Life of wonderful names. Brief biography of Ivan Kalita

The short biography of Ivan Kalita is very similar to the biographies of many other Russian princes of that era. At the same time, our hero managed to stand out from this series with his activities. First of all, by laying the foundation for the future economic and political power of Moscow. What in the future became a springboard for great achievements was largely created by Ivan Kalita. A short biography of this prince begins in the second half of the 13th century. Presumably in 1283.

Brief biography of Ivan Kalita: early years

The future ruler was the youngest son of Moscow (and grandson of the famous Alexander Nevsky). Already in 1296 he became his father's governor in Novgorod. In 1304 he received his first important military leadership experience in the battles with the Tver princes for the city of Pereyaslavl. This episode ended with the victory of the young prince. For quite a long time, the young representative of the princely family was in the shadow of his older brother, who ruled Moscow. But the short biography of Ivan Kalita takes a sharp turn in 1320. Both brothers go to the Horde to receive khan's labels to rule the Russian lands. As a result of this voyage, the older brother goes to reign in Novgorod, and the younger brother gets Moscow at his disposal.

Ivan Kalita. Briefly about the board

The prince who ascended the Moscow throne proved himself to be a rather stubborn and persistent politician. He regularly traveled to the Horde, which allowed him to gain the trust and favor of Uzbek Khan. In material terms, this resulted in relative calm and a blessed calm for his lot during a period when the rest of the Russian lands were forced to pay fairly high bribes to the khans

baskakam. As a result of such a favorable climate, the population began to be intensively replenished with refugees from other lands. His cities grew, the prosperity of local boyars grew, and crafts were revived. A short biography of Ivan Kalita is integrally connected with the rest. In 1325, the department of the Orthodox Metropolitan was transferred to Moscow, which made it not only an important economic and craft center, but also the spiritual center of the entire Russian land. Ivan Kalita quite skillfully took advantage of the favorable circumstances that developed for him.

Cunning, deceit, political determination and the ability to exploit the weaknesses of his opponents allowed him to significantly expand the boundaries of his destiny. They bought Uglich. The struggle for dominance with the old rival, the Tver prince Alexander Mikhailovich, lasted for quite a long time. In 1327, the murder of the Horde Baskak took place in Tver. Ivan Kalita hastily assured Khan Uzbek of his loyalty and readiness to help punish the culprits. This gave him the khan's permission to undertake a military campaign against Tver with the help of the Horde army, as well as the further right to rule this city and independently collect tribute for the khan. The Moscow prince tried to annex the largest city of northern Rus', Novgorod, to his possessions. However, it ended in defeat for him. Ivan Kalita died in 1340, leaving the Moscow throne to his heir Simeon the Proud.

Chance always plays hide and seek with inevitability. The fourth of the five sons of Daniel of Moscow, Prince Ivan, it seemed, had no chance of taking his father’s throne. At best, he could count on a tiny inheritance within the Principality of Moscow, and at worst, on the role of a “landless” prince, the eternal trustee of his powerful older brother. However, fate decreed otherwise. Daniel's three eldest sons (Yuri, Boris, Afanasy) died without leaving heirs. The unexpected death of Yuri in the Horde made Ivan a Moscow prince. And two years later, a new turn of the “wheel of Fortune” - the Tver rebellion - elevated him to the throne of the Grand Duke of Vladimir (November 21, 1325). Now this middle-aged, but still undistinguished grandson of Alexander Nevsky had the opportunity to show what he was really worth...

Foreign policy of Ivan Kalita

Contemporaries and descendants considered the main merit of Ivan Kalita to be the establishment of long-awaited peace and order in North-Eastern Rus'. In those years when he was the Grand Duke of Vladimir (1328-1340), devastating raids on Russian lands ceased. There were none even with his sons Semyon Proud And Ivan Krasny. The country lived a calm, peaceful life. The cities grew, the population increased, and strength was accumulated for future victories over the “filthy” ones.

This is what the chronicler says about this: “Ivan Danilovich sat down in the great reign of all Rus', and from then on there was a great silence for 40 years, and the filthy ones stopped fighting the Russian land and killing Christians, and the Christians rested from the great languor and many burdens and from Tatar violence, and from then on there was great silence throughout the Russian land.”

Of course, the “great silence” did not come easily to Prince Ivan. He had to constantly go to Uzbek Khan to deliver tribute and please all the “strong people” in the Horde with gifts. Each such trip lasted several months and was associated with severe physical and moral trials. The collection of tribute in the impoverished Russian lands took no less effort. After all, after the Tver uprising of 1327, the Horde transferred this difficult and dangerous matter into the hands of the Grand Duke of Vladimir. Local princes were ordered to transfer to him the amounts due from them on time and not to have direct contacts with the Horde. However, they constantly violated both conditions.

To fulfill all his obligations to the Horde, the Grand Duke had to find the right tone in relations with Novgorod. It was a real “war of nerves.” The obstinate Novgorodians, under various pretexts, evaded paying their share of the Horde tribute. It was even more difficult to collect extraordinary taxes from them, which the khan demanded from time to time. In relation to Novgorod, Ivan Kalita successfully applied the carrot and stick policy. He either frightened the Novgorod nobility with the invasion of his troops, or appeased them with generous gifts and honors.

Domestic policy of Ivan Kalita

An important part of Ivan Kalita’s domestic policy was the fight against all kinds of crimes. According to the chronicle, he “saved the Russian land from thieves and robbers.” There is reason to believe that the Grand Duke dealt with not only those “robbers” who nested in the forests and robbed merchant carts, but also those “thieves” from among the local nobility who stole the Horde tribute collected from the population.

Architecture

Religion

Ivan Kalita was a far-sighted ruler. He understood that Moscow’s military-political successes would be lasting only when an ideological basis was laid for them. In other words, Moscow needed its own idea, its own banner. In that religious era, such a task could only be solved with the assistance of the church.

In 1299, Metropolitan Maksim moved his residence from devastated Kyiv to Vladimir-on-Klyazma. But even there he did not find peace. Maxim's successor, Metropolitan Peter(1308-1326) constantly moved from one area of ​​his vast metropolis to another. In the last years of his life he settled in Moscow. Ivan Kalita built a new courtyard for the saint and expressed his respect to him in every possible way. Pleased with the prince's piety, Metropolitan Peter laid the first stone in the foundation of the Moscow Assumption Cathedral with his own hands.

He donated his personal funds for the construction and bequeathed to bury himself in this temple.

Ivan Kalita ensured that soon after his death, Metropolitan Peter was recognized as a saint. The tomb with his holy relics, located in a special chapel of the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, became the main shrine of Moscow.

The goal of Ivan Kalita's church policy was to transform Moscow into the religious capital of Rus'. And in this he was successful. Peter's successor, Metropolitan Theognostus(1328-1353) spent most of his time in Moscow, which he considered his main residence. And the next metropolitan, Alexei(1354-1378), was generally a native Muscovite. Material from the site

Nickname "Kalita"

Prince Ivan Danilovich was a deeply religious man. However, as a ruler, he could not do without constant violation of many gospel commandments. Fearing heavenly punishment for his sins, he tried to appease God in the traditional way for all rulers - by distributing alms to the poor. For this purpose, when leaving the palace, he always had with him a bag-wallet with small money - the famous wicket. The mocking people of Moscow noticed this habit. This is where the original nickname came from - Kalita.

From the family of Moscow Grand Dukes.

Son of Daniil Alexandrovich. Mother - Maria. Grandson of Alexander Nevsky.

Your nickname Kalita Ivan Danilovich most likely received it from the habit of constantly carrying a wallet (“kalita”) with him in order to give alms to the poor, as well as for the enormous wealth that he used to expand his territory by purchasing other people’s principalities.

First Ivan Danilovich mentioned in the Novgorod chronicle in 1296 in connection with a trip to the city of Novgorod the Great. At the beginning of the 14th century Ivan Kalita reigned in Pereyaslavl-Zalessky. In 1305, near Pereyaslavl, he defeated the army of the Tver boyar Akinf, who tried to capture the city.

In 1303-1325 Ivan I Danilovich often replaced his elder brother Yuri Danilovich on the Moscow princely throne during his stay in Novgorod the Great and the Golden Horde. Moscow was left under the complete control of Ivan Danilovich.

After the death of his brother Yuri in 1325 Ivan I Danilovich Kalita took the great reign in Moscow.

The times of his reign were an era of strengthening the power of Moscow and its rise above other Russian cities. Ivan Danilovich ensured the security of Moscow by earning the favor and trust of Uzbek. “The filthy ones stopped fighting the Russian land,” the chronicler wrote, “they stopped killing Christians; the Christians rested and rested from the great languor and many burdens and from Tatar violence; and from then on there was silence throughout the entire land.”

Precisely when Ivan Kalita An oak Kremlin was built, which protected the city center and the suburbs outside it. Villages sprang up at great speed. The boyars happily went to the Moscow prince and received lands from him. Ivan Danilovich Kalita took care of the safety of his principality, strictly pursued and executed robbers, so merchants could safely travel along Russian roads. Ivan also ensured that the metropolitan see was transferred from Vladimir to Moscow. Since then, Moscow has become the spiritual capital of Rus'. Ivan Kalita managed to win over Metropolitan Peter.

In 1327, Ivan Danilovich, together with other princes, went on a campaign to Tver along with the Golden Horde punitive detachments to suppress the popular uprising against the Mongol-Tatars. For this, Ivan Kalita was awarded in 1328 by Khan Uzbek and received the Principality of Kostroma and the right to control Novgorod the Great.

But soon Uzbek became very angry when he learned about the death of his ambassador Cholkan and his retinue, gave a label to the great reign of Kalita, troops and sent them to Tver. Arriving in Tverskaya volost Kalita Together with the Tatars, they burned cities and villages and took people prisoner.

Having received the title of Prince of Novgorod in 1328, Ivan Danilovich Kalita began to consolidate his power.

In 1332 Ivan Kalita went to the Horde with large gifts to receive a label for sole rule, but managed to assert only the city of Vladimir and the Volga region. In 1333, having wasted enormous amounts of money in the Horde, Ivan Danilovich demanded an increased tribute from the Novgorodians, but was refused. The troops of Ivan Kalita occupied Torzhok and Bezhetsky Verkh.

Ivan, after these events, in 1336, with the help of Metropolitan Theognost, made peace with the city of Novgorod. The Novgorodians called him their prince and paid all the required money and the money due.

Ivan I Danilovich Kalita mercilessly dealt with his opponents, using the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church. Metropolitan Moskovsky, Peter, helped Ivan I Danilovich in carrying out the policy of centralization Rus. lands. Chroniclers wrote that Ivan Danilovich Kalita he saved the Russian land from thieves and robbers, always administered “just justice,” helped the poor, and protected widows. For this he received his second nickname - Kind.

Under Ivan Kalita construction was actively underway. The Archangel and Assumption Cathedrals and the Church of St. John the Climacus were built. In Moscow there is the Transfiguration Church, and with it a monastery. St. Daniel's Monastery was moved to a new location. The Goritsky (Uspensky) Monastery was founded in Pereyaslavl-Zalessky.

March 31, 1341 Ivan I Danilovich Kalita died after accepting the schema. He was buried in Moscow in the Kremlin Archangel Cathedral, built during his reign.

Activity Ivan Kalita historians assess it ambiguously. So, V.O. Klyuchevsky did not particularly single him out “in a series of gray personalities.” M. N. Tikhomirov believed that “Kalita laid the foundations of the power of Moscow,” and saw in him a brilliant politician and diplomat.

U Ivan Danilovich there were 2 wives:

1) Princess Elena;

2) Princess Ulyana.

Children from Elena:

Simeon the Proud (1316-1353)

Daniel (1320-1328)

Ivan (1326-1359)

Andrei Serpukhovsky (1327-1353)

Vladimir the Brave (1353-1410)

Feotinia

From Ulyana.

Prince of Moscow Ivan I Danilovich Kalita became famous in history as a diplomatic ruler who expanded the territory of the principality. He established relations with the Horde Khan. In 2001, Ivan Kalita was elevated to the rank of locally revered saints of Moscow.

The childhood of Ivan Kalita, who was born in Moscow, is not remarkable for historians. He was an ordinary youth who grew up in the family of Prince Danila Alexandrovich and the ruler’s wife. As a child, the boy constantly heard stories about the Tatars, who constantly raided Rus'. Many elders were afraid. Unpleasant sensations were transmitted to little Ivan, especially since in early childhood the boy witnessed the capture of Moscow.

From infancy, the boyars and father told the future ruler about what was happening in the state. At the age of 3, the child was put on a horse and began to learn horse riding. Immediately after this posag ceremony, the boy was handed over to male educators. The teachers paid more attention to the basics of government, since the prince wanted to see Ivan at the head, and not his eldest son Yuri.

Ivan Kalita was known as a cautious and prudent youth, in contrast to his brother, who was distinguished by a quarrelsome, harsh temperament. In 1303 Daniel dies. 21-year-old Yuri was elevated to the throne, and 15-year-old Ivan became the prince's assistant. While his elder brother was away, Ivan had to defend Pereslavl. Tough character and excellent training helped to survive, despite the small number of the army.

Diplomatic negotiations with the khans lead to dire consequences. During a trip to the Golden Horde, the newly created ruler is killed. The throne passes, as Daniil of Moscow planned, to his youngest son, Ivan Kalita.

Governing body

Ivan Kalita is an unusual ruler. From the first days, the prince did not conquer new territories, but began to promote Orthodoxy. On behalf of the ruler, the residence of the metropolitan was moved from Vladimir to Moscow. Thus, the city turned into the spiritual capital of Rus'. Moscow's authority has increased.

Problems with the division of lands began in 1327, when the people in Tver rebelled, and later the Horde ambassador was killed. Ivan Kalita went to the khan, who gave the ruler a label for the great reign. Together with the Suzdalians, the prince recaptured Tver, while Alexander Mikhailovich Tverskoy fled from possible punishment to Novgorod (he was later found in Pskov).

A year later, Khan Uzbek decided to divide the principalities between Ivan and Alexander Vasilyevich Suzdal. Novgorod and Kostroma went to Kalita, and Nizhny Novgorod and Gorodets went to the second prince. In 1331, Alexander Vasilyevich dies, the throne is taken by Constantine. At this time, the territories subordinate to the Prince of Suzdal returned to the Grand Duchy.

In the period from 1328 to 1330, Ivan Kalita entered into two profitable marriages - his daughters married Vasily Yaroslavsky and Konstantin Rostovsky. Alliances are beneficial for the ruler, since the appanages are at the disposal of the prince. Tension between Moscow and Novgorod reached its peak in 1331.

The conflict began with the refusal of Metropolitan Theognost to install Arseny as Archbishop of Novgorod. The post was given to Vasily Kalika. At this time, Kalita makes demands for increased tribute. The refusal infuriates the ruler - the prince advances with an army to the Novgorod land. It did not come to hostilities, since Ivan planned to resolve the issue peacefully.

Kalita's behavior, namely the marriage of Simeon's son with Aigusta, daughter of Gediminas, caused concern among the Novgorodians. The rulers decided to act: an invitation followed from Narimunt, who was given the fortress of Oreshek, the patrimony of Ladoga, Korelsk, and half of Koporye. Instead of the guest, Alexander Narimuntovich came to rule, while his father remained in Lithuania. The Novgorodians did not receive support from such an alliance. Narimunt did not arrive to fight against the Swedes and recalled his son from the lands.

Only in 1336, after Metropolitan Theognost intervened in the matter, peace came between Novgorod and Kalita. Prince Ivan receives the desired tribute and the title of Novgorod ruler. Gediminas tried to take revenge on the Novgorod land for the peace concluded with Moscow, but the war never began.

In 1337, Alexander Tverskoy and his son were executed. Khan made this decision after Ivan Kalita’s denunciation. Soon the prince returns to Moscow. By order of the ruler, the bell is removed from the Church of St. Savior and transported to the capital. Kalita subdues her brother Alexander Mikhailovich.

Kalita's biography contains many campaigns of conquest against unwanted princes. In 1339, the Moscow army was sent to Smolensk due to reluctance to pay tribute to the Horde. The conflict between Novgorod and Moscow is reviving again. Ivan was unable to resolve the dispute until the end of his life.

Ivan Kalita's policies are called controversial. The prince erects several churches on the territory of the Moscow state: the Cathedral of the Savior on Bor, the Assumption Cathedral, the Archangel Cathedral, and the Church of St. John the Climacus. During his reign (from 1328 to 1340), Kalita built the new Moscow Kremlin from oak. The ruler is distinguished by a craving for faith. Shortly before his death, Ivan writes the Siya Gospel. Now the scripture is in the library of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Kalita's contemporaries characterized the ruler as a flexible and persistent prince. Khan of the Horde respected and trusted the Muscovite. This helped save Moscow from the raids of the Horde. The welfare of his subjects grew, discontent disappeared. Ivan Danilovich saved the principality from plunder and war for 40 years. Kalita mercilessly dealt with his opponents and suppressed popular unrest over tribute.

Ivan I achieved unprecedented influence over some lands, including Novgorod, Tver and Pskov. During the years of his reign, the prince accumulated wealth, which was inherited by his children and grandchildren, among whom was. From the confessions of the heir it followed that Kalita acquired lands in foreign principalities.

Personal life

Ivan Kalita was married twice. In 1319, Elena became the ruler's wife. Historical data about the origin of the girl has not been preserved. They had four sons - Simeon, Daniel, Ivan and Andrey. An unknown illness ruined the health of the princely wife.

In 1332, Elena died, and a year later Ivan married again. The chosen one was Ulyana. The marriage produced four daughters - Maria, Evdokia, Feodosia, Feotinia. Kalita married off the girls for personal gain. The prince set the only condition for his sons-in-law - the ruler himself would manage the estates.

Death

A few months before his death, Ivan Kalita took monastic vows. Preventing strife between his sons, the ruler distributed property during his lifetime. Simeon the Proud became the owner of two-thirds of the inheritance. His father left him in the role of patron of the younger children. Kalita, on his deathbed, took care of the state. This division made it possible to avoid fragmentation of the Moscow principality. The prince's death came in March 1340. The funeral took place in the Archangel Cathedral, built by order of Ivan I.

History does not know another such ruler who is equally advocating for Moscow. The city was transformed during the reign of Ivan Kalita. The prince did not commit brutal murders of his opponents during the years of his reign, unlike his brother. The tradition of giving nicknames to rulers began with Ivan I. Kalita means a purse or a leather bag for storing coins.

Legend

There is a legend according to which the prince was known as a generous man.

“In the summer of 6837 (i.e. in 1329 - approx.) the great prince Ivan Danilovich went to peace in Veliky Novgorod and stood in Torzhok. And 12 men came to him pretending to be the Holy Savior with a cup for a feast. And 12 men exclaimed, pretending to be the Holy Savior: “God grant many years to the Grand Duke Ivan Danilovich of All Rus'. Give water and feed your poor." And the great prince asked the boyars and old people of Novotorzh: “What kind of people came to me?”

And the men of the new market told him: “This, sir, is not a pretender of the Holy Savior, and that cup was given to them by 40 Kaliks who came from Jerusalem.” And the great prince looked at the cup from them, put it on his crown and said: “What, brothers, will you take from me as a contribution to this cup?” The Pritrivreans answered: “Whatever you give us, we’ll take it.” And the great prince gave them a new hryvnia deposit: “Come to me every week and take from me two cups of beer, the third - honey. Also, go to my governors and mayors and to weddings, and take yourself three cups of beer.”

Memory

In those days, rulers were depicted in paintings, so one can only imagine what Ivan Kalita would have looked like in a photo. The prince's contemporaries did not focus on appearance, but rather described his character and behavior. For example, Kalita is a calculating man who was distinguished by his intelligence. The ruler was called merciful. Kalita often gave food to the poor during his trips around Rus'. I tried to fulfill the requests of the people. Ivan I served to the same person several times.

In the modern world, the Moscow ruler is not forgotten. For example, specialists developed a unique car at the Moskvich plant. The vehicle is named “Moskvich “Ivan Kalita”. In 2006, the Order of Ivan Kalita, the medal of the Order of Ivan Kalita, was awarded for the first time in the Moscow region.

Great politicians go down in history thanks to their deeds, and not their nicknames, but it is they, once aptly given, that allow descendants to assess the scale of the ruler’s personality. Ivan Danilovich received his nickname Kalita during his lifetime for

generosity shown to the poor. Kalita is a leather bag, purse. In the Moscow lands, a legend has been preserved about how the prince distributed silver money, which he took out from a leather wallet hanging on his belt. In addition, sparing no expense, he bought neighboring principalities, tirelessly adding new lands. A man of remarkable diplomatic talent, smart and generous, resourceful and tough, who united many Russian lands and founded the Moscow State - this is all the Grand Duke of Moscow Ivan Kalita, whose reign was from 1325 to 1340. Today we will talk about him.

Descendant of Alexander Nevsky

The chronicles do not preserve exact data about the time of birth of Ivan Danilovich: historians focus on the period from 1282 to 1283. He was the fourth son of Moscow Prince Daniil Alexandrovich and grandson of Alexander Nevsky. According to the laws of that time, the fourth son could not hope for the princely throne, but it turned out that it was Ivan I Danilovich Kalita who took it. often took government positions unexpectedly.

The path to the throne

The first mention of Ivan Danilovich dates back to 1296 in connection with his appearance in the city. At first he reigned in Pereyaslavl-Zalessky and successfully defended it in the battle with the Tver boyar Akinf in 1305.

In 1303, Ivan's father Daniil Alexandrovich died, and the princely throne passed to his elder brother Yuri, who ruled the Moscow lands from 1303 to 1325. All this time, Ivan provided Yuri with strong support.

Often participating in campaigns and leaving for the Golden Horde, he left the principality with a calm heart, which was successfully looked after by Ivan Kalita. The years of Yuri Danilovich's reign are from 1303 to 1325. During this time, for various reasons, the rest of Ivan Kalita's brothers die, and when Yuri Danilovich dies in the Horde at the hands of the Tver prince, the time comes for the reign of Ivan Kalita.

Beginning of reign

It was a difficult period. Horde power extended throughout Rus'. And the rule of each prince was established in the Horde. When Ivan Danilovich took the throne, he was forced to go to the Golden Horde. There his amazing diplomatic abilities were revealed in all their brilliance. He knew how to negotiate with the Tatars: he gave gifts of enormous value, thereby achieving a quiet existence and protecting them from Tatar raids, which brought countless troubles.

In those days, peace and quiet were almost impossible. After all, if it was possible to temporarily free oneself from Tatar attacks by paying a huge tribute, the neighbors - the princes - could launch a new campaign. The Moscow princes always competed with the Tver princes. And Tver was in a more advantageous position than Moscow. It stood on the Volga, grew rich in trade, and every year it subjugated more and more Russian lands.

Ivan Danilovich Kalita understood this. Years of rule taught him patience and taking advantage of opportunities, even the most tragic ones.

Participation in the punitive expedition to Tver and its consequences

The uprising that took place in Tver in August 1327 against the Tatars, who were oppressing the people of Tver, turned the course of history in the other direction. The result of the popular revolt was the complete extermination of the Tatar garrison, to which the Horde could not help but react. And in 1328, she equipped a punitive expedition to Tver, in which many princes participated, including Ivan Kalita, whose reign was just beginning. He could not disobey, and he saw the future power of the Moscow state in the suppression of Tver. After the defeat of Tver, its ruling prince, Alexander, fled to Pskov. Ivan Kalita received the Kostroma Principality from Khan Uzbek and the opportunity to control Novgorod the Great.

After the death of the Prince of Suzdal in 1331, the Moscow Prince obtained a label (permission) from the Uzbek Khan for the Grand Duchy of Vladimir and became the leader of the entire political system of Eastern Rus'.

In addition, Ivan Danilovich, showing extraordinary abilities, persuaded the khan to an unheard-of agreement: Uzbek entrusted Ivan with collecting taxes from the population in exchange for a promise not to organize raids and not to send Baskaks. Both sides kept their promises, the Tatars stopped plundering Russian lands, fearing the wrath of Uzbek, and Kalita paid the established taxes in full.

Internal affairs

The chronicles of those times glorify the reign of Prince Ivan Danilovich Kalita: by negotiating with the Horde, he achieved a significant period of peace and quiet, during which he implemented several grandiose projects that greatly contributed to the strengthening of Moscow's power.

Forty years of silence were given to the Russian land by Ivan Danilovich. Until 1368, not a single raid was made on the Moscow lands. How was this possible? The prince fulfilled all his obligations to the Horde: he regularly paid tribute, made countless gifts to the khan, periodically visiting him.

Ivan Kalita: years of reign

There is no clear answer to the question of how such huge funds were collected. Nevertheless, it is known that already at the beginning of his reign, the prince was able to clear the roads of robbers and robbers who committed outrages on them, for which he received a second nickname - Good, and attracted merchants and trade caravans to Moscow, increasing turnover and customs duties.

In addition, realizing that local rulers appropriated a considerable share of the collected tribute, Ivan Danilovich used cruel methods to fully collect it, punished the stealing governors and was merciless towards his opponents.

Ivan Danilovich undertakes several trips to the Russian north, during which he discovers another source of income - the fur trade. These methods probably allowed him not only to fully settle accounts with the Golden Horde, but also to carry out grandiose changes in the principality.

Moscow is the capital of the Russian Church

Ivan Danilovich was not just religious, he was confident in his own exclusivity thanks to God’s providence and counted on the Metropolitan’s help in implementing his plans to unite the Russian lands and strengthen the Moscow state. Caring for the security of the principality, Ivan Danilovich erects a new oak Kremlin, protecting the city center and the suburb. From 1326 to 1333, magnificent stone churches were built on the territory of the Kremlin: the Archangel, Spassky and Assumption Cathedrals, the Church of St. John the Climacus and the Church of the Transfiguration.

One of the important achievements of the struggle of the Moscow princes for primacy in the Russian lands of the Northeast is the alliance with the metropolitan see, which was started by Yuri Danilovich.

Perhaps it was this grandiose construction project that influenced the decision

Metropolitan Peter to establish his residence in Moscow. For several years he searched for suitable land for this. He died in 1326 and was buried in Moscow. Later, as Prince of Vladimir, Ivan Danilovich achieved the canonization of Peter.

Board and activities of Ivan Kalita

Relying on the active support of the Russian Orthodox Church and pursuing a competent policy of unifying Russian lands, Ivan 1 bought or conquered new principalities, leaving the reins of government in the hands of local princes, who passed into the status of viceroys of the Moscow prince. The spiritual letter of Dmitry Donskoy, the grandson of Ivan Danilovich, indicates the annexation of Uglich, Galich Mersky and Beloozero, purchased at different times, to the Moscow lands.

Relations with Tver have always been difficult for Ivan Danilovich. After the uprising from 1327 to 1337, it was ruled by the fairly loyal Konstantin Mikhailovich, but then the exiled prince, forgiven by Uzbek Khan, Alexander Mikhailovich, returned to Tver. Realizing that the confrontation is beginning again, Ivan Danilovich leaves for the Horde and, having presented the khan with gifts, convinces him that Alexander Mikhailovich is playing a double game while in the service of Lithuania. In turn, the Tver prince also weaves intrigues, but Kalita defeats him, and in 1339 in the Horde, Uzbek Khan executed him along with his son Fedor. Ivan 1 Kalita dealt cruelly with his enemies. The years of his reign coincided with merciless and difficult times, which is why he played by its rules.

Assessment of the ruler's affairs by contemporaries

This was Ivan Danilovich's last success. In the spring of 1340, he became seriously ill, retired and took monastic vows at the Spassky Monastery, which he built not far from his residence. There he spent his last months of life and died in March 1341.

An excellent literary monument written by one of the monks has been preserved. It is called “Praise to Ivan Kalita”, where the deeds and actions of the “gatherer of the Russian land”, who was Prince Ivan Kalita, are highly valued, the biography, rule of the politician and aspirations of which were subordinated to one noble goal - to create the Moscow state.