydovich of Chernigov and. In 1157, he went against Mstislav, besieged him in Vladimir Volyn, stood for 10 days, but left with nothing.

Returning to the city of Kyiv, Dolgoruky was at a feast at Osmyannik Petrila on May 10, 1157. That night he became ill (there is a version that he was poisoned by the Kyiv nobility), and 5 days later (May 15) he died. On the day of the funeral (May 16), a lot of grief happened, the chronicler wrote: the people of Kiev plundered the courtyards of the prince and his son Vasilko, killed Suzdal residents in cities and villages. Kyiv again became occupied by the representative of the Chernigov Davydovich line, Izyaslav the Third, but Dolgoruky’s sons Boris and Gleb were able to retain their positions on the Turov and Pereyaslav thrones.

Prince Yuri Dolgoruky - founder of cities

He was very disliked by the southern population, because he had an imperious character and was not very generous (Izyaslav Mstislavich was the complete opposite of him). Even the people of Kiev did not allow the body to be buried next to the body of his father Vladimir Monomakh, and he was buried in the Berestovsky Monastery of the Savior on the territory of the modern Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.

He was treated much better in the north, where he earned a good memory by founding many cities and establishing churches. He devoted the best years of his life to the improvement of the Russian land. He founded such subsequently famous cities as Moscow, Yuryev Polsky, Pereyaslavl Zalessky, Dmitrov, and under him Vladimir-on-Klyazma grew and became stronger.

Its famous buildings are: the Transfiguration Cathedral in Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, the Church of Boris and Gleb in Kideksha, the St. George Cathedral in Yuryev-Polsky, the Church of St. George in Vladimir, the Church of the Savior in the city of Suzdal (mentioned in the chronicle, but its location is not known for certain); fortresses in Yuryev-Polsky, Zvenigorod, Moscow, Dmitrov, Przemysl-Moskovsky, Gorodets and Mikulin; Vladimir fortified courtyard; Nativity Cathedral in Suzdal (beginning of the 12th century).

Marriages: from 1108 married to the daughter of the Polovtsian khan Aepa Osenevich (from 1108), from June 14, 1182. on Princess Olga (daughter or sister) of the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Komnenos)

In total he had 13 children:

Rostislav Yuryevich, ruler of Novgorod, Pereyaslavl
Andrei Bogolyubsky, Grand Duke of Vladimir-Suzdal
Ivan Yuryevich, ruler of Kursk
Gleb Yurievich, Pereyaslavsky, Grand Duke of Kyiv
Boris Yuryevich ruler of Belgorod, Turov
Mstislav Yurievich, ruler of Novgorod
Yaroslav Yuryevich, ruler of Chernigov
Svyatoslav Yuryevich, ruler of Yuryevsky
Vasilko (Vasily) Yuryevich, ruler of Suzdal
Mikhail Yuryevich, Grand Duke of Vladimir-Suzdal
Vsevolod the Third Big Nest, Grand Duke of Vladimir-Suzdal
Maria; Olga, who was the wife of Galician Yaroslav Osmomysl.

Yuri Dolgoruky, “Noble families of the Russian Empire”, volume 1 “Princes”. Publisher: IPK "Vesti"

Years of life: circa 1090s - May 15, 1157
Father and mother: .
Spouses: daughter of the Polovtsian Khan Aepa, the name of the second wife is unknown.
Children: Rostislav, Andrey Bogolyubsky, Ivan, Gleb, Boris, Elena, Maria, Olga, Vasilko, Mstislav, Yaroslav, Svyatoslav, Mikhail and Vsevolod (known as).

Grand Duke Yuri Dolgoruky was the son from whom he inherited the Rostov principality. He shared the reign by right of inheritance with his brother Mstislav, and from 1117 he began to rule personally.

Yuri Dolgoruky received his nickname for his frequent participation in internecine wars, which often arose very far from Yuri’s native principality.

Yuri Dolgoruky moved the capital of his native principality to Suzdal. However, he freed himself from dependence on Kyiv only in 1131.

Yuri Dolgoruky was famous by his people for his active creative work: he founded several cities (Dmitrov, Yurye Polsky, Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, as well as Moscow), built new churches, and defended the interests of his people. During his reign, the Vladimir-Suzdal principality strengthened significantly and turned into the northern center of Rus'.

Yuri Vladimirovich Dolgoruky was married twice: the first time to the daughter of the Polovtsian khan Aena, and the second to the Byzantine princess, daughter of Emperor Manuel Komnenos. In his second marriage, Yuri had three sons: Vasily and Mikhail.

During his life, Yuri Dolgoruky always sought to gain the Kiev throne. However, having received it in 1149 with the help of a victory over Izyaslav Mstislavovich, he failed to hold on to it and in 1152 he was expelled.

After a series of internecine wars, Izyaslav Davydovich remained the main contender for the great reign. Yuri Dolgoruky came out with his squad to meet him, but Izyaslav fled, renouncing the Kyiv throne and accepting the reign of Chernigov. Thus, Yuri Dolgoruky again became the ruler of Kyiv.

Yuri Dolgoruky: death and last years of life

Yuri Dolgoruky died in 1157, after attending a celebration at Osmanin Perila, where he became ill and was presumably poisoned. A few days after this, the Prince of Kyiv died. After Yuri's death, Kyiv was gripped by rebellion.

Without a doubt, Prince Yuri Dolgoruky was one of the most controversial figures in Russian history. On the one hand, thanks to his rule, Rus' not only developed and strengthened its borders, but also united, ending internal strife (albeit not for long). However, on the other hand, many contemporaries note Yuri’s ardent desire for power, which was undoubtedly expressed in his character and actions.

But we should also not forget that it was Yuri Dolgoruky who founded one of the greatest cities of our time - Moscow.

Historians cannot determine the exact date of birth in the biography of Yuri Dolgorukov. It is believed that he was born between 1090 and 1097. At an early age, Yuri became the prince of Rostov-Suzdal, ruling in Suzdal until the end of his life.

Dolgoruky received his nickname due to attempts to capture Pereyaslavl and Kyiv. After the founding of Moscow, Dolgoruky fortified the city with walls and a moat. In the biography of Prince Yuri Dolgorukov, several attempts were made to conquer Kyiv. In 1147 he established himself in Kursk, and two years later captured Kyiv. But he could not rule there for a long time - Izyaslav recaptured the city. After several unsuccessful battles, Dolgoruky no longer attacked the southern lands while Izyaslav was alive.

Dolgoruky's biography is also known for the founding of several cities besides Moscow (Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, Yuryev-Polsky), as well as fortresses and cathedrals. In 1155, Yuri again attacked Kyiv, ruling there until 1157. Mstislav Izyaslavich, Rostislav Mstislavich, Izyaslav Davydovich united together to fight Yuri Dolgoruky. But the campaign was never resolved, since on May 15, 1157, the Grand Duke of Kiev died.

Biography score

New feature!